Waiting for the ax to fall

In tough economic times, it seems, most businesses (and by extension most people) are uncomfortable making decisions, since the future is so murky.  I guess in some instances it makes sense to avoid making decisions when the future is unclear, but currently so many businesses (and people) are dithering on making decisions that two things are occurring simultaneously:

1. The organizations, businesses or people with the fortitude to make a decision are leaping ahead, not just moving slightly ahead.  Most of us won't be able to catch up with these very decisive firms and organizations.  Examples include the Federal Government in the case of the automotive firms. Who would have thought the government could move that quickly and decisively.  The decisions being made now will ripple through our economy for decades to come.  Other examples:  WellPoint and larger health insurance firms, who aren't waiting for the decisions from Congress on health care, but are getting out in front.  Those insurance firms not willing to make decisions now aren't simply losing ground, they've lost the ability to even negotiate the manner and timing of their demise. 
2. The organizations, businesses or people who are unwilling or unable to make decisions are rapidly reaching obsolescence.  There's really no strategy for simply standing still while the rest of the market goes through a wrenching change.  Whether you believe the recession is "V" shaped, "U" shaped or "L" shaped, or that we'll never come out of the recession again, you should be acting on those assumptions.  A complete failure to act is a failure to lead, or to take control of your own destiny.

Simply sitting around waiting for the ax to fall is not a strategy.  It is an abdication of any decision making.  Whether you are an individual contemplating your future in an organization, or an organization contemplating your future in a market, it's time to get out the crystal ball and make some decisions about what you believe the future holds, and then act on those decisions.  Believe the recession will be over by Christmas?  OK, then what should you be doing now?  Believe most auto production is going to transfer to hybrids and electric vehicles?  Then get training on building those vehicles, or more importantly, recycling the batteries of those vehicles when they are depleted.

I talk to too many firms, and too many executives in those firms, that are simply pole-axed by the situation.  Rather than wait for the mist to clear, start by making some assumptions about the future and looking at the trends and demographic shifts taking place.  Certainly there are opportunities to be had, if one will only look for them.