How are you faring thru these tough economic times!

[Deb Neuman]

Please share with us the adjustments you are making to ride this tough economy out... whether they be related to your business - or personally! We need to help each other out ... times are tough!

[Lisa]

To help me get through these tough economic times- I have added a fund raiser program. Our fundraiser features our high quality teas and coffees- the students make 40% on each item sold. We offer FREE delivery of the products to schools with 75 miles of Gardiner instead of paying the high price of shipping. I have worked with several schools around the state this fall and they have been a huge success! It’s a great fundraiser because no matter how tough the economy is, people want to see their kids doing activities and they will always need their caffeine!! And as an added bonus- they are supporting a small Maine business.

[Jim Bouchard]

Deb,

Thanks for posting such an important topic!

Small business people feel the effects of economic change immediately and dramatically. We often lack the war chest that larger companies can access to face an extended period of hardship. On the other hand, we're uniquely positioned to act quickly, make decisions and implement new strategies immediately.

Here's a blog I posted on this topic: Turn Economic Disaster into Profits!

And here's a webinar I'm doing on Business Expert Webinars focusing on strategies to prosper in challenging economic times: Generating Profits in a Reccession: The Entrepreneur's Emergency Gu...

Of course everyone should be listening to your show on BizzBuzz radio! The advice you share and the guests you feature are powerful resources at any time!

Best thoughts for success & happiness,
Jim

Jim Bouchard
America's Black Belt Powervator; speaker, coach & author of Dynamic Components of Personal POWER

[Paul Hilchey-Chandler]

Greetings to my favorite Celeb!

I think our best weapon to combat these tough times is GREAT customer service.

At the store, we deal with basically two different types of customers; those who find having a cellphone is a necessity, either personally or professionally, and those who see the service as a convenience or a fun thing to have. What both groups have in common is their desire to spend as little as possible to have their service.

I think what sets Central Maine Wireless apart from the rest is the entire staff's true desire to do what is best for the customer. Every business claims this, but, how many really do it? From the beginning, the owners, Ronda and Bob, have instilled on the staff that we were to NEVER sell a customer a service or feature they didn't need or want.

I can't tell you how many people have come to see us, over the last several weeks, asking us for help to keep costs down. We are all very well trained to ask the right questions, dig a little deeper and then find the solutions that best fit our CUSTOMERS' needs (not our need for commission) and budgets. In the long run, we know that this will benefit our location, US Cellular Corp., and our employees.

Love ya, as always!

Paul