We have for years entertained ourselves with stores of the apocalypse. We have read books about it, seen dozens of movies all offering varying depictions of how the world will collapse into disarray. And then, at least to some extent, the reality is upon us, as we look at each other ind disbelief.
Most businesses, those that have survived, are reporting losses. General Motors, the once great giant that was once reputed as as goes General Motors so goes the United States, or something to that effect, is about the run out of cash. Retail is worse than lousy. This Christmas season looms as more of the season of the Grinch than for festivities. Companies are laying off laborers left and right. Unemployment is rising.
What’s worse, everyone is so afraid, no one wants to borrow additional money. Banks report they have cash, but businesses want not part of it. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, everyone is so uncertain what their cash flow will be they are reluctant to seek additional financing. Interesting. I would imagine no one anticipated this while discussing the bailout.
All right, so the world is a scary place and if the economy collapses any further we may all be reduced to eating gruel. But I don’t believe that’s our fate. America is in a transition. We went from a manufacturing nation to one of technology, which we outsourced, to one of service industries and pushing papers around.
We will soon be back to a making things. We will develop the technology for alternate fuels, and will we lead the world in the technology responsible for cleaning up the environment. We will be, in a phrase, the global leaders in green technology. Who else but us? Certainly not China or India. We are in transition but will reemerge.
As we develop the new technology, we will find in the developing industries the demand for new kinds of jobs. Everything from the professionals and technicians, to the guy who physically does the clean up work. It will take awhile.
So, what’s that mean? Perhaps this is the time not to hesitate along with the pack. This may be the time to take the risk, borrow the money and prepare your business for life after the turnaround. It’s risky. It’s scary. But it does beat either standing still or being left behind.
You feeling lucky?
Check them out before you hire.
