Are We Heading Into A Recession?

I am sure you have heard the old adage by now – If your neighbor loses his/her job, it is a recession.  If you lose your job it is a depression!

Yes, I listen to the same reports and news offerings that you probably hear.  Many major companies are planning for a downturn.  Many economists are preaching the same message.  You can make plans to weather the financial storm,  but it may not even come to pass.  If enough people say it will happen, then it may.

No one is a perfect prognosticator on the economy. At the bank many years ago, we never brought in an economist who was a perpetual “downer.”  We certainly provided that scenario, but we also wanted to promote economic growth.  To some extent we can control our fate and help our customers do the same.

I am reminded of the story of the man who sold hot dogs.  It is worth the read here.

“There was a man who lived by the side of the road and sold hot dogs. He was hard of hearing so he had no radio.  He had trouble with his eyes so he read no newspapers.  But he sold good hot dogs.

He put up signs on the highway telling how good they were.  He stood on the side of the road and cried, “Buy a hot dog, mister?”  And people bought.

He increased his meat and bun orders.  He bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade. He finally got his son home from college to help him out.

But then something happened.

His son said, “Father, haven’t you been listening to the radio? Haven’t you been reading the newspapers? There’s a big depression. The European situation is terrible. The domestic situation is worse.”

Whereupon the father thought, well, my son’s been to college, he reads the papers and he listens to the radio, and he ought to know.

So the father cut down on his meat and bun orders, took down his advertising signs, and no longer bothered to stand out on the highway to sell his hot dogs.

And his hot dog sales fell almost overnight. “You’re right, son,” the father said to the boy. “We certainly are in the middle of a great depression.”

Our promotional products can be used to convey strong messages. We can help our customers weather the storm, maybe even stand out in the storm. 

Among other things, they can:

1. Convey a more positive image of a company.

2. Convey a more favorable attitude towards the company.

3. Improve referrals.

4. Create greater product and brand name.

5. Generate more sales.

6. Be seen repeatedly, unlike other forms of advertising.

7. Be used to generate sales calls, getting past the gatekeeper.

Take advantage of our industry products and a positive attitude.