Editor’s
note: The following are comments received this past week from two
different 25+ year veterans in the trade exchange business.
Undoubtedly, our readers (who are trade exchange owners) will have
an affinity with one of the two lines of thought.
#1) Barter
is not booming for us and for most. This economy is taking a toll on
many businesses. They are cutting everything they can to stay alive
and barter fees are one of those items. Unless they receive real
cash value on business related items and not personal perks, they
are cutting barter. That’s if they are still in business, as we have
lost hundreds of clients in the past 2 years.
#2) Yes,
businesses are closing. Yes, if members were using barter on
discretionary income purchases rather than their business, these
transactions are down (i.e. travel, as the member may be able to
trade for Hawaii, but they can’t afford the airfare). Yes, it’s
cloudy today. Yes, my computer crashed. Yes, my car broke down. Yes,
the dog pooped on the carpet ... a little reality but primarily, an
attitudinal change is badly needed here.
Here’s the
other side of the coin:
·
We offer
one of the most impact-full services in the marketplace that a small
business can take advantage of.
·
With
unemployment, new start-ups are up.
·
Small
businesses are getting creative and paying attention to our option.
·
Our
networks are more mature than in the past. Our experience will
payoff in best serving the customer and knowing how to manage our
business.
·
Technology
has provided us with better information management and
communication.
The glass
is half full ... and I fully intend on continuing to fill it.
