Ali Semir, CCIM, MRICS’ Post

In precarious economic times such as those we're currently living in, it is tempting to be overly cautious and avoid risk at all cost. This, however, is a mistake. It's unlikely you'll ever experience great reward without taking commensurate risk. In every economic downturn, great investments will be made and realized. New ventures will be launched and replace risk adverse incumbents. The following 10 companies were each started during a recession: 1. Hewlett-Packard (1937-1938 Recession) 2. Hyatt Hotels (1957-1958 Recession) 3. Microsoft (1973-1975 Recession) 4. Electronic Arts (1981-1982 Recession) 5. Mailchimp (2001 & 2009 Recession) 6. Uber (2007-2009 Recession) 7. Airbnb (2007-2009 Recession) 8. Slack (2007-2009 Recession) 9. Warby Parker (2007-2009 Recession) 10. Venmo (2007-2009 Recession) Randall E. Powell, CPM®, ARM®, RPA® Naheem Harris Ali Semir, CCIM, MRICS ——— 🏢 Park Royal Capital: Private Equity Real Estate Investment Firm 🌟 Join our community and get our free guide: "10 Mindset Quotes & Advice From a Real Estate Investor” https://lnkd.in/g9vcYFe7 💬 DM us for more info or visit our website through the profile: parkroyalcapital.com 🤝 Let's connect and reach new heights together! 👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔁 share this post if you found it helpful or if you know someone who would benefit from it! #multifamily #multifamilyinvesting #multifamilyrealestate #lawyer

it is bear territory all over the world atm. Still there are ways to thrive by starting a company during a recession. 7 reasons why starting a company during a recession can be a game-changer: 1. Quality and Business Fundamentals Rise to the Top Great products with product/market fit will find investors and traction. You benefit by: • Standing out in a less crowded market • Attracting serious investors who value quality 2. Fewer Tourists and Less Hype Hardcore founders can work in peace without distractions. Like Airbnbs founders Enjoy: • A focused environment with dedicated peers • Less noise and more meaningful connections 3. Less Fierce Competition Customers and investors are more responsive and willing to partner. Uber all the way This means: • Easier access to potential customers • More opportunities for strategic partnerships 4. Better Relationships with Investors There’s time to get to know them well. Leverage this by: • Building stronger, long-term relationships • Getting valuable advice and mentorship 5. More Reasonable Growth Expectations Focus on cash efficiency. Achieve: • Sustainable growth without pressure • A stronger foundation for future success 6. Lower Costs Everything costs less, from office space to domain names. Save money by: • Securing affordable office space • Reducing operational expenses 7. Skills for the Next Wave Operating during a recession prepares you for future opportunities. Gain: • Resilience and adaptability • Skills to launch successful companies post-recession Boom or gloom, starting a company during a recession can offer unique advantages that set you up for long-term success.

There's so much anxiety about the current recession out there. About how to survive it → and it’s bewildering. Listen… All you need to navigate these recessionary times is 1) Awareness of the economic landscape 2) Willingness to adapt your business model And that's it… Sure, financial planning, cost management and market analysis are crucial. But you don't NEED them to start making changes. (Sometimes "experts" overcomplicate things) All you need to do is stay alert and agile. And perhaps be prepared to roll up the sleeves and actually cold call. That's it → and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Because businesses don't falter from tough times. They falter from being inflexible or not aggressively hunting sales. New Zealand’s economy has its ups and downs, but resilience and adaptability will see you through. But what do you think? P.S It's ok to take time out to look after yourself if things are overwhelming. Getting into nature is a good start.

