Last weekend I took my daughter into New York City to celebrate her 16^thbirthday.  Of course we had to shop thesales.  Honestly, when in the history ofsales, have you ever seen things marked down so much???  The deals were amazing!!!

We walked into the JuicyCouture store and the girls immediately were absorbed by the crowd ofshoppers.  I decided to sit and wait outthe frenzy.  Across from the comfyseating area was a stuffed peacock on display! I asked about it and was told that the founders of Juicy were peacockfans and had a farm of peacocks.  However,what really transfixed me was the bird itself. Here in perfect repose was this magnificent bird, glorious in its colorand plumage.  Here were deep turquoiseblues with a trace of deep magenta, yellows, greens and pearly whites.  This bird with is feather plumage, as trainto its lithe body, in colors so glorious it made me wonder.  How did this bird survive thru time?  How ,indeed that to this day there existsthese birds so rare and yet have survived

 What is the secret tothe peacocks survival?  Is it simply thattheir glorious colors and tail feathers are so attractive to the opposite sexthat survival was never in question?  Oris it perhaps that the combination of riotous color, mating habits and localecombine to insure this bird has survived. Can we call  it survival of the fittest? I believe so and I also believe thatyour business will only survive when it is fit and nimble and beautiful!

So what makes your business fit and healthy and able towithstand the vagaries and ups and downs of our economic times?

#1  Although times aretough there is a lot of opportunity out there, prices are down on everythingfrom gasoline to values on business’s Some of your competitors may be reducing their product flow, or services, does yours fill the niche they are leaving?

#2  Do you have aproduct or service that everyone needs? In this millennium that means green or energy, health care or governmentrelated products and or services

#3 Have you have prepared your business to weather toughtimes?  i.e., you have savings that canhelp you make payroll and other  bills,you have cut costs where you can and perhaps you have asked staff to work oneday less

#4 Is your business ready to take advantage of manyofferings the stimulus bill will make available.? If you are not doing businesswith the Government, perhaps now is the time. However, you have to be prepared. You must be on the GSA Schedule and you must be registered on the CCR

#5  There will bemoney out there for small business; one of the first things you can do is makesure your taxes are in order.  The 90%government guarantee can help but only if you are ready to apply.

For me surviving throughthis economic mess is not an option! I know it is not an option for youeither!  So here is to a successfulending to this tale!

Tell us how you aresurviving?  We want to hear your stories!