In part 1 of Are You a Workforce Revolutionary?, I presented some out of the evidence in the marketplace that demonstrates the type of workforce revolution that is underway. This revolution may see far-fetched to some, but there are major cracks in the foundation of our economy that we have been putting band-aids on for a long time. Eventually those cracks will become a major breach in the dam.

One example of this is that corporations have been able to increase productivity while severely decreasing their number of employees. This is not a formula that is sustainable over the long-term, nor can it ignite a thriving economic recovery. Over time the increasing stress on our economic infrastructure is going to force several financial and business institutions to reevaluate how we view and approach the transitioning workforce. 

The key to this marketplace transition is a mindset transformation of the employer and employee. Here are a few brief examples of what I'm talking about:
  • Employment will become a mutually beneficial contract to exchange value, not a one-sided, "take it or leave it" offer from a company. Current and potential employees will scrutinize employers as much if not more than companies investigate employees.
  • "Hiring" will become a two-sided affair. Companies will hire employees to supply effort, knowledge, experience, talent, ideas, relationships, etc. Employees will "hire" companies to provide financial remuneration for their services, along with opportunities to develop their talents, knowledge, experience, ideas, relationships, etc. 
  • Employees will more assertively exercise their power of choice of where they will work. Companies that fall short in the areas mentioned above will be the least desirable choice for the most qualified workers. Those choices seem much more limited when the economy is down and unemployment is high (but remember opportunity is in the eye of the beholder). However, this will not always be the reality in the marketplace, and people have long memories for how  companies have behaved toward the workforce during the hard times. 
As Sam Cooke's song says, A Change is Gonna Come, whether we believe it or not, whether we want it to or not. You can help lead it or get blindsided by it. Your choice.

What do you think? Is this far-fetched or closer than it appears? I look forward to your comments below.
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What is The (Un)Employment Alternative?
This is our ambitious plan to stimulate the creation of 1 million jobs through faith-based, purpose-centered entrepreneurship education. We are starting in Cedartown, GA. Help us today at www.theunemploymentalternative.com.

The Impact
The vision of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of Cedartown, GA - a diverse group including pastors, entrepreneurs, social workers, and city officials - is to use entrepreneurship education as a catalyst to bring social and economic empowerment back to a region that is challenged with crime, unemployment, poverty, and lack of opportunities. They have partnered with Kingdom Business University to provide entrepreneurship classes that will restore hope, launch new businesses, create jobs, and catalyze new opportunities for the unemployed, ex-offenders, and youth who have been unable to find viable work and sustainable income sources.

What We Need & What You Get
Our goal is to raise $2500 on IndieGogo, which will pay for the first 30 participants. The more we raise the more people and can teach. Our desire is to offer this program at a minimal financial cost to the participants, although they will be asked to invest in this opportunity in other ways, such as community service. The amount will go towards:curriculum, facilities, supplies, and other related expenses. Additional funds will also be applied toward establishing a business incubator that will provide on-going support to graduates.

We have some great perks for those who contribute at the $25, $100, and $250 levels. Just look to column on the right side of this page www.theunemploymentalternative.com ▶

Other Ways You Can Help
This project is just the beginning. We aspire to help communities around this country implement their own economic recovery plan. In addition to your donations, help us spread the word. We are more than willing to come to your city, community, or church to talk about this innovative program and how we can create a customized version for your city.
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In the past few days I have come across some very interesting articles online that got me thinking that a major workforce revolution is underway and most of us don't event realize it. In the past year we've seen the Arab Spring uprising in the Middle East and the Occupy Movement around the world take center stage of the protest headlines. But there is a quiet revolution that has been brewing for a long time. It's just that our economic troubles have managed to keep a lid on it. However, the pressure is building and the economy may not be strong enough to hold it down for much longer. Check out these headlines from just the past few days...
When I read these articles, one key theme that I discerned was purpose, or better yet the lack of purpose that is realized by a high number of employees in today's workforce. Through my own conversations, observations, and research, I have noticed an increasingly restless workforce. The lack of fulfillment is not driven by the lack of money. It's driven by not being connected to meaningful work that connects to their God-given purpose. People are looking for more than just a paycheck and are becoming more willing to take some risks to pursue different career paths, or even leave the workforce altogether and start their own ventures.

Unfortunately during this recession many employers have taken advantage of people and exploited them for their time, talents, ideas, and money. They forgot about the ancient, unbreakable, universal principle of "you reap what you sow." The reality is we don't have a clue of the ultimate impact on our overall society if the offending employers actually inherit the negativity they have been investing over the past few years.

This revolution won't look like the other revolutions I mentioned above or revolutions of old. People will protest with their work choices. Some will choose entrepreneurship over employment. Others will choose more meaning over more money. Many will choose a home office versus a corner office. Others will choose flexibility over (perceived) security.

