Icy But Passable

I drove home late last night (or early this morning – I’m never sure when one ends and the other begins) in sleet. The roads were really slick and you could see the ice pellets accumulating toward the side of the road where people hadn’t driven yet. Which of course got me thinking about business or, more specifically, the business climate today.
The traffic reports on the way home kept saying the roads were “icy but passable” which is exactly how I think things are in the business world today. It’s possible to get to where one wants to go but a lot of extra caution is needed.

You don’t speed on icy roads and I wouldn’t advise too many people to go as fast in these times as I would in better ones.  You don’t mash the accelerator – you accelerate gradually until you get up to a safe operating speed.  For a new company, this is a “conservation of resources” thought.  It’s nice to have some money in the bank to keep your early or mid-stage company moving forward but depleting that bankroll quickly is like that sudden start on an icy road – you might just skid off the road.

You should avoid cruise control when driving on ice and avoid putting your business on cruise control in bad times.  Pay attention!  I’ve found that both on ice and in business, there are lots of warning signs you’re starting to skid before you actually lose control.  Cruise control hides those signs in both circumstances and can keep you moving forward in an unsafe way.  You want to brake, change speeds and turn slowly on ice and in bad times. And just because you’re a big guy – an SUV on the road, an established company in business – you can’t get cocky.  Four-wheel-drive cars maneuver better on ice, but that doesn’t mean they can stop quickly.  Same thing with big businesses.

Finally, you want to leave plenty of distance between you and other cars.   I’m always afraid that some idiot will lose control and take me out with him.  Look at how many businesses are in trouble because of something a partner, supplier, or client has done (or not done like pay their bills!).

I was always taught you should always look where you want to go and keep the front wheels pointed where you are looking.  That’s great advice on ice and in business conditions such as these.  Have a safe day!