Dog Walkers & Your Career
I was jogging in the park the other day and noticed a number of
professional dog walkers. They had many dogs under their care
and the necessary tools of their trade. Nothing remarkable about
that.
What struck me was a) the number of providers I saw on this one
visit, b) their marketing efforts, and c) the range of services
offered. Parked on the streets around the park were various
types of mini-van and SUV, emblazoned with each dog walking
entrepreneur's web site address, phone number, slogan, and
featured services. So, what does this have to do with your
career?
It illustrates an important career development theme:
When I was growing up, my Mom and Dad's core career advice was
to "get my foot in the door." Still sound, but my core career
advice to you is **to make your own future.**
These dog walking entrepreneurs have taken a relatively simple
personal service and have scaled it to attract more customers
and higher fees from their customers. They have taken what
traditionally was a marginal service job to the level of a bona
fide business. They made their own opportunity. They shaped it
they way they wanted. And, their customers pay handsomely for
it. Cool.
So, my first point is this...you too can make your own
opportunities, even out of the most seemingly mundane task,
niche, need, service, etc. This may involve you moving into a
new area or it may simply mean elevating the work you currently
do to a whole new level.
Back to the dogs. In Vancouver, where I live, people take good
care of their dogs. You can purchase dog medical insurance.
There are dog hikes and adventure day trips. And, there are a
number of gourmet dog food stores.
So, we see a small, premium industry sprouting up around the
basic service needs of "who can walk our dog while we are at
work/school" and "how can I take better care of my dog." All of
these entrepreneurs recognized the same themes and have
capitalized on it in different ways. Undoubtedly, the larger
corporations in the pet industry are capitalizing on this trend
too. Double cool.
So, the second point is this...there is rarely only one possible
opportunity in a specific market. If you recognize a need, look
at it objectively from all angles and get creative about how you
could serve that need. Of course, this strategy applies to
current and aspiring entrepreneurs.
It also applies to those working for other people.
Intrapreneurialism (being entrepreneurial within an
organization) is a great and necessary thing. You may have an
idea how to do something better, or faster, or cheaper, or at
higher quality. You may have a new service idea. You may have
spotted a tiny or huge niche that needs filling.
Whatever it is, occupying a specific job does not necessarily
mean that you work in a pre-defined box. If you truly find
yourself boxed in, then that's where it is time to make some
important career decisions. If you find yourself on the job
market, think about what you can do to create your own
opportunities.
In the current economic environment, I know that things are
uncertain, and difficult. But, here is one of those basic laws
of life: there will always be opportunities for those who both
recognize and pursue them. There will always be opportunities
for those with initiative, determination and common sense. The
"lucky" are simply those who have taken more chances than
average. Within organizations and without.
Never think that you do not have options.