The stock market and global recession is going to get a lot of attention in the coming weeks. I started my business during the last major recession and here’s what I learned that will help you navigate this next downturn. Ok, I was going to make a long checklist, but I am just going to stick with the REAL non-obvious points that moved the needle for me. 1. If you think you’re adding value, you better figure out a way to double it. Your service or product is going to need to stand out from the crowd. I’ve seen businesses thrive during recessions and this is how they do it. Everyone will be looking for a “bargain”. Everyone will be looking to cut expenses. If your offer speaks to the emotion your customer is going through. You will gain market share. Your pricing should be clever and you should invest in a copywriter. You are going to want to tap into that collective emotion. 2. Time to get skinny. Recessions are a good time to fast, both personally and professionally. It’s time to get hungry. Over the years, organizations tend to get bloated, processes become complex and tools weigh the company down. I was successful because I came from nothing and when I started my company, I had nothing. I was HUNGRY. You should be regularly revisiting your spend, complexity, and bureaucratic debt, but if you’re not, recessions have a great way of forcing that review. The trick is psychological though. Humans are loss adverse and therefore can feel depressed when they’re going through a fast like this. Don’t let that happen. I was just as happy when I started my business with nothing as I am now. How? I am not attached to “things” or “progress”. I serve a higher power. My worth is not tied up in my net worth. My WHY, is not just about making money. I want SMBs to win. We need more entrepreneurs and more people creating value for their community. There are many other tactical steps to help you navigate an economic downturn, and more qualified people can speak on that matter, do what’s right for you. But, at the end of the day, your grit and determination is going to get you through cycles like we are about to experience. So, prepare as if you were stepping into the market right now.

Tired of the recession? Well you're only tired IF you are waiting for better times to come. While you wait, others are busy positioning for the next bull market in the creative industry. And guess what those companies already see an increase in business coming in. Some of them had their best year so far. If you wait till clients come your way, you will get lost in the crowd. Yet if you invest now, you will have a bright future. It's the same with any investment. You invest when the market is down and profit when it comes back up. If you don't invest, you will still have to compete hard, even when the market comes back. Because it will never be like it was before the pandemic. New times, new rules. If you want to profit and position for the market upswing (which will come this year), than DM me. I show you exactly how you can do it. #businessofdesign #contentmarketing #creativebusiness #growth

You could be recession-proof in 2024. How? It’s easier than you think So the UK economy entered a technical recession and everyone is worried about -more layoffs -less sales -less profits But as a business owner, you need to push through and emerge from the other side of a recession even stronger, so here’s how you can do that. One way is that you want to build a system that’ll boost productivity by keeping input the same but boosting output. A lot of that comes down to saving employee time and reducing tasks that aren’t directly contributing to your businesses growth. A second way is by increasing your reach. Start by growing your social media channels, get a loyal following and inevitably some of them will be interested in your services. A final way is by being adaptable.  It’s a recession, so less people are likely to be leaving the house and walking the highstreet. Invest in social media advertising to catch people when they’re on their phone. Or, maybe less companies want CPAs and want Fractional CFOs to save on man power. You need to be able to make that change. But, one thing in common between all of these is that Cognaite can help. We save time with AI systems, use AI to stimulate social media growth with unique graphics and we can market your business to be directly in front of your customers, wherever they move to, by performing comprehensive market research. If you think one of these could help with your business, drop me a DM.

Progression not Recession...Fear of recession has been in the news a lot lately. But as successful business people, we should think of Progression… not Recession. Why? According to a study by the Kauffman Foundation, 57% of Fortune 500 companies were founded during economic downturns. They saw an opportunity and seized it. 92% of patents are filed during or quickly after a recession… necessity is the mother of all inventions. Politics, COVID, and the new realities of workers' wants and demands… are significant changes. You are falling behind if you are still doing things the way you always did them. And do you think changes are done or going to slow down? Unfortunately, the likelihood is they will continue to accelerate. May I recommend that you take some time and figure out how to leverage the changes we’ve seen in the last few years to your advantage? • Are you incorporating tools to take advantage of people's desire to meet remotely? • Do you have content on your website tapping into people’s fear of recession and change… offering empathy and solutions? • Are you talking about the supply chain and how it affects everyday life… for example, a shortage of children’s antibiotics and fever-reducing medication, baby formula, or even toilet paper. Here’s the thing: your business may or may not offer hard goods. You may have a service business. Even so...do you think your clients will appreciate any ideas and tools you can give them to deal with these issues? You bet! Remember, all your competitors can do what you do. You must figure out a way to differentiate yourself from others. The easiest way to do that is to offer something outside what most competitors offer. That extra value-added offer will make you the top choice for people looking at your business’s service or product.

