Being unemployed and looking for revenue opportunities, I find potential ones in the weirdest places like standing in the rain waiting to meet someone in Hoboken, Jersey. It was by the PATH station, a commuter subway that goes to New York City. It was 5 P.M. and I was by a bike rack with fifty bikes locked up. Forty-nine bike seats were soaking wet, and one seat was bone dry as it had a plastic bag wrapped around it.
I pointed that fact out to an individual standing by me, whose name I later found out was Mike, and asked him why did he think only one biker protected his or her seat. His answer was, “It wasn’t raining this morning.” I asked a rider who was unlocking his bike and he gave me the same answer. By the way, the prediction was for rain in the afternoon.
I conferred further with Mike and asked him what he thought about the viability of selling plastic rain protectors for seats that could be stored under bicycle seats. They could be different colors and have logos from different teams, fashion houses, or retailers. Told Mike, I didn’t have a name for the product, and he suggested, ‘Bike Condom.”
Saw a brilliant partnership being formed with a 60/40 split of the profits. Just would have to draft a partnership agreement, write a business plan, check out the competition, hire a lawyer, find investors and financing, work out a deal with a manufacturer and a distributor, create a marketing and advertising campaign, develop packaging, and market test the product.
A quick Internet search found that the term “bike condom” was already taken as at http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/bike-condoms-new-for-bike-sharing.php, there is the following statement: “In bike-sharing mecca Barcelona, there's a new way to make waste - put a pair of bike condoms onto the handles of the shared bike you are just about to take for a spin.” And at http://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle_Seat_Condom, a rider tells us of a method to protect a seat from the rain, “During the Fall semester I started riding my bike to school and learned I hated riding in the rain after a seven hour class. I dreaded the idea of riding in the rain with a wet bike seat causing me to stand while pedaling. Luckily, being surrounded by Low density polyethylene (LDPE) cutoffs in the studio I began experimenting with vacuum forming this material to create a reusable bicycle seat cover that is durable, flexible, and waterproof.” My favorite bike seat cover was selling for $15 and made of durable urethane-coated ripstop nylon at http://www.rei.com/product/623806.
Looks like too much work and risk for Mike and me if we develop our own commercial “Bike Condom,” so let me offer an alternative business model in which we can immediately go to market today at no cost. We simply advise bike riders to stuff a plastic bag under the seat on their bicycle. So if there is a prediction or possibility of rain, they can wrap the plastic bag around the seat. If the rider must make a statement, he or she can use a plastic bag with a logo they like. And for those who decide to do so there is a charge, simply consider making a donation in any amount that you decide to charity or an individual that needs it more than you. With this second business model, Mike and I will still follow the same 60/40 split, but rather than sharing the profits, we hope to profit in a different way.
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The above is from the third issue of my newsletter, Howard’s Inner Circle, which periodically appears on my blog, “Instigator” at http://howardwolosky.blogspot.com/. It may be reproduced in full if that fact is stated and Howard Wolosky is given credit as the author.
Showing posts with label unemployed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unemployed. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
President Obama: With All Due Respect, I Am Still Waiting
The following was sent to the White House via e-mail a number of weeks ago (I checked the box asking for a reply) and the only thing I received so far was a mailing with President Obama’s name on it asking for a political contribution.
“We as a nation need to publicize what an untapped and extremely valuable resource the unemployed are as they currently are. Rather than defining someone’s worth, “being currently unemployed” should be shown as equivalent to a respected profession. I believe the need to change perceptions is a key imperative especially because of the percentage of unemployed, the length of time they will be employed, and the ages of the unemployed. In my opinion, it is a priority similar to providing benefits and training.
“Governments at all levels should take the lead role in this regard by setting up programs where unemployed individuals apply their skills helping business, not-for-profits, and governments in a limited role for a limited time. In return, those individuals might be able to obtained reference and testimonials regarding their work. I written about one way the media can help in my October 7th entry in my blog entitled, “Might Seem Counterintuitive, But It’s Not at http://howardwolosky.blogspot.com/. Please read it as I couldn’t paste the text down because of the limitations of the White House system.
