If you’ve listened to the news, read the paper, or been on the internet lately, you’ve certainly heard about the doom and gloom of the economy. The R word is being thrown around, and we’re constantly reminded how bad things are. It’s all we hear about, and every “breaking news special report” seems to be about it.
How do you relate this news to your business? Does it make you believe that your business is doomed? Do you roll over and let it overtake you and your business? Or do you choose, instead, to subscribe to the mindset that no matter what is happening, your business can be thriving and successful? I guarantee you that whichever mindset you adopt, it will be the course that guides you and your business.
It truly is possible to have a successful business even in the worst of times. I actually talked to someone just the other day who is breaking records this year. Yes, really. And all of us, as small business owners, can have a great year as well. It’s possible that you perhaps need to adjust your focus and do some things that are a little different … as a way of adapting to the times. It’s also a time for small business owners to band together and create alliances to help each other.
Networking and building those strategic relationships is always important, but it’s crucial now. If you’re not networking, I suggest you start. It’s so terribly important. And by networking I don’t mean to collect as many business cards as you can and try to push your product or service on every person you see. I’m referring to building relationships. Approach those relationships with an attitude of “how can I help you?”. By banding together and helping each other, we can all succeed in the best and worst of times.
Attitude will take you far. If you are at a networking event and you’re complaining about the economy and how bad business is because of it, I bet you won’t become surrounded with those who have the mindset that their business will do well no matter what they say in the news. Those who are out there making it happen may not even be aware of that dreaded R word … because they are making it happen. You really can have the best of years no matter what the reports are saying.
Have a plan. Adapt to the times. Meet those you need to meet (and if you don’t know who you need to meet, do your homework and determine it - don’t leave it up to others to figure out) and build relationships with those who are like-minded and positive. Most of all, have a positive, can-do attitude. By banding together and helping each other, none of us will even know there is gloom and doom with the economy because the economy of our business will be doing well.