John McDonagh can be reached at jmcdonagh@vbjusa.com
Answering with optimism
Over the last two years we’ve written often about the persistent query we all seem to get from friends and acquaintances:
“How’s it going?”
At times it sounds like, “you doin’ okay?” or “how’s business?” However it sounds, the concern seems genuine. Everyone on this side of the “great recession” has a common experience and is looking for confirmation that the recovery is actually underway.
As we make our rounds, we’re hearing many respond to the questions by saying that business is improving. Some have even said that for them, 2010 was a banner year.
Now compare that to one year ago.
A year ago, the optimism in the answers was absent. While there is hesitancy in that optimism, at least there is optimism.
One case to make the point:
Sigma Design, a local product engineering firm, has nearly doubled the number of employees since the fall of 2009 and is anticipating moving to a new space on Broadway and McLoughlin Boulevard in the coming weeks.
Another indication things are improving is the revenue growth reported by local companies in the manufacturing and product development industries, which is ranging from 40 to 65 percent. Many of these companies you’ll meet through the annual Business Growth Awards, scheduled for April 21st. It’s the one time each year we invite the business community to celebrate the local, Southwest Washington firms who are growing and creating jobs.
Think you’re one of those growing firms? Go to our website and enter your company so we can tell your story. We’ll collectively answer the nagging questions about how we’re doing with a real story of recovery.
