And, meanwhile, what is biggest problem for most employers today? Finding good workers and retaining them. In same way that workplace began, of necessity, to accommodate to needs of dual-working couples, by providing flexible schedules and on-site daycare for instance, smart company is going to begin thinking about what these demographics mean.

It seems to me that two forces are going to come together -- a continued need to secure and retain best employees, and growing number of single or unmarried adults in workforce - that will mandate bringing more emotional intelligence into workplace.

One mandate for emotional intelligence exists regardless of extraneous conditions: We are simply more effective when we are able to manage our emotions and emotions of others, to relate well, to inspire, coalesce teams, motivate, find creative solutions, get along, lead.

The other mandate for emotional intelligence is trend-dependent - a workforce of increasingly single and/or unmarried persons whose emotional and social needs may be pressing, and who may be seeking to meet more of these at work, or at any rate to exercise them.

If you want to attract and retain best workers, a cold, authoritarian, sterile and unfeeling workplace is not going to cut it. A human being can't live alone in evening and at night, and then work alone all day in an emotionally inert atmosphere. Isolation - literally or figuratively - has been shown repeatedly to be as bad for our health or worse than smoking, high blood pressure, and/or obesity, sometimes combined. It affects both mental and physical health, and "isolation" means lack of meaningful human contact.

We can begin now to instigate programs in workplace that allow us to tap further into one of most powerful of our intelligences, our emotional intelligence. When we experience and manage our emotions and those of others, we work better, we feel better, and we are better. When we treat one another with respect, dignity, integrity, and compassion, we work better, feel better and are better. Developing emotional intelligence gives each individual a chance to increase work effectiveness and satisfaction, deepen relationships, strengthen leadership talents, and awaken creative spirit, and it can be learned. It then becomes a force multiplier.

In sum, then, why wait? Bring an EQ program to your workplace now.

So much for competition, right?

Well, dont give up quite yet. There is some good news. Despite carnage, there has been a survivor or two. Companies that refused to be stonewalled and have remained true to their vision.

One in particular that stands out is a CLEC called Z-Tel Communications (Nasdaq: ZTEL). For past few years, Z-Tel has valiantly battled huge Bell monopolies to try and gain entry into local telephone markets. And believe it or not, theyre succeeding... having quietly acquired over 350,000 paying customers in 47 states.

Even more impressive has been Z-Tels commitment to innovation and value. They recently introduced Z-LineHOME Unlimited™, a bundled package ($49.99 in most states) of unlimited local calling, unlimited nationwide long distance and popular calling features like Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, 3-Way Calling, Find Me and Notify Me.

In addition, Z-Tel is poised to roll out their exclusive Personal Voice Assistant (PVA). The Personal Voice Assistant is a revolutionary step forward in voice activated communications... and will soon be included in Z-LineHOME Unlimited feature set at no extra charge.

Gregg Smith, president and chief executive officer for Z-Tel, in recent meetings with FCC and Congressional leaders, stated:

"Due in large part to UNE-P, competition is generating improved services for consumers every day. For example, Z-Tel is actively investing in and developing next-generation dial tone services that we believe will change way people communicate, like voice recognition technology and personalized online directories. Soon, instead of looking up phone numbers, our subscribers will be able to simply say, call Aunt Tracy on her cell phone and be connected.

And today, for a flat monthly fee, Z-Tel subscribers can call anywhere in U.S., talk as long as they want and take advantage of advanced services that make their communications more powerful.

These are exactly kinds of services that 1996 Act sought to deliver."

Yes they certainly are. What do you know... maybe telecom deregulation is finally working after all.

Can you hear me now?