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Keeping Your Business Afloat In A Recession!
By Ken Varga | January 30, 2009
We’ve all been reading over the last few weeks how the bottom is falling out of the stock market and individuals are losing over 30% or more in their 401K or pensions. You might deal with others, as customers, who are now attempting to get you to lower your prices. Or when you call one of your suppliers, you get the message, “The number you dialed is no longer in service.”
Wow. Do these scenarios sound familiar? Running a business is never a sure bet, but at times like this, it seems almost impossible to be successful in business.
Here are a few strategies to help you in these trying times.
- Contact former customers. Don’t assume that a customer who stopped buying from you in the past will not buy or do business with you again. Your customers’ needs and circumstances change often. Communicate with them again and try to get them back as a customer.
- You don’t have to be a mega corporation to take a hard look at your strengths and weaknesses. In fact, the smaller you are the better you are positioned to switch gears and zoom back into action now and in the future. Analyze your existing sales and, most importantly, talk to your living and breathing prospects. Ask them: What they need? What can you provide them? What is the best way to solve their problems with what you have to offer? Put it all down on paper and begin to analyze the information you gather.
Ask yourself: What are the easiest ways to make the most profit quickly? What should you be doing for the long term to ensure your business continues to grow and prosper? If you have a business plan, revise it based on the information you have gathered.
- Join with other vendors to create joint sales opportunities. As I have always mentioned, referrals are the leading sources of new business for small businesses. An easy way to get more referrals is to team up with other businesses who sell to the same market as you do but don’t directly compete with you. Agree to refer business to one another and link to each other’s web sites.
- Communicate consistently with your present customers. Gather their email addresses and let them know that you are there for them, that you are always thinking of them, and that you are willing to help them in any way that you can.
I know that if you implement these few strategies you will be among the survivors of this coming Recession.
Topics: Recession | No Comments »