“G-d bless all including all the readers of the e-mail. Hopefully, the last reader will be President Obama
“Sincerely yours,
“Howard Wolosky”
“We as a nation need to publicize what an untapped and extremely valuable resource the unemployed are as they currently are. Rather than defining someone’s worth, “being currently unemployed” should be shown as equivalent to a respected profession. I believe the need to change perceptions is a key imperative especially because of the percentage of unemployed, the length of time they will be employed, and the ages of the unemployed. In my opinion, it is a priority similar to providing benefits and training.
“Governments at all levels should take the lead role in this regard by setting up programs where unemployed individuals apply their skills helping business, not-for-profits, and governments in a limited role for a limited time. In return, those individuals might be able to obtained reference and testimonials regarding their work. I written about one way the media can help in my October 7th entry in my blog entitled, “Might Seem Counterintuitive, But It’s Not at http://howardwolosky.blogspot.com/. Please read it as I couldn’t paste the text down because of the limitations of the White House system.
“G-d bless all including all the readers of the e-mail. Hopefully, the last reader will be President Obama
“Sincerely yours,
“Howard Wolosky”
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Might Seem Counterintuitive, But It’s Not
Yes magazines are closing down right and left, but here’s an idea for a new one. The working title is “The Unemployed.” The working tagline is “Harnessing Their Untapped Power and Wealth”
It will explore and publicize what an untapped and extremely valuable resource the unemployed are. Rather than defining someone’s worth, “being currently unemployed” could be shown as equivalent to a respected profession at which you can work at becoming better at.
Contributing reporters, copy editors, artwork submitters, and technical support would generally be those who are unemployed. There would be included extensive bios on these individuals. Each issue would have three or four features, departments, and commentaries.
Here are three possible features for the first issue:
“Tales of Charitable Giving” detailing individuals who increase their charitable efforts. E.J., who while searching for his next career opportunity, is delivering Meals On Wheels to the elderly; helping out at Cancer Action, and leading a weekly walking group of seniors.
“Seller’s Guide to Selling Gold” explains that most gold is purchased to be melted down so gem worth isn’t generally considered and offers vary greatly, easily as much as 75% to 100%. When selling, it advises to check with a number of vendors and ask that offer stay open for a stated period of time. It points out items should be grouped and weighted together by their carat type to get best value and applicable state law should be checked.
“Overcoming the Stigmas: Yours and Theirs” deals with the psychological and stereotypical aspects of unemployment from the viewpoints of the unemployed, family friends, former colleagues, etc. There would be a number of personal experience boxes where individuals such as Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, and an out-of- work 58 year old former steelworker describe how they or people they love dealt and deal with unemployment.
Departments could feature reporting on state programs that allow employers to combine reduced work hours for employees with partial unemployment benefits and how industries are combating unemployment such as contractors, landscapers and interior decorators turning to staging and rehabilitation of personal residences. There would be a books to consider section showcasing such books as “No More Mondays: Fire Yourself-and Other Revolutionary Ways to Discover your True Calling At Work” by Dan Miller
The magazine would be print and online and be a paid subscription model with a code of responsibilities and conduct for subscribers, advertisers, and contributors. The annual subscription rate would be from $10 to $250 as determined by the subscriber with a deferral, if desired, by those currently unemployed.
For the purpose of transparency and full disclosure, I am suggesting this publication in part so that I would be considered for the position of editor-in-chief. I was previously editor-in-chief of Practical Accountant, and what particularly qualifies me for consideration was my last column there, which in a sense of poetic justice, was automatically published on the day after I was told it was my last day.
Excerpted Text of WebCPA column
“’New’ Alternatives to Layoffs
(January 13, 2009)
“In these tough economic times, as in others, there are many news items on companies declaring bankruptcies and announcing substantial staff cuts. What is different this time is that I am also reading about a number of cost-cutting strategies that are gaining in popularity and aimed at reducing expenses without disrupting business operations or laying off staff.
