Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
In recognition of the valuable role small businesses and the
self employed play in economies worldwide the UN has designated today Micro-,
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day (those employing up to 250 people but
generally fewer) to raise awareness of the contribution made by these
enterprises, which according to data provided to the UN by the International
Council for Small Business, amounts to 60-70% of total employment and 50% of
GDP.
Across the countryside sector many people are striking out
on their own and building small consultancies, indeed it was such a venture
that saw the creation of CJS. The impact
of these small businesses is seen in so many of the projects running across the
country: ecologists carrying out environmental impact assessments and
mitigation, countryside contractors working on rights of way maintenance, freelance
rangers leading guided walks and teachers running environmental education
activities; often on their own, sometimes as part of a bigger project and
occasionally as sole contractor on the job for a larger organisation. Our landscape would look very different
without them all.
If you're thinking of joining them here are a few articles
to help.
In our Focus on Employability Richard Compton of Ecology
on Demand wrote about making the leap into self employment, outlining some of
things to be aware of when starting out but also lots of very helpful hints on
how to prepare and to succeed. [here]
Oonagh Nelson of Contract Ecology, another of the SME
consultancies, wrote about interview skills to help you become a valued member
of a team. [here]
And to help you on your journey to employment, or to promote
your own freelance and small business, James Common explained why writing for
free might just be the perfect opportunity for you. [here]
If you are already a freelancer then you can advertise your
services free on our sister site Countryside-Careers.Com and if you find
yourself in need of a helping hand but don't want or are not able to advertise
a full job then see the freelancers already advertising their availability and
skills.
I may be the editor of CJS but we’re a micro business and
everyone pitches in help with what's required we've all learnt new skills along
the way, from how to assemble desktop furniture and office chairs to writing
our small sections of computer code, Amy's a dab hand with the hoover and right
now for me now it's time for me to mend the printer (again!), you need to be a
jack of all trades and with luck a master of one or two.