Are you worried about the economy?
About 3 months ago my colleagues and I, became so fed up with all the doom and gloom in the business world at the moment, we decided to stop being miserable and do something about it.
My guess is that once all the drama surrounding Whitehall dies down most people will be focusing on the economy, where it's heading and what it all means.
There's only one economy that matters
The financial markets are in poor shape right now and there will be consequences to that. Many people are already experiencing them.
That being said, it's essential to keep this at the forefront of your mind at all times:
"At the end of the day, it DOESN'T MATTER what "the economy" does, all that matters is what YOU do."
This is a battle for your mind
We're all swayed by what we read in the papers, hear on the news etc.
It's hard not to get swept away by "herd behaviour." That's why there are thousands of “Luxury” apartments in cities around the UK sitting there empty. Was I the only one who kept asking “who’ll buy all these?”
When the headlines are depicting a gloomy picture, it takes a strong mind to stay focused on what matters and that - more than anything else - is what you need.
You see, it doesn't matter what "the economy" does. All that matters is what YOUR economy does.
And YOUR economy depends on finding and serving your customers.
Reality check #1:
The economy may slow down and decline, but it never goes to zero
Some great companies have been started in the most difficult times, Bill Gates started Microsoft in the recession of 1975, James Dyson launched a premium priced vacuum cleaner in the recession of the early 1990s and Hewlett Packard was started in a garage during the Great Depression of the 1930s. There are thousands of examples of businesses and innovations of all sizes born out of tough times. (Prove this to yourself with your own Google search.)
"Down" times are great times for growing businesses (if you do it the clever way) because costs are lower...skilled help is easier to find...and "down" times are when your weak-minded, good-time only merchants, the types who follow the herd disappear from the market.
Reality check #2:
There are ALWAYS customers with money to spend
Do you remember the 25.03.09?
I do, one of our clients set the record for the most expensive personalised registration number sold in the UK. That’s right in amongst the doom and gloom an individual parted with £352,411.25 for a registration number.
On the same day HSBC announced 1,200 more UK job losses
But here's the reality...
90% of the working population are still employed and whilst the economy has shrunk, it is still the same size it was in 2005. Was anybody complaining the economy was too small back then?
The difference is people are being cautious with their money and they’re demanding value, but they’re spending money every day on all kinds of things.
Reality check #3:
Smart business owners had it made
Here's an amazing fact:
During the Great Depression, fewer businesses failed in 1929 than in 1928 and 1927.
1929 was, of course, "D Day" for the Depression. That's when the sky fell for "the economy."
And yet, on the micro-level - where we all live - there were *less* business failures.
Why?
Smart business people are flexible, can adapt to the times, and find today's opportunities.
If you approach it right
IF...it's a very big word.
There are lots of people who’ll claim to be able to help you improve your leads, your sales, your pitching or whatever else you do to win business.
Some are good, some are not so good and some are dangerous to your wealth.
It's easy to spot the people in the last category.
They're the ones who pose in front of their expensive cars in their ads...encourage you to join them in Monaco... or on a Caribbean Island...
Their offering sounds too good to be true, if it’s so easy why isn’t the world full of millionaires, are we all too shy to take a risk?
It’s important to remember that having money is not the same as making money.
Are YOU serious?
Throughout my career I’ve always made sure I got the basics right, tracking the measures of success, finding what works, and doing the right thing at the right time.
I’ve always insisted that each and every sales and marketing activity generates more profit than it costs – that’s taught me some useful lessons which I can pass on to you.
As a result, I know that we can help you grow your business. Moreover, I can show you how to generate profit so you’ll stop seeing sales and marketing costs... only investments.
Most people are going to follow the herd over the coming months and years.
The economy will be "bad" so they'll stick their heads in the sand and wait until things are "easier."
There's never an easy time to make money - and there's never a hard time to make money...
There's only the right time which is always NOW
If you want to find out what we can do to help grow your business request a review by simply entering your details plus a few other pieces of information to get the ball rolling.
Your review will be carried out by myself. Following the review you’ll receive detailed recommendations on how I can grow your business.
I look forward to helping you.
Marcus R. Thrall M IDM M ISSM
