"The National Significance of Small Business"
Why Your Work Really Matters
Executive Summary: Your work can become significant, not just successful if you learn to think and act strategically - and train your people to do so too. The stakes are high, but the payoff is wealth that lasts for generations.
State of Small Business
As many of you know, due to economic conditions (which are a reflection of heart conditions) in the United States, almost any casual observer can see our situation won’t last a whole lot longer. We are at a negative savings rate (average -1.8%) for the first time since the Depression. This means that on average every adult in the U.S. is spending more than they are earning, more than they have saved, more than they have in equity. This is a BIG problem.
Consider also that our federal government is doing no better. How much federal debt do we all shoulder? Well currently the estimated population of the United States is 299,681,948 so each citizen's (not working adults, but all citizen’s) share of the federal debt is $28,529.60 per person. Add that to the negative savings rate…now that’s plain ugly!
The national debt has continued to increase at a rate of $1.64 billion per day since September 30, 2005. We are now at a total of $8.5 trillion in federal debt. By the time you read this sentence our national debt will go up by another $69,000. (every 5 seconds) But that is not all. In the last 50 years, the United States has raised its debt ceiling more than 70 times, and lawmakers have become expert at delaying or disguising this politically if not morally perilous fact.
Hidden Treasure
If money is a leading indicator of a person’s or a
nation’s true heart condition (i.e. “where your treasure is there your heart will be also”), then this situation is grim to say the least.
“So what will happen and what does this have to do with running my business?” Good question! I believe that a new economy is coming soon. I hope we’re ready. I think we
can be. But we have to get strategic and unified in a hurry. I think the answer will be found in revolutionizing American small
business. Here’s why?
Consider, there are 4.8 million businesses in the U.S. with less than 99 employees representing nearly 41 million people (not including their families) accounting
for over $2 billion in payroll wages. In addition, small businesses produce two-thirds to three-quarters of all the net new jobs. They also produce 51 percent of
private sector output as well as represent 96 percent of all exporters of goods. Small business accounts for 52% of our Gross Domestic Product. We may be small
but we’re really very powerful.
"Today we may say aloud before an awe-struck world: 'We are still masters of our fate. We are still captain of our souls.'" Winston Churchill September 9, 1941.
Big Changes Coming
I think that the economy will break down at some point if changes are not made soon. As the recent movie Flags of Our Fathers reminded us, we were paying for oil to fight WW II with gold bullion because our dollars were no longer accepted. America is not invincible. We live in global economy and we must realize that the time to prepare for the future is now.A global economic realignment will occur. Consumerism, the religion of consumption at all costs has a cost. You can’t defy gravity forever. I believe it’s
not a matter of if, but when.
Lest you accuse me of a chicken little rant about “the sky is falling,” let me be clear: if there ever was a group of people who CAN make a difference it’s
us…those whose lives and livelihoods are lived out in small business. We can make the difference for our families, our customers, our communities, and yes, even
for our nation.
How?
Simple: Start thinking and acting strategically so that you provide true value in all you do and train your employees to do the same. Simple, yes - but not easy. We are all subject to the pressures of time debt. We all battle the tyranny of the urgent. But now let me say to YOU, there is more at stake than just your bottom line or your big screen TV!We have to approach our work in an entirely new way. We can no longer slave away and expect to experience any real freedom. It should be obvious right? Either we’re slaves or we’re not. Trading five days of one thing for two of another is a losers game. But WE ARE NOT LOSERS. We’re not quitters, not wimps and we’re not going to live in fear of the unknowns, the economy, or our slave masters any longer.
Backbone of Our Country
Small business is the backbone of our country. We are innovative, creative, powerful and poised to make a difference. Today you have a choice to make; a question to answer. It won’t be presented to you on network TV. You won’t hear it asked on the radio. But it is nevertheless echoing somewhere deep in your soul and if you listen, you'll hear it. Will my work matter?I want you to know...the answer is up to you. YES, it can. BUT you have to get serious, get equipped, get trained. Look around. Thinking and acting strategically are somewhat rare in the land of consumption. This precious commodity and the secrets it unlocks are literally life changing. You can get strategic and make a real difference. You can move from success to significance - but ONLY if you are willing to get strategic. We can get out of the slavery of debt - both time and money. We can empower people to solve problems and provide service in totally stunning ways. We can make our competition totally irrelevant and enter "uncontested market space." We can work with and build a team that is loyal and trusting. We can guide them to become true proprietors and abandon the "wage slave" mentality.
wage (noun) - stipulated payment for service performed
slave (noun) - someone entirely dominated by some influence
wage slave (noun) - a person who habitually suppresses and demeans their calling in return for short term financial pittance.
We can pass on to our team the skills and the vision to accomplish their highest achievements and leave slavery behind. AND WE MUST.If we don’t do this, if we don’t give people a higher purpose for which to live and work, then we will not make it. As in all real battles, it's those who work as a team who survive and thrive. You are in a totally unique position to make this powerful change. The CEO’s of wall street won't and probably can’t do this. They are living in too much speed, too much distraction, too many layers of management and frankly too much ego at risk to be so REAL.
You and I Can!
But YOU AND I CAN do this. We must do this. I know this is not for everyone, but if your heart is beating and you have the feeling of "who me?" then yes, it's YOU. So how are you going to answer this question: Will my work matter?" It will IF you begin to work with the understanding that the purpose of business is create a context in which we can train people to think and act strategically for the purpose of providing true value to those they serve. This premise solves all sales, marketing, production, and financial questions. There is no business problem that can stand up to this. This premise of business is a new trajectory that will produce lasting wealth and true prosperity. And as we align our businesses (and families by the way) strategically, get ready for a future “so bright you’ll need sunglasses.” Now is the time to get strategic.
Here's to your success!
Eric J. Beck - Founder
Total Integration Executive Program & Productivity Suite
P.S. In the Spirit of Christmas please join me in helping those in need by supporting your local Salvation Army. See the link to the right.
Executive Summary:
Your work can become significant, not just successful if you learn to think and act strategically - and train your people to do so too. The stakes are high, but the payoff is wealth that lasts for generations.< Archives >
