Break out of that shell! Be a survivor in tough times - Publisher's Perspective - Opinion - column

When things get tough, they get realy tough. And how easy it is to develop a bunker mentality, close the door, blame everyone and everything, cut costs, cut quality and wash the dishes yourself after the peak period.

But the worst thing to do is to develop paranoia and inaction as you face failure knocking at your door.

There are no easy answers. There never are. However, when business is tough, it is not the time to become paralyzed. You must take action. You need to think strategically, analyze outside the box from which you have been operating.

Look at the big picture, while at the same time understanding the smaller one. Get a fresh and different outside view. Learn from others. Get active in support programs and organizations that can help you internally and impact on the external factors that are having a negative influence on your business.

Seek out and search for new ideas to improve your business, operations, marketing, personnel, production, purchasing and everything else.

The foodservice industry is blessed with many outstanding and proactive trade groups and organizations, all of which are forcing hard looks at the issues that are affecting our business. These groups are driving hard to come up with ideas and solutions to help our industry and foodservice operators to be more successful. They are facing off with the federal and local governments to protect our interests when legislation that would have a negative impact on the industry is proposed.

These trade groups also put on meaningful meetings and conventions and seminars designed to provide information and ideas to solve your business problems. The NRA convention, COEX, NAFEM and MUFSO are a few of the bigger meetings.

There is no other industry in the world that has a group of people who are more open and sharing than the foodservice industry. We are truly an industry of participants and cooperation when it comes to issues and information that will help each other.

So get out of the box. It's limiting your growth and preventing success from coming your way. Break the shell that is enclosing ideas, concepts, advice, new systems and experience that can help you be a survivor.

Contact the group that fits your needs, whether you're a foodservice operator -- independent or multiunit, commercial or non-commercial -- or whether you're a manufacturer, supplier or distributor.

Join those organizations that can help you today. Be pro-active and participate. Talk to your peers and share your problems and successes, while always seeking out and asking questions. Make things happen for you and our industry. The few dollars and hours you spend will give you a substantial return on investment that just may help you turn a new corner of profitability.

Attend those meetings and seminars that have programs designed to help you look at your business from outside the box. Events will put you in contact with people and companies that can help you solve problems.

Always look for the "big idea." But remember: In most cases it's a building process of small ideas that generate success. Nothing is going to happen unless you make the move. Participate and learn.

On page 106 is a listing of major trade groups and organizations. Call and find out what programs and information are available. You will be surprised at how many problem-solving ideas and how much information is available to assist you.

The time for taking action is now.

COPYRIGHT 1991 Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group