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August 19, 2009
Your Competitors Could Be Your Opportunity
There are signs that an increasing number of people who have been forced out of their jobs are starting their own businesses, according to the July 30, 2009, Computerworld.
"A quarterly survey of 3,000 job seekers conducted by Chicago-based outplacement firm of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., released July 30, shows a near doubling in the year-to-year growth of job seekers turning to self-employment," Computerworld’s Patrick Thibodeau points out.
More people turning to self-employment as an alternative to competing for scarce jobs has both positive and negative implications for those of us with visual impairments.
On the one hand, it could mean we’ll face stiffer competition from our fellow entrepreneurs.
That stiffer competition, I suspect, will come particularly from recent college graduates, returning veterans and baby boomers who decide to forego the job market and go into business for themselves.
But, consider the upside of this development. Imagine the goods, services and coaching these new small business owners will need to succeed as the economy recovers.
If you have a service or product or information or training to offer a niche within anyone of these groups, how can you make sure you’re there to serve them now – and when the economy recovers?
During the next several weeks, the discussions in eSight NetWork News and the eSight Networking Forum will show you how you can use online social networking to help you refine your focus, be realistic about your expectations and extend your reach as a small business owner to potential customers and partners so you can take advantage of this opportunity.
It’ll result in a new series of eSight articles and discussions we call "New Guidelines for Starting Your Small Business" – an extension of our previous seven weeks of dialogue about how effectively use social networking in searching for a job.
We’ll show you what has changed in the process of developing a small business – and how you can gain an edge on others within your particular niche in gaining the customers you need to make your business prosper.
At this stage of your development, what help do you need most in setting up your own small business?
Add your comments to this posting
Posted by Liz Seger at August 19, 2009 11:00 AM
Comments
Guidance in setting up the website and pricing the services that I will offer in photography.
Posted by: gingersthomas at August 19, 2009 04:08 PM
how can linktin, face book or my space be an integral tool in the advancement of my business without causing complications to my privacy and or possibilities of identity theft?
Posted by: albert rizzi at August 19, 2009 04:41 PM
Hi I am a signlanguage interpreter and I think I woul d need more clientele and more deafblind people comming forth and knowing that the service is out there for them and it is very reasonable. I am DeafBlind myself, and I know what we need.
Posted by: betty banks at August 19, 2009 08:28 PM
Hi Also what I do need most,would be a computer for my home office, and maybe larger space,if I do decide to follow through with my idea and teach the public signlanguage for very small fee. I dont know!! I would like to offer my business as a way to help build the economy as well I need most for people deafblind to show thereselves.
Posted by: betty banks at August 19, 2009 08:52 PM
Hi, I am very happy to be a part of this site, to also encourage other people out there that greatly need this at this time. I strongly encourage anyone out there that is on this list, is to never ever give up on a dream oa goal, no matter what it is, It is your dream, own it, act like you have it, andit will materialize, be patient! things are changing as we speak.
Posted by: betty banks at August 20, 2009 02:17 PM
Albert, I know that Canada's Privacy Commissioner has expressed some real concerns that Facebook keeps user information after the user has deleted the Facebook account. Facebook is working out a deal with the Privacy commissioner. I'll try and find links from the papers.
I guess the best information regarding privacy is this something you want shared all over the net for the rest of your life? Otherwise, even in business, be circumspect and give only as much needed information you have to or want to.
You can still communicate with customers by email or by phone or by mail if it's imperative and you are concerned about who has your information.
Be careful with credit info or other personal info like addresses and phone numbers unless you're are listed in the pubic phone books. Or people can utilize 411.com
Posted by: Liz Seger at August 21, 2009 01:24 PM
Betty,
I found the American Association of the Deafblind who might be able to help you. I see they are advertising a university program on sigh language interpretation at Gallaudet University, whom I should have thought of immediately to help you with your interpreter's question.
Am not sure if the AODB can help you to acquire your home computer but they may know of grants and or loans which might help you purchase it and other supplies. Check into your local voc. rehab as well as the advocates, counselors there should be up-to-date on what's available and what's not.
Liz
Posted by: Liz Seger at August 21, 2009 02:18 PM
Betty,
Many states and local communities offer programs and services that help people with disabilities obtain and pay for assistive technology. The following resources identify centers in your area:
The Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) offers the State Assistive Technology and Telework Financial Loan Program, which lists offices in each state and territory that provide financial assistance for assistive technology.
Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) provides contact information for 39 ATA centers around the nation.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offers an extensive list of State Assistive Technology Projects. The projects, funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, provide technical assistance on assistive technology, consultation, product demonstrations, equipment borrowing and low-interest loans for individuals with disabilities.
Also check out the Reuse Program
Plus, you may also find this site useful -- Funding Assistive Technology and Accommodations
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Posted by: Nancy O'Connell at August 24, 2009 01:55 PM
gingersthomas,
Liz told me about a group that I think you will find very helpful that, as it turns out, we are both following on Twitter.
The name of the group is Blind Photographers and you will find them on Twitter at twitter.com/BlindPhotogs
And their blog is online at blindphotographers.org/
I think you'll find them to be a very helpful resource.
Posted by: Nancy O'Connell at August 24, 2009 02:48 PM