recession posts, articles, and infographics

The Bankrupt Leader: 5 Tips to Motivate Teams in a Recession

August 19, 2011 by Les McKeown
with 61 views

Many leaders I work with are simply out of ideas as to how to motivate and lead their teams (maybe even themselves) through yet another three-and-a-half years of difficult times. If you're in that situation, here are five suggestions. [read more]

Instagram as Case Study in the Big Difference Between Startups Now vs During the Last Bubble

July 20, 2011 by Tac Anderson
with 441 views

Whether we're in a bubble or not, certain beloved companies, such as Instagram, will probably be just fine. Instagram, with only 4 employees, has raised 7.5 million in funding. [read more]

How is the 'Recovery' Going on Main Street?

May 7, 2011 by Jeff Cornwall
with 36 views

"The only good news is that a continued recession may put a little -- but only a little -- damper on inflation for the short-run." [read more]

Small Businesses Emerging From Recession

February 18, 2011 by Steve King
with 447 views

The latest economic news and surveys show that the small business economy is finally recovering from the Great Recession. Key indicators include a strong, positive uptick in small business sentiment surveys and stronger projected growth in the overall economy. (Click herefor a WSJ article on Citibank's sentiment survey, here for an... [read more]

Businesses That Are Up in a Down Economy

July 13, 2010 by Barbara Weltman
with 2,855 views

The economists say the recession is over, but many business owners I talk to don’t share this belief. They continue to struggle to get customers and close sales. Their costs, such as health care premiums, continue to rise but can’t be easily offset by raising their own prices for fear that they’ll lose the precious customers that they do have. NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index for June 2010 showed a slight gain over the previous month and the best reading since September 2008, but still a long way from the level of optimism that would support a strong economy. Still, some businesses are managing to do well, even growing; some are stars glowing with success. Why? I think there are three categories for successful businesses today, and you need to find your fit. [read more]

Small Businesses not yet Buying into the Recovery

May 24, 2010 by Jeff Cornwall
with 149 views

The economic recovery that some had been predicting over the past months may not be right around the corner, after all. While there are some indications of a strengthening economy, many experts are becoming more cautious about both the timing and the rate of the recovery. And there is a growing chorus of those who believe that we may... [read more]

Forget recession proofing, it is time for recovery proofing! 8 strategies to help get you and your people ready

February 17, 2010 by Editor Bloggertone
with 174 views

Lots of business owners and CEOs alike got caught on the hop by this recession. Failure to anticipate the downturn led to businesses revenue and profits suffering. This of course meant that staff, customers and shareholders suffered too. Needless to say, there is every likelihood that those same business owners and... [read more]

Is There Brand Loyalty In A Recession?

January 28, 2010 by Rajeev Malik
with 245 views

There are no atheists in a foxhole, but is there brand loyalty in a recession? In our household, the answer is…nope. I’ve been noticing this past year the slow emergence of generic groceries cropping up in our cabinets. Generics? Dear Lord, the last time I was subjected to generic groceries was growing up with... [read more]

Where’s small business with this recovery?

January 6, 2010 by Zane Safrit
with 147 views

There’s some good news out there for small business in this recovery. Fewer Small Business Loans in Arrears - Reuters Delinquencies among small and medium-sized U.S. business borrowers fell in October for a third straight month, according to PayNet Inc, which provides risk-management tools to the commercial lending industry. Arrears.... [read more]

Most Americans Don't Think Stimulus is Working or the Recession is Over

October 8, 2009 by Steve King
with 428 views

The monthly American Pulse survey by Big Research reports that 55.6% of Americans say the economic stimulus package is not working. Most also feel the recession is not over. We disagree, but understand why people feel this way. The unemployment rate has always been the key economic indicator for most Americans. Echoing this... [read more]

Fiscal responsibility requires higher taxes

September 28, 2009 by Kay Bell
with 213 views

That headline got your attention, didn't it?It's from Bruce Bartlett's latest column in Forbes. The article's subhead drives home his point: Americans can't have their cake and eat it, too.Bartlett's elaboration on the issue is sure to provoke even more of an uproar. For example:Republicans pay lip service to balancing the... [read more]

Is This Recession Over Yet?

September 23, 2009 by Andy Beal
with 141 views

By Frank ReedWe appear to be caught in a rut as of late. No one wants to make a definitive statement as to whether or not the recession / slow down / depression / aberration or whatever we call this thing is over or not. Depending on who you talk to we can either be on the edge of a recovery or the edge of a cliff. Is there a way to... [read more]

4 Signs We Need to Watch for Economic Recovery

August 13, 2009 by Barry Moltz
with 174 views

The Federal Reserve gave an upbeat assessment of the economy yesterday. It said “Economic activity is leveling out,” and “We’re no longer at DEFCON 1.” Two good things are coming out of this. The stock market is at its annual high and the 10:00 News is “less bad” - both help the business person’s mind rest a bit easier. But small... [read more]

Navel Gazing

August 7, 2009 by Jonathan Salem Baskin
with 81 views

Providence, RI now has a new slogan -- "Creative Capital" -- and a logo, thanks to a $100,000 gig with a branding firm that specializes in helping communities respond to the drastic downturn in employment, investment, and solvent home mortgages with image marketing.If I find out that any Stimulus funds are getting spent on this nonsense... [read more]

Economy Still Weak and Future is Probably No Better

August 5, 2009 by Jeff Cornwall
with 175 views

Today, the ADP Small Business Report showed that 138,000 small business jobs were lost in July - 80,000 jobs in the service sector and 58,000 in goods-producing firms. According the July report:This month's employment decline was the smallest in eight months continuing the notable improvement between the first and second quarters... [read more]

Why the Stimulus Is Not Working

August 3, 2009 by Jeff Nolan
with 147 views

Normally I would twitter this instead of taking the time to blog it but the accompanying graphic is so powerful that it deserves to be blogged. In watching the Sunday talk shows yesterday I noticed that the Administration is once again moving the goal post for how to define success for the $800 billion stimulus package passed in... [read more]

7 Small Business Leadership Rules for Recession

July 24, 2009 by Daniel Kehrer
with 124 views

Dear Dan: I’m losing sleep worrying about business conditions and all the things that might go wrong. And the mood at my small company is depressed. How can I step it up a notch? - Sleepless Dear Sleepless: Most small business owners are adept at adapting. By cutting costs, improving productivity, tweaking technology and... [read more]

My Invisible Foe

July 21, 2009 by Niall Devitt
with 151 views

At the start of 09, I expected my own sales performance to increase significantly. I based this expectation on two sound contributing factors. 1. There would be a greater need for my services. Companies would have a much greater need for improvement around sales performance than in previous years. If making sales would be harder in 09... [read more]

Keep Assessing Opportunity Even After You Pursue It

July 21, 2009 by Jeff Cornwall
with 118 views

Most experienced entrepreneurs learn that opportunity comes from change that disrupts markets. Change creates new needs and leaves many current players in that market with outdated business models.The challenge in turbulent times like these is that change has kicked into hyper-drive.We are now seeing whole industries being shaken to... [read more]

What is America the best in the World at?

July 15, 2009 by Tac Anderson
with 184 views

Image by Getty Images via Daylife What is America the best in the World at? Innovation? Michael Mandel and my recent cab driver don’t think so. My knee jerk reaction to this article is to think the author is an idiot and doesn’t know what he’s talking about. But I’ve learned over the years that when I have such a knee jerk... [read more]