The economy is a mess. Is your business?
I address the headline’s question in today’s newsletter - Dealing with a harsh economy: The Window and the Mirror.
The newsletter’s premise is simple: Is the current economic crisis an excuse to hide or a call to action? Are you looking “out the window” for the reasons you can’t succeed, or looking “in the mirror” to focus on the things you can control?
Of course, what happens out the window matters. But the real issue is how you will deal with it.
I was talking with my friend Miguel Latronica about the concept of the Window and the Mirror the other day. Today he sent me this picture, which captures the concept beautifully:
Miguel took this picture looking into the mirror in his laundry room, which sits opposite a large window. He sees himself and the world outside the window reflected together.
What happens outside the window is real, but by looking in the mirror to see it, you can’t use it as an excuse. You can only help but see yourself, and be challenged to think about the actions you can take to help yourself.
Please have a look at the newsletter, and share your comments below. Are you ready to look in the mirror?
Read
Back in the days of print advertising, for those with long memories, Reed Business Information did a study of what happened to companies that boosted their ad spending in hard times. The findings: they increased their market share and maintained the new higher share after the recessionary period passed.
I watched many companies listen attentively to Reed’s pitch, and then cut their budgets.
In most of our houses, there are more windows than mirrors.
Thanks, Larry. While competitors are hiding in the bunkers, opportunities arise!
Steve
Thanks for the great newsletter. I couldn’t agree more and I am going to send it around to the rest of my staff. Your article is in the same theme as a blog post I wrote called “Outside or Inside” http://blog.builddirect.com/industryinsights/?p=100
Although I must confess….yours is probably better written
All the best
Jeff – I really liked your blog post. Yes, we’re on exactly the same page. You are right – the most successful people share this trait.