Uncover Hidden Opportunities in Challenging Times

Apr 2

Besides keeping your winning mindset, the overriding theme in my “Replacement For Outplacement Bootcamp” is uncovering hidden opportunities and taking a systems approach to doing that.  These same concepts apply to all of us, as things change.

So, how do you uncover opportunities in these times?

Many people would rather be right than successful. Is what you’re doing working for you?  Let’s look at Realtors® as an example.  They exist in a market that gives them a lot of protection.  When you’re buying or selling a house, you’re almost obligated to work with one, because it’s about the only way to get listed and about the only way to see what’s on the market (my apologies to FSBO’s).  In a good market, Realtors® don’t have to provide much of a service, and most of them don’t.  The beauty of a downturn is that those who coasted along giving the hard-working in the industry a bad name will be drummed out.

This is an extreme example, but guess what?  If you’re doing what you’ve always done, it may not be enough.   Most of us have had to change something about how we’re doing business to see the same (or better) results than we’ve seen in previous years.  So, what is your business doing differently to improve the bottom line?  What could it be doing differently?

This is a great time for employees to bring up small, new ideas to shake things up.  What new problems exist in your market that your or your company could be solving?

Follow up on every lead.  This is true for the business owner as well as the job seeker.  Do you have a system for follow up?  What is it?

What other opportunities are available to you?

There have been lots of top talent who have been laid of in this market.  Is this a time that your company could capitalize on this?

Can you provide services to a different market?  Not every industry is suffering in a down economy.

The one thing I know for sure is that cutting back on your marketing and customer service efforts is the last thing you need to be doing.  This is competition, and your top priority is being known and being known as adding value.

For those of you who are wondering how this applies to you in a career management arena, the next session of “Replacement For Outplacement Bootcamp” starts in April.  I limit the size of the group, and spaces fill up fast. Sign up today.

Everone, keep that postive attitude.  No downturn lasts forever.  Focus on what’s working and make sure you communicate that.  As you position yourself as the person who solves problems, you create opportunities for yourself as a small business owner, as a job seeker, as an employee.

Get out there, and Be Your Best You Today,

Carolann

p.s.- Feel free to forward this post onto your friends in-transition (that’s the polite term for job-free).  I’d love to have them in my next bootcamp.

Tags: business coach, Career Coach, Career Management, Carolann Jacobs, Executive Coach, Inimitable Leadership, Leadership Coach, Leadership Skill, Life Coach, outplacement, Replacement For Outplacement