Tired, ticked off and anxious. That’s the general feeling in America today when it comes to jobs.
Why won’t corporations, which are sitting on $2 trillion in cash and raking in record-breaking profits, hire more people? Why hasn’t President Obama and the administration instituted the policies to create more jobs? How can more jobs be created, whose fault is it that one out of six people are out of work, and when are the jobs coming back?
These are questions being asked on every television network and radio show, in break rooms, on blogs, on factory floors, in dining rooms, bedrooms, barber and beauty shops and checkout lines, and from pulpits and parishes all across our country.
But here’s a question: What can we do? What can you and I do to help create jobs? “Not much,†may be your initial response; but actually there are at least three steps we can take to contribute to a turnaround.
(1) Redirect your cash flow: According to the U.S. Bureau for Economic Analysis, as of 2010, average annual personal income in America was $43,593; and employed people are still spending, especially on discounted and low-cost purchases. If you make a conscientious effort to re-direct some of your shopping dollars – say 10 percent of that average, which is $4,359 – to local businesses we will see a change over time. More small businesses will flourish and hire new employees.
A friend of mine opened a boutique in 2009. Whenever I am purchasing clothes or jewelry that I know she carries I buy from her rather than going to the mall. Other local ladies have also shopped with her consistently since she opened. As a result, she went from no full time staff members to hiring a full-time store manager, assistant manager and several sales associates in less than two years.
Large companies tend to use technology, temporary staffing firms, or pile on more work to well-paid employees when there are upticks in demand. A small business has to hire more quickly with an increase in demand because it is not practical for us to sign long-term contracts for software driven operations, pay extra fees to a temporary staffing firm or pile on more work to a modestly-paid employee who may head for the door.
We can’t make Fortune 500 companies invest any of that $2 trillion in new hires but where do you think they got that money from? Everyday people who spend every two weeks gave it to them in the form of purchases. Commit to spend at least 10 percent of your consumer dollars with a business that will hire – most likely that’s a small, local one.
(2) Groom yourself and/or your children to pursue a career path that is growing and well-paid: There are 3 million job openings in America right now as you read this and not enough people with the right skills to fill the jobs. A McKinsey Global Institute research report that explores why we are stuck in a “jobless†recovery indicates that employers believe this problem of educational and skill-set mismatches will persist.
When it comes to passions and past-times you should develop and enjoy life balancing hobbies. But when it comes to work don’t settle for the lie that pursuing a passion is always best. If you absolutely love your vocation but can’t find a job or are broke half the time then any emotional benefit that arises out of loving the work will dissipate quickly. Conversely, if you’re good at your job, find it relatively enjoyable, and make enough income to find fulfillment in hobbies outside of work it’s likely that you’ll be happier than a person who is caught in an indefinite cycle of struggling. Sectors projected to experience high growth during the next decade are: healthcare, business services, leisure and hospitality, construction, manufacturing and retail. People who are qualified can get open jobs, earn and spend income, and in turn create the demand that makes it feasible for employers to hire even more. Groom yourself to be one of these gainfully employed individuals.
(3) Become an engaged citizen: Politicians say what they think we want to hear. So, don’t leave your elected officials left to translate. Be really clear with your Congressional and Senatorial representatives about what you expect from them when it comes to how the federal deficit and budget will be handled.
You can find your Congressional representative and their contact information via the United States House of Representatives website and you can find your Senators on the United States Senate website simply by entering your zip code.
A note as simple as the following template can make a difference if they receive enough of them:
Hello [Sen. or Rep. Last Name]:
I vote in every election and you are currently my elected official. I want to see confidence, certainty and jobs restored to America. I am committed to doing my part and I am counting on you to do yours. We need to pay down the deficit, operate with a balanced budget and invest in America’s future.
- I support cuts in government spending across the board.
- I support an increase in taxes for people with adjusted gross income above $250,000.
- I support the idea that we need both spending cuts and increased revenues to address our fiscal issues.
I will vote only for incumbents or candidates who demonstrate a commitment to this balanced approach. Thank you in advance for representing my views as you propose and vote on legislation in the weeks and months ahead.
Sincerely,
Felicia Joy
Address
Phone number
Obviously you should change the bullet points and content to reflect your own views but whether
you e-mail or call it’s important for you to register your opinion with your elected officials. Some companies say they are reluctant to hire due to a shroud of uncertainty created by the petty bickering of America’s politicians. Put your elected officials on notice that you expect to see action, negotiation and confidence-boosting leadership on Capitol Hill so that hiring and job creation will pick up pace and continue to full recovery.These three steps can make a massive difference if we all do our part. Collective change comes from individual change. Doing something is better than doing nothing. I’m ready for us to create jobs. Are you with me?
Felicia Joy is a nationally recognized entrepreneur who created $50 million in value for the various organizations and companies she served in corporate America before launching her business enterprise. She is the author of Hybrid Entrepreneurship: How the Middle Class Can Beat the Slow Economy, Earn Extra Income and Reclaim the American Dream and is often called on to discuss the ins and outs of entrepreneurial success. She has appeared on CNN, FOX and in other national press. Felicia operates Ms. CEO Inc., an inspirational merchandise company that encourages women entrepreneurs to be savvy, profitable and bold in business – as well as Joy Group International, LLC, a publishing, business development and consulting firm. Follow her at www.twitter.com/feliciajoy.