Absolutely. Business and the economy have cycles. Always have. Always will. Recessions will happen again and again and again. It is natural. just accept it.

This recession was made worse, because several bad things happened at the same time. However, every business should expect good times and bad. During good times, we should re-build our infra-structures and reinforce systems. In other words, prepare for rough weather. In bad times, we should look for opportunities and rely on the strengths and systems we built when times were good.

Here is the problem- In bad times, business leaders don’t want to take chances and make weak organizations weaker. They don’t invest in their #1 asset- their people. Nor do they invest in the systems that make their “human resources” less critical. So, they get weaker or die. . . or barely survive. In good times, those same businesses don’t reinvest in their systems or people, because they get lazy. “Why reinvest? Times are great! We’re on a roll!”

We should all listen to and follow the Boy Scout’s motto: “Always Be Prepared!”

I’ll try red or blue or another color. Yellow was suggested to me.

Thanks.

Matt

I’m enjoying your articles they are very informative. I do have a bit of trouble reading the yellow type . . . could be my eyes are too old.

I heard, from a source long forgotten, that if a business saved money during the good times, and used that savings to grow during the recession then it would prosper more during the recession than during the recovery. What are your thoghts on that philosophy?

Karen