Adjusting to Change in

an Economic Crisis
Towards 2020

Mark W. Medley MBA

Published by the Asian European University Press

 Copyright
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publication December 2010

Mark W. Medley © The Asian European University Press

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any
means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical- including photocopying,
recording, taping or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
the author and the Asian University Press.

ISBN: 1456379968
BISAC: BUS069020

Email the Author- expat2008@yahoo.com

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 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

Table of Contents

Change in our Homes and Communities

Returning to Family Values

1
Is Knowledge Trading a New way to Save, and Survive?
3
Could “Informal” Markets help build our local Economies?
4
The Economic Benefits of Home Gardening
6
Community Bicycle Schemes
7
Creating a Multi-Family Home
9
Is Bartering a Solution for Cash Strapped Communities?
10
How to Create your own Sustainable Home
11
The Benefits of Community Trading Networks
13
How to Develop a Community “Skill Sharing” Group
14
Build a Better Future with 8 “I Can do’s”
15

Change at Work

Six Ways to Combat Communication Failure in a Multi-Cultural

Workplace
17

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 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

Five Natural Energy Boosters That Improve Your Performance at

Work
19
The Best Countries in Europe to Find a Job
21
Seven ways to make Employees feel Secure at Work
22
Three Essential Attitudes Every Employee Need
24
How your Personal life affects your Working Environment
26
Eight Ways to Create Sustainable Employment
28
Seven Green jobs that are currently in Demand
31
Determining What Motivates You?
33
Four Incentive Schemes to Keep Your Workforce Motivated
34
How to Adjust Quickly After Moving to a New Country
35
Is Education and Success Linked?
38
How to Start Over Again
40
Five Easy Ways to Create a Positive Working Environment
42
Six Types of Bad Managers
44

II

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 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

Seven Endangered Jobs Threatened by Outsourcing

46
Three Trends in the global workforce from 2010- 2015
48

Change in Business

Can Smaller Businesses help Rebuild our Economy?

50
Seven Ways to cut Business costs without Compromising Service
51
How to Create your own Wind Power business
54
The Growth of the Security Industry
55
How to Evaluate the Reality of Opening a New Business
57
Seven Trends that Create New Opportunities
60
What is a Distro?
62
How to discover you qualify for a European Union Grant
64
Could a Workshop Economy help you Survive the Economic Crisis?
65
Can A Franchised Second-Hand Store Beat the Recession?
66
Five Fast Developing Industries That Can Expand Our Economies
67

III

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 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

Seven Corporate Giants That May Disappear in 2011

69
What is the Secret of India's Current Economic Success?
71
Three Expanding Small Businesses in Greece, Portugal and Spain
73
Indonesia’s Lucrative Mobile Phone Market
75
How Superstitious Beliefs Affect Your Business
77

Into Our Future

Eight World Changing Green Trends

79
The Future of Work
82
The Future of Our Multi-Cultural Societies
85
Is the Tata Nano the Birth of the Car of the Future?
87
The Future of Education
89
The Future of the Euro in 2011/2012
92
A Slow Decline of the Printed Media
94
Five Effects of Global Warming
96

IV

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 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

Was 2010 the End of Manned Space Explorations by the United

States?
98
What is the Secret of India's Current Economic Success?
100
Three Currently Emerging Global Influences
102
The Future of the Internet
103
A New Type of “Big Society”
105
Five Trends That Are Shaping Our Future
107
What our World Could be like in 2020
109
Discovering the Venus Project
112

How to order an ebook version of “Adjusting to Change in an

Economic Crisis”

Published by the Asian European University Press

The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis'. One
brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a
crisis, be aware of the danger-but recognize the opportunity.

John F Kennedy

Published by the Asian European University Press

 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

The Benefits of Community Trading Networks

Our current economic crisis has created some new and very novel ideas to help
us beat the current crisis. One expanding idea, is a Community trading
network. How can we benefit from a Community Trading Network?

In the past any unwanted things that were collecting dust in our homes, were
either sold on ebay, through local newspaper or supermarket advertisements, or
simply handed over to a charity store.

