The main key to business in 2010 is staying in business throughout the rest of 2009. lol. Sorry, every now and then we have to crack a joke around here.

In my opinion networking and making connections will be important in 2010. Building relationships that matter and continuing to support each other will be key; with many businesses going under strong connections can help build you a repertoire and referrals. You also need to change your marketing base to expand your business into different avenues.

Maria Smith-Alvira
http://acommunityonline.com
"Positive Community"

The main key to business in 2010 is staying in business throughout the rest of 2009. lol. Sorry, every now and then we have to crack a joke around here.

In my opinion networking and making connections will be important in 2010. Building relationships that matter and continuing to support each other will be key; with many businesses going under strong connections can help build you a repertoire and referrals. You also need to change your marketing base to expand your business into different avenues.

Maria Smith-Alvira
http://acommunityonline.com
"Positive Community"

I think 2010 will be ripe with new opportunities as the market recovers. Given that many players have left my industry and their still remains numerous consuers that are going unserviced - I think there will be tremendous opportunities in the coming year. Thus, I am 1) trying to prepare myself to be in a position to take advantage of those opportunities as well as 2) make sure that I am in the right places at the right time to recognize the opportities when they arise!

Business Money Today
www.BusinessMoneyToday.com

I think 2010 will be ripe with new opportunities as the market recovers. Given that many players have left my industry and their still remains numerous consuers that are going unserviced - I think there will be tremendous opportunities in the coming year. Thus, I am 1) trying to prepare myself to be in a position to take advantage of those opportunities as well as 2) make sure that I am in the right places at the right time to recognize the opportities when they arise!

Business Money Today
www.BusinessMoneyToday.com

Continuous learning and building strong value based relationships. The information age is continuing to be explosive with new ideas and new innovations coming about, it's the bridging of the gap between cultures and nations that's going to secure the future in my belief. With the world shrinking at such a fast pace and great ideas coming to fruition, 2010 is going to be even more explosive. My most important strategy for 2010 will be focus, discipline and dedication not only to my business, but to my relationships and to the quality of my products and services.

Will Peters
The Anstad Group
www.anstad.com

Continuous learning and building strong value based relationships. The information age is continuing to be explosive with new ideas and new innovations coming about, it's the bridging of the gap between cultures and nations that's going to secure the future in my belief. With the world shrinking at such a fast pace and great ideas coming to fruition, 2010 is going to be even more explosive. My most important strategy for 2010 will be focus, discipline and dedication not only to my business, but to my relationships and to the quality of my products and services.

Will Peters
The Anstad Group
www.anstad.com

Survival!! Once someone said there are three types of people. One who learns for itself, One who learns from others , and lastly one who doesn't learn at all. The advancement and eventually mutation of the H1N1 can have a devastating effect on technology transfers and hinder the development of emerging countries. Who will see that humanity doesn't fail in foresight?

Survival!! Once someone said there are three types of people. One who learns for itself, One who learns from others , and lastly one who doesn't learn at all. The advancement and eventually mutation of the H1N1 can have a devastating effect on technology transfers and hinder the development of emerging countries. Who will see that humanity doesn't fail in foresight?

Darwin's theory tells us ("Creatures that adapt to change, Thrive, those that don't, become extinct!) Remember that the fundamental objective of international trade is to equally improve the standard of living between both countries. - In 2010 I will be based in Shanghai, China representing European companies who require a trade agent.

www.businessireland.ie

Darwin's theory tells us ("Creatures that adapt to change, Thrive, those that don't, become extinct!) Remember that the fundamental objective of international trade is to equally improve the standard of living between both countries. - In 2010 I will be based in Shanghai, China representing European companies who require a trade agent.

www.businessireland.ie

Hi All - As business and IP counsel to entreprenerus and small businesses, we are seeing a lot of new businesses starting and as a cost-effective flat-rate provider, we are reeping the benefit of the economic downturn because more mature seasonsed businesses are finding value in our legal services as well. That said, 2010 is shaping up to be a great year for expansion and growth. This is the time to buy in and make the very most of your budget. There is great displaced talent out there waiting for an opportunity. 2010 will be the year to do many of the things (PR, Advertising, Marketing, Hiring, etc.) that you were putting off. If, however, you have been so revenue repressed in recent months that this spedning is just not realistic, lean in the word. Make it through the first half of 2010 and we should all see some relief. Much Success!

Frank A. Natoli, Esq.
Founder & CEO
Natoli-Lapin, LLC (Home of Lantern Legal Services)
www.LanternLegal.com

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." --Theodore Roosevelt

Hi All - As business and IP counsel to entreprenerus and small businesses, we are seeing a lot of new businesses starting and as a cost-effective flat-rate provider, we are reeping the benefit of the economic downturn because more mature seasonsed businesses are finding value in our legal services as well. That said, 2010 is shaping up to be a great year for expansion and growth. This is the time to buy in and make the very most of your budget. There is great displaced talent out there waiting for an opportunity. 2010 will be the year to do many of the things (PR, Advertising, Marketing, Hiring, etc.) that you were putting off. If, however, you have been so revenue repressed in recent months that this spedning is just not realistic, lean in the word. Make it through the first half of 2010 and we should all see some relief. Much Success!

