Restoration logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Restoration logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products & Technologies
    • Submit Your Product
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • EDUCATION
    • KnowHow.
    • Podcasts
    • Trade Shows & Expos
    • Training & Certification
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • TOPICS
    • Water Damage
    • Fire & Smoke Damage
    • Mold
    • Contamination
    • Odor
    • Contents
    • Architecture
    • Catastrophe
    • Cleaning
  • BUSINESS
    • Managing Your Business
    • Insurance/Legal Matters
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • VIDEOS
    • Ask Annissa
    • Ask the Expert
    • Ironclad Marketing Minute
    • TradeTalks
    • Video Channel
  • INFOCENTER
    • Mold and Mycotoxins
  • THE EXPERIENCE
    • Convention & Trade Show
    • R&R Special Issue
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP

Are Obama Fans Too Optimistic?

By Tim Fausch
January 21, 2009


Regardless of where you fall in the political spectrum, you are likely looking forward to a change in Washington. If you are a business owner or manager, you are especially excited by the prospects of a new cadre of leaders generating optimism among consumers.

I am right there with you. Consumer confidence is the lynchpin to fixing our broken economy.

Here’s an example of how this works. Today I got a call from XM Radio, touting its new offerings from its merger with Sirius Satellite Radio. This is at least the third call from XM since I let my free trial expire a couple months ago.

They offered me a sweet deal. They were discounting their service even further than the “half off the first year” deal they originally offered. Now, they wanted to restore my old service, plus give me 40 additional channels, for just $3.99/month.

I actually thought their service was pretty cool. Catching a few laughs on the Blue Collar Comedy channel is a nice perk when so much negative news is at hand. But I turned them down.

Hence, I am part of the problem. People representing companies with good products are hearing the word “no” to even the very best offers. Like dominos falling, each “no” leads to more pessimism.

My colleague Dan Murfey, publisher of Site Prep magazine, just returned from the Association of Equipment Distributors-Condex show in San Diego. Although attendance was down, cautious optimism was up. Why?

Dan explained that President Obama’s stimulus program promising a massive public works program has given construction equipment manufacturers hope. Many are projecting that the second half of 2009 will produce an increase in orders for backhoes, skid steers, excavators and more. This kind of optimism will go a long way to regaining economic momentum. The more people say yes to buying products and services, the more our economy will rebound.

Unfortunately, there are footnotes to this theory, as noted by the pundits who populate our airwaves. One observer commented that public works projects for infrastructure like roads, bridges and water systems are notoriously slow to develop. These projects often take years-not months-to complete. We might not see any measureable stimuli to our economy until 2010 or 2011.

Another pundit took shots at the “green jobs” President Obama hopes to create. The pundit claimed that goals for green job creation dwarf the ability of industries like solar and alternative energy to absorb new workers at a viable pace.

Skeptics might have a point. Can well-intentioned federal job-creation programs really meet the lofty expectations? I’ll bet my new Obama commemorative plate that many of these programs will be busts. But some may work beyond our dreams.

What about you? With our new leadership in Washington promising change and hope, are you ready to buy products and services that you’ve postponed purchasing in recent months?

Share This Story

Tim Fausch is publishing director of BNP Media’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction and Mechanical Systems Groups, a collection of more than 20 trade magazines, Web sites and e-newsletters. Just don't ask him to use any actual tools.
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Recent Comments

article review`

Agility

Information

Thanks for sharing this with us here....

Great Post. Thanks for sharing with us a...

Manage My Account
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Popular Stories

water on basement floor

How Much Water Causes Water Damage?

hurricane

To CAT or not to CAT? Who Should Stay Home

flooded living room

Baseboard Water Damage - Causes, Repair and Prevention

Submit Your New Product/Technology to R&R!

Would you like to promote a new restoration, remediation or cleaning product/technology with Restoration & Remediation? Fill out the question below to start your submission:

Events

September 3, 2025

The Experience Convention and Trade Show

The Experience Convention & Trade Show logoJoin us in Las Vegas for The Experience Convention & Trade Show, the leading event for cleaning, restoration, and remediation pros, packed with hands-on demos, expert speakers, and high-impact networking. Happening September 3–5, 2025 at Caesars Forum—this is where the industry comes to learn, connect, and grow!

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Doffing PPE

When you are doffing your PPE, do you sanitize between every step?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary.

See More Products
Prepare for CATASTROPHE with R&R!
×

Stay ahead of the curve with our eNewsletters.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Submit a Press Release
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Reprints
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing