Busting My Business Slump

Busting My Business Slump


Monday morning I was thinking about what a slump I was in as far as selling used machinery in 2024.

We’ve got some very interesting opportunities right now to sell or buy equipment on the horizon. Some potential deals have been dragging on for months and a few new ones have recently materialized.

But still, looking at it objectively as far as sales I’ve closed, I’ve produced poor results most of the year. When I get my coffee in the morning I sometimes picture Alec Baldwin yelling at me, “Put that coffee down. Coffee is for closers only.”

But as Monday went by, “opportunities” seemed to be maturing–almost to the point of becoming sales. And? some NEW potential deals popped up out of nowhere!

I’m mindful that you can’t know what each day will bring or what serendipity will occur. Great things are possible if you’ve planted the seeds for luck to occur with marketing and long relationships.

I think if I could just bust my slump then I could get some momentum. Get on streak like in baseball, one of the streakiest phenomenons in existence!

Maybe I’m like many of the players on the Chicago Cubs in this disappointing yet once promising season. Most of the Cubs this year hit pathetically the first 3/4 of the season. Then in the last month and a half, they finally remembered how to hit a baseball and teased us a little that they could make the post season.

Could I be like like shortstop Dansby Swanson (minus the $25 million a year contract)? Most of the season he was hovering around a pathetic .200 average, and now somehow he’s in the .240s. Mediocre, but an impressive average to climb to in such a very short time.


Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs shortstop slumping most of the 2024 season.


For the Cubs’ players the streaks were too late. They have to try again next year.

For me and Graff-Pinkert & Co., as long as we’re still standing, it’s not too late!


Question: What is one of your worst slumps? How did you bust it?



If you are looking to buy or sell used machinery go to: https://graffpinkert.com

For more articles and podcasts and to join our email list go to: https://todaysmachiningworld.com

Listen to our podcast: https://pod.link/1405366897

Interested in buying or selling a machining company: https://graffpinkert.com/graff-pinkert-acquisitions-and-sales

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SwarfcastPodcast




Adam Marsh

President @ Ledge Inc., CEO - 80/20 Quality

5 个月

I’ve had those sales slumps in the past, my dad is normally my best advisor, maybe ‘cheerleader’ is the right word…”we’ve been doing this a long time, the work will come, just trust it”. Positive attitude and put the work in. Small business is more about attitude and sticking to it instead of a huge pivot.

Steve Rainwater

Your news is your best content. I’ll help you report it. ??Communications strategy. ??Editorial translation.

5 个月

2009 was my last full year as an independent rep. Florida was my territory for 4 industrial lines. In early January I deposited 21k in commission that had been mailed out end of December, so technically earned in 2008. Then I made about that much the whole rest of 2009 combined. My next biggest slump since then has been this year Q3. This is partially due to the economy and partially due to a tragedy in our family earlier this year which has simply left our family out of sorts. I’m slowly getting back on my horse and hope to pick up speed Q4. Best wishes to GP for a good EOY Noah Graff.

Steve Preda

Business Growth Strategist & Author | Summit OS? Guide | Founder

5 个月

The 2008 financial crisis was a big one. Had to cut my team in half to save our company. Had many smaller ones as well before and since.

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