Recession, credit crunch, call it what you will, from a business point of view I don't believe in it!
Now, I could leave it there and let the flame war start, but I suppose I had better give my reasons for such a controversial statement.
No matter what business you are in or the state of the economy, there will always be people that need your product or service (e.g. if you sell houses, there are always people wanting/needing to buy, you just need to put a bit more work in finding those people).
If a company closes down during a recession I would say there was something fundamentally wrong with how they ran their business or their customer service. How come some businesses thrive in a so-called recession when their competitors fail?
I seriously believe that if you run your business right, look after your customers, network with others, get friends, family and business acquaintances actively promoting your business, then you will survive when others fail, it's as simple as that.
The first rule in this situation is to state firmly and positively every morning: "I REFUSE TO TAKE PART IN THIS RECESSION". i.e. you go out with a positive, happy attitude and it will spread to your staff, peers and customers and they'll want to come to you.
Quick test for you, which shop would you prefer to go to:
The shop that looks tired, a bit grubby, the staff are all negative and when they greet you, you get the feeling they'd rather not be there. You happen to be on speaking terms with the manager and s/he is sitting there grumbling about the state of the economy, how few customers coming into the shop so what's the point in tidying up, etc., and so on, moan, moan, moan.
Or...
The shop that looks bright and cheerful, all the staff greet you with a big smile, and a polite "How can I help you?" The shop itself is clean and tidy, the shelves are well stocked and the manager is in a really good mood and telling how s/he's just had the best week for sales in a long time?
We all know the answer! I've used shops as an example but it's the same for any business. If all the staff are positive, helpful and polite, if you get the feeling of a professional, efficiently run business, then you will want to do business with them and, more importantly, you will refer them to others, so they get even more business, no matter what the state of the economy.
I now expect people to put up comments saying "What about XYZ business that has gone down," or "Look at Bear Sterns, a bank that was going for 75 years suddenly collapses and gets taken over," etc., and so on. These are valid points, but before posting them, take a second to ask yourself, "How come they have competitors who are doing even better at the moment?"
So in this difficult time, if you find you are a little quiet (actually we've never been busier) concentrate on getting systems into place that ensure that you, your staff, your premises and your business itself all radiate a positive attitude and you will find you do a lot better than the tired, bored business person, who's staff are surly and cannot see what there is to be happy about.
Start today, now! Really believe in yourself and your business!
Oh, and if you are just an employee and not the boss, don't think the above doesn't apply to you. If you and your colleagues don't have a positive outlook and a willingness to help your employer then you can't expect to keep your job for long – because it's your negative attitude that could close the business down. On the other hand, if you're seen to be thinking of the company rewards will follow.
So why should you care what I've said above? I only run a small (at the moment) outsourced office service? Well, I originally started in the mid-1990s when businesses were still failing and closing down. I had a friend who helped at a local Citizens Advice Bureau, and she was warning me about the numbers of people going in for advice because their businesses were shutting. Yet, 11 year later we're still here, we're having one of the best years ever and the future's looking exceptionally bright.
So just try it for a month. Go out every morning with a positive, friendly attitude and see how much of a difference it makes. Whenever you deal with a prospective customer or client ask yourself what little extra you could give them that will show how much you appreciate their custom. Ensure all your staff have a positive attitude, give them a pep talk a couple of times a week, let them know they are valued. Believe me it will work wonders for your business!
Now, I could leave it there and let the flame war start, but I suppose I had better give my reasons for such a controversial statement.
No matter what business you are in or the state of the economy, there will always be people that need your product or service (e.g. if you sell houses, there are always people wanting/needing to buy, you just need to put a bit more work in finding those people).
If a company closes down during a recession I would say there was something fundamentally wrong with how they ran their business or their customer service. How come some businesses thrive in a so-called recession when their competitors fail?
I seriously believe that if you run your business right, look after your customers, network with others, get friends, family and business acquaintances actively promoting your business, then you will survive when others fail, it's as simple as that.
The first rule in this situation is to state firmly and positively every morning: "I REFUSE TO TAKE PART IN THIS RECESSION". i.e. you go out with a positive, happy attitude and it will spread to your staff, peers and customers and they'll want to come to you.
Quick test for you, which shop would you prefer to go to:
The shop that looks tired, a bit grubby, the staff are all negative and when they greet you, you get the feeling they'd rather not be there. You happen to be on speaking terms with the manager and s/he is sitting there grumbling about the state of the economy, how few customers coming into the shop so what's the point in tidying up, etc., and so on, moan, moan, moan.
Or...
The shop that looks bright and cheerful, all the staff greet you with a big smile, and a polite "How can I help you?" The shop itself is clean and tidy, the shelves are well stocked and the manager is in a really good mood and telling how s/he's just had the best week for sales in a long time?
We all know the answer! I've used shops as an example but it's the same for any business. If all the staff are positive, helpful and polite, if you get the feeling of a professional, efficiently run business, then you will want to do business with them and, more importantly, you will refer them to others, so they get even more business, no matter what the state of the economy.
I now expect people to put up comments saying "What about XYZ business that has gone down," or "Look at Bear Sterns, a bank that was going for 75 years suddenly collapses and gets taken over," etc., and so on. These are valid points, but before posting them, take a second to ask yourself, "How come they have competitors who are doing even better at the moment?"
So in this difficult time, if you find you are a little quiet (actually we've never been busier) concentrate on getting systems into place that ensure that you, your staff, your premises and your business itself all radiate a positive attitude and you will find you do a lot better than the tired, bored business person, who's staff are surly and cannot see what there is to be happy about.
Start today, now! Really believe in yourself and your business!
Oh, and if you are just an employee and not the boss, don't think the above doesn't apply to you. If you and your colleagues don't have a positive outlook and a willingness to help your employer then you can't expect to keep your job for long – because it's your negative attitude that could close the business down. On the other hand, if you're seen to be thinking of the company rewards will follow.
So why should you care what I've said above? I only run a small (at the moment) outsourced office service? Well, I originally started in the mid-1990s when businesses were still failing and closing down. I had a friend who helped at a local Citizens Advice Bureau, and she was warning me about the numbers of people going in for advice because their businesses were shutting. Yet, 11 year later we're still here, we're having one of the best years ever and the future's looking exceptionally bright.
So just try it for a month. Go out every morning with a positive, friendly attitude and see how much of a difference it makes. Whenever you deal with a prospective customer or client ask yourself what little extra you could give them that will show how much you appreciate their custom. Ensure all your staff have a positive attitude, give them a pep talk a couple of times a week, let them know they are valued. Believe me it will work wonders for your business!
Someone who read this sent me an email slating the above and said "What about all these pubs that are shutting down?" as though that was proof that what I have said is wrong.
ReplyDeleteBut, again, look at different pubs; some are really dead, while others are packed and buzzing. It shows it cannot be down to the recession, otherwise all pubs would be in the same situation; and they are so obviously not.