Frank A. Natoli, Esq.
Founder & CEO
Natoli-Lapin, LLC (Home of Lantern Legal Services)
www.LanternLegal.com

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." --Theodore Roosevelt

Well have no plan for 2010.i think that next year our economey will improve and gave better result.

http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2145800

Well have no plan for 2010.i think that next year our economey will improve and gave better result.

http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2145800

I like what I read in this column. It sure has been a tough year for all of us. We hope everyone has had the chance to learn from the tough times and find a way to work together globally and survive. We are the only known species in the universe that have the power to alter the path of its future. I'm trying to "be greener", spend more wisely and give more back to mother nature as she has given more so much as life to enjoy.
Hang in there everyone-- 2010 is coming soon!

I like what I read in this column. It sure has been a tough year for all of us. We hope everyone has had the chance to learn from the tough times and find a way to work together globally and survive. We are the only known species in the universe that have the power to alter the path of its future. I'm trying to "be greener", spend more wisely and give more back to mother nature as she has given more so much as life to enjoy.
Hang in there everyone-- 2010 is coming soon!

Personally, most important strategy is to press forward instead of backing up. It's worked for me very well in 2009 and I plan to continue it into next year as well. I'm also advising my clients the same way.

One of the reactions that most businesses have had to the recession is to cut back on marketing and reign in expansion plans. But the inevitable consequence is shrinkage. You're not attracting new customers and you're not gaining any revenue. Instead, the real trick is to do the opposite. While everyone else is backing up, it's a great time to get your message heard. Plus, everything is on sale. You can get more things for less now than ever before. Real estate, advertising, whatever you need, it's all at a discount right now. But it won't last forever, so surge your way to success!

Personally, most important strategy is to press forward instead of backing up. It's worked for me very well in 2009 and I plan to continue it into next year as well. I'm also advising my clients the same way.

One of the reactions that most businesses have had to the recession is to cut back on marketing and reign in expansion plans. But the inevitable consequence is shrinkage. You're not attracting new customers and you're not gaining any revenue. Instead, the real trick is to do the opposite. While everyone else is backing up, it's a great time to get your message heard. Plus, everything is on sale. You can get more things for less now than ever before. Real estate, advertising, whatever you need, it's all at a discount right now. But it won't last forever, so surge your way to success!

The year 2010 is what I refer to as a "foundation" year. A year where all of us can create a new experience for ourselves & those we serve. The recession has caused us all to be introspective & has provided us with an opportunity to reassess our purpose and develop new strategies to please our post-recession customer/client/consumer.

A strategy for all to consider: Be vigilant and committed to a higher sense of service and be kind to all you serve. Incorporate this message into a strategy(s) that promotes trust, loyalty & value. One that embraces mutual respect & credibility between business & customer. Don't try to be all things to all people; be focused, understanding and most of all, genuine. Don't waste time defining your customer, instead, let your customer define you. Let your customer match your business to their benefit model. Now there's a strategy that is engineered to last.

Tommy Jaye

The year 2010 is what I refer to as a "foundation" year. A year where all of us can create a new experience for ourselves & those we serve. The recession has caused us all to be introspective & has provided us with an opportunity to reassess our purpose and develop new strategies to please our post-recession customer/client/consumer.

A strategy for all to consider: Be vigilant and committed to a higher sense of service and be kind to all you serve. Incorporate this message into a strategy(s) that promotes trust, loyalty & value. One that embraces mutual respect & credibility between business & customer. Don't try to be all things to all people; be focused, understanding and most of all, genuine. Don't waste time defining your customer, instead, let your customer define you. Let your customer match your business to their benefit model. Now there's a strategy that is engineered to last.

Tommy Jaye

For 2010 my plan is do less marketing and more SALES.

My cashflow has been heavy on spending for web-sites, equipment, and "toys," without much effort spent on asking directly for a sale. I've spent too much time looking at the "big picture" and not enough effort on actually turning my products and services into cash.

For 2010 my plan is do less marketing and more SALES.

My cashflow has been heavy on spending for web-sites, equipment, and "toys," without much effort spent on asking directly for a sale. I've spent too much time looking at the "big picture" and not enough effort on actually turning my products and services into cash.

Entrepreneurs of all types (esp. us in the non-profit world) have to make 'thinking outside the box' a top, if not THE priority for 2010. How can we be creative, what makes us stand apart from the thousands of other charities in this world, what differentiates our brand from the next? At The Breast Cancer Charities of America, we constantly hear how our program services of financially helping women going through breast cancer are so rare---so for us, it's about getting the word out there---branding....marketing. They're key!

