I left my heart in Michigan when I moved out of state. The issues that have affected every facet of my family leave me "shot through the heart", but hopeful for a recovery.
It's true, every piece of my extended family from auto workers to financial executives has been hurt by the hard economic conditions of our great state. The outsourcing of American jobs and the dramatic decline of the auto industry has brushed all of us back.
In contemporary America, we all identify with Michiganders because we share the economic strife. But in Michigan, we're all auto workers in one way or another. There is either a direct employment relationship or a dependency upon their purchasing power. The facts and figures don't lie in this case. The latest unemployment rate in Michigan is 13.2% according to an economic news release issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in late August. Another incredible statistic is that in metropolitan Detroit, while there is positive movement in the job market, the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 15.4%.
What is a Michigander to do? Some say, batten down the hatches and weather this economic nightmare. Some say leave their homes or the state. The pendulum will swing in the other direction. How true, but how long can we wait when the economy is not even at a point of stability?
There is no surprise that Michiganders are giving up the fight to stay in their home state. According to the 2009 United Van Lines Migration Study, the outbound trend for the Midwest (particularly Michigan), tops the list at 68% of the outbound movement. They are "getting out of Dodge" or for that matter, any of the Big Three. There are jobs in the District of Columbia, the top garden spot for in-bound moves, government jobs, I presume.
No one has the magic wand. Michigan needs to reinvent itself and so do we. This didn't happen overnight so Michigan is not going to rebound overnight. But, there are some things that the unemployed can do to get ready to bounce back. Michigan is re-loading, like the Wolverine football team refers to how they never rebuild, they reload. Workers need to do just that, re-load themselves to get ready for a hopeful, positive job market.
First of all, we strong Michiganders ride out the storm. Update your skills. Never, never, get stale on the technology that drives your field. Volunteer your time and apply for temporary or part-time work. You never know when these opportunities will turn into your new career. You may be asked to take a cut in pay or other concessions for your company to remain in business. Your plan may include relocation to another part of the country. We have to survive and we will.
Re-invent yourself! Get to know your strengths and build on them. Don't lose track of your goals but be flexible. Visit them often and ask yourself, "Am I ready to prove myself and get the job or keep the job?" Let's not forget that companies look at the return on investment of employees. They must evaluate whether new employees will contribute to the bottom line. When you find an opportunity, explain just what you could do and how they could not afford to be without you. Remember, the number one attribute that hiring companies want is creativity.
In January 2011, a new hurricane of sorts is coming at employers. Companies of all sizes are expecting an increase of at least 10 % on income taxes and more governmental contributions. Further, insurance costs are continuing to increase in preparation for the coming health care initiative. Companies will not eat those cost increases. They are more likely to batten down the hatches to weather the storm and hopefully stay in business. That's just simple common sense, not Economics 101.
If your family is still in town, wonderful. Go to the kids' sporting events, get together to blow out the birthday candles. Above all, look at your options, hope for the best but prepare for the worst and create a succession plan for your family. The youngest and creative ones may just have the interesting and right answers. My family did just that.
The auto industry is coming back, turned the corner they say. There is noise about how the Michigan job situation is looking better. An August 14, 2010 article in the New York Times titled ""Detroit Goes From Gloom to Economic Bright Spot"" espouses the fact that the auto industry has been "reshaped, resized and rethought". Are we saying that in other words the right-sizing of the industry has been the start of the comeback of our Michigan economy?
In a July 30, 2010 Wall Street Journal article, President Barack Obama said, "With all three U.S. automakers operating at a profit for the first time in six years after the government extended a multi-billion dollar lifeline...There's no doubt the auto industry is growing stronger." A guarantee of more jobs is just not possible, nor realistic. We will just have to wait and see. A right-sized auto industry would still leave hundreds of thousands of Michigan workers out of viable options for employment.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation sponsors TV commercials with actor Jeff Daniels referring to Michigan as the upper hand. Let's hope that Michigan's upper hand will be on a rapid rise soon. Their website highlights companies that are contributing to the growth of the Michigan economy. Check out Michigan Advantage for a list of companies that are creating opportunities for Michigan and how they can benefit you.
A sign hangs in many homes in Michigan that reads, "Pray toward Heaven but row toward shore." My Great Lakes State calls to me.
With more than 25 years of human resource and management consulting experience, Wendy N. Powell has spent most of her career advising managers at the University of Michigan as well as many public and private sector organizations. She is currently on the business faculty at both Palm Beach State College and the University of Phoenix. A member of the Society for Human Resource Management, she received a leadership award in 2002 from the Midwest College and University Professional Association for Human Resources. For more information, please visit: http://www.managementexperienceacquired.com.
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