Surviving Layoffs

The practice of "re-sizing" (re-engineering, re-structuring, right-sizing, and down-sizing) to increase the chances of an organization's survival in a market downturn proved only one thing: individuals can no longer depend on companies for stable employment. They say that the shelf life of knowledge is 18 months. Given the short shelf life of knowledge, one has to continue to grow their knowledge base and skills in order to create value for their employer, and remain competitive in the job market. That is to say, the pyramid of learning has become inverted. Learning is no longer a series of discrete events culminating in 16 to 18 years of education. Continuous education and lifelong learning are becoming the new mantras with the realization that one has at least 40 years of employable productivity. One must continually refresh their skills and stay abreast of new knowledge to continually create their own sense of security. Lifetime employment is giving way to lifetime employability.