The prospect of employment in the year 2020 and beyond

In 1990, Charles Handy predicted in his book “The Age of Unreason” that by the year 2000 there would be less than fifty percent in full time employment. November 2011, Gallup released data that indicated less than forty-five percent were in full time employment. Estimates for the year 2020 indicate a trend of less than forty percent in full time employment with the remaining sixty percent of the population either: unemployed (too young, too old, or incapable of working), underemployed, (working more than one job) or self-employed. Seemingly in agreement is a December 2011 article by Ryan Kim which argues that by 2020, independent workers will be the majority.

This is not great news for those who are looking for full time employment. Research indicates that currently there are roughly 16 million freelancers, consultants and other independent workers and by the year 2020, that number will exceed 65 million comprising of more than half of all employees in the marketplace. For those remaining in traditional full time employment, they must learn to work with consultants; do more with fewer resources; and change the way they view their work. Employees who are traditionally territorial in nature will have the most difficulty in this new reality. Looking for work will require individuals to develop marketing skills needed to compete in a new arena. By nature of the competitive field, consultants and freelancers will become more educated and creating market advantage. Cottage industries will develop linking consultants and freelancers to organizations and staffing agencies will increase market share as they develop divisions catering to consultants and freelancers.

Organizations must prepare for the eventuality of a changing landscape in the engagement of human capital. With an event horizon of less than 8, much needs to be done to understand the implications of these changes. Leaders must begin to create new perspectives on these emerging issues and ask questions to prepare for the changes that are sure to come. Organizations will likely trend toward employees and consultants bidding on project work rather than receiving assignments. Research exposes a general consensus of anticipated acceleration in changes, leaving little stability and great increase in demands, conflicts and stressors on the workforce. Employees likely will feel instability in their job security. They may feel replaceable by consultants or freelancers. Organizations are less likely to be compelled to keep full time employees as payroll taxes increase and government imposed healthcare emerges.

Organizations must learn to develop solutions to meet the demands of a fluid future. Leaders must begin to think about the implications of these changes. What will the office of the year 2020 look like? With the expansion of open systems and networks, organizations will likely be forced into flatter more open organizational structures. Overhead costs of company benefits and office space will shrink. Virtual offices and telecommuting will be the norm as consultants are no longer bound by geography. It will be common for consultants and freelancers to be spread out around the globe. Organizations will compensate based on new measurements such as keystrokes, projects completed and time logged into company systems creating solutions for the organization. Consulting and freelancing will not be left to the rank and file. Organizations will begin to develop fractional leadership in which executives are also consultants within the organization. Flatter, more open organizations and telecommuting creates new challenges for organizations. Concerns over trade secrets and overall company security will increase. Organizations will require all employees to sign confidentiality clauses. Government laws will also need to catch up with the changes in the employment. Leaders should ask questions such as: will companies be required to offer contract labor health insurance and 401k retirement plans; will companies be required to offer workers compensation; and what rules and regulations will be developed to avoid discrimination in hiring consultants? As the new realities of employment emerge, organizations will become mindful of the implications of making these changes. Because organizations are no longer bound by localized geography in hiring employees, other implications will emerge such as payroll taxes. Will hiring consultants located in other countries create a form of tax evasion and will government change the laws to secure tax revenues?

While we don’t yet know what to expect economically, politically or geopolitically, we do know change is happening before our very eyes. How we prepare for and maintain our competitive edge will mean everything. With these changes on the horizon, there comes a great need for leaders and organizations to be ready for the future. Preparing for the future removes certain levels of uncertainty. Organizational leaders must understand the potential implications of moving to a predominant consultant and freelancer driven economy. Preparing for the eventualities will help organizations gain a better competitive advantage.

Organizational leaders must prepare. Trends already indicate that these changes are on their way. We are eight years from a very important event horizon. The way organizations engage human capital is on a rapid course that will forever change the landscape of the organizations of the future. Now is the time to consider a very simple question. A question all leaders should be asking every day. What if…While the question is very important to all aspects of how an organization develops future opportunities, it is how we answer this question that matters the most. The trend is well on its way to a freelancing economy. How we prepare for it and how we deal with it remains to be determined. Competitive advantage is rooted in how we approach the question of what if.

