10 Practical Success Tips During An Economic Decline
Posted: Monday, December 01, 2008
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
Yes You Can Thrive and Survive During Uncertain Times
Death and taxes are said to be the only things in life that are certain. As consumers and business owners, we must pay attention to what is going on around us. The economy fluctuates so much but riding a wave of tremendous growth is a good ride. It seems the waves have crashed ashore never to form again. Do not give up!
Whether an individual or business owner, there are ways to thrive and survive during this economic downturn. Consumer spending was up 7% from last year on Black Friday. People are spending. You want them to spend it on you (individuals) or with you (business owners).
10-Tips to Surviving and Thriving Right Now
- You Must Invest in Yourself and Your Business
You are your best investment. Sharpen your skills and exceed expectations.
Your business must include high-performance systems that work even if it means out with the old and in with the new!
Your business must include high-performance systems that work even if it means out with the old and in with the new!
2. Perceived Value Counts
As an individual or business, you can stand out from the crowd. Brighten your smile and show it. Arrive early for an interview and leave late by writing the thank you note before leaving.
Yes, the holidays are upon us but shouldn't you have been serving tea and cookies throughout the year? It's easy to add a serving cart with flavored syrups to give a gourmet impression at the coffeemaker for your clients/customers. My bank bakes the cookies on site. When you walk in, it smells like home. Account holders can serve themselves from the beverage cooler anything from sodas to mineral water.
Bullhorn that is. Don't let up with the marketing now! You and a business can build relationships during this time that pay off when things begin to turn around. If you are not marketing yourself or business, start now! When the economy strengthens, you'll be ahead of your competition.
4. You Are Not On Sale!Suze Orman must get credit for that one. Do not sell yourself or your services short simply because the economy is bad. People like to know they are getting more than their money's worth at a fair price, even if that price is slightly higher than the competition. Refer to #2. If you are not accepting credit cards, start doing it. If in e-commerce, try PayPal.
5. Assess, Upgrade, Discard and ReplaceIf you have just one great looking suit for interviewing, that is better than not making the grade upon first impression. If a suit isn't required, make sure you are stylish, crisp, neat and clean.
As a business owner, sometimes you must abandon old systems and replace them with new ones. That can be true of hardware and software. If you are unable to afford Microsoft Office 2007, then try OpenOffice, it's free. Look for opportunities to increase your team's efficiency while reducing costs. A well-oiled machine and team have much in common.
6. Review Spending and CostsAs a business owner, sometimes you must abandon old systems and replace them with new ones. That can be true of hardware and software. If you are unable to afford Microsoft Office 2007, then try OpenOffice, it's free. Look for opportunities to increase your team's efficiency while reducing costs. A well-oiled machine and team have much in common.
Individuals should know where every cent is going and be a good steward of everything coming in, no matter how insufficient. Spending wisely and cost savings can give you an immediate raise.
Reduce business overhead and examine all systems for proper efficiency. Consider where office supplies are purchased, who charges shipping and handling, and how invoices paid. Some vendors' terms can be cost-saving or costing you more. Review all systems.
7. Retain an ExpertReduce business overhead and examine all systems for proper efficiency. Consider where office supplies are purchased, who charges shipping and handling, and how invoices paid. Some vendors' terms can be cost-saving or costing you more. Review all systems.
Can't afford an expert, then browse through the articles at SearchWarp. Experts give free advice in articles, like this one, all the time. Use the Internet!
If you can afford an expert, hire a consultant, attorney, accountant, coach etc. to give you information you do not know. Relieve yourself of many responsibilities and do what you do best by taking care of the customer, client, or patient.
If you can afford an expert, hire a consultant, attorney, accountant, coach etc. to give you information you do not know. Relieve yourself of many responsibilities and do what you do best by taking care of the customer, client, or patient.
Solicit input from family and friends. Practice interviewing techniques with them. Ask them to evaluate you.
Business owners, it is imperative your team is on board. They must provide exceptional customer- patient-care! They can help with the value added extras. They can promote add-on sales, if applicable. But their personalities and sincere willingness to serve the customer will go farther than hard selling.
"Your attitude determines your altitude." Enough said!
Take a glimpse back at past successes. Now, take a glimpse back to the future . . . visualize more successes. Do not expend negative energy but positive energy. Make this a daily prayer: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."
Remember to:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs
3, 5-6
Copyright ©
2008 by Avis Ward of Avis Ward Company, LLC
This Article has been viewed 1,183 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Avis,Speaking from experience and my current employment situation, everything you say is vital. I work in a large real estate law firm, located in a large city, and I can tell you the only ones remaining are the ones who always said "I can" rather than "I can't". I know because I was told this recently and because, in the past, I have been the one in an unemployment line after saying "I can't".Great advice and timing. Thank you.CynthiaCynthia,
Thank you so very much for the encouraging words, confirmation and support! Testimonials to what we share are invaluable! I appreciate you for reading and commenting.
Welcome to SearchWarp, too! :-)
Warmest regards,
Avis
Avis, I personally can attest to the truth you write. My grandfather was a visionary and when the '29 depression hit he had aspirations to open a wholesale florist -- of course everyone thought he was insane but he stayed focused and true to his vision and guess what? His vision enabled him to provide not only for his own family but also for his 9 brothers and sisters and their family's as well as his wife's (my grandmother's) nine brothers and sisters and their family's (yes, I'm Catholic, no birth control... smile) and on Saturday's my grandmother dressed my mother and uncle and they rode the subways throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn all day with care packages for those who were hit hard - didn't mean to make you dizzy with this tale but his greatest attribute was his faith - he was not only a man of vision but a Godly man - he didn't die rich in the world's sense but he was indeed a very rich man - I guess I've held onto his spirit and even with the economy as it is am restructuring my own business as you know -- Good article and may it bring hope to many!Judi, I've missed you around these parts. Thanks for reading and leaving your encouraging words to others, including me. You attest to what many of us are doing to be included among those businesses that thrived and survived because we put action with our faith. Your grandfather left you a legacy that is priceless. I'm thankful you have the wisdom to apply it Judi. You, your family and business are in my prayers. Take care special care!
Good advice Avis. Thanks.Steve, thank you. I am on my site and I just read your article, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" again. I got the email notification from SW to discover you'd left a comment. *shiver* Quite amazing!
Have a Merry Christmas, Steve.
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