Conversations From The Corner Office
By Rick Irrgang
Star Date 03/02/2012
With the weekend approaching, you may of made plans. You may of because before you know it will be Monday morning ....... again.
Some like them, some don't, I'm in the don't column. We've been working on a plan to eliminate this dislike of Monday mornings and it revolves around a simple and effective process called using and sharing. Like you would a great movie, dinner house, book, product no matter. Julia and I have been using and sharing for years with great success. It's a simple business model that any one can follow with very little help. We have been leaders in a business with Neways International for 7 years. During the worst of the worst recession that started in 2008, we've seen our industry grow by 30 plus percent. Why? People are taking control of their financial future by not depending on their J.O.B's to see them through. Playing it safe and not looking around at other opportunities is risky in today's market. I invite all that reads this blog to watch the video at the top of this page. It's called "The Four Year Career". What is says is so simple that you may wonder why you've never thought of it before. Julia and I would be honored to show you what we did to hedge our bet for the future. It may ring true for you too.
You can check our website at www.livesafeandhealthy.net to learn even more.
Have a super fine weekend. Let's do something together about those pesky Mondays.
Cheers
Friday, March 2, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Your Brain Is a Code Cracker
Conversations from the Corner office
By Rick Irrgang
You might not realize it, but your brain is a code-cracking machine.
For emaxlpe, it deson’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod aepapr, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pcale. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit pobelrm.
S1M1L4RLY, Y0UR M1ND 15 R34D1NG 7H15 4U70M471C4LLY W17H0U7 3V3N 7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17.
If your brain can unscramble the above two paragraphs, I'm thinking it may be able to also crack the code of the power of leveraged passive income. An income from a business that once built can provide you and your family with a lifestyle that not many could rival for the rest of your life. As many of you know, Julia and I have been building a business we'll call plan "B" for the moment. Our plan "A" was taken away when the housing / economy crashed just a few short years ago. It cost us a house, a business and a retirement account we saved for, for over 20 years. Odd but true plan "B" never got hurt by this crisis. How? We simple do something everyday, that you do and you don't even know it. Think about that for a moment. Curious? I would be too! In a few days, I'll post again to lay out a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself from a plan "A" going away again. If you have already lost it, we may be able to help get it back.
Cheers from the corner office.
By Rick Irrgang
You might not realize it, but your brain is a code-cracking machine.
For emaxlpe, it deson’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod aepapr, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pcale. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit pobelrm.
S1M1L4RLY, Y0UR M1ND 15 R34D1NG 7H15 4U70M471C4LLY W17H0U7 3V3N 7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17.
If your brain can unscramble the above two paragraphs, I'm thinking it may be able to also crack the code of the power of leveraged passive income. An income from a business that once built can provide you and your family with a lifestyle that not many could rival for the rest of your life. As many of you know, Julia and I have been building a business we'll call plan "B" for the moment. Our plan "A" was taken away when the housing / economy crashed just a few short years ago. It cost us a house, a business and a retirement account we saved for, for over 20 years. Odd but true plan "B" never got hurt by this crisis. How? We simple do something everyday, that you do and you don't even know it. Think about that for a moment. Curious? I would be too! In a few days, I'll post again to lay out a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself from a plan "A" going away again. If you have already lost it, we may be able to help get it back.
Cheers from the corner office.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Mastering the Fundamentals
Conversations from the Corner Office
11/02/2011
A re-post by Rick Irrgang
Hello to all of our dear followers of the blog. I came across a great article by a master of training and motivation, Michael Clouse. If you only pick up a few tips from this, it will be time well spent. Our profession, Network marketing, is one that can work for almost anyone who wants it to. Do you want it to? Are happy with your Job, your income, your amount of time off? We provide a simple and effective way for you to achieve your dreams and aspirations. Why not spend 10 minutes to enjoy the following article. I know I did, and am sure you will too!
Mastering The Fundamentals
by Michael S. Clouse
It happens, I get that, but I will never completely understand why... Why does someone suddenly appear to represent a Network Marketing Company and then disappear just as quickly as the colors of summer turn and then fade away?
What happened to them? Where did they go? Was it our fault they left us so swiftly? The flowers will return in the spring, but will those we've witnessed wither and die return in the subsequent season of life?
They probably didn't have a big enough dream. They probably didn't even understand what it was they were supposed to do. They probably were a little scared. But they told us they wanted, or perhaps even needed, their business to succeed. It was important to them...
And yet they're gone.
Did they return to the jobs they hated? Did they return to unrewarding careers? Did they give up on their future and settle for an even smaller fraction of the life they deserved? Too many questions rush though my mind as yet another year creeps ever closer to its conclusion...
So what about you? When this year draws to its inevitable conclusion just a few short weeks from now, where will we find you? Will you still be here, actively building your Network Marketing business and loving the life you live? Or will you have become another sad statistic somewhere along the highway of success?
