Position Yourself to be a Market Leader: Are you content to follow herd? Step outside of your comfort zone and dare to lead than to follow. Set yourself apart from competition by developing your own USP-unique selling position sometimes also referred to as ESA (Essential Selling Advantage) What is your USP? It doesn't really matter 'what' your USP is as much as it matters that you have one. Prospective customers MUST have a good reason to do business with you rather than your competition.It could be your superior customer service, your lifetime refund policy,best prices or outstanding quality of your products.You have absolutely no reason to worry about economic slowdown or competition once your customers 'experience' your USP. Infact,you can use your USP to ruthlessly eliminate your competitors.

Adopt Cutting edge Technologies

One of best ways to stay ahead of your competitors is by keeping up with current technology. So if you aren't familiar with customer relation management software or even e-mail marketing, now is time to do so.You can put your business online, advertise with well-placed banner ads, send out information to potential clients via e-mail, outsource some of your administrative duties, manage your payroll, or establish an affiliate program all on Internet. Current technology can help your company run more efficiently and more cost effectively, plus it can open access to clients in next city, in another state, or even enable you to compete in global marketplace. You'll have potential to contact millions of people who would otherwise have never heard of you or your product and in a slow economy you need all exposure you can get.

Stay Focused

Nothing will damage your business more than business myopia or short sightedness.. In order to stay successful, you must always keep an eye on your long term goals and objectives. You will hit rough spots but do not get bogged down in present. Do not make this mistake. Instead keep your eyes on your target.Stay focused.Every decision, every cutback, every improvement you make now must be beneficial not only in present but more importantly in future. Think about this before you slash prices, fire employees, cut overhead, or lower your standards.

Seek New Ways to Improve

If you are like most people, you are content with status quo until something disturbs it. You should be constantly re-evaluating not just your marketing plan, but all of your business strategies including policies, pricing, and employee performance. The idea is to eventually be as efficient and effective as possible so your company runs smoothly and profitably. Look closely at your competitors. Talk to business leaders you respect. Read business management books. Experiment. Solicit feedback from your workers and customers. By doing several of these things you will accumulate a wealth of knowledge and experience crucial to survival of your business.

As you read this tens of thousands of businesses across country are headed for extinction. Use these recession-proof strategies immediately and you are guaranteed to see assets where others see liabilities, opportunity where others see failure, and extra profits where others see financial losses.

4. They may help you out with your business. Maybe they will give you some testimonials or endorsements for your products or services.

5. You might gain some valuable referrals from them. They may also join your affiliate program and make sales for your business.

6. They might offer you some free advertising space on their web site or in their e-zine for your help. You could also exchange advertising with them.

7. You both could end up developing a new product or service together. The product or service could be a combination of your current ones.

8. They might purchase products you sell and become one of your best customers. You could sell them many back end products or services in future.

There are probably many other benefits you could get from helping a new online business owner. Always remember to help them out because it's nice thing to do and not just to benefit your own business.