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧 With the UK's economy officially in recession, it's natural for business owners to brace for impact. Yet, as someone who has steered my own ventures and guided clients through three prior downturns, I see a recession not just as a challenge, but as an unmatched opportunity for growth and competitive advantage. Expert Insights: Timing is Everything: Experience now guides me to know when to tighten the belt or invest. It's about strategic decisions, not reactive ones. Sector-Specific Strategies: There’s no one-size-fits-all toolbox of recession tactics, tailored to your industry's unique demands and opportunities. M̳y̳ ̳g̳r̳e̳y̳ ̳h̳a̳i̳r̳ ̳h̳e̳l̳p̳s̳ ̳o̳u̳r̳ ̳c̳l̳i̳e̳n̳t̳s̳ ̳f̳e̳e̳l̳ ̳p̳r̳o̳u̳d̳ ̳o̳f̳ ̳t̳h̳e̳i̳r̳ ̳p̳e̳r̳f̳o̳r̳m̳a̳n̳c̳e̳s̳.̳ Adaptation and Innovation: Look to minimise risk, find new revenue streams, perhaps pivot your offerings, and capture new market needs that emerge during economic shifts. Operational Agility: Efficiency with Precision: Streamline your processes with a focus on maintaining quality, informed by my years of fine-tuning operations through ups and downs. Bottom line: reduce friction in your business. Smart Financial Manoeuvring: Manage your cash flow and debt efficiently: use all 7 levers of your cashflow with deft timing. Know the 4 that also affect your balance sheet. Growth in Adversity: Bold Marketing: Now’s your time. Ayrton Senna said that you can’t overtake 15 cars on a dry track. When others pull into the pits, put on your best wets and prudently go racing. Customer Engagement: Deepen client relationships during this time. Be able to quote your CAC, LTV and NPS. Leadership in the Storm: Transparent Communication: Communication and operational rhythm and culture have never been this important as now. Investing in People: Discover how to empower and upskill your team for resilience, drawing on my experience in building high-performance teams during recessions. Learn from the F1 great, Senna: he said you can overtake 15 cars on a wet track, and he did too. So a recession can be a powerful time to trade if you know how to navigate the storm. I have lived this approach, leading my own businesses and coaching clients to not just survive but surprise their competitors and lead the pack. This is not a one-size-fits-all situation, I don’t abide by “paint-by-numbers” business coaching.  Why not let my personalised guidance shine on your track and dry it out. Reach out to me, and let's discuss how you can take advantage of the market dynamics during this recession. With the right strategy, this could be the most pivotal time for your business. #dougsview 😊 #recessionproof #recession

7 Ways to Make Your Company More Resilient Before a Recession Hits, According to MIT Research (via Inc. Magazine): https://ow.ly/rpwg50Sevvv #IncMagazine #smallbusiness #smallbiz #businessresilience #recessionproofbusiness

Lumpiness has a pattern if you look hard enough. We often get caught out by seasonality in our business. Especially in the early days when there isn't much history. Seasonal shifts can cause a lot of turbulence, especially in cash flow. Yet, we can make broad predictions by analysing patterns. Typically within the social, sector, and macroeconomic landscape. For example, I worked in a startup with government clients. In the final months before the end of the financial year, there would be a wave of demand. It's how agencies time their spending. This meant cashflows were tight for most of the year. We had a strict budget process (and controls) as a consequence. Seasonal trends can blindside you if you're not prepared. Recognising these patterns early on. It's crucial for maintaining a healthy cash flow and making informed strategic decisions. Types of Seasonality to Watch: + Industry-Specific Seasons: Each sector has its high and low seasons. + Economic Cycles: Broader economic shifts can affect spending habits, influencing your sales cycles. + Holiday Impact: Major holidays can either spike or slump your sales. + End-of-Fiscal Year: Businesses may spend more or tighten budgets as they close their books. Seasonal revenue variations are inevitable, but they don't have to be a surprise. Follow these steps to avoid surprises: -understand the types of seasonality - leverage historical data - adapt financial plans - build reserves - diversify offerings By planning for seasonal shifts, you can transform financial challenges into opportunities. +++++ P.S. I'm creating a Road to Profitability package for Founders! Book a chat with me to find out more! P.P.S. Follow me for daily insights on finance, entrepreneurship, SaaS, leadership, and random thoughts #finance #financematters #SaaS #entrepreneurship #startups #CFO #FinancialPlanning