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| | The Small Business Think Tank Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | | It's 2009! - Jaunary Business Check! | Views: 580 | | Jan 17, 2009 11:41 am | | It's 2009! - Jaunary Business Check! | # | 
Kathy Buck | | Wow - it's been a long time since I have posted! As some may know, I've been extremely busy.
Many of us still hearing all the doom and gloom reports as to the economy. Perhaps the most distressing is the layoff announcements. Locally (w/ national divisions) M&I bank to date has sent 890 to the unemployment line, and Quad Graphics just sent another 550. My husband has worked at Quad for 16 years, we braced for the possibility, thankfully that dark shadow passed by. The reality hit very close to home though, too close. Probably the most alarming decline was the announcement from Miller/Coors - retail sales down as much as 7.5%. You know times are tight if folks are passing up a brewski to afford a loaf of bread and pay the heating bill!
So How is 2009 Greeting Your Business Growth?
Late 2008 saw me refocus some of my marketing efforts, I made the choice to put a higher focus on just a local market. November saw my placement on a city committee and recogonition as a leader. I am face to face w/ local business owners as the chair of marketing and promotions for the city Main Street program. The strategy has worked wonders, already two new clients. This re affirms what we all know, that being; 'people do business with those they know and trust"
The use of Social Media has made an impact for my business as well. Recently a Facebook group launched for our city by another committee member. Amazing! The group only a week old and so many chiming in about ideas for the city and not just business owners, local citizens are speaking up. We've recruited two volunteers to assist with advancing concepts and making asked for events happens. Even a chef is looking now at the city to open a bistro! How does this help my business? Lead thoughtfully and people follow, and then refer. :-)
How about you? Hows 2009 kicking off for your business?
Cheers All~
KB
Mayhem MarketingPrivate Reply to Kathy Buck | | Jan 17, 2009 2:52 pm | | It's 2009! - Jaunary Business Check! | # | 
The Eagle: Motivating Champions Around The World | |
I believe 2009 will be a Banner Year for the Work At Home Industry as people are looking for something to suplement their Income or even replace it.
I heard on the news This Morning Circuit City s closing all their U.S. Stores. They have filed for Bankruptcy.
I believe 2009 will be a big year for Send Out Cards. They bwill look at our service and see the huge Benefit in it for them.
Richard "The Eagle" Motivator
Live and Act Like a Champion Today!!
http://www.eagleenterprisesusa.com/
http://abhp-network.ryze.com Private Reply to The Eagle: Motivating Champions Around The World | | Jan 17, 2009 3:07 pm | | re: It's 2009! - Jaunary Business Check! | # | 
Blake Raab | | 2009 is going to be an exciting year. Blake's Sublime Designs is actually on the back burner for awhile, because I have just started a nonprofit corporation called Bears on Patrol. The paperwork has just been officially filed with the state, and we're getting very close to the point of issuing our first press release. BOPS, as I call it, will provide teddy bears to police departments to use in situations involving small children. I've got tons of ideas for the program, including approaching the "Build a Bear Workshop" stores, and I'm excited, because Build a Bear is actually following me on Twitter. We'll see how it goes. :)
Blake's Sublime Designs - http://www.blakesdesigns.com
Custom Photo Mugs - http://www.photo-mugs.net
Bears on Patrol - http://www.BearsOnPatrol.orgPrivate Reply to Blake Raab | | Jan 17, 2009 4:01 pm | | re: re: It's 2009! - Jaunary Business Check! | # | 
Scott Wolpow | | 2009 will be a great eyar to save money and build for teh future. Sales will take a pounding. Normally alcohol, tobaco, porn and illegal drugs do well whne times are tough.
They are all down.
The billions given to these companies are not being used to help the taxpayer, the banks are just buying other banks, putting more people out of work and higher bank fees.
Expect many 'free'services to scale back or charge fees.Private Reply to Scott Wolpow | | Jan 18, 2009 5:57 am | | re: It's 2009! - Jaunary Business Check! | # | 
Ashish Belagali | | In India we have seen layoffs in thousands from some companies. Recruitments are either low or stopped completely.
This is going to be the year of relooking at the business models and innovating, looking at newer markets, looking at newer strategies for marketing and sale -- all this to reduce the costs. Cost reduction is required on two accounts --to reduce the pricing on one's offering and to have more tenacity to outlive the tight market situation.
Fortunately enough, Acism did not have to fire anyone because of the downturn so far. We shall continue to keep looking for ways to do software development better, easier, cheaper and more transparent. We are slashing our hourly rates of software development. We shall also redo our site which is something we have been pushing aside for a while. Let's hope that these things would help us and our clients in the downturn.
Collaboration among businesses will also help the situation. However, many of us are just paying lip service to this idea so far.
Thank you,
/Ashish
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Web applications/ Software solutions http://www.acism.com
Private Reply to Ashish Belagali | | Jan 19, 2009 4:01 am | | re: It's 2009! - Jaunary Business Check! | # | 
Lindy Asimus | | 2009 has begun strongly for me and I see it as a year for continued strong growth.
Because times are getting tough for business, it is even more reason for business owners to stop living from job to job, and seriously look at what they do. Review, put systems into place and see where they are neglecting activities that could be bringing in new quality business, and a process for doing so.
Running a sloppy business with lazy ownership is okay for some while there is plenty of work coming to them without making an effort and they can cover their bills. That isn't going to work well in the current economy.
Lindy
http://www.designbusinessengineering.comPrivate Reply to Lindy Asimus | | |
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