by 
Would you believe that the lack of employee benefits has a negative effect on health and well-being?! Employee benefits are a thing of the past for about one-third of most Ontarians according to a report released by The Wellesley Institute and referenced in a Toronto Star article February 17, 2015.
Employee Benefits
Many today would find it difficult to identify with benefits we considered “normal” back in the 1970’s.
- Defined benefit pension
- Paid vacation
- Dental and vision care
- Sick leave
Most of us know what employee benefits are but it’s been a long time since a good benefit plan is a reasonable expectation when you take a job (JOB=Just Over Broke).
During the 1980’s, our economy started to slide and rather than look to fix the problem, employers started to chip away at wages and benefits. Because we look to our wages to cover daily living expenses, it was easier to give up benefits. Hey, we were younger and healthier, did we really need full prescription coverage? Then they started on the pensions. When that wasn’t enough, full time jobs had to be eliminated to get rid of pension liabilities and benefit costs altogether.
JOB
When I was in school, we were lead to believe in the prospect of having a good education to improve our likelihood of landing a job with good wages and benefits. We believed in “Freedom 55”, add to your RSP and retire early. Years later, many are just over broke.
I remember when I was running a night crew in a major grocery store, around 1984, with 6 full time people to get the store ready for business the next morning. In those days, I was making just about $40,000 including my night shift premium.
Fast forward to 2008 when I needed some extra income. I took a part-time position for just under $11/hour. I was one of 5 part-time people working with ONE full time to do that same work. No benefits. No vacation other than the legal minimum pay that didn’t really cover the cost of time off.
Most of the part-time workers had at least two if not three jobs to make enough to pay the rent. They had no hope of retirement. The only pension they will have is the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) if they live long enough to collect. God knows how long they might actually live after that.
What Can You Do?
It’s really not so much “what can you do” as opposed to what are you willing to do. In the famous words of Earl Nightingale, “you become what you think about most often“. You can do or become whatever you set your mind to. You can:
- Create a new service or product that people are willing to pay for.
- Start a bricks and mortar business.
- Get involved in a franchise or other business opportunity.
- Re-create yourself.
Create A New Service or Product
There are still opportunities in areas like green energy, recycling and so on. Very few are able to get their ideas to market but you may be one of the very few.
Are you willing to do what it takes to develop an idea and accept all the criticism from the nay sayers in your life? Then you need to find the resources to develop your product or service and then get it to market.
You will face the same challenges in starting a bricks and mortar business. There are challenges in finding affordable space, financing, inventory and/or fixtures and so on. Again, the limitation is you and your resources.
Franchise Or Other Business Opportunity
Franchising
Franchises are like Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) companies. They have business model that, if you are willing to learn their system, is duplicatible and can make starting your own business easier.
With a franchise, the original company owns and controls the distribution channel. They lock you into their products, designs and services. You become a distribution point. You may be allowed, over time, to own more than one. For a fee. The more successful franchise opportunities these days can cost you hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars just to get started. Even franchises are out of reach for most people today.
Many franchise owners who only have one outlet will tell you that they just bought a JOB.
Other Business Opportunity
Do you believe in yourself and your ability to re-create yourself? Those are the keys to being able to find other business opportunities. Should you be willing, there are many companies that are structured in a way to make it affordable to start your own “franchise”.
Is your mind open to possibility? Consider a MLM opportunity. Robert Kyosaki, the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, wrote a book called “Opportunity of the 21st Century” and talks about MLM as a way to get started on the road to a solid financial footing and the possibility of wealth on more than one level.
When you talk to people who have started any business, they will tell you there is a period of self doubt and a lack of support from freinds and family while you develop your business. You will grow and develop in the process leading to change. Sometimes that means changing your associations, if only for a period of time as you mature as a business person.
A truly “rich” person has enough money to enjoy their time and enough time to enjoy their money. The challenge is you. Rich is different for everyone. You need to define what rich is for you and then you have to decide what are you willing to do.
“Profits are better than wages”! Find a business opportunity that will eventually cause you tax problems. That leads to contributing to society and providing benefits for others all while providing you enough cash to self insure. The beauty of MLM is that it can be part time while you learn and grow you and your business.
Is your mind open? Are you looking?
Click the image below and look at how you can make a living making a difference.
Make it a great day!
Barry
P.S. What am I thankful for today? I’m thankful for open minded people. I’m thankful for opportunities to learn and grow. I’m thankful for the support of my wonderful wife.
What are you thankful for today?
Click the image for a great service and business opportunity!
Please share ...
by