Small Business Survival Tips For THIS Economy

A Client of mine has a GREAT keynote address title: "Tougher than the Times"... perfect for today as businesses, solopreneurs, and organizations are enduring consistent change and transition. Sure, we are all experiencing a NEW economy. It is different. It is more challenging.

The agile, resourceful and committed business owners will grow, expand and capitalize on our new economy. These owners will emerge stronger than before. The others? Well, put it this way: we will all continue to see the "herd" of business, corporate, and sales competition thinned dramatically as people conclude that they "can't make it in THIS economy." (Even while others in their same industry or same location continue to profit...)

So, how do some leverage and capitalize on these changing times and others fold? What is the secret of those that prosper - no matter WHAT the economy is doing?

** I think the first key comes in recognizing that the economic changes we are all experiencing are just CHANGES. We need to FIRST recognize that the only constant we have in life is CHANGE. We might as well EMBRACE it. We can embrace economic change the same way we embrace any other change in life. Are you willing?

** We must be willing to CHANGE WITH THE TIMES. Many, many people are resisting change. Looking backwards... Complaining... Whining... Looking for a quick fix... Guys, change is a constant for business owners and executives alike. Change is necessary for innovation. Change is necessary to success. Peter Drucker said, "Every organization must be prepared to abandon everything it does to survive in the future." Are you willing to change? To do things differently to see a different result?

** Those that prosper DECIDE to prosper. I love Ali Brown's quote that you "can DECIDE to be a Rock Star in your industry." DECIDE to win. DECIDE to more than "survive" this economic downturn. How can you emerge stronger? More profitable?

** Lastly, we need to ask questions. Steve Chandler says that great leaders ask great questions. Questions will lead to innovation, creativity, sales, partnerships and profit. ASSUMPTIONS do the opposite. Those that are prospering right now are asking the right questions, such as,

"How can we re-package our product to appeal to a more affluent market? How can we make our sales department stand out dramatically from the very first call? How can we reward our people for making our customers feel like family? How can I better serve my market? How can I recreate the buying experience for my customers to make it second to none?"

Those that are closing their doors are making assumptions, such as:

"No one is buying right now because of the economy. Everyone is tight-fisted these days until the market picks up. The price of gas is keeping people home."

Do you see the difference? Those that are CHANGING WITH THE TIMES are CREATING while those that are struggling dramatically are simply REACTING. I choose to CREATE.

As a business owner, as a parent, and as a wife I know that success in EVERY area of my life depends on my willingness to gracefully navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of change. This temporary economic downturn is just one more change. One more opportunity for me to create something truly phenomenal. One more challenge demanding that I rise up to my potential. To rising up!! To YOU!