Zombie effect in startups

An entrepreneur sent me a link on how the past year has been confusing
for entrepreneurs. The internal compass many use to tell if they are
moving forward and making progress has been feeling off this past
cycle.
http://venturebeat.com/2009/10/27/for-silicon-valley-entrepreneurs-failure-is-an-option/

The question is, what were you supposed to have learned?

Everything and nothing. Like a black swan event on the public
markets, this is an unusual event. There will be attempts to treat
this like a one time loss situation. Take your medicine and move on.
There will never be something exactly like this again.

However recognize that these events do happen. And just because the
hundred year flood just hit, is no reason to cancel your flood
insurance.

Realize that these zombie periods can happen and that they could
happen again. The ones fortunate enough to have the resources to
survive this will be free to explore a new landscape. Some will
thrive. Others will experience the pyrrhic victory of surviving the
decimation only to fall before the recovery takes hold. The lucky
ones were the businesses who when through a fast failure. Saw the
impending wave and just shut down. Save your resources for another
day.

It will be cold comfort to the folks who were able to survive so far,
but things could get worse. If not I currently do not see a roaring
return to the earlier days. A new normal is what some folks are
calling it, others say a job loss recovery.

Anyone who was fortunate or disciplined enough to have saved and
shepherded resources will be in a good position soon. Buy when people
are selling. Sell when people are buying. Simple enough words, but
when you have cash you can wait for the right times.

Some goods, people need. Other items are simply wants. What do you
sell? What service, experience, and benefit do you provide? What form
does that service take shape? A car is/has been a transportation
device, a status symbol, shelter from the elements, entertainment, and
many other experiences for its owner.

This has been a difficult and unusual time. Recognize that these times
can happen and that they can happen again. Have a plan, even if that
plan is to shut your doors and wait out the turmoil. Don't wait out
the clock.