| I hear a lot of small business owners saying things | | | | going to a 4 day work week so you can keep |
| like "the government bailed out the big guys, what | | | | the lights and heat off for three days instead of |
| about the small guys?" " What about us?" I say | | | | two. One of the largest costs to most small |
| let them keep their bailout money in Washington. I | | | | businesses is health insurance. Talk to your |
| know I didn't start my small business with the | | | | provider about how to save money. Perhaps it |
| intention of using government money to survive. | | | | may be time to eliminate health insurance all |
| I've learned that nothing is free. I prefer to rely | | | | together. Think again of the greater good - having |
| on my own ingenuity to survive this economic | | | | a business your employees can come back to or |
| downturn. As any business owner knows - it's not | | | | stay at. Don't let health insurance run you out of |
| easy. If it was easy everyone would own their | | | | business. There are ways to save money on |
| own business. | | | | your workers compensation insurance by enrolling |
| At times like these you have to be smart about | | | | in Drug Free Workplace programs and many |
| your expenses and revenues. We are very loyal | | | | others. Speak with your Risk company or your |
| to our suppliers. Because of that they are being | | | | local workers compensation company. Cut your |
| very loyal to us right now. They extend credit to | | | | own wage. This is where we start when it comes |
| us that they may not to others. Why? Because | | | | to controlling overhead. Find out how little you |
| we have stuck by them over the years and not | | | | need to survive. This will carry over of course |
| jumped ship to save a nickel on a dollar. Loyalty. | | | | into your personal life. Find out what you can do |
| A term that seems to be forgotten now a days. | | | | without. If you can go a few weeks or months |
| When profits are up it can be tempting to find | | | | without a check do so. The greater good is at |
| new suppliers that may save you money. Again I | | | | stake here. These decisions are tough to make |
| caution you to stay loyal to your suppliers and it | | | | but can help. |
| will come back around and help you when you | | | | Entrepreneurship by definition is risk taking. It is |
| need it. | | | | not for the faint hearted. Small business owners |
| Communicate with your suppliers and customers | | | | must be able to be flexible and creative in times |
| on a regular basis. Most people will work with you | | | | like this. I heard Glenn Beck say on his show that |
| as long as they stay informed. | | | | this world doesn't want anything that America can |
| I've never found it easy to lay off an employee. | | | | produce. That is complete and utter bologna! We |
| As leaders of our respective businesses we must | | | | are still the most productive and ingenious people |
| always look out for the greater good. That is | | | | in this world. Small businesses make this country |
| making sure those laid off employees have a job | | | | what it is. |
| to come back to. Sometimes it makes more | | | | Treating our customers like family is why we will |
| sense to get out of your office and back on the | | | | survive. Supplying the best products available is |
| production floor to help out. | | | | why we will survive. Our blood, sweat and tears is |
| Control your overhead. Controlling your overhead | | | | how most of us started our businesses and it is |
| is crucial at all times but especially now. Consider | | | | how we will survive this. Not a bailout. |