Given the tough economy, many employment situations are changing rapidly.  There are inducements to leave being offered, layoffs occurring and businesses folding almost daily.

Tough economy or not, over the years, I’ve seen what I thought were some sure things go up in smoke for myself and others more than once.

I might have been naive, but I didn’t seem to be the only one that was caught flat-footed when their job or business hit the skids. 

The days when you could get a job and work until retirement are gone.  As a result, I’ve learned to look at the way I earn a living in a little different light.

The situations that brought about my employment views

First, let me clarify that I am using the term employment more broadly than just the case where you have a job working for someone else.

Employ – to use (as time) advantageously.
~ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Going with this definition, I see one’s employment as the way they are using their time to earn a living.  It could be at a traditional job in the private sector or working for the government or in a business they own.

I’ve come to realize that no employment situation is 100% completely secure.

Let me give you some examples.  I share these not to stir fear, but to help us all acknowledge we must take personal responsibility for our livelihood.

1.  First employer went out of business due to new competition

The chain of supermarkets where I bagged groceries in high school ended up going out of business because they couldn’t compete with the discount stores.

2.  Air Force forced many out due to reduction in forces

I entered the Air Force in the early 90s.  Shortly thereafter, a reduction in forces (RIF) was conducted that asked many officers to leave the service.

3.  Lifetime of service rewarded with forced early retirement

As a training coordinator, I once hired a gentleman in his early sixties that had only one previous employer on his resume.  He had worked his entire life for the local electric company until they forced him into early retirement.

4.  Laid off abruptly when employer suffered IRS judgement

In one of my early IT jobs, I worked at a small consulting firm until one Monday morning when the owner announced he had received an IRS judgement against him that he couldn’t afford to pay so he was closing the business.

5.  Change in CEO resulted in company divorce and layoffs

I managed and was minority owner in a small company owned by a larger entity.  When the larger entity got a new CEO, he decided he wanted to change all the rules.  Our companies ended up splitting up over the disagreements.  My company lost its biggest client and I had to personally lay off some of my employees.  It wasn’t easy.

How these situations changed my employment views

First, let me say, that despite the events above that affected me personally, I have never been unemployed without an income since high school. 

Also, I am not bitter nor do I really have any regrets about any of my employment or business decisions despite the fact that some of them ended unexpectedly.

I learned from all these situations and I believe I am wiser today because of the experiences I have had.

Here’s some of what I’ve learned.

1.  Your value as a person is not connected to who writes your checks

Yesterday, I wrote about how we judge success.  In that article, I tried to make the point that there are better things to use as yardsticks in life than your title, job or even your income.

Employment situations are going to change.  If you tie your self-worth to the method you use to earn a living, then your confidence is going to get beat up.

I’ve learned that my value has nothing to do with who writes my checks.  I am my own person with talents, expertise and skills that stand on their own.  Situations may change, but deep down, I will be the same person today that I am tomorrow.

No matter what happens, I can find someone else that will recognize my contributions and reward me accordingly.  This is true for all of us.

2.  Never become too comfortable where you are at

We can lull ourselves into feeling too secure.  It is never a good idea to become too comfortable where we are and fail to keep ourselves competitive.

 Stephen Covey told us in Seven Habits that we must continually sharpen the saw.  If you aren’t learning something new, then you are falling behind. 

Being behind in your skills and unexpectedly finding yourself without an income is not a good place to be.

Staying up-to-date in your field and continuing to make new contacts is an important way to maintain real security.

3.  Always view yourself as an independent contractor

A good independent contractor is always on their toes.  They have to be in order to keep a steady stream of income flowing.

No matter what your employment situation is, think of yourself as an independent contractor.  If you have a traditional job, then you just have one big client.

The way an independent contractor works and thinks is beneficial because:

• They are always trying to add value and uncover new projects to prolong their current contract
• They know their current contract will end eventually so they continually keep their eyes and ears open for where their next opportunity might come
• They part on good terms being sure to never burn bridges
• They are flexible and willing to be innovative in the contract arrangements in order to get a job and keep it going
• They know their livelihood is their responsibility.  They have to hustle to keep the money flowing.

Adopting the mindset of an independent contractor will minimize the probability that you will ever be without income for long.

4.  You are not married to your current employer or business

Marriage is until death do us part.  Your employment situation lasts only as long as it is mutually beneficial.

