This could be the best thing to happen to Boise
In the sphere of morality a fall does not exclude the possibility of soaring. A fall is the starting point of a rise. The second-rate allow themselves to be put off by apparent obstacles; the strong do not. For them the prospect of perishing is merely a possibility; the prospect of conquering is a certitude
The Toilers of the Sea - Victor Hugo
There is a lot of uncertainty and fear out there right now. The unknown is always what people fear the most. Over the last several months you couldn’t pick up a paper or watch the news without a report of some company closing or laying off their employees.
It had to come to an end. Idaho has been on a 21 year growth spurt that had to stop at some point. And honestly I think it’s a well needed break.
We have grown complacent with our success. Many of us have been calling for renewed efforts to diversify our business base, grow or transplant some medium sized businesses to fill the gap left by too many to count. Business and government leaders have been reluctant to do anything different. Doing nothing, or very little, has worked for decades why mess with a good thing?
The Silver Lining
The downturn and layoff’s do one very important thing in my opinion.
Put talent back on the market!
I have been vocal from the beginning that the Boise Valley Economic Partnership would be unsuccessful in bringing any new companies to the local market because of our ridiculously low unemployment rate. What company of any size is going to move to a market that they are going to have to steal or move all their employees? That’s a very expensive approach to take. I’m glad we have had enough jobs for everyone, but despite our low unemployment rate it has been tough to find a job.
Once the market returns to some level of sanity BVEP might actually have a chance of getting a company to relocate or expand here.
In the short term though we have another (and more realistic) opportunity. With the layoffs of highly educated and skilled workers from Micron, HP and other smaller companies, comes the chance to foster new start-ups.
Misery loves company er.. Strength in numbers
Boise’s supposed to be great at this right? Remember all those Forbes’ lists telling everyone what a great place this is to start a business? 2009 is going to be a great year for starting lean & mean businesses in my opinion.
For all you who find yourself on the short end of the employment stick, my heart goes out to you and your families. I would however like to make a suggestion; find a few of your fellow colleagues who find themselves with the same stick and launch that idea you’ve been harboring for a while now.
There is a 3rd opportunity as well. Have an entrepreneuring spirit but not ready to be an entrepreneur? There are dozens if not hundreds of smaller startups that could use good talent. It may be harder to find them since they don’t actively advertise for jobs and may only be willing to hire someone if they met the right person.
Get involved. There are no shortage of monthly meetings to go to that cover every conceivable professional organization. if you need a few ideas send me an email tac@techboise.com.
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Good stuff Tac!
Now that some of the heat is off - reconnect with your loved ones. Nothing creates bonds like shared hardship.
Listen. Then go out and create something new - working the 16+ hrs a day that it takes… with the folks that are now available.
If we were blessed with talented and professional governance instead of a Mayor and City Council that delegate to, and hide behind a plethora of quasi governmental entities and political fiefdoms, I would agree with you wholeheartedly. This very well could be a blessing in disguise.
We are not however, so blessed.
And while I would like nothing more than to be wrong on this point, I fear that the status quo coupled with recent developments both here and elsewhere - along with the transient nature of much of Boise’s contemporary population - may be enough to relegate Boise to a footnote.
Mike,
I understand the frustration with state and local government. This is why I’d never be a politician, you can never make everyone happy. You’re either not doing enough, you’re doing too much or you’re doing the wrong things.
It would be nice if we had the kind of support that you see in Utah and SLC but I don’t think that’s a reason to write us off as a footnote.
At the end of the day it’s the entrepreneurs that make a difference. It’s community that supports each other to make these things work.
I agree the government could do more and be more involved but like I’ve said here before, I’m not willing to give up or wait until the government works the way we’d like to make things happen.
Excellent quote from one of his more obscure works, great find!
@Brice - you are spot on. Dead spot on.
For anybody, keep in mind that… did you know how many great businesses were born in a recession? (GE? ATT? Apple? Microsoft? HP?) And, as Reverend Rick mentions over at IBR, Idaho’s entrepreneurs (present and future) have great resources available.
@ Rich/Tac — literacy does have its benefits!