We will compare and contrast employment opportunities in the free enterprise system with other world economic systems

We will identify five new directions that are shaping the world of work

Career Decisions Objectivesfor October 19th, 2010

We live in a country that operates as a free enterprise system

This an economy in which individuals and businesses play a major role in making decisions

People can operate any type of business they choose, provided it is lawful

Free Enterprise System

The following are reasons that the U.S. economy is based on the free enterprise system:

1. People are free to be creative and choose where they work

2. People are free to own private property and buy whatever they want

3. The government allows people to buy or sell whatever they wish, so long as it doesn’t harm others

4. Consumer wants and needs determine what products are desired in the marketplace

5. Businesses can compete against each other to make money

Economic Freedom

Freedom to own property and freely buy and sell goods began with the founding fathers

The free enterprise system is an outgrowth of their spirit of independence

Economic Freedom

In countries where the government controls the production of goods, it also controls their price and distribution

Under such a system, people must follow the government’s dictates regarding how to work and live

Economic Freedom

The U.S. workplace is continually changing

The question no longer is: Will change occur? Instead, it is: How will change occur?

One thing you can count on in today’s exciting workplace is change, and you will be a part of it

New Direction for the Workplace

1. A Global Perspective

2. The Service and Information Economy

3. The Commitment to Quality

4. A Teamwork Approach

5. Family First

The Five New Directions that are Shaping the World of Work

Today, search for costumers goes beyond our border to every part of the world

Instant communications through phones, faxes, and computers makes this possible

A Global Perspective

Customers are just one factor of the new global perspective

The other is labor Companies

constantly look to other nations for labor services

A Global Perspective

The global economy has caused a major shift in the U.S. workforce

Is reduced the need for unskilled labor

Instead, skilled, well-educated U.S. workers are needed plan develop, and deliver the products and services of tomorrow

A Global Perspective

The decline in manufacturing has paved the way for a new economy based on services and information

Services are nonmaterial assistance for which people are willing to pay

This sector of the economy has grown very rapidly in recent years

It will remain the area of greatest job growth for the near future

The Service and Information Economy

Another focus on today’s economy is information

The computer and the Internet are American inventions

These are the tools of the information economy

What we learn with these tools helps us to create new services, improved business methods, and lower costs

The Service and Information Economy

The pursuit of quality is an all-out effort by employers to be the very best in their field

A company’s goal is to grow and become more successful

In the workplace, quality means doing the job quickly and accurately the first time

The Commitment to Quality

Building quality into a product or service requires constant attention to the way work is done

You will be expected to watch for ways to do your job better and you will be asked to suggest ideas for improving quality

The Commitment to Quality

In the old days, a supervisor made all the decisions and the workers followed the orders

Today’s workplace used a team approach where everyone works jointly to seek solutions to problems

This makes working well with others essential

A Teamwork Approach

Programs in the workplace today help workers handle the demands of work and family responsibilities

Men and Women use these programs

Family First

Family friendly programs may include:◦ On-site child care◦ Adoption assistance◦ On-site dry cleaners

or food stores with ready-to-serve food to take home

◦ Vacation options

Family First

Several important trends indicate new directions for the workplace

Businesses today operate in a global economy They search the world for customers as well as

affordable labor Product and service quality is continually examined

to make sure it meets customer expectations Teamwork is the primary way that work is

accomplished Family-friendly programs are helping to lessen the

challenge of balancing work and family responsibilities

Summary