A brief history of business trends
This article is a guest post from my friend Kate Phillips, Founder of Total Wealth Coaching.
‘In case you didn’t get the memo: Jobs are Dead.’ A brief history of business trends, and 7 reasons why entrepreneurs rule the world (always have, always will).
Once upon a time… the world was full of small business people and independent entrepreneurs. Every town had a butcher, a baker, and a candlestick maker. A blacksmith, a barber, and a farmer (or two). A shepherd, a weaver, and a preacher. There were no factories, no corporations, and… no employees.
With the Industrial Revolution, the urban centers grew, and more and more people began to “go to work” for fewer and fewer people. Employees and employers were born. Traditional family trades gave way to companies and corporations, and now mothers, fathers, sometimes even children went to factories for work.
An era of prosperity in the 20th century saw the birth of “homemakers.” No longer working in the fields or the factories, children concentrated on school and home chores, while moms cooked, cleaned, and volunteered. (Mere decades later, evangelists would proclaim this the “traditional family,” the way it had always been. Dad brings home the bacon, mom fries it up in a pan. Amen.)
In this post-World War era, Manufacturing gave way to the Service Industry as the primary employer. Families ate out and traveled with regularity. Superstores from Sears to Freddy’s, Target, and eventually Walmart sprung up as Distribution became an even bigger business than Manufacturing.
Further shifts saw Technology grow as a primary economic force. The field of Information became a commodity and driving force as well. Much manufacturing was now done overseas, and the service industry became more globalized as well, with resorts and even retirement communities springing up around the globe marketed to Americans (and others) whose dollars stretched further elsewhere.
In 2009, we watch as the economic system groans and our government buckles under the weight of unsustainable practices and a perfect storm of disasters.
Our home-grown companies strain to compete in globalized markets, unemployment rises, and consumer spending decreases. Pensions and benefits continue to shrink as established companies scramble to fulfill past promises to their workforce, sometimes unsuccessfully. Chaos reigns in the wake of financial fiascos, while bankers and highly paid CEO’s are strung up in the public square as the new bottom feeders.
Independent business owners feel the pinch of the economy as well, yet we revel in one fact: we are immune from pink slips. We might fail, but we cannot be fired!
One thing is clear to me: no matter what rung of the ladder you are on, jobs are going out of style. Fast.
For years now, the trend has been away from hiring employees and towards hiring independent contractors. Why? Huge savings in benefits, also huge savings in waste. Rather than paying for people’s time, contracts allow employers to pay for the *result* they want. Deliver this, we’ll pay you “X.”
It’s a pretty good deal for contractors who are effective at what they do, even an opportunity to make more money in less time, with greater flexibility! It also works for the company at large, who is no longer obligated to support employees who demand more and more money each year, sometimes without delivering more value.
Why do you think companies move across the country? Economist Paul Zane Pilzer says it’s not just for cheaper real estate and “lower operating costs” of the region. Simply put, a company can find higher-producing workers for less pay by laying off the employees with more seniority, higher pay and better benefits and starting “fresh.” The savings even pays for the move, the severance pay, and then some.
Employees cry “victim!” of the economy, relocations, lay-offs, and their own unsatisfactory jobs, but I think the main antagonist (as is so often the case) is the one in the mirror.
We’ve put our faith and trust in the wrong places, counting on an employer or a company to sustain us, when we should have been developing our own value in the market place. We can no longer count on jobs to sustain us, rescue us, or bail us out. Employers are doing their best to keep their own head above water, do not count on them to rescue you.
In case you didn’t get the memo: Jobs are Dead.
Let’s say the eulogy, eat our potato salad, and get on with it. It’s time to break out the butcher knives, baking pans, and candlestick molds once more.
Don’t expect that everyone will “get it.” Our culture does not yet know how to support the entrepreneurs in our midst. (Apply for a home mortgage with a new business, even a profitable one, and you’ll see what I mean.)
People believe that being a business owner is risky, but I believe that having only ONE source of income – ONE source that can be terminated at any time (typically by ONE person) – is the real risk.
The myth of job security will continue to persist; but income security is the only security you want or need.
Two years ago I attended an orientation at my daughter’s high school. One teacher spoke about “how we’re going to help your children prepare for the job market.” They would learn to write resumes and cover letters, fill out applications and interview for jobs.
