Imagine having your Yellow Pages taken away from you, just at the worst time. Well folks, that day has arrived. Tonight a coaching client called to rebook his session with me because he was in a panic to get a furnace technician. We are in mid-November and it’s been a week now without heat in his home. This not only has inconvenienced him, it has cost him a month’s rent for not being able to charge his tenant. Why is this so? There isn’t an available technician to be found.

The implications go further than this. I am moving a client-in-waiting out a week not to mention losing a session fee. It is not such a big deal for the fee but it is for the client who is waiting as her life dreams are now on hold for another week. Can you start to see the ripple effects here? The implications of a shrinking workforce have barely started to show themselves and we are already feeling the impacts.

Ask around and you’ll hear all kinds of stories of long waits and in some cases being denied any kind of service or support at all. People who are finishing their basements or doing a home renovation are seeing this first hand. The trades-people are simply saying “no” we are too busy elsewhere to be of help.

Whether you need a carpenter, a carpet layer, plumber or electrician unless you have a big home or apartment building going up, be prepared for a very long wait.

There may be a way or two out of this mess. One suggestion recently was to learn how to become “do-it-yourselfers.” Our grandparents didn’t have the yellow pages to call for help as we do, so maybe there’s hope for us yet. Since we have missed out on much of the old-world hand me down wisdom we’ll need to take some evening or weekend courses. There may be something more here, what if we were to divide and conquer?

Imagine belonging to a group of let’s say twenty homes. Each of you belong to this group because within this group you each have your specialty and are committed to helping the others. You have an agreement with each other to be there when needed and you’ll be paid a specific percentage of the profession’s going rate.

By setting up a talent pool not everyone needs to know electricity or plumbing or how to put up curtains or set up home electronics. Single men can get help with things they are daft with and women can get help with things they have little interest learning.

We are seeing referral groups pop up for helping in business so why not at home? If you do start such a group I’d like to hear about it. There’s a saying “necessity is the mother of invention.” So until next week, remember: “in only two days, tomorrow will be yesterday, lean into it!” As I offer insights, stories, tips and career information, please contact me to share your stories, opinions and comments to Don Campbell.