———————

Philip A Foster, MA is Founder/President of Maximum Change Inc. Elevating leaders and their organizations to the next level since 2005. Master Certified Coach, Philip A Foster, MA and his associates facilitate effective positive change by helping organizations, leaders and individuals in high demand — design and implement strategies that maximize focus and deliver results. Specializing in Organization and Strategic Leadership.

Email | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Web | Skype: philip.a.foster | 615-216-5667

Thoughts before I have thoughts | Bogota Columbia– Service Learning Update

In May 2010, I attended my first doctoral residency at Regent University. Dr. Corné J. Bekker asked “Who am I and what am I here for?” It was a question that jerked me to a halt, spun my head around and then quickly sped me on a journey of learning. Recently I revisited this question and started to formulate an idea – Life is a journey of understanding… of learning… so here I am to learn who I am and what I am here for. I was reminded by my dear sweet bride-to-be that this is a special time given to me by God.

As I look over my rather action packed schedule before me – I have no idea what I will experience. There is just one constant I know… I am here to learn, to share and to discover who I am and what I am here for. I am in awe over the opportunity before me and grateful.

Today I fly from Nashville TN to Houston Texas. From Houston I have about a 6 hour flight to Bogota Columbia, arriving at around 8:35 pm. I am scheduled to have dinner with my hosts this evening and then the schedule begins.

Thursday is packed with meetings and visits to surrounding areas. One visit is in Cerro Norte, a poor barrio in the northern part of the city. I am meeting with leaders of the community that are trying to improve their way of life there. Thursday evening starts the conference.

Friday I have several meetings with students and educators from high school on up to the University Bosque. One event I am curiously looking forward to will be a meeting with education students who will be presenting their entrepreneurship projects.The conference continues Friday night.

Saturday I am in the conference all day. Sunday – church and a tour of Bogota and then I return back the US on Monday.

It may not sound too busy, but what I know is that in the next few days I am going to experience a country and meet hundreds of amazing people. I am in awe over this opportunity and look forward to checking back in with you soon.

—-

Philip A Foster, MA is a 3rd year doctoral student at Regent University and is the Founder of Maximum Change, Inc. To contact Philip or for more information, visit http://www.maximumchange.com

Sales Opportunity: Independent Sales Representative | Generous Commission

JOB SUMMARY: The Sales Executive requires at least an Associate’s degree (bachelor’s degree preferred) and/or 1 to 3 years’ experience in business to business or business services sales. Success is achieved through contacting businesses, human resource departments, high profile individuals, business leaders and executives for the purpose of building and establishing coaching and/or consulting relationships. Representative should have proficient skills in the use of all Microsoft office products; have accurate data entry skill; the ability to multitask under pressure and to interact and communicate effectively and clearly with clients and company staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.

Sales Executive will develop new accounts and manage new relationships. Duties will include: researching and qualifying of new business prospects, making presentations. Sales Executive will engage in networking opportunities and continually develop new client prospects.

• Connect with key business leaders and influencers to develop into clients.
• Communicate the passion of Maximum Change, Inc.
• Negotiate deals/ arrangements on behalf of Maximum Change, Inc. within properly established guidelines.
• Write proposals on behalf of Maximum Change, Inc. within the properly established guidelines.
• Manage multiple tasks and information coming from several sources/ being able to multitask is a plus

This is a contract position and generous compensation paid via 1099. This job description in no way signifies employment with Maximum Change, Inc. or any of its affiliate organizations.

Philip Foster to instruct course in Bogota Columbia

Philip Foster, Regent University GLE doctoral student, will be teaching in Bogota, Colombia on May 17-20. He will instruct a module on “Leading and Managing a Small Business” which is a module of an entrepreneurship development program Regent is conducting. The program in Colombia is a service learning abroad program sponsored and supervised by the Office of Global Affairs and the goal of this program is to create opportunities for Regent students to serve abroad to enhance their global competencies and serve people and organizations around the world and serve as mini international internships for our students.

Excerpts of announcement from Regent University.

Sergio G. Matviuk, Ph.D.

Executive Director of Global Affairs, Regent University

For more information on Regent University: http://www.regent.edu

Capitalism is not the problem

Before you think I am getting on some kind of rant, I promise you this is not meant to be such. As a business consultant and small business owner, I wanted to offer an observation that is most disturbing to me. I hope in some way it is disturbing to you and wakes you up to the realities around you.

