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{"id":3938,"date":"2014-04-27T13:46:55","date_gmt":"2014-04-27T20:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theqmpgroup.com\/?p=3938"},"modified":"2018-06-21T09:53:27","modified_gmt":"2018-06-21T16:53:27","slug":"the-big-squeeze","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theqmpgroup.com\/the-big-squeeze\/","title":{"rendered":"The Big Squeeze"},"content":{"rendered":"
I commiserate with the owners of privately-held, small to mid-sized, business enterprises. \u00a0They\u2019re getting a raw deal.<\/p>\n
Consider this. That classification of business firms accounted for 64 percent of the net\u00a0new jobs created<\/em>\u00a0between 1993 and 2011. \u00a0In creating jobs, small firms make an invaluable contribution to the well-being of, not only their employees and their families, but also their suppliers, and the communities they live in.<\/p>\n
So why have we, as a nation, squeezed small business into a vice?\u00a0 Why are we making it so hard for them to succeed, thrive and fulfill their purpose?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A Generational Impact Too<\/span><\/p>\n
Amongst the ranks of small business owners are a good number of Baby Boomers whose dreams of a comfortable retirement have foundered on the reef of The Great Recession.\u00a0 For years they worked hard, looking forward to a reasonable reward for their risk, a return on their financial investments and justification for the family sacrifices that were part and parcel of starting and running a small business.<\/p>\n
The Baby-Boom owners I have spoken to also want to leave a legacy. They wish to pass on a vibrant firm that continues to provide employee and community value – beyond their own retirement.\u00a0 And while the current state of economic affairs may be particularly hard on these BBBBs (Baby Boomer Business to Business) owners, the situation is largely the same for all owners \u2013 independent of age.<\/p>\n
So, I stand with these men and women. We should appreciate them more \u2013 and give them a freakin\u2019 break.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A break from what?<\/span><\/p>\n
Small to midsize B2B business owners are currently trying to find the elbow room they need to achieve their goals. But they are gripped in a five-jawed vice \u2013 each jaw bringing its own unique and undeserved pressure from a completely different angle.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jaw 1: The Economy<\/span><\/p>\n
The economy is still underperforming. \u00a0A GDP growth projection of 2.7% for 2014 seems to be the best we can muster and low GDP growth has been chronic since 2009. \u00a0There is no coasting possible. \u00a0All progress must be self-generated by slogging through the economic swamp. \u00a0There is no tail wind and the swamp bed is mushy<\/p>\n
The chart below shows the meager U.S. GDP growth from 2001 through 2013.<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
Year<\/td>\n
GDP Growth<\/td>\n
Historical and other mitigating events<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n