Want to get through the lean times and come out on top? Want to be at the forefront of your business area but find you are always end up behind? Here are a few ideas to get things moving, even in a difficult market place, the only thing you need to do is implement them!

1.  Note the most profitable areas of your business, aim to develop these more so you can create a better margin for any lean times that may arise in the future, or simply market these more profitable lines more effectively..

2.  Check carefully how your team are doing in all areas of your business (include yourself in this) get them together and chat about how well they do things and get them to then note areas for improvement. Then get them excited about what they do, explain how vital they are to the operation and the overall profitability of the organisation.

3.  Market your product/service now… if not your business may end up in the for sale section of a newspaper. Get advice if need be, read how to do it, do a course. What ever you do make sure your business does it well.

4.  Budget better. Understand the areas not contributing to the overall profitability or assisting in keeping customers happy. Make sure every area of your business has a suitable budget and can be reconcilled against income. AIM TO CREATE MORE ASSETS THAT MAKE A POSITIVE RETURN THAN LIABILITIES, this can only be achieved when you know more about handling your budget.

5.Be totally focussed on what you and your business does best. Ask other members of your team and then ask your clients, how well do we look after you? If we could improve on this what would we do? Constant and never-ending improvement is the only way to really build a successful business that will offer true security for everyone in the future.

6.  Get a winning attitude, your attitude determines your altitude, getting better results can be as easy as picking up your game, the rest of your team often notice this positive change and the resulting flow on can move mountains.

7.  Take a look at each of the major areas of your business, is the marketing ok? What about the operational side, and don’t forget the management. Of all of these resource areas, improving things by a small percentage may be all that is needed to make a powerful difference to the business. Consider a one percent shift in ten small areas, and before you know it the compunding effect will assist in ensuring your success.

8. Vision, woithout it your business may be just plodding along getting nowhere, recall what got you excited about starting in business, how can you rekindle that? Now spread the positive infectiousness of this to your team.

9. Be organised! Getting your head straight to think more effectively and solve challenges can be a matter of getting the ‘household’ in order. Even if someone else comes in to organise the office. You can still get things happening in a way that allows you to be more settled knowing that everything is organised, a place for everything and everything in its place.

10. Contact the people you owe money to and organise easier terms if you have to. Show them they are valued and they will appreciate your honesty.

11. Get professional advice, chat to and take note of, your accountant, bank manager, marketing support organisations, business development specialsts of all kinds, they are in business to assist you to have a brighter future.

Any way you look at it business can be an incredible journey, at every twist and turn there seems to be another challenge. The aim is to learn from past expereince to ensure the path ahead is as smooth as possible. Utilise these easy steps and your business will find the experience a profitable one.

Stumble it!