Saint Louis
Job News & Opportunities
St. Louis Front Page is a weekly news publication, with daily updates, spotlighting attractions, events, business and hospitality in St. Louis, Missouri and Southwest Illinois.
How To Reach Us:
St. Louis Front Page
P.O. Box 1354
St. Louis, MO 63188
Voice: 314-771-0200
Fax: 314-771-0300
To submit news, contact:
editor@slfp.com
To advertise, contact:
advertising@slfp.com
|
This Labor Day, Six Million Americans Are Planning an Exodus From Corporate Life
ST. LOUIS (PRNewswire), September 3, 2006 - Six million Americans who work for an employer say they plan to strike out on their own and start a new business or company in the next 12 months, according to a new opinion poll.
A total of 13.6 million employed, unemployed, or self-employed adults 18 years of age and older, who represent 7.8% of the U.S. population, hope to take control of their financial futures by starting a new business within the next year.
These findings are part of a national opinion poll sponsored by E-Myth Worldwide, a global provider of online business development education, advice, and coaching for entrepreneurs. The nationally representative poll was conducted August 4-6 by Synovate, a leading independent research company.
William Schlegel, CEO of E-Myth Worldwide, says, "The survey shows that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in America -- driven in most cases by the desire to make more money. This Labor Day, millions of people want to stop laboring for others, or get out of the unemployment line, and start working for themselves by becoming their own boss. For those who are already self-employed, many plan to begin new enterprises. And while the statistics show that more men than women hope to start their own business, 45% of currently unemployed women see starting their own business as a way to achieving financial independence."
According to the survey, people said the biggest challenges they face in starting a business are lack of knowledge and confidence (44%), raising money (44%), and the economic and competitive climates (39%). Schlegel notes that, "Some factors influencing the likelihood of success, such as the state of the economy, are beyond an individual's control.
However the good news is that the knowledge entrepreneurs need to be successful can be quickly gained by learning the critical thinking and core business development skills essential to the success of small businesses. From our experience of looking at the challenges facing small business owners, we can actually see the direct correlation that increased knowledge builds confidence and greater confidence enhances the chances for sustainable success."
Other major findings of the poll include the following:
-- 8.5 million men and 5.1 million women are thinking about starting their
own business next year.
-- The most popular reason to start a business is to make more money
(30%), be their own boss (18%) and fulfill a dream or hobby (15%).
-- The desire to start a new business spans all age groups and income
levels, but is significantly higher for those people ages 45-54, who
are getting serious about their retirement plans.
-- Individuals planning to start a new business are more likely to live in
the South and West regions of the United States, and they are least
likely to live in the Midwest.
-- By a margin of 50% to 34%, men are more confident of their potential
business success than women.
Got the Labor Day Blues? Maybe You Need A New 'Blueprint' for Growth
ST. LOUIS (PRNewswire), September 3, 2006 - Feel like you could "labor 'til the end of time" before your next promotion? This Labor Day, take time to consider whether your prospects and job satisfaction match your professional potential and career expectations.
David G. Thomson believes the key to finding thriving, fulfilling workplaces is identifying customer-centric companies with exponential or compounding revenue growth.
And Thomson should know. A former McKinsey business consultant, Thomson studied the success patterns of the country's highest growth companies. His conclusions are featured in his best-selling business book, Blueprint to a Billion: 7 Essentials to Achieve Exponential Growth.
Thomson offers the following insights, based on his research findings, on factors to consider if you're in the market for greener employment pastures.
Does my company's growth rate align with my career aspirations?
Many workers face a prisoner's dilemma on the job -- a steady paycheck combined with boredom, complacency and few advancement prospects.
The success pattern of high-growth companies indicates employee satisfaction correlates to company growth where keen customer demand is driving revenue at an aggressive pace.
So, the growth rate of a company affects my career opportunities?
Many of the companies I studied grew at rates of more than 50 percent per year. In fact, they shared an amazingly similar "blueprint" for growth across all industries -- one that fosters an abundance of career opportunities.
For example, only five percent of the 7,500 U.S. Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) launched since 1980 have achieved $1 billion in revenue, including well-known companies such as Microsoft, eBay, and Starbucks plus lower profile companies like Performance Food Group. These "Blueprint Companies" account for more than half of the next generation jobs and two-thirds of the market value created by all IPOs -- that's why these companies are the best places to invest your career (and hard-earned savings, too).
How do these companies keep enthusiastic employees energized?
They're all about creating a rewarding workplace environment. For example, as the Performance Food Group ascended to $1 billion in revenue, they offered incentives tied to company growth. Other companies, such as Starbucks, demonstrate employee value through superior health benefits.
What lessons can I glean from Blueprint Companies to apply to my situation?
Revenue Fuels Growth. Whether you are working in a company with 5 or 5,000 employees, look for exponential customer demand and revenue growth. If your company or business unit experiences high compounding growth rates, new career opportunities will likely flourish as the company grows, diversifies and extends into new markets.
Look for Leaders Who Empower Employees. Successful leadership teams share consistent values, as well as the past, present and future goals with associates in order to empower them to make decisions that align their responsibilities with overall company direction. Leadership should view employees as extended management team members and an investment critical for future growth.
Personally Contribute to Company Growth. Set the example by finding a role that builds or fulfills customer demand and satisfaction (no matter whether your "customers" are internal staff or consumers), treat colleagues as shareholders, and follow the company's vision and goals.
Archived:
 Lack of Company Knowledge Biggest Interview Mistake
Most Employers Report Plans to Increase Hiring in September
Women-owned Firms Increase Nearly 20 Percent
Be Prepared for Pre-Employment Testing
More Women Choose Business Ownership to Gain Control, Flexibility and Family Time
St. Louis Takes the Lead in Training Service Disabled Veterans in New Technologies
Telecommuting Part-Time Is Ideal Work Situation
|
|
|
|
The Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com
All rights reserved world wide
© 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group .
|