I inquired afterwards what was being done to prepare kids for a world in which jobs are going away. What do the kids learn about businesses? About self-employment options? Is there a class teaching entrepreneurial skills? Could I volunteer in such a class?
There was no such class, but I was assured that IF the kids wanted to learn about such things, that an advisor was available to assist them in an after-school club. (Maybe I expected too much from educators, some of the finest people in the world, who by nature and necessity are school district employees.)
No, this change and awareness will not come from slow-to-change educational institutions. It will not come from the media, too busy chasing bad news to notice. It will not come from our religious or political leaders, who use economic analysis to fight their own holy wars rather than to lead. (Though perhaps this is changing.)
Rather, the leadership into this new era will come from the movers, the shakers, the ones who “get it.” From the independent entrepreneurs of the new economy. Us.
As a coach, there is no one I would rather work with than an entrepreneur or creative professional. A job is often a fixed set of requirements and rewards, whereas a business is a living, breathing organism! A salary may be pre-set and static, but business incomes grow when properly nourished. A job may be a collection of pre-determined tasks, but a business is a blank canvass, and the entrepreneur – an artist!
If you ever have moments where you long to go back to the “safe” world of jobs, just refer to the handy list below of Why Entrepreneurs Rule the World:
Entrepreneurs are self-starters.
We get up in the morning because we “want to,” not because we “have to.” Ok, employees don’t “have to” get up either, but there is a huge difference in attitude between someone who feels they must punch a clock because they’re “expected” somewhere, and the entrepreneurial artist who gets up in the morning because the canvass beckons. Sure, some employees are passionate and self-motivated, but among entrepreneurs, it’s the rule, not the exception.
Entrepreneurs take risks.
No risk, no reward. I’ve taken big chances, and they didn’t all pay off how I wanted, but I’ve grown each step of the way. Plus, I never have to regret the “what if’s.”
Entrepreneurs create work.
You hear that business owners are the engine of the economy, creating jobs for many. Even as a solopreneur, you have probably hired help with your business cards, your blog, or your branding. We create work for others in many unmeasured ways. But first and foremost, we create meaningful work for… ourselves.
Entrepreneurs create their own lifestyle.
Not limited by the boxes provided, we draw outside the lines. Whether your ambition is to stay home with your kids like many indie biz owners, travel the world with Timothy Ferris and the “new rich,” or simply do what you love, entrepreneurship provides us with unlimited options.
Entrepreneurs create their own success.
We are the movers, the shakers, the rainmakers. The opposite of “victims,” entrepreneurs who learn to rise above challenges of every kind. Entrepreneurs tend to take responsibility for a high degree of personal learning and growth, as well as being catalysts of community transformation.
Entrepreneurs provide solutions.
Beyond the management vs. union battles, beyond the arguments of whether or not corporations owe employees health care benefits, entrepreneurs rise above by creating their own solutions.
But business owners don’t just just provide economic solutions. We make a living providing solutions to all kinds of needs and challenges. Whether the problem is physical pain, a desire for a better relationship, or how to get a package to New York overnight, entrepreneurs are the alchemists of our time, literally turning problems into gold.
Entrepreneurs are, quite simply, the best people I’ve met.
I’m proud to be an entrepreneur – how about you?
———————————————————
Founder of Total Wealth Coaching, Kate Phillips is a Speaker, Trainer, Coach and “Financial Healer,” assisting “solopreneurs” in creating wealth from the inside out. She is also a professional singer-songwriter.
Learn more about the author, Kate Phillips.
order lipitor 40mg without prescription lipitor 80mg price lipitor 20mg sale
cipro cost – bactrim over the counter amoxiclav ca
We stumbled over here coming from a different page and thought I
might check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
Look forward to looking at your web page yet
again.
Useful information. Lucky me I found your website unintentionally,
and I’m stunned why this accident didn’t happened earlier!
I bookmarked it.
Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is wonderful, as well as
the content!
Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you
get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you stop it,
any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so
much lately it’s driving me crazy so any help is very much appreciated.
Definitely imagine that that you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be at the
web the simplest thing to be mindful of. I say to
you, I definitely get annoyed whilst other folks consider worries that they plainly
do not recognise about. You managed to hit the nail
upon the highest and defined out the entire thing with no need side-effects , other folks could
take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.
Thanks
hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve certainly picked up something new from right here.
I did however expertise several technical issues using this web site, as I experienced to reload
the web site many times previous to I could get it to load properly.
