Tech Suicide

Although these pictures are lovely, I cannot claim that they are my work. In fact, as it turns out, I have no photos that are my handiwork to share with you today. Nor do I have blog posts!

Sadly, my computer committed suicide recently. And Sunday hadn't backed up in months. Needless to say, the last few days have been quite an ordeal with missed deadlines, missed meetings, and financial creativity in replacing all hardware and software that went bye bye.



I'm happy to report that we have a new computer in the house, that is FABULOUS! It's lightweight and has many fancy functions that the old one lacked. I feel so hip! And it looks like I'll be able to bring you blog posts more often due to new higher tech capabilities. I've been converted from an XP user to a Vista user. So far.

These photos were the stock photos that came with the computer. They are the only photos I have right now. Sad! I know you aren't complaining, but the feverish viewers of my son's blog are posting complaints left and right. I think I like you Biz Wiz readers better.



My techie friend is harvesting the organs of my old laptop. The files will be extracted from the hard drive and returned to me shortly. I'll be back in the game!

Too bad my digital camera won't commit suicide. I've actually tried to kill it on numerous occasions, truth be told. But it still works, taped together and all.

As such, the next post will contain my normal style of blogging instead of professional masterpieces you've just enjoyed. Check back soon!

The Vacation Challenge

Photo: Lake Wenatchee, WA, August 2007. By Sunday Tollefson.

As I prepare to vacation for a few days, I realize that I talk with small business owners about vacations a lot. My question is this: do you take vacations? Can you take vacations? If you cannot take a vacation, what is the reason? And when do you expect that you will take a vacation? What if you were confined to a hospital bed tomorrow with no ability to operate your business? What would happen to your business?

For too many business owners, the answers remind them how their businesses have completely absorbed their lives. It doesn't have to be this way. In fact, I propose to you that it shouldn't be that way. Business owners who lack a balance of fun and play in their lives are sacrificing quality of life. For what?

By changing just a few aspects of their operations, they can take a vacation.

If a business is like a smoothly running engine, the parts know their roles. Marketing happens in line with a plan, finances are predictable, technology systems are functional, various procedures and workflows are documented, people understand your expectations, etc.

If you are a business owner who cannot vacation because your business will come to a grinding hault, I propose that you plan a vacation in the coming year. The challenge is ensuring that the business continues during your absence with no hiccups. By vacation, I don't mean a four-day weekend. I'm talking about two weeks away or more.

Are you up to it?

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Have you seen business owners in the "I-Can't-Vacation" predicament? What would happen to your business if you walked away for two weeks? How could planning an extended vacation affect your perceptions regarding your business?

Recession or Prosperity?

Sign Of The Times - Foreclosure
Originally uploaded by respres

Is the recession affecting your business?

After speaking with a number of business owners today, it seems that each has a different take on the effects of the US recession on his or her business. The cleaning service has seen strong, steady growth. The mortgage broker has seen a 72% decline. The insurance agent has gone untouched by the recession, as has the advertiser. So what's going on here?

Is it really a recession?

Few would argue that the US economy is not in a downturn, or a "contraction." But your industry, or your business, is likely singing a different tune. Either it's really hurting, or it's growing like gangbusters. The economy is readjusting. Where will you end up when it's time for another expansion? Are we seeing the 'survival of the fittest' principle at work?

Recession Resistance

If your business is currently experiencing a downturn, I have good news for you. The spending has not stopped! Americans are still spending plenty of money. So let's get some of that into your hands. There are two steps that you can take to turn your predicament around.

Offer an Alternative

First, you can get creative and find alternative products or services that are still in line with your industry, credentials, or area of specialization. How can you sell your knowledge of your industry instead of your product? Or how can you now sell a product whereas you used to sell a service?

Perhaps you had been manufacturing widgets, but now the market is saturated and/or it's an item that is no longer in demand. Now is a good time to consider opening a widget repair business using your existing customer base. Or perhaps you can market your widget-making expertise to the members of a widget manufacturing association.

Narrow Your Niche

Second, you can be counterintuitive. Instead of trying to reel in more buyers of more products, narrow your niche. Focus on a (more) specific product and/or target market. If you had been selling widgets in a variety of colors, now you can sell widgets with only two specific colors and labeling to attract, for example, a university's stakeholders or professional team's fans. Or you can manufacture only widgets that make a special engine-like sound and sell them to NASCAR enthusiasts.

The key here is ensuring that there is a effective and established conduit between you and a very specific target audience. In these examples, an alumni association or an organized fan club would meet this need. Specialization will naturally cause more business to be directed your way.

You can refuse to participate in a recession. Choose prosperity!
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CALL FOR COMMENTS:
What is YOUR industry or business? How is the US recession impacting it? Be sure to include a link to your business.

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Visit every week for fresh new updates and controversial (or not) subsequent comments.

Cheers!

Sunday Tollefson
Biz Wiz Consulting LLC
http://www.bizwizconsulting.biz/