Some of the reaons cited in the report are:

• Lack of interest in work
• Lower take-home pay due to increased health insurance premium costs
• Income not keeping up with inflation

This sounds like some entrepreneurs in waiting!  Working for yourself is hard and risky, but you can address almost each and every issue by starting your own business (over time).

Compounding this issue is an employer's job market.  Productivity has increased to 9.5%, so companies get more work out of less people.  And with jobs scarce, employees have fewer options.

Speaking of events, don't forget to register for our Entreprenuer Round Tables.  Jan. 26 is the one at UCF Incubator in Winter Springs and Jan. 27 is at UCF Incubator Sanford.  Click here for more information.

1. Bottle Shock - A great movie of how California Vitners beat the French during a blind taste test in 1976.   It focuses on the struggles of the small winery that created the best Chardonnay in the competition.
2. Julie & Julia - This movie tells two stories. One is Julia Roberts breaking into the culinary world. The second is the story of an aspiring writer that blogs as she cooks Julia Roberts' recipes over the course of a year.
3. Flash of Genius - What if you created an invention in a large company took it without giving you credit? The story covers just that situation
4. How To Lose Friends & Alienate People - A comedy with  Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz and Shawn of The Dead) about fitting in and politics of a big publishing company.
5. Yes Man - One of Jim Carrey's best (in my opinion) about his encounter with a self-help guru.
6. The Pursuit of Happyness - An emotional roller coaster about a man trying to better life for him and his son.
7. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story - A comedy with Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn elevating dodgeball to a competitive sport and competition between two gyms.

Recently three numbers have been in the news that should give people considering starting their own business pause.  The obvious one is the unemployment rate.  At 10%, this is only the second time since World War II the unemployment has reached this level. 

This number does not even count all unemployed people.  Those that have are no longer seeking jobs, are underemployed and in other categories are not counted in this number.  Counting these people results in an unemployment number in the 15% - 17% range.

For every job there are 6 applicants. 

The last number is worker productivity.  It went up 9.5% according to the Labor Department.  That's good, right.  Yes, if you are an executive, manager, or stockholder of a company.  It is good for them because they can get more done with fewer people.

For a team of eleven people, after the productivity increase one person could be let go and productivity would remain the same as before the increase.  What is the implication of increased productivity?  It could impact if and when companies hire people. 

10%. 6. 9.5%.  Three numbers that are giving rise to entrepreneurs of necessity.  Three numbers to keep in mind when planning your future.

Be the one that is prepared at your customer's site.  Build your competitive edge each and every way you can.  Don't be the guy that is never ready.

Lead Your Niche!

Fact:  Those who have prepared their businesses for the upturn will be more prepared to succeed.

Also, commerce is occuring today.  Businesses are spending money.  Is your company positioned to earn some of that money?  More importantly, do you know what your niche is?

If not, find one.  Quick, like NOW.  If you are trying to be all things to all people you are stacking the chips against yourself.

Why do that?  Why help yourself fail?  There is no reason to do that. 

Write down what you are good at and who will value your services and/or products.

Free Hint:  If someone cannot pay for your services/products do not serve them.  Unless you want to go out of business.

Find your niche.  Be the best in that niche. 

As I drive around Orlando, I cannot help but wonder if this is a result of the region's high unemployment rate.  Is anyone else noticing this trend?  There is always the chance it is just my routes at the time I drive. 

If this is a related pattern, I look forward to increased traffic on the roads, and soon!

Let me know if you agree or disagree with this observation.

What is your brand?  Regardless of what you might want your brand to be, your actual brand is what your customers define it to be.  How do you find out what your brand is?  Ask!  Ask your customers, or have someone else ask them for you.  Is it what you thought it would be?  Do you want to be something else?  If so, how might you influence the desired change in perception of your customers?

The U.S. Chamber's goal with this effort is the creation of 20 million jobs in America.  This is a great way to show your faith in free enterprise and entrepreneurship today. It's quick, easy, and only costs you your time and a belief in American business!