A micro-mini business is the size of business that the average person could start with a little help. Most of us are familiar with the term small business. The term may imply that even your neighbor could be operating such a business.
Did you know that small businesses includes multi-million dollar companies? In many cases, depending on your neighborhood, your neighbor is not operating a small business. Perhaps that same neighbor has a business, but small does not describe such a business. The point that I am making is: What is the true definition of a small business? According to the SBA.gov ( Small Business Administration) website, a small business is one that grosses up to seven million dollars. Based on this information, it is obvious that many unemployed people will not open a true small business. While it is true that a seven million dollar business did not start at that level of revenue, I do not want to confuse the issue by saying that unemployed people should get help in starting a small business.
The unemployed should be assisted in starting micro-mini businesses that would be in place of the job that they cannot find in this economy. Why a micro-mini business? Because there are agencies that do assist potential business owners who want to begin micro-businesses. Those agencies receive federal dollars to operate. They can lend up to $100,000 to clients who do their homework and have the necessary documentation, sufficient credit history and a business plan.
So my thoughts focus on the unemployed who would not be eligible for micro-loans. These people may not ever work again if left to their own devices. While I am not advocating that every unemployed person start a business, that option should be available. The chronically unemployed are facing challenges not easily overcome.
Lack of job skills, being over age forty-five, having a criminal history, negative credit, poor job history can result in being pushed to the back of the employment line.
A program that could offer a $5000 grant to any unemployed person to start a home-based business could be an option for a jobless person with the motivation and support to become self-employed. Safeguards could be built into the program to prevent waste and fraud. Why not try more than one thing to help people and the economy?
These types of businesses would be micro-mini businesses where the goal is to make at least $25,000 annually. After that the owner could expand, based on the experience obtained while still small.
Once a person has experience running a business his/her knowledge increases. This knowledge and experience can be the beginning of another chapter. Learning to be a business person and being self-sufficient can be as valuable as having a college degree.
Let's find a way to help people start micro-mini businesses.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Put That Education to Work
The cost of a college education is so expensive that any graduate must be able to put that education to work. In other words, anyone graduating from college must find a way to make that expensive knowledge pay off. Speaking as someone without a college degree, I would say that this statement also applies to anyone who has lived for a long time. College consists of about four years of studying different subjects. Reading, doing research, and writing papers all make it possible for a student to absorb information in various areas. While they were in the lecture halls dreaming about graduation day, some students did not realize that corporate America would change the rules. That is exactly what happened. Unable to find work, students who could return to their parents' basements chose to pursue post-graduate degrees. This was done hoping that corporate America would be more accepting once that new degree was in hand.
All of this is fine and dandy for the student, but I think that every graduate needs a Plan B. If being in corporate America is not an option, should you report to the nearest fast food restaurant ready for duty? I think not. Here I go again with that create your own job mentality. Just as a person who has lived for 50 plus years must know something, a college graduate has much to offer to society. He or she must find a way to market and/or present himself as a commodity with value. The good old days of being able to get a different job every few months are long gone and will never return. As a result, only those who can rise to the top (those with higher education) will be employable. The bad part of this is that some with degrees will only get the jobs that a high school graduate could actually do. This is happening right now. Look at various job openings. The job descriptions in many cases require a college degree to perform non-technical job duties.
Because we are in dire straits regarding jobs, both older people and college graduates must find a way to put that education to work. It does require skill and ingenuity to figure this out, but it is a matter of thinking outside of the box. Put that education to work and create your own job.
All of this is fine and dandy for the student, but I think that every graduate needs a Plan B. If being in corporate America is not an option, should you report to the nearest fast food restaurant ready for duty? I think not. Here I go again with that create your own job mentality. Just as a person who has lived for 50 plus years must know something, a college graduate has much to offer to society. He or she must find a way to market and/or present himself as a commodity with value. The good old days of being able to get a different job every few months are long gone and will never return. As a result, only those who can rise to the top (those with higher education) will be employable. The bad part of this is that some with degrees will only get the jobs that a high school graduate could actually do. This is happening right now. Look at various job openings. The job descriptions in many cases require a college degree to perform non-technical job duties.
Because we are in dire straits regarding jobs, both older people and college graduates must find a way to put that education to work. It does require skill and ingenuity to figure this out, but it is a matter of thinking outside of the box. Put that education to work and create your own job.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Motivation Is Required
Some level of motivation is required for everything that we do. Some say that the unsuccessful lack the oomph to get ahead like the rest of us. A good question is, where does motivation come from? The answer, of course, is different for each person. Some people become motivated to do better than what they experienced early in life. Others get motivated at the urging of their parents who will not accept mediocrity.
However, as adults who may be in a rut, motivation may be all around depending on your perception. That motivation has to be internal, along with external motivational influences that you introduce into your life.
For many people, their environment is full of negative forces that can affect their goals in a unproductive way. Alcohol, drugs and depression can be included in the list of things that limit achievement. Let's not forget about those naysayers that believe that no one can do anything right. For that reason, we must be in charge of our own motivation. If you find it in short supply internally, there are books, DVDs, CDs, workshops, seminars, podcasts, webinars, posters, bookmarks and the internet to pump up your level of commitment. Self-help is one of the largest categories of published materials because is can make a difference in your life because many people wish to improve their situation.
Most people think too small and accept too little on their way to the mountaintop. There is no one looking over your shoulder telling you to stay on the "you can achieve pathway". This message has to be managed by you. To reach your goals for education, career, wellness, financial freedom or family, motivation is required.
However, as adults who may be in a rut, motivation may be all around depending on your perception. That motivation has to be internal, along with external motivational influences that you introduce into your life.
