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Learn why job security is a thing of the past and how to protect your career with practical steps for Logistics and Supply Chain professionals. Understand the importance and benefits of career insurance.
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Here Is Why You Need To Get Some Career Insurance! BY MIKE REGAN
How Secure Is Your Job? • In case you haven’t noticed, “we’re not in Kansas anymore. If you: • Read the papers, Listen to the radio, Watch a TV, here is a sobering reality…. • Corporate lay-offs and firings continue to be a fact of life in corporate America • So unless you’ve got a really great “Golden Parachute”, you need to have some career insurance
The Facts • Truth be told, there is no such thing as “job security.” • People used to think their jobs would be safe. Today, things can change and they can change in a hurry. • Which is why, today, you have to stand up and be counted. • For Logistics and Supply Chain professionals, this is good news, because as numerous publications have pointed out, CEO’s and CFO’s are starting to take an active interest in supply chain and logistics issues. • But it begs the question: When the spotlight shines on you and your area what will they see?
An Observation • As a general rule, most people are risk adverse with respect to implementing change. • That is why they say: The only people who like change are babies with wet diapers. • If you’re risk adverse, but functioning in an environment where change is constant, how do you play it safe? • When the time comes to be actively involved in leading or implementing change initiatives, will you resist and fight the change or engage and participate in effecting the required changes?
If You Want To Get Career Insurance, You Need To: • Invest in yourself • First, accept the fact that education is a continual and on going process. You’re never done learning. • Second, you alone are responsible for creating your “marketability” and employment options. • Third, don’t get too comfortable and take your career for granted. • If you want to stand up and be counted, you need to know: • What to stand up about and where to go to solve problems
If You Want Career Insurance You Need to Stop Thinking… • You’re “trapped” in your job • Most people have options. What are your options? • You have no place to go • Chances are good that there is more than one company that can use a positive, competent logistics professional. • Your company needs “owes” you continuing education opportunities • Regardless of what your company is willing to do, are you personally committed to improving your skill sets?
Is Career Insurance Really Necessary? • Do you believe in the importance of insurance? • Do you have: • Health insurance? Auto insurance? Homeowners insurance? Or life insurance? • The answer to each one of these questions is probably “Yes”
If You Are Wondering About Career Insurance, Then Ask: • Why do people purchase insurance? • Because they want to protect themselves in case there is a sudden, or unexpected catastrophe • When is the best time to get insurance? • Before the catastrophe occurs • Does losing your job unexpectedly qualify as a “catastrophe?”
If Career Insurance Is Important, Then… • Do you have “career insurance?” • Practically speaking, ask yourself: What are you doing to protect your career in the event that some unexpected catastrophe occurs? • In other words, what is going to happen if you are to be one of the ones for whom the words, “fired,” “laid off,” or “unemployed” take on a very personal meaning?
Before Going Any Further, Ask: Do I “Really” Need To Purchase Career Insurance? • Like any purchase, some people you may have some objections such as: • “What does it cost?” • “I can’t afford it.” • “I don’t have the time.” • If that describes your situation then I have a simple question: • How important is your career?
If You Want Great Career Insurance, Then You Need To Get: • The Right Attitude • Informed • Networked • Moving
The Power Of “The Right” Attitude • First, let’s take a reality check. • “Stuff” happens • Some of it is controllable, some of it is uncontrollable • When “Stuff” happens, do you react or respond? • Reacting to medication is bad; responding is good • Before doing anything: Stop, Assess, Engage
Get Informed – Why Continuing Education Is A Must • The pace of change imposes a choice that only you can make… • Do I have the ability to understand what is happening in my own world and the world at large? • If the adage: Five years from now who you are and what you are will be determined by the things you read, the people you meet, is true: • What will your life look like in five years?
Why Continue to Educate • Avoid the risk of professional obsolescence • Years ago, Professor Bud LaLonde noted that if you aren’t investing at least 300 hours per year in continuing education activities, you’ll run the risk of being obsolete in three to five years • How many hours per year do you invest in pursuit of continuing education activities?
Let’s Play “Phone A Friend” • You need to expand your network of personal and professional contacts • How do you do that? • Pick two worthwhile business organizations • Industry specific • General business organization • Join those organizations • Show up • Get involved
Logistics/Supply Chain Groups You Can Join • Local Traffic Clubs • CSCMP • NIT League • NASSTRAC • TIA • WERC • ISM • APICS • ATA • To name just a few
Some Good News And Interesting Facts • Less than 20% of the professionals in our industry belong to at least one of the professional trade associations • Less 1 in 5 professionals belong to industry trade groups • Number of individuals who actually show up and get involved is under 10% • 1 in 10 industry professionals are actually involved • So if you choose to get involved, you don’t have a lot of competition
For Those Who Have An Objection To Building Their Networks • Excuse # 1: “I don’t have time to network or invest in continuing education activities.” • Response: Every time I hear this, I smile and think, “Neither do I, but I still do it.” • Excuse # 2: “I don’t need any help. I can figure things out on my own.” • Response: “Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.”
Facts & Truths • Fact: We all have the same amount of time - 24 hours in a day • Truth: We spend time on our priorities and what is important to us • Important question: Is building your career a priority? • For those who think they can do it themselves: • Truth: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, take someone with you.
A Key Point To Remember: • Can you pass the Resume Test? • People who choose to ignore the importance of building a network of contemporaries are squandering an invaluable asset that can be used to provide assistance when the unexpected occurs. • Here is another way to consider the Network Challenge: • “Get ‘plugged in’ to a network or ‘get unplugged’ in your career.”
Closing Story • Recently, I received “The Call”: A friend and Director of Logistics for a good sized company got fired! • His termination caught him by surprise • Received outstanding evaluations • Thought he was doing a great job for the company • Now he’s in his mid-fifties, he was on the street having to look for a job with very few prospects
He Was Dedicated To His Company And His Job. So He Didn’t Take The Time To… • Pursue continuing education opportunities. • After all, he had a “big job” and didn’t have the time to attend seminars and classes. • Build his professional network • He only belonged to one association and hadn’t attended a single event for in several years • After all, he had a “big job” and didn’t have the time to attend seminars and classes. • Reflect on protecting his career: • “I was always too busy doing a great job for my company to invest in and protect my own career. I should of taken the time to invest in myself.” • In other words, he should have bought some career insurance!”
Fortunately… • He found another position although with a different title and a lower compensation package • It beats the alternative of being unemployed • He now understands the importance of having career insurance – regardless of where you are at in your career stage.
Finally, You Need To Get Moving! • Practically speaking, what is the likelihood that you could be doing something different in the next three to five years. • Key question: Will the choice to move be based on your choice or someone else’s choice? • In other words, life will happen…by accident or by design. Which would you prefer to be in control of your destiny or have someone else decide it for you?
Remember If You Give 110% Work and 0% To Protecting Your Career… • For those who are committed to giving your company 110% - even if it means leaving no time for your pursuit of career insurance • You’re taking a very big risk • The typical company will take as much as you want to give – and more • The one thing they won’t do is buy you insurance for your career • You’re the only one that can make that purchase
Make A Decision Today • Get some career insurance so you can look ahead at a future with great possibilities and wonderful opportunities • And remember, it’s never too late to begin building a better future!