Entrepreneurs of all types (esp. us in the non-profit world) have to make 'thinking outside the box' a top, if not THE priority for 2010. How can we be creative, what makes us stand apart from the thousands of other charities in this world, what differentiates our brand from the next? At The Breast Cancer Charities of America, we constantly hear how our program services of financially helping women going through breast cancer are so rare---so for us, it's about getting the word out there---branding....marketing. They're key!

Great thread!

My most important strategy for 2010 centers around AP'Proving Myself vs. Improving Myself because I think all other things I am working on is rooted with getting this part down.

In my work with teen entrepreneurs what I often notice is that everyone tends to speaks of young people in future tense. They say that if they do these things i.e. go to school, go to their faith based congregation regularly, obey their parents, etc. that they will be successful in the future. I began to see this parallel of teens never being given credit for their value today kind of like the entrepreneur never thinking what they have is 'good enough'.

I speak to my teens and their work/contributions in present tense and present perfect tense. And just that little bit of acknowledgement opens up the space and puts them in the position that they have the power to do whatever they want NOW and TODAY! And then they 'Simply Be', meaning they remove themselves from their ego and they begin to be present with themselves and are completely ok with everything in the now. From there they are able to quickly move from the Law of Attraction and evoke the Law of Acceleration, where it sometimes seems that things 'arrive' as quickly as they manifest them.

In 2010 as my true test of 'I get it' and 'I get me' [a work in progress, lol], I am planning to partner up and work more openly (via collaboration) with those who I might have considered my 'competitors' in the past. Alas, when we act in the best interest of creating better opportunity and education for those who we serve, we will evolve personally, professionally and consciously.

Best wishes to you all in the New Year!

Great thread!

My most important strategy for 2010 centers around AP'Proving Myself vs. Improving Myself because I think all other things I am working on is rooted with getting this part down.

In my work with teen entrepreneurs what I often notice is that everyone tends to speaks of young people in future tense. They say that if they do these things i.e. go to school, go to their faith based congregation regularly, obey their parents, etc. that they will be successful in the future. I began to see this parallel of teens never being given credit for their value today kind of like the entrepreneur never thinking what they have is 'good enough'.

I speak to my teens and their work/contributions in present tense and present perfect tense. And just that little bit of acknowledgement opens up the space and puts them in the position that they have the power to do whatever they want NOW and TODAY! And then they 'Simply Be', meaning they remove themselves from their ego and they begin to be present with themselves and are completely ok with everything in the now. From there they are able to quickly move from the Law of Attraction and evoke the Law of Acceleration, where it sometimes seems that things 'arrive' as quickly as they manifest them.

In 2010 as my true test of 'I get it' and 'I get me' [a work in progress, lol], I am planning to partner up and work more openly (via collaboration) with those who I might have considered my 'competitors' in the past. Alas, when we act in the best interest of creating better opportunity and education for those who we serve, we will evolve personally, professionally and consciously.

Best wishes to you all in the New Year!

Our best strategy for 2010 is to connect as much as possible with other businesses.

I believe there is great value in developing strategic partnerships, cultivating client relationships and nurturing connections. Any one of these can lead to growth and an increase in sales, but more importantly, they lead to positioning and credibility. Technology is a very trust-based industry. Having credibility is critical to scoring new business and maintaining it.

Our best strategy for 2010 is to connect as much as possible with other businesses.

I believe there is great value in developing strategic partnerships, cultivating client relationships and nurturing connections. Any one of these can lead to growth and an increase in sales, but more importantly, they lead to positioning and credibility. Technology is a very trust-based industry. Having credibility is critical to scoring new business and maintaining it.

HMM..
Well for 2010 keep it simple,have patience with yourself,be open to new ideas, and always remember that no matter how long you've been in business we are all still learning and growing everyday..This economic recession has shown me alot some may take it for good, some for bad.But as for me its given me the clarity i needed for my company to grow and become not only more but better..In every bad rain fall theres a rainbow and for me this recession has shown me how to be a go- getter, and that money isnt everything.Even more evident now then before people matter more then money and for me that lesson is priceless..

HMM..
Well for 2010 keep it simple,have patience with yourself,be open to new ideas, and always remember that no matter how long you've been in business we are all still learning and growing everyday..This economic recession has shown me alot some may take it for good, some for bad.But as for me its given me the clarity i needed for my company to grow and become not only more but better..In every bad rain fall theres a rainbow and for me this recession has shown me how to be a go- getter, and that money isnt everything.Even more evident now then before people matter more then money and for me that lesson is priceless..

To stay focused, and continue to learn from fellow entrepreneurs.

To stay focused, and continue to learn from fellow entrepreneurs.