Berkeley Chamber of Commerce Blog

Last year at this time, it seems that none of us could foresee the massive global effects and changes we are now experiencing.  The economic downturn is literally touching everyone around the world.  When reading trade magazines, news articles, blogs and data, I find many experts discussing how long it may be until the economy, country and world bounces back.  I say, we will NEVER bounce back to what we were a year ago.  No, I’m not being pessimistic.  In fact, I believe much good will result.  Let me explain why.
 
I believe we are entering a paradigm shift.  We’re past mountains and valleys.  If you look back through history, this is one of those “perfect global storms”.  I believe after we travel through this “storm”, business will not be the same.  The businesses who survive and prosper are the ones who will grasp how this shift will affect our general thinking, economy, nation and world.  Some businesses will rebound quickly.  Others may take a bit longer to cycle through their changes.  In reviewing national trends, I believe the result will be a new found commitment to strong and secure employment.  Financial security, rather than simply just “income”, will become more important.  People will begin looking for employment opportunities and businesses they can grow in to and support themselves long-term. The result? Growing and sustaining profitable businesses will become the priority of the future.
 
A similar shift occurred after WWII, when people truly began examining what is critical and essential to their well being and the well being of their families.  I believe that people across the globe will begin to redefine what is truly important.  Nationally and globally we are in a recession.  Unemployment is at record levels.   We need to begin demanding a higher level of accountability and credibility from our elected leaders.  We need to hold our leaders accountable to  build a stronger infrastructure, provide a quality education to all people and return to the dedication our forefathers had to not only building a great nation, but ensuring our great nation remains great!
 
When we come out of this, we will all have different priorities in life.  In fact, if you examine your life, you will probably find that your priorities have already changed somewhat from what they were a year ago. We not only need to remember these uncertain times, but we need to document them and pass our stories on to our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Today, few of us truly understand just how serious the Great Depression was for our country.  If we had, would we be where we are today?  We need to embrace these times as a learning opportunity and commit ourselves to re-examining our priorities and secure a better tomorrow for our future generations.