I'm on a personal mission to help people find their purpose in life, so they can then the career that fits them right. If this sounds like you, contact me today. I work with individuals and corporations to provide strategies and tools that lead to more purposeful, passionate, and profitable work. This is the new normal.

Are you a restless workforce revolutionary? I look forward to hearing your thoughts about these trends in the comments section below.
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Listen to my interview with Brotha Online on CJBRadio.com. Our discussion focused on different ways the church can use practical approaches to economically empower their congregations and the community. I truly believe the answer to the economic recovery exists within our churches and communities. That's one of the reasons we launched Kingdom Business University, which utilizes Biblical principles linked with business best practices to equip entrepreneurs to thrive in the marketplace. Just click the link below to enjoy!
You can listen to CJBRadio every Wednesday night at 9pm.
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I am very excited to make 2 very "B.I.G." announcements today. The first is that  for a limited time I am selling my book Dream B.I.G. in 3D available for the price you choose to pay. Proceeds from your donations will go towards faith based, purpose centered entrepreneurship training programs for  unemployed, underemployed, and misemployed, such as S.E.E.D.S. Builders. I am so passionate and committed to seeing people's lives changed that I'm willing to take this risk. So whether you have $1, $10, or $100, we will gladly accept what you choose to invest in 1 million of those who need help the most right now.

My other B.I.G. announcement is that Dream B.I.G. in 3D is now available as an ebook. So whether you have a Kindle, iPad, Nook, Sony, Kobo, or just about anything else, you can get this ebook for only $4.99. Just go to www.dreambigebook.com to order it today and you will be helping to rebuild people, families, and communities through faith based entrepreneurship empowerment.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 speaks clearly about the incredible benefits of investing your resources into somebody's life:

"Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."

Even if you don't want it for yourself, purchase this book for someone that you know needs insight into their purpose, encouragement for their journey, or ignition for their passion. Make a B.I.G. difference in somebody's life today.

Thanks in advance for your support!
 
 
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Good news came out today from the U.S. Department of Labor about the job market that unemployment hit a 3-year low in January. And the expectation is that it will continue to improve over the coming months. Also in a related story earlier this week the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report with its predictions of what will be the greatest and least job growth areas over the next 20 years. It's easy to see how this information is relevant to those who are looking for traditional work, but what do these numbers represent for entrepreneurs?

Just as this information helps people know which growth areas to pursue for jobs, it also lets entrepreneurs know which industries and companies have money available to spend for goods and services. Whether it be in healthcare, energy, professional services, or retail, companies will be not only looking for employees to produce, but also other sources of ideas and productivity from outside contractors, freelancing, and temp work. 

Entrepreneurs sometimes need to search for strategic opportunities in places that aren't always obvious. With the job market improving, ask God to show you where the open doors are for you to bring dynamic solutions and value that will generate significant revenues for your business.

How might the changing job market impact or benefit your business?
 
 
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I wrote a blog back in June entitled, "The Unemployed Need New (Entrepreneurial) Alternatives". The focus of that article was my passionate belief that we need more national and local leaders investing more time focusing on creating entrepreneurial opportunities and options as a necessary means to recover from this unemployment crisis. One thing I wrote was, "More money, time, and energy needs to be invested into helping people build small and micro-businesses through entrepreneurship training." Unfortunately I haven't heard a lot of national or local leaders talking about entrepreneurship as a solution to unemployment. Well, maybe that is finally changing.

Recently in Businessweek an article entitled "Wanted: More Black Entrepreneurs", focused on the necessity of entrepreneurship as a key strategy to stop the erosion of the black middle class. Several black business leaders are finally coming forth and saying that we need to address the problems of economic disparity differently now than we may have in the past. The article highlighted the significance of the unemployment problem:

"Job cuts in the debt-strapped public sector, where one in five black workers is employed, have had an outsize impact on the African American community. Labor Dept. data show some 280,000 public employee positions were cut last year, even as the overall economy added 1.64 million jobs. Black unemployment increased to 15.8 percent in December, more than twice the level for whites. So black business leaders are shifting focus to addressing issues in the small business sector, where most new jobs are created and African Americans haven’t fared well."

I believe the faith community has to be more invested into generating energy and ideas that will resolve this problem for families and communities. One reason is because entrepreneurism is a trait endowed to us by our Creator. He is an entrepreneur. We should be entrepreneurial in all we do. Our acceptance of this knowledge has major spiritual, practical, and financial ramifications.

Business leaders like are coming out an saying more entrepreneurs are needed now more than ever. Now we need more pastors speaking on it, so that we can add some entrepreneurial works to our faith.

Read the full Businessweek article here: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/wanted-more-black-entrepreneurs-01192012.html