In this reemployment blog I’ve been talking about strategies for helping exiting employees get back to work more quickly, and generally the focus with a reemployment strategy is helping them find a new job working for someone else.  However, an increasing number of unemployed individuals are branching out on their own, taking control of their own destinies and reemploying themselves in their very own business venture.  New entrepreneurs were recently highlighted in a Fox News blog called “Recipes for Success” and we highlighted some other great examples of the American entrepreneurial spirit in our Unemployment Blog “Unemployment Gives Some the Incentive to Strike Out on Their Own!!!”

With more and more economists talking about the structural nature of unemployment and the fact that more and more of the traditional jobs are heading overseas, we need adventurous souls like these to bring more innovation into our economy. 

What can employers do?  Well, fostering an innovative culture within our own businesses is a good start.  Engaging existing employees in finding new ways to do things can get their juices flowing so to speak and may cause them to think about the possibility of striking out on their own if a layoff is necessary.  What about providing information on innovation workshops or entrepreneurial information sites as part of their exiting packages?  There are organizations out there looking to invest in new ideas. 

Encouraging prospective entrepreneurs not only helps the exiting employee, but could also help the economic outlook of your community.  New business ventures lead to new jobs.

Tammy Mullin