Staying Positive through a Tough Economy

Guest Post (2009, Buydomains.com)

As we are all aware, the global financial system has brought many world economies into a recession which is affecting many businesses small and medium businesses. Let BuyDomains share with you some tips intended to help you ride through these challenging economic and come out a stronger business than before.

• Think positive — "Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier" — Colin Powell. If you believe that achieving your success goals is impossible due to the economy — then you will most likely make this happen. Let your positive thoughts be the guide to your actions and you will succeed.
• Keep your marketing wheels in motion — cutting costs is a necessity during a weak economy, but beware of where you cut them. Studies show that companies, who stick to their marketing plans, come out stronger when the economy turns.
• Leverage the power of the internet — Are you selling products or services from your website? Can you expand sales through other channels? Are you leveraging the power of email marketing to its fullest extent? Is your website fully optimized for the search engines? Do you have the right domain name to drive qualified traffic to your website? Have you considered a localized domain? It doesn't have to be costly to implement an online marketing and sales strategy. At a time when every dollar counts, defining an effective Internet strategy and acquiring the right web address the first time is more important to business success than ever before — especially for businesses with limited resources and budget.
• Reach Out to Your Customer Base — One of the most overlooked business opportunities comes from your existing and past clients. The fact that they have already done business with you makes it far more likely that they will do business with you in the future. Make sure you are not only marketing to them, but also asking for their feedback on how to serve them better. If you decide to survey your customers, make sure you share your findings with them and are implementing positive change.
• Make Improvements — This is an ideal time to evaluate all of your policies and procedures. Could your sales team benefit from some additional training? How can you help your company perform even better? What steps can you take to improve customer loyalty? Look at your business through a magnifying class and seize the opportunity to improve it across the board.
• Brainstorm — Tap you network and assemble a small group of people who understand your business and brainstorm opportunities. When several people get together with a blank slate and some good energy, you might be surprised by the results!
• Think outside the box — be on the lookout for new opportunities — stay on top of the market and your industry.
• Re-evaluate your priorities — Now is a great time to sharpen your own skills. Take classes, read books and network with others in your industry so you can learn from them. Get involved in your trade association and make sure you are on top of your game. Are you spending your energies in the right place? What can you do to make your company better and stronger? Leave the worrying to your competitors and instead seek out opportunities and stay positive. When you put the right energy and focus into your business — despite the economy — the results can extraordinary!