small business development

small business development

Wild West was Won with Heart and Passion – Inspires Business Growth Initiatives for the New Economy

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I am convinced that business done with heart and passion is the business that will endure.

 

I had the opportunity to visit Eastern Oregon last week as a keynote for a local business resource fair. I was WOW’d from the time I drove into town until 24 hours later when I left.

 

 

Baker City, Oregon in times far past held it’s claim as the premier social center with the largest population in Oregon. It’s residents are enamored with the beauty of the area and burst with pride at their history. For example, over 100 buildings in the downtown are over 100 years old. After hanging out with them for one day, I was sold!

 

It was the collaboration of several entities that brought this event into fruition. I believe it is this type of cooperation that will enable us to weather this storm and come out on the other side wiser, better positioned, and cared for in the process.

 

It is tough times that bring out the leader within!

 

My presentation covered many every day strategies to sharpen your entrepreneurial edge and do business in this new economy which I hoped inspired them as much as their efforts and outreach inspired me.

 

Let the lessons from the Wild West inspire you…

 

  • Travel with folks going your way. Hang out with positive, forward thinking people. Build your power team. Share the work.
     

  • When trouble comes. Circle the wagons. This is not to deny the recession we are in but rather to accept where we are and do what we can to make a difference in the world.
     

  • Keep moving toward the goal. You will be surprised at the difference in your ability to see bigger and take positive action when you see others finding success and opportunity just by their attitude.
     

I want to publicly commend the local players in Baker City who work together to serve their community.

 

Gene Stackle, B.E.G.I.N.; Ann MeHaffy, Historic Baker City, Inc.; Andrew Bryan, Baker County Development Corporation; Debi Bainter, Baker County Chamber of Commerce; Jake Jacobs, Small Business Development Center; and Linda Noble, Oregon Employment Department.

 

Wherever you are, there are resources like these and more! Working together we will get through!

 

Keep looking forward.

 

PS There are not many towns where you can visit the local wine bar to meet the reporter who wrote about you in the local paper…where he was the entertainment! Ed Merriman with the Baker City Herald is not only a talented reporter but also musician. Thanks, Ed for all your efforts on our behalf.

 

If you ever get to Baker City, the first Friday is the Gallery Crawl. This is a VERY fun way to spend the evening. The Geiser Grand Hotel is a must visit for the restaurant or lodging. Start your day at Mad Matilda’s for coffee and the Earth & Vine for a night cap.

Business Truth: Adaptability = Longevity & Profitability

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What if we don’t adapt to the needs of the market? What then?

 

Many years ago I worked for a company in a management position. I enjoyed years of their growth and abundance in the market. The product was fairly easy to sell. The company easy to build. The owners were brilliant. The model seemed sound. The leadership was respected; something to be emulated and sought after. This was a multi-million dollar company with offices in multiple countries. Today, they no longer exist except as a memory for those of us who invested years of heart and energy into building their business while we established our own organizations.

 

What happened? The same thing that can happen to you unless you respond to the needs of the market as it exists today! They did not respond to a changing market. They hired outside branding “experts” which did not quite hit the mark. Sept. 11, 2001 hit compounding the challenge. Over time they became fear driven which trickled down to the sales team in the field. How did this happen? Was it ego, denial or an inability to adapt quickly that failed them? I don’t know. As an outsider at close range I offer the following insights that are eerily familiar in today’s economy.

 

Watch for these symptoms which, if not addressed, can kill you…or lose you quite a bit of momentum, opportunity, and profit.

 

  1. Fear causes confusion, paralysis or withdrawal from the market.
     

  2. Negative news and discussion is a distraction, which results in a lack of focus and exaggeration of current climate, which contributes to number 1.
     

  3. For newcomers, the perception of lack of opportunity or need creates a self destructive cycle of belief. If you are new to an industry or situation, you have no history or reference with which to measure or find assurance, doubt takes over and growth is handicapped.

 

Solutions:

 

 

  1. Don’t stop doing what you were doing. The vacuum that is created by the ebb of this market actually creates opportunity for those who are inclined to pursue it. Press into the openness created by your competitors withdrawal. This is a great space to collect on the marketing efforts of others.
     

  2. Turn off the TV and radio. Don’t listen to those who tell you how bad it is. Yes, it is true that some are losing their jobs, some industries are in a downturn….we quickly forget that even in a growth economy, these same discussions occur. The market has changed. That is true. If you want to stay in business, you will find a way to adapt.
     

  3. Adapt. Ask yourself, in your area of specialty, what is missing in this current economy that you can deliver? This may mean creating a new offering or pursuing a new niche. This is the time to gain laser focus rather than more generalization to capture market share.
     

  4. Take care of your current customers. They are unsure and fearful at this time too. Your confidence and connection will create loyalty, ongoing business, and referrals far beyond what you could imagine. All you have to do is keep in touch.

 

These solutions work whether you sell a product or service. Your customers, prospects, and network want to see you as secure, confident, and focused…not doubtful, hesitant, and inconsistent. Don’t hide or withdraw…this causes prospects, customers, and your network to withdraw from you. Instead, embrace. Step forward. Reach out. Reach out…not to sell, but rather to serve. Calm fears. Answer questions. You will be amazed at the response.

 

For some of you, this may be the time to reinvent yourself or adjust your business model… or get back to the basics and update your strategic plan. In every market change there is great opportunity. One of the benefits of being a small business is our ability to quickly adjust.

 

Instead of looking at this time as a period to cut back, withdraw, shore up…View this as an opportunity to focus with laser sharpness on your customers, ideal prospects, on investments that gain you return (whether time or money) and carry this practice forward as your business grows! These are smart business practices!

 

Are you ready to shift gears, step forward and grasp what is waiting for you?