The Jholdas Group

There are 31 calendar days left in 2009 (a year many are ready to ne done with). There are even fewer business days and even fewer days where business will actually be done. So why not coast in from here? Because that’s exactly what your competition is doing! It’s human nature and it makes sense to slow down at year end–it’s what we’ve always done. But not this year. 2009 has been the most unusual year in 55 years. Nothing is normal so why finish normally. Do something different: a new sales push, a new solution, a contest, whatever. Get your team together and ask them, “How do we finish strong in 09?”

While we all gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope that each of you and all of you are blessed beyond measure and that you enjoy a sense of joy, love, and peace. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for many reasons.

One reason is that I love history, especially American history. When I think of Thanksgiving I think back to the brave individuals who dared to come to an unsettled land filled with danger and uncertainty. They left what they knew to pursue what they dreamed of. Indeed, whether it was for religious freedom or economic gain or sheer sense of adventure—the people who settled America (and later formed the United States) did so at great risk.

The holiday that we celebrate Thursday commemorates the survival of some of the earliest to come to these shores…the Pilgrims. Let’s remember them and their gratitude to God for leading them to a new world—our world.

We would not be here without them! Their risk is our reward.

What risks are you willing to take for your business? How willing are you to act on your ideas? This may be the measure of your potential!

On Tuesday, the Senate health committee voted 12-11 in favor of a two-page amendment courtesy of Republican Tom Coburn that would require all Members and their staffs to enroll in any new government-run health plan. It took me less than a minute to sign up to require our congressmen and senators to drink at the same trough! Three cheers for Congressman John Fleming of Louisiana ! Congressman John Fleming ( Louisiana physician) has proposed an amendment that would require congressmen and senators to take the same healthcare plan they force on us (under proposed legislation they are curiously exempt). Congressman Fleming is encouraging people to go on his Website and sign his petition (very simple – just first, last and email). I have immediately done just that at: http://fleming.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=55&sectiontree=29,55 Please urge as many people as you can to do the same! If Congress forces this on the American people, the Congressmen should have to accept the same level of health care for themselves and their families. To do otherwise is the height of hypocrisy! Please pass this on!!

Realizing that the delivery platform was less important than the product delivered, Amazon showed again their business savvy with the beta launch of “Kindle for Your PC.” Instead of having to purchase the Kindle reading device (which I have and love), Amazon now offers the same basic experience and content on the PC you already have.

I wonder how many of us confuse the delivery platform (branches, websites, stores) with the produce or service delivered? It’s time to rethink our business…again!

The recovery is weak at best and may, in fact, not be a recovery at all once the 3Q numbers are revised (as they always are). How do small companies respond? One way is to make as much cost variable as possible rather than fixed. Getting out of leases and debt helps. Renting instead of buying helps. And one big way is to move all hiring from regular, traditional employment (a huge fixed cost) to flexible, non-traditional staffing (a variable cost); you may even consider moving some of your current regular employees onto the payroll of a staffing company to save even more money and increase your ability to respond to market uncertainties.

Tom Brokaw called WWII vets “the greatest generation.” It’s bigger than that. Until very recently the majority of Americans believed in what is known as “exceptionalism”–the belief that there was a special purpose (divine if you will) for our country. A symbol. A city set on a hill. A beacon of faith and liberty for all the world. It is for this belief that men and women have risked and given their lives since before the Revolution. It is more than patriotism; it is idealism. Only something greater than life is worth the sacrifice of life. If we truly honor our veterans and heroes, let us return to the dream that once was America!

Somebody needs to get me to bed and hope tomorrow is a better day! After a 4 hour nightmare of STUPID drivers, I checked into the Gwinnett Place Marriott…in the rain. My greeting was a grunted “Yes?” Then my key didn’t work so I have to go back to the lobby to have it reprogrammed. Then I go back down to the lobby restaurant where no one is seating anybody and no staff is anywhere to be found. After searching the restaurant and the service corridors I find someone who tells me (and everyone else waiting) that, even though there are open tables everywhere, it will be at least. 20 minute delay to be served. So I ask for the restaurant manager who comes over and cannot imagine why I would complain or point out the overall unacceptableness of the situation. After apologizing he tells me that, “We’re doing the best we can.” Not what I wanted to hear. So I am referred to the bar where I can get a sandwich. It’s full with no tables. So, I head out in the rain to find a place to eat. Next stop: the hotel manager. A comedy of errors. Not mean people but broken process and poor training. And one very hungry, wet, and unhappy customer!

If you’re not exploring how to use social networking to grow your business, brand your company, delight your customers, and scoop your competition. Well…you just missed the chance of a lifetime.

One chamber has chosen (by a majority of 5) to force substandard healthcare and its associated costs on America–especially the already struggling, job engine of small business. It’s time to think about strategies to deal with this burden and its cost. One near term solution is to n migrate from traditional employment to independent contractors and contingent (temporary) workers.