TERRE HAUTE —
Somewhere in rural Indiana is a banker who can not see good in any proposal put before him unless he saw it previously. His posture is as rigid as his mind. How can his town expect to move forward with his hand on the money spigot?
Elsewhere is a woman who talks too much yet says too little. Her incessant conversation interferes with her job because she does not transfer information efficiently. Despite their tolerance and best efforts, her employers no longer can accept her poor performance.
Another two Hoosiers are well-educated people whose skills are not in demand in these hard times. One is waiting tables while attempting to change his career path; the other has accepted an apprenticeship to take her career in a different direction.
All of these people have college degrees and are considered professional service providers by those who classify occupations. None is unemployed. Each is underemployed: the banker and the talkative woman by habit, the other two by choice in hope of better opportunities.
Many other employed Hoosiers operate below their capabilities. In a state often obsessed with “worker-training,” what is being done about those under-employed by habit or by aspiration?
The talk in Indiana is about training where psycho-analysis may be more appropriate. The excessively cautious banker relies on his experience to guide his actions, but he does not seem to assimilate contemporary trends into his understanding of the business environment. What will it take for him to accept new information?
The all-too-talkative woman has been so for thirty years of her adult life. Can her behavior be modified when it is so ingrained in her personality? The other two delayed career changes because they were already mature, experienced professionals.
They, along with the rest of us, did not, could not, accept the structural changes of the past five years. Economic waste characterizes these examples as it does for other people who fit these descriptions. Owners, managers and laborers who resist change and reject information harm themselves, their families, companies and communities. But how do they know their behaviors are harmful?
You or I may tell them so, but how well can we communicate what we know imperfectly. Motivational speakers and career counselors may have temporary influence. Newspaper articles and TV programs may offer convincing evidence. However, we are talking about fundamental changes in habitual conduct, self-image, and professional identity, whatever you call it. Unemployment compensation is one means of providing aid to those in need of changing jobs. But what assistance do we have for impassive bank presidents? When the talkative woman is dismissed from her job, where can she go for behavioral modification she does not know she needs?
These issues are not normally considered in the discussion of economic development. Wasted effort, wasted lives, however, cannot be ignored, even if they are not easily addressed by government or private programs.
Yes, community mental health programs may be a key to accelerating prosperity.
Morton Marcus is an independent economist, speaker, and writer formerly with IU’s Kelley School of Business.
Business
MORTON MARCUS: Wasted effort, wasted lives cannot be ignored
- Business
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- RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: May 21, 2012
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EYE ON THE PIE: Use to be close tie between output, employment
Crusty Crawford joined our lunch table with a pronouncement. “We’ve always assumed a close tie between output and employment,” he said. No one responded.
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Employer opinions sought on students
A joint venture between Ready Indiana and the Indiana Department of Education is seeking employer input that will impact how Hoosier high school students are equipped for the workforce.
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Carlisle prison marks 20th anniversary
2012 marks the 20th year of service for the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, going on line with its first offenders Dec. 10, 1992.
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SOCIAL SECURITY: Why young workers should care about Social Security
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BUSINESS CENTS: Does your staff understand pricing?
Many companies feel as though their staff will follow instructions and implement price strategies as instructed.
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Valley Child Development Center receives grant
Valley Child Development Center has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Terre Haute Day Nursery Foundation through the Wabash Valley Community Foundation.
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Exec offers advice on becoming startup entrepreneur
Sam Clemens, chief product officer of Cambridge, Mass., startup company Insight Squared, gave Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students insight on how to develop a startup business.
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Newsmakers: May 20, 2012
Leland Phipps, family practice physician at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center, has been re-elected to membership with the American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Alumna to serve as VP for Rose-Hulman Ventures
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology alumna Elizabeth M. Hagerman is returning to her alma mater to serve as vice president for Rose-Hulman Ventures, the institute’s successful innovation space that has spawned careers and entrepreneurial enterprises throughout Indiana.
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Summer Sidewalk Sale set
Marshall Main Street’s Downtown Summer Sidewalk Sale is planned from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 9.
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Oil drops to lowest level in 6 months
The price of oil dropped to a six-month low Tuesday on concern that economic uncertainty in Europe could hurt demand for crude.
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Adidas initiative: ISU students develop business improvement process at facility
As Indiana State University students cruised Interstate 70 on Friday afternoons from Terre Haute to Indianapolis, they were looking forward to reaching their destination.
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BUSINESS BRIEFLY: May 13, 2012
An evening of networking and education for Clark, Crawford and Edgar counties regarding branding, marketing and tourism development opportunities is planned for 6:30 p.m. May 21 at the Heath Museum on the square in downtown Robinson.
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Wendy’s partners with Riley Hospital
For just $2, customers at participating Wendy’s restaurants in the Evansville/Terre Haute area can get free Jr. Frosty desserts through Dec. 31 while supporting Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health.
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Marshall Chamber to stage annual golf outing
The Marshall (Ill.) Chamber of Commerce invites golfers to its annual golf outing scheduled for June 8 at the Marshall Golf Course.
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ON THE MOVE: May 13, 2012
McKenze Rogers has joined Williams Randall as an account supervisor.
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Seminar teaches seniors to fight fraud
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that 25 million Americans are victims of consumer fraud each year.
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Given the current economic climate, buying a nice gift for Mother’s Day may be more difficult than in years past.
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‘Best Places to Work’ honored at banquet
Companies raising the bar with their workplace practices were recognized on May 3 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
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NEWSMAKERS: May 13, 2012
Susi Willis, CPA and partner in Larsson Woodyard & Henson, LLP, was recently presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the Indiana CPA Society at its annual CPA Celebration at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
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Indiana Rail Road wins Family-Friendly Award
The Indiana Rail Road Co. has won the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce’s “Family-Friendly Business Award” for 2012 based on the company’s highly successful employee wellness program.
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Government cuts summer gasoline price forecast
The government says gasoline will be cheaper this summer than previously expected thanks to a drop in the price of oil.
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Mall operator becomes biggest real estate company
The nation’s largest shopping mall operator is now also the country’s largest real estate company.
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Dealership to celebrate first year
The 500 Automotive Group in Clinton will celebrate its first year in business with an big birthday bash at the dealership on Friday and Saturday.
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EYE ON THE PIE: Compensation levels did not cause the recession
America is still fascinated with “The Price is Right.”
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Old National begins year with strong first quarter
Old National Bancorp reported 1st quarter net income of $21.7 million, or $0.23 per share.
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Enroll in disaster preparedness class
The University of Illinois Extension is offering a disaster preparedness course on May 23 for Clark, Crawford and Edgar county businesses called Ready Business.
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Newsmakers: May 6, 2012
• Dr. Haytham Mansour
• Terre Haute Regional Hospital
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