The Right Way to Compete Now
Ignorance may be bliss, but the problem usually catches up with you in the long run. On How We Work, Peter Bregman shows how transparency trumps secrecy in business. “Here’s the thing about human nature: we tend not to learn much from other people’s experience. We wait until we experience it ourselves before we change our ways. That’s why your grandmother probably saved more money than you did. Because she experienced the depression while you just heard about it. We just might learn this time because this downturn has hit hard, wide, and globally. It’s hit across industries and classes. From the lowest paid workers to the highest, everyone is learning the hard way. And what we’re learning is that it’s better to know than not to know.”

Recession Sharpens Skills
In his blog, Jeff Cornwall cites several studies on how small businesses are positioning themselves to weather the storm, and how the economy has helped create better managers. “Small business owners are not taking this recession lying down. Many are finding new resources to tap and new ways to manage costs beyond the traditional steps of laying off staff or cutting back on staff hours. Nearly half of business owners (45%) are open to bartering for new products or services with customers or suppliers and nearly one-quarter (23%) report their barter activities have increased due to the economic environment.”

It’s Not the Recession, You Just Suck
Writing in the aptly named Outspoken Media, Lisa Barone tells those having a hard time to stop pointing at economy and take a more proactive stance on life. “Good people who have lost their jobs because the economy is in the tank. However, I think A LOT of people are beside themselves to finally have an excuse for why the world is out to get them. The world is not out to get you. There are rainbows and butterflies and bunnies all around you. You can either keep complaining how about The Recession is some Blob-like creature taking away your clients or you can break open the box, see it as an opportunity and create your own success. The choice is yours.”

Seven Tips Millennial Job Seekers Will Benefit From in This Tough Economy
A lot of young people are finding it difficult to land a job today, but Lisa Orrell says there are many things that can be done to make themselves more competitive and pad their resumes, all in an article on College Recruiter. “Yes, the Internet is a powerful networking tool. And, of course, network on social networks like FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn. But face-to-face contact can be more powerful. Attend local professional networking events in industries you’re interested in. Interested in a Marketing career? Attend your local AMA chapter mixer. Each month, attend as many “live” networking events as possible. Not only will you make a lot of contacts but you’ll become better at “selling yourself” which can help when you interview.”

Ten Job Hunting Tips in a Bad Economy
On Becoming Who You Want to Be, Daniel Zane enumerates a few tricks to ensure that you land and keep a stable job. “1. If you have reason to believe your current position may be in jeopardy, begin exploring other opportunities immediately. But, do it very discreetly. 2. Improve your educational credentials. Take online courses. Think about earning a certificate, certification or degree. The more letters you can put after your name, the better you will look to employers. 3. Network, network, and network some more. You can never have too many professional contacts.”

Recession Marketing Success Requires Boldness
Ed Clark of Branding Strategy Insider makes the case for depression risk-takers from a historical perspective. “Over the years hundreds of studies have been conducted to prove companies should maintain advertising during a recession. In the 1920’s advertising executive Roland S. Vaile tracked 200 companies through the recession of 1923. He reported in the April 1927 issue of the Harvard Business Review that the biggest sales increases throughout the period were rung up by companies that advertised the most. After World War II, Buchen Advertising, Inc. decided to plot the sales of a large number of advertisers through successive recessions. In 1947, it began measuring the annual advertising expenditures of each company. When they correlated the figures with sales and profit trends before, during and after the recessions of 1949, 1954, 1958 and 1961, they found that almost without exception sales and profits dropped off at companies that cut back on advertising.”