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Act Like You're Going To Be In Business For Awhile

By Al Levi
July 19, 2009
When you think and do like everyone else it’s usually the wrong thing to do at the wrong time.

Years ago, when I was still working in my family business, we would hit a rough patch periodically. Sometimes it was just a tough season due to weather and sometimes it was a rough economy just like now. Whenever I was tempted to cut expenses too vigorously, my dad would remind me that, “Your trucks don’t care what type of season you had. They only know they need replacing.” The lesson continued with, “Act like you’re going to be in business for awhile. The decisions get easier when you do.”

To my dad’s credit, he had been through many tough times as any business owner who has started out with nothing and built a business will attest to. He always tried to run a lean company and avoid the trap of spending too much during the good times because he knew the bad times could be right around the corner.

He also did a good job of avoiding the pitfalls of cutting too severely in these times. Actually, he would get aggressive and use what he had saved up by not overspending in the good times to pick up strategic acquisitions he knew would make him money when things turned around. He’d also buy new technology on the cheap. I believe he was able to act this way because he wasn’t a short-term thinker. Plus he had faith in his ability to invest in himself and his company for the long-term and make it work out the way he envisioned.

Frankly, it’s all to easy to think and do as other business owners are doing right now. And when you think and do like everyone else it’s usually the wrong thing to do at the wrong time.

My advice to you is to take my dad’s good advice and, “Act like you’re going to be in business for awhile. The decisions get easier when you do.”

Give Me 60 Minutes And I'll Show You The Secrets To Running A Profitable Service Business ... Even During A Recession!

Al Levi is a consultant and a contributing editor to PM magazine and blogs for many other BNP trade magazines. Now he is presenting a free online video segment called the “60 Minute Recession Solution” Online Video Seminar.

For the first time ever you’ll hear from him and just a few of the many contractors who have engaged the power of his Power! Programs. His clients are happy to share how this dynamic program worked for them – and how it is still working for them, especially in these tough economic times.

“This program has helped dozens of business owners I’ve worked with one to one,” Levi says. “The Power! Plans have also helped. But now thanks to new technology, I’ll be able to help many more contractors with my 12-Month Power! Plan Coaching Program than ever before. This program will also include the building of your own customizable Operating Power! manuals.”

These programs have been working for Levi in his family business for years and in his clients’ businesses. Now they are reaping the results. Click on the following link to learn more and see and hear for yourself: www.60MinuteRecessionSolution.com.

Share This Story

Al Levi has been helping plumbing, HVAC, roofing, remodeling, electrical and carpentry businesses solve problems, turn greater profits, and help owners get their lives and free time back for over 7 years. This is all based on his 25-year career at his family-owned and operated contracting business. For more information, visit www.60minuterecessionsolution.com.
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