Bits and Pieces

Getting Along with Enemies: the world is a complicated place. Seven billion people plus. Hundreds of nations and their unique histories. Cultures vary with religion, history, values and belief systems. Knowing these and understanding them is a challenge. A multitude of languages complicates the situation more.

If we have learned anything we should understand that who we count as friend or enemy is highly variable. Diplomacy is a career that studies the means and methods of agreeing with those we are different from. Knowing and understanding are two different aspects of the same issue – How do we get along with those we do not truly know? That is the crux of foreign policy. Who is a friend in one season may turn out to be a competitor or enemy in the next season. Enemy and competitor are also not automatic. Most of the time we get along with and respect our competitors. They are not enemies necessarily.

Iran and American relations have been in turmoil for many years. The dynamics of the relationship change over time. Now is a good time to find a way to work with Iran to calm the Middle Eastern chaos.

To win we do not always have to be the winner. Know this and work it!

Job Market: most businesses – for profit and non – are short staffed. What they do cannot readily be accomplished without people power within their organization. Businesses do not run people; people run businesses. Another thought, people need other people to do things they need and want; that’s why they go to the business to buy the goods and services in the first place.

Having that line-up straight is essential to understanding the current labor market. Supply and demand for services and products exist. Both sides of that equation. The volume ebbs and flows constantly, but its existence is not in question. Just a matter of scale at any given moment.

Equilibrium within markets is a critical economic element. Balanced supply and demand are expressed in stable pricing and movement of goods. Imbalances create too little supply for the existing demand, or too little demand for the inventory of available goods. Prices will settle the matter quickly. High prices attract more resources to the equation; people get paid more and come to work for the organization that will support their compensation expectations. When that fancy passes, employees will seek the next hot spot.

A lot depends on career parameters. What one person chooses to do for a living is not what another person would choose. Specialties emerge in this manner. Employers know they need some career staff to always understand the inner workings of their business if the enterprise is to be a success over many years. Some businesses thrive because it has the right mix of talent working for it. Products and services are up to date and beat the competition in quality and features. Who produces the goods is not as important as the design and engineering of the product.

The American job market today is a witness to enormous imbalances. Far too many people are sick and tired of the old work routine. They want something different. They know something different is out there and developing. They are adjusting to a market of different needs and expectations. They are changing. Employers need to match their own needs with what available workers are willing to do. And for what compensation.

It is the moment employers need to change their approach. There is no labor shortage. There is a huge mismatch within the employment market – the buyers and the sellers.

November 2, 2021