by Larry Williams
 
Business is all about making a number of calculated and strategic moves to ensure success and longevity.  There are those who have prepared themselves to succeed . . . and those who have not.  Like many of you, I was captivated by the recent story of flight 1549.  The passenger jet, carrying 155 people, ran into an in-flight emergency at 3000 feet shortly after take-off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport.  The Airbus 320 struck a flock of birds.  This caused both engines to become disabled.  After gliding for nearly eight miles, the pilot ditched the aircraft in the Hudson River.  This successful water landing and the ensuing bravery of the flight crew saved the lives of everyone on board.  Was it luck?  Perhaps!  But it likely had far more to do with training!

Commercial airline pilots periodically engage in mandatory “flight simulator” training.  Flight attendants also receive continuing education in emergency procedures.  These procedures are recounted by them at the beginning of every flight.  Many of the first responders to such an emergency are highly trained people versed in “water rescue” and “life saving medical procedures”.
 
You might ask “what does this have to do with the wedding industry?”  Three words - preparation, training and timing!

As I look around at others during these uncertain economic times, I see many established businesses doing very well and only making slight adjustments to their business model and carrying on with a “business as usual” attitude.  On the flip side, I see panic in the DJ industry where many are selling off their equipment, in-fighting between photographers and videographers and other vendors simply throwing in the towel.  It brings me to one fundamental conclusion . . . there are those who have trained for years for this very moment and those who have not!  

Preparation
 
Weathering this storm of recession takes preparation, courage and determination.   You have to dig down deep and rely upon everything you have ever trained for.  Like a ships captain who knows the only way back to port is through the worst storm of the year . . . you have to batten down the hatches, instruct your crew, radio in your position and chart a course for home.  

This is not to say that the waves won’t beat down on you a bit . . . but you must have faith that the years of training and smart business decisions you have made via networking relationships with vendors, advertising avenues, customer rapport and camaraderie . . . will ride you successfully through this storm.
 
Training

If you are one who has trained and educated yourself in preparation for this . . . you are likely in a better position to succeed.  Those who know me, know I am passionate about “Advanced Level Training and Education”.  I attend every business seminar, workshop and conference I can get my hands on.  These are my “flight simulator” . . . my “swift water rescue training” . . . my “batting practice”.
 
Timing

In business – timing is everything.  You wait for the moment you have trained your whole life for . . . then act upon it.  It might be a water rescue, the 9th inning of the World Series or the manner in which you conduct business during a recession.  If you didn’t skip practice . . . you’re going to be fine.  
 
I believe our wedding industry may very possibly encounter a different landscape by the time this recession is over.  Some will succeed . . . some will fall.  But those who have trained for this moment will be ready.  It’s like the baseball coach who patiently trained his athlete day after day.  That athlete walks up to the batter’s box with the knowledge, training and restraint to time that pitch perfectly. 

To succeed, he has one thing going through his mind . . .
“Wait for it . . . Wait for it . . . Swing!”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 at 9:16 am and is filed under Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.