Good Free Stuff

Ten Things You Can Do to Keep
the Recession from Dooming Your Business

Business Resources on the Web

Biz Best Media
www.bizbest.com
What distinguishes this e-zine is that the publisher actually rates different products and services available to small businesses�

Brooklyn Public Library
www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org
By going to the web site and entering the code from the back of your library card, you can access data bases with very useful information on all aspects of running and growing a business.

Business Owner's Toolkit
www.Toolkit.cch.com
The very useful resource comes from the Commerce Clearing House publisher and contains lots of very useful and downloadable business forms.

Business Week Online – Small Business Newsletter
http://bw.smartonline.com
To get the newsletter, you’ll have to click around a bit once you’re in, but when you get there, the weekly newsletter has some really fine, SHORT articles as well as links to other useful information for small businesses.

Business Solutions
www.allbusiness.com
This site features introductions to key business issues, like contracts, franchising, business structures and offers low-cost sample documents.

InfoGuru Marketing Manuel
www.actionplan.com/infoguru.html
Robert Middleton, the creator of the site, offers a wide range of books, CDs and weekly marketing tips for service businesses. I am an affiliate member, so please use the following URL if you decide to purchase products from him: http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=8100�

Marketing Sherpa
www.marketingsherpa.com
This weekly e-zine features timely articles about how to enter different kinds of markets. Its market are mid-size businesses.

National Small Business Association
www.nsba.biz
While primarily a lobbying association, the site has much useful information for all kinds of small businesses.

Planned TV Arts
www.RickFrishman.com
Rick Frishman is a kind of guru for getting publicity about your business. He offers workshops and his newsletter, PlannedTV Arts, has lots of tips.

Small Business Technology Report
www.smallbiztechnology.com
Raymond Ray, the publisher of the report, is a very down-to-earth guy who really loves making technology useful and accessible to the small business person.

Small Business Weekly
www.enewsbuilder.net
Another e-zine with articles and links useful to small businesses

StartUp Nation
www.startupnation.com
This site, prepared by two highly successful entrepreneurs, features short articles, tips and links to other sites of use to small businesses

The Red Dragon Letter
www.thereddragonletter.com
This monthly e-zine offers a complete business overview with sections ranging from trade to the cost of business to a geopolitical watch.


Ten Things You Can Do 

to Keep the Recession from 

Dooming Your Business
 

1.  Don't slash your prices! I assume you had set your prices for a reason based on your costs.  If you offer the same services for a lower price, your current customers who paid full price will feel ripped off.

2.  Offer your services or package your products at different price points to give customers more options. By reformulating the way you present and offer your products, you can entice people to try your wares at a time when few will experiment.

3.  Keep a close eye on your cash-flow and look out for possible short falls BEFORE they happen. By contacting your vendors before a payment is due, you can try to work out new arrangements.  Remember, they want to be paid so a later payment is better than no payment.

4.  Look at your receivables.  They are only an asset if you can use them. So this is the time to really go after people who are behind, but consider offering incentives, like a percentage discount for early payment.

5.  Review the terms of any lines of credit or loans that are outstanding.  Many banks are in trouble, so look for out for provisions that allow the lender to make changes at their discretion.

6.  Reward your loyal customers with some extras.  These people are your life blood now.  Treat them like the royalty they are.  Thank them with special treatment, promotional pricing and lenient credit terms.

7.  Remind all employees of the importance of treating customers well.  Your employees' attitude is more important than ever. Not only does the business depend on them, but their jobs may as well.

8.  Consider forming alliances with other businesses.  Two boats lashed together are harder to capsize than one. You may be able to cross market to each other.  Think restaurants and movie theaters, hardware stores and designers.

9.  Take stock.  Now more than ever, make sure that your product or service really meets a need. Also, check that all your systems you use to manage your business are in prime working order

10.  Remember that recessions come and go.  It may not have been this deep before, it’s a business cycle and if you're careful and conscientious with your cash, you'll make it through.