Overheard at a Pasar Malam, as narrated by a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) master. I paraphrased the story and replaced a few details, but the moral of the story remained unchanged.
Once upon a time…
A shoe company was looking to expand it’s business into a new country. Before entering the new market, it sent two marketing managers on separate trips to the country to study the local business conditions. After awhile, both managers returned with their findings. The managers found that the locals did not wear shoes.
The first manager recommended that the company should not expand into the country. After all, since the locals did not wear shoes, there would be no market for shoes. Trying to sell shoes in the country was bound to fail.
The second manager has the opposite view. The company should expand into the country. Since the locals did not wear shoes, it’s a big untapped market. Furthermore, the company would be the first in the country, and therefore, would have a lead against competitors.
If you were the COE of the shoe company, what would you do?
Moral of the story…
In this recession, most of the retrenched found it hard to be re-employed. Even if we were to find a new job, it’s almost guaranteed to have a significantly lower salary. On top of which, you likely have to throw away your previous career / job experience build over many years.
If you were in financial difficulties, or having other constraints which necessitate that you get re-employed as soon as possible, then you have no option.
But if you have the means to stay unemployed for extended period of time and ride out this recession, then perhaps this is an opportunity to re-examined your life and search for what is important. After years building a career in your dream job, only to have it yanked off your feet by a retrenchment… perhaps it’s not a good idea to jump straight back into the rat race, as the day-by-day preoccupation with the job would prevent a real reflection.
The end
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