Category Archives: Articles

Some knew it was coming

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My Dad predicted the current super recession. Knowing that, your next question to me should be, “Why ain’t you rich”.

The big problem with his prediction was that he started predicting it in the early 1960’s – or maybe even before that when I wasn’t listening. It still hadn’t really happened when he died in 1992. However, the perception that it could happen colored his economic activity all his life – mine, too probably. We had some near misses, but he always dismissed them as minor events compared to the coming of the real thing. Continue reading Some knew it was coming →

Survival of the fittest

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Recently, I was invited to sit in on a Four Winns regional dealer meeting at the O’Hare Hilton where I had the opportunity to visit with several dealers I have known over the years. I consider the dealers who were at this meeting, and those all around the country who are still in business, a good example of “Survival of the fittest.” But there is no question that many of those in the industry who have survived this horrendous recession so far still consider it a daily battle to remain in that group.

It was encouraging that the “Industry survivors” that I chatted with at the Four Winns meeting seemed rather upbeat. But I also sensed they were all constantly watching every aspect of their businesses on a daily basis and keeping close track of every nickel and dime. I also have to say that at the end of the one-day meeting, the Four Winns dealers seemed very encouraged at what they saw and heard. Continue reading Survival of the fittest →

“I’m from the government and I am here to help you.” Part 2

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As I wrote back in July, “These are the words that can strike terror in the hearts of most Americans, especially those in business for themselves like marine dealers. The words, “I’m from the government and I am here to help you,” came to mind again this past week as a result of some recent news items plus a personal experience.

Regarding recent (and scary) news, I just read a columnist who wrote the following about the new health care plan: “The former director of the Congressional Budget Office, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, says that the subsidies for health insurance in the health law will cost $1.4 trillion, not the $450 billion estimated by the CBO. That is because as many as 35 million people will lose their health insurance at work since employers will have a strong financial incentive to drop coverage and dump workers into taxpayer subsidized plans.”

I have heard that many small businesses will be dropping health insurance for employees because the cost of the penalties to do so will be far less than the added cost of insurance premium increases. Here we go again, another, “I’m from the government and I am here to help you.” Continue reading “I’m from the government and I am here to help you.” Part 2 →