BCRC Monthly Magazine
Employment I
n The New Normal
July 2020
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The Business & Career Resource Cooperative
is a one-stop-shop for individuals and business owners to find the resources and training needed to develop their career goals and grow their business.
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Marion Technical College (MTC) campus
is open by appointment only.
Call 352-671-7200 to schedule an appointment.
MTC continues to accept online applications for the 20-21 school year
individuals whose jobs have been designated as essential.
Try these links to help in your career search!
Please stay safe and adhere to all recommended safety guidelines.
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CITRUS BUSINESS SERIES
Marketing & Your Brand
How to Drive Your Success Post-COVID19
By: Rebecca Martin and Holly Davis
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Marketing is way more than just advertising and your brand is an asset that can be built and protected by your actions as much as, or more than, any available budget. This workshop will focus on what marketing encompasses, and what you can do with the resources you have to optimize marketing decisions and to reinforce and build upon your brand. We’ll also talk about channels available to you (more than just advertising) that might prove most valuable to various business segments.
Individual workshop fee is $29.
Register and pay online at:
CF.edu/CorporateCollege
or call 352-873-5855. No refunds will be granted five (5) business days prior to each workshop.
Following CDC Guidelines on COVID-19, the Corporate College is still able to offer custom training at your location for small groups on a case by case basis. Please contact us for a quote or to discuss options.
Stay positive and keep learning!
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As the state starts reopening, now is the time to start preparing for your business recovering and adjusting to the new normal. Many businesses are wondering what they can do to meet the challenges of COVID-19. The Florida SBDC has the resources your business needs to recover, rebuild and grow. We are accepting virtual appointments. As always, our consultations are confidential and no-cost with one of our professionally certified business consultants. Please contact us and make your appointment today by calling (352) 622-8763 or emailing us at
smallbiz@unf.edu.
Guides, Tips & Templates for Re-Opening
- Guide to Business Resiliency in Times of Disaster – Need guidance on how to meet the challenges of the coronavirus? Click here to check out our new guide to business resiliency in times of disasters, which includes suggestions for cash management, pricing and cost containment, supply chain management, and marketing.
- Tips to Prepare for Reopening – As the state starts its slow, phased reopening plan, now is the time to start preparing for your business’ reopening. Though your business may still be closed, a well-thought out plan can help you jump-start operations. Click here for plan template.
- COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for Reopening – This template is designed to help businesses develop and implement a plan for reopening their business, ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for all workers. The template fits the potential needs of different types of businesses. Click here for the template.
- Small Business Guide to COVID-19 – Tips to do right now to stay afloat, SBA loan programs explained, pro tips, looking ahead, find help. Click here for the guide.
To learn more about any of the above services and information available, please contact us to setup your appointment today by calling (352) 622-8763 or emailing us at
smallbiz@unf.edu.
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Upskill with College Credit Certificate Programs at CF
Now may be a good time to consider updating your work skills with a certificate program at
College of Central Florida
. Many certificate programs can be completed in one year, and some are offered in a completely online format, a great option for students who need flexible scheduling.
Popular certificate programs include Accounting Technology, Help Desk Technician, Business Management, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and Office Support. These programs provide opportunity to learn current technologies critical in today's workforce.
For a complete list of certificate programs at College of Central Florida visit
https://www.cf.edu/explore/degrees/ccc/
. CF's summer "B" term starts
June 29
, and fall term starts on
August 17
.
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Local Business Events
Focus on Recruiting
Use
this link
for helpful recorded webinars about hiring staff for your business.
Upcoming Local SCORE
Webinars
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Como abrir un negocio
Este modulo ayudara a los participantes a aprender los pasos necesarios para abrir un negocio.
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PPP Forgiveness - Turn your LOAN into a Grant!
Full forgiveness of your PPP Loan by filing a PPP Loan Forgiveness Application.
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Maximize Your PPP Funds to Benefit of Your Business
Latest updates on the PPP program and maximizing the grant portion.
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Managing Cash Flow to Survive the Pandemic
Why cash flow analysis is key to getting through the challenges of the pandemic.
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ESB1- Creating a Quick Business Plan
Learn the “lean canvas” approach to quickly map out your business plan.
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Creating a Cash Flow Analysis for the Pandemic
Learn the basics of cash flow analysis so that you will be in a position to do such an analysis for your own business.
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Increase Productivity with Digital Tools
Learn how digital tools can help you be organized, increase productivity, and manage your time.
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ESB2 – Successfully Starting a Business
Learn about business entities, licensing, insurance, and other steps to getting started in your new business.
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Downturn Resistant Franchises
Some franchises can do well during difficult times with recession-proof business models.
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Become a Business Mentor
Do you have
strong business experience? Are you ready to give back to your community? Becoming a SCORE mentor can be a fulfilling experience for you and a way to strengthen the local economy. Learn more at
https://midflorida.score.org/volunteer
.
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What is the Gig Economy and is it for you?
The “gig economy” or “gig work” is what has traditionally been called freelance, independent contract or part-time work. More and more of the workforce is participating in this type of work, and what was once considered “alternative” is now much more mainstream. In 2018 the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 55 million people are “gig workers” in the United States, which represents more
than 35 percent of the U.S. workforce. That number is projected to jump to 43 percent by 2020.