True, how you chart your course is your choice. But remember that your direction, right or wrong, will still ultimately determine your destination. With so many distractions in life, is it any wonder that trying to stay on track is perhaps the most difficult thing we will ever do?
And yet after 27 years as a distributor, writer, and speaker, I've still witnessed far too many good people giving up on Network Marketing too soon. In part because they didn't believe; they didn't take the time to learn; and they didn't fundamentally understand that Network Marketing only works when we do.
But the story of those who quit doesn't need to be yours! If you want to succeed in Network Marketing, then go to work on mastering the fundamentals: build your belief in Network Marketing, improve your skills, and increase your activity. In other words, became a serious student. Learn how this business works. And promise yourself that you'll be here, still actively involved, a year from now!
All the best,
MSC
P.S. If you're ready to begin Mastering The Fundamentals, then this four hour audio training program perfect is for you! Here's why >>>
Mastering The Fundamentals by Michael S. Clouse
"Michael, nine years ago you personally gave me Mastering The Fundamentals on cassette tape which I still play in my car to this day! That audio program guided us into the Millionaires Club! Forever grateful." —Kevin Mack
© 2011 by Michael S. Clouse. All Rights Reserved.
About the author: In addition to over 50 published articles on the subject of Network Marketing, Michael S. Clouse is the author of numerous books and CD programs on the subject of Network Marketing. An internationally recognized Network Marketing expert, Michael is a well respected business consultant, personal success coach, and a dynamic educational speaker. His weekly newsletter is read by tens of thousands of Network Marketing Professionals around the world.
11/02/2011
A re-post by Rick Irrgang
Hello to all of our dear followers of the blog. I came across a great article by a master of training and motivation, Michael Clouse. If you only pick up a few tips from this, it will be time well spent. Our profession, Network marketing, is one that can work for almost anyone who wants it to. Do you want it to? Are happy with your Job, your income, your amount of time off? We provide a simple and effective way for you to achieve your dreams and aspirations. Why not spend 10 minutes to enjoy the following article. I know I did, and am sure you will too!
Mastering The Fundamentals
by Michael S. Clouse
It happens, I get that, but I will never completely understand why... Why does someone suddenly appear to represent a Network Marketing Company and then disappear just as quickly as the colors of summer turn and then fade away?
What happened to them? Where did they go? Was it our fault they left us so swiftly? The flowers will return in the spring, but will those we've witnessed wither and die return in the subsequent season of life?
They probably didn't have a big enough dream. They probably didn't even understand what it was they were supposed to do. They probably were a little scared. But they told us they wanted, or perhaps even needed, their business to succeed. It was important to them...
And yet they're gone.
Did they return to the jobs they hated? Did they return to unrewarding careers? Did they give up on their future and settle for an even smaller fraction of the life they deserved? Too many questions rush though my mind as yet another year creeps ever closer to its conclusion...
So what about you? When this year draws to its inevitable conclusion just a few short weeks from now, where will we find you? Will you still be here, actively building your Network Marketing business and loving the life you live? Or will you have become another sad statistic somewhere along the highway of success?
True, how you chart your course is your choice. But remember that your direction, right or wrong, will still ultimately determine your destination. With so many distractions in life, is it any wonder that trying to stay on track is perhaps the most difficult thing we will ever do?
And yet after 27 years as a distributor, writer, and speaker, I've still witnessed far too many good people giving up on Network Marketing too soon. In part because they didn't believe; they didn't take the time to learn; and they didn't fundamentally understand that Network Marketing only works when we do.
But the story of those who quit doesn't need to be yours! If you want to succeed in Network Marketing, then go to work on mastering the fundamentals: build your belief in Network Marketing, improve your skills, and increase your activity. In other words, became a serious student. Learn how this business works. And promise yourself that you'll be here, still actively involved, a year from now!
All the best,
MSC
P.S. If you're ready to begin Mastering The Fundamentals, then this four hour audio training program perfect is for you! Here's why >>>
Mastering The Fundamentals by Michael S. Clouse
"Michael, nine years ago you personally gave me Mastering The Fundamentals on cassette tape which I still play in my car to this day! That audio program guided us into the Millionaires Club! Forever grateful." —Kevin Mack
© 2011 by Michael S. Clouse. All Rights Reserved.
About the author: In addition to over 50 published articles on the subject of Network Marketing, Michael S. Clouse is the author of numerous books and CD programs on the subject of Network Marketing. An internationally recognized Network Marketing expert, Michael is a well respected business consultant, personal success coach, and a dynamic educational speaker. His weekly newsletter is read by tens of thousands of Network Marketing Professionals around the world.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Building Trust, Admiration and Respect
From the Corner Office:
Re-posted by Rick Irrgang
Could there be a better way to say this than what one of the finest human beings on the planet did? I got this wonder email from Richard Brooke and thought it would be something everyone would love to read. Please enjoy this as much as I did. Read twice, three times maybe more. Make it part of you. You'll be a better you for doing so.
