Jim Blasingame's 2009 Crystal Ball Predictions
Here are my 2009 Small Business Advocate Predictions.
Prediction: Most financial damage in 2008 accrued to Wall Street and its stakeholders. In 2009,
Prediction: Economic recovery on
Prediction: Small business start-ups will be down because their initial capital comes from personal credit, which is now at unprecedented low levels.
Prediction: Small businesses having the most difficulty in 2009 will be retailers and sellers of big-ticket items that rely heavily on consumer credit.
Prediction: The Obama administration will produce a successful small business economic relief plan of loan guarantees and hiring tax credits.
Prediction: Independent community banks will thrive for two reasons: 1) They're the lender-of-choice for small businesses that need local consideration; 2) Depositors will see them as more attractive than continually merging large banks.
Prediction: The Obama administration will continue the unprecedented government intervention in the economy, but positive impact will not occur until the second half of 2009.
Prediction: The Obama administration will shelve plans for the Employee Free Choice Act - designed to increase union organization - until 2010, when the economy will be recovering.
Prediction: Similarly, the Obama administration will shelve plans to pass a "cap-and-trade" bill - an attempt to regulate carbon - until 2010.
Prediction: The Obama administration will not recommend any tax increases.
Prediction: The Obama administration will justify moving forward with national healthcare reform in 2009, calling it part of economic recovery.
Prediction: The Obama administration attempt to create infrastructure jobs will fail.
Prediction: Comedian, Al Franken, will be the next Senator from
Prediction: With a justified concern for "stagflation," the Fed will begin nudging interest rates up in Q4.
Prediction: Despite OPEC's best efforts, oil prices will average below $65 per barrel, due to demand destruction.
Prediction: With their political leverage dependent upon petroleum revenue, 2009 will not be a good year for Putin, Chavez and Ahmadinejad.
Prediction: As the marketplace pays for the financial meltdown created by greed, corruption and incompetence, greater emphasis on transparency and accountability will be demanded by all stakeholders.
Prediction: Wall Street and the federal government created most of our current economic problems, but it will be
Write this on a rock... In 2009, the Chinese curse will continue for the
Jim Blasingame is creator and host of the Small Business Advocate Show.
Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.