I read an uplifting article in Forbes, October 27, 2008 this morning titled "Pockets of Prosperity". It actually gave me hope that everyone is not looking at only the problems, instead some are focused on the solutions. I am one of the small business owners they mentioned who are "struggling, yet chugging ahead".
Our construction business is most definitely down from where it was a year ago, but we still have new customers calling us regularly who want work done on their homes and on their businesses. We have stepped up our direct marketing efforts significantly, and make it a point to be visible by being out in the community. Heck, we even passed out brochures for our business at a garage sale we had recently. Guess what, we got a call from one of those garage sale attendees who needs home improvements! You never know...
Other businesses mentioned in Forbes that are still growing in this "challenging" economy are farming, the Campbell Soup Company, Walgreens, AAR Corp. (an aerospace outsourcing firm), Microsoft, and Pediatrix Medical Group of Sunrise, Fla. Campbell's stock is up 26% since late January. Gives you hope doesn't it?
Farmers in particular are experiencing a strong economy due to global demand for food, as well as for corn and other feedstocks used to make ethanol. This, of course, helps the sales for farm equipment manufacturers, companies who finance the equipment for farmers, and it goes on and on... We are all connected, after all...
So, the next time you turn on the TV or radio and hear about how bad the economy is, take it with a little bit of a grain of salt. It just may be possible that you can find a way to create your own prosperity, whether it be through learning new marketing outreach techniques, becoming creative and finding something new to offer, or changing your business entirely to a new direction. Remember, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, but you may have to look for it in unexpected places...
© 2008 Sandy Reed - All rights reserved
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"Sandy Reed is the President and Founder of the International Association of Women in Family Enterprises (IAWIFE). She is a professional business coach, writer, and co-owns her own successful family business. If you're ready to take your family business to the next level of success; receive support, education, and connect with like-minded women, join her members at www.iawife.com. Sandy's business building articles have been published in True Wealth and Simply Home magazines."
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