Stephen H Baum Leadership

Once again having the privilege of joining Jim Blasingame on his internet radio program this morning, have been thinking about patterns among the small business owners  with whom I work.

Most got fit during the last cycle. So for those with some wind still in the sails, they are rifle-shot opportunists. A restaurant group is building out in a major, new location with borrowed funds. An employment screening business has filled out its senior team with a key new hire, made a game-changing international acquisition and re-structured for growth.

For those with little wind at their back or even headwinds, it is back to basics. A materials company is working on selling off the businesses with the most challenged futures, re-thinking where they take their risks and revising incentive plans to motivate people in the difficult environment of the next few years. A home re-modelling company having pruned costs and facing flat demand or worse in several locations has hired a new CMO and redoubled its direct marketing. The chief of an insurance broker in health care has gone on the road with a new training package for producers and is rousing the troops. The leader of a client advisory service is bringing together the disparate skill-sets in the firm to offer clients in each industry sector a more knowledgeable team.

Uncertainty? Sure. Problems? Always. And different strokes for different folk, but a far cry from ’09 and ’10. The lesson learned is that none stands still or stews — they all take action.

Want more ideas? Go to Jim Blasingame’s webbsite:

http://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com

That’s just  my view. What’s yours?