Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott S
The big shoe dropped, today I laid off eight guys, four sub-contractor cutters, and four log trucks until April...perhaps.
This is the toughest industry in the States, I feel pretty wimpy right now.
Scott S
|
When the fickle economy crashes, I don't think anyone is quite prepared for it. If we were, we'd have to have a permanent suspicious, gloomy outlook on life, not very conducive to progress as a whole.
When I earlier stated that demand creates jobs, not employers, I didn't mean that those of us that assume leadership are unimportant. Don't ever feel wimpy for very long.
Employers, while just a cog in the economy machine, and not really heroes deserving of huge bonuses over labor, are a most important cog, so keep your chin up. God grants the skill of leadership, to serve all humans, like He grants two hands. A man is not expected to get huge bonuses over his brethran, for being lucky enough to have both of them.
I think you will find your mind is at it's most innovative when pressed like this. Perhaps a recent example was a
post you made in jest that was not merely good, but brilliant in combining ideas for a new concept, even if it was just in fun. I think this is sort of innovation more likely to happen when ones subconcious is working overtime. Your mind will further open up to solve the problem.
This all seems bad, but where there is lemons, there is the innovative possiblity of making lemonade. If you can find a way, some of the machinery you need will sell at near firesale prices. When you start back up, you can be at the head of the pack. Remember, the need for houses never goes away, and if it hiccups, there is a shortage right after.
Even if you had one of the most efficient operations going, there is always room for improvement. You will need all this when you start back up. Sales prices are not likely to be so good at first. Instead of being discouraged and disgusted, try to direct your thinking to a better future and what you can do to streamline your operation.
Perhaps you can get by with half your original employees. The originals are likely to be not all available when things break loose anyway. I could tell one of my long stories about how I streamlined my little home-building nook, even though I knew I had to quit early on. It took me fifteen years to find a reasonably paying substitute and I never again needed more than two employees, while still in business. I know I often preach socialism, taking care of our fellows, but I know, in the end, that it is a dog-eat-dog world. The fittest survive in dire circumstances. When the going gets tough...
I am reminded of a story.
A couple of buddies, Joe and Mike, were hiking in Yellowstone.
They came upon a sign that read, "Caution, beware of grizzly bears".
Joe sat down and began to replace his hiking boots with track shoes.
Mike asked, "What are you doing? You don't expect to outrun a grizzly bear, do you?".
Joe replied, "I don't have to outrun the bear ...just you".
You are one of the good guys.
I sincerely wish you the very best.
Get your track shoes on.
Wes
...
Threaded Mode
