According to Bruce Greenwald and Judd Kahn, job losses due to increased productivity greatly outnumber those lost to globalization.  That is certainly a far cry from the typical lament that says we can protect our workers by keeping jobs at home.

In Greenwald’s and Kahn’s book, “Globalization:  The Irrational Fear That Someone in China Will Take Your Job,” the authors base their premise on research from the Commerce Department which estimates that 65% of job losses in manufacturing between 2000 and 2006 were due to productivity increases; only 35% of job losses were due to overseas sourcing.

Yes, secretaries and office workers were replaced by computers.  Yes, robots took over jobs in the auto industry.  Yes, call centers moved to India.  However this does not mean productivity increases only relate to technology.  It does mean that we have to constantly redefine productivity.  With fewer people working in an area, more is expected of each one.  New jobs arise with new technology.  In this economic turmoil, companies will be reformed.  Personal productivity will never be out of style.

The book was written before the end of year drop for 2008 so we of course have additional worries now.  More than ever productivity is in vogue.  When you are worried about retaining your job, you want to show your value.  This is the time to apply every time management technique you have learned.  If things are slow, use that period to reorganize your documents and your space.  Read pertinent articles and sign up for classes to add another skill.

Making productive use of your time will help distract you from worrying.  You will feel accomplished, and your efforts should pay out as things right themselves.