InnConcierge

THE FINISH LINE
 
With 3 marathons finished in the last 5 weeks (WY/SD and MO) only 5 left to meet my goal of one in every state....so, THE FINISH LINE is in sight and WILL be crossed in December or January in Hawaii...
 
The related question is - WHERE is the finish line in this economic recovery?
 
According to a CNBC interview with the Chariman/ CEO of American Express, "it's way too early to call for an economic rebound...".....he continues to add that "maybe we will start to see some recovery in the second half of 2010."
 
IF we are still 18 months away from any sort of recovery, what does that mean for the remainder of 2009?
GET READY FOR A FURTHER SLOWDOWN.
 
In our world, we are finding the following:

    * decisions - at every level - are being even further delayed
    * senior level executives are being laid off, as opposed to mid-level managers
    * when Southwest Airlines has a 3 day sale with flights as low as $ 30 one way and just $90 for a one way cross country ticket...then you know there is concern about there from now thru November...

Here is the one stolen tid-bit from the same interview that I offer here for your consideration...the CEO went on to say, "in down times like this, it IS the time to make smart investments to be ready for the rebound..."  He went on to say that only 45% of pp in the US who could have a credit card do have one and only 25% have one outside of the US and get this, only 15% of small business work with one - so you can imagine where they are making their investments for now AND for when the economy rebounds.
 
The question for all of us is a simple but profound one:  where are you making your investments now?
 
(as for me - the rest of this month is almost entirely focused on new account development...in New Mexico, in southern Florida and in Texas.....)
 
Off for my early morning bike ride to get ready for run # 60.

- by Jim Miller