Worldwide, the current situation is at a critical point, in which mass unemployment experienced by many countries is one of the major social concerns. Unfortunately, beyond the figures, each number represents a personal drama. However, a crisis such as the current one can also be approached from a different angle by considering it as the ideal opportunity to take on different professional challenges.
If things are done well this time, the crisis may have a solution. It´s time for society to recover the power given to those who have failed to manage it. Because a crisis, like life, can become whatever we want it to be. We just need to have a dream and pursue it.
Reality can never be ignored, but in some cases, it is best to turn a blind eye to the threats and warnings of abuse, failure, etc. and focus on a dream that can become a business.
Logically, many people find themselves in a state of desperation when facing unemployment. The standstill caused by unemployment is hard to cope with for most of them. However, a minority have taken advantage of the situation and turned it into a period for reflection. In these times, being able to stop and reflect is what can transform an individual and collective reality. In other words, making a halt and thinking about where you want to refocus your professional career can be much more beneficial than striving to achieve a less qualified or demotivating job.
A change of perspective
A positive attitude is encouraging many of these people to take a new path to entrepreneurship. Those that have chosen not to be intimidated by the crisis, are confronting the situation head on, and embarking on a business venture.
Economic crisis often leads to a structural change in thinking, both individually and collectively. The most flexible persons, who can adapt themselves quickly to new situations, will succeed in this competitive labor market.
In some countries, society is educated from a conservative point of view, in which the major social objective is to get a secure and well-paid job that does not cause too many headaches. But now things have changed. We cannot simply wait to be “saved”, because each of us is his own savior. In this sense, training, knowledge of other languages and experience are important factors, but they are not the only tools needed to start a business. For example, a hobby can easily be converted into a prosperous business whilst combining it for some time with a paid employment.
A good idea
Do you need a brilliant mind like that of Bill Gates (Microsoft) Steve Jobs (Apple) or Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) to create your own company? No. This idea is untrue and should be demystified. Cases like these are historical, of course, but they make perfectly clear that an innovative idea can revolutionize the market in its sector. However, if the goal is to survive while at the same time maintaining a comfortable standard of living, then you may opt for pursuing and modeling your business on originality and opportunism, that is, by taking advantage of existing circumstances and having confidence in one’s self. After all, a business is possible, because believing is creating. In fact, sometimes the strangest ideas are those that prosper and find a niche in their sector.
The keys to success
Following the concept of “nothing ventured, nothing gained”, some ideas can be based on using all available resources, including the new technologies, which play an important role in bringing any project into fluition. Another option would be to go to seminars or other meetings where other entrepreneurs present their case. Books, generally classified as self-help manuals, can be another useful tool. Professional advice and market research avoid mistakes and unforeseen events. Finally, sharing the idea with trustworthy people can be very positive as well, as they will probably give advice and opinions that will improve the overall project.
In terms of economics, you can choose to use savings, borrow money from family and friends or apply for different types of loans and grants promoted by public administrations, In recent times, new methods of funding have been created, such as “crowd funding”, which describes a type of collective funding based on a partial patronage of a specific product, cause or business.
In short, a good business plan, hope and self confidence are the keys to turning a dream into a thriving business.
Julio A. Olivares
President and founder of DocPath