<p>What was your New Year's resolution?&nbsp; Mine was to talk to at least two different people every day about what's happening in our economy and to explore opportunities.&nbsp; <p><img border="0" alt="" align="right" src="http://www.bloggersbase.com/images/uploaded/original/a97cbe18973b0a26d838a1c73827860777bfbec5.jpeg" height="232">It had gotten to the point where I was afraid to turn on the radio, TV, or open the paper.&nbsp; The news was just too depressing.&nbsp; So I resolved to reach out into my community and observe things first hand.  <p>Since January 1st,&nbsp; I have met with and spoken to a lot of people in Arizona, across the US, and even abroad.&nbsp; And what I am hearing is encouraging.&nbsp; Yes, times are tough, but people are moving forward, innovations are happening, businesses are making changes to speed their recoveries, and investors are looking to invest in solid business plans.&nbsp; As I meet with friends and business colleagues, they in turn have introduced me to their friends...and I have returned the favor.  <p>Here are just a few of the wonderful things I have uncovered in my search for opportunities...  <ul> <li>One of my friends was working with a company with a great new product and service concept.&nbsp; They were getting ready to reach out to investors and showed me their developing plan.&nbsp; I even got to make some suggestions.&nbsp; Hopefully, they will help this company raise their next round of funding.&nbsp; They have a great concept.&nbsp; <li>I spent time with two executives in Detroit.&nbsp; One from GM and one from Ford.&nbsp; Some of the stories they shared were sad, but there were glimmers of hope as they talked about new developments and what those companies were doing to turn things around.  <li>A biotech researcher in San Diego was bubbling over with excitement when she shared news about a new development in the lab that could improve an long-standing medical process and ultimately save thousands of lives when it is brought to market.&nbsp; I told anther friend about it and he introduced me to the person I needed to meet to move the process along.  <li>A manufacturer in Arizona has created a new system to help restaurants be more competitive, improve processes, and save energy.&nbsp; Their business is growing by leaps and bounds.  <li>An architectural&nbsp; glass distributor in Michigan has taken their business global and not only grown substantially but has won high honors and awards along the way.  <li>Over the last weeks I have met with people looking to buy businesses and re-capitalize them, not just saving jobs, but with future growth... creating them.&nbsp; Oh, and they are finding the money for it too!  <li>Meetings have brought me in contact with incredibly talented CEO's and executives who are looking for their next big project.&nbsp; They were not sitting at home or hitting the links.&nbsp; They were out there just like me, sharing their expertise, serving on boards of directors, mentoring others, and helping to get things moving forward again.</li></ul> <p>With all of these encouraging stories bolstering my courage, I was brave enough to open the newspaper again. And what did I find?&nbsp; Well yes, there was news of layoffs and filings for Chapter 11 BUT there were also NINE full pages dedicated to positive stories just like mine.&nbsp; Stories of business owners and individuals sharing how they too are staying ahead of the downturn.&nbsp; </p> <p><br>I've made it though seven months of keeping my New Year's resolution.&nbsp; I think I'll stick with it.&nbsp; Wouldn't you? </p> <p>Thanks for stopping by.&nbsp; Stay&nbsp; Tuned.</p> <blockquote> <p>Joan Koerber-Walker</p></blockquote> <p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose">CorePurpose</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Phoenix%20Business%20Journal">Phoenix Business Journal</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/economy">economy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Phoenix">Phoenix</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Arizona">Arizona</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/biotech">biotech</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/capital">capital</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/funding">funding</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/positive%20media">positive media</a>,<a href="http://redirectingat.com/?id=118X181&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Ftechnorati.com%2Ftags%2Fnetworking">networking</a></p>