Do You Have An Attitude Problem?

Have you considered, now that the Tiger has legged it, leaving us in a recessionary economy, spending habits must be altered by those negatively affected so they can make ends meet; which will in turn change our entire spending culture and trends?

Perhaps you may accept that your business will automatically be reduced by comparison to previous years, you may have strategies in place to ensure you will keep trading no matter what. You may have forecasted this and have a contingency plan implemented that was devised long ago – if so; Congratulations!

Perhaps like the majority though, you did not anticipate the future so accurately, and did not devise a contingency programme, or did  not expect such a dramatic change to your business.....if this is you and you are reacting to the present economic environment, then you are among the greater number.

With new trends and cultures, there must be new attitudes. Perhaps you need to change yours....

Have you begun to fight for your business more aggressively? Have you researched if your clients are primarily price focused/ product focused regardless of cost/ convenience shoppers / impulse purchasers etc?  If so, have you made your business even more attractive to clients ensuring loyalty?Are you confident you are offering what customers consider “value for money”? If you are – does everyone know about this? Do you think your products/ services are favourable to your competitors and guarantee a great customer experience? If you do – does everyone know about this? Do you have something absolutely unique to offer? If so – does everyone know about this? Are you proud of what you do? If so - are you shouting about this???

Do you constantly remind people you are there? Do you constantly inform the public about what you offer? Or do you expect people to automatically know?

If everyone was an expert on your business, everyone would be working in your business!

Maybe it’s a good assumption to consider that existing and future clients don’t know all of what you offer. They may need reminders. People get bogged down in so many areas of their own life and may opt for convenience or for the lowest possible cost regardless of quality when making a purchase, demonstrating that your business is not their priority but your own!

Do you need to work smarter/ become more aggressive/ change some of your attitudes to help your business? Are you availing of every opportunity offered and available to you to push your business forward? Are there initiatives or activities you should be involved in?  It’s an option! If you want footfall through your doors it is up to you to go get it!

It may be worth considering employing the help of an expert/ trainer/ teacher or coach to examine all areas of your business and see how perhaps with a few specific and minor changes, implementing one or two new ideas, significant advances can be made to assist the success of your business in a recession. You owe it to yourself and your business to investigate new ways to help run a successful business despite a slowing economy and optimize your opportunities.  

The options are vast; if you need assistance, there are many courses on offer, through the Chamber and other training organizations, there are many experts in your field waiting to help you and there are many business coaches giddy trying to avail of the chance to work with you.  

Do you need to get out there and inform your existing clients, potential clients, neighbours, friends and family what your business has to offer? The environment and culture is changing – are your products and services doing likewise to match the new needs of individuals or businesses???

Businesses survived and were even started in the 80’s, during the last Irish recession. There is no doubt there was a different work ethic and spending culture then.  Customer needs were different, and evolved during the boom years. Let’s respond to the present needs and trends which are ever changing to keep aware and even ahead to ensure our businesses prevail.

 Business doesn’t just happen, it is made happen. You need to make it happen for you!