"Insanity is, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Does this sound like someone you know? 

Today more and more American jobs are going overseas than ever before.  And there's no end in sight of this trend for the IT industry, as well as many other industries.  Where economics play a major role in corporate health and survival, reducing labor costs will continue to be an issue.  Moving a workforce overseas can reduce production costs substantially and mean the difference between being # 1-2 in the business or being out of the business completely.

But is it right?  Is it fair?  Let's look at it from the standpoint of the consumer.  Once upon a time a friend of mine purchased a brand new "made in America" HAL computer for $5,000.  A bargain at the time.  However, his buddy purchased four (4) imported clones for the exact same price of $5,000 total.  Sometime later, my friend purchased a new IQ for $3,800.  Again his buddy purchased replacements for his 4 clone machines for the same total price of $3,800.   

How many of us would purchase a $5,000 computer today when we can get a great "clone" from overseas for $500?  How many of us drive imported cars, run on imported shoes, wear imported clothes, listen to imported sound systems, and never once consider the "Buy American" slogans for the sake of our fellow WORKER?

Jobs that can be done more economically overseas will continue to be moved to foreign countries as long as the American consumer is not willing to pay a higher price for the sake of the American worker.  Unfortunately, I don't see a philosophical change in consumer buying habits coming in the near future. 

"Ok great, thanks for the insight, but NOW WHAT? " asks your friend. "How about a job?  Where am I going to get one, and how?"

I have seen people spend 2-3 years trying to get back into their professions after downsizing or restructuring or corporate "repositioning of labor."  That's a lot of downtime for the average ex-employee.  And a lot of burnt up savings.  (The average reduction of savings, or expansion of second mortgages, appears to be in the range of $150,000 to $250,000.)  Often the result of a lengthy job search is loss of property, home, family, it can be quite devastating and sometimes totally overwhelming. 

Rather than continue down the same path as others, consider a change in objectives.  For help on how to overcome this issue of lack of opportunity, refer to the title of this article. 

Maybe it's time to change direction of your career?  Maybe it's time for self employment?  Time to start a business of your own?  If you have not spent all your resources paying bills while you job hunt, you're in a good position to be creative.  Otherwise, there is the SBA.  Small Business Administration of the US Government to help out with the finances.  

Contrary to popular belief, most of today's millionaires are self made.  That's right.  They started with little, or nothing, and created their fortunes from scratch.  They had creative ideas, desires to achieve and dreams of success.  But most importantly, they had written business plans.  They had ideas, dreams, goals, objectives, schemes, methods, process, demographics, ON PAPER.  Professional plans for growing a new business.  

Today the average tenure of mid level or senior manager is 24-36 months.  You do the math.  If it takes a year or more to find a job, and the average tenure is so low, what are the family economics?  

You don't need a unique idea to start a business.  Just a good idea and something you understand or can understand quickly with a little help.  There's an old saying in business.  "If you have no competition, you have no market."  So, starting something totally unique is not the safest route to follow.  Coffee shops, they are everywhere, and sometimes there are several competitors within a block of each other.  Clothing stores, hardware, fast foods, paint, groceries, health food, bike repair, shoes repair, etc., etc., etc. 

Ask around, ask your friends, do a survey if you're thinking of something retail.  What would they like to see "spring up" in the neighborhood?  What's missing that might be a big hit if done properly.  Then do another survey of close friends and associates and ask for the definition of "done properly."

The business plan is the most important aspect of starting a new business.  Putting your ideas on paper is as important as the retail customer you want to walk through the door.  And the SBA won't even talk to you without a good written business plan.  Check out the local book stores for guides on how to write a formal business plan.  It's easier than you think once you can actually see several examples.  

Submit your plan to the SBA.  Call them and ask for instructions and guidebooks for the how-too end of the process.  That's what they're there for, to help you start a new business.  

Another source of capital for your new business is the "venture capitalist."  There are a few venture capitalists that specialize in "start-ups."  Ask around, or check the internet and see what's in your area.  

Remember, Americans seem to be the only ones in the U.S. who think there are few opportunities here.  People from all over the world are breaking down our doors to get here for the opportunities available in our country.  Be creative, be bold, be, "The Donald.   "Impossible? CAN DO!!!"

Good Luck and Happy Hunting.

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