Hard Times

   / Hard Times
  • Thread Starter
#11  
There's some sad stories on here just as I thought. For a few minutes I thought I was the only one having a tough time. When the company brought a CEO on board last fall I knew it was a matter of time before the shoe dropped.
My problem is where do you go from here?? I see moving isn't the cure all from what you guys mention.
 
   / Hard Times #12  
First let me say that I can feel for for those looking at the prospect of un-employment or under-employment. That said, I can't help but see this trend as a natural progression.

Early in the history of this country, not by choice, but by necesssity and lack of technology, the majority of workers were independent craftsman and sole providers. You did what you could to survive. This slowly evoled into an industrial base where it was commonplace for people to become dependent of a company for their survival. These companies built upon the labors of their workers, grew larger, and became more powerful.

My theory....eventually, the mushroom cloud of large corporate America will boil over and the fall-out will seed a re-emergence of independence.

The main problem. Our society has very weak memories of how to be independent and live within our means. I know...I'm there, I have multiple phone lines, cell phones, two cars, a tractor, 2 of those, 3 of them....you get the point.

Lob loss can be seen as an opportunity. Several years ago, I was out of a job and went though a MAJOR life adjustment. We survived...we're probably better off now than before, we're more aware of each dollar since we are directly responsible for each one.

People complain about China....my unpopular thought....they're beating us at our own game !! They're doing what we did in the 'Industrial Revolution' !

Adapting to change is a key part of survival.

Sorry if I'm offending any TBNer's, Just another way to look at a situation.
 
   / Hard Times #13  
When I was growing up and the employment in the Welsh mines was shinking I used to argue dont they realize that they are economic dinosaurs and they have to adapt to the new economic order of the information age. I'll get myself a nice safe job in banking dealing foreign exchange bonds etc. Came to the ripe old age of 50 and Iwas out on my ear.Went from being a master of the universe to a earning capacity of zip. So what did I know. What do I tell my kids to get get a job in? To compound the issue is the fact that we are faced with a number of converging forces. The assumption that the english speaking world will dominate the distribution of wealth is fast coming to an end.We are reaching a point were the addition of new supplies of natural resources is insufficient to meet rising demand (the commodity price index recently hit a 24 year high). Finally, rising economic demands in emerging economies will have a disproportionate impact on the environment
 
   / Hard Times #14  
Bob,
You adapt, that is where you go. Last summer I faced the reality that my job was actually costing us money. I was a salesman on the road and with cuts in expense money and commisions I was loosing ground. After a chat with the CFO(wife) I resigned. I fell back to my talents. I am lucky, I am in good physical condition and used that to my advantage. I think our future is in our hands and minds. We will adapt, we will find new industry. Each time we face a closure we find an opportunity. I do not think the greatest nation in the world is built on us being satified with a gloomy outlook. We are industrious and will not settle for going backwards. For anyone underemployed or unemployed. What are your strengths, what do you enjoy doing? As a salesman I had to show others what I could do for them that no one else could do as well. some times that meant price, some times service, some times quality of product. What can you do which is unique. All of us who are facing a change in our lives at this time have an opportunity. I think this forum is a great place to find ideas, encouragment and knowledge. I believe it is time to take our talents in a new direction and that is where my ambitions take me. Guess I have preached too much, but just my humble opinion.
 
   / Hard Times
  • Thread Starter
#15  
Jim,

It's a big world with opportunity I agree but only if you have the ability to be flexible. With kids in school that opportunity shrinks. Then throw in a market with limited openings and it shrinks even more. Then throw in a good paying job, in a small market with no flexibilty and were all looking for the holy grail.
I'm fortunate to keep my job with a reduced wage which for now is better than unemployment but for many reasons which I won't cry about, makes it a bitter pill to swallow.
 
   / Hard Times #16  
Unemployment in Oregon has been #1 to #3 in the country for the last 5 years. Some is due to stupid state and local government policy and some is due to over reliance on high tech industry. Unfortunately, I am in high tech and had a very similar situation in 1999. My long time employer was bought out by a Bermuda based corporation. I did not think the Bermuda based corporation was very ethical (somewhat prophetic on my part!) and I did not like how 15,000 of my fellow Harrisburg based employees were let go. The situation stunk, and I wasn’t going to work for that outfit any more!
So when management assured me that I had a position in the “New” company I smiled, revved up my resume, and promptly went to work for their biggest competitor.
It was a bold move, but I made the correct decision.
Some times you have to evaluate your situation and roll the dice. The grass may not be greener on the other side, but it may be more edible.
 
   / Hard Times
  • Thread Starter
#17  
Today on the front page of the paper is an article that says the Rochester area in WNY has the worst outlook for the next 3 months for employment in the nation. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Boy am I in great shape or what..........I've really got it made
 
   / Hard Times #18  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( assured me that I had a position in the “New” company I smiled, revved up my resume, and promptly )</font>

Smart Man /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon
 
   / Hard Times #19  
I have been in business for myself for 25 years now. In that time I have actually been in about 4 different businesses. I have had to adapt as markets changed and the economy went downhill.

Back in the 80's Texas went down the toilet when the oil business fell apart. I had some very lean years for a while and made up my mind that when I got out of debt I would not go back into debt. It has taken me a long time to get back up, but today I don't buy anything I can't pay cash for. The only thing I financed in years was the house and we paid it off as we cashed out of some rent property I had acquired.

I have only been fired from one job in my life and the day before I was fired I happened to read something in the book "Illusions" by Richard Bach that I have never forgotten:

"The depth of your ignorance is your belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly."

Those of you who are having a tough time, please hang in there. Try to see it as an opportunity to do something you really enjoy. Look around and decide what you have always wanted to do and then go do it. Don't worry about the money, you will always be paid what you are worth.

Bill Tolle
 
   / Hard Times #20  
Good post.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Try to see it as an opportunity to do something you really enjoy. )</font>

And I may add, don't be shy about taking a chance or a risk.
Some say you only live once. Make it WORTH it.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2019 KENWORTH T880 HYDROVAC (A53843)
2019 KENWORTH T880...
2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring Sedan (A54815)
2010 Hyundai...
Pickup Instructions (A47477)
Pickup...
WHISPERWATT DIESEL POWERED GENERATOR (A53843)
WHISPERWATT DIESEL...
BUSH HOG 1815R1 BATWING MOWER (A51247)
BUSH HOG 1815R1...
2009 MACK GRANITE (A52472)
2009 MACK GRANITE...
 
Top