I miss “junk mail.” It’s true. Even though I sometimes complained when digging out from a pile of mail, I actually enjoyed opening it.

I’ve been saving fortunes from my Chinese dinners and I’m elated. Apparently, I’m in line for an incredible string of good luck. And my good fortune is your good fortune because we’re all in this downturn together.

In September 2005, the world was mesmerized by the greatest natural disaster in the history of the U.S. Most of us were glued to our favorite cable channel or Web site, watching hurricane Katrina pound the Gulf Coast without mercy.

The word disaster conjures up many images.

Many construction-related business owners and managers are aggressively managing their operations. They are cutting expenses, finding new efficiencies and improving their marketing effectiveness.

Despite the construction downturn, now might be the best time to join a professional association or organization. Doing so might provide you with marketing advantages that your competitors won’t have.

Now is the perfect time to rebalance your marketing efforts.

Many of your competitors will survive this recession, but only a handful will grow stronger. How in the world are they doing it?

Walking through downtown Nashville last week, I heard a country singer lamenting that he lost his girlfriend, his pickup truck and his construction business. OK, that last one was actually his hound dog, but it won’t be long before we hear songs about the heartbreak of losing construction work.

I recently received a link to a YouTube video called “Did You Know?” It is fascinating look at the pace of change, including business and employment trends.