REPRESSION

We seem to be in some very different economic times, challenging for most, to say the least. At times I have heard and thought that we have been in a very deep Recession and then I have actually believed that this might just be or have been a Depression. Now I think we have been in something that I have begun to call a Repression.

Now, just what might a Repression be and what would be its impact on the restaurant and bar business and the business of restaurant and bar brokerage.

Look at at this way. Recession is based of the process of receding - our economy recedes. Depression is based on depressing or pressing down or a depression can be a great big hole in something. So I think Repression is a pretty good term for a combination of both and particularly when we are not sure we are in or have been in one or the other. Repression could be defined as a state of the economy somewhere between a classic Recession and a classic Depression. Which makes it even more difficult to figure out.

There are a whole bunch of impacts to be acknowledged. We have seen some depressing of prices and values, a trend to receding back to basics. a return to an emphasis on saving and fiscal conservatism, a retreating of stock and other investment values, the need for more value for the money spent, a retrenching of money spent on things not considered to be a luxury and on and on we go. We are challenged to meet the challenges of the marketplace and the economy in this Great Repression.

Where to from here. First acknowledge that the glass is half full and the taste is getting better. Don't sit and wait, be on your game, in your game and at it. Be at your best because just maybe the way you used to do things is not good enough anymore. Think of the future not your past. Go for it.

I exclusively sell restaurants, bars and liquor licenses. My business and the techniques that I use have changed dramatically in the past three years. I am doing things I did 25 years ago and also leaning new things and using new technology at a faster pace than I might have dreamed of. I am not going to be left behind.

Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist and other social media techniques have joined my marketing strategies. More group involvement, more networking, more emails, more listings and very soon a significant expansion of the territory that I serve as a restaurant and bar broker.

Most of the time, I think all this change is fun and I hope that you do too. Better to smile than to be recessed, depressed or repressed!

Brian Harron is a licensed Arizona Real Estate Broker with Sunbelt Business Brokers in Prescott, Arizona. He exclusively sells restaurants and bars in Arizona. He can be reached at brian@arizonabizsales.com or 928-541-0890. He is available for restaurant and bar brokerage and consulting services.