effect of recession on business sectors

[Bill Parker]

Does anyone care to comment about how the recession is going to affect sales in various business sectors, in the US? Will it just affect housing related businesses,or medical supplies, or durable consumer goods, or automotive? Which sectorswon't be affected much?

How would it affect a person new to sales work?

[recman1]

I work in the recruitment industry and I benefit from a recession. It means sales people have less choice and I am less likely to lose a placement to another employer. Companies will always need sales people but they will just tend to be more choosy in a recession because they can afford to

[localman]

In a recession disposable income will drop. Businesses want a improve efficiencies, so expect increased spending in tech in the beginning.

Agriculture does well in a recession.

[Skip Anderson]

Sales Training can do well in a recession as companies look for ways to maximize their sales perfromance with less prospects or less quality prospects. Ditto for consulting. In some companies, training budgets are the first thing to get cut during a recession, but other companies need to find ways to keep the revenue flowing, and training can assist in that endeavor.

[ashleydrollinson]

Perhaps people are inclined to work harder to secure their job?

[drizzle]

I think it will affect the sales of luxury goods first and foremost. Anyone in a sales related role involved in products such as cruises for example I think will struggle. Likewise the higher end of the housing market and automotive industry shall too, as the most expensive the initial product is, the higher the running costs.

[drizzle]

If it were me trying to recession proof myself, I'd be taking on board every training course I could lay my hands on and updating my skills. You never know when the recession will bite and cutbacks will be at the door of your company or department. Best to prepare now in case and take advantage of what's on offer from your current employer while you can.

Think about updating your CV as well if you haven't done so in the last year. It's easy to forget various skills you've acquired in a job once you're no longer there and utilising them day to day. Doing it while it's all fresh in your mind is much easier, especially if you have a copy of your last appraisal to hand.

That's just my thoughts on it.