Moving On...It’s Time to Share Your Story
by Tim Fausch
October 4, 2010
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting really ticked off by
the overreaction to every shift in the economy, especially those that relate to
the A/E/C and maintenance fields.
Talking heads on cable shows react as though each decline in
existing home sales or new construction is Armageddon. They speak in sound
bites, predicting a “double dip” recession or even a full-on depression is in
our immediate future.
What’s so pathetic about these attention-seekers is that they
ignore the obvious. Everyone except these clods knew the tax credits for new
home buyers would create a dip following expiration.
But rather than report the logical market reaction, they
give us shrill and dire warnings.
I’ve had enough and I’m moving on. There’s a different story
to tell, and I hoping those of you reading this blog will help us tell it.
Check out the 30-second video included in this blog to catch the direction
we’re heading.
The idea came to me while running in Nashville. I was listening to the song Moving On, which just happens to be
(shameless plug alert) recorded by my daughter, Jessa Anderson. As I listened to the words and looked
around, I saw dozens of contractors repairing previously flooded homes.
We’ll take our chances
on a big dream.
Never won over by a
sure thing.
No longer run for
cover, hiding.
We’re moving on.
I realized that most small businesses have indeed “moved
on.” They are not waiting for a
government program to rescue them. Their entrepreneurial spirits have allowed
them to survive, and in some cases thrive, despite economic challenges.
This was reinforced when I returned home to Rochester Hills, Michigan,
where four new homes are being built in my neighborhood alone. Separately, I’ve
noticed several new commercial buildings sprouting on my daily commute.
I’ve asked my friends in the trades to assess their business situation, and here are some of their comments:
“We’ve been staying busy.”
“We hit bottom and are starting to rebound.”
“We’ve figured out how to succeed despite the economy.”
Last week I heard even stronger declarations during the Best
of Success Conference, an annual meeting of the top echelon of roofing
professionals. One of the speakers exhorted the crowd by saying, “I’ve heard
enough gloom and doom. I say that we refuse to participate in the recession.”
The positive-thinking crowd of 250+ contractors,
distributors and manufacturers applauded loudly. They too have had enough.
In the A/E/C and maintenance markets, it’s time to change
the conversation. Let’s talk about what’s going right.
Here’s how we can do it. BNP Media has 25 brands serving 15+
trades. We’re going to collect your “Moving On” short stories over the next
several weeks and publish them in an in a special microsite available to
everyone. And if we get enough response,
we may even publish an “eBook,” i.e. a digital magazine. This electronic
magazine of success stories will be free to anyone visiting our Web sites or
receiving our eNewsletters.
We’d especially like to hear YOUR story. Here’s all
you need to do. Visit www.bnpmedia.com/movingon and click “enter story”. Answer six
short questions. Then upload a photo of you or your management team. Once it’s
entered, we’ll confirm receipt.
Perhaps you think other pros would not be interested in reading
how your business is coping with these difficult times.
Trust me. They would love to read your story. We all want to move on to better things.
Tim Fausch
fauscht@bnpmedia.com
Comments (4)Post a Comment
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Title: Running on Empty
By: Hacks Homes
Posted: October 5, 2010 4:30 PM
Jackson Brown had it right a long time ago. I retired from military service and later started a new custom homes Design/Build business back in 2006. I almost immediately stopped because of my analysis of the future economic outlook. I could see that I "MAY" lose my "FANNIE". Since then I have been running on empty by not starting any new construction but by buying up the bargains on building materials. I now am poised to start construction early next year in anticipation of a new housing boom. I may be "still running behind" but at least I am still in the running.
Hack
Title: Share Your Story
By: Tim Fausch
Posted: October 6, 2010 1:33 PM
Hack: Thanks for posting. You are an example of a survivor who we need to learn from. Many of our readers have been "Running on Empty" (love that tune) for a while. Let's sing a new song - "Moving On" - instead. Please visit www.bnpmedia.com/movingon and join those who are sharing!
Title: Moving On...
By: Megan Coleman
Posted: October 19, 2010 1:18 PM
Tim...If you are interested in hearing our story of how we, as an American art tile manufacturer, are moving on and learning how we are adapting and staying successful despite the economy, I am happy to share with you and your readers who have the opportunity to support an American small business that actually still makes something with our hands:) Thank you. www.clayhausceramics.com
Title: re-invention
By: Ernie Ekberg
Posted: October 23, 2010 9:24 AM
I re-invented myself by switching from the dead real estate market to installing wood and carpet in luxury motor coaches. Started a website, with photos to showcase my work. Should have done this years ago. At 63, who says an old dog should lay down?
www.ernieekbergflooring.net