Thursday, February 26, 2009

Starting a Business During a Recession

By Laura Nelson-Smith

With the present state of the economy on the minds of people all around, most would consider this not the ideal time to start any new business endeavor. This is not necessarily true, considering a large number of popular high-end businesses who stepped out into the world during a time of recession. Frugality and cutbacks are not the only way to succeed.

There are many companies well known to us today whose businesses were started during a recession period. Popular names such as Johnson & Johnson or Burger King started their business during shaky economic times, yet are still well know and thriving today. You can find many business opportunities you can adapt to this current economic period.

Start by conducting careful research on the type of business you dream of starting. During times of recession the needs people have don't just suddenly disappear. By considering the goods or services that can help people during this troubled time, you have a better chance of your new business becoming a success. Whatever your choice is for a business venture, careful planning is paramount to a successful experience.

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.

Your goals may be smaller at start-up of your business due to present economic state. Establish the level of funding available to you and create goals or plans within the same level. Ensure that your available funds are well invested, and thus creating a business mindset of responsible spending. When you create this mindset, you are less likely to over-spend; especially once your clientele's money is involved. By creating a level of capitalization based on your own financial contribution, you are protecting not only your business, but your clients as well.

With this mindset now in place it's time to set some achievable short term and longer term goals. Feasible short term goals are any that you wish your business to achieve in a period of time between six months to a year. Longer term goals should be aimed for the first five years your business will be effective. Give your business, as well as yourself at least two years to become profitable, especially during a recession. Many businesses don't make a large profit margin in the first two years

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.

Timely plan your business kick-off. You need to hit your target at just the right time. An example would be a line of Valentine's Day products or services launched within 2 weeks of Valentine's Day and not right after Christmas. This is just far enough away from the holiday season people aren't still reeling from their expenses, yet close enough to the actual holiday to be remembered.

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.

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