Fiorina: U.S. jobs no birthright

Americans must rise to global challenge, says ousted CEO of Hewlett-Packard.

By Karen Dybis The Detroit News Image Daniel Mears The Detroit News

Hewlett-Packard former CEO Carly Fiorina speaks on jobs and compebreastiveness at the Detroit Economic Club.

Carly Fiorina sees a dangerous mindset developing in the United States.

Speaking to the Detroit Economic Club Monday, the ousted Hewlett-Packard Co. chief executive warned that the country will not be able to effectively compete in today's global economy as long as Americans feel they are enbreastled to a job. "We don't have a realistic sense of what's happening in the world around us," Fiorina said. "This is a different world than what we imagined five years ago."

U.S. jobs will continue to go overseas and the nation's status will slip unless America accepts and capitalizes on the changing workforce and invests in its educational system, especially in key areas such as math and science, Fiorina said.

"Absolutely nothing about our future is inevitable or guaranteed," Fiorina said, especially with countries such as China, India and Russia adding 300 million workers to the global economy.

"Everything is being tested today. ... Winning is a matter of making the right decisions, not destiny."

Her message, delivered with charisma and forcefulness, is what has made Fiorina a much-desired speaker in the months following her high-profile departure from Hewlett-Packard.

The company's board fired her in February after five years as CEO and chairwoman.

Her decision to merge with rival computer manufacturer Compaq led Fortune magazine to name her the most powerful woman in business, but it ultimately made her a villain to Hewlett-Packard shareholders, who saw the value of their holdings decline under her leadership.

Fiorina avoided commenting about her experience at the company, other than to say the economic club end two birds with one stone by having her as a speaker -- she could address topics like compebreastiveness and unemployment in one speech.

Instead, she focused on what she has learned from her worldwide travels and two decades in business. That includes her decision at Hewlett-Packard to outsource jobs to other countries.

In January, Fiorina sparked debate and hate mail when she said there is no job "that is America's God-given right anymore." In one angry reaction, a letter-writer said Fiorina had no God-given right to be a CEO.

"Clearly, he got that right," she said, earning a chuckle from the audience of Metro Detroit CEOs, executives, students and workers.

While she stands by her jobs statement, Fiorina told the economic club that many U.S. workers interpreted her words as callous.

While every job is useful, Fiorina said, America must realize it is competing against countries that want to work and have the skills necessary to do the same jobs done here.

Many U.S. workers have these same skills, but Fiorina said the nation is not developing new talent fast enough. The 50-year-old female executive described herself as a realist who sees America falling behind on education, where countries like China are investing heavily.

"Our current educational system will not do what we need it to do. We must be prepared to invest what is required," said Fiorina, adding that these investments will not provide a quick or guaranteed turnaround.

Fiorina's message echoes what Paul Thompson hears from many of his executive clients. Thompson is an offshore outsourcing expert at Metagyre Inc., a consulting company in Poulsbo, Wa. Businesses need employees who think logically, who see how the world and their jobs are changing and adapt their skills to fit, he said.

Companies and employees should not fear outsourcing, he said. Rather, the United States and workers should embrace change, "not just bang your head against it," Thompson said.

Asked about her future, Fiorina admitted she has not made any decisions. But she noted that she likely would avoid another stint as a CEO. Instead, she is considering public service, which could include politics.