And not unlike the credit crisis, if we fail to see the signs, we will come undone and feel the same shock, pain and deep loss, we are feeling right now.

True, the predicted babyboom crisis is at a trickle right now; what with baby boomers delaying leaving the workforce; for those lucky enough to still be in work.

But what the credit crisis has only succeeded in doing, is delaying the inevitable – the retirement of millions upon millions of highly skilled leaders around the world.

I know, I know, no-one likes a “party pooper” or “kill joy”, someone raining on an already very rainy parade but the loss of top leaders, corporate knowledge built over many years and good solid work ethic, will be harder felt in the marketplace than any credit crisis; if we are not prepared.

Because the truth is, the economy will fall back on it’s axis, but the loss of quality leaders, work ethics and company knowledge will not.

I will say no more, only to ask that you read the articles below, then ask for my impact report now. Because not only will it guide you through the credit crisis crunch but prepare you for the looming human capital crisis; so your company survives this and any other crisis that comes its way.

Here are the articles…

Article 1: The Dark Side of the Retirement Bubble
Article 2: Talent crunch as big a threat as credit crunch
Article 3: Don’t read this if you’re not worried about the impending babyboom crisis

Get my impact report here FREE!

Manpower CEO and Chairman, Jeffrey Joerres said in a statement that; “The talent shortage is becoming a reality for a large number of employees around the world.

In this article, I will give CMOs four strategies they can put in place now, to help them prepare for the talent shortage and prosper in 2009 and beyond.

The talent crunch is NOT a trend – it’s here to stay – for decades

“The talent crunch is not a cyclical trend, as we have experienced in the past, this time the crunch is real, and it’s going to last for decades” says Manpower CEO, Joerres.

With that said, you’d think companies were rallying around working hard to figure out how they can get ready for the looming talent crunch. But this is not the case, most companies are still putting their heads in the sand, thinking it won’t effect them.

True, some companies will be effected more than others. But the fact still remains; baby boomers are leaving the work force, however slowly, and we don’t have enough talented young people to replace them.

A Boston firm recently surveyed 2,900 HR people and found that only one-third were confident that they had enough talent in the pipeline to keep their businesses humming as boomers bow out. There is less management bench strength than at any time in history, they said.

Understand how it effects your balance sheet

Manpower, CEO says; “In 10 years’ time, many businesses will go under because they failed to plan ahead of time for the talent shortage and will be unable to find the people they need to run their businesses.”

But by getting a firm grip on what’s happening in the marketplace, following company triggers. CMOs are in a better position to set in place, razor sharp marketing tactics, ambitious sales goals and set prudent marketing budgets.

The data they collect will be invaluable when planning present and future campaigns, because they can prepare for the inevitable client base fall-out.

Cutting costs doesn’t mean reducing marketing campaign costs

In fact, this is the perfect time to beef up marketing campaigns. As many companies reduce all costs, including their marketing budgets. This will leave the flood gates open for CMOs to crank-up their marketing efforts in the hopes of grasping those all important new accounts.

Client retention is key to survival

While winning new clients is fun and exciting, retaining old clients is just as important.

As the marketplace shrinks, and companies go under, winning new clients is going to become tougher and tougher, so holding onto those all important clients – hard won, will make more and more good business sense.

So while many companies, in the days to come, will flounder and watch in horror, as their accounts disappear into thin air; due to lack of preparation and for not considering customer loyalty important.

Smart CMOs, will be winning bigger market share by consistently building customer loyalty into their marketing mix, while continuing to build their client base.

In conclusion: To survive and thrive in 2009 and beyond, smart CMOs understand that the crisis is not a trend, they appreciate how the talent crunch affects their clients and their marketplace; by boosting their marketing campaigns NOT reducing them and putting client loyalty first.

Is that because everyone knows for sure that the loss of so many will make not one jot of difference to how the marketplace will function in 10 years time? Who knows.

It’s no secret, many companies are wringing their hands with glee saying:

“Good riddens baby boomers, bring in the Generation Xers!”

But the hard fact is, we don’t have enough Generation Xers to replace the 78 million boomers slowly leaving the marketplace, and that’s just in the US.

But besides dealing with the gradual reduction of brain power, companies could do more to prepare themselves.

They could grab on to a simple truth that has been powerful and effective since time began, and has buffered many a company through the toughest of times and that is:

Relationships, add to that quality and you’re rewarded with customer loyalty. Pure and simple.

If every company played it’s part and focused on offering relationship and a quality service, then that company will survive through the toughest of times.

You don’t have to look too far back in history to see dozens of established, seemingly ‘well to to’ companies large or small, dramatically crumble and fall for lack of foresight, preparation and customer relationships.