Personal Advancement
Upcoming business trendsAs the new year has settled in, we are continuing to see business trends such as mergers, acquisitions, expansions and downsizings roller coasting through the corporate landscape. Organizations continue to transform at an increasingly aggressive rate as employees and job seekers rush to keep up with the pace. During this exciting, and sometimes unnerving time, there are specific things that you can do to ensure your continued career success. SHARON GRAHAM |
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 [ 2006-03-01 ] |
The current labour market is seeing great activity and we can expect economic growth to continue through this year and on. Additionally, as more baby boomers reach the pinnacle of their career, many of these experienced Canadians will be retiring from the workforce; therefore, we can expect a "talent drain" in the labour market.
The great news for job seekers is twofold. Firstly, with the expanding economy, there will be many new jobs opening up. Secondly, the talent drain will mean that there is a limited supply of experienced, qualified and knowledgeable workers. As a result, employers are going to start to value the experience that older workers bring to the workforce.
To take advantage of these two key trends employees should invest in continued education and leverage professional development opportunities offered by your employer. Network with professionals, join industry associations, and read trade magazines to keep on top of advances and gain an edge.
Because organizations with foresight and resources are latching onto hot emerging markets, expect to see technology ventures and Initial Public Offerings to be forging new ground.
As our population ages and technology advances, we will find that many new services and programs will materialize. High technology and service industries in particular will expand offerings.
If you are considering a career change, investigate sectors that are focusing on emerging areas such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, medical services, cyber security, information filtering services, online and mobile gaming, wireless anything, and digital online music and video.
These days, corporate globalization has become a hot area. China and India have seen their business opportunities expand at unprecedented rates though global strategic partnerships. Because this strategy saves costs, work continues to be off-shored and outsourced.
To fit in, you will want to become more flexible with non-traditional work arrangements; for example, if you are an executive, manager or supervisor, you may need to provide long-distance leadership and telecommuting might be necessary. Learn to become comfortable and effective working in this manner.
You may need to become at ease with using innovative meeting and conferencing technology. Additionally, consider using the phone more often to keep connected and develop strong relationships with your staff. Reacquaint yourself with e-mail etiquette to ensure that your message is appropriate and understood on the other end.
Mergers and acquisitions often cause job redundancies. As a result, organizations do let people go. You can increase the chances of retaining your job during these difficult times by demonstrating cultural fit. Support the new organization's vision, become more of a team player, and always maintain a positive attitude.
Of course, you must always be prepared with a current resume and job search strategy so that you are positioned to effectively handle the unexpected.
You can succeed in your career and business. The keys to your success are staying current, embracing continuous learning, being flexible when required, demonstrating a positive attitude, and being prepared for whatever comes your way. Use these keys judiciously and you will see positive outcomes in no time.
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