“Fortune 500 companies, as well as smaller ones, have stopped their employer matching of employee 401(k) contributions. Factories are being closed down for a specified period of time with the unpaid furloughing of employees. Unpaid holidays are being given. Then there are those businesses that indicated there will be no salary increases in 2009. And I just came across a report that one of the largest accounting firms in Israel is reported to have made across-the-board pay cuts of 5 to 10 percent, except for certain lower-paid staff. We are also seeing the introduction of four-day weeks.
*******
“These creative cost-cutting strategies indicate the economic downturn is impacting more, and they also reflect an expectation that it will continue for some time. On the plus side, in general, they also indicate that companies are developing an arsenal of intermediate moves short of layoffs or a declaration of bankruptcy.
“This aversion to staff reductions can be attributed to a number of factors, including that often operations would be impaired if cuts were made, skilled employees are difficult to replace, and once the economic times get better the company doesn’t want to be understaffed.
“Interestingly, there seems to be understanding and acceptance by many in the workforce who are affected by the end of employer 401(k) contributions, unpaid leaves, etc. It appears to be based on the belief that, ’At least I have my job.’
*******
It will explore and publicize what an untapped and extremely valuable resource the unemployed are. Rather than defining someone’s worth, “being currently unemployed” could be shown as equivalent to a respected profession at which you can work at becoming better at.
Contributing reporters, copy editors, artwork submitters, and technical support would generally be those who are unemployed. There would be included extensive bios on these individuals. Each issue would have three or four features, departments, and commentaries.
Here are three possible features for the first issue:
“Tales of Charitable Giving” detailing individuals who increase their charitable efforts. E.J., who while searching for his next career opportunity, is delivering Meals On Wheels to the elderly; helping out at Cancer Action, and leading a weekly walking group of seniors.
“Seller’s Guide to Selling Gold” explains that most gold is purchased to be melted down so gem worth isn’t generally considered and offers vary greatly, easily as much as 75% to 100%. When selling, it advises to check with a number of vendors and ask that offer stay open for a stated period of time. It points out items should be grouped and weighted together by their carat type to get best value and applicable state law should be checked.
“Overcoming the Stigmas: Yours and Theirs” deals with the psychological and stereotypical aspects of unemployment from the viewpoints of the unemployed, family friends, former colleagues, etc. There would be a number of personal experience boxes where individuals such as Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, and an out-of- work 58 year old former steelworker describe how they or people they love dealt and deal with unemployment.
Departments could feature reporting on state programs that allow employers to combine reduced work hours for employees with partial unemployment benefits and how industries are combating unemployment such as contractors, landscapers and interior decorators turning to staging and rehabilitation of personal residences. There would be a books to consider section showcasing such books as “No More Mondays: Fire Yourself-and Other Revolutionary Ways to Discover your True Calling At Work” by Dan Miller
The magazine would be print and online and be a paid subscription model with a code of responsibilities and conduct for subscribers, advertisers, and contributors. The annual subscription rate would be from $10 to $250 as determined by the subscriber with a deferral, if desired, by those currently unemployed.
For the purpose of transparency and full disclosure, I am suggesting this publication in part so that I would be considered for the position of editor-in-chief. I was previously editor-in-chief of Practical Accountant, and what particularly qualifies me for consideration was my last column there, which in a sense of poetic justice, was automatically published on the day after I was told it was my last day.
Excerpted Text of WebCPA column
“’New’ Alternatives to Layoffs
(January 13, 2009)
“In these tough economic times, as in others, there are many news items on companies declaring bankruptcies and announcing substantial staff cuts. What is different this time is that I am also reading about a number of cost-cutting strategies that are gaining in popularity and aimed at reducing expenses without disrupting business operations or laying off staff.
