Monday, April 6, 2009

It's all "Bull" when your wallet's "Bear"

The markets are showing signs of life again but for a large majority of business owners, this depression/recession has put them on the edge of extinction. We say shame on us and shame on them. Why? Because we all got scared, that's why. Some business owners are merely employees without a boss, while others are real entrepreneurs; meaning they embody the resilience, passion, and vision to reach the next level of success no matter what type of obstruction impedes their ability to make progress.

As business owners, the hardest, most stressful step you've had to make was the decision to start your business. Unfortunately for some, it was the last big step as an entrepreneur they ever took. (Please take note of the distinction made between business owners and entrepreneurs. This will be the topic of a later blog)

So at this point we don't blame for asking "what the heck are you guys getting at"? And there in lies our point. You know that annoying feeling you get when things are dragging on too long, and you just want to see some decisive action being taken....well that is exactly what was lost when most of us decided to sit and wait for the economy to make our companys profitable again.

If you think you did all you could possibly do to keep your business alive during the bear market ask yourself these simple questions:


1) What did I learn about the potential of my business?



2) Does the vision of my company match its potential?



3) Did I adjust my business plan to align with my vision and potential?



4) How much will this potential cost me? When will I achieve it?



5) Are my competitors or my industy heading in the same direction? How will I differentiate myself?



These types of questions are what real entrepreneurs are constantly challenging themselves with during periods of feast, famine, drought, flood, recession, depression, bull market, bear market, no market.



Are you a real entrepreneur?

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