Since the dawn of the industrial revolution, technological advances have worked against traditional employees, as the inevitable march of change continued. In decades past, advances in machinery have become more prevalent, allowing productivity to soar. These machines were instrumental in helping companies to do the work of multiple individuals by simply pre-programming the output they desired. As a result, competitors were narrowed. Prices for goods and services dropped. And the factories of yesteryear could no longer house the number of workers they once supported during their heyday. To date, this has largely been a blue-collar problem.
But that outlook is changing. And this time – progress is coming for white-collar workers. The rapid advance and proliferation of automation, or artificial intelligence (AI), is slowly creeping into our lives, whether we realize it or not. And it’s beginning to manifest itself in ways that put previously “safe” jobs at risk. In this blog post, FranNet of DFW & Oklahoma takes a closer look at this phenomenon and offers advice on what you can still do to protect your future.
White Collar Layoffs Spike
Downsizing is a fact of life in Corporate America. For the past four decades, layoffs have factored into the business cycle as a means to “correct” the number of individuals necessary in the labor force. There are countless stories of individuals who never thought they’d be affected, but in the end, found out they weren’t safe after all. A great deal of FranNet of DFW & Oklahoma’s client base can attest to this – we see it all the time. Now, with the rise of artificial intelligence, progress is taking aim at what was once considered a “protected class” of employees. The tally of the downsized so far in 2023? Some 417,000.
Will These Jobs Come Back?
Unlike typical boom-and bust-recession-style layoffs, job elimination due to machine learning and AI appears to be of the much-more permanent variety. And there are many predictions that offer a glimpse of what to expect. The figureheads of global giants such as Meta (Facebook’s parent company) and IBM have gone on the record about their layoffs and the prospect of some employees returning. And it’s not encouraging. As much as 30% of these jobs may not need to be filled again within the next five years.
What You Can Do…
News such as this does feel inevitable, and we hear concerns like this often from the people we help. If you suspect that technology is indeed coming for your job this time around, you can protect yourself by looking into your entrepreneurial options. Even if you’ve never before considered owning a business of your own, franchising offers you advantages that tip the scales in your favor. How so? Through their proven business models, comprehensive training, and ongoing support – all designed to help you succeed as a franchisee in their system. Not sure what type of business you’d like to own? That’s FranNet of DFW & Oklahoma’s specialty. With literally thousands of concepts to choose from, it really comes down to asking what type of business you want to own.
To find your perfect business ownership opportunity, we begin with a personal assessment – your entrepreneurial readiness profile. You can complete the exercise online in as little as 20 minutes and it provides us with information about who you are, what you want in a business, and the extent of your financial tolerances. Most clients think it’s a lot of fun to fill out and you can get started by following this link.
Let’s Chat!
If you’d like to know more about franchise opportunities and ownership, please get in touch. FranNet of DFW & Oklahoma is uniquely qualified to match your potential with the possibilities that come from small business ownership through franchising. All you have to do is allow us to be your guide. Our no-cost, no-obligation consultations have helped hundreds of entrepreneurs in North Texas and Oklahoma secure a future that belongs to them and them alone. If you’d like to get started on your own entrepreneurial journey, we’d love to introduce you to a whole new world of possibilities through franchise ownership.