Manufacturing is among the hardest hit sectors in the current economic slowdown, but companies can cause additional damage by allowing customers to perceive that their operations are having difficulties, according to the George S. May International Co. (Park Ridge, IL), a consulting firm. The advice is based on a survey that indicates medium- and small-sized business owners believe manufacturers are among the businesses most damaged by the soft economy.
Donald J. Fletcher, president of the consulting firm, warns that the perception could grow into a self-fulfilling prophecy. "Customers respect and prefer to do business with successful people. While they may feel sorry for a business that is having hard Arial, it is dangerous for a manufacturing operation to show its difficulties. If it does, customers will begin taking their business elsewhere."