Cheers, from Rick
Building Trust, Admiration and Respect
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 05:00 am By Richard Brooke
In today’s world of over-selling, hype and fraud at the highest levels of our society, nothing could be more important to a sales person and business owner than building trust, admiration and respect with prospects, customers and associates. Most of us are in a highly suspect business to begin with. Network Marketing, to some people, does not spell value, honor and integrity. Yet to us, it does. So how do we bridge the gap and shine some light on what we see in our chosen profession?
Trust
Trust is obviously not given automatically. It must be earned. Too often, we take it for granted — either because we trust ourselves, trust others or fail to recognize in the moment how others may see our offer of financial gain. Trust is earned through what we say and what we do. In these actions we must become predictable and believable to others.
Predictable means that others must learn, based on what we say and do, and that we are consistent. For example, doing what we say we will do. Early in a relationship this can be as simple as showing up or calling on time; or following through completely on getting an answer to a question. Later, as people feel they know who we are and what we stand for, they expect to see us act according to that identity. This is called having integrity and it creates trust.
When you have the courage show people glimpses of your humanity, then what they get is you.
Believable means that people tend to believe what we say. In this sense, it is sometimes not the best idea to tell the whole truth. Perhaps you truly do earn $20,000 a month part time. Maybe it would continue to flow whether you worked it or not, making it worth $4 to $5 million. If who you are telling this truth to cannot fathom it, then you may be gaining in ego, but losing in trust. People need to be able to believe what you say — both in its content and, most importantly, how you say it. Sincerity can be faked. Authenticity cannot.
Authenticity is the real you. All of you — the good, bad and the ugly. When you have the courage to tell people not just all of your wonderfulness, but also show them glimpses of your humanity; then what they get is you. And even though you will not be perfect, people believe in the authenticity and humanity of others. Perhaps you do have an extraordinary income opportunity or product to sell and perhaps you have failed to execute it yourself at times or perhaps you sometimes feel your product is expensive. Give them the whole you and nothing but you. People trust that.
Admiration
As you might expect, a lot of admiration can be created from building trust. So the path gets shorter after building trust. Obviously, people admire others for what they have accomplished. You may or may not have that going for you at the moment. Accomplishments take time. What you can do right now to be admired will depend on who you are for others. What we mean by this is what you contribute to the people who might admire you. Here, the greatest tool at your disposal is listening.
Listening is an extraordinary gift that can be practiced by all of us, all the time. It is such a unique and extraordinary gift to others that when we give it they can be blown away by its impact on them, yet not know exactly what we did to have such an impact. Listening at this level has little to do with understanding the content of what someone says — although their name is worth remembering the first time they say it. Listening here is about hearing the source of their comments; hearing the emotion behind their conversation and the intent behind what they are telling you. More than anything in the world, human beings want and need to be heard, known, accepted and loved. When we are telling someone a story important to us, about us or just our opinion about something, we very much need for the listener to get it, to really understand what we are saying and why. This is often not found in the words being spoken, but rather in the energy of the speaker. A powerful listener will put their own desire and need to be heard, known and accepted on hold while they are fully focused and accepting of who is speaking and what is being said. This level of what we call Therapeutic Listening does actually heal people, as it is perhaps the first time since true love that someone listened to them in this way.
Respect
Respect flows with gaining trust and admiration. And the value of respect in this business is that people tend to follow those whom they respect. Trust alone is often not enough, nor is admiration. But with respect, people will often buy what you are selling and go where you are going.
On top of trust and admiration, you can gain respect with two powerful tools. One is your character. Having character in the eyes of others means they are clear about what your highest values are and understand that you honor those values. This is to know someone. If you know someone well enough to know that family, integrity, fun and leadership are the most important things to them — and you experience them living a life honoring those values — then they are seen as having character. Even people whose values we do not share have character. We may (if we embrace diversity) respect them, but choose not to follow them.
Courage is simply to see danger and act anyway (assuming it is in your best interest). Courage is sourced in your motivation and therefore is in such short supply that anyone seen as having courage is highly respected. To the degree you are self-motivated, you will demonstrate extraordinary courage. Courage, for example, to tell the truth responsibly; to talk to people you would not ordinarily talk to; to speak to groups; to make and honor commitments; and to ask others to hold you accountable. We tend to respect people who have the courage to do the things we are afraid to do. Courage builds respect.
In the Network Marketing profession, we are charged with the opportunity to sell products through a channel that is not always the norm for customers and to sell them on an income opportunity using a concept most are not looking for. It is not easy and it will not be done on your behalf without you having the trust, admiration and respect of those whom you need to build it with. Success comes in our business not to you but through you, based on who you can become for yourself — and for others. For a more direct, detailed message on how to follow your path to personal freedom, listen to my audio book Mach II With Your Hair On Fire.
