B By: William R. Griffin for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: Competition . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select SUPPLIER SEARCH from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: Consultants . Business owners face multiple challenges related to the uncertainty and tight credit policies that are a result of the economic downturn and insolvency of the worldwide banking system. Although most people and businesses have gotten over the initial shock of a recession and the decline in real estate values, business and consumer confidence have yet to return to pre-recession levels. Everyone is more cautious and insecure today compared to several years ago. Prices, sales, inventory and hiring are down, while unemployment, interest rates and bankrupt-cies are up. As a cleaning business owner, you need to be extra diligent in finding more efficient ways to run your operation and meet the changing needs of your customers. The margin for error is minimal — from little to none. You no longer have the luxury of floating on past performance or your existing customer base. To survive, or better yet to thrive, in a market-place that is developing, you must pay close attention to the details of operating every aspect of your business as efficiently as possible. This is no easy task, but it is possible to accom-plish; more importantly, it is a requirement for success in today # s ever-changing business climate. If you don # t learn to adapt and move quickly in a changing marketplace, the chances are good that your business will not survive. It is more than likely that the financial turbulence of today will become the norm of tomorrow. Adjust, get used to it and go for-ward. It is a different way of doing busi-ness and a reality that we must face in order to prosper. philosophy about business operations and man-agement. Specifically, a willingness to embrace, live by and promote within all areas of the business the concept of “Continuous Process Improvement.” The idea being that you should never be satis-fied with the status quo. A critical part of the manager # s or owner # s job is to find and encourage others to look for ways to improve the way the business operates each day. There also needs to be a sense of urgency and a willingness to quickly analyze and take action in order to gain and maintain a competitive edge over the competition. What’s Needed For Success It all starts with the owner or manager having the “right” overriding attitude and You must learn to adapt in a changing marketplace or chances are good that your business will not survive.
CMM – Archives Aug 2009: 2
