Betty Jo Gigot, Editor and Publisher

As part of the economic downturn that the United States and the rest of the world are facing, companies are fighting for their very existence. The cattle-feeding industry has seen massive losses, causing a number either to close or to be put up for sale. One old timer told me it was “the worst time” he had ever seen. We all know of old friends and good feeders who’ve taken it on the chin this time. And heaven help the swine industry after the flu outbreak. At least it wasn’t dubbed “cow flu,” although some countries tried to include us in their boycotts.

Everyone is looking at their business plans, trying to see if there are changes or economies that could make the different between success and failure. In recent issues, we’ve featured individuals who are trying alternative business models as a way to survive.

As motor coach owners, we’ve watched that industry turn on its ear. Many of the luxury coachbuilders are either in chapter 11 or out of business completely. This has given rise to the term “orphan owners” for those whose companies have fallen on bad times. Our coach company is still in business, but come to think of it, as Chrysler Aspen owners, we could be considered “orphans” also. Our coach company, while realizing that not many people will be up to a new, very expensive, custom-made coach, has come out with a set of “upgrades” that will keep them in business and their employees busy, while offering low cost options you don’t feel bad about taking advantage of.

We here at B.J. Publishing have been lucky. Our advertisers realize they need to keep their names and products in their customers’ minds.

The economic environment has prompted me to examine how other businesses are responding. The service and success of the Mayo Health Service System has to be one of the best I’ve ever seen. Their motto has always been “The Needs of the Patient Come First,” and they mean it. Happy the Coach Driver had a full workup as well as a total knee replacement this winter at the Scottsdale/Phoenix branch of the Mayo Clinic and Hospital, so we spent three months in and out of those facilities. I can honestly say neither one of us has a single complaint about our experience. Everyone in the system treats patients and their families with respect. Appointments run on time, questions are answered, and the integrated staff model makes for total satisfaction in a stressful situation. My hat’s off to them.

I had a completely different experience with another business. After arriving back in Kansas, I realized that my mail wasn’t being delivered. After several days of empty mailboxes, with no notice that they might be holding my mail at the post office, I decided to call and find out what was going on. Much to my amazement and consternation, the United States Post Office in our town isn’t listed in the phonebook. It turns out they have an unlisted number. After finding an old phonebook and dialing the number, a man answered and I asked him why their number wasn’t in the book. “The regional office pays the bills,” was his reply. What? How’s that for a government answer?

It turns out that, yes, they did have my mail. No, they didn’t have to put a notice in the box when they do that and, no, they couldn’t care less that they work for the public but don’t, at any cost, want to talk to them. Some way to run a business. Any business.

I don’t have any answers for you on how to run your business. I’m having enough trouble running my own, but as my friend Baxter Black always says, “Everything that goes up has to go down.” It works the same the other way around, too.