– Richard
Re-posted by Rick Irrgang
Could there be a better way to say this than what one of the finest human beings on the planet did? I got this wonder email from Richard Brooke and thought it would be something everyone would love to read. Please enjoy this as much as I did. Read twice, three times maybe more. Make it part of you. You'll be a better you for doing so.
Cheers, from Rick
Building Trust, Admiration and Respect
Posted on Oct 20, 2011 05:00 am By Richard Brooke
In today’s world of over-selling, hype and fraud at the highest levels of our society, nothing could be more important to a sales person and business owner than building trust, admiration and respect with prospects, customers and associates. Most of us are in a highly suspect business to begin with. Network Marketing, to some people, does not spell value, honor and integrity. Yet to us, it does. So how do we bridge the gap and shine some light on what we see in our chosen profession?
Trust
Trust is obviously not given automatically. It must be earned. Too often, we take it for granted — either because we trust ourselves, trust others or fail to recognize in the moment how others may see our offer of financial gain. Trust is earned through what we say and what we do. In these actions we must become predictable and believable to others.
Predictable means that others must learn, based on what we say and do, and that we are consistent. For example, doing what we say we will do. Early in a relationship this can be as simple as showing up or calling on time; or following through completely on getting an answer to a question. Later, as people feel they know who we are and what we stand for, they expect to see us act according to that identity. This is called having integrity and it creates trust.
When you have the courage show people glimpses of your humanity, then what they get is you.
Believable means that people tend to believe what we say. In this sense, it is sometimes not the best idea to tell the whole truth. Perhaps you truly do earn $20,000 a month part time. Maybe it would continue to flow whether you worked it or not, making it worth $4 to $5 million. If who you are telling this truth to cannot fathom it, then you may be gaining in ego, but losing in trust. People need to be able to believe what you say — both in its content and, most importantly, how you say it. Sincerity can be faked. Authenticity cannot.
Authenticity is the real you. All of you — the good, bad and the ugly. When you have the courage to tell people not just all of your wonderfulness, but also show them glimpses of your humanity; then what they get is you. And even though you will not be perfect, people believe in the authenticity and humanity of others. Perhaps you do have an extraordinary income opportunity or product to sell and perhaps you have failed to execute it yourself at times or perhaps you sometimes feel your product is expensive. Give them the whole you and nothing but you. People trust that.
Admiration
As you might expect, a lot of admiration can be created from building trust. So the path gets shorter after building trust. Obviously, people admire others for what they have accomplished. You may or may not have that going for you at the moment. Accomplishments take time. What you can do right now to be admired will depend on who you are for others. What we mean by this is what you contribute to the people who might admire you. Here, the greatest tool at your disposal is listening.
Listening is an extraordinary gift that can be practiced by all of us, all the time. It is such a unique and extraordinary gift to others that when we give it they can be blown away by its impact on them, yet not know exactly what we did to have such an impact. Listening at this level has little to do with understanding the content of what someone says — although their name is worth remembering the first time they say it. Listening here is about hearing the source of their comments; hearing the emotion behind their conversation and the intent behind what they are telling you. More than anything in the world, human beings want and need to be heard, known, accepted and loved. When we are telling someone a story important to us, about us or just our opinion about something, we very much need for the listener to get it, to really understand what we are saying and why. This is often not found in the words being spoken, but rather in the energy of the speaker. A powerful listener will put their own desire and need to be heard, known and accepted on hold while they are fully focused and accepting of who is speaking and what is being said. This level of what we call Therapeutic Listening does actually heal people, as it is perhaps the first time since true love that someone listened to them in this way.
Respect
Respect flows with gaining trust and admiration. And the value of respect in this business is that people tend to follow those whom they respect. Trust alone is often not enough, nor is admiration. But with respect, people will often buy what you are selling and go where you are going.
On top of trust and admiration, you can gain respect with two powerful tools. One is your character. Having character in the eyes of others means they are clear about what your highest values are and understand that you honor those values. This is to know someone. If you know someone well enough to know that family, integrity, fun and leadership are the most important things to them — and you experience them living a life honoring those values — then they are seen as having character. Even people whose values we do not share have character. We may (if we embrace diversity) respect them, but choose not to follow them.
Courage is simply to see danger and act anyway (assuming it is in your best interest). Courage is sourced in your motivation and therefore is in such short supply that anyone seen as having courage is highly respected. To the degree you are self-motivated, you will demonstrate extraordinary courage. Courage, for example, to tell the truth responsibly; to talk to people you would not ordinarily talk to; to speak to groups; to make and honor commitments; and to ask others to hold you accountable. We tend to respect people who have the courage to do the things we are afraid to do. Courage builds respect.
