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Article by Peter J. Normandia. Follow me on Twitter.

Every Wednesday is Personal Development in Business…

As a business owner, and an American, I’m a little torn about the whole Stimulus package about to be passed by our Government, and I’d like to hear your input. The concept of the Bailout is supposed to be to provide a cash infusion that will stimulate short term growth to get us out of the worst recession possibly ever.

For those that do not think this recession is anything new, I have this bit of news for you. In the late 70s, and even during the Great Depression, there was one major difference between those recessions and this one: our government had money.

That’s right, this is the first time I believe in history where not only is the country broke, but so is our government. They actually are going to just print billions in paper and call it money, something in style since the early 1970s.

Now I have heard about the spending on the war in Iraq, but how about the spending on Healthcare? Does anyone realize as a country, we spent over $2 trillion dollars on Healthcare last year alone? I mean, our Government burns through money faster than me on payday.

However, it is not Barack Obama’s fault we are in this situation, and he is doing his best, and what he thinks is right, to get us out of this rut. I just personally don’t think he has a chance with this bill. However, I am no expert.

History in other countries, specifically Japan in the 90s, has shown that Stimulus packages do not usually have the desired effect. Japan tried that road in the 90s and wasted a decade on it. The way they finally emerged from their recession was by cleaning out all the companies that should have gone under in the first place.

What do you think?

I do not believe in the stimulus package, but I only know what I read. I am curious what the collective opinion is on this major Historical event, and how it will be looked at in hindsight later on. So here are the two viewpoints…

The Yin

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Barack Obama is a great man, dedicated to helping our country. In a crisis of this magnitude it is critical for the government to take control. The package that Congress has passed is going to stimulate the economy short term, create jobs, and help save money by investing in technological upgrades for the government and Healthcare. This will be the defining moment for Barack Obama’s presidency because of the triumph it is destined to be.

The Yang

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Barack Obama has a good heart, but is way too inexperienced to handle this monumental task. This stimulus package is really a spending package that will not only fail to have the desired effect short term, it will actually have a negative impact long term. If the government wants to get involved, they should force the banks that gambled on Sub prime mortgages to go under and be bought up by the stronger banks that did not take that risk. The same should go for other struggling industries. Where one business fails, another will rise. The only way a market corrects itself is by being allowed to run its course.

Now it’s Your Turn

I am extremely interested in getting a collective take from everyone on this monumental event in history. All opinions are welcomed and encouraged. We could all learn something from everyone’s unique perspective.

There are two questions:

1. What industry are you in?
2. Are you leaning toward the Yin, toward the Yang, or somewhere in the middle, and why?

For more info on the possible effects of the recession check out this article.

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Article by Peter J. Normandia. Follow me on Twitter.

Every Wednesday is Personal Development in Business…

Unless you are living under a rock, I’m sure you are aware of the historic day that took place yesterday. Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th president of the U.S.A. Stepping aside from our own political views, you can not help but like this man. It is undeniable that he is a natural born leader, regardless of what you think he will do as our President.

This country has been desperate for a leader to guide it into the information age, and to connect with the exploding youth of today. It appears for now that we have found what we have been looking for.

As a business owner, there are many things to learn from Barack Obama. Being a business owner is like leading a very small country in your own right. You do not have all the answers. You are not always going to be right. There are many different opinions on what is right and wrong, and there is also a balance of keeping everyone involved relatively happy.

However, watching President Obama make it look easy yesterday, I thought long and hard about his approach. I believe that is why he is such a magnetic individual. His personality resonates with everyone because he speaks from the heart. We believe, whether wrong or right, he has our best interest in mind.

Inspired by watching this natural born leader during the inauguration, here are…

7 tips to make you a better business owner.

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1) Being right is less important than doing what’s right.

Work with your team. Sure, you can have an opinion or a firm belief, but being a leader is about listening to those around you, not just pretending to.

2) Know your limits

President Obama made it clear that he can only do so much. It is up to each one of us to help guide this country to a better place. He put the challenge on us to be accountable for our actions.

3) Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.

Being a great leader means knowing when it’s your turn to follow. Sometimes, a person beneath you may have a better plan. A good leader recognizes this, and understands that sometimes you lead by following others.

4) You catch more bees with honey.

As a business owner, just like a President, you can have many enemies. Some are even in your own camp. However, it is how you handle these disputes that conveys your leadership ability to others. Do not overreact and try to make each issue a case of right and wrong. Listen to your enemies, and challenge them not with words or power, but with your example. You may find an enemy becomes a great ally.

5) Take it one challenge at a time

Imagine being President Obama right now. He faces some of the toughest challenges any president has ever had to. The same can be true for a new business owner. Try not to get caught up in the pressure. Simply handle each challenge one at a time, and take it from there. You can not fix everything in one day, so no need to try.

6) It is okay to be Human.

President Obama did not come out and claim to know everything, have all the answers, or prove he is smarter than everyone else. Instead, he let his humanity show and that is what drew us all to him. We are all human, no matter how hard we try to be perfect robots. It’s okay to show our humanity. We all make mistakes, and a business owner, or the President of the U.S.A. is no exception. Admit it when you make a mistake, and take the pressure off of everyone else afraid to do so.

7) Don’t worry about the haters.

Haters to me are people who have not been able to get things in their own life to go right. Therefore, they hate on everyone else trying to accomplish the things they could not. It is most important to believe in yourself, no matter what those around you say. If you believe you can change the world, than you sure as hell have a chance of doing so. Look no further than a man named Barack Hussein Obama for your inspiration.

Now it’s your turn. In the comments section, add some other ways President Obama may have inspired you….

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