Sunday, August 1, 2010
the contents may have shifted during the flight…
Our world shifts at the blink of an eye. In the age of instant information, it seems we never quite know what will happen next. If you couple that with what is still one of the deepest periods of economic turmoil, it feels like being on a bumpy airplane flight; a little exciting, a good bit nerve rattling, but offering something to talk about. There is a remarkable shift in working relationships between people and organizations taking place right now and it seems especially strong in the US. While the slow improvement in revenues and profits are causing companies to begin letting go of a little bit of cash to invest in their business, they are not really looking for people to be employees at the same rate as in prior years. What they are looking for, however, is people to be workers – on contract, on contingency, or through third parties. This way, they are shoring up business needs while still keeping an eye on the risks ahead. It makes it easier for them to ramp up or ramp down, and it buys them time to assess what forces – be they legislative, regulatory, or market – will shift in the coming months. For some this is hard to stomach as there’s more comfort under a company blanket. Yet this condition presents the worker with an opportunity to transform and follow the course of those who work virtually – many of whom already work as independent contractors – on a course which will only set you up for better success when full time jobs open up again.
So what does this mean? Opportunity – to tap into parts of who you are that you may never have met before. By changing you approach work, you make yourself more valuable. Be nimble and flexible, which helps younger careers grow and more seasoned careers be fresh. Take charge of your resources, discovering ways to use tools like Skype or Dropbox to do things for you that were previously done by your IT guys. Commit to self development by staking out time for research, or visiting places like Ted.com which stretch your mind beyond the corporate sameness. Be disciplined about the ebb and flow of contracting, which makes you a better spender and a better saver when money is good so you’re better prepared for the next slowdown. Take the chance to focus on exercise and health, because working for yourself means the body is your best asset. Recognize and relish that confidence comes with risk-taking, and while it can be difficult, it is enormously self-fulfilling.
The simple fact is companies can choose from hundreds of resumes crying out to be hired; but they’re listening for those that want to work, even if it means taking on a contract to prove themselves worthy. As I write this, I can think of over 50 people I know well who are actively seeking a job. I am encouraging many of these friends to change their search from looking for a paying job to looking for work that pays. We have talked about the parallels between this condition and working virtually. And we talk about how liberating it can be to adapt when the world expects it. The flight may be a little bumpy, but difficult times and different approaches mean we can earn our wings all over again.
Posted by JimF at 9:32 PM | Permalink | Comment(1)
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I rcekon you are quite dead on with that.