Recently Sanofi-Aventis made the news when they handed out pink slips to over 1,700 employees by phone. I won’t get into the callous delivery of this news – instead, I’ll just focus on the next steps for each of these people.
Some of them will seek a new position in the same industry. Even if you change some of the variables like choosing a smaller company, different industry, or alternate career path; these job seekers open themselves up to the same type of situation that just occurred. They are in essence buying time, but not stability.
Others, will strike out on their own, putting their expertise to work. This new group of consultants will end up owning their own jobs. While they do gain some additional control over their future, they often end up working harder than they ever did in the corporate environment.
Another smaller percentage will buy or create a system that makes them a business owner, hopefully with their eyes on employing other people. These people are looking at franchise opportunities and long-term growth.
The final group of people will become investors and take control of the resources made available in their 401k and severance packages to invest in their own future cash flow.
I’ve got to tell you that my bet is on the people that choose to buy or create systems and become smart investors. Gainful employment is not a bad thing mind you – it’s just that when you don’t have a plan to transition to something that provides you more security you become a sitting duck.
And I don’t like being a sitting duck –