Recession, economic downturn, credit crunch, current economic ‘environment’ blah blah blah– whether you choose to bury your head in the sand or face it head on, there are a lot of businesses and not-for-profit organisations out there who are feeling more than just a pinch this year.
For the past few months my in-box has been filled every morning with ‘ever-so helpful’ emails containing recession beating hints and tips or invitations to overpriced recession busting workshops. If I had a pound for each of these received so far this year, I am pretty sure that I would single-handedly be able to haul the UK economy to its feet.
For the most part, these emails rarely fall into my ‘pearls of wisdom’ category but are more often than not, simple common sense business practices that should be adopted regardless.
I have yet to see a single email that promises to tackle an issue that is vexing organisations across the land, namely: how do we make sure that we all come out of this recession with the same working relationships that we went into it with?
Whilst marketing budgets are under increasing pressure and the term ‘limited budget’ has become common-place in most creative briefs, I still see no justification in putting good business relationships under pressure.
Our clients and suppliers make our businesses what they are, and mutual support, trust and understanding are vital if we are all to arrive on the other side unscathed. The temptation during times like these for all organisations is to squeeze too hard. Sure, getting value for money is a sensible thing, but it is too easily confused with ‘cheap’ and is often at the expense of quality. Squeezing too hard can hurt and it could mean the unnecessary end of an otherwise beautiful relationship.
By working together, reaching compromise when necessary and not devaluing the work that we all do – businesses can continue to do what they do best and still be successful.
Rant over. Anyone else feel the same out there? Email me: lisa@remedycreative.com
Tags: economy, remedy creative