Figuratively Speaking: U.S. foreign policy may drive dissatisfaction abroad

Percentage of Americans who are very or somewhat worried that the U.S. is losing the trust and friendship of other countries: 73

Percentage who worry that Americans will be less welcome in other parts of the world: 63

International payroll

Rank of Asia among the regions with the highest salary increases forecast for 2008, according to a survey conducted by ECA International, the world’s largest membership organization for international human resources: 1

Ranks of India, Argentina, Indonesia and Russia among the countries with the highest predicted salary increases for 2008: 1, 2, 3, 4

Ranks of Switzerland, Japan, France and Austria and Germany among the countries in the world with the lowest predicted salary increases for 2008: 1, 2, 3 (tie), 4

Who’s to blame for a bad rep?

Percentage of global business executives who assign blame to the CEO when companies lose reputation after a crisis strikes, according to a new “Safeguarding Reputation” survey by global public relations firm Weber Shandwick with KRC Research: 58

Percentage of executives who cite financial irregularity as a major trigger of reputation failure: 72

Percentage who cite unethical behavior: 68

Scouting talent

Percentage of HR executives worldwide who say that the “war for talent” is and will be a key and enduring business issue over the next 10 years and beyond, according to a survey conducted by Resources Global Professionals: 82

Percentage of HR executives who say they are planning to hire external resources: 90

Percentage who say they are looking offshore for talent: 60

Big-name worldwide employers

Number of workers employed worldwide by Wal-Mart Stores, topping the first published list of the world’s 500 largest corporate employers, according to a study by My Global Career: 1.8 million

Number of workers employed by second-ranked Deutsche Post of Germany: 502,545

Number employed by third-ranked Siemens Group of Germany: 461,000

Number employed by fourth-ranked McDonald’s: 447,000

Customer service

Percentage of executives surveyed in the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa who say their companies do not deserve customers’ loyalty, according to a survey by the Strativity Group: 70

Percentage of executives who claim that their company does not deliver unique and beneficial products or services: 51

Percentage who say their products or services are worth the price they charge: 56

Cultural exchange

Percentage of executives in the U.S. and Canada who feel that they would benefit from an international etiquette course (when and whether one should shake hands, give a kiss on the cheek or bow when greeting an overseas colleague), according to the results of a survey by OfficeTeam: 62

Global competition

Percentage of working adults who feel America is unprepared to compete in a global economy, according to a survey from Adecco Staffing: 56

Percentage of working adults who agree that today’s U.S. employers do not invest enough in training and development to keep the U.S. work force competitive with those in other countries: 76

Percentage of working adults who agree that the U.S. educational system is not providing workers with the necessary skills to be prepared for the jobs of the future: 64

John MacIntyre is an author and former city magazine editor. His “Figuratively Speaking” column, launched in 1989, is published in more than 40 newspapers and magazines.