Think the economic picture out there is grim? If you’re looking for a job you may have a rough road to hoe for the next few months – but I’ve talked with a number of women home-based business owners who’ve whispered to me, “Denise, I can’t believe how terrific my sales have been. It’s like I’ve got new customers coming out of the woodwork.”
Consumers have held back for well over a year. There is serious pent-up demand for all kinds of products and services and if you can get beyond your prospective customer’s initial hesitation and show ‘em why what you offer is a great value – there are a lot of people ready to get on with life, proclaim this recession personally over – and buy from you.
Just check out these article leads I discovered in a quick online search of economic news:
DETROIT (Reuters) – Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said on Monday that he is cautiously optimistic about the world automotive market and saw a 3-4 percent increase in unit sales this year. Zetsche told journalists at the Detroit Auto Show that he saw the Chinese market posting single-digit growth in 2010, while Daimler’s own sales in that market would grow faster, he said.
HERKIMER, N.Y. – As a new year dawns, Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Scarano said he is optimistic about the future of local businesses. “We’ve had a few rough years,” said Scarano. “Our businesses — especially small businesses — have reacted better than other businesses in the country. We know how to adapt and survive. They’ve been around for quite a while.” According to the state Department of Labor Web site, the unemployment rate declined to 8.6 percent in November — below the national number of 10 percent.
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The next 12 months hold much opportunity for investors in the U.S. chemical industry as its members hope to ride a wave of cautious economic optimism and capitalize on growing consumer confidence. After two years of frenzied stock swings, debt downgrades, and slumping revenue and profit, some of the industry’s biggest players are charily confident that a long-awaited economic uptick is coming this year.
SAN JOSE, CA – Small-business owners throughout Silicon Valley express a reserved, low-key sense of confidence as they enter 2010. That’s a dramatic contrast to how they felt a year ago. “I’m cautiously optimistic,” said Andy Meade, president of Meade Construction Group Inc., a San Jose-based general contracting firm specializing in high-tech and health care projects. “When we entered 2009, I’d say the general feeling was fear and pessimism.”
CHICAGO BUSINESS — Is business looking up? Are execs feeling optimistic? OfficeMax is banking that the answer to both questions is yes, and its enlisted Fast Company and BusinessWeek on its optimism crusade. The office supplies retailer is launching a new brand campaign, its first since 2004, under the banner “Good News for Business.” The comprehensive effort represents Office Max’s biggest marketing investment in four years, said Bob Thacker, senior VP-marketing and advertising. “It’s substantial,” said Mr. Thacker. “We feel it’s time to start focusing on the 90% of the population that is working. That’s not to minimize the 10% that aren’t. But for business to thrive, we have to get beyond fear and focus on hope.”
LOUISVILLE, KY – Owners of small and medium-sized businesses are increasingly optimistic about future business prospects for 2010, according to a survey conducted by City Business Journals Network. The network is owned by Charlotte, N.C.-based American City Business Journals Inc., owner of Business First of Louisville.