The Glass is Half Full
We are less than a month away from the Surf Expo and I’m sure you are getting an earful about “how horrible it is out there.” Lots of businesses are suffering for reasons that are out of their control (higher fuel cost, less expendable income, etc.). One thing we do have control of is how we respond to this information. In other words, don’t feed a negative situation. Shift your attention to the possibilities that are presenting themselves.
I’ve been traveling a lot recently and have spoken to retailers and manufacturers. Not all is gloom and doom and I wanted to share with you some of their positive points.
“This is a time for lots of opportunity, if you just have the audacity to look at it this way. Be honest and look under the microscope to see what’s working and what kind of changes need to be made. If you are positive, love what you are doing, and are willing to acknowledge failures as well as successes, then you will not only sustain your business, but will begin growing it immediately. Hey, there is more for me when others think this is the end or the best they can do is just get by.”
This remark came from a manufacturer in the swim and resort industry. He is actually excited about the up and coming year, and kept on stressing to me if things are harder, then be smarter.
Really, look at the decisions you’ve been making and make better ones. Analyze (“scrutinize” I believe was the actual word he used), what lines are working for you, what is not, where are you selling them, when are you selling, and who is selling them best for you. By paying attention, you can begin to see trends and markets where you can plant seeds and reap benefits when the momentum shifts.
Keep an attitude of the “glass is half full”, not “half empty”. Again, we have control over where we want to focus our attention and how we react, so focus on the opportunities and positives with a realistic and honest eye.
“Whether you are a manufacturer or a retailer, one thing I know that has kept me way ahead of the game, is customer service.”
I hate to say it, but DUH. Why is such a simple and important concept oftentimes ignored or neglected? I met a retailer in St. Maarten this past July. He’s been in business for 26 years. This year hasn’t been his best, and when I met him we were in their slow season, his wife had been sick, and the cruise ships weren’t coming into his port as often as he would have liked. But man, you would have never have known. He greeted each person that came into his souvenir and jewelry store as if they were old friends and he couldn’t wait to help them and show them whatever they wanted to see.
It is so easy to be nice and friendly. I’ve seen people warm up immediately just by a smile, or come into a booth because they were greeted with a hello and asked them if they need help. So, if you are in your booth at a show, or sitting in your store, have fun! Be friendly! You might be surprised by how people respond to you simply by engaging them. Don’t be passive, participate in your work. Be timely with returned phone calls and emails. Follow up and allow people to know you are dependable and they can count on you to either fulfill an order or solve a problem. Customer service can be one of your biggest assets and reasons why someone does business with you instead of your competitor.
“There are lot’s of great people and resources out there right now to bring in to your business.”
One person’s loss can be someone else’s gain. With the “unpredictable” environment, many people are also making changes for themselves and moving to other companies/careers. If you need different kinds of skills and experience -- or are about to enter into a new niche in your market -- there is lots of help out there. Okay, I know this is total spin of a bad situation, because many companies are in fact downsizing. But why not spin “positive”!? One door closes, another opens and it doesn’t mean it is a worse door.
I’m sorry for many of the above clichés, but they are true and I was happy to find others in our industry that shared my sentiment. So, instead having a pity party, about so much that we can’t do anything about, take control and don’t feel powerless, shift your gaze and dare to see all the good that come out of today.
