| No matter where you live in the world right now, | | | | average of 50-months. |
| the seasons are on the verge of changing. And, | | | | During an "economic fall" and "economic winter," |
| just like the seasons, the business cycle is | | | | you'll want to know your numbers inside and out, |
| changing as well. | | | | cut the costs you don't need and look to create a |
| Although the U.S. continues to work its way out | | | | leads generation program and marketing program |
| of its "economic winter," parts of the Asia Pacific | | | | that brings "A" and "B" level customers to your |
| are in full fledged "economic summer." | | | | door. |
| Nothing lasts forever, however. Just as the | | | | Likewise, in "economic spring" and "economic |
| season will inevitably change, so will economic | | | | summer," you'll want to make sure your |
| fortunes in those regions experiencing either a | | | | operations are "lean and mean" and use your |
| "winter" or a "summer." | | | | profits wisely. In "economic winter," you are |
| For experienced business people, the ups and | | | | preparing to gain in the upcoming spring and |
| downs of the "economic seasons" are just part of | | | | summer. |
| the game. | | | | In "economic summer," you are preparing to ride |
| But for those who have not used to the ups and | | | | out the downturn that comes with fall and winter. |
| downs of business, the current downturn in the | | | | As sure as the seasons change, the business |
| U.S. and in different parts of the world is as | | | | cycle will, as well. |
| unsettling as the current boom is in countries that | | | | The market has a way of chasing out those |
| have only recently begun to experience the | | | | companies, products and services that operate on |
| "fruits" of development and globalization. | | | | the margins. |
| In some countries, "economic winter" has | | | | "Economic winter" - while brutal for those in |
| prompted policy makers to put up ever more | | | | certain categories and industries - nevertheless |
| walls and barriers to business, while in other | | | | offers opportunities for companies that have |
| countries, the promise of "economic spring" and | | | | prepared their balance sheets and mindsets for |
| "economic summer" have prompted people who | | | | change. |
| never would have thought about running a | | | | More money has been made in downturns than |
| business to start their own companies. | | | | have ever been made in a boom - and I expect |
| I like to say there are no mysteries in life or in | | | | that trend to continue as the U.S. emerges from |
| business, just information you don't know yet. | | | | its current downturn. |
| And one of the best pieces of business advice is | | | | As the recovery starts to unfold, watch for signs |
| to understand business and economies rise and fall | | | | of the next hot or over-heated summer. |
| like the seasons. | | | | That will mean the cool touch of fall is right |
| That information can equip you for the next | | | | around the corner. |
| downturn and the next boom. | | | | It will also mean you'll have the information and |
| How? | | | | resources you'll need to get through the winter, |
| By realizing that for every 10-month downturn (at | | | | and prepare for the following economic spring. |
| least in the U.S.), the subsequent boom lasts an | | | | |