The right time to quit
Published:Wednesday | May 12, 2010 | 12:00 AM
People choose to leave their job for varying reasons, but one of the best times to quit is when you have decided the time is right to give reign to your inner entrepreneur and your dream of starting a business.
The feeling of independence it brings tends to be exhilarating, but it is not a decision that should be made lightly or hastily according to our expert, Rosemarie Voordouw.
Voordouw, the director for employee consultation and ombuds services at Scotiabank Jamaica, says caution should be exercised and that the preparatory steps to launching into business should be laid.
Do a business plan and look at all challenges, she says.
You will need much more than 'some money' and a great idea.
Do the necessary financial planning, forecasting and market research; and make sure that you have a cushion to fall back on if your idea fails to find commercial success.
That being said, do not be afraid to take the plunge if you have done the research and planning.
Individuals may also be tempted to leave their place of employment if there is a misfit between your personality and the organisational culture.
Workplace culture
Voordouw notes that some individuals might find themselves alienated as workplace culture changes. Your personality does not change but the ethics of the business you are in and employee treatment may have gone through a transformation.
You may also find yourself suddenly reporting your every movement in a new hierarchical structure. This might leave you unable to function.
Another big reason for handing in the resignation is boredom.
"If you have outgrown your job, it may be time to look elsewhere," says Voordouw.
"But, make sure you are qualified to move on. When you feel like you've outgrown your job and nothing substantial or challenging seems to come your way, start hunting elsewhere."
You may also want to move to another place of employment if the benefits in the current one are meagre or non-existent.
Earning enough
If you are young and starting a family with high medical needs this might be a a good reason. But, if you are earning enough to pay for your own pension, health and life insurance plans, it may not be as important, she says.
"Workers will also feel compelled to hand in their resignation where there is a lack or very limited opportunity to advance; there are too many people trying to enter a narrow funnel or the opportunities available may not interest you," the employee advisor said.
"You may stay and become unhappy because you can't advance or you can find the job you want elsewhere."
And, if you have acquired new qualifications and there is no scope in the organisation for your new skills, then it might just be the right time to move on.
SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS
MAY 16
Mona School of Business hosts the annual International Conference on information resources Management (Conf-IRM 2010), May 16-18, at the Rose Hall Resort & Spa, Montego Bay.
MAY 17
Prime Asset Management/Fitz Ritson and Associates present second three-week 'Pensions Certificate Course', starting May 17, at Technology Innovation Centre, University of Technology, Papine campus, St. Andrew.
rezworth.burchenson
@primeasset.com
MAY 18
Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica's 'Family Business' seminars, to be held in Kingston, Mandeville, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Portmore, May 18-21.
MAY 19
Jamaica Institute of Bankers, workshop 'Effective Business Writing Skills', at the PSOJ Building, Hope Road, Kingston.
MAY 23
Jamaica Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers to host the Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (CARAIFA) 24th annual general meeting and sales congress, May 23-26, at Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, Montego Bay.
MAY 25
GovStrat Limited/Black Diamond Risk Enterprise Inc two-day workshop 'Building a Sustainable Enterprise Risk Management Framework in Private and Public Enterprises', May 25-26, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.
MAY 27
CariCRIS hosts 'Sovereign Credit Risk Analysis Workshop' at the Mona Visitors Lodge & Conference Centre, University of the West Indies, Mona Kingston, 8 am.
MAY 27
The Jamaica Stock Exchange hosts Operational & Enterprise- wide Risk Seminar under the theme 'Detect, Evaluate & Eliminate', at the Knutsford Court hotel, New Kingston, 8:30 am.
JUNE 3
10th annual Jamaica Meetings Expo (JAMEX 2010), June 3-7, at the Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Montego Bay.
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