Fundamentals

How are you responding to extraordinary turbulence in current financial markets?

Painful as it is, this once in a generation correction has challenged us to evaluate and prioritize what truly matters most.

Here are some observations and suggestions for assessing and adjusting your personal and professional game plan for continuing health, wealth and success in a difficult economy.

The marketplace that not long ago valued heavily-leveraged global transactions is now rewarding closer personal relationships and strategic collaboration among trusted vendors, suppliers, investors and key clients.

Be sure to talk often or better yet meet with the people who matter most to you.

Customers and investors are migrating toward lean businesses with a quality mindset that know what customers truly value and consistently meet or exceed their most important requirements.

Be sure to refocus you business relentlessly on the fundamentals.

Employees with a positive outlook, a passion for solving problems and zeal for improvement and innovation are more valuable than ever.

Be sure your own work consistently ranks among the best. This is not a time to settle for less.

As credit has tightened, cash is now king.

Be sure to prioritize and rationalize your larger investments, continue to manage your inventory and accounts receivable aggressively, and delay or defer non-essential spending.

Finally, be smart managing your current assets but continue strategic periodic investment in businesses that excel at the fundamentals.

This is an excellent time to invest for the longer term in high-quality businesses that have been greatly oversold.

Create your future, today. The best is yet ahead.

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