5 Tips for Saving Your Job in this Recession

Companies are reacting to this downturn very quickly. They have to do so in order to survive. And, one of the things they will be looking at most intently is the size and composition of their workforce. Here are five keys to minimizing the likelihood that you become the latest victim of a workforce adjustment...five keys that could save your job.

1. Leave Your Problems at Home

Employers who are going to survive this economic downturn need employees (and partners) who are able to focus on serving customers and clients with excellence. Every company will be expected to produce more for their customers and clients. No matter how severe your personal problems, you must “leave these at home” and summon all of your focus for the benefit of your employer during work hours.


2. Get with the Program

Companies that will survive must change their way of doing business. They must become much more efficient. The successful will be rolling out new programs to accomplish increased efficiency. Get with the program. Employers will have little patience with employees who are resisting necessary changes.

3. Demonstrate Urgency

Companies that will prosper in these tough times will be those who are agile and speedy. They will make quick adjustments to changes in the economy and the markets they serve. They will look for employees who share their corporate belief that tough times demand speed. They will need their team to consist of employees with a consistent sense of urgency.

4. Treat Customers/Clients Like Gold

Since the last significant downturn in the early 90’s, customer/client service has seemingly become a lost art. To capture more of the business that does exist in any market, companies will have to treat their customers/clients much, much better. When customers/clients are on edge because of their own difficulties, they are just not going to tolerate rude, or even uncaring, service.

5. Create Real Value

Here is the bottom line. Employees must create real value! And significant value at that!! Your job must be one that is truly necessary to the success of your employer and you must be performing job in an exemplary way. You must be making a significant contribution to creating the value that customers/clients of your employer will be expecting.

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Don’t fool yourself into thinking your job is not at risk. Many, many thousands of workers are being laid off as a result of company failures, downsizing and the like. Many, many more will be laid off before the economic recovery begins. Whatever your performance has been in the past, it is time to step up your performance. Significantly!