I'm not going to lie to you. The last 10 days have been bad. Whether the S&P's downgrade of the US government has any real meaningful impact or not, it's both embarrassing and completely confusing. It's a shot to the gut - for everyone.
The worst thing about it is that it is sapping the confidence in what is already a low-confidence environment. And the problem is that no one, no company, does anything that matters when they lack confidence.
If you're selling a compelling value proposition to B2B companies, it's a pretty good bet you're asking your prospect/customer to make an important decision - a decision that involves some level of risk. It's too easy for customers to just put things off, and wait for clarity.
This is where you come in. In a market that lacks confidence, buyers seek those who have it. Now is the time for you to be certain; to live the philosophy:
It's okay to be wrong, just don't be in doubt.
In November 2008 I said, "Damn the recession - full speed ahead."
Today, I share the same sentiment. Be the company customers seek out for certainty and confidence - you'll enjoy the result.