10.24.08
We're coming into the last turn on this political horse race and everyone is heaving a collective sigh of relief. All of the Small Business Owners I talk to say they have election fatigue - seems like we're been at this forever. I'm eager to get on the other side of Nov 4th because I think everyone can get settled into what the plans will be for the next four years and at least we'll have the election checked off our list. Next, we have to tackle the economy and that's bigger than anyone person, so no matter who becomes president it's going to take more than a village to correct these problems - it's going to take global cooperation.
On the other hand, for Small Business Owners, a global economic problem is outside of the realm of the work they face each day. So. it's important to know what's happening out there, but what's really important is to stay very focused on what's happening in your world. Make extra customer calls, sell harder, keep costs very tight and show up every day. We're moving through a business cycle and things will come back. And, when that happens we have some serious work to do so that in the next cycle, you're more protected. Your mother was right about saving for a rainy day...she just didn't tell you in business it could be saving for a rainy season...
10.21.08
Everyone is using all of the same cliches: economic crisis, business down-turn, credit crunch, ad nauseum. If you hadn't been glued to the TV or web news in the past several weeks, would you really be feeling so anxious? The reason that I ask is because I don't see a difference when I go out to eat - still tons of people eating out; when I go past the shopping malls there are still tons of cars in the parking lot and when I talk to my colleagues they are doing OK.
Granted, Lancaster County just made Forbes List of Best Places to Ride Out the Recession so maybe we are a bit protected here. But, my focus is on growth, not survival and that's what I'm hearing from the Inside Small Biz members as well. A lot of you are preparing for Q4 and we'll all pushing hard to make it a good one.
Staying visible now will mean that you'll be that much further ahead of the game when the "credit crunch is over" and the "econimc crisis has passed" and the "business down-turn is a memory." Keep focused on bringing in revenue and remember that cash is king. And...get ready for the next boom time...it's about 9 months away. (You heard it here first!!!)
