To assist members that are apprehensive about how to maintain their business in the months to come, SEMA hosted the “Little Things to do to Make 2009 Turn Out Fine” webinar, presented by small business consultant Tom Shay of Profits Plus.
“In this session, Tom teaches us how making small changes to your current day-to-day business operations can increase your profits in 2009 and also focus on the things you need to do, what not to do and the things you should stop doing,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA senior director of member services.
Shay presented the following 10 tips to help protect and grow your business:
- Change your attitude about what you see, what you hear and what you read. The media is telling us different things. Don’t read the daily newspaper. Read something that will help make your business better and more profitable - business and management books.
- Take business away from those willing to lose. You will win big by taking business from those that are hesitant and unwilling to move forward.
- Never forget a customer and never let a customer forget you. Get existing customers to spend more money with you.
- Don’t stop advertising. Keeping the stone rolling is easier than getting it rolling again.
- Think twice before you change your target customer or before you go for an item and price. It isn’t easy to go back once the market improves – it’s often a one-way street.
- Make up your mind to act decidedly and take the consequences. Challenging times require radical thinking and actions.
- If it’s not working, get rid of it and stop doing it. Don’t be persistent with something that isn’t successful.
- Listen to your instincts. What’s not working in your business? What are your employees telling you? Are you asking them?
- Look for every expense possible to eliminate. Try zero-based budgeting.
- You have to understand the financials, create a budget and utilize a projectionary cashflow plan. Don’t rely on your accountant to watch your business for you.
For an audio or PDF download of this webinar, click here.
Also, don’t miss the following upcoming webinars (all times PDT):
Thursday, September 18—“Listen to Your Customers: Their Opinions Really Do Matter” 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 2—“U.S. and the World Economy: Will They Shift Forward?” 10:00 a.m.
Also, take advantage of more than 60 FREE educational seminars that will be presented at the 2008 SEMA Show. For a full list of the seminars, click here.