As I was reading the latest blog on our website, I got to thinking about my recent road trip and the thought that crossed my mind as we drove home that last day…

We started out on Highway 99, worrying only about watching the other drivers and paying attention to our own driving to make sure we were safe.  It didn’t take but a few hours, though, before we not only had to pay attention to other drivers and ourselves, but also make sure we were paying enough attention to the surroundings because there were now “jumping deer” added to the mix.  Jumping deer!  Jeez..I’m trying to learn to drive a new vehicle (big truck), I’m used to driving a little bitty car, so jumping animals weren’t welcome at this point.  However, my opinion wasn’t asked so I dealt with what I was given.

Not long after that, we added “jumping elk” to the mix.  (Jumping elk!  ”Really, jumping elk?!?  Oh man, kiss the vacation goodbye if that were to happen” was the thought that flashed at the first elk sign.  At 65-70 miles an hour, a Chevy Sierra + jumping elk = I’m going to be hurting when it’s all said and done.)

(Needless to say, I was thankful and simply smiled when I saw the “cow crossing” signs.  No big threat there, right?  At least you can see a cow coming at you.)

At this point, and we’re still only day one into our trip mind you, I’m wondering how I was going to manage:

a) watching ‘the other guy’,
b) paying close attention to my own driving in an unfamiliar vehicle (thank goodness for cruise control),
c) anticipating the moment that a deer was going to jump out at me, and finally
d) anticipating the same for the even larger jumping animal – but, still not worried about the cows

Day seven is here and it’s our last day on the road.  We had had a wonderful road trip so far - seen beautiful and awesome sites, and managed not to hit or be hit by a deer, elk or cow.  Driving through the Sierras, through storm clouds and rain, surrounded by majestic snow-covered mountains, we came upon a sign that scared the day-lights out of me and made me realize that jumping wildlife was a cake walk.

DO NOT STOP
AVALANCHE AREA

Yeah, sure, o.k.  Not a problem – NO stopping here – go faster! I got it!!

When I finally managed to get over my fear (well past the last DO NOT STOP sign as I’m a tad bit claustrophobic and ‘buried in snow’ wasn’t a look I was going for), I realized that all those signs along our journey had been reminding me of the messages that we send out in our blogs.

After all the miles (almost 2,000), we had continually been reminded to watch closely to what was going on around us at all times.  We were reminded that life, like business, tends to throw those “little” things at you that you must always watch out for to make it home safely.  From slow-moving cows that are easy to see and avoid, to an avalanche getting ready to drop and possibly bury you.  You may not always get lucky and get the cow, but you can be prepared to move, and move pretty quickly, should it be the other!

With but the thinnest layer of protection, opposition set on maiming you swarms in at a pace that gives you only the briefest moment to make a decision.  Your window of opportunity closes quickly as you must hit a target no more than one square foot while on the run.

No, you’re not Jack Bauer… You’re an NFL quarterback.

Somewhere along the line, I read about the progression a quarterback must make in transitioning from high school to college and, finally, to the NFL.  In order to succeed, the quarterback must deal with changes in these four factors.

1. The increased size of the players (and, it so happens, the level of injury threat),
2. The speed of the game (imagine a 300-lb lineman who can close faster than a used-car salesman),
3. The complexity of the offensive and defensive plans (who knew Stephen Hawking designed game plans), and finally
4. The shrinking size of the target the quarterback must hit to complete a pass (high school – 5 feet, college – 3 feet, pros – 1 foot).

In recent discussions with business owners, these same factors have come to mind when talking about how business has changed with our shifting economy. 

1. The risk of being in business has definitely increased.  Our local unemployment rate hovers near 20% and we are smack in the middle of the foreclosure capital of the country.  Failed businesses line our main business districts.
2. The rate of change is faster than ever.  Technology advances open new opportunities (for both the business and its competitors), new products and services are constantly introduced, and banks have tightened their qualifications for small business financing.  Owners must pay more attention to what’s going on around them if they want to succeed.
3. The business and regulatory environment has become much more complex.  Owners must wade through complex health insurance regulations, labor laws, safety and environmental standards, municipal codes and regulations.
4. The margin of error continues to shrink.  Owners who succeeded “in spite of themselves” must now know exactly where to look for increases in efficiencies, new market opportunities, cash management strategies, etc.  They must pay attention to the details.

Over the past several months, we have had many opportunities to work with local business owners who have successfully weathered the toughest times and are now seeing opportunities open in front of them.  From our position, we have noticed that successful business owners…

• stay informed.
• use their advisors wisely.
• pay attention to details.
• know which things are critically important and closely monitor that information. 
• anticipate changes and plan for the future (both short-term and long-term).  
• stay fiscally fit so they are healthy enough to weather the tough times and take advantage of opportunities that arise.

In short, they act like a pro.