What would you do if you got laid off today?

[rusnak]

uh...not Fred. I have no idea who Fred is.

I'm not saying organic is the thing. That is a small part of emerging science. I'm saying that science is just beginning to understand the whole plant as an organism that has evolved in nature to provide it's own nutrition and defence against predators. In fact, the way a plant lures good predators to ward off bad insects is fascinating too, and if there is a future area of lucrative business opportunity, it is in exporting the knowledge that we have here in the areas of soil nutrition and big picture horticulture. The demand as the world gets more crowded will be to mimic these natural processes. If you take two plants , one that is grown conventionally and the other that is grown with advanced soil practices, the second will be larger, more healthy, and the fruit or plant product will be superior in every way. You can taste a peach or tomato that has proper pH and elements in the soil. Cotton will be stronger and have noticably better fibers, etc etc

[dan88911]

Do what you love.
Love what you do.

[M.D. Holloway]

Actually, if I got laid off, fired or rightfully terminated it would most likely be the best thing for me! It would actually force me to do what I have stewing

Nothing brings about motivation and action than a growly belly...

[atcjorg]

well mandatory retirement july 31, i'll let you know then.

[mikester]

I went through a few rounds of layoffs at a previous employer.

Anyway, after being 'saved' from layoff a number of times over 5 years I was essentially just waiting for either my turn or to do something better. Unfortunately they kept offering me money to stay in the form of retention bonuses. It started with a bonus every 6 months, then every quarter and finally it was monthly. I finally found another job (where I am and have been for a few years).

Looking back I think it would have been much better for me emotionally (and my family) if I had just gotten laid off in the first round. Unfortunately or fortunately I was the guy they needed to keep the longest. It was tough dealing with the stress and the change in the organization I was a member of, er - basically I ended up being. The company I work for is a vendor so we have a team that still works with where I used to be and hearing about how they are doing things these days is just painful.

Sometimes it's better to go early and find something else. Unfortunately what I see is that usually the guys who are the least likely to be able to find another job are the most likely to go (makes sense eh?) and those who are most likely to not really have a problem (I had offers as soon as the layoffs were announced) finding something else get kept for the misery of staying.

You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.

[Bill Douglas]

Hugh, there is always a surfboard with your name on it here in Lyall Bay if you would like to come and work with Peter Jackson.

[svandamme]

cash in my severance, enjoy the summer

[nostatic]

Sequestration cuts are about to trickle down. I'm spared so far (knock on wood) but I've been doing a lot of "what it" planning. If I got laid off I'd take a couple days to try and catch up on sleep then ping a bunch of past collaborators and see what is possible. My 4.5 year plan is to cut down to half time anyway so I've got more energy to do music, a lay-off might accelerate that though I've got 2+ years of high rent until the boy finishes HS. The rainy day fun will support about a year with no income. No severance comes with my position so I've saved up vacation days as a substitute.

Hopefully can avoid having to put plan B or C into action...

[Tervuren]

I have several people that have said if I ever need a job, check with them, so that would be a good first step.

[vash]

Move back in with mom eat hot pockets and drink high-C. Play online games

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I'd go on my own. I'm sick of making other people rich. It'd be the motivator I need to take the plunge and open my own shop (economy worries, need for stability, family keep me trapped where I am for now). Might be terrible, might be the best thing that ever happened to me - dunno. Hope it doesn't happen.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by rusnak

uh...not Fred. I have no idea who Fred is.

I'm not saying organic is the thing. That is a small part of emerging science. I'm saying that science is just beginning to understand the whole plant as an organism that has evolved in nature to provide it's own nutrition and defence against predators. In fact, the way a plant lures good predators to ward off bad insects is fascinating too, and if there is a future area of lucrative business opportunity, it is in exporting the knowledge that we have here in the areas of soil nutrition and big picture horticulture. The demand as the world gets more crowded will be to mimic these natural processes. If you take two plants , one that is grown conventionally and the other that is grown with advanced soil practices, the second will be larger, more healthy, and the fruit or plant product will be superior in every way. You can taste a peach or tomato that has proper pH and elements in the soil. Cotton will be stronger and have noticably better fibers, etc etc

OK the Fred was from Enzo's comment - sorry.

There has always been a push to integrate biological methods to increase/enhance results. Something I have been involved in to some extent for over 30 years. The technology is already out there. For a person who wants to focus on that science that's great - I agree there's a demand for more of this. But I see myself more headed into the design and aftercare consulting segment. A troubleshooter/consultant at $75.00/hour who only works 2 days a week. The other days I get to spend how I want, the rest of civilisation be damned!

[fingpilot]

Hugh;

I started my second retirement yesterday. Am loading up the bus, taking a months' tour of Georgia and South Carolina. Became residents of South Dakota last month. Have missed actually meeting any of Huntsvilles' Pelicans in the last 4 years (that's you GT350 Mike), but will still be around Redstone from time to time.

Hugh again; meet us at Oshkosh. Am gonna do a once-around Lake Superior this fall..... Meet us up at Rincon. Will be in Calif late June.

Michael.

[s_morrison57]

I got kinda laid off on April 1, kinda cause my employer is still paying a portion of my wage and benefits, I started working on getting some work for the companies equipment, I'm renting the gear and have 1 or 2 contracts pretty well lined up already, its time to pop'er in high gear and make some real money.
After being layed off 200 times or more over the last 35 years it doesn't bother me at all, I washed the E-Type to celebrate, every time I finish the job I'm on I'm essentially layed off so its not a new thing or a panic thing for me but I'm lucky. I feel sorry for people that stress over this lay off thing, its one door closed and another always opens.
Finn

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I'd shop my wife's resume around and get her a job, so I can stay home w/ the kids.

[911dean]

I left my field before it happened. I was a HVAC tech for the last 20 years, did mostly commercial work, non union unfortunately. Got really lucky and scored a job in an affluent municipality. Hope to work 20 more years. Would like to retire before I hit 66. I just can't. Plus I like working.

Dean

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by 911dean

I left my field before it happened. I was a HVAC tech for the last 20 years, did mostly commercial work, non union unfortunately. Got really lucky and scored a job in an affluent municipality. Hope to work 20 more years. Would like to retire before I hit 66. I just can't. Plus I like working.

Dean

Move to AZ, the phone will ring off the hook for 8 months of the year.

[Gretch]

I have retired 3 times. Last time was 2010 when I sold my company after the economy trashed what had been a steady climb to success. I was 59 at the time.

I took a year off, worked my ass off on a farm I had acquired in 1996 (labor of love, still doing it), gave my next phase in life a LOT of thought and............ reinvented myself.

It turns out that companies today need the experience gained by actually running companies BEFORE the 90's, (when any idiot could get funding and sell before they had to actually PROVE the investment theme out).

There are a LOT of not-very-experienced executives out there running companies who are hitting a wall because cash is tight, customers are WAY more demanding and the only survivors are comfortable making HARD decisions early enough to keep the cash flowing.

Reinvent yourself....... you have skills the younger generation does not have, THAT is your unfair competitive advantage.

[Zeke]

I'm retired by recession. That's the same as being laid off.

I wish I could believe what you say, Gretch, but those younger execs won't listen to anyone. By the time they are ready to listen, they're already dead in the water. I watch old episodes of American Hot Rod and you can see Boyd Cottington is upside down before his bank account knew it. He talked tough while money was flying out the door.

That's the kind of guy you runinto all the time. Constipated brain.

[911dean]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Move to AZ, the phone will ring off the hook for 8 months of the year.

I'm tired of the feast or famine, even though I'd probably like AZ. Plus my wife works and has an established book of business.
Dean