subject: Who Moved Your Cheese? [print this page] If you've been laid off or downsized and unable to find other employment, you were not surprised by the Arizona Department of Commerce's recent report that the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for the Phoenix metropolitan area was 8.5% (up from the 7.1% unemployment rate a year prior). The good news is that Phoenix's unemployment rate is not as high as the national unemployment rate of 9.7%. That doesn't make you feel any better, does it?
Spencer Johnson's "Who Moved My Cheese?" is a parable about two mice and two humans whose lives change: their cheese is no longer in their usual feeding spot. Their reactions range from waiting for the situation to change to suit their needs (the cheese being moved back to where it originally was) to quick adjustment (trying new routes within the maze to find the cheese). Like the characters in the parable, we must adjust our attitudes towards change and adapt to, if not anticipate, change.
So, despite the fact that we may not have anticipated the changes in the economy and our employment arrangements, we must adapt and adjust to today's circumstances. That entails creative thinking: How can we tweak our experience and our skills to be used differently? Koko Tzavaras, an Executive Search Consultant with Tennison Group, locates and places financial and human resources executives. "More so than ever before, one must 're-package' one's value proposition in a way that will inspire employers to consider them over and above the scores of talented professionals vying for the same work." Koko frequently counsels her candidates on ways in which to increase their marketability to include personal branding, expanding one's target market, becoming proficient with available tools, such as LinkedIn, and working with outplacement and executive search firms.
Change is not so easy to make, though. The effects and consequences of change are unknown; the unknown causes people to be fearful. Rebecca Glenn, the President of TOP (Tenacity of Purpose) Coaching and Consulting, believes that a fresh perspective facilitates the change process. A former Chief Information Officer for On Semiconductor and implementer of dozens of game changing business processes, Rebecca had gone through the process of transitioning from executive leadership roles inside businesses to running her own business. She is inspired by the amazing results that her executive coaching clients achieve when they focus on what they want to achieve and how they will grow their leadership versatility to make it happen. Her career transitional coaching clients are often surprised at the diversity of available options and the breadth of their full capabilities when they look at life creatively.
Some people who have been laid off or downsized have realized that they may never be able to replace their income at the levels they've previously enjoyed by working for someone else. As a result, they are electing to start their own businesses. Considering that commercial landlords are offering good deals, talented labor is readily available for reasonable wages, goods and services can be found at discounted prices and competition may be scarce, it may be a good time to open your own business. In fact, 45% of the companies on the 2009 Fortune 500 list began during a recession, according to a June 2009 report of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Entrepreneurs should carefully evaluate whether the businesses they are considering are the right ones in the current economy. Good choices might include businesses in industries that are less subject to the effects of recession (such as healthcare, senior care and information technology), businesses that require less capital (such as home-based and service businesses) and businesses that reflect current and future priorities (such as businesses within the "green" industry).
Some of those choosing to open their own businesses are hedging their bets by partnering with existing franchise systems. Ray Kroc, the driving force behind the McDonald's franchise system, once referred to franchising as being in business "for yourself, not by yourself." Buying a franchise enables a business owner to capitalize upon the franchisor's efforts in developing a business model and working out the kinks.
According to the International Franchise Association, as of 2005, there were over 909,250 franchised businesses in the United States, with almost 20,100 in the State of Arizona alone. Between 2005 and 2008, franchising grew dramatically in popularity. In fact, it seemed that virtually everyone who had a business, successful or not, thought they could reap substantial rewards by franchising their concept. Even people who did not have operational businesses tried franchising without prototypes or experience. Since 2008, however, as a result of the lack of credit availability, the trend towards franchising has settled down.
Selecting the right franchise entails serious due diligence of the franchised business, the industry in which the franchised business is conducted, the franchise system and the franchisor. Harriet Moser of Franchise Resource Company, Arizona's exclusive FranNet affiliate, has been assisting her clients select the right franchise opportunity for them for seven years. As a former independent business owner, franchisee and executive recruiter, she has the skills necessary to help her clients through the decision-making process. She is frequently engaged by outplacement firms to present her Career Alternatives in Franchise Ownership workshop. Harriet believes that, "Regardless of economic times, our number one priority is matching a candidate with a franchise business that fits his or her skills, financial resources, affinities and lifestyle goals. An individual's fit to the critical business owner function is far more indicative of future success than whether a franchise is hot or not!"
Regardless of the path that we takefinding a jobfinding a great jobstarting a businessbuying a franchise we must adapt to our circumstances. As Haw, the character in "Who Moved My Cheese?" who reluctantly experimented with new paths to find cheese, wrote, "If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct." Although there's no guaranty of success in any new opportunity, there's guaranteed failure in any opportunity not pursued. As Haw also said, "Savor the adventure and enjoy the taste of the new cheese."