In the Network Marketing profession, we are charged with the opportunity to sell products through a channel that is not always the norm for customers and to sell them on an income opportunity using a concept most are not looking for. It is not easy and it will not be done on your behalf without you having the trust, admiration and respect of those whom you need to build it with. Success comes in our business not to you but through you, based on who you can become for yourself — and for others. For a more direct, detailed message on how to follow your path to personal freedom, listen to my audio book Mach II With Your Hair On Fire.
– Richard
Thursday, June 9, 2011
What's the Economy Doing For You?
Conversations from the corner office
By Rick Irrgang
The news surely has been interesting these days. Osama gone, gas prices up, house values low, jobs scarce. Our future? Uncertain. As we move in to the second half of 2011, I ask you. What has the economy done for you lately? If you are waiting for a hand out from the government, you may be waiting for some time. Many of our elected officials are busy with more important things. I mean really, spending time sending crotch shots to co-eds from your office congress has got to be more important than helping us, right? Worrying about taking care of the third world has got to take precedence over worrying about Americans. And those banks and auto companies, they really do need our money to stay in business. Any one that reads the news could write a book about all the wrong but let's focus on the right for a change.
What would it take, as an extra income, not to have to worry about the price of gas and food? Would taking your family on a much needed summer vacation interest you? Maybe some much need home repairs? The kids could use new school clothes maybe? Would an extra 2,3,5 or 7 hundred dollars in your mailbox each month help you out? By just transfer buying some of the products you already buy to your own business and recommending them to a few other people you care about, could create a second stream of income that would allow you to do some more of things that you may not be able to do now. The products I'm talking about are ones that you already buy at other stores. Personal care products, nutritional supplements, ladies cosmetics and even a few home cleaning items. Better yet, you'll be paid to use and recommend them. Julia and I have been helping people searching for some financial relief for years and we are reaching out again to provide some much needed answers about the financial well being of people just you and us. Please take the time to watch the short few videos here on our blog. They may just be the answer you've been waiting for.
.....Let's Create Amazing Lives, Together.
-Rick and Julia
By Rick Irrgang
The news surely has been interesting these days. Osama gone, gas prices up, house values low, jobs scarce. Our future? Uncertain. As we move in to the second half of 2011, I ask you. What has the economy done for you lately? If you are waiting for a hand out from the government, you may be waiting for some time. Many of our elected officials are busy with more important things. I mean really, spending time sending crotch shots to co-eds from your office congress has got to be more important than helping us, right? Worrying about taking care of the third world has got to take precedence over worrying about Americans. And those banks and auto companies, they really do need our money to stay in business. Any one that reads the news could write a book about all the wrong but let's focus on the right for a change.
What would it take, as an extra income, not to have to worry about the price of gas and food? Would taking your family on a much needed summer vacation interest you? Maybe some much need home repairs? The kids could use new school clothes maybe? Would an extra 2,3,5 or 7 hundred dollars in your mailbox each month help you out? By just transfer buying some of the products you already buy to your own business and recommending them to a few other people you care about, could create a second stream of income that would allow you to do some more of things that you may not be able to do now. The products I'm talking about are ones that you already buy at other stores. Personal care products, nutritional supplements, ladies cosmetics and even a few home cleaning items. Better yet, you'll be paid to use and recommend them. Julia and I have been helping people searching for some financial relief for years and we are reaching out again to provide some much needed answers about the financial well being of people just you and us. Please take the time to watch the short few videos here on our blog. They may just be the answer you've been waiting for.
.....Let's Create Amazing Lives, Together.
-Rick and Julia
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, December 6, 2010
Why Recession Proof Jobs are a Myth
Conversations from the corner Office.
Re-Posted by Rick Irrgang 12.06.10.
It's so great to have friends refer me to great articles that I can share on our blog. Please enjoy this weeks post written by Rick Newman.
Why "Recession-Proof" Jobs Are a Myth
usnews
Rick Newman, On Tuesday November 30, 2010, 2:16 pm EST
When President Obama proposed a federal pay freeze recently, there must have been quite a few civil servants who thought, "Whoa! This isn't supposed to happen!"
[See 20 industries where jobs are coming back.]
In private firms, pay freezes have become as common as Post-It notes. But government jobs, you'll recall, are supposed to be "recession-proof" and far less susceptible to the strains of a weak economy. The government has never said that, exactly, but lots of career experts have, and if the compact was never overt it was at least well understood: Government jobs tend to come with lower pay and prestige, but with benefits and job security that make up for it.
