FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-EMERGENCYNET NEWS SVC.-04\06\92-1700CST
THE RECESSION IS OVER...CONFIDENCE
MUST BE RESTORED!!
By: Paul Anderson, Metro correspondent
Chicago, IL.- If one hundred (100) of America's leading
newspapers, television, and radio outlets published the above
headline with an accompanying text that predicted an end to the
nation's economic woes... the recession would be over, according
to Clark Staten, Executive Director of the Chicago-based
Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI). Although not
known for research in economics or national fiscal policy, ERRI
is known for an understanding of emergency response issues,
motivational theory, crisis management, and for the practical
application of effective management ideas.
"What the nation fears most... (in the words of Winston
Churchill) at this point...is fear itself", according to
Staten. "That fear is fostered and bred by `Doom-sayers' and
those that benefit most by the malaise in American productivity;
other countries", he continued. "America doesn't lack
the natural resources, the skilled work force, or the economic
strength to forge a surge in the economy...it just lacks the
motivation and confidence to move forward", the technology
analyst said.
"We do need to modernize our management practices and take
full advantage of the computer technology that we have helped to
develop during the past few years", Staten said. "But,
that is not something that can't be done gradually and fueled by
an ongoing upsurge in production and overall productivity... and
ultimately the expand the economy as a whole", he added.
"Admittedly, we need to retool many of our manufacturing
processes and quality assurance measures to assure the maximum
effectiveness and consumer product satisfaction, but that is not
something that can not be accomplished with the investment of a
little time and money", he continued.
"With the rapid `down-sizing' of many larger corporations,
this would appear to be a great opportunity for small and
mid-sized service companies to assume many of the roles and
responsibilities that were previously handled `in-house' within
the larger companies...and to do so in a more cost effective
way", Staten commented. "This may be beneficial to both
the larger and smaller companies, and may actually result in more
overall jobs...rather than the
anticipated fewer numbers", he added.
"This shift or transition, however, would appear to be taken
as painful, difficult, or `darned near impossible' by some and
probably won't occur voluntarily... it must be forced by the
economic realities that many corporations have become `bloated'
by layer upon layer of `bureaucracy' that impedes progress and
productivity...rather than enhancing it", Staten said.
"In light of the state of our current computer technology,
and in consideration of the rapid development of better
connectivity and communications tools, it is generally
unnecessary for most corporate functions to be performed at any
one given site or in any one certain company", he continued.
"By connecting any number of cooperating companies...both
large and small...by computer modems and networks, almost any
task could be planned or performed by the person deemed most
prepared and equipped to achieve it", the owner of a
computer-based company said. "Most important is the fact
that this could be accomplished on an independent contractual
basis, thus reducing expenses for the `employer'...while
providing additional employment for the computer-linked
`employee'", he added. "Best of all...the `expert
employee' could be `employed' at the correct time and in the best
circumstances to maximize the entire effort...at the least cost
to everybody concerned", Staten concluded.
Staten indicated that the national and local press could have a
most beneficial effect on the overall economic conditions in the
country by now publicizing the end to the "recession".
He predicted that the nation could experience a "major
turn-around" by this the 4th quarter of 1992...if only
consumer and business confidence would return.
(c) EmergencyNet NEWS Service, 1992. May be reproduced with
permission
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