Posted by Beth Fillerup on Thu, Jan 14, 2010 @ 04:51 PM
2009 will go down as one of the worst economic years since the Great Depression. And yet, life and business goes on. As we start a new year as well as a new decade, it is up to each of us to focus on the opportunities and attitudes that will allow us, and our businesses, to thrive in 2010.
Let's start by looking at some of the opportunities available to us in the coming year:
Less competition. Many businesses have had to shut their doors this year, bringing the "survival of the fittest" into play. Fewer competitors mean larger market share for the businesses that were able to survive.
New services or products. With the changing buying behaviors of consumers and businesses alike, we have the opportunity to redesign or create new products or service offerings to meet the demands of the market.
Abundance of talent. It's unfortunate that high unemployment will most likely continue this year, but it does provide us with the great opportunity to pick and choose from the abundance of talented individuals who are looking for jobs and add them to our teams.
Sluggish Economy. Yes, I see this challenge as an opportunity. The economy is expected to be sluggish at best this year, and credit will be even tighter. This presents a chance to continue sharpening our leadership skills, become more determined and intent on growing our businesses, and become better stewards of our finances, taking our businesses to new heights. It is often adversity and difficult times that bring the greatest growth.
In terms of attitude, I think Chuck Swindoll puts it best. I got his quote from a restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina many years ago. The restaurant gave it out to all patrons and, not coincidentally, the employees all had great attitudes.
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our ATTITUDES."
The Bottom Line
As a business owner, to thrive in 2010 will require you to be mindful of all the opportunities presented to you, as well as to maintain a positive attitude no matter the challenges that you face. We know this is going to be another up and down year for businesses, and we also know that, much like in 2009, the businesses that are going to succeed are those where the leaders show true leadership.
Is there a topic that you would like Michael to discuss? If so, email him at mgunther@collaboration-llc.com or call (805) 541-9040 to let him know.
Michael Gunther is Founder and President of Collaboration LLC, a team of highly skilled business professionals who are dedicated to assisting proactive business owners to build profitable, sustainable businesses through results-oriented education, coaching, and consulting services. Learn more at www.collaboration-llc.com.