Just So You Know

Economic Situation...

Am I the only one who finds it interesting that the day after the stimulus package passed Yahoo had 2 stories with positive economic news?

I'm still wrapping my head around the concept of this was the best increase in 14 months but still 18% lower than last January. I think I'm missing a change of measurement because I'm missing how the best in 14 months can still be lower than 12 months ago.

Re-reading the article the percentage increase in sales between December and January is the highest in 14 months but the total sales are still 18% under last January.

Why am I reminded of the hot dog man story that a sales exec used to carry in her wallet? To summarize: A man sold hot dogs on the side of a busy road. He put up signs and soon earned enough to send his son to college. Business continued to be brisk and the man put together the plans to expand his current location and franchise the name and recipes to other cities. Then his son came home from college and laughed at him because the news said there was a recession. So the man canceled his franchise plans, rejected the contractors bids and stopped putting his signs up by the road. Shortly thereafter he was out of business and agreed with his son about the horrible recession.

I realize that the hot dog story is extremely simple but I'm seeing sales people preach doom and gloom and then wondering why they aren't closing the sale.

There is hope out there, Mary Kay used to say that when times are tough, sell hope and lipstick. After all, every woman needs a little hope and a little something which makes her feel better about herself may be all the hope she needs today.

posted by Shondratasha @ 10:20