“Fortune 500 companies, as well as smaller ones, have stopped their employer matching of employee 401(k) contributions. Factories are being closed down for a specified period of time with the unpaid furloughing of employees. Unpaid holidays are being given. Then there are those businesses that indicated there will be no salary increases in 2009. And I just came across a report that one of the largest accounting firms in Israel is reported to have made across-the-board pay cuts of 5 to 10 percent, except for certain lower-paid staff. We are also seeing the introduction of four-day weeks.
*******
“These creative cost-cutting strategies indicate the economic downturn is impacting more, and they also reflect an expectation that it will continue for some time. On the plus side, in general, they also indicate that companies are developing an arsenal of intermediate moves short of layoffs or a declaration of bankruptcy.
“This aversion to staff reductions can be attributed to a number of factors, including that often operations would be impaired if cuts were made, skilled employees are difficult to replace, and once the economic times get better the company doesn’t want to be understaffed.
“Interestingly, there seems to be understanding and acceptance by many in the workforce who are affected by the end of employer 401(k) contributions, unpaid leaves, etc. It appears to be based on the belief that, ’At least I have my job.’
*******
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Led to Gold
I can be pretty good at what I do and currently I am unemployed. The good thing is that it is the third time so I have experience.
However, many things have changed since the last time. Now a possible question during an interview, is, “Do you have any experience working in a matrix organization? Also, rather than mailing in resumes with targeted cover letters, you end up filling out a questionnaire and submitting your resume into a company’s computer system, probably never to be evaluated by human eyes, but eliminated based on one of your answers. Interestingly, many companies then continually send you e-mails about other similar job openings.
What’s also different is the growth of an industry targeting the unemployed. Job search sites, resume evaluation companies, coaches, and job fairs are examples. I have interacted with a number of them and the greatest benefit that I have received was at a free seminar that John Telep (http://www.smartresumetoday.com) conducted.
It wasn’t the good advice or the fact that he answered every question with great thought and care. The benefit is a book he recommended to the attendees, which included entry-level individuals to the most experienced.
The very deceptive title is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. After reading it, I conclude that alchemists have been given a bad rap. You see we are all alchemists searching to find what will make us happy. In the introduction, Coelho explains the importance of your personal calling. “It is G-d’s blessing, it is the path that G-d chose for you here on Earth. Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend.”
The problem is that there are many obstacles and where you end up might not be the treasure that you originally sought. The key to success isn’t just following your heart or your head, but paying attention to what Santiago, the book’s protagonist, discovered. “[T]hat intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life, where the histories of all people are connected, and we are able to know everything, because it’s all written there.”
However, many things have changed since the last time. Now a possible question during an interview, is, “Do you have any experience working in a matrix organization? Also, rather than mailing in resumes with targeted cover letters, you end up filling out a questionnaire and submitting your resume into a company’s computer system, probably never to be evaluated by human eyes, but eliminated based on one of your answers. Interestingly, many companies then continually send you e-mails about other similar job openings.
What’s also different is the growth of an industry targeting the unemployed. Job search sites, resume evaluation companies, coaches, and job fairs are examples. I have interacted with a number of them and the greatest benefit that I have received was at a free seminar that John Telep (http://www.smartresumetoday.com) conducted.
It wasn’t the good advice or the fact that he answered every question with great thought and care. The benefit is a book he recommended to the attendees, which included entry-level individuals to the most experienced.
The very deceptive title is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. After reading it, I conclude that alchemists have been given a bad rap. You see we are all alchemists searching to find what will make us happy. In the introduction, Coelho explains the importance of your personal calling. “It is G-d’s blessing, it is the path that G-d chose for you here on Earth. Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend.”
The problem is that there are many obstacles and where you end up might not be the treasure that you originally sought. The key to success isn’t just following your heart or your head, but paying attention to what Santiago, the book’s protagonist, discovered. “[T]hat intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life, where the histories of all people are connected, and we are able to know everything, because it’s all written there.”
