Wow, what an insane 18 months. In October of 2008, I recall coaching many through the insanity of the free fall. I had a really clear view then:
“We are just going to have to wait this out. If you can survive to the summer of 2009, we can start to plan again. By that time we will have hit bottom and, although the recovery will be really bumpy, (you won’t be able to get consistent deliveries from suppliers, they will have cut back too much) we will be on the up tick. Besides, (I said with the bravado of a person that has never really experienced a significant market crash) you can’t keep the American consumer from spending all that long.”
That’s pretty much a direct quote from the many “Time to Think” calls I hosted in through the spring of 2009.
I was incredibly spot on until 2009 came to a close. But then reality really sunk in… we have all been floored by how much of a struggle the bumpy road to recovery has been. For many, surviving last year took everything out of them and their bank accounts. Now, with the spring on the verge, we do see signs of a recovery, but can you respond? Do you recall how to close that deal (at a profitable margin) and deliver on what you’ve promised?
You have retained the best of your team and they have proven their loyalty in taking that salary adjustment and furloughs, but now that its time to mix it up and get things moving again they are incredibly sluggish and those balls… they are all over the floor! URGH!
And your customers, (what the heck?) why are they so demanding?
Yep, we are in a totally different world. It is sort of opposite land … you know like flushing the toilet in Australia when you’ve lived your whole life in America (or vice versa).
It’s time to step back, reengage that amazingly bright team in a productive and optimistic conversation about today’s reality. Yep, the world is different, the balance of power has shifted, but you can still win. You just need to get your bearings in this new world.