Its only Tuesday and this week alone I have met three middle aged professionals downsized from their company positions. All bright, experienced, and vibrant. All caught by surprise by the lack f loyalty of their former employer. Long gone are the days of our fathers and grand fathers who worked for the same company for years. Those of you in the corporate world must all be ready for the day that will come….when you are shown the door due to the simple fact that you can be replaced cheaper.
We can lament this hard fact of capitalism or we can “cowboy” up and prepare for that day. That means prudent expenditure, constant improvement of oneself and ones skills, and education about what lies beyond. When you do these things the next step wont be a fearful event, nor will it be one you take from being forced to….you will choose to do it and control your fate.
Andy Grove the former CEO of Intel, is well known for his mantra “only the paranoid survive”. Grove, a Hungarian Jew, who escaped the Nazi’s learned very early to be eternally vigilant to threats to his company both from within and without. This mindset fosters a culture of experimentation so that when the threat arises you are ready to cope and overcome the threat.
We would do well to adopt that same mindset…..paranoia isn’t about fear….its about preparation for the inevitable challenge that will come. The Sea Change of our new economy and the culture it fosters in business is one that will affect us all. Do not make the mistake of assuming your impervious to it….it will come to us all either directly or to those around us.
I would suggest that one of the consequences of this new culture is the influx of new entrepreneurs. Out of this phenomenon will come new businesses and idea that will create a new culture. I am so very excited for the opportunity to help these prospective entrepreneurs. Please feel free to contact me or my colleagues at www.yourfloridabusinessbroker.com . I look forward to assisting you all in building the new economy.