Friday, September 18, 2009
An Unemployed Reader: The Best Kind
Each day I go on my computer searching for potential jobs, looking for job fairs, checking my push e-mails, doing a little social networking, making some calls, and perusing the many articles with advice on how I can get a job. This is the third time in my working life that I have been out of work. It is the longest and toughest in some sense because of the current status of industry I worked in and my age. In these tough times, many have similar experiences.
What I find now is that I have more time for reading, and those of you similarly situated probably do also. I recommend that you consider reading the following three books:
“The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life” by Piero Ferrucci is a gentle reminder of how kindness comes and can be given in many forms. Separate chapters are devoted to honesty, warmth, forgiveness, contact, sense of belonging, trust, mindfulness, empathy, humility, patience, generosity, respect, flexibility, memory, loyalty, gratitude, service, and joy. An example he gives is a photographer who goes to an orphanage to take pictures of the children because a fine photograph makes adoption more likely. The author, a follower of Roberto Assagioli, who developed psychosynthesis, believes "K]indness and the goodwill of many is a resource, an energy on par with oil, water, wind, nuclear, and solar energy. It would be immensely useful (this is already happening) to pay more attention to it, find ways of evoking it, and harnessing it, organize training courses for it, teach it in schools, publicize it, use it in ads, turn it into a fashion." I concur.
“Emotional Resilience: Simple Truths for Dealing with the Unfinished Business of Your Past” by David Viscott provides remarkable insight into what makes us and others tick and react the way that we do. I believe, for most, reading this book will help more than going to a therapist. Two concepts, "Emotional Debt" and "Toxic Nostalgia" will provide remarkable clarity and understanding for many for the first time.
Here are two excerpts from the book: "The pleasure of life often falls to the unresolved pain of the past. This is especially true when old characterological attitudes intrude, diminishing joy, spoiling the good, and finding injury where none is intended." –and—
"Being happy comes from accepting the past and taking responsibility for your part. That acceptance allows you to view yourself as a work in progress, so your imperfections do not argue against your worth.”
“Working with Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman illustrates in extraordinary detail the importance of emotional intelligence and makes a compelling case for its preeminent role in the modern and changing workplace.
What I find now is that I have more time for reading, and those of you similarly situated probably do also. I recommend that you consider reading the following three books:
“The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life” by Piero Ferrucci is a gentle reminder of how kindness comes and can be given in many forms. Separate chapters are devoted to honesty, warmth, forgiveness, contact, sense of belonging, trust, mindfulness, empathy, humility, patience, generosity, respect, flexibility, memory, loyalty, gratitude, service, and joy. An example he gives is a photographer who goes to an orphanage to take pictures of the children because a fine photograph makes adoption more likely. The author, a follower of Roberto Assagioli, who developed psychosynthesis, believes "K]indness and the goodwill of many is a resource, an energy on par with oil, water, wind, nuclear, and solar energy. It would be immensely useful (this is already happening) to pay more attention to it, find ways of evoking it, and harnessing it, organize training courses for it, teach it in schools, publicize it, use it in ads, turn it into a fashion." I concur.
“Emotional Resilience: Simple Truths for Dealing with the Unfinished Business of Your Past” by David Viscott provides remarkable insight into what makes us and others tick and react the way that we do. I believe, for most, reading this book will help more than going to a therapist. Two concepts, "Emotional Debt" and "Toxic Nostalgia" will provide remarkable clarity and understanding for many for the first time.
Here are two excerpts from the book: "The pleasure of life often falls to the unresolved pain of the past. This is especially true when old characterological attitudes intrude, diminishing joy, spoiling the good, and finding injury where none is intended." –and—
"Being happy comes from accepting the past and taking responsibility for your part. That acceptance allows you to view yourself as a work in progress, so your imperfections do not argue against your worth.”
“Working with Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman illustrates in extraordinary detail the importance of emotional intelligence and makes a compelling case for its preeminent role in the modern and changing workplace.
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