Private Sector's Unabated Relevance
The Case: In today's rather convoluted, politically charged and unpredictable economic environment here in the US, we hear with unnerving frequency the shrill call from some quarters for a substitution of the private sector as opportunity and employment generator. The proposed panacea seems to be invariably the government sector. It is proposed, more stridently than otherwise, that government ought to take the lead as an opportunity generator and equalizer by hindering, cumbering, suppressing or simply by "legislating" what has been since the beginning of the republic the free exercise of entrepreneurialism.
However, and though the reasons would require a study beyond just this writing, replacing the private sector will not be feasible, nor advisable, especially in our current national circumstances where, for example, the government's preferred or anointed "strategy" is to engage itself in a rather maddening exercise in uncontrolled spending. Ironically, the more frequent a call is heard for reducing the salutatory influence of the private sector, the more it becomes evident that, when it comes to generating opportunities and employment, there is no viable replacement at hand.
The Problem: Every six months or so, we have more new grads coming out of our higher learning institutions with no real or perceived opportunities for employment. These new grads do not only lack experience in the work place but, worse yet, lack in most cases real, up-to-date, applicable or relevant skills that will make them suitable for rewarding careers or jobs.
The Solution: Enter in the criticized yet ever more irreplaceable private sector. Not being curtailed by bureaucracies or unnecessary and myopic rules, private businesses respond to needs and crises the only way they know how: they adapt, innovate, re-create or simply design from scratch, not simply new products and services, but any new ways to keep growing and thriving. It is in the latter aspect that businesses have found it most important to create openings and opportunities by way of re-training, or re-equipping, with the latest of skills and needed abilities their new resources.
Example: Here at VIP-LSC we know that (1) time is of the essence, (2) growth is an imperative for both individuals and organizations, and (3) the way to lead forward is not by subverting nor by politicizing but by empowering individuals with relevant knowledge so they themselves will make a successful match for any opportunities found socially, professionally, or occupationally. Business institutions know fairly well that success is a two-way process: you empower the individuals so they compete successfully, which in turn makes them SUCCESSFUL!
To make good on the truism that states, the proof is in the pudding, we will learn of how VIP, this being only one case, has successfully assisted a young and promising new grad—Mr. Antonio Zurita, SAP Project Documentation Consultant, towards achieving a successful career.
Q: How did you connect with VIP?
A: Right after my graduation and during my job hunt I was invited to a Networking Group at the Epiphany Catholic Church in Katy. It was here where I heard about Sonia Clayton and VIP-Global. I was highly encouraged to get in touch with her, and so I did. Just a couple of days later I received a call from Sonia herself, and she invited me to join one of the courses promoted through the "VIP Education Foundation" so, I could learn about Instructional Design, Curriculum Development, Organizational Change Management and SAP, as I would wait for a project opportunity to arise. The best part of this... it was FREE. This foundation is a non-profit organization run by VIP's employees / volunteers and Sonia Clayton acting as the Chairman.
Q: What made you work with VIP?
A: They accepted me when nobody else did. I was a 26 year old international student, and a recent graduate, with little experience and just a passing knowledge about SAP and Instructional Design. VIP educated me at NO COST, and after I graduated from their courses VIP offered me an opportunity to work for a Fortune 100 Corporation.
Q: How do you feel about working for VIP?
A: It's great; they see your strengths and weaknesses, understand your needs and even give you a chance to prove that you can do much better--and more.
Q: Why is VIP a different than other employers?
A: "They believe in people," treat them with respect, and take care of them as if they have been friends from long time ago. They also encourage you to give back, to teach others and to contribute to someone else's success.
Q: Would you recommend VIP to others and why?
A: Of course, VIP is a great organization that sees the potential of people like myself, trains them and integrates them into the business world. Another VIP non-profit (Angels for Soldiers) does the same thing with military personnel retiring or retuning from conflict. Mr. Antonio Zurita has been nominated as VIP's Employee of the Month – January 2014, after completing a successful project with Chrysler / Assima Corporation.
VIP continues to work with its preferred clients in untraditional ways, becoming a true trusted advisor and business partner. In a proactive approach, VIP seeks to understand each client's culture, believes, processes, technologies and leadership. Working together with decision makers VIP has built a large list of "Customized" client's on-boarding and corporate culture curriculums. This knowledge is transferred in many ways to professional consultants with a variety of degrees and experiences, while they are being set up to succeed in a new project.
VIP is the only on-site partner of the Lone Star College System and together they have created an innovative and revolutionary way to help expand or relocate corporations into Houston and surrounding areas, by reducing cost and maximizing time and operational performance in areas such as: ERP Implementations (SAP & Oracle), IS/Information Technology and Operations, Organizational Change Management, Marketing and Communications, HR Best Practices and End User Training while combining technical work force education and apprenticeship programs through Lone Star's successful practices in the Energy and Manufacturing verticals. VIP also promotes a unique line of rapid implementation tools and accelerators that minimize ERP/OCM implementation time and cost up to 50%.
"The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership." - Harvey S. Firestone
Jo-Carolyn Goode | , Style Magazine Newswire | 12/13/2013, 1:02 p.m.