No longer. As with so many other things, many of the old assumptions about safe jobs and stable careers have been shattered by the grueling economic transformation we're still in the middle of. Yet the ubiquitous lists of best careers and recession-proof jobs continue to propagate the phony idea that some lines of work are immune to economic stress. Here are some of the careers recommended by outfits like CareerBuilder, Forbes, Time, HR World, and Associated Content, along with the more sobering reality:
Education. Conventional wisdom: Education is indispensable and most teachers get their paychecks from state or local governments, which are less susceptible to recessions than private industry. Plus, most teachers belong to unions, which provide further protection against layoffs and pay cuts.
Reality: State and local governments are facing severe budget pressures and are starting to lay off teachers. Since 2008, for instance, the number of local teaching jobs has fallen by 157,000, according to the Labor Department. Plus, teachers' unions that refuse to accept pay and benefit cuts are increasingly seen as out of step with the rest of America, prompting a backlash in some areas that could lead to school consolidations and other recession-like moves.
[See 12 industries still losing jobs.]
Military. Conventional wisdom: We're still fighting two wars, terrorism is ever-present, and Congress always supports the military.
Reality: The huge federal debt has to be cut somehow, and the military is one of the biggest targets. One prominent proposal calls for freezing military pay, cutting benefits, and outsourcing many military jobs to contractors. As for Congress, it tends to support big weapons programs more than spending on troops. Plus, the Iraq deployment is winding down and a drawdown in Afghanistan is scheduled to begin next summer.
Public safety. Conventional wisdom: Police, firefighter, and federal law enforcement jobs will be the last to be cut.
Reality: Maybe so, but governments have now reached that point. Police and fire departments are now subject to the same pressures as other local government agencies, and cuts in the federal workforce seem inevitable as well, with every agency likely to give up something. Overall, state and local governments have cut 260,000 jobs this year alone, with more cuts likely in 2011 and 2012.
Utilities. Conventional wisdom: Everybody needs to keep the lights on and heat the house, plus most utilities are regulated, which keeps prices stable and helps smooth out ups and downs.
Reality: It's true that everybody needs energy, but Americans have cut back on virtually everything, including gas, electric, and water. Labor Department data shows a net loss of about 4,000 jobs in this industry since 2008, with steeper cuts in traditional power plants and minor gains at nuclear facilities.
[See why every worker needs new skills.]
Energy. Conventional wisdom: Energy is obviously a staple, so demand will stay strong in any economy, providing job security.
Reality: Energy is a volatile commodity subject to steep price swings. Energy demand has held up reasonably well over the last few years, with a net job increase in industries like oil and gas extraction. But anybody from Texas or Oklahoma can tell you that an energy bust can be brutal. And "green energy" remains a wild card that could flourish, taking jobs away from fossil-fuel industries, or peter out, leaving a bunch of shuttered startups where people were once hoping to find stable, high-paying jobs.
Accounting. Conventional wisdom: "Death and taxes are a sure thing," according to one job-advice site, which reasons that tough times ought to force companies and individuals to scour their finances more closely than usual, making more work for accountants.
Reality: There's a glut of unemployed accountants and bookkeepers right now, thanks to severe corporate cutbacks and weak revenue at small businesses. There are about 86,000 fewer accounting jobs now than there were three years ago.
Computers. Conventional wisdom: Companies are increasingly replacing people with processors, with no end in sight to the technology revolution.
Reality: With intense pressure to cut costs at most companies, lower-level IT jobs are being shipped overseas in droves; any job that can be done remotely by a lower-paid worker in India probably will be. The safer jobs involve systems engineering and proprietary software work, which requires a high degree of skill and tireless attention to new technology.
[See how the middle class is shrinking.]
Sales reps. Conventional wisdom: In a downturn, companies are likely to hold onto the sales reps who bring in desperately needed new business, while cutting support functions and other jobs that don't contribute to the bottom line.
Reality: Companies don't always do what's rational, and besides, sales reps don't add to the bottom line when potential customers hunker down and refuse to spend money. No wonder the economy has lost more than 400,000 sales jobs since 2008.
Federal government. Conventional wisdom: Uncle Sam doesn't have to please shareholders or customers, so it doesn't face the same budget pressures as private companies. Plus, many government jobs have union protection.
Reality: The federal government has been spending far more than it takes in for a decade, with the national debt ballooning and the day of reckoning drawing near. Voters have now made it clear they want a smaller government, and cutbacks in the federal workforce seem inevitable. One harbinger of coming cuts is the U.S. Postal Service, once thought to be recession-proof itself; its labor force has shrunk by 137,000 jobs since 2008.
To be fair to the job-advice sites guiding workers toward precarious fields, many of their recession-proof lists predate the 2007-2009 recession that proved them wrong. And a number of them are derived from a 2008 book that could not have anticipated the ravages of a downturn that destroyed more than 8 million jobs. Still, many of those outdated lists pop up high on a Google search for "recession-proof jobs," and readers don't always check the date when doing research on careers.
