Keep your chin up, soldier!

Anyone else sick of this rotten economy? In reading the news about how so many companies are cutting back, sales and marketing are often the first divisions to get cut. This has always mystified me. It reminded me of research that we did for a client at the end of 2008. This quote jumped out at me and, although it references IT specifically, you can also replace the word IT with "Sales and Marketing":

Why we are crazy to cut the IT budget
December 5, 2008 by Michael Maoz, gartner.com

"The management in all ten companies describes their IT budgets, and the IT budgets of their peers, as facing cuts. Some have already frozen projects...IT budgets, which are already tiny as a proportion of a company's overall spend, is the right way to go. We need to invest in specific initiatives to excel, right now. The budget should be what the budget must be to grow and protect the business. I've never noticed an army cut its own supply lines or thin its ranks during a military campaign and win, have you?

In times like these, it pays to have a military-like mindset as to how to cope with today's realities while still being mindful of the future. And my research says that, if we can all stay calm in 2009, 2010 is forecast to be much brighter. So instead of freezing in place, make things happen! We suggest putting on your helmet and smartly marching forward!