We Digress

Our December issue typically includes a comprehensive look at the year in review, but as we mulled that story, somebody raised an interesting point: Why would readers, or we, for that matter, want a thorough reminder of such a miserable business year? A lot of nodding followed, prompting us to find an alternative for that annual retrospective.

Acknowledging 2009’s challenges, we decided to report accounts from companies that discovered creative strategies to turn their business around. And by presenting our “Lessons Learned” feature (p. 24), we hope readers will find useful information to help them succeed in a difficult economy.

We identified 12 different Southwest Florida organizations that are reviving themselves through a variety of means. New product lines, cost cutting, increased marketing and a stronger focus on customer service were among the tactics. If one standout piece of wise business advice emerged, it might be Jason Nelson’s of the Sandy Butler: “You have to be willing to change a lot, all the time.”

Of course many other local businesses are thriving—or at least surviving—in the face of adversity, which is the  whole idea behind the venerable Blue Chip Awards I had the pleasure of attending last month. (The annual event is presented by BB&T-Oswald Trippe, a major insurance agency and benevolent force in the community.) This year’s finalists included Herman-Strackbein Construction, In Bloom Flowers, Mermaid Manufacturing and JRL Ventures/Marine Concepts, which is featured in our “Lessons Learned” article.

The winner was Old Monty’s Restaurant & Pizzeria in Punta Gorda, owned by  Diane Caputo, who saved her restaurant from the brink of failure three times. Her challenges included a divorce, Hurricane Charley damage, a dying father and major surgery.

Each of the five businesses had inspiring and educational stories to tell, the types that make others wonder: Why didn’t I think of that?

Let’s hope that in 2010, our regional economic climate will begin to improve and businesses join in, making us more inclined to run our annual review again.