I would not make any major investment and live a frugal life.

This is the million dollar question right now; personally, I'd save protect your assets as much as possible. Stay away from major investments in the stock market and loan securities for the moment. Don't consider any major business expansions for the next 4-6 months and determine if the field is growing enough to consider expansion.

with or without economic crisis, basically business activities behaviour act in same ways. With low money spend in economic crisis, we can analogize what should have we do if we want more sales,or sale for person who didn't to much need our goods. The strategies are same. Creative is the key, explore your ability, product abilities, and neighbours supported. good luck

As many before me are implying, the internet is the way to go. When you look at the major trends, the turnover on the net is still growing. It's lika a perpetual machine that just keep biting off bigger and bigger chuncks of the 'total market' cake. Understanding where the internet is headed, the value of information and knowing how to adapt are probably some of the principles small business owners must adhere to. Heck, the bigger businesses too for that matter. Just look at the automobile industry and their inability to adjust and evolve their vehicles. Their thirst to cram as much juice out of the already estblishedfactories finally got to them. (Among other factors of course!) Constant evolution. Cheers!

Internet is great but it is not the easy fixall solution. Look at your products or services. Are there upgrades/downgrades you can sell? Can you unbundle your product or service and sell a-la-carte services at a lower price? Remember the customers you get during this time will add more products/services when things get better. It is also a great time to invest in your business. Flexibility is the key. Can you simplify process or improve without a large reduction in quality. This is the time to make those changes. Good Luck

I just put some information on the community board that can help. Its titled 'What are you doing to protect and Grow your Business?' I can answer more direct questions if you email me, I will reply as soon as I can. Let me know what type of business, how long in business, and your target market. Message Edited by CharlotteW on 07-20-2009 10:18 AM

I think that is the only way you can stay ahead of the rest. Someone might gives you advise on investing, buy stocks, houses. But to me, all the advise works or not is totally depends on you. In the recession in 1930, there are 1/3 of people really strugled. Have to say that. Feel pity for them. However, we should also know that 1/3 managed to STAYED the same. While the left 1/3 really PROSPERED. Take my advise. Shut down your mind from the bad news, you are the one who make your own future. To you success, Benjamin

Hi Benjamin, Thanks for your kind hearted advice. In fact I appreicate your mind and courage very much. I am thinking if we can make a friends, and we believe we can find more things in common. My email adress: marcuswang2008@hotmail.com Now I am working for a international trade group, and I also have self-employed business at the same time. Hope we can benefit both eacher from talking. Thanks, Benjamin Marcus Message Edited by CharlotteW on 08-05-2009 01:38 PM

I would focus my attention in 2 areas. 1. Enhancing your website to make it more SEO friendly, build more links to it, and work on getting more traffic. I'm unsure of your current marketing method, but I see lots of room for improvement with your site. Identify your target market and how to reach them. The link below shows the world-wide popularity of the search term 'curtains' since 2004. http://www.google.com/insights/search/#q=curtains&cmpt=q 2. Diversify! Consider having more than one business. With the current economy it's more important than ever to have multiple streams of income.