5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Business!

Well, it's official. The economy has tanked.

With word today that super store Circuit City is closing its doors and laying off 30,000 people, we can only assume one thing: We're in a serious recession, and it will only get worse before it gets better.

Right now, businesses everywhere are in panic mode. And when businesses –especially small businesses- get into panic mode they do stupid things.

What they almost all do is freeze up. And I'm not talking about this week's ice age temperatures.

Let's get something straight: you will NOT survive this recession by doing NOTHING. No one has EVER survived a recession by doing NOTHING. And NOW is not the time to test the idea that you can.

Are you a small business? Are times looking tough? Then it's time to take ACTION! Here are 5 fool proof ways to jump start your business even during bad times:

1. Take risks. That's right. Now is not the time to play it safe. You MUST be different and stand out to capture the attention of potential buyers. Spending is going to be scarce in 2009, and you are going to have to fight for and earn every dollar.
   
2. Advertise. Newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations are now desperate for advertising revenue. You are never going to find a better time to get a deal on advertising space than now. Set aside some money and run 3-5 ads. Even small ones can make a huge difference in sales.
   
3. Get Back to Basics. Someone once told me: "People buy from people they like". So it's time to reintroduce yourself to your customers.
   Work on your customer service skills, get back on the phone and do sales calls personally, and take your top clients out to dinner. Become their friend and your chances of keeping their business -and maybe even getting more- sky rockets.
   
4. Press the flesh. It's time to go out there and meet new people. Start networking. Make new contacts. Buy the stranger standing next to you a drink. Every person you meet is now a potential customer. The more people you meet, the more chances of one of them becoming a client.
   
5. Visit your competition. Drop by your top competitors and see what they are doing. Have they updated their website? Are they having a sale? 2009 is going to be one massive economic chess game. Predicting and reacting to your competition will be essential to your survival.
   

Don't think for a second that you will survive 2009 by not marketing yourself. You need to be out there more than ever, because consumers on all levels are staying home. You need to go out there and FIND your next customer –not wait till they walk into your store or business.

Yusuf Gad

President, a5MEDIA

http://www.a5media.ca