Small Businesses Ready To Start Spending

A purchasing dynamics survey of businesses with fewer than 500 employees found "owners ready to spend on equipment and services at levels not seen since the late 1990s".

The survey found 80% optimistic about their chances for growth in the next year and 32% ready to start spending, principally on computers and telecom equipment.

The survey did not addresses hiring plans, which has been the weakness in the economic recovery.

The economic recovery in the U.S. is on its way. Certainly it will hit some locations and some industries sooner than others, but it is coming. Now is the time to get ready for it. Remember, business is like surfing - you want to catch the wave, not get caught by it. If you've ever watched a business opportunity pass you by, or been rolled up a beach by a wave, you know what I mean. Here are five things you can do to best position your company for the recovery.

Take Advantage of the Slowdown
Five things you can do right now to prepare for the recovery.

Competitive Intelligence
Have you competitors started preparing for the recovery too? Just what are they up to anyway? Here are some resources to help you find out. Legally.

A Manager's Annual Plan
The Manager's Annual Plan is a multi-part, chronological series on how to analyze and improve your organization: set goals, match people, communicate, and lead.

Properly Placing the Blame
Disaster Planning. If the unthinkable actually happens to your company and a crisis occurs, you should have something more professional to fall back on than blaming someone else.

The Right People in the Wrong Jobs
“Think of all the hours lost,” my friend told me “by people doing jobs they aren’t suited for or excited about.”