The global economy has started
showing its dark side for a couple of years now and it is coming
to its peak at the moment. Therefore, there have been a few
bailout packages or in other words, financial stimulus packages
proposed for booting the economy. Since this depression is
affecting the economies of the US and Canada very badly, even
the smaller companies have started feeling the consequences. The
main method used by many organizations for facing troubled times
is reduction of the costs. Among many ways of reducing the cost,
company layoffs are the most prominent, effective, and sensible
ways. If you become a victim of such an activity, I'm sure you
will be devastated. This is a brief discussion on how to save
your job when there is a possible layoff ahead.
First of all, know what is
happening in the organization. See how the depressed economy
affects your organization and at where the pin points. This
knowledge will give you a thorough understanding about the
situation and how you should react to it. This will indicate you
whether you are at an immediate danger or not. If you are the
best one who knows about this, then you stand more chance of
surviving.
Identifying the early warning
signs is the best way to prepare you. This gives you more time
to think of strategies for strengthening your position in the
organization. As an example, imagine you are in to software
industry. Your company develops software for fortune 500
companies. You have many projects which will go to their second
phase and there are many projects in the pipeline. All of
sudden, your customers postpone the second phase of the project
and new projects pulled off from the queue. This is a clear
indication that your customers are conscious about their
spending. If your customers are not keen on spending, then you
are at the risk of losing revenue. There are many early warnings
such as cutting extra benefits given to the employees,
resignations of the top management, freezing new hires etc. Read
and understand these warnings and prepare for the hard times.
For every company, there are
certain human resources that companies name as 'core assets',
'critical resources' etc. This is the clear indication that
these employees are critical for the operations so that they
will be the last people who will be fired. If you were vigilant
and saw the warning signs early, you will have enough time to
become one of those resources. Learn something that is critical
to the company and start taking responsibilities of the area. By
the time the layoff hits the company, you will be one of 'those'
assets that is required by the company.
Politics is everywhere and
corporate environment is no exception. Everyone has their
favorites and others talk behind their backs. But at the time of
a layoff, these favorites stand a higher chance of surviving the
scene. Although this is not the correct thing, it might be the
right thing for a moment like this. Look at the possible
survivors and run to them. They might help you to be safe!
Be visible to the management!
There are two categories of jobs that will be safe from a
layoff; essential jobs and high contributions jobs to the
turnover. Make sure you fall in to one of the two categories. If
you are already, then you do not have to worry. If you are not,
then it is time to 'market' yourself. Whenever you achieve
something, take credit for that. Let others notice you for doing
things and this will develop in to a respect. Being proactive is
one of the keys for being ahead of others. Do not wait until
someone does something; you can take the lead and do it
yourself. This will also make you a person who can do corporate
miracles. So be it!
