Dislocated economy will affect labor pool - Print Spotting

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Bill Esler

Dislocated economy will affect labor pool
July 6, 2008

Struggling employees who lose control of personal finances, or who get booted from apartments as landlords suddenly go broke, don't make for productive workers. Besides the direct impact onerous oil prices put on shipping paper and printed goods, they also make it tough for workers to drive to their jobs, especially for employees living hand to mouth--increasingly the situation for millions of Americans.
The arsenal of assistance that can be offered by a firm which is itself under the same market duress may be limited--but there are things that can be done when approached on a cooperative basis. A few ideas:
--Help coordinate car pools for workers
--Facilitate bicycling as a means to get to work
--Sponsor group purchasing for household basics to stretch budgets
The economic shifts going on right now are radical, and individual lifestyles are resetting every 30 days--the same cycle as credit card billing and mortgage rate adjustments.
The most important assets in any print operation, or any business for that matter, are the people getting things done. This is one of those occasions where thinking about the personal demands on workers could play a critical role in the welfare and future of your business.

Posted by Bill Esler on July 6, 2008 | Comments (1)

Industries: Print Management, Sustainability

July 7, 2008
In response to: Dislocated economy will affect labor pool
RobW commented:

Bill - Certainly, I appreciate your insight about the labor pool for the printing industry and the role of the struggling economy - great topic, which deserves far more attention than a few cursory ideas. I agree that people ARE a company's greatest asset, but people across the office or print floor aren't strapped for good ideas to save a buck - saving a dollar on generic milk versus brand names becomes an obvious choice. Forget biking to work, taking the bus, and walking to the store - the real issue is DEBT. While gas prices are high, groceries are outrageous, and basic needs are soaring, it should help us all understand the role that personal debt plays in strapping our fellow workers to such a tight cash flow that any wiggle in the economy crushes the average family. Cut up the credit cards and encourage companies to help people (change someone's future) by providing sound financial training such as Financial Peace University @ Work by Dave Ramsey for your employees.