Once either party decides they are no longer deriving enough benefit from the arrangement, then the gig is up.

I have seen way too many people stay in a situation way too long because of some emotional hang-up that they weren’t willing to let go of.

In most cases, the emotional hang-up is fear of the unknown.  Don’t overstay your welcome just because a big change is scary.  Make a change on your terms or it will happen when you least want it or expect it.

Don’t get me wrong.  I strongly advocate loyalty to those helping to pay your bills, but you also have to view your employment as a business arrangement.  Be logical!

These employment views will serve you well

Adopting these attitudes toward your employment situation will help you to avoid large gaps in earnings.  It has worked for me despite some tough circumstances.

Again, these views apply whether you work for yourself or someone else.  You can adapt them yourself to fit your situation.  Hope they help!

What views would you suggest along these lines?

Photo by _StaR_DusT_

Layoffs, bankruptcies and business closings top the headlines.

It’s not just small business that’s looking for ways to survive either.

Big name companies like GM, Ford, CitiBank, Wells Fargo and Chrysler have been in the fight of their lives.

Others like Starbucks, Office Depot and Sharper Image have closed numerous retail locations.  While some, like Circuit City, have shut the doors on all their stores for good.

The warning signs are everywhere.  It is time to take definitive action.  But, what is there to do?  In what ways can you help your small business survive this economic recession?

Diagnosing the business issues and developing a plan to survive

I have some friends and family members that own small businesses.  They tell me things are very slow.  In fact, one family member that has worked for himself for over 15 years recently had to take a job to make ends meet.

I’ve been a business owner too and I know how hard it can be.  This economic recession has to make things just that much harder.

This week, I ran across some excellent information that I think might help.

Let me share with you 3 ways a small business owner can help their company survive.

1.  Try stuff to make sure your business is NOT invisible

As a small company, you do not have the advertising budget the big guys have.  In good times, you get enough business to survive and maybe even to do pretty well without having to advertise.

However, when the economy slows down, you have to work a little harder to make sure people notice you.  It is very easy for a small business to become invisible and go unnoticed especially during an economic recession.

I absolutely love the example that Havi wrote about in It’s not the economy.  Read this story!

Here’s a little preview!  Havi walked by a store every single day for a year, but never noticed it until she saw the enormous “going out of business” sign.  The sign got her attention.  She went in and loved the store.  Too bad it is closing.

Now I’m not telling you to go by a bigger sign, but do something to get noticed.  Do more than you ever have before!

Picture yourself as a Who in Whoville like in Horton hears a Who.  Disaster is imminent and your only hope is to somehow communicate with the elephant out there.  How are you going to reach him?  He is your only hope!

2.   Try things that you’ve never tried before (think outside the box)

I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again.  Doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results is crazy!

If what you’ve always done to promote your business is not working anymore, then it is time to try something new!

I know this is difficult and scary, but so is riding the ship to the bottom.

You can no longer wait for customers to come to you.  You have to go find them and use creative means to get them to familiarize themselves with what you offer.

Find sources of inspiration!  Get on the Internet and look for what others are doing that works.  Reach out  online and make some connections.

I saw an interesting idea just this week.  Pamela wrote about it in Take back the economy.  During March 9-13, she along with John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing are participating in an online small business stimulus program.  Read Pamela’s article for more info!

3.  Stay focused on your sweet spot (you know what it is, right?)

In his article, Blog Strategy, Job Strategy, Life Strategy, Ron describes the sweet spot as that special place where your individual strengths and passion are perfectly aligned with your customer’s needs.

The sweet spot is also a place where your competition doesn’t quite have it together.  It is your niche.  It is your point of greatest opportunity!

You need to be intimately familiar with your sweet spot and you need to have a single-minded focus on staying right in the middle of it.

Now is not the time to get distracted pursuing good things at the expense of what you do best.  Stay centered and you’ll have a better chance of not just surviving, but thriving during this time when others are withering away!

The recession can help you or hurt you.  You decide!

This economic recession may be just the jumpstart you need to really get concentrated and focused on growing your business.  It may even help to knockout some of your competition!

If you make the right choices and do the right things, you might just come out of this smelling like a rose!  You have what it takes.  Go apply yourself and you will see the results start accumulating.

What are you doing to be sure your business survives the recession?

Photo by Ed Yourdon