Some say “only if you are or are about to be unemployed.” Times they are a changin’…remember bell bottoms? Well, the traditional “job security” thing is not gone completely…but it sure is fading fast! Even Unions can’t ‘guarantee’ job security like in the past. Companies now, in our global economy, need to be able to ‘spin on a dime’. Competition is hotter. Someone out there has a product that might be better, cheaper, last longer, higher or lower tech, has better customer service….etc, etc, etc. Product ‘life cycles’ are shorter (amount of time a product is popular/best/saleable). Product development cycles are shorter (time it takes to produce the product after the ‘idea’ stage’). Blame technology, blame the ‘Pacific Rim’, blame the overall attitude of business executives….you know the ones who make BIG BUCKS, and then close plants/offices/laying people off (they do that ONLY because they don’t care about people?). Not really. The ‘new’ focus in business (it is actually as old as business) is profitability. “Whatever it takes to be competitive/best/faster/better/grow”. “There are no points for second-place”. Part of what has driven this is something called “Strategic Business Planning” and a pressing economy. The vast majority of companies do this now…from a single-person operation, up to Wal Mart. Basically (very basically), what this amounts to is ‘thinking through’ EXACTLY what and how you are going to do….for the next several years…to get to where you want to be. Then putting it on paper, putting time frames to it, and holding people accountable for reaching those goals.
The plan looks at competition, economy, cash, technology, people, ups and downs of normal business cycles…all the things that make a company go. Then ‘maps out’ exactly WHAT HAS TO BE DONE (details….not hopes/wishes and dreams) to get to the goal. People Should Do the Same for Their Careers! Yep! and ooooops! Run myself like a ‘big-bad’ business? That doesn’t sound like fun! But it will help with: Employment Security Versus’Job Security’ How? Why? What???
EMPLOYMENT SECURITY. This is not the new PC term for job security. It IS what we as individuals need to think about to assure our livings, careers, and ability to achieve our personal goals. “Employment Security” simply defined is: your ability to be employed at your will. Reading between the lines it says: “My skills, ability to produce expected results, my learning ability, and ‘total package’ are sought-after in TODAY’S job-market.” You’re on top of things today. You have the proven talents to be BENEFICIAL to other employers, and your talents (or quality of talent) are in demand. Let’s face it, only being able to say “you want fries with that?” doesn’t cut it today. Having been an ‘average’ producing employee, as good as you may think you are, doesn’t mean that lots of other employers will stand in line to hire you. Having a reputation of ‘doing enough to get by’, or having the same skills today as you did 5 years ago…well ‘employment security’ is something your next door neighbor may have. Get the picture? Skills, training, effort, results, reputation, all ‘up to date’.
It starts with attitude. It won’t happen to you. Make it happen! How? Assess yourself, and make a plan: This is what the best companies do. OK, go back to the top of this article and re-read the ‘strategic business plan’ stuff. You know, where a company decides how it is going to be successful, constantly improving, constantly working to achieve a goal, and constantly ‘checking itself’. Treat yourself as an ‘employment asset’. How attractive are you? How can you correct deficiencies? Training? If you need it, don’t wait for it to come to you? Attitude? Would you hire you? Results? Would you hire you to get them? Value? Check with an expert. The people who are the best prepared will always be employable. That is “employment security”…not having to depend on a company…depending on yourself.