BizSugar.com › Strategy › Don't Just Survive... Prosper During Uncertain Economic Times

When economic waters are rough, small businesses shouldn't pull back but instead should take advantage of the void created by others who do. Experts advise taking the opportunity to increase sales and expand into new markets.

Quotes from the article:

"A good business owner will assess the situation and make a plan based on the opportunities around them. If you're creative, you can really do well," said Steve Kaplan, business strategist and author of Be the Elephant: Build a Bigger, Better Business.

"If you are going to be a longtime survivor and a longtime growth company, you have to take your train and go 100 miles per hour all the time. The moment you relax, it's the moment when competitors come in," said Gina Danner, CEO of Mail Print Inc. "You always have to be moving forward."

J. Schmid & Associates uses times like these to go after new customers. "This is the time to fish. If everyone is cutting back on their advertising dollars, this is the time to find new customers. It's contrarian marketing-contrary to what you would think you should do. Everyone is afraid to spend money. That's the time you should be investing because the opportunity is broader," said Lois Boyle-Brayfield, president of J. Schmid & Associates, a direct marketing company.