It's the Customer, Stupid!

Ask most business people today what they need more than anything else to grow their businesses, hire new workers, and expand their investments, and the answer becomes pretty clear: give them more customers.

It is a nice thought that the Federal Government is increasing lending options to small and medium-sized businesses and offering tax breaks for new investment.

Still, these well-intentioned policies will ultimately have little impact on the ability of firms to build sustainable growth in both the short and long-term.

It is not until customers return in a meaningful way that companies will be able to provide the foundation for America’s true economic recovery. And, much of the world’s as well.

As 70% of the U.S. economy- and more than 20% of all global GDP- is driven by the American consumer, it is ludicrous to be even thinking about raising taxes or eliminating “the Bush tax cuts”. Yet, that is exactly what is happening.

Lawmakers- many of them seeking re-election in November- would be wise to remember that until Americans begin to spend again, nothing much will occur. It’s the Customer, Stupid!