Push back the falling sky

This is not time to be Chicken Little. The sky has fallen on certain industries and in some cases they seemed to actively pull it down themselves, like the US auto industry. GM and Chrysler need only look in the mirror to see the real reason for their downfalls. But other segments of the economy are holding their own and here again, the reason is internal. They're doing things differently and making improvements. It only makes sense to do this.

I know of a couple of movie theater complexes that are doing pretty well through innovating and diversifying their services. Yes, they don't have to only show movies! They can and now do other things, like renting out their spaces for group gatherings, and improve upon what they already do, like better seating and a place for kids to play (like McDonald's has done for years). I love having reclining seats and cup holders when I go to a movie. Wouldn't you?

When I heard Rahm Emmanuel exclaim "never waste a good crisis," I was concerned because I don't trust his motives. On the other hand, that's great advice for the business community today! Is there a crisis? Yes, there is (although some of it is just perception). Don't waste it by running for cover or becoming inert. Do what my client is doing that I wrote about in my previous post. Examine the whole business. See what can be improved and do it. Reinvent yourself in areas of your strengths and market need.

Tony Robbins once wrote that when things go wrong we should immediately ask what's great about this situation. That seems counter-intuitive, but I can tell you from personal experience it works. Businesses today should do the same.