Some would say it's a very bleak looking winter in Southern California.
The economic disaster appears to have hit us at least as hard as any earthquake in memory, and in the eyes of some, the damage rivals that of the fires of recent years. There is no denying that unless you're old enough to remember the 1930s, you have never seen our economy fall so hard so quickly.
But despite the ruckus in the media, things could be a lot worse. Yes, people have lost jobs or gone out of business, and if you're among those people, it's a crisis, plain and simple.
But for the rest of us, the small business slowly moving forward or the consumer whose confidence makes the economy rise and fall, it's a speed bump, a reason to be cautious, but not to panic.
Let's look at some numbers. Recently, unemployment hit 6.5 percent and some economists think it may rise as high as 8 percent or more. But even at 8 percent unemployment, 92 percent of the people who want jobs have them.
Just for perspective, the unemployment rate in 1932, which was the height of the Great Depression, was 23.6 percent.
Despite recent headlines, people have not stopped spending money. We still need clothing, cars, food, medicine and gas.
We may buy a used car or fix an old one rather than buy a new one, but we still need to get around. People who have money will spend it and retailers will adjust prices until they make sales.
I'm already hearing a variety of stories, from clients and others, and it's not all bad news. Some people are busy, others are not, but all are a little nervous.
How bad will things get? No one on this planet has the answer. The better question is what can we do to help?
As a business community, we can support each other. Do business locally. Refer business to people you know in North County. Ask for local referrals and recommendations.
As an organization, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is uniquely able to bring together resources and the folks who need them. There are the obvious networking channels, like the Sundowners and First Fridays, but don't forget the chamber committees and task forces.
These are opportunities to get to know people better, people who may become customers or refer you new business. Rather than give up your membership and save a few hundred dollars in dues, get more involved, be more visible and get more business.
The Carlsbad Chamber also has very strong relationships with local government and our state and federal representatives, so if you need help navigating the governmental maze, the chamber often can help ease the way. Watch for seminars and other opportunities to learn how to run your business better, another benefit of membership.
But probably the biggest value of chamber membership is the connection to other people trying to stay in business in trying times. The ability to share ideas and talk about solutions, priceless.
The economic disaster appears to have hit us at least as hard as any earthquake in memory, and in the eyes of some, the damage rivals that of the fires of recent years. There is no denying that unless you're old enough to remember the 1930s, you have never seen our economy fall so hard so quickly.
But despite the ruckus in the media, things could be a lot worse. Yes, people have lost jobs or gone out of business, and if you're among those people, it's a crisis, plain and simple.
But for the rest of us, the small business slowly moving forward or the consumer whose confidence makes the economy rise and fall, it's a speed bump, a reason to be cautious, but not to panic.
Let's look at some numbers. Recently, unemployment hit 6.5 percent and some economists think it may rise as high as 8 percent or more. But even at 8 percent unemployment, 92 percent of the people who want jobs have them.
Just for perspective, the unemployment rate in 1932, which was the height of the Great Depression, was 23.6 percent.
Despite recent headlines, people have not stopped spending money. We still need clothing, cars, food, medicine and gas.
We may buy a used car or fix an old one rather than buy a new one, but we still need to get around. People who have money will spend it and retailers will adjust prices until they make sales.
I'm already hearing a variety of stories, from clients and others, and it's not all bad news. Some people are busy, others are not, but all are a little nervous.
How bad will things get? No one on this planet has the answer. The better question is what can we do to help?
As a business community, we can support each other. Do business locally. Refer business to people you know in North County. Ask for local referrals and recommendations.
As an organization, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is uniquely able to bring together resources and the folks who need them. There are the obvious networking channels, like the Sundowners and First Fridays, but don't forget the chamber committees and task forces.
These are opportunities to get to know people better, people who may become customers or refer you new business. Rather than give up your membership and save a few hundred dollars in dues, get more involved, be more visible and get more business.
The Carlsbad Chamber also has very strong relationships with local government and our state and federal representatives, so if you need help navigating the governmental maze, the chamber often can help ease the way. Watch for seminars and other opportunities to learn how to run your business better, another benefit of membership.
But probably the biggest value of chamber membership is the connection to other people trying to stay in business in trying times. The ability to share ideas and talk about solutions, priceless.