Current Economic Trends

Thought you would be interested to see the latest update from our Vistage Intl Economic expert speakers. ..........


GDP down in the third quarter of 2008

Preliminary third quarter GDP data is out and it shows that the economy contracted from the prior quarter. Given the negative trend in US Industrial Production and the ongoing descent in Retail Sales, it is reasonable to presume that the economy is indeed officially in a recession.

Several thoughts jump to mind:

We are closer to the beginning of this downturn than we are to the end of the process.

Expect general economic conditions to get worse.

Cash flow, liquidity, and moving into new markets are arguably the three most important goals at this juncture of the business cycle.

Even if your business is still doing well, make sure it is because you really are “beating the business cycle” and not because you are lagging the economic indicators.

Be agents of change.
Brian Beaulieu Institute for Trend Research 603-226-9331

Stay Green & Growing

How would you describe the status or trend of your business? Is it stable? Might it be declining? Or is it growing? And does this really matter? Well, let's think about your employees and either trying to attract new people or retain your best people. Do they desire stability? While on the face of it, many owners or CEOs might state that stability is good. People would have a sense of confidence. In fact, in study after study it is found that your best people want to have some sense of the future and they desire a challenge for themself to continue to learn.....to grow.....to make a contribution to your firm. Growth most of the time is stimulating. It can also be anxiety producing.....why? Because it involves change. And as written about in the best selling book "Who Moved My Cheese" change is difficult for most people. So we have the classic leadership dilemma here......people want and react positively to growth (both business and personal) but they are concerned about and afraid of change. And we know that it is not possible to have Growth without Change!!! So one of your key goals as a leader is to somehow get your people MORE comfortable with CHANGE. How do you do this? This will be the subject of some continuing dialogue and suggestions here.