This Week's Herman Trend Alert

Nail-Painting Robot Coming
to a Salon Near You

 

  The Herman Trend Alert

April 24, 2002

Enron Fallout

The Enron debacle has stimulated scrutiny of accounting firms and their practices. The heat is on Andersen, of course, but clients are challenging the other major firms as well. Corporate leaders want assurance that their accounting firms are honest, have trained their people well, and emphasize ethics. Senior executives at clients and accounting firms are asking a lot of serious questions, checking policies and procedures very carefully.

As Andersen clients look for other firms to conduct their audits, competition among large accounting firms will intensify. Companies using smaller firms will also consider changing, if their due diligence produces any discomfort at all. The confidence factor will be a very high concern, including both performance and ethical issues. Competition will drive down fees, until the market settles down.

There is a natural connection in people's minds between accounting and consulting. This relationship is understandable, since many accounting firms also offer consulting services of one kind or another.

Corporate executives and boards of directors need advisors they can trust. They will look more carefully at their consultants, attorneys, engineers, insurance agents, and other advisors. In each of these professions, those providers with certifications, special credentials, or other advantages that strengthen their reputations and credibility will stand tall. There will be a lot of questions from nervous clients and prospects.

The professional organizations that monitor and support the activities and recognition of these service providers, particularly those conferring accreditations, will be looking more carefully at the applications and the character of the individuals and organizations seeking their blessings. We forecast that they will put more muscle behind their screening procedures, recognizing that the reputation of the conferring body is also on the line. Expect ethics committees in these organizations to be more discriminating.

We are already hearing about professional societies taking extra steps. As an example, the Institute of Management Consultants is stepping up its public relations program to help corporate leaders understand what's behind the Certified Management Consultant designation. The effort, understandably, is led by the United States group, but sister organizations in 30 countries are also affected by this global concern.


© Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist. 1.336.210.3548 or https://hermangroup.com. To sign up, visit https://HermanTrendAlert.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc."

HEAR JOYCE SPEAK TOMORROW AT 11:30 AM EDT
Tomorrow morning, Joyce will be a Fireside Chat Speakers at the Brightside Business Women Empowerment Virtual Conference where she will talk about how business women can use the insights from her new, groundbreaking book, EXPERIENCE RULES, to be successful. Register for FREE at https://brightsideglobaltrade.org/women.

GET COACHING FOR YOUR PEOPLE FOR LESS THAN $1/DAY!
Gain access to dozens of coaches for the same low price. Find out more by visiting https://ingomu.com/joyceg

JOYCE IS ON THE RADIO EVERYDAY NOW
To listen to Joyce's TV shows on the radio, simply visit RadioFutures.com. Joyce's show is streaming every day at 3:00PM Pacific Time.

To read this Herman Trend Alert on the web: https://hermangroup.com/alert/archive_3-29-2023.html.


Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers.

New subscribers are always welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is read by over 30,000 people in 90 countries, including other websites and printed periodicals. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert.

Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Herman Trend Alert service.


Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert
View this week's Herman Trend Alert
Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         


[ Home · About · Products · Resources · Media ]

 

7112 Viridian Lane
Austin, TX 78739
Voice: 336-210-3548
Toll Free in US & Canada: 800-227-3566
E-mail: info@hermangroup.com


  © The Herman Group. All rights reserved.

Web site design by WebEditor Design Services, Inc.