This is what I would like to call a RANT. I am not particularly angry tonight after coming back from vacation. On the contrary, I am clear-headed and insightful. It’s amazing what a sunburn and tequila can do for the soul. I do however feel that a couple points need to be made- best intentions of course.
If you know me personally you are likely to subscribe to the fact that I always have a point to make about something.
So here we go:
Attention: Business owners!
The economy is bad and has been bad for quite sometime. It’s no surprise and certainly not something you haven’t felt deeply. However, I was hoping to see it actually create more change, shift, innovation, etc., than it has. Let’s stop the marketer jargon of labeling it with “change” and “innovation” for a moment and go with this:
Hit the damn pedal on the right. If you don’t someone else will. You will be left in the dust with no one to blame.
Crush it or get smoked!
Sound harsh? Why? How could this be harsh. Businesses have had plenty of time by now to see what may be the End of Days, yet they are still paralyzed. I am not saying the current state of affairs is easy. Was it easy when you started your business? Was it easy to hire that first employee or signed your life away on that small business loan you personally guaranteed? Of course not. You are used to discomfort. In fact, entrepreneurs are the most uncomfortable group of yahoos you could ever hope to meet. It’s this discomfort that drives us to succeed and make a difference. Don’t let the current condition of the economy stop you from digging deep and finding solutions.
Guess what?
What you normally did, do or are thinking about doing may not ever work again. The rules are changing by the minute so grab your business by the horns and steer it in a new direction. Every business, no matter what the model is, can be redirected to a certain degree. Find your zen or whatever the hell you want to call it and get really outside the box on your thinking. Outside the box doesn’t mean you start printing a larger postcard for your mailer.
Here is an article by Seth Godin to illustrate some of the change I am referring to.
I am not advocating that everyone has the same situation or that everyone is suffering, but the status quo is what it is and it’s driving me crazy. There are businesses I see daily that could be doing so much more to move towards the BLACK it’s not even funny. Get out of the RED and get out of your mind. Go drink some tequila and enlighten yourself on the ideas that may lead to a complete reinvention of your business and more importantly, your life.
Good Luck!
Love the rant. The great thing about the economy right now is that there is big problems and big problems require big solutions from Entrepreneurs who are looking to create massive value in the marketplace. The economy has its’ issues and all we can do is deal with it and look for ways to win.
David,
100% accurate! This is definitely the YEAR or maybe even YEARS of the ENTREPRENEUR! There are dozens of new opportunities that have recently surfaced and I read about them every day on our social networking site for Entrepreneurs. The time is definitely NOW to get situated and start making a difference. Remember: “Procrastination is the thief of fortune”
Keep up the good posts!
Well said! Having just received a business degree in luxury and experience brand management (great time to enter the job market, by the way), I am shocked at how the industry leaders are often seen sitting on their haunches while the market moves on. Pedal on the right, indeed!