June - Modern Materials Handling

modern SPECIAL REPORTRegional roundupMedian salary doesn’t vary much from region to region.Salaries are somewhat higher in the Pacific, Mountain andWest South Central states.Mid-Atlantic (13%)West North Central (10%)$72,500$75,000$76,030$72,000New England (4%)Not everyone is having difficulty,however. Graduates in informationmanagement and supply chain strategyare in demand because they cut costsand improve efficiencies, says JamieBelinne, assistant dean for the Universityof Houston’s Bauer College of Business(713-743-4600, www.bauer.uh.edu).$70,000Mountain (7%)East North Central (24%)Movin’ on up$72,000$78,000$76,600The tough economy may explain why$68,500only a small percentage of respondents$71,000are pursuing other interests and manymore are trying to keep dry and weatherthe storm where they are. When asked ifthey are actively seeking other jobs, 32%of Modern’s readers say they’re happywere they are, 47% are always open tonew possibilities, 14% are passively looking,but only 7% are actively looking.Pacific (12%)South Atlantic (14%) Last year was a good year to make amove. This year, maybe not.$77,723$72,000Mike Flamer, vice president of The$76,010$73,000Dorfman Group (480-860-8820, www.thedorfmangroup.com), told Modern lastWest South Central (8%)East South Central (7%)year that taking a risk on a new employer$82,500$68,000usually pays off financially. The idea was$73,000$73,000that by changing jobs, a person couldincrease salary faster than those whostayed put and accepted an average annual2009 2008increase. This year, however, Flamersays, “My philosophy hasn’t changed, but871-1100, www.topgradingsolutions.com), an executive searchfirm, recently surveyed candidates from the supply chain planningand purchasing sector to determine how long they wouldwait before taking a new job at a lower salary, if they lost theirjob today. Results indicate that despite the unstable economy,people are still willing to wait for better or equal compensation.Who is willing to wait?• 29.7% claimed they would wait 120 days before consideringa cut in their annual salary,• 20.3% said they would wait 60 days,• 16.9% would wait 90 days,• 12.8% would consider it after the first 30 days, but• 20.3% said they would not take a pay cut.Those willing to wait, of course, are seasoned professionals.The landscape for the newly graduated is a little tougher.“New graduates are coming into the workforce at a time when37% of U.S. companies have frozen wages and 10% have haltedpromotions,” says Tom McMullen, who designs compensationprograms for corporate clients at the consulting firm Hay Group(312-228-1800, www.haygroup.com).the reality of the environment has changed. Today, people arenervous about making a move for fear that the next companymight not be financially solvent.”For those who are on the market not because they wantto be, Flamer recommends that they “be prepared to look atall options. A lot of companies are still doing well, so get yourname out there and create a strong social network.”Larry Johnson, a partner with The Search Group (847-854-6322, www.search-one.com), a recruiting company focusedon the materials handling industry, also offers some advice forprofessionals looking for employment and for those just lookingto stay on top of their game. “Stay flexible. If you’re lookingfor a job, honestly evaluate your skill set and see if you canalign yourself in other areas that might be able to utilize yourtalent.” He adds, if you can sell lift trucks, maybe you can sellsoftware or conveyors.Flamer’s advice to working professionals is to remain vigilantfor the strength of the company you’re working at. “Don’tbe lulled into a false sense of security, and do whatever youcan to keep your company successful.”24 J UNE 2009 / MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING mmh.com