December 30, 2011
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The new year is just around the corner and I couldn’t be happier to bid farewell to 2011. It wasn’t an easy year for businesses—big or small—and its departure won’t be missed by anyone who tried to grow revenues and turn a profit this year. As I get my business ready for 2012, I’m taking the bold step of telling 2012 what I expect from her.
Wish #1: Political campaigns where economic growth is front and center
2012 is a massive election year. The election for the next President of the United States will take place, where the incumbent President Obama will compete against a yet-to-be-determined Republican opponent and perhaps a third candidate not aligned with either major party. In the Senate, 33 seats will be up for re-election with 23 currently held by Democrats and 10 by Republicans. Given this ratio of seats and the just-announced retirement of Democratic Senator Ben Nelson, the control of the Senate is certainly in play. In the House of Representatives, all 435 seats will be up for election. If 5 percent of the seats change parties, then control would shift from Republicans to Democrats. Seventeen Democrats and only 8 Republicans have announced their retirement, making a change in party less likely here.
In addition to these elections, there will be many state and local level elections including 11 governorships adding up to thousands of elections across the country. What we need desperately in 2012 are candidates that are willing to put economic growth, both short-term and long-term as the center of their campaigns. Are you listening 2012?
Wish #2: Greater appreciation for capitalism and free market economics
2011 was a year filled with calls for change. Many of these “domestic change agents” aren’t looking to simply correct some excesses or problems within our economic system; instead they want to radically change it, dismantle it and start anew with a utopian system that they believe will be more just. From this radical core emanate certain sentiments that are expressed—granted with less intensity—in many areas of our mainstream culture. These sentiments take it for granted that the principles that define capitalism and free market economics are ignoble.
Our system isn’t perfect, but is worth preserving.
Wish #3: More “Yes/No” and less “Maybe”
Uncertainty is a way of life for entrepreneurs and business owners, but 2011 may go down as the year that finally tested the mettle of even the most hardened entrepreneurs. Global, national and local economic uncertainty led many businesses to simply say “maybe” to everything because they lacked the confidence to make definitive decisions. With everything from municipal bankruptcies to the potential disintegration of the Euro in play, it was really difficult to read events and act accordingly. We need less of that in 2012. As business owners, we need to assess how we think events will play out, make decisions and move forward. Continuous maybes aren’t how great companies are built.
What’s on your wish list for 2012?
Check your balance, review recent transactions and pay your bill on the go.
hasnain mansur 3 months ago
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