Business by Design this month reports that design professionals facing financial challenges should seek solutions, not scapegoats.

THIS MONTH:
+ Stop Whining
+ What Hurts?
+ Recovery Roadmap

+Stop Whining
If you’re falling short of your 2005 financial goals, it’s not your clients’ fault.

Nor should you blame other design professionals.

Or the Internet.
Or big box stores.
Or Dolly Decorator.
Or your contractors
Or the economy.
Or the weather.

Everybody’s got challenges. Get over yours.

I’ve heard too many designers, window fashion professionals, kitchen and bath specialists, showroom managers and others at my presentations this year play the Blame Game.

They’ve cited everything from bad luck to their vendors and suppliers as reasons for their disappointing sales.

I’m not buying it.

If you’re facing financial challenges, this is no time for a pity party. It’s time for a planning party.

Stop whining. Start winning.

+ What Hurts?
What’s not working?

When you're in a slump, troubleshooting questions can get you out of it.

Are you not…

+ thinking big enough?
+ working with the right clients?
+ differentiating yourself?
+ managing your time well?
+ charging enough?
+ marketing enough?
+ asking upselling questions?
+ asking for referrals?
+ hiring the right people?

+ Recovery Roadmap
Seek answers to those troubleshooting questions.

List your five major sales and marketing challenges, and turn to colleagues, coaches, and even clients for advice on how to conquer them.

Create a recovery plan with timelines and deadlines.

Success happens by choice, not chance. Choose to bounce back, and you will.

Big time.