Thank You Internet - Globalization 3.1

I had to come out of blogging retirement for this one. Michael Jordan came out of retirement a few times... Why can't I?

Seriously though - this post possesses the power to change your life, that's why I'm writing this. It's the secret! It's not really The Secret, and it sure as heck ain't the Landmark Forum, that's a different post altogether!

It's the empowerment of the individual (YOU!), more and more with every second and byte that flies by us. I'm referring to Globalization. The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century, by Thomas Friedman opened my eyes years ago, but it wasn't until recently that I realized how it has and will continue to shape my life.

Friedman presents social and economic globalization in three stages:
1.0 - Nations and Governments reach out and establish the trade of goods and form alliances.
2.0 - Companies expand in the creation of global markets.
3.0 - The "playing field" is leveled with increased access to technology, specifically the internet;
allowing individuals to compete in global markets.

This youtube video is an example of the power at your fingertips, literally. Anyone with access to the internet can sit-in during Friedman's presentation to a tuition paying crowd at Yale, the school where Friedman's kid studies.

"The book was better" applies here... You have to read the book! If you don't think you'll get around to it, just watch this.

This blog is another example of globalization. An average Jose like myself can become a pamphleteer by creating or sharing media in seconds. Quite the jump from being the ONLY student to submit typewritten assignments when "typed" assignments became mandatory. It's not the best example of globalization's life changing effects (read "lucrative") on an individual or business, it's only a tiny speck in the big picture.

Job seekers don't walk door to door filling out "applications" anymore. Job listing sites like monster.com allow you to fill out one application, distribute that to companies listing employment vacancies, then follow that up with an interview on Skype conference. Most impressively, you can accomplish this in one day. Job seekers can use fewer resources and apply to more companies while employers receive abundant responses to skim through. I've been on both sides of that one; having to bcc my resume to email lists I compiled for different positions like administrative assistant, bookkeeping, shipping management (you can make ok money if you learn to use UPS WorldShip and FedEx Shipping Manager, you gotta start somewhere!!!). When I needed my own assistant, I did the cheapest and easiest thing I could think of, which coincidentally was how I found a lower level position with the same company. I posted an ad on craigslist.org, my inbox was flooded overnight. (Off topic: Some people need more than 24 hours in a day, I understand that. I sometimes have to work until the wee hours of the morning, it's cool. Props is you have that type of work ethic, but you don't communicate with people at those hours. Sending your resume at 2:30 a.m. can make people think that you're either a vampire or a party animal. Neither of those are good choices for businesses operating during regular business hours.) You can apply this to other situations also, as noted by Andre 3000 in this song.
Do you remember waiting for a response in the MAIL???

How do you get off the bleachers? I have no idea, that's for you to figure out. If you posses special skills that distiguish you from the "average Joses" of the world, you can promote yourself on the internet and offer your services or products worldwide. If you're bilingual, you can teach a language with skype and receive payment with Paypal. You can sell anything you make on sites like ebay or local listing pages. Soulja Boy Tell'em blew up on youtube, go on there and do something. If you think you're funny you can post skits or stand up routines on YouTube.

"Before you re-up get a laptop
start a business for yourself, boy set some goals
make a fat diamond out of dust and coals"
B.O.B. - Outkast

I can't help wondering what the next level of globalization will be, or it it will be the "D" word instead....