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Are You an Innovative Employee?

September 27, 2012 by

As someone who has started several start up companies, I prefer hiring innovative employees. Why? For one thing they tend to be self starters. I’m able to give them the overall big picture and they get it quickly. I don’t have to hand hold them. I can also trust that they will make the right decisions on their own if I’m not around to discuss it with them.

Another thing is that they tend to bring something extra to the table. Innovative employees are great problem solvers. This is the main reason I prefer to hire them. I’m good at seeing one side of my own business, but an employee with a creative mind is able to see things I can’t see because I’m too close to the company.

If you recognize that you are this type of employee you might want to look for a job at a start up company. The pay may not be as good, but what you’ll learn will be invaluable. If you work for a start up you can bet that your boss is going to be an innovator themselves. There’s a lot to learn from someone who goes out on a limb to start a new company. If you keep your eyes and ears open you’ll get some lessons you never learned in school.

Employees in a small start up company usually don’t have much of a job title. Or if they do, they’ll end up doing multiple jobs anyway. This allows you to learn while getting paid for it. Make the most of it and learn what you can.

People who are only in a job for a paycheck usually don’t fit into the culture of a start up. You would do better to find a job in a company that appreciates your work style. One where you won’t have as much say as far as creativity.

I’ve been told that creative, independent employees will just up and leave me some day to start their own businesses. If that happens I will be the first to encourage them. As long as they’re not my direct competition.

 

 

 

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Big Blue Job Cuts Continue

April 21, 2012 by

I come from a family of IBMers. Both of my parents worked there and my brother and I also both worked there. I have fond memories of going to the IBM family picnics every year, which were kind of like a big county fair where everything was free.

There was plenty of work for everyone, including me. I worked a regular shift and then worked tons of overtime in quality control. For an 18 year old with no college degree, that was a sweet paycheck and a great place to work.

But that was then. IBM has been cutting jobs for quite a while now. In fact, both of my parents were forced to take an early retirement. And the job cuts keep coming. It looks like there will be less than 100,000 jobs left at IBM in the U.S.

This makes me sad, but as a business owner myself, it’s far more complicated than that. Until the recession/depression I had 3 employees, but have had to let them all go, unfortunately. The biggest expense a company has is employee salaries and benefits. That will only get worse if Obamacare goes through and taxes go up. As a manufacturer, I also have to deal with the cost of regulations, just like any other manufacturer. That will mean fewer jobs.

This blog is aimed at job seekers, but I think a very important part of looking for a job is to be able to put yourself in the shoes of your employer. It’s important to be able to clearly see the bigger picture.

Though I can’t speak for IBM’s decision to cut jobs, I can only comment about my own decision to cut the employees I had. I simply couldn’t afford to keep them. Part of that is when sales are down it doesn’t justify the extra expense, which is huge. When business is booming you have to have the extra help to keep up.

It makes me sad that I had to left people go. My employees were awesome! I couldn’t ask for a better group of people. And deciding who has to be cut is one of the toughest decisions a business owner has to make, especially a small business owner who knows them personally.

This is why I decided years ago that I would never be at the mercy of a job. I would never depend on one job or one company or one business or one product ever again. I started creating my own jobs. And I’ve never looked back.

I still look back fondly on the IBM I used to know. The fun picnics and events they used to put on for the families of the employees. As a kid, oblivious to the problems of corporate life, I will remember the pony rides, cotton candy, and balloons. And I’m grateful for the years they gave my parents jobs.



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Job Security in the Future

October 2, 2011 by

Since the name of this website is “Job Security for Life“, I thought I’d take a minute to talk about the security part of it. Frankly, there is no job security. At least not the same job security our parents’ had.

Remember when you were told to get a good education, find a good job, work hard, and retire with a pension and a gold watch?

Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most people will change jobs at least 7-10 times in their lifetime. The Great Recession has redefined what job security is. I think the new job security will include entrepreneurial thinking. That doesn’t necessarily mean starting your own business, but incorporating that kind of thinking into whatever you decide to do for a living and how you will achieve that.

I think this opens up a whole new world where you can do more of what you really want to do and have more flexible hours. I think people will work differently in the future. More working from home, less commuting. More consultants and freelancers, fewer full-time workers.

Of course, this could change, as all things do. But it does look like the job market is going to different for quite a while and you just have to learn to work within it in a different way.

As an entrepreneur I know that the only job security is the one I create myself. I guess since I am my own boss, at least I know I will never be fired.



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Create Your Own Service Business

February 2, 2011 by

Today about 70 % of the workforce is in the service sector. Since your first business will likely be a service business (you already know how to do it and it’s cheap and easy to start), look through your resume for a job skill that you can turn into a business.

In the beginning you’ll probably be the one doing most of the work. But since you’ll be running a business from a skill you already know, it’s just like working for an employer only all of the money goes into your pocket instead of making someone else rich.

The good thing is that you learn every aspect of running a business from the ground up. Once you start hiring people you will know exactly how to train them to do their jobs.

You’ll want to start matching your job skills with other factors to generate unique ideas for your business. Do you have any hidden talents that you could get paid for? Do you have any expert knowledge?

Start combing these elements to create niche markets within your service business. In a sea of competition you want to stand out as being unique and different. Find what makes your business different.

Also, think about your working style. Do you like working in the morning or late at night? Do you like working indoors or outdoors? Do you like to travel or be at home? Do you like to work alone or with someone else?

Your service business should be something you enjoy which also uses your strengths, skills and talents.

The one skill you are going to need above all others is the ability to sell. In the beginning there will only be you and you’ll have to do all of the selling. Get used to it. Get good at it. You’ll need to know how to train others to do it once you have grown your business beyond your capacity.

Have enthusiasm for your business and it will show when you approach customers. Be persistent in your selling. In the beginning you will need to hustle for business.

The best way to start a service business is to bootstrap it. When you don’t have a lot of money to spend you have to get more creative.

Your service business should be something that will generate cash flow quickly and has long-term potential to grow into something bigger.

Use inexpensive marketing methods like flyers and business cards to get started. Offer discounts for trying you out.

And above all else give excellent customer service. It’s free and it will keep your customers coming back to you.



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