Career
Tips
Avoid
being a victim of downsizing, upgrade yourself.
Lost
your savour?
Its
just like an outdated product in a department store. When you
are no longer a product in demand, and obsolescence stares you
in the face, you have no choice but to give in. Being downsized
or laid-off is a common feature in todays workplace.The
accelerated pace of technology has changed business processes
and so demand professionals who can handle these implications
becomes necessary. Persons who are not alert to the subtle changes
face the danger of being thrown out of work. This is more so in
the IT industry where only the fittest and the fastest can survive
the onslaught of obsolescence in technology.
Ways
to stay ahead
Technology
cycle
A
new technology hits the stands it experiences a boom. It is also
associated with a lot of hype- considered as the in-thing
in the marketplace. It takes about a year or two to get established
before it reaches maturity. It then has to face new entrants in
the field, which may soon take its place.
Professionals
need to keep tabs on the progress of technology especially when
it is in the stage when it reaches maturity. Being sound with
the basics and an easy and regular up-gradation helps. Make sure
you dont become complacent and comfortable with the technology
you are using. Be vigilant and keep your value meter ticking.
Way
to go
One
effective way to stay abreast of technology is to undergo training.
Private institutes offer specialised training, but the courses
can be expensive. However this is a risk that must be taken, and
one cannot rule out the possibility that you may learn a technology
and spend a lot of money too, and not end up using it at all!
Some
IT companies provide in-house training facilities for their employees.
This is not only acts as an effective retention policy but also
reduces the cost of hiring consultants. It is also a value addition
to employees since they dont have to pay for the training,
and they get to use their newly acquired skills to work while
handling projects related to the technologies.
Sources
galore
With
the Internet as a new medium, professionals who have it at their
disposal can make use its services. Visiting websites that cater
to their functional areas and skills, signing up for e-zines,
newsletters can help you keep abreast of whats hot and happening
in the industry. The conventional methods still work- try newspapers,
books and magazines. Television shows are information-rich too.
Track down the programs and make sure you watch them on a regular
basis.
All
for networking
Connecting
with peers and keeping in touch will help you stay current and
give you a great deal of exposure. Times when you want to switch
jobs, contacts will always come handy. If you are determined to
among the top performers, and not be left behind by technology,
you have cannot afford to rest on your laurels.
Dare
to think ahead of time. Dare Even if obsolescence of technology
gets you out of breath, remember that the speed of thought
will always be faster!
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