A new Declaration of Independence

There's no real research here. Just personal intuition. But I believe we're in the midst of a shift in the workforce. People like me, who were perfectly content to go through their careers working for other people, are now plunging their flags into the ground and going out on their own. It might be due to distress. Or a sudden revelation. Or both, as it was in my case.

Over the past four years, I've experienced both an outsourcing and a layoff. And you know what I said? Enough is enough! I'm working for myself from here on out.

I could have gone on unemployment, gotten lazy and become a drain on the system... but that wasn't for me. I chose to utilize all the skills I acquired over the past 15 years an pursue my own happiness. It's been an interesting Plan B. And I suspect there are thousands across the country just like me. Within my circle, I can count at least twenty of my personal friends and colleagues who have made a similar choice.

Marketers... accountants... builders... name the profession. These professionals who once worked for a big company are now working for themselves. I can't imagine a single industry that hasn't been touched by this modern day Declaration of Independence.

Why over the past few months, I've designed small business websites for a single-person IT company, a dog bakery and a pet transport service. Each and every one of these entrepreneurs were escapees from the corporate world.

Consequences and opportunities

So what does all this mean? Is it a good thing? I for one am thrilled over the metamorphosis in the workforce. I believe it's going to rekindle a sense of entrepreneurial spirt to the country that's been dormant for years. Think about the turn of the 20th century as farmers abandoned their lands in search of work in the cities. Today, we're seeing a bit of an industrial revolution, but in reverse. While the cities aren't shrinking, the corporations within are certainly seeing a brain drain.

So, yes, In my mind, it's not only good, it's great. It's a wake up call that we need to compete globally with new and revitalized powers like Russia, China, India and South Korea. The next big ideas are brewing in our budding entrepreneurs right now. After all, when the chips are down, and our backs are against the wall, it's in our American DNA to pull through.

As the nation's unemployment level creeps up to its highest level in years, and more and more smart people learn how to fend for themselves, we as a nation will create more wealth. We will turn our deficits into surpluses and regain our natural place in the world. It isn't unpredictable -- waking up hungry has a way of focusing your energy.

What you need to succeed.

Trouble is, basic entrepreneurship just isn't taught to our youth. And neither is it common practice in the workforce. Chances are, you've got exceptional knowledge of your particular specialty. Take me, I'm an expert in direct and web marketing. I even have an MBA in international finance. But that in no way prepared me to open my own business. You need a network to be successful. No one can possibly know everything. 

So surround yourself with a good team. Find an attorney you can trust. A tax specialist that helps you navigate the code. And most importantly latch on to a wise mentor who can guide you in the early days. For me, it's my dad... a first generation immigrant from Greece who was born with an entrepreneur's mindset. Not me. I've had to learn.

So if you're scared your job is on the cutting block, or if you've already been axed, don't be afraid of pursuing your fortune on your own. There are millions of successful small businesses out there. And chances are, you're just as smart and just as talented as most of them. It just takes a lot of perspiration, planning and good luck.

And when you do, make sure to look me up for your website, logo and direct mail design.

Andrew Macris is a 15-year veteran in the conceptual business, having served as creative director at top direct marketing and web marketing agencies for the past ten. He is owner of Macris Direct, a new media direct marketing company. He can be reached at 904-327-0590 or by emailing him at andrew AT macrisdirect dot com. His business website is located at www.macrisdirect.com.

ThinkTrain Express: It's time to derail your old way of thinking.

You're in a crisis ... stuck in a creative rut. You need a killer idea that works - yesterday! Good news - you're just in time to hop the ThinkTrain Express.

On board! 
Here's how ThinkTrain Express boosts your idea-power.

First, picture a train. Then, picture the people in your organization. See any similarities? Like the differing cars of a train, your organization is composed of people with vastly different skill sets. For example, a boxcar finds it very difficult to pull the train. Likewise, a locomotive without coal won't go far either.

On the ThinkTrain, there are four types of cars:

1. Coal Cars
2. Locomotives
3. Connectors
4. Boxcars

Unlike a traditional train, on the ThinkTrain, the locomotive isn't leading the way. It's the Coal Car. They're the idea generators. The big thinkers. The folks who aren't afraid to challenge the existing reality and say, "What if...?"

The Great Brain Robbery
Fact is, new ideas are scary. They involve change. Risk. And discomfort. Because of this, we've built a defense mechanism to help buffer us against radical ideas. Guard against these people - The Brain Robbers. The idea killers.

Remember the "Little Engine That Could?" It took a while for the locomotive to gain the momentum to climb the hill. In the company of a Brain Robber, the little engine never would have seen anything but the railroad yard. ThinkTraining gives young ideas the time to grow into maturity.

The Locomotives are refiners. They help the coal cars burn their huge potential energy in the most efficient way. They're the folks who say, "Here's how…"

Connectors see both sides of an issue. They understand human relationships. They are adept at pointing out possible problems and suggesting compromises. They're the folks who say, "But first, we'll have to adjust X, Y and Z."

Box Cars live for the work. Hence, they carry the heaviest burden of the work. They're task-oriented, "bottom-liners". They're the folks who say, "Let's get started!"

By grouping your train together in the right fashion, you can increase the quantity and quality of the ideas generated.

Here's how to set up your ThinkTrain

Take a look at everyone who can be involved in ThinkTraining. And remember to check outside your typical circle. After all, the further away people are from problems, the closer they'll be to coming up with a dramatically different idea. Familiarity lends itself to boring solutions. Don't assume the person with the most years of experience is most valuable. Many times, a recent college grad, a mailroom clerk or administrative assistant has more insight then ten executives.

When you've selected your team members, classify each person into one of the groups.
Here are a few tips to help classify your team. Coal Cars are generally excitable people who talk fast and gesture frequently. Locomotives are more analytical. Connectors are warm, friendly and family-oriented people. Boxcars live to make to-do lists.

Coal Cars

To begin, gather your Coal Cars together and give them the assignment. Tell them their input is vital to the success of the project. These folks generally have larger than average egos and will be gratified to get all this attention. Give them a number of ideas to shoot for - 5 killer ideas, and a deadline - one hour. Make sure they're equally comfortable with any of the 5 ideas.

To grease the wheels, provide a series of "what-if" questions for them to ponder. For example, what if we could make our product cheaper; faster; with better service, etc.? They'll be brimming over with ideas in no time...

Locomotives

Enter the locomotives. The Coal Cars present their 5 best ideas. Then, the Locomotives review the ideas and select the 3 that seem to have the most merit.

Connectors
The Connectors review the three best ideas. They see how each alternative will affect other folks in both positive and negative ways. They give and take. They adjust ideas. They note all areas that they have problems with, and send all 3 options directly to the Boxcars.

Boxcars

The Boxcars are the most pragmatic. They select the one option that has the highest level of benefits, the lowest cost, with the least stress for everyone involved. Then, they are charged with developing an action plan to accomplish the goal.

The Benefits of ThinkTraining

In traditional brainstorming, not everyone excels at idea generation. Some are naturally more gifted at idea enhancement. ThinkTraining allows these "enhancers" to participate and feel good about their contribution. It recognizes the inherent value of all different types of people - from the right-brained, idea-oriented Coal Cars to the left-brained, action-oriented Boxcars.

In short, ThinkTraining gives you maximum idea generating power out of each and every person in your organization.

Andrew Macris is a 15-year veteran in the conceptual business, having served as creative director at top direct marketing and web marketing agencies for the past ten. He is owner of Macris Direct, a new media direct marketing company. He can be reached at 904-327-0590 or by emailing him at andrew AT macrisdirect dot com. His business website is located at www.macrisdirect.com.