The four eternal questions pop into view whenever we think of beginning, changing, moving on, or revisiting Square One. All those verbs have been activated, perhaps too frequently, in the past couple of years.
Businesses of any size keep an eye on them to ensure survival in good or bad times. But all seem to agree that what we have been experiencing lately is no ordinary good or bad time. Each month focuses on one or another of the crucial words but, unfortunately adds little clarity.
The one thing that never changes though, is the human capacity to innovate - and that capacity increases geometrically with the need to survive - and thrive. Just check through the articles in your business magazines throughout 2009. Have they been moaning and groaning about the sad state of the economy? Hardly a word. What is the ONE keyword that has stirred up your brain cells? CREATIVITY! And how have thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide harnessed that valuable resource? First, and foremost, take your ideas seriously. They are your gold mine. Then ask yourself : WHAT can I do with “this?” No matter what “this” is, if it interests you, you can do something with it. It will lead you to finding the right partners, the right funders, the right buyers. And that takes care of the HOW! The WHAT teaches you the HOW. The WHEN is now. Right now. Don’t procrastinate. Do it now! And what about WHERE? Start wherever you are. Again, the right place will emerge from the WHAT and HOW. It’s all built in.
So dust off your brain cells and look around you - your future is probably right under your nose!
The current credit crunch is taking its toll on entrepreneurs and small business owners. many of whom have for years enjoyed credit lines and business cards with high limits. Suddenly those lines and limits have been diminished by as much as 60%. The word “suddenly” should be emphasized here because, without warning how could anyone be prepared?
We are in the midst of a WORLDWIDE recession. The only thing that seems to be agreed upon by everyone is that world economies MUST begin to recover. The normal engines of this recovery, small businesses and entrepreneurs, are being gagged, handcuffed and tossed in the nearest dumpster, while the “too big to fail” giants are spoon fed and coddled in the hope that they will finally “grow up.”
Read More
Saturday’s Kentucky Derby provided us with another stunning example of human love for the underdog suddenly becoming the winner. Mine That Bird, a fifty to one shot, suddenly flew from the back of the pack, alongside the inside rail, past all the favorites, to win by several lengths. The crowd went wild, screaming and crying, as the horse seemed to grin at the cameras, then quietly munch the grass around him as if this was an everyday occurrence. maybe to him, it was. his owners and trainer will decide if he will run in The Preakness.
Even to non-sports fans, such an upset is a startling event, reminding us again of the seemingly innate desire in us for the least acclaimed to suddenly become the star. Why is that? Do we identify with the happening as if it were happening to us? Whatever, I’m sure most of us want another unexpected event, a triple crown winner after many years? We can all hope!
