Monday morning I’m waking to the drone of the radio news when my attention suddenly sharpened. I heard the name of one of my clients. On NPR. There had been many rumors but this twist to the story was a surprise. Shareholders are happy and there are hard times ahead for the employees. (Raise your hand if you’ve ever been subjected to a merger or acquisition). These are the times for all men and women to come to the aid of–themselves.Last week a dear one was talking to me about the economy and that she was bracing herself for cutbacks. Revenues are down in her company and she can see the writing on the wall. I encouraged her not to offer herself up for a furlough yet (as appealing as that was). Instead I encouraged her to think creatively.
Right now organizations, yes, are cutting back, but they are also desperate for CREATIVE ideas that can GENERATE revenue.
The question is this: Are you an Idea Generator? Are you a Creative Problem Solver? If you’re on this website I am guessing your answers are ‘Yes’.
Here are some places to look for inspiration:
* Shamelessly lift an idea from another company–that means you need to talk to others in your industry, talk to others in your profession and read magazines (in addition to People magazine)
* What bugs you about your workplace? Do you have an idea for how to fix it? Can you find a sponsor with some power?
* Become an internal mercenary. Sell yourself and your skills to a new manager or department where they need something that you know how to do. If things look shaky where you are, go broker yourself to another part of the company where things look a little better.
* Know what’s hot in your market or field. Green? Natch. Generosity and philanthropy? Good. Combine things that people care about in their hearts with the other thing that people care about: profit.
There is a lot to be concerned about right now. But we learned back in the 1980s that there was no such thing as a job for life. I remember my mentor, Darrell Beck, telling me, “The only security you have is your own ability, Maggie.”
NOW is the time for all of you with creative abilities to start showing off.
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