OCTOBER 2008

As I sit here writing this to you I'm preparing to head out to the NAPS Annual Meeting (our national professional association) where, as Chairman of the Board, I will be delivering the introductory welcome address to our 500+ attendees.  It will be a particularly challenging task as my job is to motivate and inspire folks who are nail-biting and nervous about the economy and how current events will impact their ability to earn a living.  

The ability to entice candidates to relocate for a great opportunity is getting more difficult and client companies are feeling the impact of the tightening of credit, impacting their ability to begin new large projects.  So what do I say to motivate people in a time when no one seems to have any answers?  My plan is to point to the past and remind people that history has taught us that, over the long term, our economy has always bounced back.  The key is to focus on the long-term goal and try not to freak out about the short term.  Yes we will have some setbacks and slowdowns, but those of us who have been in this industry for many more than one of these recessionary cycles know that we need to keep doing the right things and we'll be there to reap the benefits in the future. 

Fear breeds fear, and walking around saying "the sky is falling" will only increase the misguided paranoia that perhaps the sky really is falling.  So my advice - Work hard, stay the course, and just work through it.