Faye Reid

Make yourself indispensable. Those who take the initiative and add value to the corporate strategy to remain competitive will win. If necessary reinvent yourself to fill a void. There is always a void and plenty of opportunity when there is tremendous change. First identify what in your organization or in business is changing that will affect your career.

You’ll need to stay informed, be open to new trends, get creative and identify your opportunity to add value to the organization. For example, the current trend is for businesses to talk about going green. What does that mean? Does anyone in your organization know? If not. Learn everything there is to know about sustainable business practices and you will be the one they turn to. Present the idea to the decision maker high lighting the benefit to the organization, gain the credentials, become the best and you are now indispensable.

The media will have you remain anxious and feel as though you are drawing in the chaos of change. Knowing that drama and controversy grab our attention they spread doom, gloom and assign blame hourly. They know this will draw you to them leaving you paralyzed with negative statistics.

Don’t give in to the despair and bitterness. Ignore those who will have you believe that you are entitled to job security regardless of world events or national trends. Those who will have you focus your energy on blaming and fan the flames of outrage fall into two categories, the media and those who will be left to panic.

But the survivors will be those who remain calm in the chaos. They are hearing that change is happening and have decided to spend their time identifying ideas that will give them the edge to help their employer survive. If you can help your employer during these current chaotic times you will have job security, but more importantly you will experience job satisfaction and continue on toward your aspirations for success.

As business changes, rewards will be based on productivity and individual performance. They will be passed on to those who add value. Your past record will not get you ahead or ensure security. Current chaos suggests that those who innovate, improve and work toward corporate survival are those who will enjoy job security.

If there is chaos, uncertainty and change there is opportunity. Look for the opportunity.

What are executives talking about? If you don’t know start listening. What are you hearing a lot of discussion about on the business channels? If you don’t know, start watching. What are people taking about at networking events and conferences? If you are not attending networking events and conferences you must start. These are places where ideas are exchanged. How can you use the information you are learning about to help your employer, to help your career? How can you increase your value to the organization?

Computers and telecommunications changed the way we do work and they are now reshaping where we do work. Information has become the new tool and we can work where ever we are. But this means that companies can look anywhere for those with the best skills and who add value. Here also lies an opportunity. Rather than bemoan the transfer of jobs overseas, think about the opportuntity to manage those overseas employees. This trend will translate into a need for leaders to manage global teams. Are you a candidate?  There are a growing number of job categories to consider as new industries develop, take the initiative and identify where you can use your strengths, fill a need and add value to your organizations success.

Human nature may suggest to resist change, but history clearly illustrates it will happen anyway. Stay informed of the trends. Look for opportunities in the chaos. Be apart of the solution to maintain your companies competitive edge. And, take the initiative and make yourself indispensable.