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The appeal and status
of being a doctor or lawyer is diminishing (NYTimes
1/6). According to a poll by the American
College of Physician Executives, 60% of doctors
have considered getting out of medicine because of
low morale, and nearly 70% knew of a doctor that
already had. In a survey by the American Bar
Association, 44% of lawyers said they would not
recommend the profession to a young person. Students
are gravitating to entrepreneurial situations, and
“the entrepreneur’s autonomy simply can’t be found
in law or medicine.”
COMMENT:
The sentiment in these two professions has to have
an adverse impact on their professional society
relationship.
You can add
retailing to careers that are out of favor (USAToday
12/24). According to a National Retail
Federation study, less than 1/3 of college grads
believe retailing has a positive reputation.
New buzzword to watch for: “strategic volunteering”
(WSJ 12/20). It is used in a new book on
at-home mothers returning to work. They are
selecting volunteer opportunities that develop
skills transferable to future paid jobs.
COMMENT: In
a broader sense, the term may apply to volunteering
that has value.
Everything is going green, including
dying. “Green” cemeteries have emerged along with
eco-friendly burial products (USAToday 12/27).
“It’s hard to say if it’s a fad or it it’s here to
stay,” says a spokesperson for the
International Cemetery, Cremation and
Funeral Association.
Local government officials are levying taxes on
previously exempt churches because they are “running
businesses that don’t have a charitable mission.” (WSJ
1/2). Fast growing Protestant megachurches and
television evangelists are drawing attention for
running athletic and retail facilities.
COMMENT:
Another instance of tax-exempt scrutiny.
Ethanol’s role in reducing dependence on foreign oil
has food cost and environmental consequences (WSJ
11/28). The result: a major public policy
confrontation. The National Corn Growers
Association and the Renewable Fuels
Association are pitted against meat producer
groups like the American Meat Institute and
the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
over government subsidies supporting ethanol.
Packaged food companies are also affected.
COMMENT:
It will be interesting to see how the issues will be
framed with energy independence vs. food costs.
“More Boards Seek Directors Who Aren’t CEOs” (WSJ
12/17). Non-CEO directors accounted for 29% of
new independent directors on S&P companies, up from
18% in 2001. Boards “are looking for different
kinds of skills,” says a search consultant.
QUESTION:
Does your association identify and pursue specific
skills when filling director positions?
Another new buzz phrase: “video snacking” (NYTimes
1/5). It refers to the practice of watching
YouTube, news highlights and other videos at
lunchtime. Media companies are timing release for
the noon hour resulting in viewing spikes. For
instance, Yahoo’s daily best-of-the-web segment
called “The 9’ is released in time for lunch.
CHECK:
Your office at lunchtime.
Queen Elizabeth II has launched her
own site on
YouTube (Boston Globe
12/24). She used the site
to send out her annual Christmas message.
EXAMPLE: If the 81-year-old head of the
world’s most tradition-bound entity can use
technology, your association can too!
Second Life, the
online fantasy game, has 12 million registered users
worldwide (WSJ
1/23).
It is an elaborate online world where players can
create identities, called avatars. Avatars run
businesses and have homes. And yes, avatars can
join an association in Second Life -- an attorney
runs the
Second Life Bar Association.
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