Where is The Flipside in Redundancy?

Redundancy can be one of the most difficult and trying times in our lives, but it doesn’t have to be a catastrophe. In fact, one in three people end up with a better job, earning the same or more money, invariably in a new, more rewarding career and, for some, it is the catalyst that pushes them to pursue their dreams and start their own business.

Robyn Jones was made redundant from her job in catering during the height of the last recession in the early 1990′s. Faced with the short, sharp shock of redundancy in 1991, Robyn says ‘it didn’t take long for me to realise that I was being presented with an opportunity. Clients demand greater value for money and personal attention in a recession, and a small operator can thrive by offering a tailored and more responsive service.‘

Using a trestle table as a desk and banana boxes for shelves, she turned the spare room in her house into an office. It took six months before she secured her first contract, but today Robyn’s company, Charlton House, is a hugely successful catering business with a turnover in excess of £75 million, employing over 2,000 people.

So, how do people like Robyn succeed where so many others fail? Researchers have found that people who come out ahead after being made redundant share certain characteristics and respond in very specific ways. For example, they don’t waste time and energy dwelling long on what they’ve lost. Instead they take time to evaluate their lives, review their abilities, and carefully consider their options. They set specific goals and then formulate a plan of action. Significantly, these people stay positive and focussed, and they’re always on the lookout for opportunities. And, never underestimate the importance of having a strong support network – close friends and family – who are there to back you up and help, if needed. Few people come out on top following any major setback without the love and support of friends or family.

See also Steve Jobs – Three Life lessons