Bad News: The Media Didn't Change. You Did.

Two questions for you...

#1 - How often do you hear business professionals blast the media for the gloom-and-doom newsand criticize how the media is killing markets, such as real estate, auto, and stocks?

#2 - How often did you hear these same professionals give media praise and all the credit for helping fuel the prior boom in business?

I have long suggested that everyone, business professionals and consumers, should remember that the news headlines and even many stories are not really about the news story... it is about using news as a medium to attract attention. There is a difference.  A big difference.

I also suggest that if you blame the media and economy as the reason your business deals are failing, does that mean the media and economy are the main reason you had prior success?   What about your skills and experience as a business professional?   Do they only work in "the good times?"   Do you adapt, learn, adjust?  Or just complain that the bad times are not your fault and act powerless?

Does the economy and public perception effect consumer behavior?  Absolutely!   But they do not control all business. 

There are deals and sales being made every day.  The economy has slowed... not stopped.  The smart business people adapt, adjust and expect the economic cycles.  They are painful at times but completely normal.

You and I cannot change basic economics and the normal cycles.  But we can work professionally within these cycles. 

I contend that professionals should be professionals in any economy.  But not everyone embraces this.  I considered this last Fall when I wrote Scare Clients Away!  Whine About the Market (and show you are Not the Professional You Claim to Be)!  I still believe this to be very true.

For those that are upset at the media, I submit that the media is doing what they have always done... they use headlines and bits of news to attract attention.  Most media is not about the news, it is about the attention.  And if you often complain about it, it shows the media is doing their job... you paid attention.

What is interesting is that the same approach by the media was actively used by professionals as "proof" during the boom for customers to buy and spend.  Not many complaints about the media then, were there?

If you want to complain about the media now, keep this in mind...  The media didn't change.  You did.

Tell me I'm wrong.