The Economic Down-Turn Can Divide A House

Be fair, attentive, and customers
will return.

According to a survey by
Reuters, the economic
down-turn divided
small business owners.

The survey points out
how small business
owners are taking less
money home, and it's
harder to get a loan.

Seventy-three percent
of the people complained
of worsened conditions.
Eight percent were happy,
and saw improvement.

There will always be a small
percentage of people who
thrive during a recession.

The focus of this post is on
how to survive the down-turn
while keeping your house,
business, intact.

First, it's necessary to
eliminate dead weight.

"What do you mean by
dead weight?" Several
asked.


Dead weight refers to the
people who give-up in
your house, business.

"Close the doors." A
partner suggested. "We can't
survive the economic down-
turn."

"Can't beat a recession."
Someone else chimed in.

"I guess, we betta sell while
we can." Another uttered.

It's best to buy-out the
dead weight, or do what is
needed to break-away from it.

Fill your mind with survival
thoughts.

Look at each product or
service you offer. Ask
yourself some questions.

Is it feasible to close a
product or service? Is
it wise to make an item
smaller, but sell it at the
regular price? Will my
customers stop buying
a smaller version? Should
production time be cut?
Should over-time be done
away with? Certain people
have to be laid off?

Ask specific questions
pertaining to your business.

Look at suppliers. Should
you turn to different suppliers?
Less costly suppliers, but maintain
a quality product or service?

The economic down-turn will
force customers to hold-on
to their money, or spend less.

You'll have to make adjustments
to keep the economic down-turn
from dividing your house, business.

Simply, take common sense
measures in an economic
down-turn. Consider the pro
and cons before any money
is sent out of the door.

In closing, careful thought
is mixed in every business
decision to survive an
economic down-turn. Don't
allow your house, business, to
be divided by fear. Get yourself
in survival business mode.

What Can Small Businesses Do To Survive

Be fair, attentive, and customers
will return.

There are steps small businesses
can take to help survive the
economic turn-down.

The time for spending on
advertising without careful
thought is over.

Concentrate your advertising
dollars where customers are
seeing your ads.

"How will I know that?" You
pondered.

Ask them.

Here's a possible scenario.
"Thank you for your order,
Mrs. Smith.

She'll respond.

After she replies, use the
opportunity to question
her.

"May I ask, where did you
see our ad?"

Make a note of it.

Put a code in your ads to
see which publications
are earning their keep.

The code is simple. The
code for Catz Newsletter is
Ctz, or any mixture of
letters you like.

Let's look at the code
using different letters.
Possible combinations
are: Ct, Ca, Cn, Cz,
or Cl.

"How would I put a code
in my ad?" You asked.

Take a look.

M. Glenn's Creative
Services
1234 Any Street
Dept. Cl
Some, State 56789-1011

The morning coffee with
bagels treat takes it place
in your past.

A better idea is to have
employees bring in coffee,
cups, napkins, sugar, and
cream. Or, ask everyone
to share in the purchase
of those items.

The person who is assigned
to buy sugar must keep it
in stock, or available.

It isn't necessary to buy
name brands.

Hold a meeting. Explain
how the economic turn-
down touched your
business. In order for
the business to survive,
everyone is required
to contribute. Unless,
it would cause a hardship.

Never force anyone to
participate. There are those
living pay-check to pay-
check. They couldn't
slice another cent away for
anything else.

The economic turn-down
hit Main Street, Wall Street,
and all streets in between.

Be mindful of the amount
of paper towels, plastic
cups, pens, and other
supplies used.

All businesses must cut-
away employees not
contributing to the
organization.

"Why?" You asked.

The survival of your business
demands it. Perhaps, when
the economic turn-down is
ended, you'll employ them
again.

The same advice is true of
out-lived its usefulness
equipment.

If your equipment is costing
more to fix than its producing,
replace it. Perhaps, a used
version works well.

An option, too, is bartering.
You exchange your services
for used equipment, or as part
payment.

"How would I do that?" You
questioned.

Train a friend's son/daughter
to co-manage, manage, your
business. It will be a learning
experience for him/her.

In return, you'll get updated
equipment, maybe used.

Set your mind into business
survival mode. You must get
beyond the economic turn-
down.

If necessary, tack the words
on your computer, office door,
mirror, desk, or company board.

The words are: cut-back, trim,
costs.

In conclusion, small businesses
can survive an economic turn-
down, and rise stronger. It
takes determination, and common
sense adjustments.