Editors Note: National Elections and Business Cycles
In
addition to all the attention the retail media is giving to the upcoming
national election, there is considerable talk among many of the business folks
close to me about the effect it is having on markets.
In
addition to all the attention the retail media is giving to the upcoming
national election, there is considerable talk among many of the business folks
close to me about the effect it is having on markets. Many believe that nothing
positive is going to happen until early next year when the elections are over
and everyone knows (or thinks they know) what the next administration will
bring.
That may be the truth when examining markets and the big picture, but I am not so sure it is a good view for roofing contractors to adopt. In other words, do not sit around waiting on the end of the election cycle to work on getting some new business in the door. Do not assume the opportunities will improve because even if they do you will miss out on a ton of them as you wait.
Last month this column had a look at the topic of doing something about the lack of ongoing business in your market. The advice then was the same as now: do not seek out excuses to explain why sales are down - get out there and do something about it! It is important enough to repeat now, and the topic of finding new business may come up again in the next month or two.
But speaking of the elections, this is a unique and exciting electoral cycle we are in the midst of in 2008. We could once again witness the power of two branches of the federal government falling into the hands of one party. That party would then have significant impact on the third branch of the federal government for a generation. In other words, it is an exceedingly important election, no matter which person or party you support.
I am not going to bore you with my political stance in this election, but do ask that you join me in becoming involved in the process. At a minimum, vote. As a leader in your company, lead others to vote. As a leader in your community, become involved in the political process. In the last cycle we had a roofing contractor running for the United States Senate. He did not succeed in his bid, but did make a significant impact on the agenda in his state and community.
You do not need to run for the Senate to become active. There are plenty of opportunities to contribute time and/or dollars to political campaigns. One of the most basic things you need to own and operate a business is the freedom to do so. That freedom is guaranteed by a process that will, for the 44th time, bring in a new chief executive without a single drop of blood being shed. Your involvement helps to defend that - if only by pulling a lever.
P.S. - Don’t make me come over there! If you haven’t renewed your subscription since May of this year, I urge you to take a moment to complete and return the renewal card on the front cover of this issue. Better yet, visit us at www.roofingcontractor.com/renew4free to fill out the FREE renewal form. If we do not hear from you soon, your subscription may be cancelled, which would be a shame because Roofing Contractor is your magazine and would not be the same without you.
That may be the truth when examining markets and the big picture, but I am not so sure it is a good view for roofing contractors to adopt. In other words, do not sit around waiting on the end of the election cycle to work on getting some new business in the door. Do not assume the opportunities will improve because even if they do you will miss out on a ton of them as you wait.
Last month this column had a look at the topic of doing something about the lack of ongoing business in your market. The advice then was the same as now: do not seek out excuses to explain why sales are down - get out there and do something about it! It is important enough to repeat now, and the topic of finding new business may come up again in the next month or two.
But speaking of the elections, this is a unique and exciting electoral cycle we are in the midst of in 2008. We could once again witness the power of two branches of the federal government falling into the hands of one party. That party would then have significant impact on the third branch of the federal government for a generation. In other words, it is an exceedingly important election, no matter which person or party you support.
I am not going to bore you with my political stance in this election, but do ask that you join me in becoming involved in the process. At a minimum, vote. As a leader in your company, lead others to vote. As a leader in your community, become involved in the political process. In the last cycle we had a roofing contractor running for the United States Senate. He did not succeed in his bid, but did make a significant impact on the agenda in his state and community.
You do not need to run for the Senate to become active. There are plenty of opportunities to contribute time and/or dollars to political campaigns. One of the most basic things you need to own and operate a business is the freedom to do so. That freedom is guaranteed by a process that will, for the 44th time, bring in a new chief executive without a single drop of blood being shed. Your involvement helps to defend that - if only by pulling a lever.
P.S. - Don’t make me come over there! If you haven’t renewed your subscription since May of this year, I urge you to take a moment to complete and return the renewal card on the front cover of this issue. Better yet, visit us at www.roofingcontractor.com/renew4free to fill out the FREE renewal form. If we do not hear from you soon, your subscription may be cancelled, which would be a shame because Roofing Contractor is your magazine and would not be the same without you.
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