The current economic climate has changed this, as communities are actively
creating trading networks for these unwanted or excess possessions, we
reluctantly keep but really have no use for.

On-line Community trading is becoming a fashion in many areas of our Cities,

were you can either trade or even collect for free possessions from other
neighbors. And the benefits are enormous, saving you the cost of buying
something new, when someone locally has it stacked away in a garage or attic.

Children’s clothes and toys are obvious possessions to trade, but community
trading has become far more sophisticated with even older laptops, couches,
televisions, and garden furniture, being traded between neighbors.

This trading has a 21st Century touch to it, with a network of new websites
becoming trading posts, offering anything from DVD exchanges to knowledge
trading, and the simpler trade of household goods, appliances and furniture.

We are finding short-term solutions to the shortage of credit, and the need to
create comfortable lifestyles, at a time when many of us worry about the future.
On-line and traditional community trading is one solution that could further
expand and create a new habit, rather than a passing trend.
 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

How to Develop a Community “Skill Sharing Group”

Community based skill sharing groups could replace traditional education in an

age of austerity, yet offer value education and pass on skills to a new generation
without the cost of taking a course or moving away to train.

1. What is a “Skill Sharing” Group?

A group of people who are willing to share the knowledge and skills they learnt
from a job or career with others. It could be a retired electrician, who passes on
his skills to a group of unemployed adults to a housewife who has business
experience.

2. Is Skill Sharing New?

It is actually an old practice brought back into a modern context. Traditionally

before the mid 20th century, skills were passed onto each new generation by their
older relatives. For example a farmer would train his son, or a shopkeeper their
children in ways to continue the business.

3. What is Modern “Skill Sharing”?

The idea of the traditional approach to transferring skills is linked to social

groups rather than individuals. One example could be a local group of people
decide to form a "Skills group."

This group holds informal skill building workshops, which could include anything
from bookkeeping to management skills. Each member in turn teaches their own
skill practically, so all the members in the group benefit.

In an age when a majority of governments are forced to cut back on state

sponsored training problems, and we may be faced with having to fund certain
aspects of our education ourselves. The community can take over the role of
developing the skills of its residents.
 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

Develop a Better Future with Eight I Can Do's

Three current goals matter to the majority of people, a successful business or

career, and better opportunities in the future. To enable us to achieve these
goals we may need to re-focus on our skills- what are the eight I can do's which
could help us thrive in the future?

1. I can move

We live in a global economy. A World were we compete with others across

continents and countries. To survive and thrive in a global age, we need mobility.
Mobility means we can move were the opportunities are,-whether they are online
or in area other than we currently call home. This could mean we have to re-focus
on the traditional ideal that a job is where you lay your roots, rather than where
you are willing to relocate too.

2. I can speak another language

Most people from developing Countries learn languages. This is primarily

because if you speak more than one language you have more career
opportunities. In a global economy, successful people speak and interact in a
variety of languages. Mastering a second or third language could enhance your
opportunities in the future.

3. I can self-learn

Traditional education is becoming more and more expensive, with governments

cutting back or even increasing the cost of education. Self-learning could bridge
this knowledge gap between the ones that can afford an education, and those that
cannot. On-line education and resources could enhance your knowledge and
skills- enabling you to compete in a global economy.

4. I can motivate myself

Motivate yourself to follow and hone in on your interests and skills. Often we can
be on our own when we search for new employment or business opportunities.
Surf the net for solutions, motivate yourself to focus on the skills you are strong
in, see if you can turn an interest into a way to create an income.
 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

5. I can have good social networking skills

Building a social network could enable you to gather new ideas and create new
opportunities. It does not only mean just selling a product to a friend, but
sharing ideas, learning from others in the network and cooperating together to
make your lives better.

6. I can save and invest for my future

An investment today could be simply building and marketing a website, to buying

a set of wood working tools. The key is to put money aside and see what you can
do with these savings. A few hundred dollars could help set you up in a part-time
home based business, whilst a sizeable nest egg could be invested in an income-
based second home.

7. I can see what I really need

Can you afford to keep up your living standard? If the answer is unclear, look
around at your expenses and what you own, and see if you can make positive
cutbacks.

