“Many people in the workforce today don’t know what they’re doing … and some are really good at it.”  That says a lot about the condition of the local workforce — especially, if you believe it could be true.

We don’t know who said it first, but it has also been said that … “a career is a situation where a worker does just enough not to get fired, and the employer pays just enough so the worker can’t afford to quit.”  Wow!  Another painful thought, isn’t it!

The truth of the matter is, the workforce does get a scorecard.  The world is judging who we are and what we do.   And the world is not just judging Americans.  It is a global issue.

A few years ago, Beth and I were working with a client in Texas.  We took advantage of the opportunity and went into Mexico for a visit.  Of course, there were lots of little shops in this border town we visited.  And they had all the things you would expect — big hats, silver belt buckles, native blankets, etc.  Guess what I found as I looked more closely at the merchandise?  You guessed it … Made in China.  No kidding!

Let’s get to the point.  We have competition.  Everyone has competition.  The goal for a well-paid workforce — our workforce — has to be that we become so good at what we do that price is no longer the main  issue. 

• For that to take place, we will have to have a new concept of what “employment” and “careers” are all about. 
• Nothing less than an entrepreneurial workforce — ownership of who we are and what we do — will meet the new standard. 

Are you up for that?  Are your customers, clients, and students prepared for the challenge?