Tweet

Three Questions You Must Never Ask Yourself in Times of Recession

Guest post by: Lalitha Brahma

Article Overview: During the times of recession, by default, we are prompted to think and ask the following questions to ourselves. Everywhere I read and hear about recession. I have not made any money this month. I am afraid. I feel stuck. How can I run my business? I am not getting any new clients. No one wants to spend money and buy my products. No one is responding to my emails/phone calls. Why am I not getting any clients? Last year we made a profit in second Quarter and this year we have made a loss. Why is my company going on loss?

Three Questions You Must Never Ask Yourself in Times of Recession

During the times of recession, by default, we are prompted to think and ask the following questions to ourselves.

Everywhere I read and hear about recession. I have not made any money this month. I am afraid. I feel stuck. How can I run my business?

I am not getting any new clients. No one wants to spend money and buy my products. No one is responding to my emails/phone calls. Why am I not getting any clients?

Last year we made a profit in second Quarter and this year we have made a loss. Why is my company going on loss?

How can I run my business?

By asking yourself the above question, you feel low in energy and least creative to come up with any ideas to overcome your challenge. Instead of asking yourself, "How can I run my business?", acknowledge the fact that you have made an X amount of dollars last month. First be thankful for what you made and write it down in your gratitude journal. This will open you up to think differently and ask yourself empowering questions. It will also make you feel better. Say to yourself, it is OK if I have not made any money this month and now ask the following questions:

Who are my perfect clients that enjoy working with me? Can I offer additional product/services to these clients without incurring additional cost? Can I bundle some services and offer as a package? Am I undervaluing myself and not charging what I am worth? By asking these questions, you will be prompted to search for answers that will trigger your creativity. You will buzz with new ideas and take action to implement them. You may not get immediate results, but by planting the healthy seed (new ideas), you will reap better results easily and quickly.

Why am I not getting any clients?

When you ask yourself such a negative question, you are treating yourself as a victim. You feel like you are the cause for all that is happening to YOU and you will feel stuck. First, take a deep breath and make a commitment to yourself to let go of Victim mentality and allow yourself to be a Victor. Here are the questions you must be asking:

What can I do to get new clients?

You can call your current clients and ask them who do they know that would be interested in your services. You can create a referral/affiliate program. You can search in the internet for advertising FREE. Take a look at all the prospects that contacted you earlier, but did not buy from you. Revisit their files and follow up with them to find out if they are ready to buy your products/services, now.

What can I do to facilitate response to my emails and phone calls?

Your posture is very important. We are all bundles of energy. When some one reads your email or listens to your call, he/she can feel the energy. Are you communicating with an excitement to the client or with an unknown fear? Learn ways to improve your energy levels and communicate effectively.

Why is my company making a loss?

When you ask yourself "why is my company making a loss?", you are left with no choice but to regret the past and worry about the future.

Now ask yourself the question - What can I do to reverse from loss to profit? Write down the answer that comes up to you. I am sure you will come up with answers such as, reduce employees, hire freelancers, automate, cut costs etc. Next, take baby steps to implement each of these strategies.

Do you see how your self talk can impact your thinking and inspire you to take action towards your goal?

ACTION STEPS

1. Make a commitment to be conscious of your self talk.

2. When you find yourself putting off doing an important task, shift your thinking and ask empowering questions.

Related Articles
  Are there any businesses that are recession-proof?
  Why You Must Keep Marketing Through The Recession
  The Entrepreneur finds Strength in Apparent Defeat
  Advertising during recession
  Marketing Techniques During Recession
  Home Business Expert: Direct Sales Is An Economic & Recession Proof Business
  Are You a Brain Surgeon or a Plastic Surgeon?
  What is a Recession Proof Franchise Opportunity
  Escape Recession with Online Marketing - An Easy Way Out
  Does a recession signal the end of your business?
  Fun Recession Activities!
  Many Millionaires Have Been Created During Recessions-Do You Have What It Takes To Join This Group of Millionaires
  The Best Way to Escape the Current Economic Recession
  How Non-profits are Sailing Through the Recession
  Recession Proof Networking
  How Are You Dealing With the Recession in Your Business?
  Marketing Strategies To Recession Proof An Internet Based Business
  Does Recession Hinder Churches?
  Branding in a Troubled Economy
  What's A Recession Proof Franchise?

