Courage… Curiosity… Intuition.

In the biggest news since Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open a beagle has taken top honors at Westminster for the first time in history. Arooo! Aroo-Aroooooo!

In the happy little village where I spend a lot of time, beagles are the symbol of curiosity and intuition, reliable guides to success in 2008.

Haven’t you heard? Maintaining the status quo will yield a decline in 2008 for most business categories.

The February 8 issue of the Wall Street Journal had this to say:

“Retailers turned in their worst monthly sales results in nearly five years, and big chains appeared to be girding themselves for a prolonged slowdown in consumer spending by announcing plans to close hundreds of stores and cut thousands of jobs.”

“Even gift-card redemptions, which were expected to give January sales figures a bigger lift, instead offered a glimpse at just how strapped consumers are. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. yesterday noted that redemptions were below its expectations, and said consumers were holding onto the cards longer — or using them to buy groceries rather than treats like electronics.”

The beagle called Intuition might seem to be a chaser of rabbits, a rowdy without decorum, a runaway balloon on a windy day, but the joy of the beagle is neither random nor reckless. Her path connects the dots of an image too big to see, a pattern you’ll recognize when you’ve climbed higher than where you stand.

Do you want to climb higher? Follow your beagle. She'll lead you to success.

2008 will be a grand adventure if you'll raise an intuitive ear and listen to what's blowing on the wind.

Do you plan to run with the beagles or stay on the porch?

Arooo! Aroo-Arooooooo!

Roy H. Williams