Sure we’ve all heard it: "When times get tough, the tough get going."
What does that really mean to you? There aren’t many who would argue that today’s economy is not one of the best we’ve seen in the last century. With foreclosures at an all time high, businesses suffering drastically reduced incomes, employees being warned of possible year-end layoffs, and the inevitable increase of costs in both public and private sectors, there’s a lot of negativity on the streets.
But we’re not going to focus on that right now. This is not the first time in the last 50 years that Americans have seen severe down turns. But it is the first time in my recollection that businesses and individuals seem to have forgotten to look for the light at the end of the tunnel and pull together to turn things around. This is not good.
In every disaster there’s opportunity. Seasoned entrepreneurs have learned that when times get tough, you don’t sit back and cry the blues…you look for the holes in the market and you get busy.
It’s really no different this time. The economy follows a natural ebb and flow. Like a pendulum, it swings one direction and then it swings back. We may have to wade through a lot of muck yet but ultimately the that pendulum will begin swinging back again. The economy will get better.
We just need to recognize the truth that the last decade has been teaching us…there are no quick fixes. Of course, that doesn’t much help those who are at wits end right this minute. But the sooner we all stop looking for the ‘magic pill’ that will take away all our pain, the sooner we can get back on the path to recovery.
Even the internet marketing gurus who managed to kill the golden goose, are telling us that, whether they realize it or not. Buried deep in their messages of how to get rich fast is a common thread that all too many are overlooking… They’re telling us, "you don’t make progress until you take action."
First lesson. No matter how much you hurt and it looks like your financial well being has hit rock bottom, no matter how hopeless everything looks, don’t stop!!! If you don’t have the money to do massive advertising campaigns, find another way to communicate with your market. If cash flow is a problem and you aren’t making enough to pay your bills, start communicating with each other. Work deals, if you have to, with those you owe money to… with those who owe you money and can’t pay… with clients who may be sitting on the fence afraid to buy products and services they desperately need but can’t justify buying right now.
We’ve got lots of work to do and a very short lead time…let’s get busy!!