From Corporate Animal to Flying Solo – How to ease the transition into self-employment.

Recruiting in the down turn and coaching clients through career transition, I’ve talked to many people who’d love to leave the shackles of their corporate role and set upon their own.

So when you take that leap, whether it’s due to redundancy, threat of redundancy or simply the time is right, how do you make this transition work for you.?

Some of the common challenges are:

1.     “I don’t have a brand name behind me . At my last job the brand on my business card said it all.”

Opportunity   -Create your own brand.

Figuring Out can help you discover your personal brand. What is it you want to be known for? Who do you want to be “the go to person” for?   What do you want to be identified with? What’s your personal vision, mission statement, values andgoals? How do you sell yourself effectively?

2.      “I’m leaving an established network and have to start all over again”

Opportunity - Establish your own network

Figuring Out can help you to clarify, who are the people you need to know. Where do they meet?  What conferences and events do they go to? Really focus your networking.  Develop the skills and the art of networking. Who do you want people to see you as? How do you approach people and make the most out of networking and follow up.

3.     “I don’t have a manager to tell me what to do, when to do it, how to do it”

Opportunity   – Get an accountability partner

A Figuring Out coach is 100% committed to your agenda, not to the corporate agenda. The coach can meet you regularly holding you accountable to keep you on track with your goals and career direction.  A coach will challenge and champion you, in service of who you want to be and where you want to go.

4.     “I no longer have access to the corporate support functions such as HR/Finance/marketing” 

Opportunity  -Learn new skills and find other means of support

Figuring Out can help to navigate different strands of your business. If  you’re no good at accounting, we have a mentor bank of people who could help support you in that. Ask yourself what are your strengths and weaknesses? Who can support you in areas of weakness? What can you do yourself? There’s no getting away from it –delegate, do it yourself or ditch.

5.     “I feel insecure with no guaranteed monthly wage“

Opportunity -Create your own performance management structure  

There’s not much job security in the current climate anyway. Everyday people are anxious they’ll loose their jobs. Figuring out can work with you to find out what security means to you? What are your measures of success? How do you handle the financial reality of business development and bringing in your own money?

Written By Fiona Biggins