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What Poor Economy?
Stop Playing into the Negative Media Culture!
I sit on the board of several associations. In a recent board meeting, one of the directors expressed strong concern for the organization. He thought this economy would negatively affect us.
Immediately challenging that statement, I asked if the economic condition of anyone on the board was being affected. It was not. So why voice such negative comments?
Significant economic adjustments are happening worldwide but that
doesn't mean everyone is suffering. Even if unemployment were to reach 8%—a year ago it was about 4%—92% are still employed! The media focuses on the negative numbers.
Why do we play into the negative media culture?
According to research, you can become addicted to negative news. Because most newscasts include global events, you can pretty well count on some type of dramatic negative news story every day; there are over 6 billion possibilities. If you allow it into your space, it can become depressing.
I am not suggesting that individuals who have been laid off in the auto, construction, or energy sector are not suffering. The reality is, however, that this is an economic adjustment.
Let me explain.
The fast-growing economy of the last decade—let's call it the boom—perpetuated unhealthy management, leadership, and employment attitudes.
Here are a few.
Inefficiencies and Waste
- One of my friends manages a heavy-duty mechanic shop for an international company. When he joined them 3 years ago, he oversaw 60 mechanics and the shop was doing extremely well profit-wise. But it was the most inefficient mechanic shop I had come across in my 15 years as a consultant to that industry.
Their efficiency numbers—number of hours billed to the number of hours available—were around 33%. A minimum target should be 100%, and 110% to 120% is optimal.
- The overheated economy had allowed poor management to thrive.
Now, with a reduced amount of work, head office needed to adjust costs so they laid off 75% of the mechanics—the ones who earn the money for the company—yet still projected budget numbers unachievable even at 100% efficiency!
The newly adjusted economy exposed that waste and poor management.
Entitlement and Lack of Accountability
Though many individuals have excellent work attitudes, we found that during the boom, just as many people did not—especially individuals under 40 who for the most part have never experienced a recession. They were cocky and full of themselves.
Poor work values and arrogance were rampant. If you held some of those individuals accountable, they would threaten to walk or would refuse—based on the fact that they knew many employers were willing to tolerate that situation as "the devil they knew versus the devil they didn't know."
Since the economic adjustment, we have experienced a much more humble and flexible group of job applicants and team members.
Labor Shortage
The boom also produced a shortage of quality applicants for positions. Many organizations hired whomever they could—not necessarily people they really wanted—because no fully qualified candidates were even applying.
There are still shortages of qualified individuals in some sectors, like health care, but now there is a pool of far more qualified candidates from which employers can chose. Choosing the right candidate for the right position—rather than being forced to make a decision to hire less-than-desirable applicants—strengthens the capabilities and the capacity of organizations.
Overleveraged and Overinvested
Many organizations—who now want bailout money—overleveraged (borrowed way too much) to grow or expand their business. Those decisions were based on a growth curve everyone knew was not sustainable but they chose to ignore it.
Many organizations have million- and billion-dollar loans they cannot pay back.
The financial industry is guilty of gross negligence and criminal intent based on greed—not sound economic principles. As a result of the economic correction, guidelines and regulations finally will be imposed on that group. I wish there was a way to make the individuals responsible for the financial collapse accountable for their criminal actions.
Going Forward
Regardless, we must look ahead to the positive path we can take.
Here's a fact!
Where we continually put our focus e-x-p-a-n-d-s.
So we can't keep talking and thinking about the recession! That will not help us move in a positive direction.
Did you know you can retrain your brain's neuron pathways to be positive, rather than negative?
You are responsible for the ideas you permit into your space and into your head.
Be discerning. Just say NO to the negative media and to negative people.
Especially in organizations and teams, if you can't speak with a positive attitude, say nothing at all.
Just last week, I spoke at a career development conference in Toronto. Almost every firm or organization with whom I conversed one-on-one said they were inundated with new clients and contracts—many beyond their capacity to even respond.
Two years ago, some of these firms were dangling by a thread because nobody needed or wanted career counseling or placement.
There are always two sides to a story.
Many people have been laid off from roles and responsibilities they quite frankly did not like. This is an excellent opportunity for them to start living their life fully engaged—rather than simply coping and just getting by.
Inquiries and sales at CRG have been expanding from all parts of the globe, from Dubai to LA and everywhere in between. Why? People want to improve and optimize individual, team, and organizational performance while living, leading, and working on purpose.
Now, more than ever, we ALL need to be living intentionally and working
On Purpose!
And of course we believe nothing helps others achieve the desired results more than CRG resources and assessments.
Decide this very moment to say No to the negative media, and you will be taking the first step toward more positive results.
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For the past few years, Ken has been rebuilding CRG and revising each of CRG's 12 core assessments. With the assessment project
completed, Ken has more time for speaking, training, and media events. 