“We decided to innovate our way through this downturn, so that we would be further ahead of our competitors when things turn up.”
Think it’s good advice? Want to have your CEO following this? Go read an old interview with Steve Jobs that I found.
He said this six years ago. SIX YEARS! He had announced the iPod launch at the low point of the dot-com crash (compared to our recent near-total global meltdown, speed bump was more like it)
First you, then your CEO, should read the whole interview here.
Then, realize that big innovations have come from risk taking during down turns. Miracle Whip (1931) The Sensor Razor (1981) The iPod (see interview) All were released at a time where conventional knowledge said to keep a low profile and fight a defensive battle.
Time to go on the offensive.
Ready?
Who knew? Miracle Whip is a product of risk taking from the Great Depression...
Karl Ahlrichs' Uncommon Experience 
Karl…
Interesting that HR and Marketing have similar parallels – as study after study says if it all possible, market your company well during down times to recover ahead of the industry and your competitors.
Terry