A second car could be replaced by a utility vehicle which could help you start a
part time delivery business. If you can't sell it, trade it inside a community
trading network- were you get something valuable back, for what was once a
financial liability.

8. We can give our kids a good education

Your children need education, but many governments cannot afford to provide a
suitable education. The answer could be a home schooling program, were like
minded neighbors and friends could get together by teaching what you feel is
missing in school. This could bridge the growing learning gap in schools, and
enhance the quality time you have with your kids.

Many experts forecast the world we face in the future probably be highly
competitive, whilst we have diminished social welfare systems. We may need to
work harder and longer. Good times will come to the more flexible and multi-
skilled, but it may be more difficult than in the past. Success could still be
achieved by flexibility, perseverance and self-motivation.
 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

Six Types of Bad Managers

We all at one time or another experienced working under a "Bad Manager,"

many of us have moved onto new jobs because of this, others have had their
careers blocked but stayed on.

What are the six types of Bad Company Leaders?

When economies are booming, working under a bad Boss can be a temporary
measure, as we can always move onto something better. But in times of limited
job opportunities, and rising unemployment, we may choose to remain under a
bad Leader.

Signs of a bad Leader are easy to spot. The Company have a high staff turnover,
the aura around the workplace is threatening, and dictatorial. No one can speak
openly and frankly to their boss, whilst meetings are often a one way street of
criticism. But what are the six types of Bad Leaders, many people work under.

1. The Prosecutor

Prosecutors tend to only focus on the negative, and look continually for faults.
They tend to intimidate you rather than, encourage and mentor you. Prosecutors
tend to be aggressive perfectionists, who may not recognize imperfection within
themselves.

2. The Rule Changer

Every Organization has a certain set of rules, but when these rules start changing
it often leads to confused employers, and an angry boss. Company Leaders
should communicate any changes in rules, in writing, some bosses simply do not
bother.

3. The Underminer

Asking for assistance is common within any organization, and often a good leader
has a team that has the ability to work together well. An underminer may ask for
assistance but then could make it impossible for you to help. This leads to
frustration, and leads to a bad impression.
 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

4. The Chronic Critic

Criticism can be positive, but there are effective ways to communicate it.
Continued criticism, even about the smallest and most unimportant matters-
wear down employees and de-motivate them. Chronic critics tend to be
hypocrites, and employees look out for their mistakes, rather then be inspired by
them.

5. The Checked out Boss

When someone is continually checking on what we do, it often makes us feel like
children again. Employees today are often multi-skilled, and knowledgeable but
continued checks go against the self-management skill's needed in many of
today's working environments.

6. The Insensitive Manager

We are all human, and all have our own cultural traits. Multi-cultural workplaces
are harder to work in, under an insensitive manager. Some cultures see shouting
and threatening as being 'uneducated and rude." Managers, who shout and
threaten, tend to lose respect in any culture.

Poor leadership in the workplace can create a loss in profits, missed business
opportunities, a high staff turnover, and a fearful staff that are unable to make
their own decisions.

The Economic crisis exposed bad leaders, and saw their empires crumble under
debt and bailouts. Recognizing the faults in our leaders, and in ourselves, could
help us determine the way we work, and how we should pursue our future
careers.
 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

Seven Jobs Endangered by Outsourcing

Building a career is not easy. Neither is training for a job that once was in
demand but nowadays could easily be outsourced. Putting the arguments for
and against outsourcing aside, anyone in these eight professions may be in
danger of losing their job as companies, and even our Governments look for
ways to cut costs.

What are the Seven most Endangered Jobs threatened by

Outsourcing?

1. Data Entry

Developing Technologies guarantee, that at some point data entry jobs can be
easily outsourced to emerging countries. Even before our recession started-
hundreds of thousands of data entry jobs were "lost" in Europe, and the United
States.

2. Book Keeping and Accounting

Once considered a steady job, now very much endangered as new technologies
can effectively outsource these jobs to third countries.

3. Call Center and Support Staff

A victim of technology, localized call centers can move overseas and effectively
vanish forever. Unless Government regulations change, outsourcing to lower-
wage countries, is inevitable.

