Recession Success
Thumbs up to those that contributed to “Recession Success Stories, 5 Lessons From Recent Career Switchers”. This is what I’ve been lecturing about for years, folks! Recession or not, the way to achieve financial and personal freedom is to think outside the box and do whatever it takes to reach, no exceed, your goals.
Here are the suggestions of five entrepreneurs that have beaten the recession by focusing on their goals, not on the challenges that surround them. My comments follow each:
Reinvent Yourself, suggested by Mike Smithwick of San Jose, CA, Author and designer of Distant Suns software.
Well, there you go. If it’s not working, fix it! Sometimes we get stuck in the “same old, same old” and become close-minded to opportunities that are right in front of us. Okay, so you’ve been an employed as an engineer for 25 years and suddenly find yourself without a job. That doesn’t mean you have to remain an unemployed engineer or wait for another engineering job to come your way. Think of what you love to do, what you’re great at, where you want to be in life and apply those thoughts to create a new you. When you take away your label, the opportunities you will discover will amaze you.
Be Excellent, suggested by Nick Schafer, Bellevue, WA, Principal, Schafer Construction
Whatever it is you do, don’t just be good at it, be great at it - the best you can be. Do whatever it takes to improve your level of service – further your education, invest in your community, improve upon your skills – and you will be remembered and referred. Your business will grow as you create value simply by being excellent.
Embrace Change, suggested by Deborah Jack, Fort Lee, NJ, Fetch! Pet Care franchise owner
The only thing that is constant is change. Many fear change, as it creates an unknown. The recession has created more change than ever imagined, so we must adapt. Rather than focusing on the negative impact the economic downturn has created, try seeing how you can prosper despite its impact.
Partner With Other Businesses, suggested by Taylor Cimala, Chicago, IL, Founder, Digital Third Coast
Joint ventures are popping up all over the place. It’s not like this is a new idea, it’s just that finding business is tougher than usual and you have to work three times as hard to get the same result. Teaming up with another like-minded business may help in sharing costs, sharing or gaining access to customer resources, accelerating revenue growth, building a stronger presence, sharing people resources and/or diversifying your business.
Serve Customers from the Heart, suggested by Peggi Speers, Pebble Beach, CA, Vice president, Patients Pride
This should be a given. Treat customers the way you want to be treated. Be respectful, compassionate and understanding – there’s way too little of that in this world. Remember, a smile, a “thank you”, “have a great day” and “good job” go a long, long way.
I know it’s been a tough time for everyone at varying levels. These five individuals found a way to make it through their troubles, and I know of many more that have done the same. I talk to literally hundreds of people a week who are in troubled if not dire situations and are tired of being a victim of the recession. They’ve taken action to achieve financial and personal freedom, and you can do the same.
To your continued success, Al Schweitzer, Courtcash