[See what could cause the next recession.]
Practically every list of recession-proof careers also includes a variety of medical jobs, from nurses and doctors to technicians and home health aides. That's valid, since the aging of America's population makes it inevitable that more people will need health care. And sure enough, healthcare has gained jobs in practically every sector over the last few years, despite the recession. But even in healthcare there are a lot of variables that could make jobs less appealing down the road. As more people flee declining industries and flock toward the few that are growing, a glut of qualified workers can develop, driving down pay and benefits. Healthcare reform could produce unexpected changes that make some jobs safer than others. And the complexity of healthcare, combined with relentless pressure to lower costs, is already leading doctors and other caregivers to report high levels of stress and low levels of satisfaction.
It might be distressing to think that no job is safe from recession, but in a fast-changing economy where old industries are displaced by new ones faster than ever, focusing on safety and stability may be the wrong way to pursue a rewarding career. There's mounting evidence that adaptable skills, creativity, and lifelong learning are the new determinants of success, with the biggest rewards going to people with multidisciplinary experience who can apply lessons learned in one field to another and accept the idea that they're likely to have two, three, or four careers, not just one. Cathy Farley of consulting firm Accenture says that as companies recover from the recession and start to hire again, they'll build a more agile workforce capable of responding to a wider variety of challenges. "Companies will organize themselves more flexibly," she says. "They'll look for people with the ability to adapt to different types of work."
[See 3 myths about disappearing prosperity.]
Companies built around a fixed set of skills, meanwhile, may not be hiring for a long time. Industries like manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, and even insurance are still losing jobs, more than a year after the recession officially ended, and many of those lost jobs may never return. A lot of workers in those fields, naturally, are trying to break into different lines of work that offer more stability. But the first move ought to be recession-proofing yourself, by building skills that will transcend the inevitable lurches in the economy. That way, you won't be caught flat-footed when the next pay freeze or technological transformation comes along.
Re-Posted by Rick Irrgang 12.06.10.
It's so great to have friends refer me to great articles that I can share on our blog. Please enjoy this weeks post written by Rick Newman.
Why "Recession-Proof" Jobs Are a Myth
usnews
Rick Newman, On Tuesday November 30, 2010, 2:16 pm EST
When President Obama proposed a federal pay freeze recently, there must have been quite a few civil servants who thought, "Whoa! This isn't supposed to happen!"
[See 20 industries where jobs are coming back.]
In private firms, pay freezes have become as common as Post-It notes. But government jobs, you'll recall, are supposed to be "recession-proof" and far less susceptible to the strains of a weak economy. The government has never said that, exactly, but lots of career experts have, and if the compact was never overt it was at least well understood: Government jobs tend to come with lower pay and prestige, but with benefits and job security that make up for it.
No longer. As with so many other things, many of the old assumptions about safe jobs and stable careers have been shattered by the grueling economic transformation we're still in the middle of. Yet the ubiquitous lists of best careers and recession-proof jobs continue to propagate the phony idea that some lines of work are immune to economic stress. Here are some of the careers recommended by outfits like CareerBuilder, Forbes, Time, HR World, and Associated Content, along with the more sobering reality:
Education. Conventional wisdom: Education is indispensable and most teachers get their paychecks from state or local governments, which are less susceptible to recessions than private industry. Plus, most teachers belong to unions, which provide further protection against layoffs and pay cuts.
Reality: State and local governments are facing severe budget pressures and are starting to lay off teachers. Since 2008, for instance, the number of local teaching jobs has fallen by 157,000, according to the Labor Department. Plus, teachers' unions that refuse to accept pay and benefit cuts are increasingly seen as out of step with the rest of America, prompting a backlash in some areas that could lead to school consolidations and other recession-like moves.
[See 12 industries still losing jobs.]
Military. Conventional wisdom: We're still fighting two wars, terrorism is ever-present, and Congress always supports the military.
Reality: The huge federal debt has to be cut somehow, and the military is one of the biggest targets. One prominent proposal calls for freezing military pay, cutting benefits, and outsourcing many military jobs to contractors. As for Congress, it tends to support big weapons programs more than spending on troops. Plus, the Iraq deployment is winding down and a drawdown in Afghanistan is scheduled to begin next summer.
Public safety. Conventional wisdom: Police, firefighter, and federal law enforcement jobs will be the last to be cut.
Reality: Maybe so, but governments have now reached that point. Police and fire departments are now subject to the same pressures as other local government agencies, and cuts in the federal workforce seem inevitable as well, with every agency likely to give up something. Overall, state and local governments have cut 260,000 jobs this year alone, with more cuts likely in 2011 and 2012.
Utilities. Conventional wisdom: Everybody needs to keep the lights on and heat the house, plus most utilities are regulated, which keeps prices stable and helps smooth out ups and downs.
