A little known fact of life is that the Israeli national economy is the second strongest throughout the world on a per capita basis; i.e., stronger than all the economies of Europe and Asia (including China) combined. Of course, the United States has the world’s foremost economy. The accepted reason why Israel enjoys this exalted economic status is because in a country where military service is mandatory for both men and women every citizen brings this military experience and discipline to the country’s private business sector.

Connection To Golf Course Superintendents

Because veteran golf course superintendents operate with a similar decisive management style as the Israeli military, it can be fairly concluded that established golf course superintendents possess the innate ability to succeed virtually anywhere within the small business community; i.e., especially within an entrepreneurial environment. (You might consider adding Dan Senor’s new book entitled, Start-Up Nation: The Story Of Israel’s Economic Miracle to your personal library.)

Accordingly, golf course superintendents should not wait until they are out of a job to explore new job/career opportunities because within this pressurized “I need a job” environment they will likely “settle” for lesser jobs instead of looking to develop second careers. Granted, a bad economy makes it difficult to develop a second career, but at the same time the need to do so will push superintendents to more effectively identify future job/career opportunity. Perseverance will pay off.

You will stand an 80% better chance of developing a second career as an entrepreneur than as an employee at a new job…

Second Career Guidelines

Developing second career opportunity requires a disciplined due diligence approach. For example:

1. You will stand an 80% better chance of developing a second career as an entrepreneur than as an employee at a new job.

2. The key to establishing your own company is being able to match your experience and skill sets to a specific need niche within society. FYI: Second careers may be developed both inside and outside golf. Investigate every possibility.

3. Today’s computer age allows new companies to self-design their business image; i.e., a company logo, stationary, envelopes, business cards and web sites, etc. at virtually no expense. (See former superintendent Steve Renzetti’s new business web site at www.pinnacleturf.net.)

4. Two partners will often do a better job developing a new business than a solo principal simply because two minds function better than one. Accordingly, from time to time you might explore new career opportunities with fellow golf course superintendents. You will find this to be an enjoyable rewarding assignment.

Even if you feel your job is secure now, do not wait to identify future job/career options because in today’s unstable world jobs that are secure today can be gone tomorrow…

Even if you feel your job is secure now, do not wait to identify future job/career options because in today’s unstable world jobs that are secure today can be gone tomorrow. Always be prepared. As I stated at the close of my last blog message: waiting and hoping for the best is a losing strategy.