Here are six tips that can help business people survive, even thrive, in the current economic downturn.
Tip #1. Quit Whining.
You know if everyone joined hands to form a human chain across the U.S., looked to the sky and complained in unison about the tough business environment, it still wouldn't change things! Right now, someone in your field is having a great year. Why not you? The first step is to quit whining.
Tip #2. Get In Touch.
One of the first things to happen in a tough market is that most bad and many of the mediocre players give up. Don't let your business relationships wonder if that's where you fit in. Call everyone you have ever done business with or would like to do business with and let them know you are still around. Tell them you're ready, willing and able to serve them. Be honest about the tough times and give them the opportunity to help you with some business or a referral or two or three.
Tip #3. Get Back To Work.
A bad market is a great excuse to be lazy. Don't get caught in the 'nobody's buying anything so why bother' syndrome. Dust off the good work habits. Get in early, stay late, and maybe even put in a half day on your usual day or days off. Persistence always pays big dividends.
Choose to be successful no matter what the market is doing. Quit wasting time and emotions on things you can't control. Focus on what you can control - you and your actions. Get busy.
Tip #4. Sharpen Your Skills.
When you can least afford to is often the best and most important time to invest in yourself. The first thing IBM founder Thomas J. Watson, Sr. did when things got tough was to invest in his sales force. He hired more salespeople, beefed up their training, and hit the road personally to inspire them.
Remember, it is the bad and mediocre who quit in tough times. That leaves the good and the best to compete for market share in a shrinking market. Be honest. Even though the market has pulled back, aren't there still enough deals for you and your favorite 50 colleagues to reach your business goals? Is the problem really the number of deals, or just the number you're getting? Sharpen your skills. Improve your game.
Tip #5. Look For Opportunities.
The toughest times always have carried with them the greatest opportunities. It can be difficult to see opportunities while you're being bombarded with negative press, negative feedback, and negative thoughts. But set aside the negative and look for the opportunities. They do exist and they can be yours.
Tip #6. Don't Go Overboard. Have Some Fun.
This is the easiest advice to follow. Work hard, but remember that tougher times usually cause higher stress levels. Keep up your exercise plan, eat well, enjoy the beautiful place we live in, and have some fun. Not having fun will not make a bad market go away. A great philosopher once said, "Fun is the only reality," and there's a lot of truth to that.
Historically, the good ones have weathered tough markets, and these six tips may help you and your colleagues cope with the adversity posed by our current recession.
Remember, the quickest way to get to the top is still a long road indeed. So roll up your sleeves and get to work. Choose to be the one who excels during times when the rest are making excuses and doing little to nothing. Choose to get ahead and be even more successful than you thought possible. Get busy!