Reality: It's true that everybody needs energy, but Americans have cut back on virtually everything, including gas, electric, and water. Labor Department data shows a net loss of about 4,000 jobs in this industry since 2008, with steeper cuts in traditional power plants and minor gains at nuclear facilities.
[See why every worker needs new skills.]
Energy. Conventional wisdom: Energy is obviously a staple, so demand will stay strong in any economy, providing job security.
Reality: Energy is a volatile commodity subject to steep price swings. Energy demand has held up reasonably well over the last few years, with a net job increase in industries like oil and gas extraction. But anybody from Texas or Oklahoma can tell you that an energy bust can be brutal. And "green energy" remains a wild card that could flourish, taking jobs away from fossil-fuel industries, or peter out, leaving a bunch of shuttered startups where people were once hoping to find stable, high-paying jobs.
Accounting. Conventional wisdom: "Death and taxes are a sure thing," according to one job-advice site, which reasons that tough times ought to force companies and individuals to scour their finances more closely than usual, making more work for accountants.
Reality: There's a glut of unemployed accountants and bookkeepers right now, thanks to severe corporate cutbacks and weak revenue at small businesses. There are about 86,000 fewer accounting jobs now than there were three years ago.
Computers. Conventional wisdom: Companies are increasingly replacing people with processors, with no end in sight to the technology revolution.
Reality: With intense pressure to cut costs at most companies, lower-level IT jobs are being shipped overseas in droves; any job that can be done remotely by a lower-paid worker in India probably will be. The safer jobs involve systems engineering and proprietary software work, which requires a high degree of skill and tireless attention to new technology.
[See how the middle class is shrinking.]
Sales reps. Conventional wisdom: In a downturn, companies are likely to hold onto the sales reps who bring in desperately needed new business, while cutting support functions and other jobs that don't contribute to the bottom line.
Reality: Companies don't always do what's rational, and besides, sales reps don't add to the bottom line when potential customers hunker down and refuse to spend money. No wonder the economy has lost more than 400,000 sales jobs since 2008.
Federal government. Conventional wisdom: Uncle Sam doesn't have to please shareholders or customers, so it doesn't face the same budget pressures as private companies. Plus, many government jobs have union protection.
Reality: The federal government has been spending far more than it takes in for a decade, with the national debt ballooning and the day of reckoning drawing near. Voters have now made it clear they want a smaller government, and cutbacks in the federal workforce seem inevitable. One harbinger of coming cuts is the U.S. Postal Service, once thought to be recession-proof itself; its labor force has shrunk by 137,000 jobs since 2008.
To be fair to the job-advice sites guiding workers toward precarious fields, many of their recession-proof lists predate the 2007-2009 recession that proved them wrong. And a number of them are derived from a 2008 book that could not have anticipated the ravages of a downturn that destroyed more than 8 million jobs. Still, many of those outdated lists pop up high on a Google search for "recession-proof jobs," and readers don't always check the date when doing research on careers.
[See what could cause the next recession.]
Practically every list of recession-proof careers also includes a variety of medical jobs, from nurses and doctors to technicians and home health aides. That's valid, since the aging of America's population makes it inevitable that more people will need health care. And sure enough, healthcare has gained jobs in practically every sector over the last few years, despite the recession. But even in healthcare there are a lot of variables that could make jobs less appealing down the road. As more people flee declining industries and flock toward the few that are growing, a glut of qualified workers can develop, driving down pay and benefits. Healthcare reform could produce unexpected changes that make some jobs safer than others. And the complexity of healthcare, combined with relentless pressure to lower costs, is already leading doctors and other caregivers to report high levels of stress and low levels of satisfaction.
It might be distressing to think that no job is safe from recession, but in a fast-changing economy where old industries are displaced by new ones faster than ever, focusing on safety and stability may be the wrong way to pursue a rewarding career. There's mounting evidence that adaptable skills, creativity, and lifelong learning are the new determinants of success, with the biggest rewards going to people with multidisciplinary experience who can apply lessons learned in one field to another and accept the idea that they're likely to have two, three, or four careers, not just one. Cathy Farley of consulting firm Accenture says that as companies recover from the recession and start to hire again, they'll build a more agile workforce capable of responding to a wider variety of challenges. "Companies will organize themselves more flexibly," she says. "They'll look for people with the ability to adapt to different types of work."
[See 3 myths about disappearing prosperity.]
Companies built around a fixed set of skills, meanwhile, may not be hiring for a long time. Industries like manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, and even insurance are still losing jobs, more than a year after the recession officially ended, and many of those lost jobs may never return. A lot of workers in those fields, naturally, are trying to break into different lines of work that offer more stability. But the first move ought to be recession-proofing yourself, by building skills that will transcend the inevitable lurches in the economy. That way, you won't be caught flat-footed when the next pay freeze or technological transformation comes along.
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