Taking a Job vs. Owning a Business, a.k.a. Comparing Concrete to Walnuts

I discuss the differences between owning a business and taking another job, daily. Walnuts have a hard shell, and concrete is also hard. It doesn’t make them the same. There is no comparison — try cracking concrete to get to the nut.

Indeed, taking a job can be the path of least resistance, but that does not necessarily mean it’s the best choice; after all, the acronym becoming more popular nowadays for J.O.B. is just over broke.

Individuals more senior in their careers are now in a world where cost reduction is more valuable than experience. This certainly could be better, but anyone over 40 (Age discrimination begins at 40) is perceived as expensive and rigid. On the other hand, a younger worker is cheap and is more willing to do just about anything, regardless of the cost, with the idle promise of advancement.

Because most people come from being an employee, there is the assumption that a job is superior.

The reality is that any employee works toward the corporation’s goals and objectives no matter the job. In most cases, the owner sets your goals and objectives or, worse yet, Private Equity or Wall Street. They do not and cannot consider you or any other employee’s well-being. It is their fiduciary responsibility to return value to the corporation. It is just what they’ve been hired to do.

A necessary part of management is to minimize costs and maximize profits.

As a result, the control has shifted dramatically from the employee to the employer. A good example is “at-will employment.” If a company requires “financial improvement,” the easiest and most effective way is to reduce headcount. For them, the numbers get better, and they get a bonus. You, on the other hand, cannot pay your bills. Even in today’s environment, it’s much easier for them to hire your replacement (at a lower price) than for you to find a job.

If you would like to learn more about how to control your destiny, send me an email at npaur@esourcecoach.com or call me at 610-365-7942