By concentrating on improving health and professional skills during the downturn, employees will be mentally and physically well prepared to tackle the new challenges that may arise from the long-awaited economic rebound, say executives at local and international corporations.
Dwelling on unpleasant things that had happened would only cause more problems, added the executives, who will share their insights during the Classified Post Reader Seminar, 'Recession Proof, Your Career', at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 19. According to the speakers, individuals should be less self-centred.
They will then develop empathy for the management and co-workers and become motivated to go the extra mile to overcome the challenges together.
Tina Liu, the keynote speaker at the seminar and managing director of Tina Liu Image Consultancy, said people should maintain a positive outlook towards their career and life in the face of adversity. 'What is going on out there in the world may be challenging, but life goes on,' she said. 'Attitude affects actions. It is important that we should have a positive attitude now.'
Alison Chang Wai-man, managing director of COREsearch and Classified Post's Career Doctor, said: 'Adopt macrothinking during tough times. Hong Kong has experienced several economic downturns during the past dozen years and every time it has recovered. This is a cycle. When things hit the bottom, they will naturally bounce back [in time].'
Armed with this insight, professionals should be able to manage their moods better and make use of the slowdown to equip themselves. 'If we are well equipped, we will not lag behind the others when the recovery comes,' added Ms Chang, who will be the moderator at the seminar.