As a general recommendation, I continue to suggest reading the local newspaper and/or weekly business periodical to continually assess the daily dynamics of one’s local business community and wedding industry economy. Once again, taking my own advice is tougher than it might seem.
In Las Vegas, reading about the precarious financial condition of casino/hotel giants, such as Harrah’s Corporation or MGM/Mirage, among others, is downright frightening. Understanding that the local community is experiencing a 10% unemployment rate now, that tens of thousands of jobs are hanging in the balance, and visitor/convention revenues have been trending down for a year, leaves one quite a tendency to see the glass as half-empty.
I have come to appreciate Las Vegas, as a living example of trickle-down economics. The convention, hospitality and destination wedding industry are largely tied to huge companies, and the small or micro-businesses are much further down the food chain. When big business catches a cold, small business catches pneumonia.
But there is another dynamic that has begun to occur. Many hard-working, bright small business owners have become reinvigorated by the gravity of the situation. They have taken a fresh look at their operations and marketing, are re-evaluating, and reconfiguring. As well, they are nesting with their peers. Yes, at association meetings and networking groups. But also in 1-to-1 and small group discussions, more like Think Tanks or Masters Groups. Sole proprietors benefit from this strategy, particularly, because high-powered counterparts service as sounding boards and substitutes for business partners.
Conspicuous consumption (parties or celebrations) has fallen out of favor. Believe me, though, not every business out there is one-step-from-the-grave.
I strongly believe conspicuous optimism is always a good thing. If you’re hustling, working hard, and making sales, good for you. That should be cause for optimism. One can’t control what the mega-companies do. One can make the best of your business relationships, nurture them, network, develop fresh relationships, and don’t leave any lead hanging by a thread. Close the sale or figure out why the prospect became someone else’s customer.
In a time when businesses have closed, and some are on the brink, people want to do business with stable entities. An outward disposition of optimism, appreciation, and occasional excitement creates an imbalance in your favor.
Don’t work 24/7. Enjoy an occasional small celebration of sales victories. Maybe not for the biggest sale, but for making the toughest sale.
Most of all, don’t worry. Positive disposition, accompanied with focused action is quite a remedy.
What are you doing to be positive and take action? Share your wisdom, here, with a comment.
My glass is half-full, how’s yours?
Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority
written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: advice, Andy Ebon, associations, benefits, best, business journal, business weekly, casino, communication, community, conspicuous positive outlook, glass half empty, glass half full, Harrah's, hotel, Las Vegas, leads, local economy, marketing, MGM/Mirage, network, networking, optimism, positive outlook, prospects, public relationship, publicity, read newspaper, reading, Relationship Marketing, sales, service, services, time, trends, wedding, weddings
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The AFWPI 1-day conference will feature a host of seminars and breakouts on Tuesday, June 2nd at the Sunrise Event Center in Rancho Cordova. Andy will be giving a blogging seminar, Blogging Your To Business Success. He also is giving the conference keynote address: Marketing and Selling to the 21st Century Bride.
