The New Normal

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the “Great Recession” ended nearly two years ago in the summer of 2009. Now, these are the same geniuses that didn’t figure out we were in a recession until just about a year ago. I’m not an economist, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night (just kidding), but I knew we were in a recession 9 months before they managed to figure it out. Ask my good friend Pete, he’ll vouch for me. He spent many a morning rides to work listening to me on my soap box.

I only have a minor in Econ. so what do I know maybe the recession is over. It likely is, but what I don’t think many of us have come to grips with yet is this is “The New Normal”.

We’ve finally come fully through the industrial revolution and have been birthed into the information age. For the past 15 years we’ve been living in both worlds like the dying Phoenix that is reborn from its own fiery ashes. It will be hardest for those of us that are maybe a bit older or even younger, but trained in old school models like manufacturing. And, not just manufacturing as in manual labor, but in being a factory worker in the business world too.

The question is, if this is the new normal what are you going to do about it?  How will you establish your brand identity, stimulate sales, drive top line revenue?  Opportunity abounds and it only takes a bit of personal innovation and working smart to literally write your own ticket.

On the lighter side here is a very funny video about what is going on in the economy. If you’ve watched the news or took any business or Econ. classes in college you’ll recognize the characters.  Enjoy!