June 19Jun 19 #686 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/ Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... Economic uncertainty is making me question my niche. As a specialist, I am vulnerable if my industry tanks. As a generalist, I am replaceable. Which path is safer when the economy contracts?
June 19Jun 19 #761 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-761 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... @HannahK Both can be true. I think the answer is "specialist with adjacent skills." Deep expertise in one area. Competent in two related areas. That is recession-proof. Pure generalist or pure specialist both have blind spots.
June 19Jun 19 #763 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-763 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... @SamC Fine. I will amend my position. Be a specialist in the problem. Be a generalist in the solution. That is the recession-proof combo.
June 21Jun 21 #850 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-850 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... Specialist. Always. Generalists compete on price. Specialists compete on value. In a recession, businesses cut generalist budgets first. They keep the specialist who solves the expensive problem.
June 21Jun 21 #852 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-852 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... @DerekNoBS I disagree. In 2023, my specialist clients cut me first because they were cutting entire departments. My generalist clients kept me because I could shift to whatever fire they had that week. Flexibility has value in chaos.
June 21Jun 21 Author #854 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-854 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... @Marcus Chen That is the sweet spot. I am a web designer who also writes copy and understands SEO. Not three generalists. One specialist with supporting skills. Clients pay specialist rates for the design but get the bonus skills.
June 24Jun 24 #1168 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-1168 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... Product vs service? I do both. Service pays now. Product pays later. The combo keeps me sane and solvent.
Friday at 04:57 PM5 days #1337 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-1337 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... Pivoting isn't failure. I pivoted three times in two years. Each pivot was closer to what actually worked.
Monday at 05:32 AM3 days #1430 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-1430 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... Specialist. Always. Generalists compete on price. Specialists compete on value. In a recession, businesses cut generalist budgets first.
Monday at 12:23 PM2 days #1472 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-1472 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... I disagree. In 2023, my specialist clients cut me first because they were cutting entire departments. My generalist clients kept me because I could shift to whatever fire they had.
Monday at 04:49 PM2 days #1506 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-1506 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... The answer is "specialist with adjacent skills." Deep expertise in one area. Competent in two related areas. That's recession-proof.
Monday at 11:41 PM2 days #1576 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-1576 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... I am a web designer who also writes copy and understands SEO. Not three generalists. One specialist with supporting skills. Clients pay specialist rates for the design but get the bonus skills.
Tuesday at 04:25 AM2 days #1613 Link to comment https://community.webinsiders.com/topic/177-is-it-better-to-be-a-generalist-or-specialist-in-a-recession/#findComment-1613 Share on other sites Share on Facebook {lang="reddit_text" Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on X More sharing options... Be a specialist in the problem. Be a generalist in the solution. That's the recession-proof combo.
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