Sure, now is no time to be flippant with your business - the culture of excess that exists in boom times has, rightfully, been replaced with efficiency and necessary belt-tightening.

But whether you've done this exercise already, are planning next year's budget, or are benefiting from a counter-cyclical industry, you need to understand that you can cut too much from the expense column.

One risk is cutting time and budget assigned to strategic planning - saving money now, but scrambling to catch up when your industry takes off again. Also paramount is the importance of Culture - the experience you and your team have at work. It may be tempting to cut these costs at a time when staff aren't likely to be poached by your competitors, but treating the team poorly will only delay the inevitable.

Are you still having fun? It doesn't cost much to walk around with a smile on your face, and the long-term returns are worth it.

Smile and Move

Proof that positivity isn't expensive, here is a whole website devoted to tips for positive action around the office. It may be harder to smile and say thanks during a recession, but that just means your team will appreciate it more.

Make it at home

If you've ever wondered whether it would be better to make your own cream cheese or granola, here's a way to have fun and save money. Still, recession or not, I'm unlikely to indulge in home-made yoghurt any time soon (even though that means I'm missing out).

The Customer is not always right

And here's the proof! If you've ever experienced the front end of unfair or unrealistic expectations, it's good to know that there's a place for those to be shared safely (and with humour). Remember my rule, though: one bad customer may just be a bad customer, but if they're all bad customers then it's probably you who needs to change!

Coaching Case Study in fun

A key quote in this business coaching example is from Steve Driver of Spirit Circuits: "the reasons you started the business in the first place - the fun and the enthusiasm and the freedom you had at the outset - get lost in the daily grind of long hours". Realistically, if you don't prioritise the fun in business, then it's not going to show up. My clients know that I'm there to help them, but if we're not having fun then it's not going to work.

Intranet Joke of the Week

If camping is your idea of fun, be aware that the Forest Service has issued a BEAR WARNING in the national forests for this summer. They're urging everyone to protect themselves by wearing warning bells and carrying pepper spray.

Campers should be alert for signs of fresh bear activity, and they should be able to tell the difference between Black Bear dung and Grizzly Bear dung. Black Bear dung is rather small and round. Grizzly Bear dung has bells in it, and smells like pepper."

Until next week - keep smiling,

Jacob Aldridge and the Shirlaws Team

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