Micro Business, Recession and Exporting.

The last couple of days you could follow what can only be described as a panic on the world stock markets. The markets tumbled between five to ten per cent or even more. The trigger for this is the mortgage crisis in the US and the UK.

One further problem our countries face are unprecedented levels of foreign trade-deficids.

As a micro business or small business owner you might say, hey what am I to do about this? Well as so often the is nothing you can do about this alone, but remember small business accounts for more than 50% GDP and that is something to consider. Yet small business is not having the same impact when it comes to exporting.

Exporting is something we should all consider, especially in times like this, because it could seriously help to weaken any economic slowdown or even a recession in our countries. There are companies who will help you to set up or do business abroad, like Zana Network.

If you are wondering what you can do to help your business and your country, think exporting. ST.

13 Responses to “ Micro Business, Recession and Exporting. ”

1. Kristine Buenavista
   
   Said on January 23rd, 2008 at 10:46 am

   Small businesses whether online or not will never grow and prosper if you do not take bold steps or risks from time to time. However, you have to consider all the factors if you are thinking of exporting as what you have suggested in this post.

   I have read about other means of finding solutions for small business here http://www.online-marketingsolutions.com/Small-Business-Online-Solutions-pg3862.html
   I really think it’s helpful.

   thanks for posting this.

2. julian
   
   Said on January 23rd, 2008 at 6:21 pm

   I export amlost everything I do unfortunately my main market is the USA (

3. Chris Norton
   
   Said on January 24th, 2008 at 10:21 am

   Hi Stefan, I think the whole planet is spooked at the moment with a potential recession on the cards. Every financial market seems to be rising one day and falling hard the following day. I think for small businesses such as ours we just have to try to work smarter. The key factor for small business failure in the dot.com era seemed to be throwing money at companies that had bad business models – we all heard that a fantastic new website had the potential to reach 6 Billion people, so investment companies threw thousands at them. Six months later after 100 people had logged on the websites folded and only the ones with the well thought out business models survived e.g eBay, Amazon etc. I think small businesses and investors just need to be extra careful where they invest but at times of woe, come opportunities.

4. Shama Hyder
   
   Said on January 24th, 2008 at 10:16 pm

   Hi Stefan,

   I just did an article on this the other day.

   http://www.afterthelaunch.com/2008/01/15/selling-in-stormy-times-how-to-market-your-services-during-a-recession/

5. Dan Ider
   
   Said on January 25th, 2008 at 6:40 am

   Julian, maybe you should look for other markets to exports to also. It looks like art is your niche. You might want to make an information product that tells artists how to sell to the US market, it creates another revenue stream.
   Then promote this product with articles using Artemis Pro. I hope that helps to alleviate any money problems.

6. Robert Moore
   
   Said on January 25th, 2008 at 11:14 am

   Exporting for small businesses is a risky strategy. Most notably because of exchange rate risk which makes it hard to budget.

7. Stefan Töpfer
   
   Said on January 25th, 2008 at 11:50 am

   Thank you all for this great discussion.

   As I mentioned in my post, Zana Network specialize in exporting – not only for US small business – and can help with advice and grants.

   If you want to export you can always sell in your own currency, this will minimize the risk Robert is talking about. Other options are export insurance – google it.

   Stefan

8. Kevin Baker
   
   Said on January 25th, 2008 at 8:04 pm

   Stefan you said “Well as so often the is nothing you can do about this alone..” There are three specific area’s you can concentrate upon:
   1. Strategy to uplift sales
   2. Move confirmed sales, faster through the business
   3. Reduce costs.

   Tackling these issues requires an immediate cultural shift within the organisation. Ensure the whole team is informed of the adversity and buys into the three goals. Take advantage of the many hidden wins that exist during a tough climate which includes the opportunity to get everyone really focused, pointing in the same direction, which will naturally lead to achieving productivity.
   Good luck!

9. Chris Blower
   
   Said on August 1st, 2008 at 7:21 pm

   I started trading in a public house only nine month ago. In hynsight everyone would agree it would be one of the worst industries at the worst time to begin a business. However, while others are closing all around me on a daily basis I have been able to survive with a few simple steps.
   1. Keep overheads to a minimum, review and change your suppliers if there not giving you the best value for money and service.
   2. Promote your value for money. Cheapest isn’t the best. Defend your prices in terms of value for money to your customers and then get them to do it for you to potential new customers.
   3. Extend your value for money by keeping your customers informed I use an email newsletter to great effect.
   4. Work harder but still give yourself a time out day where you are not on site and can’t be contacted. you’ll be amazed at what great ideas you have and how much you can get done when you step away for a bit.

   I wish you all the best
   Chris !

10. Henry Baker
    
    Said on November 25th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    You’ve got a great point and the good news is that exporting in many industries has neve been easier.

    Even just identifying parts of a business which can offer exported goods can provide a much needed lifeline for small businesses.

    From experience I’ve found that selling into the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many parts of Europe requires the tweaking of any sound marketing system to create a return, new contacts and open up a ‘whole new world’.

    A great way to test is of course using internet marketing.

    I have some further tools which may be of use here:

    http://www.recessionslayer.co.uk

11. Leaflet Distribution
    
    Said on December 1st, 2008 at 11:22 am

    Chris made some great points above, very valid about keeping costs low, the lower they are the less you have to turn through to make a profit. So many people think working for yourself will be the great route to a perfect life, I bet Chris will aggree, success can only come through endless hard work, and certainly not a 40 hour week !

12. Anne
    
    Said on September 25th, 2009 at 6:07 am

    In my opinion, working in and with micro businesses is a sensible and profitable thing to do during times of economic instability, while new businesses are also succeeding with companies set up in the last year doing far better than their older counterparts.

13. Mary
    
    Said on September 25th, 2009 at 6:13 am

    I agree to what Chris mentioned above. Put alongside companies up to and beyond 10 years old, micro businesses set up less than a year ago have been impacted least by the credit crunch, the best anticipated earnings and are the most optimistic for the future.

    On the whole, despite the negative financial climate, two-thirds of contributors reported that their business income has either stayed the same, slowed a little or in some instances has even increased.

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