Risky Business

What the Financial Crisis Means for Small Businesses

By Matthew Bandyk

Posted: October 27, 2008

It's going to be interesting to see how the surveys of small businesses fare when we see results AFTER the financial tumult of late September and early October. But we're still trying to figure out what the environment was like before that. The United States Federation of Small Businesses released a survey today that was done in August, saying that 95 percent of small-business people feel that they have been challenged. It does not appear to be online anywhere yet. What are some of the specific challenges?

  • 23 percent of respondents have cut staff
  • 36 percent of respondents have decreased business travel
  • 36 percent of respondents have minimized marketing efforts
  • 29 percent of respondents have put a freeze on bonuses and raises

How will these results change after the recent developments? One thing to note: Only about 180 people participated in this survey.

Don't Chase Opportunistic Customers

What small businesses shouldn’t do during these tough economic times is to go after Opportunistic Customers, who see a company’s products or services as commodities. They don’t care who they buy from, and they’ll pull out their wallets only when the price is right. They’re the infamous 80 percent of customers who collectively contribute 20 percent (or less) of a company’s profits. Opportunistic customers are almost exclusively price driven. So when the economy rebounds they’ll still be looking for the cheapest price, and they’ll take their business to another company in a heartbeat. Small businesses need to concentrate on giving their Core Customers the best prices and service possible so they will be loyal now and in the future.

Robert Gordman of CO @ Oct 27, 2008 16:20:56 PM

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Risky Business

Risky Business

Matt Bandyk, a reporter for U.S. News, explores capitalism from where it all begins, with the entrepreneur, whose risk taking and experimentation provide the roots from which the rest of the economy grows. As much courage as it takes to create one's own business, even the entrepreneur needs some help, and this blog will look at news, trends, and practical advice for starting and running a small business.

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