Who are gig workers? You probably already know at least a few gig workers. Ever get a ride through Uber or Lyft? Ever had groceries delivered using Instacart? Ever have take-out food delivered using Byte Squad? These are all examples of some of the more recent entrants into the gig economy.
Freelance and contract work have long been utilized in creative fields such as graphic design and writing as well as technical fields such as information technology, all of it typically project-based work. Increasingly various administrative tasks, marketing and home care for children and seniors are part of the gig economy and advances in technology have made it much easier to facilitate sourcing and hiring gig workers. Some gig workers participate in this type work on a full-time basis while others take on a “side hustle” in order to supplement their income and/or build skills.
But is the gig economy right for you? The answer depends on a number of factors. Many people are drawn to gig work because they feel it allows for more of a work life balance and allows them to be their own boss, make their own schedule. It also allows a “gigster” to choose the projects or tasks they work on, potentially allowing them to focus in a particular area and develop specialized skills, which is not as easily achieved through traditional employment arrangements.
The flip side of this increased flexibility and freedom is discipline and ownership. As a gig worker you alone are responsible for keeping yourself on track to meet deadlines, setting income and productivity goals and always being on the lookout the next gig. You must also be comfortable with marketing yourself and maintaining an online presence, as many gig work platforms require you to create a profile describing your skills and building your “brand”. For gig workers who are participating in this part of the economy solely, it also usually means taking on the responsibility for planning and paying for your health insurance and retirement.
Gig workers also need to keep in mind personal safety. Many gig platforms take care to vet gig workers in terms of background checks, etc. However, researchers on the gig economy, such as Dr. Alexandrea Ravenelle, Assistant Professor in Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, have collected anecdotes from gig workers that suggest the same level of screening is not happening on the customer side. Gig workers who are performing work at a customer’s home or driving customers in their personal vehicle should consider these issues especially.
For most the best time to explore the gig economy is when you already have employment that meets your basic income needs. This way you can take advantage of the gig economy by taking on a project that allows you to build your skills. This is also a good way to test drive being your own boss on a small scale before totally diving into this type of work lifestyle. Gig work is also a great way to keep your skills fresh, build connections and stay engaged in the workforce while searching for full-time permanent work.
The gig economy is just one trend that is re-shaping the world of work. Looking for a team who can assist you with navigating employment trends and conducting an effective job search for a professional position? Look no further than the Talent Center team.
Please reach out to us through our website,
www.TalentCenter.org
or by phone at 352-840-5762. We look forward to working with you!
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Job Search during a Pandemic
So no one knows how long the virus will be impacting the universe as it is currently, but as everyone struggles with the day to day of life’s challenges now; those that are out of work either temporarily or had a more final separation due to the pandemic are faced with new hurdles. Certainly there was a significant decrease in opportunities for candidates in the majority of sectors as employers who had openings put them on hold or retracted them permanently because their bottom lines dictated it. A few months into this new world, employers affected locally are starting to cautiously reopen some of the positions they had open before the “shutdown”.
For candidates who are now in the market for a new position, the process will look different in some ways from the past. Most interviews will begin with a phone session and will progress to formats like Zoom, Facetime, and Skype. So as uncomfortable as some may be with these platforms; all indications are that this is the new normal for interviewing in the foreseeable future for many employers. Virtual job fairs are also new on the scene and are predicted to increase. Employers do not have to pack up and move to a central location and be out of the office for hours at a time and no one has to rent a space, provide linens and arrange for large numbers of staff to be on hand to assist in the logistics of a regular job far. Just log in and participate. All in all, it is a good idea to practice using and speaking on these video platforms and to become more comfortable with them before you have to officially use them for an interview that counts.
To increase chances to align with a new job opportunity earlier than later; candidates should remain as engaged in the process as much as possible. Now is a great time to not only update a resume, but update a LinkedIn profile and start reaching out to your network. Another excellent step for candidates to take during a gap in employment is to sharpen some skills that they may have been thinking about for a while but can never find time to make happen. Numerous free tutorials are available online to those who want to use this time to upskill. This is also an ideal moment to research employers, sector/occupational trends and wages. Visit
https://careersourceclm.com/
for more information.
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Mid-FL Regional
Manufacturers Association
352.840.5764
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Small Business Development Center
Ocala District Office
352.622.8763
866.998.8332
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Mid-Florida SCORE
352.399.0050
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Marion Technical College
352.671.7200
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Chamber of Economic Partnership
352.629.8051
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Talent Center
352.840.5762
844.364.9859
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College of Central Florida
Corporate College
352-873-5855
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Ocala Human Resource Management Association
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CareerSource
Citrus | Levy | Marion
352.840.5762
800.746.9950
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Ocala Campus
3001 SW College Road
Ocala, FL 34474-4415
352.873.5855
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Citrus Campus
3800 S. Lecanto Hwy
Lecanto, FL 34461
352.746.6721
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Levy Center
15390 US-19
Chiefland, FL 32626
352.493.9533
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