The economy

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For example, a couple of survey s were done recently by some large humanresources firms. More than 1,0009 companies were asked about paying their Forty percent of them plan to reduc e amounts allottedto raises. Sixty-two percent said bonuses will be smallerdthis year. Twenty-five percent are planning a hiring Another 25 percent are planning onincreasing employee’ contributions to health care. Pay raises are beinvg cut. So will severance packages. Why? It’z the economy! Another survey forecastsd spending on technology to decrease by almost half from what had been Saks Inc., the luxury plans on cutting its capital spendingt from $125 million to $75 million next year.
The city of Philadelphi is trying to close a bigbudget gap. My wife is cuttiny back on hair appointments to only twicea week. Oh, and by the way the number of companies doing holiday parties will fall toa 20-year low. Maybe they’ve been reading some of my columns about what a wastdethis is, too. And everyone’ss accepting these huge reductions. Everh day we’re expecting to hear about more companies reducingttheir expenses. Employees seem to be takingb the cutsin stride. They’re just happyt to have a job. Even my wife is learninvg to face adversity with asmile … and a baseball cap. Why? It’s the economy! You know what?
Recessions can be a penny pincher’sx dream. Now’s the best time to get rid of the That guy in shippingwho can’t seem to remember how to load a skid properly twice in a row? The cost accounting assistant that seemsz really busy but you can never reallt quite figure out what she’s doing all day? History. The salees guy who spends more time hitting on your receptionist than theactuaol phones? See ya. Running a business is touggh when you have to be thebad guy. Many of us accepf mediocrity becausewe don’t have the energy left to fightr or fire someone … our spouses and childrem sap it all out of us.
But like manna from heaven, God has broughtr upon us the best excuse The economy! The recession. The downturn. Aah! What a beautiful way to weasel out ofour promises. It’s the perfecgt rationale for making some longneeded changes. It’ s not just about changinb thedeadweight employees. You can feel comfortable getting rid ofthat 87-year-oldx cleaning lady who doesn’t clean. You can call your key supplierz and beg for a cost You can call your phone companyg and beg for a little help with yourmonthlyt fees. Everything’s negotiable because everyone’xs skittish.
No one wants to lose the businessd over a few bucks a But a few bucks saved a mont from a bunch of differentg places adds up to more inthe bank. Why? It’ s the economy! I’m blaminyg my baldness on the economy (the anxiety has causes my hair tofall out). I’km blaming my rudeness on the economy (my nervess are frayed). I’m blaming this season’s lousyg “Heroes” on the economy (gee, they must have cut back on Penny pinchers must get rid ofunderperforming people. Renegotiate contracts. Beg for pricw reductions. Lock in lower monthly payments. Pleaxd poverty. Scream for assistance. Why? It’s the economy !
Because in a few months the opportunituy will havepassed us. Things will turn around. Pricex will rise. Unemployment will fall. The sun will And we won’t have the economy to blam e anymore. Rats.