In 2007, business and marketing guru Seth Godin wrote a little book titled, “The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick).” In it, Godin describes what a dip looks like.
“Every new project (or job, or hobby, or company) starts out fun…then gets really hard, and not much fun at all. You might be in a Dip—a temporary setback that will get better if you keep pushing. But maybe it’s really a Cul-de-Sac—a total dead end. What really sets superstars apart is the ability to tell the two apart,” excerpt from The Dip.
The year 2020 has been a dip of dramatic proportions, and Louisiana has been one of the hardest hit states. No one could have predicted the shutdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and hurricanes always pose a threat to our economy.
The toll has been great, and the numbers reflect that. However, over the past six months, we have also seen many signs of resiliency. Businesses have pivoted and adapted. Entire industries have been born, or reborn. Our economy is emerging from “the dip.”
With that in mind, we present BIZ. Progress 2020, an economic overview of the Shreveport-Bossier market — and beyond.
On the pages that follow, readers will find comprehensive market data, along with graphics that really tell the story behind the numbers.
Our columnists break down what it means to emerge from the dip and move forward, knowing that there will be other dips in the future. We are truly blessed to have their expertise in this edition.
As you read this edition, keep in mind the story is being written each and every day. Climbing out of our dip will take time, but there is a unified effort to make it happen. Sometimes “progress” is a giant leap. Most of the time, it is one small step. Progress 2020 showcases the steps, and the future. Let’s climb out of this dip together.
David Specht | President of Specht Newspapers, Inc.
