New Years Day

The New Years Eve parties in my neighborhood seemed quieter than usual this year. But when my wife Wendy and I went to a local club to sit at the bar and hear some music, people were cheerful and friendly. Was this a calling card for 2009, reminder of a year slouching into our lives with a murky mixture of dread and hope?

I spent the last work days of 2008 doing what I normally do at this time, looking over the past year's business results for the HR Forums and thinking about plans for next year. The bad news: revenues for the 4th quarter were the lowest in years. The good news: our members, at least some of them, seem more engaged than ever in the opportunity at our events to talk to each other to about responding to the challenges facing their companies, their employees, and the workplace.

So what am I supposed to do with this paradox, this business "crisis" composed of "danger" and "opportunity?" Isn't this question for my tiny business essentially the same one facing the much larger businesses of our members, and businesses all over the world?

On the personal front Wendy and I each took a deep breath, overcame our resistance, and had our "kitchen table" conversation about family finances and plans for the next year. What's the contingency if our family income drops? Where can we cut expenses if we have to, while minimizing the impact on the richness and fullness of our lives? And in what new ways do we want to involve ourselves in being of service to others?

This blog will be a chronicle – through the course of 2009 – about companies, workplaces and people who work. I will be interviewing Bay Area HR executives, other executives, and ordinary working people to ask them where they are finding hope and opportunity during this economy of 2009.

We are now open for comments from HR Forums members and others who would like to jump in and join us. If you'd like to offer your perspective, or know someone who would, please comment here or let me know.

With best wishes for a year of hope and opportunity!