Inauguration

January 20, 2009 So, today is the start of something new. Today at noon, this country inaugurated a new president. It’s seems like just yesterday that I was sitting in my living room watching the election results.

Can you believe that it's been almost 3 months since the election? Almost a quarter of a year. If you look at time in those terms, in terms of how fast time goes, one quarter of a year is not long. What shape was your business in 3 months ago? How has your company changed in the 3 months since the election? How much will your company change in the next 3 months? When you look time this way, it seems short. If history is any indicator, this recession should be just about over. I can hear you now... "It's just begun. We haven't seen the bottom yet." Would it surprise you to know that the 2 longest recessions since 1950 lasted 16 months? The National Bureau of Economic Research says the United States has officially been in a recession since December 2007. We are in the 13th month of the current recession. OK- Let's be realistic and say that this one will last longer than the others. Let's give it an extra 6 months. That puts us in October, 2009. How is your company positioned for new business? Will it be ready when the economy begins it's recovery? Will you be easily found by prospective customers? Or has that been the problem since before the recession began? Realistically, that could be why you have lost business in the recession. Or, why you have not been able to replace the business that you have lost. Or, why you haven't gained any new customers. Many companies are gaining ground on their competitors in this economy. Do you know any? I do. One thing that these companies have in common is that they are aggressive about getting in front of potential customers. It's worth repeating. Companies who are gaining ground on their competition now are AGGRESSIVE about getting in front of potential customers. What does AGGRESSIVE mean? It means a having GREAT, not just average, WEBSITE for starters. It means a website that has great SEO (Search Engine Optimization.) It means an effective PPC (Pay Per Click) program. It means listings on directory sites (ThomasNet.com) It means cool promotional products that keep your company in good graces with your best customers. It means an informative and entertaining Newsletter that keeps your company in front of your customers and prospects when they are not buying from you. It means YOU ARE IN FRONT OF YOUR CUSTOMERS AND PROSPECTS during this "down time." Are you?? Can you afford not to be? When the economy starts to turn, and your customers and prospects begin buying again, the business is going to be awarded to the AGGRESSIVE company, the company that has been working aggressively, during the "down time" to earn that customer's business--- while you were not. He is earning it! Barrak Obama has very high expectations to meet. Whether you voted for him or not, you must root for him to succeed. You must keep a positive outlook for the future of this country's economic situation. Consider the alternative... The economy will recover. It's just a matter of time… Will you be ready??