Recession Equals Opportunity

Every business is bound to have its ups and downs. This can be no more evident especially during these times of economic hardship. As strain of recession grips countries, businesses and individuals in all corners of the world, people find that they become disenfranchised; this in turn has an adverse effect on all areas of an individual's life.

Many analyst, would suggest this should be an opportunity for those amongst you, I included, to change directions, explore new avenues and perhaps start over. Many will inevitably opt for the option to retrain themselves in new vocations which could be time consuming and demanding; mentally and physically, But for some, this is an opportunity to become your own boss and take onboard a career that is more fulfilling.

45% of UK workforce considering major career change as recession looms

(People1st Survey 2008)

It is no surprise to find out that as at the time this survey was done, over 50% of the UK workforce admitted they lack stimulation at work, with only 1 in 10 stating they currently experience a high level of stimulation. These figures were revealed even before the Recession took hold.

The reality is that changing careers, or following ones ambitions and dreams is perhaps equally as daunting as moving home or starting a family. It requires that initially drive to move forward and pursue what seems almost unattainable, it requires tenacity and resilience, it requires commitment and research and most importantly patience. But, as you might be able to agree, sometimes those things that seem the hardest to achieve are likely the most rewarding.

On a micro level, those who opt out of their unsatisfying lives are only replicating what those businesses that have recently been going into administration are doing on a larger scale. If they decide that they can not sustain a workforce and balance out their financial responsibilities, thereby making many people redundant, whilst they keep their pockets full with fat-cat bonuses, or re-register their companies under a new guise, then why shouldn't you 'the dissatisfied ex/employee' have the option to 'Rebrand & Repackage' yourself.

Why would businesses allow themselves to go under?

Former Woolworths chief executive Roger Corbett says recessions can act as a "cleansing process" in the economic cycle by weeding out bad companies that should be allowed to fail.

"I think there is a place for recessions, as they are a cleansing process," Mr Corbett told a breakfast seminar in Sydney today.

"Experience has shown that economies that don't allow that cleansing process to happen bounce along the bottom for a long time, as Japan has for the past 20 years."

General Motors, the biggest car maker in the US, was a company that should be allowed to fail because it was too expensive to try and change the culture of the company, Mr Corbett said.

The recession, unfortunate as it is, can be