Sunday, March 15, 2009

Business Start-ups During a Recession

By Laura Nelson-Smith

With our economy's present state, most people think it's a bad time to start new businesses. That couldn't be farther from the truth! Many businesses begun during a recession are still thriving today. It isn't necessary to start cutbacks or becoming overly frugal.

There are a multitude of businesses and ventures easily adaptable to various states of the economy. With many well-known large businesses such as CNN and Hewlett Packard having kicked off their enterprise during uncertain economic times, this is a time you can consider your own kick-off as well.

Conducting careful research in regards to your dream business is the best place to start. People still have needs during a recession. Consider how the goods or service you can provide would assist people during these troubling times, and you will have a much better chance of your business being successful. The choice is yours as to what type of business venture you decide to embark on, and your success is dependent on your careful planning.

Outline your business plan with specifics. These may vary depending on the business, as well as the location you choose for partaking of the various activities or steps needed for this new endeavor. There are questions to ponder before jumping in with both feet, as they will be of great assistance to you throughout this process of starting a new business.

With being in a recession, it could very well be to your advantage financially. Start-up fees can be quite a bit less, and if there is a need for a location outside the home for conducting business, it's a buyer's market for real estate if necessary.

Next, start tracking the aspects of your new business which will be bringing you clientele. With the different types of business you might be starting, consider selling higher priced products or services to a smaller client base. Or maybe by discounting your product prices you are able to get a larger clientele. Work with all of your specifics and create for yourself an overview of various strategies available to you for this new business to be a success.

Consider the funds you have available and create your plan and goals from within this level of capitalization. Your beginning goals may be smaller now due to economic standing, but you want to ensure that any funds are well invested. By creating a mindset of this manner will result in you being less inclined to go overboard with spending, especially if that money is obtained from your clientele.

Once your mindset is established you can set some short term, as well as longer term goals that are easily achievable. The short term goals for your business would be anything you wish your business to achieve in its first six months to a year. Anything you wish to achieve within the first five years of business is a longer term goal, and these goals will be effective if carefully mapped out. You owe it not only to yourself, but your business as well a period of at least two years to reach a profitable level. This is especially true during a recession.

When it comes to marketing during times of recession, it's time to break out the creativity. You need to consider different ways to market what you have to offer, causing potential clients to notice you have what they may need. The goal is to get that clientele coming to you, instead of any potential competitors. Advertising can be done in many different ways, from online web pages, local magazines and newspapers to community bulletin boards. Talk to other business owners in your area and explain briefly what your business entails. This could result in them allowing you to post a flyer on the store or market's bulletin board. Being business owners themselves, they could understand your goal to start this new business venture and allow you to put a few flyers in their staff room, or have them put in their customers' packages as they complete their transactions at the checkout counter.

Plan your grand opening at a time where you are most likely to attract business. The importance of hitting your targeted customers can't be stressed enough. For instance, launching your Easter line within 2 weeks will be just the right timing for people to be close enough to the occasion to not be overwhelmed by making purchases or requesting services too far in advance.

Recessions can be frightening experiences. By taking the time to properly and thoroughly plan your business venture, as well as making your clientele feel appreciated you are well on your way to a pleasant and successful new business. - 16890

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