How small businesses can survive 2009

Retail and service businesses earn as much as 40 percent of total annual sales during the November-December holiday months, according to estimates. A successful 2009 holiday shopping season will determine whether many businesses, already struggling through a deep recession, will survive.

The last 18 months have been difficult on locally owned small firms because of falling consumer confidence and the reluctance of shoppers to make large purchases. According to the National Retail Federation, nearly 84 percent of consumers say they expect to reduce their overall spending this year.

There are steps that small-business owners can take today that may help change these dynamics and make the 2009 holiday season more profitable and successful. The U.S. Small Business Administration recently surveyed its resource partners to determine their top business strategies on surviving this holiday shopping season. Below are their top eight tips:

DANIEL HANNAHER – Small Business Administration’s Region VIII administrator based in Denver.

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/guest/article_e394c27c-db05-11de-8cc4-001cc4c002e0.html

Montana SBA: http://www.matr.net/click.php?id=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sba.gov%2Fmt%2F