Saturday, 1 February 2020

SURVIVING DISMISSAL OR REDUNDANCY


“If you don’t make things happen then things will happen to you” (Robert Collier)

The terms dismissal, getting fired, redundancy, corporate downsizing, re-engineering, lay-offs imply losing one’s job (temporarily). When this happens there are typically two reactions:
 
1. People who move on easily, don’t dwell on their current challenge, embrace change and jump into something else, moving forward. 
2. People who get bitter, depressed, complain and hold on to the past unable to move forward.

If a company needs to reduce its cost of operations or when a role disappears then there’s little need to keep people on. Sometimes the layoffs are done with ethical (moral) standards other times not so fair i.e. office politics. Whichever the case the general reaction is for some people to feel pity for anyone made redundant. They say things like “Oh, what a pity”, “That’s so sad” “What will you do now?” and even “It’s not good for your reputation” trying to make the person generally feel empty (knowingly or unknowingly) like the world is closing in on them. The world is not closing in on anyone and one cannot choose their external circumstances but can determine how to react to it. Martha Washington said, “I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition”.

“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try" (Beverly Sills)

A great advice is anyone affected by the job loss situation must not succumb to the feelings of self-pity or hang around having pity parties. It’s only human that they may feel sad because a chapter in the story of their lives has ended but if they allow the sadness to go on for too long the situation won’t change. It’s best to think about the positives; one is that the company helped you make the decision to go find something better and look forward to the newest chapter in their life and thus newer opportunities. According to the founder of Amazon Jeff Bezos “What we need to do is always lean into the future; when the world changes around you and when it changes against you- what used to be a tail wind is now a head wind-you have to lean into that and figure out what to do because complaining isn't a strategy”.

“Always turn anegative situation into a positive situation” (Michael Jordan)

Those affected by job loss should, therefore, tell anyone who wants to show pity that instead of “Sorry” they should say “Congratulations” because they are moving on and have decided to grasp change by the neck and move onto a new phase of living. They now have two options:

1. Dust and update the CV and get cracking looking for a new job. Who knows? They may get a better one. However, they must learn entrepreneurship skills and become intrapreneurs to perform more effectively even if they are working for a solid corporation and plan on retiring there. It’s best to consider that the world is just too insecure to make long-term plans with one company.
2. Learn “How to” and just start their own business. This way, they may never have to deal with any future redundancies again. They will now have absolute control over their life; every move will be their decision.

"You are not your resume, you are your work" (Seth Godin) 

These are the positive options, but we also know that a peculiar issue for those trying to find other jobs or become entrepreneurs after being forced out through office politics dismissal, redundancy or early retirement is low or lack of confidence. Some people get so dejected and may need time and massive effort to build up their courage again. Thus, to avoid wallowing in self-pity, stress and anger; they can do things like regular exercise, take up positive hobbies that occupy some of their personal time filling their gaps. They should network around entrepreneurs, go to trade-shows, research business opportunities. They should aim to start everything one step at a time, and also learn new vocational, digital or business skills by reading, from training organisations, gaining formal, self, trade, and lifelong knowledge. They must realise that they have the potentials and the strength to accept what they cannot change, the power to change what they can and the wisdom to know the difference.

“No matter what your current circumstances are, if you can imagine something better for yourself, you can create it” (Unknown)

According to Walter D. Wintle “If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t! If you want to win, but think you can’t, It’s almost a cinch you won’t. If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost; For out in the world, we find success begins with a fellow’s will; it’s all in the state of the mind. Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger and faster man, but sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can”.

“Not to allow other people to hold you back, or tell you that you can’t do something. If you believe in it, you should just do it. What have you got to lose?” (Cheryl MacDonald)

While researching entrepreneurs made redundant we found the story of Cheryl MacDonald of YogaBellies in the Telegraph. She was working long hours as a business analyst in Glasgow and teaching yoga in the evenings, but while on maternity leave she was made redundant at age 30. She moved on and credits the redundancy as the impetus to focus fully on her passion for yoga and new mums. YogaBellies enables pregnancy fitness during and after birth, through classes, therapies and workshops, for women and children and as of 2014 had about 100 franchises worldwide. This business allows for a more flexible life and MacDonald gets to spend plenty time with her son, takes him everywhere while still earning, and considers being laid-off as a blessing in disguise. We know many people who were made redundant and created a better life as entrepreneurs.

“We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them” (Epictetus-Enchiridion)

Another person got laid-off at forty-three, as he left he got together with a friend and formed an enterprise. Meanwhile, the person hired to replace him also left the company soon after, so they (i.e. former employers) had gaps and his new enterprise became contractors to his former employer company getting paid much more doing for them what he’d been doing there for years as an employee (some disappointments end up being blessings). He said when he left the company he had nothing but a little pay-off and five years later he became financially independent. Hence, when circumstances change, when people deliberately try to break you ignore them, when a company decides that your future is not with them embrace this challenge and go create your own blessed career as an entrepreneur, focus on achieving your own goals, increasing your autonomy, money, knowledge, skills and wealth. Your success is often the best revenge.
  

“The best revenge is massive success” (Frank Sinatra)
“Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper” (Beyonce)

You cannot afford to be lazy if you want to change your life. It’s best to follow the paths which will lead you to attain happiness so don’t just sit around waiting for manna to fall from heaven. J. Paul Getty said “The meek shall inherit the earth but not its mineral rights”. So while prayer is good, prayers or wishes without follow through action can be useless, best incorporate spirituality with personal development planning, and entrepreneurship actions. Develop entrepreneurial abilities today, feel the fear yet take the leap of faith, plan your business, start-up, continue learning, adapt to changes, problem-solve and you would be on the way to your big break. Have the GUTS (Genuine Urge To Succeed) to make something happen. Find something you enjoy and do it immediately without procrastination and become a fearless Intrapreneur or entrepreneur.


 We wish you the best as you overcome redundancy and achieve Career Security. 

Enrol Today and Build 21st Century Career Security Skills:

 Gain high quality ability learning with impact via the Dr Beeka Academy: complete the blogspot form here for more info.

2. How to Start Your Own Business: Entrepreneurship Career Edition 2 (Entrepreneurship Career Startup Edition Book 1)

3. Mu Koyi Sana’a (Hausa Entrepreneurship Book)

4. The Entrepreneurs Tool kit. The African Business Roundtable (ABR). 

5. A Practical Guide: How to Start and Grow Your Own Business. 

6. Effective Ways to Know, Manage or Motivate your Team to Attain High Profitability.

DOCTORATE THESIS

7. Beeka, B. H (2015) Entrepreneurship as a Viable Career Choice for Nigerian Youth. Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University Doctor of Philosophy Thesis. 

JOURNALS 


SHEFFIELD DOCTORAL CONFERENCE: WON BEST PAPER 

10. Beeka, B. (2011) Entrepreneurship as a career choice: Opportunity recognition model from an emerging economy. In Lee, B and Palmer, N.J (Eds) Sheffield Doctoral Conference Proceedings, pp. 19-36. Sheffield: The University of Sheffield Management School Research Office. 
#LEAD #ECC #Career #Employability #Intrapreneurship #Entrepreneurship #DrBeekaAcademy

Reference: All images above and CV are courtesy of Pixabay

 Disclaimer: Every possible effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this article is accurate. While every precaution has been taken in the research but it is advised that names, places, narratives and quotes be independently confirmed by the reader. The publisher and the author cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions, however caused. The editor, publisher or author can accept no responsibility for loss or damage occasioned to any person acting, or refraining from action, as a result of the material in this publication.

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