Based on my non profit unemployment initiative experience around the country, I believe that three areas need addressing in the context of bringing the country to the next level.

1. Attitude shift amongst some of the unemployed. Unfortunately, I believe that there are too many people out there waiting for the apple to fall off the tree. The reality is that the paradigm has shifted from “instant gratification” to “ongoing graft;” if a person wants to find their dream job. Note “dream job/industry” – at this moment it is equally as difficult to find any job, as it is to find a post in your chosen discipline. The unemployed need to work smarter in addition to harder. Target your industry of choice and build a compelling case that this is your area of bliss embracing Web 2.0, to prove beyond all reason doubt that you really want that job.
2. The media needs to up it’s game in the context of providing it’s audience with balanced coverage of the days events. Currently the proliferation of doom and gloom is strangling creativity, enthusiasm and vision and making the dark hole even deeper. Many journalists told me off the record that “positivity and how to” weren’t exactly the most compelling news pieces. This was reflected in the absence of coverage with the exception of one show on the National Airwaves and papers. To reiterate, the media need to realise that people’s minds work similar to computers – Garbage in, Garbage out.

How can you expect an enthusiastic, visionary, creative population if all they are being feed with is doom and gloom, which unfortunately is then being recycled within their daily conversations. You dont have to be a motivational speaker to have worked that one out.
3. Greater cohesion amongst all the agencies and social entrepreneurs who are trying to make a difference.

The experience was very rewarding on a personal level. Considering that the average course rating was 9/10 from course attendees, it obviously gave real value to our target audience.
One piece of feedback will always stay with me: “It was the first time since I became unemployed that I didn’t feel invisible.”
As a motivational speaker, it is that type of feedback on its own that makes the journey worthwhile.