Single-minded determination to achieve annual growth targets works in an expansionary economy. It does not work when the economy is in a disgrowth mode. Flexibility is the order of the day. Customers, suppliers, bankers all react somewhat irrationally in periods of disgrowth. The customer who cuts your order in half will suddenly place their largest order ever and the banker who was on your side yesterday will become anxious tomorrow.
Rumours become more important in a recessionary economy.
Negative rumours about your business need to be dispelled and rumours about others need to be evaluated. You, your sales force and others must be out of the office and in the field accessing the battlefield on a daily basis. Trying to remain nimble through e-mail could prove to be disastrous. In the months ahead the only benchmark will be cash. In periods of disgrowth, the dollar in the bank always beats a true dollar receivable.