How's Business? Reach Out

How's Business?

I asked that question to a friend of mine who has been in business for almost 10 years now.

"Dead. If something doesn't change, this year could be a decision year for us on whether we continue."

I have to admit, I was a little shocked that they may have to consider closing their doors. But, at the same time, I know their raw material costs have gone up and with ever increasing utility and fuel costs going to support the power heads I can understand their situation.

Pick up any newspaper, magazine or on-line business site and the stories depict layoffs, home foreclosures, low consumer confidence levels, and the lowest small business confidence level in 28 years. The picture is not pretty.

Personally, I'm already worrying about my fuel costs for next winter. This worry and all worries could consume me or I could take some clear and focused actions.

The Energy Flow Letter.

Earlier this year I wrote a post about my Energy Flow letters. I wrote 4 short letters to myself that I can open throughout the year (each quarter). One letter is on one business idea I want to accomplish this year. A second letter on something I'm passionate about in relation to my business. The third letter is about my values. The fourth letter is about one realistic goal I want to achieve this year. I folded each letter and had them put into 4 blank envelopes then marked down in my planner 4 days throughout the year when I will open one of letters.

Well, the date rolled around to open my first letter. What was funny was I could not remember the specifics of what I had written in the letters. I picked one and opened it up, it was my Goal letter. One thing I wrote really hit home:

"2008 is your year, continue on your path, embrace the goodness."

The letter prompted me to think about my past patrons, my current ones and you the readers and how this economic state may be affecting all of our businesses. We are small business owners, good people working hard to bring quality products and services to folks. So what can be done to help us all stay on course as we get bombarded with torpedoes?

1. Help our Customers. Give our customers a hug. Our customers are no doubt tightening their belts and their purchasing decisions are being made based on balancing their spending on their needs and wants. A little extra help to understand our products and services will help them with their decisions. We can do this through a variety of ways from education, sampling, communications and increased service - a simple smile goes a long way.

2. Connections. If our business is connected to associations like NHMade, WBC, or NOFA, to name a few lets increase our involvement in them. Attend the meetings and workshops and take advantage of the marketing opportunities they offer.

3. Reach Out and Support. Reach out to other small business owners and lets introduce ourselves or reconnect with ones we haven't spoken to in awhile. Help support each other by learning what we all do so we can help spread the messages about each other.

This third bullet leads me to you. I want to thank you for reading this blog and I want to help spread your message. So, I am offering to highlight your business in a future post. All you need to do is simply contact me, we will set a time to speak and I'll highlight your business on a future post.

P.S. - A big thank you to Rebecca for her comments on my last post.