Well it is the season for goodwill to all men and peace etc etc etc.

Bah Humbug!!

This is the time of year when I am able to take stock of what has happened in 2008 and what I intend to do in 2009!

Sure I have all the usual family affairs, parties and performing father impressions to do but I also like to take some time out for me and think very carefully on what the New Year is going to bring.

I’m already in advanced stages of finalizing our 2009 trade show itinerary (our year actually runs April to March for budgeting and planning purposes) and knee high in the glad handing that the Christmas season brings to businesses each year.

Just as I grew tired of all the moaning and whining about gas prices hitting $4 and over which tended to dominate the start of 2008, now I’m also getting annoyed with all the doom and gloom merchants bemoaning the state of the economy.

It’s hard and it’s slow – that is a fact and for some it is going to hurt like heck.

I know this; head down and work hard, stick to what I know works and put in the extra effort with contacts and clients; now is the time to be increasing the effectiveness of my marketing because my competitors are all pulling themselves in and leaving potential customers and actual clients hanging out to dry – this is market share for me and I aim to take it.

While your competition are still getting over the Christmas pudding and stuffing, reaching for the Peptobysmol to cure that sluggish feeling, I’m going to be hitting the ground running and I aim not to stop until this time next year.

Recession is a brilliant opportunity for those who are prepared to seize it and I expect to be taking on more business and bigger clients than I normally get simply because I’m doing what my bigger competitors are not – working hard and the only thing out of my mouth will be, “We’re doing great – new business hasn’t stopped coming in – what’s all the fuss about!?!”.

I was told once, “Profit for sanity, turnover for vanity!” and over the years I have stuck to it, but without turnover which means revenues/sales/orders/new business and so on, there is never going to be any profit – sales is my lifeblood and before I cut a dollar’s worth of sales effort I’ll cut off my arm!

Happy New Year to you – don’t drink and drive and enjoy the holidays – we’ll see you in 2009!