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What cycle? The business cycle, of course. It's amazing - business cycles have been doing their thing for the last 100 years, yet the corporate and media worlds act like it's something new every time there is a slight downward movement in key economic indicators.

Business goes up and it goes down. The contracting business goes up and down, depending on what you do; where you are; interest rates; the season; the size of your company; how all levels of government release funds; and your ability to get adequate working capital to fund projects.

Inventory levels - excessive inventory levels, to be exact - stimulate most downturns. But within the last 10 years, the availability of real-time data and more data types seem to have brought this problem under control. Consequently, even if there was a recession (according to the definition used by the Feds), it has been shallow and short. Why should this one (if there is one) be any different?

Keep cash flowing
Where do you as contractors fit in this situation? Interesting question. On the one hand, you have more flexibility, meaning if you decide you need to make changes, you can usually do so faster than a manufacturer or wholesaler. On the other hand, you may not have the data you need to react in time to use that flexibility to any great advantage. Having the ability to judge the market with a game plan in hand, then make quick decisions could mean all the difference in the world.

Putting all the hype into perspective - the media, the election jargon, the Fed statements, Wall Street interpretations and the banking industry's reaction after making their own mess - contractors only need to think about one thing: Cash.