Congratulations, you’ve put another year in the books. I don’t know how things went for you professionally—or personally—but merely getting through another year can certainly be an accomplishment. Especially a year like 2009.
Experts abound with advice about how you can get an upper hand in any business setting in any economy—up, down, or sideways. While some of the counsel is solid and noteworthy, I tire of it. I suspect that, for many people, 2009 was one of those years to survive rather than thrive.
As the company president of one of my clients put it, “We probably worked harder this year than we ever have, but our results don’t reflect it.” He went on to say he was proud of the company’s efforts and the hard work would pay off in 2010 and beyond.
No doubt, in 2009 the economic pie was smaller. Just hanging on to the same-sized piece was a victory.
That was a starting point for me last January. Goal one was to hang on to the clients and work I had. I would zealously serve them. I would continue to make it as easy as possible to work with me. I would not raise fees.
It worked out for me. There was no magic. I just kept trying to do a good job like I have in the past. Along the way, I also picked up projects from dormant clients and I added a new major university to my client list. In fact, for me, 2009 was better than 2008. I am very thankful.
So, I bid farewell to 2009. Hello, 2010. I hope it’s a terrific new year for you.
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