In our office, we have a wall dedicated to the employee of the month in each of our departments. The quote by Ralph Marston, posted on the wall, reads, “Excellence is not a skill, it’s an attitude.“
In planning this article, I reached out to some store merchants and posed the question “what are you doing that’s helping you stay successful despite the bad economy?” When I sent the question out, I expected to read feedback such as “cutting prices”, or worse, “cutting staff”. I thought I’d be writing a list of the Top Ten ways to stay afloat or something of that nature. I’m pleased to say that what I received was far better. I did receive some good business management tips but I think the bigger message I received and the common theme from everyone I heard from; when it comes down to surviving the bad economy, Attitude is Everything!
Tim Fossett of CrescentHarborLighting.com stated, “We are in control of our own destiny. Come hell or high water, we will succeed.”
Fossett has maintained his staff and has even provided them with raises and bonuses in spite of the economic downturn. Fossett feels it’s easy to motivate his team if they feel appreciated personally and professionally.
Fossett’s response reminded me of another example of a company keeping a positive attitude and it’s right here at Solid Cactus. For those of you that have ever attended a Solid Cactus Boot Camp, you’ve witnessed firsthand the enthusiasm and passion of the entire staff. People here love what they do. Day after day we receive e-mails with kudos to team members who went above and beyond to help a client or even a fellow employee. We work late, we work weekends and we do it for more than just a paycheck. We do it because our company’s culture is like no other. We’re all working
toward the same goal; to be sure Solid Cactus is the best name in e-commerce by helping our clients succeed. That is the attitude that keeps a business strong, regardless of the economy.
Aside from a strong sense of teamwork, we enjoy some perks such as a gymnasium complete with basketball nets, a ping-pong table and dodge balls. We have an in-house café and flexible work schedules but I think more importantly, everyone has a voice and an opportunity to shine and be recognized for their contributions.
Granted, I realize that a positive attitude isn’t enough to keep things on track; you have to make wise business decisions. You need to watch your finances like a hawk but that doesn’t mean you should be afraid to spend money on investments that can improve your situation. Too often, the first reaction for merchants during a down economy is to cut their marketing spending, but a decision like this really works against you.
Pam Macharola of BlairCandy.com has been taking advantage of her competitors’ spending fears. She explained, “They’re turning down their ad spend and we’re turning ours up. We’re also changing our PPC advertisements to keep them fresh and using humor to attract more customers. As a result, we’re getting better placement and increased sales.” Macharola loathes the negativity in the media and says, “Right now the economy is my only competition, not the other stores.”
Macharola’s point is excellent. The media seems to work overtime to provide us with a self-fulfilling prophecy that the economy will get worse and worse. They tell us not to spend our money and then make news of how people aren’t spending enough to help the economy. Want to keep a positive attitude? Turn off the news! Don’t read
the paper…just stay passionate about
your business.
Avoid the doom and gloom personalities. When you decided to start a business, you did it because you had a dream and a passion. The media didn’t need to tell you the economy was in the right place to go into business for yourself. The media didn’t start your business. With the right attitude, they won’t destroy it either.
Be sure you have the right attitude and surround yourself with winners. It’s not just about having people, it’s about having the right people. Keep everyone’s spirits up by motivating them to be a part of something bigger than a paycheck. Attitude is everything and continued success starts with you.
