Moving forward

In our society, when one year ends and another begins, so-called experts like to summarize the ending year and theorize about the soon to arrive year. Various regional talking heads in our area have recently blasted us with the unbelievably bad news of 2008 and, hold on, 2009 will be even worse!

Over the recent holiday period, I became quite frustrated with local politicians who could only focus on the negatives in the news. According to them, this economy will cripple government, destroy businesses, and create untold havoc.

I disagree.

Certainly if you have lost your house and/or your job, now might qualify as a depression for you. Having suffered a prolonged unemployment bout early in my work career, I can definitely empathize with someone wondering how to return to the workforce sooner rather than later.

However, the downside of our economy is balanced by the upside. Over 90 percent of our local workforce is still working. Ninety seven percent of local homeowners are not facing foreclosure. As the economy slows, the cost of various goods are dropping, giving more purchasing power to most individuals.

When the economy takes a nosedive, smart organizations get smarter, creative thinkers become even more innovative, old foundations are changed so new structures can evolve, and long-term improvements in our societal structure are adopted. In the workforce arena, outmoded production practices will be replaced by newer and better systems, workers will learn skills necessary for tomorrow's jobs, and government might actually be pulled kicking and screaming into the 21st century where it can better deliver services with

fewer bureaucrats.

While we swim in the economic turbulence, here are some ideas businesses and other organizations should consider when addressing workplace issues.

* Be optimistic. This too shall pass. If you believe in optimism, it will occur. Don't let the negativity of others infect you. Live in the future recovery so when it does arrive, you will have a head start on your competition.

* Be honest with your staff. Don't let silence from you create negativity. If your organization must downsize, then look for various ways to address that issue. Eliminate overtime, temporarily cut hours and/or benefits for all, reduce operations to four days from five or six, stop production that only builds excess inventory, and ask your staff for other ideas.

* Look for new products/ services your organization can produce and train current workers accordingly.

* Develop a "keep employees" plan by anticipating all manner of business scenarios and your staffing reaction to each with the main intent to keep as many of your staff as possible.

* Cut costs by reducing office overhead. Let employees work from home whenever possible.

* When it becomes necessary to lay off workers, stay in touch with the best employees and help them in their job search by giving truthful, positive references. Recall them on a temporary basis if short term business needs occur. Offer to pay for training in different job skills that will benefit your company if/when they return.

* Some individuals aged 45 and younger who are unemployed may be experiencing unemployment for the first time in their careers. The psychological impact on them may be overwhelming. Seek out discussion and support groups they can join. ProNet (www.join.org) is a good local source for mid-level managers and above while JobConnect is a good resource for all employee levels.

* Join or create discussion groups to share best practices with each other. Offer input to local schools and government officials on how business is coping with the downturn. Competition does not preclude sharing ideas that will help stabilize the workforce.

* In down economic times, not all costs should automatically be cut. Membership in organizations such as the Nevada Association of Employers are more vital now than ever. Learning from a human relations-centric organization will not only ease the pain now but quite possibly prevent long-term problems from occurring.

On the personal side of the workforce equation, wallowing in self pity will not end the misery of unemployment. People in this situation must get a grip on reality. They must learn how to seek employment in today's market, be willing to take temporary jobs as available, and realize that their next position may not pay the same salary they previously earned. This is a buyers (employer) market and the competition (others unemployed) is fierce.

To be positioned better than the competition, work skills upgrades should definitely be sought. We are very fortunate in this region to have Truckee Meadows Community College, Western Nevada College, UNR and Career College of Northern Nevada among others, with current workforce training. Much of this training is available online. When this downturn ends, many companies will want to hire only those with tomorrow's skills. Using unemployed time to obtain these skills will pay dividends in the future.

Many unemployed individuals are creative types who will probably start the new entrepreneurial enterprises that will blossom in a few years. This inventiveness should be encouraged. By coming together in support groups, many more could easily benefit by participating in the next generation of startups.

There is no doubt our current northern Nevada economy can be frightening, but we don't have to become victims. Businesses, governments and individuals should not give up. We have a community with tremendous assets and by working together, the assets will lead us to a brighter future.

During the last prolonged economic downturn in the early 1980s, I was asked to have my newly formed company participate in the recession. I had to decline the invitation because we were too busy growing!

Be positive. Don't give up. See long term success. Our workforce is the best ,and positive results will prove

that beyond any doubts.

Bring on success!

Tom Fitzgerald is chief executive officer of Nevadaworks. Contact him at 284-1340 or through www.nevadaworks.com.