It is faint yet it is there. While unemployment is still high (and in some places getting higher) you can start to smell a hint of recovery. Consumer confidence is starting to turn. Companies are nearly done with layoffs. Inventories are slowly starting to rebuild. Companies are returning to profitability.
So, the real question is “Now what?” Well, that can only be answered by you but I have some thoughts that may help. If you have read my blog or know our company at all then you probably know that I would encourage you to dream big, play to your strengths and plan for you future.
Where are you then? Are you where you want to be one year from now? Are you in the right job? The right company? The right location? Are you as educated as you would like or need to be? Are you building your network? Do you know how to build your network? Do you think you want to own your own company?
If you answered no to many of these, then I encourage you take this slow down as a big opportunity to get on track. There is no doubt that things will improve over the next couple of years and that opportunities will be coming back.
I want to offer you two things today. First, if you think networking is an important part of your professional life (which it is for most of the planet), I invite you to view a recent presentation we prepared for you. There is a lot of info in here so if you have questions don’t hesitate to email or call.
Second, if you are one of the millions of budding entrepreneurs out there I offer you this video a friend of mine prepared. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6MhAwQ64c0
While I have opened the entrepreneur box let me share a few more thoughts on it. I truly believe there is an explosion of new businesses opening now and in the next 18-24 months. With every downturn our economy has, we sprouted countless entrepreneurs. This article seconds the notion.
Let’s look at my family for a minute. I am one of four children and was raised in a military family where my father served the Air Force for more than 20 years and then 20 more years with Lockheed Martin. My mother was a successful real estate broker. My oldest sister was the first entrepreneur in the family by opening her own preschool years ago. She was passionate and built an amazing school for her community. I was the next to fall by opening Medical Methods in 2004 after a 9 year career with a large national staffing firm (and subsequently iMethods). My brother was next to jump in at the end of last year (in the middle of this recession) by opening two Snap Fitness franchises http://snapfitness.com in the Charlotte area. He worked for the same large national recruiting company as I had and took this opportunity to create a new life for himself (one that he longed to have for many years). You probably guessed it. My other sister is now joining our ranks and is leaving Medical Methods and starting her own Snap Fitness franchise (still in this recession).
It would have been hard to predict that all four of my parent’s children would have ended up as entrepreneurs but I am thrilled that we have. As I type this I am attended my final year at a masters program designed for entrepreneurs (put on by MIT in Boston). My story starts back when I was twelve years old and had my own little lawn business (thanks to dad for the lawn mower and equipment that I used). I had 12 yards and earned money for my bicycles. I also dropped out of college (it was always a temporary move mom and dad) and started a company when I was 20. So, I always knew that it was in my blood. It my not be intuitive to start your own business now but I believe that starting a business as the tide rises can be a great time.
Your dreams, your life, your career are your responsibility. Get after it today.
Thanks for reading and I wish you all the best…and remember to start smelling the rebound.