when the going gets tough...........

I met a friend last month, who runs a thriving business.

How are you”? I asked.

“Bad”. he confided. “times are tough. With our government you just never know what’s around the corner”.

“Wow”. I said “tough one”. “but are your Customers saying that or you assuming it”?

As it turned out, the truth is, after getting hooked on the sorry media tale, Mike was sucked into a state of fear. He pictured all sorts of dreadful things ahead & already, in his mind, his business was sinking.

He had plans to drastically cut back on expenses including sales staff.

I was flabbergasted. Here was an intelligent, successful businessman running scared – based on what may happen rather than looking at the facts in front of him.

“So what do you think”? he asked me.

“Well, look at the facts. Look at all the buildings going up around Jbg. There is clearly still a need for your products”. “Do you want to miss out on all those opportunities”?

“Let your competitors wallow in the doom & gloom. Get out there & increase your market share”.

‘”Damn, you’re right”! he barely said goodbye as he stalked off suddenly on a mission.

I called him a week later, for a catch-up.

“Business couldn’t be better, thanks. Gee, you opened my eyes”. His voice had bounce again. “We have re-launched ourselves & have already landed two new contracts.”

“It seems as though the competition has gone to sleep. Pickings are easy out there”!

Moral of the story – when the going gets tough, the tough get going!                                      Who dares, succeeds!