By Maxine Shapiro, KERA 90.1 commentator.
Dallas, TX – "When do you expect the economy to recover in 2002? What one thing would have to happen in your business life in 2002 for you to consider the year a success?" I'm Maxine Shapiro with KERA Marketplace Middays. Those are just a couple of the questions in a survey asked by Dallas-based marketing firm Bertram McKee and Associates. As reported by the Dallas Business Journal online, Bertram McKee conducted this survey in late December early January. I was intrigued.
Jane Sidham, Vice President of Bertram McKee, related to me this morning that the survey was taken by 200 businessmen and women nationwide, ages ranging from the early 20's to mid-70's. It was primarily to gauge what might have changed in the consciousness of these businesspeople since 9-11.
"If you had to choose one animal to represent 2001, what animal would be the most descriptive?" There was reptile, bear, and canine, but feline was the top response. Not being a marketing major or Freudian psychologist, I asked Ms. Sidham what she thought that meant. "Felines are sneaky and they have nine lives," she said. Oh!
I was more interested in the other questions. "What one thing would have to happen in your business life in 2002 for you to consider it a success?" High on the list was achieving goals and new business. Those were pretty well split between men and women. But for women, highest on the list was salary increase. That came in third for the men. You don't need to be Freud to figure that one out.
"When do you expect the economy to recover in 2002?" The majority felt not until the third quarter of this year. They might be right after all.
"And if money, talent and training were no object, what career change would you make in 2002?" The majority of men said they would teach, while the largest percentage of women would choose medical-related careers. Uh!
Bertram McKee plans on conducting another survey mid-year. I wonder - how many of those men are now teaching and did those women get a raise? For KERA Marketplace Middays, I'm Maxine Shapiro.
Marketplace Midday Reports air on KERA 90.1 Monday - Friday at 1:04 P.M.