Image via CrunchBase

It is almost as if Sequoia Capital has set off the triggering event of 2008, and while the news might be great for companies trying to survive, the layoffs of 10, 20, 30% of employees are going to cause serious problems down the road. In many ways, and given what we saw in the 2001/2002 recession season, these people, who are otherwise great employees are not going to come back. While we are seeing employees let go, we are hearing little about equality in layoff’s with management. Which is also interesting, as companies that need to save money by slashing anywhere between 10 and 30 percent of their work force should be seriously looking at executive compensation to go along with that.

Kicking off the parade today, Comcast, Ticket Master, Mania TV, Mahalo, PermissionTV, and a whole host of local companies cutting down on what they are spending. Even the Seattle STS (Seattle Tech Startup) list is pushing out how to turn doors into tables for workers. At least that is cool if everyone shares the pain. Moreover, smacks of Mahalo’s viewpoint as well. Maybe the new office décor is going to be strip lights and homemade furniture.

Of course this is the best time to start a startup, bootstrap your way to not having to worry about being laid off, there also has to be some social reasoning on this one. If you suddenly find yourself with a lot of time on your hands, then this might be the way to go. Finding money is going to be difficult via VC or Angel funding, but that does not mean that the Small Business Administration will turn you down. As weak competitors fall off and die, this is also the best time to pick up technology or systems that you could not otherwise purchase. It all depends on what you have, what you want to do, or if you even want to go back into technology after this one.

The advertising model is OK, we sort of use it here, but in the longer run, it is going to boil down to the must have product. Your best bet is going to be going into the casual game space, and the Iphone, Android application system if you really want to make money or have a chance at keeping yourself at least paying bills. With unemployment spiking this morning, people with time on their hands are going to be on MySpace, Facebook, and they will keep their cell phones. They will also spend time at casual gaming sites, and other things that will waste time or occupy time.

Who knows, for those so inclined, with good programming, business and marketing skills, this might just be the silver lining.

Tags: layoff, continues, Comcast, Mahalo, permissiontv, ticketmaster, ticket master, mania tv, fired