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

I’m sitting in a booth in sunny, Baker, California at The Mad Greek Cafe. This restaurant, about 80 miles Southwest of Las Vegas, is on the way to Los Angeles, off Highway 15.

The Mad Greek promotes itself with an interminable number of billboards and roadsigns. I would guess there are 50 between Las Vegas and Baker.

I stop here but it’s convenient, different, and serves Greek food. My late mother, born in Athens, would be both amused and irritated by its lack of authenticity and presentation. It IS blue and white, throughout, symbolizing the colors of the Greek flag. It has tacky signs, celebrity signs, and chotckes, from top to bottom.

Mainly, I come here to take a break from the drive, and to enjoy the gyro and eggs. The hash browns are a rectangular slab, right out of the package. The meal is served on plastic plates with plastic knife and fork.

Yet, billboards tout gyros at The Mad Greek as The Best Gyros in the World. They’re OK. I enjoy them enough, but they might not even be the best gyros in Baker, CA.

‘Best’ is hyperbole. It’s another cliche, best left off your ads. If you won the Best of Oshkosh Award from the free weekly periodical, that’s nice, but it means zip. Your brother-in-law, and every other friend and relative could write you in for this meaningless recognition. Don’t think your prospects are that stupid.

Calling yourself ‘The Best’ is puffery and foolishness. Enter and win an industry award. Now that’s something to shout about.

… I can just hear the strains of my mother’s voice lecturing one of the authentic Hispanic wait staff in this almost authentic Greek cafe about the insufficient amount of honey on the baklava. My mom would be speaking Greek, they wouldn’t understand a thing, but would smile and nod. I would be stifling a giggle.

Best, indeed

Before you utter that 4-letter B-word, realize that, at best, it’s subjective. Just do a great job, and be distinctly different. Best is for self-delusional fools. That isn’t you, is it?

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Blog

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: Baker, baklava, best, better, California, gyro, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Mad Greek Cafe