Tips for hard times

This material from a Florida business report includes advice from inspirational sources. I’ve modified the tips to relate to the Chamber and to your businesses during this unusual period.

There is no future for vanilla. Thomas Friedman wrote in “The World Is Flat” that “you want constantly to acquire new skills, knowledge and expertise that enable you constantly to be able to create value – something more than vanilla ice cream”. Just for the record, when I do eat ice cream from Arethusa in Bantam, I love all of their flavors including vanilla. His point was that we must find fresh ways to stand, especially now!

It’s ultimately about people. We have become absorbed with every gadget imaginable and sometimes forget about that person-to-person interaction. We must provide special experiences for both customers and employees alike.

Thank goodness Connecticut is the leader in staying safe, honoring the separation and wearing face masks. We are working on virtual opportunities for you with actual resources. Watch for our calendar of virtual meetings. I personally cannot wait to welcome you. In the meantime, we are carrying on with you in mind.

Fortune favors the prepared mind. Louis Pasteur understood that success is based on research, training and hard work more often than good luck or instantaneous inspiration. We all need to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. He didn’t give up and we won’t either.

Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. This thought was borrowed from Bill Gates. How often do we shrug off a comment or complaint as if someone had a bad day? He feels that the most serious objections may offer the greatest insights into new ideas, attitudes and improvement in our organizations or businesses. Let’s take advantage of this.

When you’re finished changing, you’re finished. Ben Franklin came up with this approximately 200 years ago and it definitely applies today. How often do we here that something can’t be done and that change is impossible? Personal and professional success will only come from adaptability, flexibility and willingness to try something new and different.

We are realizing today that we have no choice but to follow his advice.

We are listening to you and responding to your concerns. Yes, these are challenging times but we will get through them as long as we work together in a new, creative way.