Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1243182
20 PalletCentral • March-April 2020 palletcentral.com "The long-term effect on the economy – that is the great unknown," warns Hachtman. "Right now, we have a short-term increase in activity, which is normalizing now. Yet, we live in a consumer- driven consumption economy. A downward trend in manufacturing is a real long-term concern. Will these stimulus packages and results from the economic shutdown, and whatever else the government does, have the intended impact? Who knew the unemployment insurance supplement gave everyone a $600 bonus in pay – normally you get 60% of your pay. What will that do to future wages? What is the unintended consequence?" "Be realistic," advises Wenner. "If you're like us, you've set aggressive goals for 2020 which didn't take into account a crisis that would cause massive disruption. As we think about the rest of this year, we need to adjust our old goals and/or set new goals that are grounded in the current reality and keep marching towards them. We still want to "achieve," but we need to objectively re-calibrate or expectations. I think the worst thing we can do is handcuff ourselves to a set of expectations that may not be relevant anymore and drive ourselves into making a bad situation worse by trying to force things. We need to remain optimistic, but realistic." Also, handling their own stress as this overwhelming situation unfolds is an underlying theme among respondents, as well as, along with almost everyone in the country, the shortage of Personal Protection Equipment. Mike Hachtman We have a short-term increase in activity, which is normalizing now. Yet, we live in a consumer-driven consumption economy. A downward trend in manufacturing is a real long- term concern. – Mike Hachtman