4. Paralegal

Paralegals were once considered a recession-proof profession but as language

skills, and education improves in emerging countries-so does the inevitable
outsourcing of the services traditionally done by the support staff of a lawyer.
 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

5. Computer Operating and Programming

Once considered a profession with a future, with computers linked globally,

localized computer operators and programmers could become as dead as a dodo.
Already India is becoming the new computer operating center, for many of our
well known computer companies.

6. Payroll and Tax Preparation

Localized payroll and tax preparation is often outsourced, and this trend is set to
continue as companies need to stay competitive in local markets. Although still
not high on the endangered list, the next few years could see big changes in what
is considered an endangered profession.

7. Manufacturing

As long as goods can be produced at a lower cost internationally rather than

locally, manufacturing jobs will be lost. Already employment in manufacturing is
only 9% of the total workforce; this trend is set to continue, unless our
governments review current attitudes towards trade.

Outsourcing unskilled jobs started in the mid to late 1980’s, then in the 1990’s it
expanded into the semi-skilled labor market, and with cheap new technology
threatens skilled professionals in several countries. The next decade could see
outsourcing move upwards, into higher management levels.
 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

What Our World Could Be Like in 2020

Here is a glimpse into our probable future - based on on-going trends in the last
twenty years, and call it the "20-20 vision" into our most probable future.

1. Languages

English should still the most popular language, but Chinese should be second. As
with English today, many people may study Chinese as a second language, whilst
many local languages will still continue to disappear. The use of regional
languages should continue to grow as some countries could break up into
regional entities.

2. Water Becomes the New Oil

Water will become a much needed resource, as rivers continue to dry up, and new
technologies are developed to create sustainable water resources. Regional
conflicts may occur over the scarcity of water supplies, whilst some desert areas
will have to be depopulated. We will learn to ration, and have to pay more for the
water we use.

3. Climate Change

The economic troubles created in late 2008, will overshadow global efforts to
combat the effects of our warming planet. Some resource poor but technology
rich countries will be forced to use alternative energies, and be less
consummative.
As many nations in the developing World have opted for western-style
development over the environmental effects of this growth- They should
eventually face the need to clean up their own environment.

4. Increasing Wealth and Poverty Gaps

The first, second and third World could exist in some degree in all countries.
Europe and North America may mirror the rest of the World, with similar wealth
gaps comparable today to India, and South America. The world will look more
equal, but be more unequal- depending on which part of this World you live in.
 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

5. Education
A majority of students could be educated on-line. This may be a result of decaying
public schools in the Western world, but also newer technologies that are
replacing some aspects of a traditional education. Some examinations are set to
become global benchmarks in educational assessment, accepted throughout the
world.

6. Population Growth and Migration

Developed Countries, may have to encourage the migration of younger emigrants

from outside Europe and North America, because of negative population growth.
First world communities in all countries should of effectively become "World
citizens," and freely migrate throughout the globe.

A reverse "brain drain" effect could see former migrants return home, as their
own economies improve, and living conditions in the former "West" decline.

7. War

A declining Europe and the United States may at some stage be involved in a
limited conflict with either Russia and/or China. This conflict could end in a
stalemate, whilst the reasons of this conflict are probably based primarily on
economic, and mineral "rights"- the cost of such a conflict, would lead to more
environmental decay, and a restructuring of existing trade routes.

8. Science

We may be eating more genetically modified and synthetic foods- designer foods
developed in new hi-tech "growing centers." Robots will become more common,
whilst some nations will start space exploration programs,-with a view to colonize
space. In some countries the surveillance of their own citizens, could expand due
to smart technology, and the need to contain civil unrest- as the wealth gap
widens.
 Adjusting to Change in an Economic Crisis

9. Travel

Regional travel should increase, whilst global travel be reserved for first World or
higher up second world citizens. Traveling long distances could become more
expensive and time consuming. Sea and land transport may become popular-
whilst flying long distances becomes more a pastime of the global elite.

Our World in 2020, could be one of wonder or one of conflict, depending on

which place we live in, but also one of still fragmented beliefs, and scientific
advancement. We may continue hoping that science solves the problems our
planet faces, and start looking beyond our planet as a future home.