Seasons

Unless you have been on the moon (and even then), you know that the global economy is suffering right now. If you are not being laid off, your salary increases and bonuses will be minimal. You might be miserable!

There is hope. I believe that this is a great time to make opportunity hires. I know it sounds opposite of what you think. However, when times are going well, why would you want to change employers, you are doing well, getting promoted, receiving bonuses, higher salary increases . . . be crazy to look elsewhere, right?

As an Executive, this is the time that you are on the look out for one of those great hires that will help your business in the long term.

So, this works both ways, executives that are looking . . . and employees who might be wanting another challenging role. Now, all you have to do is find each other (you don't do that sitting on your hands).

Business cycles are like seasons. We went rapidly from Autumn to Winter this time; things are looking dark, cold, just plain yucky. You hunker down in your home and rarely venture outside. Whereas, Spring will eventually come, a rebirth . . . warm, maybe a little rain though. . . but those will bring beautiful flowers. Okay, not the best analogy, but I think you get the point. This too shall pass. There are those that enjoy the winter, it is a challenge, they embrace the challenge of winter. As I have said before, there are tremendous opportunities in these times. The problems might be different, but when there are problems/issues, there is opportunity. There are two types of people when facing these kinds of changes: (1) those that retract and lay low and put up with what is happening to them, and (2) those that view change as opportunity, those that might stick their neck out a little more than others and want to control their own destiny. While the first one is the safe approach (risk averse), the second one is more risky with the rewards/gratification is significant higher. Both are fine and one is usually wired into you, so if you want to do #2 but wired as #1, you will have to work much harder to make it happen. Which one are you?

I can't wait till Spring though!