Dog Walkers & Your Career
Ian Christie
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.
Ian Christie is a career coach, entrepreneur, writer, former
Monster.com Sr. Director and former executive recruiter. Ian is a
career expert with many published articles and media interviews.
Be Bold! Visit http://boldcareer.com
for free career resources,
blog, and personalized career services.
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