For many people, their environment is full of negative forces that can affect their goals in a unproductive way. Alcohol, drugs and depression can be included in the list of things that limit achievement. Let's not forget about those naysayers that believe that no one can do anything right. For that reason, we must be in charge of our own motivation. If you find it in short supply internally, there are books, DVDs, CDs, workshops, seminars, podcasts, webinars, posters, bookmarks and the internet to pump up your level of commitment. Self-help is one of the largest categories of published materials because is can make a difference in your life because many people wish to improve their situation.
Most people think too small and accept too little on their way to the mountaintop. There is no one looking over your shoulder telling you to stay on the "you can achieve pathway". This message has to be managed by you. To reach your goals for education, career, wellness, financial freedom or family, motivation is required.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Ex-Cons: Who Needs Them?
Who needs ex-cons back in our communities? Many people think that anyone convicted of a crime should be locked up forever. The prison industrial complex depends on individuals being locked away. The way the job market is today, anyone with a criminal background has a small chance of getting hired at many companies. Even though such discrimination is against the law, how can it be enforced? Also, how would you know if your criminal record is being used against you when so many are applying for the same job opening?
Who needs ex-cons back in our communities? The companies advertising for various job openings don't need them. As I previously stated those companies can find any kind of more perfect applicant so they do not have to accept ex-cons. Your fast food restaurant, your nursing home, your day care, or your retail outlets are not looking for our ex-cons.
Who needs ex-cons back in our communities? All of the fatherless young men who have no direction ,or who have no idea of how to be a responsible man. These young men could learn so much from the knowledge and experience that our ex-cons have. They need to know:
Going to prison is not a status symbol.
Prison is not somewhere to be.
Fathering children that they cannot or will not care for is not right.
An education in today's world is a necessity.
That they have a responsibility to themselves, their families and to the community to do the best that they can.
Who else is better qualified to teach the above lessons to young men who lack guidance or proper direction?
We need to wake up as a community and realize that ex-cons who have rehabilitated themselves can offer much to all of us and to young men, in particular. Instead we allow those released from prison or jail to keep paying for prior mistakes and, become bitter when all they want is a second chance. Don't get me wrong, there are many men in the community without criminal records who need jobs. They should get them.. However, we have to go with the resources that we have and use them well.
Who need ex-cons back in our communities? We all do. They have something to contribute and we should be more than glad to let them.
Ex-felons, like the rest of us, need to think outside of the box and determine how they can turn a negative into a positive. Some ex-burglars and ex-computer hackers have paid their debt to society and discovered how to make many from their prior experiences. They act as consultants to help companies protect themselves from such criminal activity. This formula can be adapted to other ex-criminals so that they can rebuild their lives and give back at the same time. Schools should be willing to make this happen, especially in light of the recent budget cuts to many schools.
Who needs ex-cons back in our communities? The companies advertising for various job openings don't need them. As I previously stated those companies can find any kind of more perfect applicant so they do not have to accept ex-cons. Your fast food restaurant, your nursing home, your day care, or your retail outlets are not looking for our ex-cons.
Who needs ex-cons back in our communities? All of the fatherless young men who have no direction ,or who have no idea of how to be a responsible man. These young men could learn so much from the knowledge and experience that our ex-cons have. They need to know:
Going to prison is not a status symbol.
Prison is not somewhere to be.
Fathering children that they cannot or will not care for is not right.
An education in today's world is a necessity.
That they have a responsibility to themselves, their families and to the community to do the best that they can.
Who else is better qualified to teach the above lessons to young men who lack guidance or proper direction?
We need to wake up as a community and realize that ex-cons who have rehabilitated themselves can offer much to all of us and to young men, in particular. Instead we allow those released from prison or jail to keep paying for prior mistakes and, become bitter when all they want is a second chance. Don't get me wrong, there are many men in the community without criminal records who need jobs. They should get them.. However, we have to go with the resources that we have and use them well.
Who need ex-cons back in our communities? We all do. They have something to contribute and we should be more than glad to let them.
Ex-felons, like the rest of us, need to think outside of the box and determine how they can turn a negative into a positive. Some ex-burglars and ex-computer hackers have paid their debt to society and discovered how to make many from their prior experiences. They act as consultants to help companies protect themselves from such criminal activity. This formula can be adapted to other ex-criminals so that they can rebuild their lives and give back at the same time. Schools should be willing to make this happen, especially in light of the recent budget cuts to many schools.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Affirmations for Success
In light of the tremendous challenges involved in improving your life, these affirmations can make a difference in your future.
I will set goals and write them down.
I will not accept NO for an answer in the pursuit of my goals.
I will constantly surprise myself with what I can accomplish.
I will not allow anyone to question my abilities or to discourage me.
I will believe that I can do anything once I make a commitment.
I will encourage others in my life to work on themselves.
I will make an effort to get out of my comfort zone.
I will not give up.
I will take care of my own needs by paying attention to my mental and physical well being.
Some people have to deal with a lot of negative messages in their professional and personal lives. It is important to remind yourself that you have the ability to rise above anything.
I will set goals and write them down.
I will not accept NO for an answer in the pursuit of my goals.
I will constantly surprise myself with what I can accomplish.
I will not allow anyone to question my abilities or to discourage me.
I will believe that I can do anything once I make a commitment.
I will encourage others in my life to work on themselves.
I will make an effort to get out of my comfort zone.
I will not give up.
I will take care of my own needs by paying attention to my mental and physical well being.
Some people have to deal with a lot of negative messages in their professional and personal lives. It is important to remind yourself that you have the ability to rise above anything.
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