In phase three ... this powerful dynamic continues to transform the employer-employee relationship from one that was feudal to one that is essentially market-driven,

If you're one of those people who gets tons of work done very well, very fast, and you can prove it, you're not going anywhere.

There's tremendous demand for skilled people at all levels of almost every organization and almost every industry and that's true in almost every part of the country.

The No. 1 thing is to be one of those people who gets a lot of work done very well, very fast. Don't be scared into submission by all the downsizing activity. That's exactly the wrong message to take.

The norm will be to work for several employers; on again, off again; as an employee one year, as an independent contractor the next year; 40 hours one week, 20 hours another; on-site this month, telecommuting the next; and so on,

It was their idea -- downsizing, restructuring, re-engineering. It's what companies needed to do to get fluid and flexible,

Always be assessing your particular skills and your particular experience and your particular abilities and energies and interests, and matching them up with the available work to be done. And then be prepared to sell yourself into challenges.

The thing that people need to remember is that downsizing may be back on the front pages, but the downsizing never slowed down. Downsizing has been a constant and regular feature of the new working world, and it will continue to be.

This one wants more money. That one wants a different schedule. Another person wants to trade in her responsibilities for a whole new set. This one wants to be included in high-level meetings. That one wants to attend a particular training program. Still another wants to start telecommuting ... from a thousand miles away,

Whatever you don't outsource, you'd better be great at, ... Before we're through, you might be the only 'employee' left in your business.