October, 2008
Don't be an Ostrich, be a Hawk

Now is not the time to be hiding your business under the mattress.  

We've all been hearing the disturbing news of financial collapses over the last several weeks.  And as a typical response, some crazy people are pulling their life savings out of their local financial institutions and hiding the money under their mattress or in their freezer.  Take notice - Some Crazy People - are doing this.  Not everyone.

Living in the Midwest, we're 2,000 miles from the turmoil on Wall Street and in Washington D.C.  Yes, we understand the problems, but as independent small business owners, we have our own set of problems.  No one, and I mean NO ONE is going to bail us out or help us revive our businesses except, YOU and ME.  There are four vital things we must all do:  1.) we have to control our own spending.  2.) We have to control our labor costs.  3.) We must make sure that everything that is billable is billed out.  4.) It is imperative that we collect our money due to us.

Now, let me go back to the people who have not gone Crazy.  Most of those people are your customers.  The backbone of your businesses.  With the slow or non-existent new home construction and the slowing commercial construction market, you really need to capitalize on your existing core customers.  If you're not going to try to sell them another of your services, be a Hawk and empower them to be your sales person.  They know you, they trust you and your employees, and as a group, they know a heck of a lot more people than you do.  Think of incentives to get them off their sofa and begin talking-up your business to their neighbors and friends.  For years now, you've been busting your butt to take care of these people, I'm sure many of them would be more than happy to return the favor.

For ideas on customer incentives, talk to your REAMS representatives to discuss what might work for you and your customers.  Business is business, no matter how it comes to you.

- Mike