Recently there has been a lot of discussion in the US media about business and the evils of capitalism. This does not surprise me since we can trace back much of this dismay even before the market crash of 1929.

What is disturbing to me is that business owners… yes, you read that correctly, small business owners are speaking out against capitalism. Excuse me?  Have they lost their collective minds? Before you drop me an email – I am not saying ALL small business owners are against capitalism. What I am saying is that the logic behind this position is – well – illogical.

It is generally accepted by entrepreneurs that capitalism is an economic system comprised of private ownership of organizations for the purpose of creating goods and services for profit or income AND it is also considered the accumulation of capital (wealth). Capitalism includes the competitive market, voluntary exchange of goods, services, and capital. Capitalism is made possible through the use of wage labor. Overall, capitalism is generally viewed as encouraging economic growth in a given market.

Now, I don’t want to go rouge economist on you here – I just wanted to point out that the problem is not with the concept of capitalism. It is a problem with government intervention. Capitalism is a system of raising, conserving and spending a set monetary value in a specified market. When we have intervention on this market by some outside force, we skew the results and thereby causing artificial changes to the market. Business are less willing to take risks, raise capital, expend capital or even hire labor when faced with uncertainty.

Politicians would like us to believe that this is caused by those evil capitalist! A free market system has both rewards and punishment in the role of risk. A market left alone will correct itself one way or another. Either, you make wise decisions and you stay in business or you make foolish decisions and lose everything. That is what risk is all about – that is the heart of capitalism. Free markets also connote that there will be big players and small players. Most all businesses started small and built themselves to the size they are today. That is certainly a reward of the risk taken so long ago.

Before you extol the evils of the free market system and capitalism – you must realize that you cannot have one without the other. Regardless of whether a company is privately held or publicly traded, you cannot have a free market system without capitalism. You cannot have significant reward without some risk and to be honest – there is no motivation to do anything if there isn’t an intrinsically valued reward at the end.

If you are a business owner and you are against capitalism – you are against the free market system – which means you are against risk.  That only leaves one question for me – why would anyone go into business if they hate the system by which they desire to be rewarded? It is illogical to me.

———————

Philip A Foster, MA is Founder/CEO of Maximum Change Inc. Elevating leaders and their organizations to the next level since 2005. Master Certified Coach, Philip A Foster, MA and his associates facilitate effective positive change by helping organizations, leaders and individuals in high demand — design and implement strategies that maximize focus and deliver results. Specializing in Organization and Strategic Leadership.

Email | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Web | Skype: philip.a.foster | 615-216-5667

PRESS RELEASE: Maximum Change TV Network Announced

Press Release

Maximum Change TV Network Announced

Maximum Change, Inc., a leadership coaching and consulting firm announces development of new Internet Television Network to Launch in July 2012.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2012
Murfreesboro, Tennessee – Maximum Change, Inc. a Leadership Coaching and Consulting firm announced the development of a new Internet Television Network – Maximum Change TV.

Maximum Change TV is designed to offer intelligent, inspiring, motivational, and educational programming focused on helping individuals, families, leaders, professionals, organizations and nations achieve Maximum Change.

Internet Television is an emerging service that delivers video content over the internet to TV sets and other devices such as game consoles, Blu-ray players, PCs, smartphones and tablet computers. By 2016 it is estimated that there will be over 580 million of these devices and by 2020 an estimated 1 billion devices will be deployed with over 75% of the world’s population receiving their information and entertainment via internet television.

The Maximum Change TV network will be available July 2012 through devices such as ROKU and via maximumchangetv.com. Roku devices provide streaming HD streaming video instantly from the internet to your TV. Roku presently boasts over 450 channels and over 4 million devices and growing.

Maximum Change TV is currently seeking content providers for show topics such as: parenting, cooking, indie music, church sermons, outdoor activities, training, documentaries, education and much more. Contact Maximum Change for rate information or to submit content proposals.

Maximum Change is a full service coaching and consulting firm dedicated to elevating individuals and leaders to the next level since 2005. Maximum Change offers leadership development, critical and strategic thinking, team building, training, communication, short and long term projects, talent management, planning and much more. Maximum Change serves clients around the globe offering services that create Maximum Change and growth in the organizations they serve.

