Upbeat attitude the key during downturn

Graham Southwell

"Don't worry - be happy" is the message emerging from one of the country's leading business networking organisations, as the nation looks to find strategies to counter the recession.

Graham Southwell from BNI New Zealand, the country's biggest business referral network, says those who maintain a positive attitude are more likely to succeed.

"We know, from running more than 412 networking meetings a month right around the country, that in any social interaction people are attracted to those who are upbeat and positive, and are usually put off by those who are glum.

"We saw that with the election of Barack Obama in the US and John Key here in New Zealand. People want leadership and hope right now, and we believe that if you can be the kind of person other people want to be around – because you give them a lift – then you're going to thrive no matter what the circumstances."

Southwell says it's not a case of being an ostrich with its head in the sand, it's simply accepting what you cannot change and changing what you can – your attitude and your own personal circumstances.

He offers five 'tough times' tips that will help business owners attract and keep customers, and job seekers who want to land that plum job:

* Be a good listener and ask lots of questions. There's a great old quote that goes: "The more interested you are, the more interesting you will be...

* Smile frequently. We know it is infectious.

* Be quick to give genuine compliments; they help to boost a person's spirits.

* Remember names and use them frequently. It demonstrates that you've paid attention and that you're trying to connect.

* Say 'please and thank you'. Even your mum knew that good manners make a good impression.

"By making a conscious effort to be cheerful, we cheer ourselves up too," he said.