How many of you know someone that has changed careers in the last 3 years? I’ll bet that most of you do.
The world is becoming the place of independent consultants. Let’s use Wells Fargo as an example. Big companies like that laid off thousands of workers and a lot of the middle to upper management people ventured out on their own and became independent consultants.
Some of you may agree or disagree with what I am about to say.
The last 3 years are one of the best things that has ever happened to this country. Yes that’s right the best. Some of you may be wondering how that can be, well please allow me to elaborate.
This recession that we are slowly clawing our way out of marks the absolute transformation from the Industrial Age to the Information Age.
The Industrial Age is the era of big companies taking care of people and spurring total reliance of people to the company. Pension plans and social security were assumed as retirement.
We are learning that the Information Age is going to be an entirely different story. With all of the stuff people have gone through over the last 3 years it is my personal belief that the overall condition of the American people has become stronger. We are no longer reliant on the big company for security, we have been forced to get off our asses and really work for a buck, in many cases the sense of entitlement has been blown out the window, personal accountability has been forced down our throats and the bottom line is that we have all had a giant wake up call.
Those of us who have learned from it will never suffer again even in the event this repeats itself.
Personally I learn the best from getting my ass handed to me and let me tell you I have had it handed to me several times in this business and every time I have gotten better for it.
Our profession is forever changed. We have to embrace it and adapt or get out. The big machines are now competing with the small guy which I think is a good thing. We will be chosen on a service basis instead of cost. The big machines have wheels to keep moving and will never lower the cost.
For those of you that are having a hard time seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, look a little harder, it is there if you focus and decide it is there.
Even if what you speak is the "truth" a very large portion of the population is likely to be left unemployed indefinately. Look at England. A large portion of thei working class has been left on the government dole since losing most of their manufacturing. The reality is now a social "net" like long term unemployment is a very real thing. We have been about 20 years behind England for a long time. Ultimately we will all pay increased revenues to have to support the "New Economy".... Likewise I beleive that the number of people with health insurance will continue to decrease in large numbers to the point where we will have to institute a system like theirs...... I do not know if there is a solution or a fix. I do not think there is one and we are all going to have to swallow a big pill on this one and accept the way of the future.
ReplyDeleteJust my $0.02
I don't know about the global ramifications of our new economy but I do know this. This recession is the best thing for the surveying profession. I can see positive changes already. The slackers amongst us whom have been dragging us down have or will flee the profession before it is all over. If a surveyor is not working right now it is because somebody better is in his/her place. Life is not fair and this is survival of the fittest. Last time I checked. I know this is coming off as harsh but consider this thought for a moment. When we were booming a few years ago; we put equipment in anybodies hands just to get the work done. Now, only the guys who truly want to be surveyors are struggling to make it. This is called paying your dues. When the economy swings upward again; the surveyors who stuck it out and survived will do the best. It is times like these that separate the chaff from the wheat.
ReplyDelete