Organizations seeking a consult or more information on the Maximum Change TV, may contact Maximum Change, Inc. via the company website at http://www.maximumchange.com, email: info@maximumchange.com or call 615-216-5667.
# # # END # # #

Press Release – Senior Partner Joins Maximum Change, Inc.

Maximum Change, Inc., a leadership coaching and consulting firm welcomes new Senior Partner.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 3, 2012

Murfreesboro, Tennessee – Maximum Change, Inc. a Leadership Coaching and Consulting firm has named William H. Bishop as a Senior Partner.

 

Mr. William, ‘Bill,’ Bishop joins Maximum Change with over 24 years of combined experience in business administration, project management, leadership training, mentoring, and curriculum development. Bill is a veteran of the United States Navy, where he ascended to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in seven years. During his naval service, he successfully formed, trained, coached, and led integrated, cross-functional teams across a variety of platforms and combat situations to achieve complex mission objectives in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and assigned national tasking.

 

Bill served as a leadership facilitator and later as a program manager for one of the Navy’s three enlisted leadership development programs at the Center for Naval Leadership, where he designed, developed, and revised the Navy’s enlisted leadership curriculum taught at 25 sites worldwide with an annual throughput of 30,000 service members. His dynamic and energetic style made him a highly sought and engaging facilitator. He is a prolific author and has been featured in Talent Management Magazine, Leadership Advance Online, and Proceedings. Mr. Bishop holds an MBA from Regent University; was educated through Harvard University’s Executive Education Program; and is presently a Doctoral student at Regent University with an anticipated graduation in 2015. He is a Certified Master Training Specialist and a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt.

 

Philip A Foster, President/CEO of Maximum Change, Inc. said “Adding William to our team expands our service offering in the key areas.”

 

Maximum Change is a full service coaching and consulting firm dedicated to elevating individuals and leaders to the next level since 2005. Maximum Change offers leadership development, critical and strategic thinking, team building, training, communication, short and long term projects, talent management, planning and much more. Maximum Change serves clients around the globe offering services that create Maximum Change and growth in the organizations they serve.

 

Organizations seeking a consult may contact Maximum Change, Inc. via the company website at http://www.maximumchange.com, email: info@maximumchange.com or call 615-216-5667.
# # #

Sell with your story!

I have come to the conclusion that the best marketing tool a small business can use is their story. I’m not necessarily speaking of your personal story but it might be inclusive of such. What I am talking about is the story of HOW the product, service or even the company came into existence. I will illustrate this by telling you one of my stories. In early 2000 I was to be married and we were looking for party favors for the tables. We came across the idea of small glycerin soaps. The soaps would be adorned with ribbons and a label that had our names and the wedding date on them. We found a soap making kit in a hobby store and set out to try and make these favors. While making the samples we realized the ease of the product and I ended up saying… this is so easy, I wonder if we could make a business out of these. Soon we launched a small soap business out of a 900 square foot apartment. We had absolutely no customers and very little product. Our entire stock of completed merchandise and raw materials fit in a linen closet in our apartment and the production was done in our kitchen. Our first client was a Bed and Breakfast on the East coast. They became a long time customer of the company. Within 3 years the company grew from a small apartment to a 1000 SF manufacturing facility where product was shipped daily around the world. We were soon being featured on QVC, Redbook Magazine and in Newspapers around the world. We were even listed in the Fortune 500 “Up and Coming Franchise” edition. We produced natural products at a reasonable price and this catapult our business. We were on a fast track to take the business big when circumstances led us to sell the company. I often asked myself why did the product sell? For one we offered a desirable product at a competitive price. But what I discovered was that what people really bought into was our story. A story of starting a business from a true ground up enterprise. We amazed everyone we talked to about it. Now, before you think I am some kind of super hero let me tell you that owning your own business is tough work and can bee a strain on a relationship. While I would often wonder what the company would or could have been if we kept it, I shall never know. As far as I know, the person who purchased the company didn’t take it anywhere and at this moment the website is no longer in service.

I believe that anyone with an idea and a desire to work hard can make something of themselves. Create a story worth telling, worth hearing, and worth buying into. Go for it!

