You may not know it, but we aren’t the only fools thinking that we can borrow our way back to prosperity. Heck, the whole world is doing it, too! Both Germany and France have government bailouts and “cash for clunkers programs.” Their economies, much like that of the USA, are very reliant on the manufacture of automobiles . . . and the sale of them. Both countries have reported some growth in the past couple of months, a whopping .03 percent, but it is growth, but is it attributable to auto sales?

Some economists think that they have sacrificed tomorrow’s growth for sales today, heavily subsidized sales. One economist likens this to payday loans. Why wait for your check on Friday when you can have some money today? How does this work out long term for the borrower? Badly, as history shows. In the case of government subsidies and bailouts, the borrower is the taxpayer, you and me. Our governments throughout the world have mortgaged the future for our children. Maybe the elected officials should study history a little more . . . and economics. Reportedly, Winston Churchill uttered the phrase, “Trying to borrow your way into prosperity is like a man standing in a basket trying to pick himself up by the handles.”

All the doom-and-gloom aside, we will survive this economic disaster because of the indomitable spirit of small businessmen, those refuse to be governed by the mistakes of other, rather they learn from them. Many of these entrepreneurs share the secrets of their success with others, not fearing the competition, but recognizing that a burgeoning economy benefits all. Business begets business, prosperity for many is the result.

I am editing a book for one such entrepreneur in southwest Ohio. The book is a training manual, a primer for business success, in which he shares a step-by-step program of how his business has grown from a used pick-up truck and a garage office/warehouse, to a large, dedicated facility a huge fleet of service trucks and the technicians to operate them. This very good man, a former US Marine (Semper Fi), mentors fledgling business owners, both individually and through a business organization of which he is a keystone. He “gives back” to the community in which he has prospered, via scholarships, charities and his Church. Recognizing that his people are his best asset, he guarantees them at least 32 hours per week of work, regardless of the economy. He promotes continuing education in their technical field and treats his whole company like one big family. It works for him.

Other small companies are in the business of helping others grow by the application of specialized techniques in sales and business operations. They provide specialists in several critical areas of business; sales lead generation, customer service, database management, freeing a small business to have their staff focus on what is most productive for their company. Check out the services described in this website and I’m sure you will find some areas that will help your business grow and become more profitable, even in these trying times.