I know it is hard to charge forward when it feels like everything around you is coming apart. But that is exactly what you must do to move through the challenges associated with a slow economy. So here is what will happen if you choose to stand still.
1. Your ccompetitors will leave you out in the cold-Not everyone's assets are frozen in this economic climate. Companies are still spending money when they see an opportunity worth investing in. Are you?
2. How far behind will you be when we move into recovery? Will your people be able to quickly adapt to the new landscape that is bound to occur? Or will you be one of the many companies scrambling to regain your footing?
3. Have you decided to freeze salary increases this year? Don't be surprised if you wind up investing that money (and then some) to replace those "valued" employees who no longer feel connected to your organization.
4. Have you scaled back the training budget so there are no resources left to improve your people? If you think your people can be easily trained using inexpensive on-line training resources, think again. A well known national funeral home company tried to teach their employees how to be empathetic using this method of training. The results were deadly.
5. Are your customers moving over to the competition, who has just released yet another upgrade to their product or service? Would you do the same if you didn't work for your company? Few people are buying cars made in the US today because they are unsure if those companies will be around to stand behind the products they are selling. Perhaps your customers are wondering the same thing.
So what is it going to be? Will you choose to stand in place and hope the winds of change don't blow you over or will you use the wind to help your organization move forward more swiftly?