I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK?
Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect
your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more of your respective fascinating content.
Make sure you update this again soon.
It’s wonderful that you are getting thoughts from this piece of writing as well as from our
dialogue made at this time.
ciprofloxacin tablet – order keflex pill generic augmentin 625mg
Amazing blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you suggest starting with a free platform like
Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out
there that I’m totally confused .. Any ideas? Kudos!
Hi it’s me, I am also visiting this web site regularly, this site is genuinely fastidious and the people are genuinely
sharing pleasant thoughts.
Outstanding quest there. What happened after? Take care!
Someone essentially lend a hand to make severely posts I’d state.
This is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now?
I amazed with the analysis you made to make this particular post incredible.
Wonderful activity!
Very nice blog post. I certainly love this site.
Keep it up!
Hello there! This article could not be written much better!
Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He continually kept preaching about this. I
most certainly will forward this information to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a great read.
Thank you for sharing!
Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy
your content. Please let me know. Thanks
I every time spent my half an hour to read this webpage’s
articles or reviews everyday along with a mug of coffee.
Hi, for all time i used to check website posts here in the
early hours in the break of day, since i enjoy
to gain knowledge of more and more.
When someone writes an paragraph he/she keeps the plan of a user in his/her brain that how a user can understand
it. Thus that’s why this post is outstdanding. Thanks!
My family members all the time say that I am killing my time here at net, however
I know I am getting know-how everyday by reading thes nice articles or reviews.
I enjoy reading an article that will make men and women think.
Also, thank you for permitting me to comment!
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He used to be entirely right.
This put up truly made my day. You can not imagine
simply how much time I had spent for this info!
Thanks!
Wonderful site. Plenty of helpful info here. I’m sending
it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious.
And of course, thanks for your effort!
Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the
post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be
book-marking and checking back frequently!
Yes! Finally someone writes about website.
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a
great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will
often come back very soon. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue
your great work, have a nice holiday weekend!
Excellent way of describing, and pleasant piece
of writing to take data on the topic of my presentation topic, which i am going to present in academy.
Greetings, I do think your website might be having internet browser compatibility problems.
Whenever I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in IE, it has
some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with
a quick heads up! Apart from that, wonderful site!
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
and found that it’s truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels.
I will be grateful if you continue this in future.
A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!
Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such information much.
I was looking for this certain info for a very long time.
Thank you and good luck.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally,
it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You definitely know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative to read?
Hey there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this
website with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information.
I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Great blog and outstanding design and style.
I’ve been surfing on-line more than three hours lately,
yet I never discovered any interesting article like yours.
It is beautiful value sufficient for me. In my view, if all site
owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the web
shall be a lot more useful than ever before.
I’ve been browsing on-line more than 3 hours lately, yet I by no means discovered any interesting article like
yours. It is beautiful value enough for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content as you did, the internet shall be a lot more helpful than ever before.
Wonderful article! That is the type of info that should be shared across the web.
Disgrace on the seek engines for not positioning this publish higher!
Come on over and discuss with my website .
Thanks =)
Howdy! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that
would be okay. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new
updates.
Hello are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the
blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any html coding expertise to
make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
certainly like your web site but you have to take
a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to inform
the truth nevertheless I’ll definitely come again again.
Excellent way of explaining, and pleasant post to take data about my presentation focus,
which i am going to convey in academy.
This is a really good tip particularly to those new
to the blogosphere. Brief but very precise
information… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read article!
hi!,I love your writing so much! percentage we be in contact
more approximately your article on AOL? I need a specialist in this space to solve my
problem. Maybe that’s you! Taking a look forward to see you.
I am truly glad to glance at this blog posts which consists of lots of useful
information, thanks for providing these kinds of statistics.
Right here is the perfect webpage for anybody who wants to
find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa).
You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic which has been written about for many years.
Great stuff, just excellent!
This is the right web site for everyone who wishes to understand this
topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with
you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject that’s been discussed
for decades. Excellent stuff, just wonderful!
purchase ciprofloxacin generic – buy erythromycin 500mg pill order erythromycin 250mg
buy flagyl cheap – order terramycin 250 mg generic buy zithromax 250mg online
stromectol in canada – ceftin 500mg oral order tetracycline 500mg generic
buy valacyclovir medication – order zovirax 400mg without prescription acyclovir 800mg tablet