The sign of the times is evident. Recession has caused the “too big to fail” businesses swagger under the weight of the “too big to fail” corporation size.
When revenue falters on a large scale, it is the “too big to fail” who fail. Why? Out of touch with what the consumer wants? I would venture to say yes.
The diagram describing the structural hierarchy of who to report to is so vastly diluted none at the top have any idea what the consumer is really willing to pay for. (more…)
Wow….all over several sources of news! The word is in from a variety of new sources. The rally cry of appreciation! All this can mean is the bottom has been reached and the end of a buyer’s market is on it’s way. Don’t take my word for it.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/25/real_estate/June_CaseShiller/index.htm?postversion=2009082510
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32550874/ns/business-stocks_and_economy?ocid=twitter
http://www.housingwire.com/2009/08/25/spcase-shiller-house-price-index-improves-29-from-q109/
No question the news is not all good news. Some pockets of bad news still exist, but good news sure helps focus the market and overcome the downward pressure of a slump.
Are there still deals to be made? Certainly! Opportunities still abound for those willing to plunge into the swelling sea of the market. Interestingly enough supply and demand is driving the market once again. Inventory is now down, hence the rise in prices.
The moral of the story? If you see a deal, Don’t wait! Time is running out. Too much analysis can spell paralysis. If you are waiting for the bottom….I hate to say it, but you may have missed it. The further away we get from the bottom, the more prices will appreciate. The opportunity is now.
Drab. That is the best way to describe the way black and white copy appear when compared to color.
Just recently we received notice that our color copier was out of commission and in need of repair. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but that copier rules our lives at work. Every piece of marketing literature goes through that copier. Once again, doesn’t sound like much until you know we run the equivalent of $30,000 +/- worth of color copies through the machine in a year.
How could we possibly be able to make it through the day without our color copier? Thankfully the technician arrived with the magical spell necessary to heal the poor copier and save the lives of many.
The account above brings me to the question that perplexes me…does marketing in color really help us sell new homes? (more…)
I remember many road trips throughout the United States and abroad. I remember them well not because of the scenery but because they were always plagued by the enduring question “are we there yet?” I’m sure most if not all who have either traveled in childhood or have had kids traveling with them have heard this repetitious question like a scratched vinyl record.
Having traveled widely and now having 4 kids of my own, I can attest that I have spoken those words in a variety of settings. Not only as a kid, but as an adult when I was simply “done” with the transit.
It seems this iconic question is not isolated to travel, unless you consider today’s real estate market a journey. (more…)
I canceled a credit card. I know, I know. That is completely un-American. I had to. I couldn’t handle them any more. It was a card to a retail store.
I had to do it because no one was willing to listen. Yes, the only reason I canceled my card was no one was willing to listen.
Let me explain. I received a bill that had erroneous charges on it. I called and was transferred to somewhere in the world where English is really not a staple product, though the merchandiser, who hired them, thought it was.
I was able to overcome the barbed wire of the language barrier only to find out no one was willing to listen. The hours I spent on the phone attempting to clear up a simple billing issue were a complete failure due to arrogance. The arrogance of being unwilling to listen.
I recently spent some time at a cook out. The cook out was a wonderful event. At that cook out I indulged in all sorts of fine grilled specialties and exotic desert delicacies.
The food was overwhelming, but the true delight was the conversation. The conversation fluidly traveled through countries, foods, back yards, landscaping, kids, vacations, grasshoppers, architecture, and sports. It was a wonderful time. Conversation had been circling non-threatening topics very comfortably but was suddenly diverted to our national political climate.
I sat back to watch the entertainment as I knew a good portion of those attending were on opposite poles of the magnet when it came to current events or politics. I sat back awaiting the inevitable clash of magnetic poles and a conversation spinning like a 2-wheel-drive Chevy, with bald tires, hopelessly stuck in the bog of dissension. (more…)
