503-785-3485
bill@conerlyconsulting.com
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
Conerly Consulting Conerly Consulting
  • Consulting
    • Approach/Philosophy
    • Sounding Board
    • Economics and Business Strategy
    • Assessment
    • Case Studies
    • Testimonials
  • Speaking
    • The Package
    • Topics
    • Testimonials
  • Writing
    • Businomics Newsletter
    • Businomics
    • The Flexible Stance
    • Blog
  • Industries
    • Agriculture
    • Banking/Finance
    • Energy
    • Manufacturing
    • Real Estate
    • Small Business
    • Telecom
    • Trucking
    • Wholesale Trade
    • Wood Products
    • Other Industries
  • Video
    • Speaking
    • Event Promotion
    • Business Planning
  • About
    • News Coverage
  • Contact
  • Consulting
    • Approach/Philosophy
    • Sounding Board
    • Economics and Business Strategy
    • Assessment
    • Case Studies
    • Testimonials
  • Speaking
    • The Package
    • Topics
    • Testimonials
  • Writing
    • Businomics Newsletter
    • Businomics
    • The Flexible Stance
    • Blog
  • Industries
    • Agriculture
    • Banking/Finance
    • Energy
    • Manufacturing
    • Real Estate
    • Small Business
    • Telecom
    • Trucking
    • Wholesale Trade
    • Wood Products
    • Other Industries
  • Video
    • Speaking
    • Event Promotion
    • Business Planning
  • About
    • News Coverage
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Business
  • Recession 101: What Business Leaders Need to Know about Economic Downturns

Business

19 Nov 2019

Recession 101: What Business Leaders Need to Know about Economic Downturns

  • By Bill Conerly
  • In Business, Economy, Recession, Uncategorized

Business leaders are worried about recession. Their responsibility, however, is not just to survive a downturn, but to capitalize on good times before the recession comes. I’ve held several workshops for company executives and owners in which we explore

  • steps that can be taken ahead of time to make a company more resilient
  • key elements of recession contingency plans
  • how some companies use recessions to seize greater market share.

Before these discussions, though, I lay the groundwork with “Recession 101.”

Graph of risk of recession 2016-2019
Risk of recession from survey by The Wall Street Journal

The key features of recessions are important, but company decisionmakers don’t need to get deep in the weeds. I have written several articles for Forbes.com explaining what business leaders need to know in order to lead their organizations away from risk and toward greater profitability in good times and bad.

Business Cycles: How Frequent, How Severe?

The economy has become calmer in recent decades. This article explains why and looks at the future volatility of the economy.

Will the next recession be any different?

Explores commonalities of recessions, and what might be different in the next recession.

Leading Economic Indicators Are Misleading

Explains indicators that might predict a recession and why we cannot fully trust them.

Causes of America’s Post-World War II Recessions

Titled “No, We Don’t Talk Ourselves Into Recessions,” this article gives a one-paragraph summary of all recessions starting with 1948-49.

Stock and Commodity Prices Don’t Forecast Recession

After stock and commodity prices collapsed in 2016, doom and gloom spread widely. This article explained why the price drops did not foretell recession.

Forecasting Sales in These Uncertain Times

Cash flow projections are vital to surviving a recession, but they are hardest to make during recessions–highly uncertain times. This article gives a framework for working up your own company’s cash flow projections.

Cutting Costs to Survive a Recession: How Far Should a Business Go?

Nobody likes to cut expenses or lay off employees, but sometimes survival of the company demands it. Here’s a guide to thinking through the process.

Economy May Be Out Of Recession But Not Out Of The Hole

Economists define recession as the period when the economy is declining, excluding the period when things have started to improve, but not yet regained all lost ground. Keep that in mind when news comes out about recession.

Inventories Should Be Larger This Recession–Not the Usual Advice

Businesses should usually cut inventories in a recession, but the pandemic downturn includes many supply chain failures. Sometimes the usual advice is not right for a particular business cycle.

Grow Your Business in the Next Recession

Some companies emerge from recession stronger than ever. Here are opportunities to look for during a recession.

7 Growth Strategies for the Coronavirus Recession

Explores growth strategies specific the the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • Share:
Bill Conerly

Search

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

View Latest Issue

RSS Bill’s Forbes Articles

  • Vaccine Delays Won’t Sink The Economic Forecast For 2021 January 15, 2021
    Slow vaccinations disappoints most Americans, with similar problems around the world. But government officials and health care professionals are learning quickly. Vaccination will accelerate quickly, leaving the rosy economic forecast intact.

Testimonials

Bill Conerly has been an invaluable resource to our executive team and ownership by delivering superior, well-founded ideas that are critical to navigating the current economic climate within the construction industry. Bill assisted O.B. Williams Company with developing a strong business plan that we implemented 18 months ago. As a result and together with Bill, we are improving our position within our highly competitive market segment. We understand that navigating this current economy is indee…
David Wick, CEO, O.B. Williams Company
Our audience of local business and community leaders not only valued the economic data you provided, but they really appreciated that you made it applicable to their businesses, their personal lives and moreover – that you presented it in a clear and entertaining manner.
Scott Boyer, Mountain Pacific Bank
Bill’s presentation was neatly balanced…rich with content.. and our audience really enjoyed his humor.
Bing Sheldon, SERA Architects
Bill is a delight and easy to work with. The client thought he was great and delivered value to their group. I would definitely recommend Bill.
Andrea Gold, Gold Stars Speakers Bureau
Your presentation was right on the mark. I received more positive comments about you than any other presenter. We would not hesitate to recommend you to others or have you back for an encore performance.
Bob Russell, Oregon Trucking Association
It can be difficult to find economists who provide good substantive information who are also entertaining and engaging. I received many enthusiastic comments about Dr. Conerly from members and others in the audience.
Molly Steckel, Idaho Telecom Alliance
Bill assisted O.B. Williams Company with developing a strong business plan that we implemented 18 months ago. As a result and together with Bill, we are improving our position within our highly competitive market segment.
David Wick, CEO, O.B. Williams Company (wood products)
Bill did a great job. We look forward to a continuing relationship.
John Hamburger, Franchise Times
Seems no matter where I go, I hear you talking – and always doing a great job with different material well tailored to the audience. Very impressive!
Alan Shiffer, World Vision
Bill was a great resource in helping us develop our business model and has continued to be a great advisor as we have refined it and successfully entered the marketplace.
John Courtney, CEO, NextJob, Inc.

Get in touch

(503) 785-3485

bill@conerlyconsulting.com

PO Box 2188
Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Useful Links

  • Consulting
  • Speaking
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Contact

Social Links

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin

Newsletters

Copyright 2020 Conerly Consulting LLC