DISQUS

GabyBruna · 1 year ago

I will be there in spirit! Thanks for the optimism...keep it up, we need it!

Michael VanDervort · 1 year ago

Alas, I am on the other coast. It would be fun!

Stephen Pierzchala · 1 year ago

Same. Beautiful weather in MA. Will be in SF on Monday. Looking for tents in the Financial District...

Jim Connolly · 1 year ago

Great post Robert,

I think what we need to do right now is build for the future, by looking at the lessons from the past.

There were businesses during the last recession who did really well - NOT by following the crowd, but by examining what was happening around them and then, adapting their business model to suit the new demands of the marketplace.

It's going to be a bumpy but exciting ride Robert!

David K · 1 year ago

Ways to save money? Don't go to CES and SXSW! Airfare + hotel + food = $$$

solnyshok · 1 year ago

I think that now is a great moment for the businesses that will come with ideas that will help customers to "prepare for the worst and and avoid getting killed". I have idea and I start building it now. Cheers!

Jeff Walpole · 1 year ago

Thanks for the rallying cry Robert. Somethings never change and you have to spend money to make money even in rough times that is why we will keep attending conferences and learning new things to grow our businesses back.

I think the most important thing for people to remember is that the show must go on. I hate to sound ignorant or naive, but the best way I have found to cope as the CEO of my own business is to keep working just as hard and just as smart as if nothing was going on. I figure, how can that make things any worse and it sure beats worrying.

Robert Scoble · 1 year ago

David: that's an option for you, but not for me. I am paid to bring you stories from the tech industry and those are two places that the tech industry goes.

Sebastian · 1 year ago

Boy, it's good to see you blogging again!

Your posts give much better (and more personal) insight in what's going on in the Valley than anything I read elsewhere.

In Europe, we're not hit nearly as bad for now. We're experiencing the slow-down in ad spending through a decline in quality ads (at least from Google Reader).

Ghazala Khan · 1 year ago

Interview Request

Hello Dear and Respected,
I hope you are fine and carrying on the great work you have been doing for the Internet surfers. I am Ghazala Khan from The Pakistani Spectator (TPS), We at TPS throw a candid look on everything happening in and for Pakistan in the world. We are trying to contribute our humble share in the webosphere. Our aim is to foster peace, progress and harmony with passion.

We at TPS are carrying out a new series of interviews with the notable passionate bloggers, writers, and webmasters. In that regard, we would like to interview you, if you don't mind. Please send us your approval for your interview at my email address "ghazala.khi at gmail.com", so that I could send you the Interview questions. We would be extremely grateful.

regards.

Ghazala Khan
The Pakistani Spectator
http://www.pakspectator.com

Paul Stivers · 1 year ago

LOL, Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV, referenced in your article, most recent episode, #555, “… you know what, no matter how soft the economy is, it’s still about family and we should be pretty happy. There’s always been worse times, even if we have another great depression II, there’s still been worse times, and you know dinosaurs were eating us when we were cavemen, so there’s always worse times.” I love it! He’s got a point. Of course he and I are still employed.

Christopher Coulter · 1 year ago

Cue up all the puff-piece stories about how thrift stores are seeing brrrrisssk business.

Joel Casarez · 1 year ago

A few weeks ago one of my clubs from college had Bacardi come out for a pool party of theirs and taught them how to make Mojitos. It was great, because they had cheat sheets that showed you how to make them. And as long as you were of age they would step back and talk you through each step. It was great marketing because the potential customers got a chance to learn something by doing it themselves and at the same time they became familiar with Bacardi's products. The best part: It was totally free!!!

Jeremy · 1 year ago

What 'tent-sale'-esq advice are you offering your brother, vis-a-vis his bar?

Robert Scoble · 1 year ago

Jeremy: I'd have a night where everything is sold "at cost." That way you get people to come into the bar and stay in touch with you and their neighbors. Or, do something like "bring your own beer night" where you can bring your own six pack and pay $5 to get into the bar. Or start holding job and economic meetings. Just a couple of ideas, they probably are all lame.

CoolProducts · 1 year ago

A tent sale sounds like a great idea!

I believe that if one can, now is the best time to be slashing prices and trying to help the customer, without overly hurting oneself. If one can do so, the consumer will remember this helpful act and when things turn upward again, you will be in a much greater position.