Finding hidden equity

Robert Gerrish I don’t know about you, but I am getting bored with all this ‘downturn’ talk. Next time someone directs the conversation towards doom and gloom, either stick your fingers in your ears or help them find some hidden equity.

One of the big problems with incessant talk of recession and the ever-growing language of ‘sliding business confidence’, is that it’s very easy to fall into the trap where our only measurement of success is financial. If we’re not careful we can overlook the many other areas of our work and life where we are building value. Areas where we are, in effect, hiding equity.

Let’s start with business. In pretty well every small business I have seen there resides an aspect of value that the business owner has probably never paused to acknowledge.

Whether it’s intellectual property amassed through years of experience and training, a database of contacts, or recognition and profile of a brand. Value and equity exist to some degree in every business and we shouldn’t forget this when dark clouds appear.

The clouds will pass. The value will remain.

Outside of work, we are growing and nurturing equity in many, many places. Not the kind of equity we will trade for grubby old cash. This equity is far more important than that.

I’m talking about the personal equity we grow through our relationships. The equity we build in our children and the equity we build in ourselves through constant learning.

So when a friend or colleague tries to enrol you in dialogue about all things miserable, take them on the trail of hidden equity. Or stick your fingers in your ears.

If I have prompted you to find some hidden equity, please share it here.

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Until next time.

Love your work,

Robert Gerrish is Flying Solo’s managing director and founder and works as a business coach, professional speaker, business commentator and consultant. He’s the co-author of Flying Solo – How to go it alone in business.

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What recession? Seriously. I'm busier than I ever was. For those clients who are worried that they have slowed down, I advise them they have a choice. Focus on the downturn and descend into a pit of despair which makes all your nightmares come true. Or use the quiet as an opportunity to do all those little things that never got done. The rebranding. The tinkering with the website. The brochure redesign. The walkbout to your clients. The holiday with the partner. Denise Maffey CA from Kumeu NZ
We are a small print business in Nambour in Queensland. We have entered awards to keep our planning timely, reward & retain passion in our staff and add value to our brand. During this time we have increased our annual turnover by 400% and still grow by 20% this year. Challenging economic environments reward the efficient & innovative. Have a go - you can do it too.
AWARDS
2008 Finalist in the Queensland EPA Corporate Sustainability Award
Queensland Finalist in the 2008 Telstra Business Awards (MYOB & Social Responsibility)
Winner of the 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007 Queensland Printing Industry’s Business Excellence Award
Winner of the (inaugural) 2007 Queensland Printing Industry’s Environmental Management Award
Winner of over 20 state & national medals for Print Excellence including the 2005 & 2006 Queensland Printing Industry's Judges’ Choice Award for best overall entry.
2007 Telstra Business Awards State Finalist (MYOB Category)
Winner of the 2007 Queensland Printing Industry’s 2nd Year Apprentice of the Year Don Parry from Nambour, Queensland, Australia
Thankyou thankyou thankyou for positivity - I thought I was the only cheery one and maybe an "ostrich" with my head in the sand when everyone else was all doom & gloom ! We've used this time to focus on cutting costs as we all know the profit margins are shrinking with rising overheads so we've concentrated on making our business as lean as we can while still giving payrises where we could to compensate staff for rising petrol / living costs. We've also targeted specific customers and I agree, use this time wisely and a positive attitude attracts positivity - our sales reflect this. I also love the reminder about equity, so very true and often forgotten in busy times. Adrienne Smith from Macksville
Our company just had this conversation this morning!
We're a small group but man are we thriving! We're reaching those little goals that we wanted to achieve ages ago like catching up with clients and training each other up in our own jobs so we are able to share our knowledge and keep developing our skills. We have even had time to start a "floor olympics" challenge so we can play zany games every week and foster relationships with our neighbours.
Life is full of ups and downs and I'm a big believer that if you speak doom and gloom into your life, your life will reflect it. It's like that old "self-fulfulling prophecy", if you say "we're on a downturn and things are going to get really bad", they generally will!!
Celebrate that "hidden equity", take time to find old friends on facebook or my space, tell a colleague how well they are doing, spend quality time with your partner and family!. After all these years of saying "were too busy" or "life's a rat race", take advantage of this time to redirect, revitalise, and reposition yourself Aimee Visser from Auckland, New Zealand
Agree wholeheartedly! We're as busy as ever, if not more busy. When there is talk of downturn, businesses start looking to doing all those extra things that they knew they should have been doing in the past to promote their business, but didn't get around to because their business was keeping them very busy. There's also a shift to cutting costs, which brings other opportunities. There is still more opportunity out there than anyone has time to take up. So... no point talking gloom and doom! Heather Maloney from Melbourne
Tighter economic conditions give us a good reminder to improve efficiencies and systems in the business. It's definitely not a time for moping! I also find it a reminder to implement some of the ideas I know will improve my business and not to make the excuse that I am too busy. Do first things first! Luke from Sydney

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