The Economy - Business New Network

[Wyatt Earp]

Hi guys,
not sure how many of you follow the news channel but it really brings up some interesting issues that are causing riples all around the world.

http://links.mkt2011.com/servlet/Mai...AwS0&mt=1&rt=0

I have a slightly different view of things most of the time because I tend to look for opportuntities and threats or risk management if you will. Having said that, I certainly don't have any formal training in that but it has so far done me well so I'm not about to stop. That said, it would seem that much of the laid back socialism in the EU has come back to bite them in the collective arse. Canada isn't much different with all the social programs we offer and the fewer and fewer people able to pay for them so others can enjoy, use, abuse (you choose).

It appears to me that somewhere in the recent years collectively "we" have lost the will and the desire to actually work for a living. Everyone (I use that term as a generalization) is expecting something for nothing but still wants their iPhone, big screen tv and gas guzzling suv. I know that when I was in highschool (20 years ago now) there was a huge push to get everyone to go to university only to get a 4 year degree of "nothing" that would allow these grads to claim "do you want fries with that education?" Now we are seeing a huge loss of trades people, technical people and other such trained persons. We can't get enough medical people to work in that field and we can't find people to clean up after others either.

Generation X, Y and beyond, somehow we've lost something along the way. People and industries have failed to reinvent or adapt to specific conditions partially due to contractual obligations, partly due to changes in the trade market and partly due to these expectations.

Again, I can't point to any one thing because while I enjoy living here on the island I too couldn't find work for a good part of 2010 so I went looking up north and for 9 months worked 3 weeks out of every month for a stupid number of hours - 65+ per week... Not sure what it is but there is certainly a different attitude up there when it comes to work, how to get it done and what it is worth.

I don't know the answer but I'm interested in reading what others might say so post away...

PS: it is good to be home.

[ebusinesstutor]

While there may be some people unwilling to work, there are also many people wanting to work but Nanaimo has few jobs open at the moment.

[Wyatt Earp]

True... but this goes deeper than that... many years ago, when the opporunity was there to actually diverse from a pulp and paper / wood town - which interestingly enough is the second resource based switch as the first was coal - the opportunity was ignored because it was too hard, thought too expensive or some other reason thought valid at the time. Now when we are forced to change, it is difficult at best. Simply put the area offers plenty of service based or retail based industry (most of it low paying) and yet without an industry even these jobs are at risk.

There was talk a few years ago of attracting the likes of EA Sports to Nanaimo (the video game giants) because we have cheap realestate and a decent infrastructure when it comes to tech yet for some reason that didn't or hasn't happened. Add moretoreums to offshore drilling, opposition against coal, not wanting to look at wind mills, burning waste to generate energy, extracting methane from the ground, value added services to the forest industry or anything that allows the employee a decent salary of $60,000 to $120,000 per year - notice I am not pulling any punches here, as to pay the taxes we have, spend the sort of money we do and to afford and save for things we've got to get those trained / skilled / professional wages up! There are certainly a select few in this area that make very good money, often at the expense of someone else and this is likely part of that entire "occupy" movement although I fail to see how that solves much since I'd rather figure out how to play the game than complain about it.

So, the issue stems from the Not In My Back Yard attitude has got to go and we have got to find things to sort this mess out - and fast.

[All Ages Music Concerts]

Welcome back Wyatt!!

Always a believer that while in an economic crisis: one needs to tighten the belt to look after yourself along with staying positive!! When jobs are scarce and are not as flexible: you need to become an independant worker/thinker.

I do several different jobs and still have my flex time. Weekends are my time and that is a hard one to accomplish in these times.

An open and willing mind has many doors.

Here is an example of open and easy opportunities:

1: If you have a vehicle -try doing down routes for the Bulletin or Nanaimo Daily News- I remember doing over 400 papers and averaging well over $15.00 an hr.- while using my vehicle to a minimum.
2: There many people that would like a dog sitter/walker each day/or on weekends.
3: Private housekeeping/homesitting.
4: Nanny-not live-in.
5: Private home yard maintainance.

These are only a few ideas and the list goes on. There are so many things one can dream to do and in reality can do! You only have to have a desire to do it.

Economics today are yesterday! Only you can look after yourself in the economic times of the down turn. You will turn yourself around on using your sense of survival.

[All Ages Music Concerts]

I am most thankful that my son has worked steady and none stop since he was 15 years old. He has held 2 different jobs full time in the last 7 years. So he has a great track record for his age. He is also a sound tech most often on weekends. I have to say for a young person he has fantastics works ethics and so todays young generation still has that great ability in wanting to work. Sorry- but I am a proud parent of a very hard working young adult who is not afraid of WORK!!

[Wyatt Earp]

Most certainly. This town has a very big old boys club and people that want to work can't so they have to go elsewhere to find it.