It was during the cold hard winter of 1992/3, the winter Canada experienced it's worse recession since before the Second World War, that I realized sometimes we have to look beyond ourselves – our own personal needs, and reach out to help others. As an IT Professional, specializing in the introduction of the relatively new Personal Computer technology to large corporations, I discovered that winter that over 40% of the managers in my niche were walking the streets looking for work.
After careful consideration and preparation, as a consummate and experienced trainer, I openly stole the ideas of John Crystal (Where Do I Go From Here With My Life) and Richard Bolles' (What Color Is Your Parachute) and created a twelve week workshop named “Your Next Career”, a workshop I offered at no charge through the public libraries of the city of Toronto.
Dozens of the people I was able to help continue to be in contact with me till this day.
I remember it well. I was angry. Angry at what I considered the mismanagement of Canada's economy by the Mulroney government. Being a "guest" who intended to return "home" I wasn't about to go involved in politics, but I also could not sit on the side lines impassive while the world went to hell in a hand-basket. So I put the workshop together and spent my evenings working with people who had been out of work at least a year.
Thank G-d John Crystal and Richard Bolles knew what they were talking about. My recollection is that between 75% to 80% found work within three months of completing the three month workshop. Shortly afterward I returned "home" to my family.
