An Example of lighting a candle rather than cursing the darkness... I was thrilled to read about former employees of a signmaking company in Tennessee. They created a community to find opportunity, through creative use of social media after their employer closed:
When Knoxville-based sign maker Image Point in Knoxville abruptly went out of business in January 2009, 270 former workers took matters into their own hands. First, they created a Facebook [group] to share tips on navigating through the unemployment benefits system, fighting depression, and, of course, finding another job. Eventually the site morphed into a human resources tool viewed by potential employers.
Working together- and communicating actively - paid dividends in other practical ways. For instance, several managers began sharing lists of contacts throughout the industry with local economic developers involved in the regional Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley economic and workforce development initiative.
What emerged surprised regional economic developers. "We realized that the Innovation Valley had become the sign industry capital of the country," said Bryan Daniels of the Blount Partnership, which participates in the five-county Innovation Valley effort. "Jobs in, literally, dozens of supply companies in the area would be affected if we did nothing."
With the industry contacts in hand, Daniels and his colleague Kyle Touchstone of Knoxville Chamber started working the phone lines to get other sign companies to take tours, find office space, and recruit the talent they need. So far, five companies have come to the Innovation Valley, another five have committed, and about half of the former Image Point employees have found jobs locally....
"All of them know there's a lot of talent and experience in this region," said Greg McMullen former project manager at Image Point. "The companies have hired a lot of managers and sales people. I give the former employees all the credit for sticking together as a community and for coming to us with valuable contacts."
Social media was only a tool for them to use: the victory came through their efforts, energy, innovation, and courage. But ponder how hard organizing their community for beneficial action- staying in touch, gathering the info, and getting their message out- would have been without social media.
If you've been laid off, or know people that are, we want to help get the ball rolling in creating a similar online community to the Knoxville sign workers (whether it be through Facebook or another). If you already have such a community, let us know so we can help you promote it.