Small Busineses Can Survive a Troubled Economy

With so much uncertainty in the economy today, many people are worried about their future. It's understandable, but also unnecessary. Despite what you're hearing from the media, friends, family, and others, it IS possible to succeed right now. You just have to me in the right frame of mind and have the right attitude.

First and foremost, surviving this economic downturn requires a tenacious drive to take control. Only you can build your business stronger and more resilient, so you must make a serious and determined effort to rise above the challenges you face and reinvent yourself. There's no doubt it takes some thoughtful planning and hard work, but your business will emerge from this crisis stronger and well positioned to overtake your competitors. I thought I would share some of my business-building strategies with you, and maybe provide a little guidance and a lot of inspiration to put you in the right frame of mind to move forward and find new opportunities for yourself!

Here's my philosophy for surviving:

• I don't wait for things to happen to me. I make things happen. There's no "wait and see" approach here! I constantly look for opportunity and take action when I find it.
  
  
• My customers come first. I give them one-on-one attention and do my very best to provide outstanding service and superior products. Please remember, I am only an e-mail or phone call away, so don’t hesitate to contact me to chat!
  
  
• I put people first and business second! I build relationships with my customers, with peers, with friends, etc. I strive to invest in relationships, not sales transactions. My relationships provide me with an invaluable asset that can give me an unlimited return on my investment. Great relationships with customers ensure repeat business and quality referrals and leads.
  
  
• I am building my social networks to nurture those relationships. I'm making meaningful connections, learning new things, finding new clients, networking with people and finding inspiration from others. If you would like to learn more about social networking or how it might benefit you – let me know. I’d be happy to provide some ideas for you!
  
  
• I stay one step ahead of the competition. I strive to be the first to implement new technology or offer a new service. I study new trends and find opportunities to do more for my clients. I find great pleasure in doing new things.
  
  
• I'm a perpetual student. Whether I'm reading a book, watching a video seminar on the Web, or participating on online class, I am always learning, taking in as much information as I can. Currently, I am one of 25 in the nation working towards my designation and certification as a Social Networking Specialist from the International Association of Media Specialists.
  
  
• I keep a close eye on overhead expenses and cut where possible. If it's not a necessity, or if I'm not using a service to its full potential, I'm replacing it with something less expensive, or even free. This might require me to rethink a process or find a new way to do something, but I am flexible and will make it work for me. Lower overhead means I can spend more money investing back into my company so that I can offer the latest cutting edge technologies to my clients. And, maybe even one extra vacation year – who wouldn’t like that?
  
  
• I surround myself with team members who are as dedicated and hard-working as I am. I expect a lot from them because I know they can meet my expectations. My team members are amazing and I feel so extremely blessed to be surrounded by such amazing talent!
  
  
• I am focused and disciplined. My daily activities are always moving me along the path to reach my goals.
  
  
• I seek personal excellence, knowing that if I am at my best, my customers are getting the best I can give them.
  
  
• I stay grounded in reality. I take action based on the facts as I know them. I am skeptical of hype, emotional statements, and extreme predictions.
  
  
• I stay positive and optimistic. I know my future is secure because I have intentionally planned for that security.

Which strategies sound like you? Which ones do you need to work on? Like the Web sites I build, building a business is always a work in progress. You should never stop planning, thinking about what you could be doing new or better, or building relationships that will contribute to your success. Just remember that you're in control! Don't be reactive and let the economy take control of your business. Take the initiative, be proactive, and do your own part to stimulate the economy! And, if you need some help stimulating your brain, give me a buzz!

Make it happen!
Michelle