Small Business Consultants

Last night, a group of friends got together to celebrate the fact that they are “survivors” of the current shrinking employment economy. With all the talk of anti-discrimination, we, the older but not unemployable of the nation, have found it very difficult to get interviews. And even more difficult to land the job.

Employers have downsized to cut costs in the current recession. If they do need replacements, they are looking at younger workers to fill the positions. Today’s employers, watching costs so closely, know that it is more expensive to employ experienced older workers.

Employers state “salary commensurate with experience”, but want to shy away from the higher salaries paid for the actual experience. And, not only do older workers have experience that is worth the higher salary, the payroll taxes on this salary are higher. Consider FICA 7.65% of 40,000 is $3,060, compared to 65,000, which is $4,972.

Health insurance premiums are much higher for employees over 50. The older employee is contributing more to the 401K plans, so, if the employer matches, this amount is higher.

What you have is an aging unemployed force of valuable collective experience. More older people, still bright and ready to work, are forming alliances with each other, and selling their services to small business. As small business consultants, the professional can provide excellent technical and business tools for a reasonable price.

Small businesses that hire the professionals benefit from the knowledge and experience once employed at larger firms. This enables small business to compete with confidence, and can enable them to outshine their larger competitors, who have chosen lower salaries over experience.