Instability - Woodshop News

Instability

Author:: David DeCristoforo
Publish date:: Apr 24, 2018
Social count:: 0

I have tried to avoid discussing anything political here. This is supposed to be about running a shop. But completely separating business and politics is like separating the cart and the horse.

We cannot deny the close to chaotic state of politics that exists right now. And there is no way this cannot affect business.

When things are uncertain, people become much more conservative in their willingness to spend money. If people have their money in stocks and the market starts to fluctuate like it has been, they put off buying decisions. It becomes much more difficult to close sales.

People are still shopping, but more and more of them are just looking. Maybe they want to remodel their kitchen or buy that new dining set but not right now. Maybe wait until things settle down a bit. We can only hope they do.

This Business About Woodworking

Current stats show a very low unemployment level across the country. This is a good thing. People have jobs.

This Business About Woodworking

I saw an article the other day about home prices. This particular home was in Sunnyvale, Calif., and sold for over $2,000 a square foot. Yes, this was a record.

This Business About Woodworking

I recently saw an internet posting of a very fine piece of woodwork. There were many compliments, including “that could be in the Louvre!”

This Business About Woodworking

There’s an old expression: Out of sight, out of mind. People will not do business with you if they do not know you are there. Even people who have done business with you in the past tend to forget about you once the current transaction is completed. Staying in sight is important.

This Business About Woodworking

When is it good enough? I am at a stage in life where most people would consider me to be a master. And you’d think, at this point, I have little left to learn.

This Business About Woodworking

In a reply to my recent post about employees, it was suggested that new hires be treated as independent contractors for a period of time until they have proven their worth.

This Business About Woodworking

I have always tried to maintain a positive outlook. Even when things get difficult, it’s not impossible to envision things improving. But these days, I’m finding that it is taking a lot more mental energy to combat the negative energy that seems to be pervading everything.

This Business About Woodworking

I was talking recently to a guy who loves woodworking. He has a small shop set up in the garage and spends every spare moment in it.

This Business About Woodworking

We all know about spring cleaning, the once-a-year, take-everything-out cleaning binge that is usually accompanied by a dozen other tasks that have been put off for one reason or another.