On the Lighter Side
Many years ago, I was walking through the University of Wisconsin Parkside -- just visiting. On my way through the athletic facilities, I noticed on a bulletin board "Coach Overbaumer's Rules". I was caught by the name "Overbaumer", but then I read the rules. Before I give you the first one, I should point out that the Coach must have been something of a local legend, a wise sage, very successful in his field. So what was the old coach's 1st important rule? "Think of good things that will help you." -- seriously.

Well, if you are reading my blog, you might be wondering how you can keep your job. I've been posting on this topic for several months now. If you still need more advice, I offer these tips, all in the spirit of good old Coach Overbaumer.

More of the "Local Angle"
As expected, Minnesota isn't the only state where state government is trying to take action against the trend. This posting by OutsourcedAmerica gives some insight into what's happening in PA.

An List of Companies Exporting Jobs
For all you list junkies out there, here's a link to alpha list of companies that are already or plan to ship jobs off-shore. Scroll down to "Exporting America".
CNN Programs - Lou Dobbs Tonight
It might be "fun" if some truly energized software engineer (maybe one out of work with time on his/her hands) took this list and could dynamically download with dates when companies are added to the list. This data could be easily graphed, and the "trend" followed. Any takers? Statboni, I was thinking of you when I wrote this.

What's that cry I hear, "Come on 'IT', do we really need a graph to spot *this* trend?" To which I say, "Probably not, but wouldn't it be 'fun'?".

The Local Grass Roots Groundswell Continues
Another local story about how the common rank & file techie is dealing with the issue. Frankly, still thinking the union angle mentioned here is at best a finger in the dyke. Pioneer Press | 02/27/2004 | Offshore backlash

The View from CEO'sWal-Mart-ing of Software
Here's an interesting piece that points out the two faced nature of today's MBA mindset...namely while sending jobs off-shore to remain competive, the mindset then complains the lack of top talent graduating from US Colleges. Anybody see a problem here? I'm thinking of a conversersation with a co-worker yesterday. His son is now a college freshman majoring in CS -- despite the *strong* advice against it from his techie father.

Is there a way for the U.S. to Stay on Top?
The headline asks the key question. Despite several months of blogging, and several months of correspondence with a lot of you, no easy answers are forthcoming. Business Week Article

The Local Story Continues
The governor doesn't want to be surprised (read he was), but his duty to the taxpayers is to get the best value for the tax $$ (read off-shore) -- Full Story --

More Individuals Profiled
I've been sitting this Wired Article now for several weeks. Like the BW article above it puts a human face on the cover of the entire story. Several points I took home the most interesting -- the woman from India that expects her job to be out-sourced to China.

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In the Legislature Last Week
I apologize to my out of state readers for keeping my recent posts so Minnesota focused, but I feel duty bound to cover this for my local readers. This point was underscored when I had a recent conversation with when of my 'blog readers that they did not regularly read a Minnesota daily newspaper. Well, on this topic, consider "OutSourceIT" your next (if not better) best choice --how's that for humility?

In a rush of bi-partisan agreement, both major parties seem to be falling all over this one in violent agreement.
--Full Story-- OK so it isn't violent agreement, but the bill introduced by two DFL lawmakers was met with this from the speaker of the House:

"Certainly on the surface I'm concerned about Minnesota tax dollars going to contracts that are out of the country," Sviggum said.

The Bill Itself
And speaking of the bill, it's now posted as HF 1816. A similar bill is expected in the Senate later this week. I will post when it is online.

Lawson makes it public
As promised two days ago, here is Lawson's public announcement of our offshore deal.

Job Protection Act?
I did not find anything this morning on the Job Protection Act, but in my searching for it, I did find this column - Real Word Economics by Edward Lotterman. It finishes with this:

economists must realize that trade policy is a pendulum, and it currently is swinging against us. As much as we may dislike it, we are likely to see more protectionism in the next few years than less. The nation will survive.

Let the Lobbying For Legislation Begin
Another story that appeared locally was one titled "Turning the tide on U.S. offshore workers"
I note that the Minnesota High Tech Association is slated to discuss a proposed legislation this Friday. Our governor is withholding comment on the subject until hearing the report. Through his spokesperson, the governor is saying that on the whole he "is not in favor of offshore contracts".

The Minnesota proposal is called The Minnesota Job Protection Act. It is scheduled to be introduced today. When available online, I will post a link here. Lest, we hold out "hope" (and I say hope, because "hope" may vary depending on your position in the issue) that legislation will provide immediate relief, a lobbyist involved is describing all of this as "legislative blunderbuss" which I'm sure is not lacking!

The Story Hits the Mainstream Media
Over the last several months I was beginning to feel like this topic was only for people like me and my loyal readers. Folks that hung out on 'blogs & read Slashdot along with e-mails from eWeek. Well my bubble burst, when my local paper the St. Paul Pioneer Press ran their top story this past Sunday on the topic. --Full Story-- It seems that while government might be taking a hands off, free market view to what private industry has been doing, they (government) may have been an un-witting participant in the process also.

The sidebar story that I am especially interested in is the "anti-disparagement" agreement that some displaced workers are asked to sign in order to get their severance. --Full Story-- It would seem that this is not a violation of free speech as these agreements are entered into "willingly" i.e. "Sign this document or forgo your severance package". Right -- willingly!

The first article on these agreements left me feeling a little un-settled and thinking there had to be more to the story than this. I was glad to see that Dave Beal, a Pioneer Press business columnist followed up with a more thorough & thoughtful piece on the subject --Full Story-- I'm not a huge fan of HR type, but an HR consultant in the story advises that you consult an attorney before signing one of these things. Come to think of it, I'm not a big fan of lawyers either, but it sounds like good advice.

How's that for timing
In a very related and personal note my company today announced that they had signed an agreement with an Indian consulting company for our new ODC - OffShore Development Center. While no public press release is available on the company's web site, I bring it up here, in cause it affects me in such a way that this 'blog is view as "disparaging".

Enjoy the 'blog while you can.
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