Mr. Silver Lining: Things ain't so bad Howdy folks, Mr. Silver Lining here. Last year Mr. Silver Lining made some bold predictions. Many of you laughed at his overly optimistic views. You may now apologize to Mr. Silver Lining. In addition to referring to himself in the third person, Mr. Silver Lining likes opening people's minds to brighter possibilities. Conducting everyday business and listening to the nightly news tends to get people down. This should pick you up. Track record Last year Mr. Silver Lining said don't get too upset about fuel costs. Sure enough, gasoline dropped below $2 per gallon. Many of you raised prices and added fuel surcharges to compensate for higher transportation costs. Hint: Don't lower your prices now that costs are going down. Let your customers pass higher prices along to end consumers. They'll pay for it and you'll be the one with better margins. Mr. Silver Lining also said the weather would be better in 2006. Yes, some places are too wet and some are too dry, but as a whole the nation was fairly clement. The mild hurricane season was certainly pleasant. Finally, Mr. Silver Lining said the labor situation would improve. He predicted Congress would come up with an immigration compromise that would benefit small businesses. Mr. Silver Lining ain't perfect. No doom, gloom For 2007, many fear a decreasing demand for nursery products. They point to declining new-home sales and predict trouble. They also see a Generation X with low desire for gardening. They say these folks would rather text message than till. Mr. Silver Lining says worry not. Only a few short years ago new home sales were setting records. Remember it usually takes three years for new homeowners to get around to re-landscaping their properties. These folks just now have some money to put into their outdoor space, and they dislike the bland plantings left by their builders. So we'll be riding the re-landscaping wave for several years. Xers aren't a problem either. They have tons of disposable income. And while they may not mow their own lawns, they still want attractive outdoor spaces -- retreats away from the pressures of work and all that thumb typing on their Blackberries. They'll need our products, and lots of them, to create those retreats. And they'll pay through their studded noses to get them. And regarding an immigration compromise by Congress, Mr. Silver Lining isn't giving up hope. There's still a chance something might pass in the lame-duck session after the elections. That would mean great promise for 2007 and beyond. It would also mean Mr. Silver Lining maintains his perfect record. Now if you'll forgive me, Mr. Silver Lining has to get home to Ms. Rose Colored Glasses. Send this article to a friend Enter your e-mail address: Enter your friend's e-mail address: Click the image below to send: © 2006 Branch-Smith Publishing