Just released today, “the number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits declined 4,000 to 570,000 last week, but claims still remain at elevated levels.” (Wall Street Journal 09/03/09) People are still being laid off. And those who have been laid off are still looking for jobs.  This does not add up.  What is more confusing is I run across at least one or two legitimate business opportunities every day.  These opportunities do not pay a salary, they do not provide benefits; but, they have the potential to provide income and much more for someone who recognizes the opportunity.

Nothing frustrates me more than these businesses who continue to lay-off their most valued resource, their people.  It represents a mindless, simplistic financial answer.  Anyone can eliminate a job to balance the books.  It takes creativity and innovation to find a way to deploy these valued resources, known as people with families, to use these down times to re-invent or create or devise a different path or direction or product or service for the company. Instead of deploying them to innovate and create and grow, they cut them off and turn them out.

Unfortunately, too many unemployed seemed to be equally as incapable to innovate or create during their transition.  I continue to post opportunities regarding start-up companies I am working which have both huge potential and risk.  With all the people out of work, I would expect some interest.  I get none.  (Maybe it’s me.)  What I get is “I need a job with a salary.”  What you need is money coming in to pay your bills.  What you need is to find an opportunity that generates revenue.

Please explain to me how working on a “risky” opportunity today that will enable you to make money in a month is NOT as good an opportunity as searching for a job for the next three months, with no guarantee that you will have a job by then.

If you are looking for work, I am very sorry that you are in that situation–it stinks.  If you are looking for a job and you feel you must have a “job”, please do one of these things:

1. Invent a job:  I have a dear friend who was determined to get a “job.”  In their job search efforts, they contacted a business in their industry that had no competitive presence in their geographic market.  This person convinced them that there was an opportunity for this business to expand into this market.  They even wrote up a sales plan and presented it.  Got the job.  Correction, invented the job.  That’s being innovative and creative.

2. Leverage your experience to create something: Many job seekers recognize the potential to do something great in their industry.  They have contacts, relationships, strategic partners and ideas.  Put it together to create something.  Another friend had numerous executive-level contacts in a particular industry.  This industry is not hiring.  However, they did have some issues with underselling products.  This person has another contact with access to significant experience building e-commerce sales models.  Seeing the opportunity this person put their contacts together and are now building an e-commerce sales model for these nonperforming products.  Brilliant.  Innovation and creativity is the theme.

3. Listen for the opportunity: Instead of thinking of all the reasons why you need a “job” as an excuse to dismiss a legitimate business opportunity, explore the potential for the legitimate opportunities that are out there.  They do exist.  I see them every day.  The reason you do not see them is you are too busy looking for a “job.”  Be creative, be innovative, look for the potential in these opportunities.  Of course there is risk.  There is risk that you could get laid off from the next job, as well.

I am frustrated and disappointed with the way businesses have been treating people.  They have a higher level of accountability than this.  Employees are not numbers.  However, I am almost as frustrated by the people in transition who are convinced a job is their security and their future.  Just because your former employer was not very innovative or creative does not mean you need to act the way.  Give it a shot, create or take a chance–you have nothing to lose.  More importantly, through your success you have everything to gain, including control of your future.