7 Work Life Culture predictions for 2009

January 2, 8:58 AMWork Life ExaminerJudy Martin

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Out comes the crystal ball in the form of the news headlines tracking the journey on the elusive quest for work life balance. Gazing into my new Mac Book Pro, there is a flurry of activity on all the social network sites harping on the global economic meltdown, job losses, and the need for better balance contrasted with guidance from the positive to the practical pundits who grace the web.

Here's what I see coming down the pike:

1. Michelle Obama takes the spotlight from Joe Biden on work life issues: Vice President-elect Joe Biden has long been associated with the working class and will soon head up the White House Task Force on Working Families. That being said, Michelle Obama appeared on 60 Minutes last Sunday and again mentioned that work life balance will be a key goal not only for her personally, but hinted she'd be a player in that field of interest. Here's Steve Kroft's interview with the Obamas right after the election.
2. The "Cuspers"form their own unique identity: Trendspotter Marian Salzman of Porter Novelli Worldwide predicts that on the wave of "change" fueled by the election of Barack Obama, baby boomers who she argues are taking the "rap for the reversal of fortune that's shaking the world," will take a backseat to the "cuspers." Check her out here on CNN. This generation  encompasses those who were born from 1954 -1965. Also check out Porter Novelli's winter white-paper, Intelligent Dialogue, Change is Now.
3. Increasing worker stress will force Corporate America to initiate more progressive Employee Assistance programs to combat mental and physical stress - to boost productivity. The connection is being made slowly but surely. The stress load on entrepreneurs and small businesses will also force a surge in meditation, exercise, and psychological guidance for everyone across the board. This EASNA study gives us a look at what's happening.
4. In response to rising unemployment and battered stocks a flood of risk takers will emerge as entrepreneurs. Although the economic climate is not ripe for taking chances, people will be working harder and longer because their retirement funds have dwindled down to nothing. In the face of adversity, we might see more small home based businesses and entrepreneurs emerging from the retirement pool as getting a job after 60 can prove difficult. Take a look at Small Business Labs 2009 Top 10 Small Business Trends.
5. A flood of more values-based businesses: This past election was about change and movement away from the status quo of the "more is more" mentality. While we have to pay the bills, the journey to get to a prosperous place will become as valuable as the cash itself as we pay more attention to purposeful work based on core human values.
6. Less will increasingly be more: From the Slow Movement to Leo Babauta's new book, The Power of Less, we'll be reading about how individuals are taking more of a chill to simplify their life. The Return on Investment on that concept will be carefully tracked.
7. Aggregation of all things aggregated.Check out this article on content aggregation on emarketer.com. Beyond news content, we'll see more of these mechanisms targeted at working families trying to balance scheduling with overloaded workload. For example, lists of lists to get it all done in a day.