We were cleaning out a file cabinet at our new office when we found a three-page brochure on Y2K preparedness. Y2K was when, sixteen years ago, the world panicked because it seemed that a computer date code would undo the civilized world on January 1, 2000. How? By collapsing our electricity and communications, of course! Here’s a brief article on the Year 2000 (aka Y2K) problem.

What People Thought Would Happen

Doomsday quotes included:

• “Any businessman is nuts if he is not ready for the year 2000 problem, because there is no deferring it.” – Arthur Levitt, Chairman Securities and Exchange Commission
• “55% of surveyed senior management from U.S. organizations feels that Y2K effects will be moderate to devastating.” – The Cutter Consortium
• “Small businesses are at great risk … up to 330,000 small businesses would have to close until the problem is fixed if computers go down.” – Wells Fargo Bank, with the National Federation of Independent Businesses

On a personal note, my grandmother – who had lived through the rationing days of the Great Depression – convinced my mother to buy batteries, Spam, and bottled water in bulk.

What Really Happened

But what actually happened on January 1, 2000? As 1999 drew to a close and the new century began, the world survived – not surprisingly! No disruptions occurred, no businesses closed, and nothing was devastated. And, fast-forwarding to 2002, you’d find my grandmother and my mother still inviting me over for Spam and trying to send me home with a case of water.

The whole Y2K flashback made me think of the power marketing has. Marketing can convince the media, the public, businesses, and the government that an emergency is coming. Especially since Y2K was before social media – TV, radio, and print media were the only sources of information.

The trip down Y2K memory lane also made me think of how customers approach us for help. A lot of times they think the Y2K …errr… sky is falling in regards to their marketing approach, and we’re happy to offer what they need most – sound guidance and strategic planning to start the process. No doomsday scenarios, we promise! Give us a try here.