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Yesterday I painted my office walls red. Bright, letter-box red. Not calming blue or learning orange. No ... I chose to be brave and bold. Why? Because that’s how I’ve decided to respond to the doom and gloom hype about downturn, economic melt-down and GFC2. For me, in my red office, all is right with the world. Instead of buying into the hype, I bought myself a $50 can of paint that reminds to be fabulous, brave and bold. I’m developing my own “red-room” strategy to go with it, all based on confidence and certainty (not fear and doubt).

Here’s what I have so far.

Remaining steadfast on costs. I know I’m worth it. Instead of cutting my prices I am seeking time-effective ways to add value for my clients: including snippets of background data analysis, sharing some of my intellectual property or research findings, even referencing relevant web articles and blogs.

Networking like never before. Forget pulling the shutters and bunkering down. I’m getting out there, using every chance I can to talk up my business and be optimistic and enthusiastic about what I do. I’m promoting the value of outsourcing and striving to be the copywriter of choice.

Opportunities not challenges. Rather than fixating on those perceived threats (which are well outside my circle of influence) I am focused on creating and identifying opportunities – new clients, services, markets, market segments. I’m not slashing my marketing budget, I’m maximising my return from it with some well-considered strategy.

Time advantage. If (and I do mean, if) things do quieten a little on the project front, I have readied a to-do list of business-building activities to keep me productive: refresh my much-neglected website, redesign and update my customer contact list, schedule that first aid training I’ve been promising myself for 5 years.

Not buying it! I am not engaging in dialogue about the mooted downturn. I refuse to stoop to that level and be party to spreading the fear. I will keep talking positively about my business, my clients’ businesses, the local, regional and national business economies. No foreboding tales of woe, just upbeat and affirming conversation that brands me and my business with a sense of certainty.

Bravely befriending the enemy. I have crossed the line and initiated contact with a couple of my competitors and I’m loving it! We’ve shared insights, client stories (no names, of course) and too many cups of coffee. We’re creating opportunities to work together and exploring ways to advance our discipline (copywriting) in general. Who’d have thought? Now I have contingency for back-up when work overflows and a trusted sounding board for ideas and issues.

GFC? What GFC? With “going boldly” as my mantra and my brave new red workspace, I feel in control – it’s as if I’m creating my own economic climate!

And it sure beats staring at those beige walls.

Not everyone takes a decorative approach to re-setting their mindset. I’d love to hear what you’re doing to bust the downturn “myth”.

Sheryl is a Premium member of Business Chicks, request her online business card and connect with her here.

Sheryl Allen is a Professional Copywriter with over 15 years of experience dealing with all types of businesses – from small start-ups to national brands. www.overthepage.com.au