Downsizing and you

Since the early 1980's, companies have been undergoing waves of retrenchment. Initially, it was in response to competitive pressures that forced companies to eliminate overhead and reduce direct expense through automation. The merger mania of the 80's created opportunities for savings by eliminating redundancies created by the merger. The 1990's has seen a sustained tendency toward downsizing. Expanded implementation, new generations of computer technologies and enhanced information management have supported re-engineering programs that eliminate work and outsource all but the core competencies of the firm. For the professional who is a casualty of a corporate downsizing, there are a variety of options. From searching for a new job to starting your own business, the very same forces that led to the downsizing create opportunities for you. This paper addresses how to use your knowledge of technologies, markets and the competitive forces in the industry to create rewarding employment opportunities or a foundation for a business start-up.