Survival of the ****est?

It used to be called survival of the fittest. The ones who can run faster, are more powerful or do something different to their peers. I was talking about the animal kingdom, but of course this is just as befitting to us humans.

Every day, I hear from people in our trade, how slow it is for them. I also notice a trend from professionals, such as accountants, to enforce prepayments. This indicates to me, that things are getting a bit tight out there for many trades.

We cannot keep doing business the way we are used to. Just because something worked well last year, is no guarantee that it still works well today.

I used to help out on Dale Carnegie courses for many years. These 12-week courses did change people. Seldom did a participant leave 3 months later as the same person. The process is designed to make people think, challenges their believes and either re-enforces them or changes them.

Just one aspect from the course can have a profound effect on the way people react. It is the need to be flexible. In the wind, a tree bends and bows; if it does not, branches snap or the whole tree may be uprooted. As business owners, or even as consumers, we must be the same. An open mind to look at the way we do things can make the difference to our financial well-being.

Turning a blind eye may prove costly. A plan should be in place, before things get out of hand. There comes the point of no-return, where a situation is becoming untenable. A little planning could have made a difference. It is too late to rescue your business, if the bailiffs are at the door.

Talk to your suppliers early, if you have difficulties. They will help you, because you will hurt their business too, if you go under. Go to your landlord and talk to him, if you can't pay next weeks rent before it is due.

Go and seek advice from professionals early.

Today's survival is of the smartest and most flexible, not the fastest or richest.

Go to the library and read the book: How to win friends and influence people.This book has been written in the early 20th century and is still as relevant today, as it was all those years ago.

Rolf Stucki