What Strategy To Adopt During Recession?

by Stephanie Blye

Regarding the issue of the recession, we are faced with a paradox which, in the end, proves not very difficult to understand. It is true that, in these days, a lot of publications speak about the economic crisis, the possible consequences of it, all kinds of analysis and - very important for each of us - different tips and recommendations designed to help us keep our job. But most of the times, what this avalanche of information does is to increase our state of confusion...

Strange, right? A few months ago, you used to have completely different professional aspirations: to advance, to get a raise, to participate in training supported by a "guru" in your field of activity and so on. It's unbelievable, but priorities seem to have changed in a fast way. Now, the economic crisis is one of the most common topics of discussion at work, and your main concern is to keep your job. In this situation, "the working conditions of stress" acquire quite other connotations than before.

The most important thing during recession is not to panic. It is true that only the word "recession" has the ability to give you the creeps, and the multitude of information coming from the media can really confuse you here. What you should do is try to filter everything through your own experience. We suggest you to maintain calm because, as the famous joke says: "Experts in the economy have correctly predicted 12 of the last 6 recessions." In other words, do not take for granted everything you hear and read. On the other hand, we can not deny that the world is faced with a difficult situation.

Given this situation, which would be the best attitude you should take? As always, there are more angles of approach a problem and each of them has risks. For example, it would be better to "sit in your place" and just make sure you fulfill the duties you have to fulfill. Or would now be the time to make your move and stand out?

Jennifer Lowe, PR specialist, considers that none of the options above is guaranteed to be right. It all depends on your business profile, company size and your sense of orientation. If you put your head down, you certainly do not risk anything and keep yourself afloat. But the truth is that only someone who is not aware of what recession is all about could think of this option as being equivalent to playing it safe. Starting with this moment, it is a matter of resisting, a challenge which is only up to you to complete. Everybody moves their elbows to maintain themselves in a floating position.

Of course, this does not mean you're obliged to take radical decisions! But to continue your work in a passive way, as if absolutely nothing has happened, is not an option either. Like we said, after all, this is one of those situations in the category of "seeing and doing", indicating that, more than ever, you should pay attention to opportunities that may arise from where you wouldn't expect.

On the opposite side, we are able to watch this difficult moment as an opportunity for us to confirm ourselves. Great wars and crises and have always enriched some. Not too many, but some. Even if it's recession, the world does not stop here. So if you smell a business opportunity and find that you can take advantage of it without jeopardizing your budget, try your luck!

Let's start from the premise that, for example, the company you work for can not afford a consultant who used to be very well paid for his services and will give up on his services. If you meet their specific requirements, this could be a great time to get a good job which, under normal circumstances, you wouldn't have taken into consideration.

Therefore, keep your eyes open and think that, with a little bit of luck, you can get even more out of this period of recession, and can even dare to try fulfilling some of your old dreams.