EXPERTS AGREE: Long term unemployment is at a record high (See data). More than one third of the entire US population is jobless.

The fact that North America is moving towards a performance based economy while utilizing TECHNOLOGY, doesn’t help either. This chart is from January 2014:

Unemployment sucks. It really does.

Yay for technology you say? Slow down eager beaver. There’s pros and cons just like everything else. Robocop above? He’s a definite technology PRO. Robocop for the win, hands down.

Or hands up, depending on what side of the law you’re on…

But there’s bad news too. I need you to read every word of this article because this economic shift using technology could be devastating news for you.

Let me explain…

In the very near future, if you have a job, you won’t be paid for your time anymore. Why not?

Instead of an hourly wage or salary, you’ll be paid based on your performance. That means, if you make $50K annually, your company will reduce your salary to say, $40K. They can. Because, well… what are you gonna do about it, quit?

Haha. We know that won’t happen.

Plenty of other people out there would be happy to take your job for less than what you’re making. You’re good, but not that good. So then…

…As part of your new performance based wage, your company might only pay you say, $30K “base salary.” Because they’ll cheerfully give you the opportunity to make the extra 10K by hitting sales quotas or commissions. If you hit your quotas you make some extra pesos. If you miss, the company saves even more. Not their fault you couldn’t handle the pressure.

How do you feel about that?

Here’s Where Technology Takeover SCREWS SH!T UP

** DISCLAIMER: What I’m about to share is not to hurt your feelings.

This is what’s REALLY happening. Don’t shoot the messenger **

Here’s where your life really gets screwed.

I’m sure you’re aware, digital technology is getting pretty advanced. So advanced that we *actually* don’t need to talk to real people anymore. Jobs are expensive. Software design is too, but once a winning program is built, a company just needs 15 of Bangladesh’s finest to maintain the program…

…which frees up say, 500 hard-working but disposable personnel in a large company’s stores or offices.

=== SIDEBAR: Richard Branson already has the first commercial space flight with Virgin Galactic totally booked. Great Spock! The imagined days of Star Trek are in fact becoming reality! ===

Yes, I know I’m poking fun. Now back to how this applies to your job?

Put your ego aside. YOU are the hard-working yet disposable one. Whether you like it or not, this is the direction today’s companies are moving in. They’re embracing technology to REPLACE YOU.

Today’s big companies don’t care how many years you’ve been with them. Unfortunately, your years of loyalty isn’t their biggest priority. Keeping the business afloat is.

What, you think because you have 3 degrees they will keep you? Get over yourself. (BTW: The more degrees you have often means to some employers you were afraid to take a risk and JUMP IN to the real world. Because it’s scary out there… So you went back to school for a victory lap to be “safe.” How’s that working out for you?)

The more money a company has to pay you MEANS the faster you move in front of the firing squad. “Ready! Fire! Aim!” They’ll shoot you down faster than a Japanese fighter pilot. You won’t know what hit you. With that said…

…Our economy is moving at warp speed with the technology takeover. In fact, many corporations have already been preparing you for the shift. For example:

Remember call centers?

You’d call a 1800 number when your thingy needed fixing?

Remember Blockbuster Video, when you had to put on sweatpants and WALK to rent a movie? Remember your friendly neighbourhood book store? Remember General Motors?

Old economy jobs are being replaced with new technology (Sometimes very suddenly. Blockbuster shut down almost entirely overnight.)

Warren Buffet already knows this is happening. His comments on the subject in this video:

Do you agree with his statements? Very debatable…

…But the proof is ALREADY here. Today, we’re accustomed to automated phone help or live web chat, Netflix for movies and Amazon to get our “books.” Heck, even Boeing 787’s fly automated… The pilots get the bird off the ground, take a nap, then wake up to land. The rest of your flight is pretty much up to the Matrix.

So what are the people who’ve been replaced left to do?

*** SIDEBAR! Here’s Some TOP SECRET SH!T ***

SECRET SIDEBAR: I follow and predict biz and economy trends. Here’s one for you: I predict Apple will TAKE OVER the book store biz through iTunes, or a similar iStore. They’ll team up first with major Colleges, Universities and then school boards to provide pre-loaded iPads with all the required books and reading material students need to have. Neat huh? Just remember you heard it here first.;-)

Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yeah…

NEW TECHNOLOGY

Take a look at that screenshot from the Apple Store. See? Every Canadian Bank has an app.

Notice how with online banking it’s easy to pay bills and transfer money? Yes, even BANKS (the ones with all the money) plan to eliminate workers. Because if staff can be replaced with software, that software will save corporations millions of dollars annually in worker expenses. Think about it…

…Need to deposit a cheque? Yup, there’s an “app” for that too! TRUE STORY. Just turn on your TV- the commercials are already out, where you take a photo of your cheques. Pretty cool. Technology like this means that after the fad catches on, the public will learn how to use the app. And they’ll never have to physically walk into a bank ever again.

If you’re a bank teller, you’ll most likely have a “chat” in the next few months with your friendly HR department. They’ll tell you that the company is downsizing/reshuffling/optimizing… all synonyms for “you’re fired, pack your stuff, here’s 2 weeks pay.” The process takes about 20 minutes, then you’re out the door.

Sorry for the bad news… but better that you hear it now so you’re not surprised when it happens. Of course, unless you quit first?

Here’s The HARSH REALITY:

If you’re still relying on a job to pay your bills, NOW is the time to wake up. Your job is NOT secure.

The good news is this:

You CAN protect yourself from this shift- and position yourself to take control of your financial stability on YOUR OWN TERMS. Instead of being a victim of technology, why not use it to your advantage?

Watch this short video.  George Strombo hosts an insightful interview with Seth Godin on Entrepreneurship, and why it’s important that you START YOUR OWN business:

 

If you don’t know where to start, just email me right here and I’ll personally send you more info to ponder. Because information is power.

Are you in a dead-end job? Are you worried about your security? Have you been replaced by a computer or software? Email me and love to hear your thoughts,

– @ShawnByfield

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As a sought-after dance choreographer, performer, presenter, coach and entrepreneur, Shawn Byfield’s unique perspective is enjoyed by thousands who dance, train and mentor with him every year. To get your group learning, yearning, movin’ or groovin’… contact Shawn before today ends! Email Shawn@ShawnByfield.com right now.