Article Tags: How can I run my business, What canI do to get more clients



Related Forum Posts
Re: Info for would be franchisers... - [quote="Sebastien":1d29sdv1]Like Franchise Times, Franchise Update is a very practical magazine. There is no blah blah, just straight facts that anyone in the franchise community can relate to. I just want to mention that all these magazines are NOT franchisee oriented. I mean these magazines are for franchise professionals. If you're looking to buy a franchise, you won't find much information in there. To answer your question, getting published in Franchise Times was fairly easy. I don't want to brag too much but I think I am known in the franchise industry. I was the marketing guy at Franchise.com for a few years before joining my new company, the World Franchising Network. So people know me and I have a very good relationship with Nancy Weingartner, the Managing Editor at Franchise Times. I was talking with her at the last Franchise Expo South in Miami and she mentioned she'd like me to be profiled. I was like "ok, sure!". I like this franchise executive profile thing in Franchise Times as it is rarely BS. People are usually really natural in there.[/quote:1d29sdv1] Thanks for the follow up Sebastien! And I can't say that I'm surprised that networking with the right people and managing your relationships with them properly are the keys to being published. I guess the old adage holds true of "it's not who you know, but who knows you" that's important.
Does a New Company need a "Big" PR firm? - I've started work with a brand new company that is going to do loss mitigation. My boss intends to hire a "big" PR firm - ie one that costs a lot of money - because he wants press releases sent out to the New York Times, the LA Times - all the major papers around the country - and he think they'll be more likely to print them if they come from a "big" firm as opposed to a one-person PR firm. I think it doesn't matter where the press release comes from as long as its well written. What are the opinions here?
Re: Does a New Company need a "Big" PR firm? - [quote="OmnivoreInk":dmj1i0sv]I've started work with a brand new company that is going to do loss mitigation. My boss intends to hire a "big" PR firm - ie one that costs a lot of money - because he wants press releases sent out to the New York Times, the LA Times - all the major papers around the country - and he think they'll be more likely to print them if they come from a "big" firm as opposed to a one-person PR firm. I think it doesn't matter where the press release comes from as long as its well written. What are the opinions here?[/quote:dmj1i0sv] I think the most important factor is whether your press release will reach the most number of your target audience or not. It won't matter if the press release is well written if no one has the opportunity to read it. I also believe that credibility comes with having your press release in an established source like The New York Times, LA Times, etc... For instance, if you enjoyed playing tennis, who would you trust more? The advice from a recreational tennis player who has his own column in [i:dmj1i0sv]Tennis Magazine[/i:dmj1i0sv] [u:dmj1i0sv]or[/u:dmj1i0sv] the recreational tennis player who has his own blog? I don't know about you, but I'd listen to the guy on [i:dmj1i0sv]Tennis Magazine[/i:dmj1i0sv] over the blog owner at least 9 out of 10 times.
Re: Does a New Company need a "Big" PR firm? - I agree with Kevin [quote:3b8fyubd]I think the most important factor is whether your press release will reach the most number of your target audience or not.[/quote:3b8fyubd] You dont a big company that will charge mega bucks as Im sure they will even add a %age to the cost of the press release. Im sure if you approach New York Times, the LA Times with every thing presented professionally I think it will still stand the same chance. I would start advertising online, then locally thats when the NYT can see what there missing out on! And to test the water first!
Re: Info for would be franchisers... - I concur with the above posters. Franchise Times is a very good industry publication.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Time management for DIY PR

Business Coach Explains To You How To Add Value

Convening a focus group for a niche product

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.