Which word best defines today’s economy?
A. Downsizing
B. Layoffs
C. Mergers
D. Outsourcing
E. All of the Above

In the morning paper and on the evening news, these buzzwords have become synonymous with the “Great Recession,” a time of chronically high unemployment with no end in sight.

Businesses continue to scale back, leery of increasing taxes, regulations and mandates that have them hamstrung. Making matters worse is that the unemployment rate, typically a lagging indicator of recovery, is likely to deteriorate before it improves.

It is often said that perception is reality, which is why it seems like nobody is hiring. The reality is that nobody is advertising, but there are jobs. The key to finding those jobs is by adopting a new paradigm of seeking out not jobs, but business opportunities.

While the direction of employers will be away from hiring people in the traditional 9 to 5 sense, there is actually an uptick in independent contracting or business to business (B2B) relationships that limit a company’s exposure to the rising costs of healthcare, workers’ compensation, litigation and disability.

To succeed, one must now think outside of the box. Searching classifieds, enduring cattle calls and answering questions from personnel that have nothing to do with your ability aren’t going to land you in that dream position. Rather, consider the following:

  1. What talents do I have?
  2. How can I put those talents to work?
  3. How can someone benefit from what I have to offer?
  4. How much am I willing to risk for more personal freedom?
  5. What price would I pay for a better home/work balance

As an individual looking for a job, you now have the power to create the product to present to the potential employer from the perspective of a self starting entrepreneur. By actively seeking out decision makers in venues such as rotary clubs, chambers of commerce or trade organizations, you are taking proactive steps to move to the front of the line. By devising solutions and positioning yourself as a business partner willing to absorb some costs and risks traditionally borne by employers, you have become the embodiment what will define employment in the 21st century

In my own situation, I saw a 20 year career fall apart as a bank too big to fail nearly fell into the abyss. Despite the overwhelming odds, I used the knowledge that had been gained during my tenure to develop multiple business solutions, which in turn are being sold to a variety of organizations looking to decrease costs while increasing productivity and income. This success came because I embraced a new paradigm, recognized the changing economy and understood that my full time job was to identify new revenue streams.

Through the prism of history we have seen recession followed by prosperity time and time again. Without fail, those who took the greatest risks reaped the greatest rewards. Carpe Diem is Latin for “seize the day” and that day is now, for businesses and individuals alike, to begin their quest for a more prosperous and successful tomorrow.

Chris Tidball is the author of “Kicked to the Curb: 20 Essential Rules for Coming out on Top When Your Life Has Been Turned Upside Down” and is president of Chris Tidball & Associates, Jacksonville, Fla. He is an author, speaker, consultant and former Fortune 500 executive who provides innovative solutions ranging from debt collection techniques to alternative energy resources used to help businesses and individuals maximize their bottom line with no new money required. To learn more, visit www.christidball.com or e-mail chris@christidball.com.