April6
business is like a glassy-fronted wave. you need to know how to approach it and enjoy the ride as opposed to killing yourself working against the wrong currents.
metaphors are great at cocktail parties. but, they are awesome if you understand them, and know how to leverage their foundation.
I recently described the state of our economy to several of my clients through the following analogy:
“Everyone has been wondering when the economy would kick-back-in. However, it’s official, we are in crazy business mode across most of the country. What made the difference? Well… I think someone bought some foreclosure property, and while repairing their landscaping discovered a hidden lever (probably by the saline pool box). They pulled it and the lights came on everywhere. Now its a mad rush to get into the action. Welcome back everyone. Let’s build empires, shall we.”
that got a lot of attention and it went viral. I fielded some radio host chatter, and might get some national sound-bite opportunities.
more importantly, it’s true and evident. and, that’s great news for everyone, providing you, “play your cards right”, or depending on the “wave you ride”, and if you can view business like a chess board (I do). neither has to be a gamble those words imply. however, gambits provide opportunities. NOTE: gambits require information and understanding. experience certainly helps.
in any event, see below for a quick Linkedin exchange I had late in the week with the emphatic Rick Stengard.
Rick Stengard Well said. It’s also true that corporations have been quietly cutting expenses and leaning out operations over the past 5 years. Everyone’s ready to get back to making money. We have one big road block left. The Federal and State Governments are now faced with a similar challenge to cut the fat. Have no doubt that will be a painful process but will benefit everyone in the end.
Brian Patrick Cork I don’t agree that corporate cut-backs have been “quiet” in nature. But, the pain is certainly evident. Meanwhile, we as a business community simply and collectively have decided it’s time to go back to work. Historically, government does not track to the commercial sectors. Instead of running parallel, they are often contrary to one another. But, look for the media’s hand in much of the signaling. Once they decide to write great news it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
On the other hand, this is simply how commerce works in terms commoditized business.
To wit… When one industry flags, others prosper. That said, the guys that own the Atlanta Ferrari and Maserati dealerships will tell you that cars are flying off their lots. Guess whom is buying them? Minority government contractors. More on that later. I bet I get a call from Mayor Kasim Reed as this comment is likely ignite the potential for a fire-storm. But, it’s accurate information. And, it offers insight into “how things work”.
Business is like a glassy-fronted wave. You need to know how to approach it and enjoy the ride as opposed to killing yourself working against the wrong currents.
beyond my correspondence with Rick I always find references to our government relative to business (and the economy) curious. while our current government has no clue how to stimulate the economy, the notion of government work is generally a oxymoron. but, here is the best part of this post, and I’m curious to see if people pick-up on this… when government expenditures and productivity flag, that is when they start bringing in high-powered and expensive consultants to bring everything back-online. and, in that regard, they behave just like corporate America (and, global commerce, for that matter). look for staffing and consulting companies to be exploding. that’s always a great indicator that the light have come-on and people are dashing about madly pulling levers and pushing buttons.
Ernst & Young is forecasting a growth in it’s own revenues of over $3 Billion dollars over the next twenty-four to thirty-six months.
“Over the next two decades, rising per capita wealth in rapid-growth markets will generate a significant growth opportunity for multinational companies. Understanding this market, and developing products and services that meet its needs, will become a strategic priority that cannot be ignored.”
that comes from one of my guys at E&Y on the innovative task force.
peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.
brian patrick cork
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