education system is contributing to the skills gap. In spite of continued increased educational funding, twelfth grade reading scores are at the lowest since 1992. Also, three quarters of seEmployee benefits jumped to 44% of total 2006 payroll costs according to a recent survey of 400 U.S. companies released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Another report suggested that almost 60% of all employees are not fully engaged in their positions. The question that you need to answer as a business owner or business executive is:

Are these continued increases in employee costs coupled with the decrease in individual performance part of your strategic plan?

Numerous reports during the last several years revealed that U.S. employees wasted time and lacked the necessary skills and knowledge to take their businesses to the next level. The bad news continues to flow from the U.S. Manufacturing Association’s report detailing how the U.S. public education system is contributing to the skills gap. In spite of continued increased educational funding, twelfth grade reading scores are at the lowest since 1992. Also, three quarters of sen

0% of all employees are not fully engaged in their positions. The question that you need to answer as a business owner or business executive is:

Are these continued increases in employee costs coupled with the decrease in individual performance part of your strategic plan?

Numerous reports during the last several years revealed that U.S. employees wasted time and lacked the necessary skills and knowledge to take their businesses to the next level. The bad news continues to flow from the U.S. Manufacturing Association’s report detailing how the U.S. public education system is contributing to the skills gap. In spite of continued increased educational funding, twelfth grade reading scores are at the lowest since 1992. Also, three quarters of se

e costs coupled with the decrease in individual performance part of your strategic plan?

Numerous reports during the last several years revealed that U.S. employees wasted time and lacked the necessary skills and knowledge to take their businesses to the next level. The bad news continues to flow from the U.S. Manufacturing Association’s report detailing how the U.S. public education system is contributing to the skills gap. In spite of continued increased educational funding, twelfth grade reading scores are at the lowest since 1992. Also, three quarters of se

d the necessary skills and knowledge to take their businesses to the next level. The bad news continues to flow from the U.S. Manufacturing Association’s report detailing how the U.S. public education system is contributing to the skills gap. In spite of continued increased educational funding, twelfth grade reading scores are at the lowest since 1992. Also, three quarters of seeducation system is contributing to the skills gap. In spite of continued increased educational funding, twelfth grade reading scores are at the lowest since 1992. Also, three quarters of seniors scored below the expected math proficiency level. (Source: The Nation's Report Card: America's High School Graduates)

With this dismal news, business owners need to run not walk back to their strategic plan and make the necessary course corrections. For example, medical related expenses rose almost 3% over the previous year. Possibly, now is the time to consider employee wellness as a potential critical success factor or critical goal category. Paid time and holiday time inched up .6%. With the push back on profit margins in almost all industries, any fixed cost increase is not good. Finally, employee engagement is another potential critical goal category with a specific goal to increase employee productivity.

Executable strategic plan