A smart sailor will consider an investment in charts and navigation tools; like nautical slide rulers and course plotters; to be money well spent. Sure some may rely on the old tried and true methods of celestial navigation and calculate position with the stars and a compass, but those sailors are far and few these days.  Today’s sailors admit (like all of us) that we love the convenience of electronic navigation--whether it's with an electronic chart plotter, a GPS, or simply our computer.   Why not navigate our businesses in the same way? With the proper tools, it is some of the best insurance you can buy.   So what would typical “process” navigation for placing an order at a print shop look like?

1.       Customer orders business cards

2.       Art department gets initial design for customer

3.       Art department creates design

4.       Customer shown proof for approval

5.       Print department checks that they have materials to make business card

6.       Print department schedules time on press

7.       Print department prints business cards

8.       Shipping department packages business cards

9.       Customer notified order is ready and picks it up

10.   Admin marks order completed

Your system should be letting you know that there was a delay getting to the press as the machine could not keep up with the volume of work. This would allow you to find a way to increase capacity like run a second shift; or get another press. The system should know what your sales are, who your customers are and what their purchase history is.  You should know who your prospects are and have a system in place to turn them into happy customers.

Your system should be a business dashboard that lets you see the status of your business at this point in time and in the future to let you know whether or not you are on track. And this electronic navigation tools needs to be convenient and would be an investment well spent.

The way some people are talking about the economy, you might as well close down your business right now.

Don't believe them for one second.

Take the long view, this wont last. Remember that a changing economy is part of the business cycle and you need to plan for it. Remember that Hewlet Packard was started during the depression and Microsoft started during the recession of 1975. In terms of starting or staying in business, now is the time to hone your skills and adopt new skills. Make sure you have a vision and stay focussed on it. Avoid the nay sayers. Stay positive and stay focused.

Take advantage of a down economy, what can you company do now that will increase revenue. My mom always says "It is not an ill wind that does not blow someone good", just make sure you are the one that is getting the good out of a bad situation.

Now is not the time to take for granted that the numbers are all good. Make sure your system is giving you daily data on your situation and adjust accordingly. If the cost of your supplies or products are going up or down, make sure that you can quickly adjust your sale price of your goods accordingly. 

A company can grow and prosper in a down economy, but you will need to work a little harder and a little smarter.