———————

Philip A Foster, MA is Founder/CEO of Maximum Change Inc. Elevating leaders and their organizations to the next level since 2005. Master Certified Coach, Philip A Foster, MA and his associates facilitate effective positive change by helping organizations, leaders and individuals in high demand — design and implement strategies that maximize focus and deliver results. Specializing in Organization and Strategic Leadership.

Email | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Web | Skype: philip.a.foster | 615-216-5667

Persevere. Be Grateful. Be Productive.

Lately I’ve had people ask “how do you do it all?” After all I am a full time coach/consultant with clients around the world, I speak; write blogs and books, tweet constantly, am a doctoral student and working toward launching a television network (Maximum Change TV) and lest I forget that I have a wonderful woman and two fantastic kids in my life.

Yes, I am busy but I wouldn’t have it any other way.   I am a student of those around me – I study people. I listen to what they say and how they say it. What I hear from them sounds something like this… *sigh* “I am soooooo busy!” *sigh*.  In this economy, the fact that you are busy is a good thing, isn’t it?  I try very hard to not sound ungrateful at my busyness.  The truth is that those who complain about being busy are probably not productive.  The reality is this; I persevere at being productive in all that I do. I don’t know how I am going to accomplish everything before me, but I do know that if I persevere with a grateful heart I will not only enjoy the journey, I will appreciate the rewards so much more.

Rather than focusing on all that has to be done – I focus on the potential available to me each step of the way. I am grateful for the opportunities I have. I believe that when we are grateful, our outward appearance changes. We appear happier and more in tune with the world. What I have found is that a sure person; a happier person will attract people to them.

So, today and everyday… persevere, be happy and grateful and believe that you will concur all that you set out to. It all begins with a decision!

———————

Philip A Foster, MA is Founder/CEO of Maximum Change Inc. Elevating leaders and their organizations to the next level since 2005. Master Certified Coach, Philip A Foster, MA and his associates facilitate effective positive change by helping organizations, leaders and individuals in high demand — design and implement strategies that maximize focus and deliver results. Specializing in Organization and Strategic Leadership.

Email | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Web | Skype: philip.a.foster | 615-216-5667

Relationships are the new wealth of the global economy.

Literature reveals certain barriers to consider in cross-cultural communication. Zweifel (2003) reminds us a global leader already understands the dynamics of language as the very reflection of the culture in which the organization operates (p 25). English is consider the language of business with more than 1 billion people in over 100 countries speaking it as either a first or second language (Marquardt & Berger, 2000, p 4). More specifically English, according to Marquardt and Berger (2000), has become the global language of media and computer and carriers certain cultural and social values (p 4). Culturally and socially holding a common language aids in the development of lasting friendships and trust within the context of differing cultures (Foster, 2012).

Barriers exist when individuals are not able to effectively communicate wants, needs and desires to one another. A global leader must be able to communicate and build the organizations vision (Marquardt & Berger, 2000, p 31). When individuals do not speak and understand a common language, it becomes difficult to get people to comprehend the vision (Marquardt & Berger, 2000, p 31). While speaking in a common language creates its own challenges, the ability to listen for verbal and social cues in a foreign language becomes a greater challenge. Literature argues that there is great value in attentive listening (Marquardt & Berger, 2000, p 43). When an individual does not understand a given language, a barrier is instantly erected.

Creating trust within teams is essential to the success of any organization (Marquardt & Berger, 2000, p 48). Literature argues that our natural impulse is to homogenize everything rather than relish diversity and learn from it (Marquardt & Berger, 2000, p 50). Breaking down barriers is about human relationships and how they are developed through understanding of languages and culture.

References

Zweifel, Thomas D (2003). Culture Clash – Managing the Global High-Performance Team. New York, NY: SelectBooks.

 

Marquardt, Michael J. and Berger, Nancy O. (2000). Global Leaders for the 21^st Century. Albany, NY: New York Press.

 

Foster, Philip A. (2012). Retrieved from his posting: Blackboard Dialogues for Doctorate in Strategic Leadership, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.

———————

Philip A Foster, MA is Founder/CEO of Maximum Change Inc. Elevating leaders and their organizations to the next level since 2005. Master Certified Coach, Philip A Foster, MA and his associates facilitate effective positive change by helping organizations, leaders and individuals in high demand — design and implement strategies that maximize focus and deliver results. Specializing in Organization and Strategic Leadership.

Email | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Web | Skype: philip.a.foster | 615-216-5667