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	Practical Tips to Survive and Thrive in Tough Times. Also attend the Boulder Business Series for the live version on March 30th. Learn more under Events below.
	Positive Signs of Better Times
	Where is the Good News?

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Are You on Plan?

The CEO of one firm said to me, "We have seen our business drop about 75% from where it was last year at this time." Another CEO commented, "Our sales are down 20%. Most of our competition is down 35%." Both of these companies are in discussions with us to get help in developing a strategic plan and evaluating their sales force.

Was Q1 all that YOU planned? Are you tracking progress against clearly defined metrics? You do have a plan, right?

Have you noticed? Spring is in the air. In arid Colorado that usually means lots of heavy precipitation which is needed to replenish the water supply. Yep, those 16 inches of snow came to Boulder last week. It also means that the first quarter of 2009 is almost behind us. Time flies — whether you're accomplishing what you want or not.

If you have a plan, ask yourself how things are going. Be honest in assessing your progress. If you're on plan, pat yourself and your team on your back. Recognize and reward.

ASSESS AND ADJUST

If you're not on plan, you're not alone. Now is the time to ask tough questions and take appropriate action. Many firms have cut expenses as much as they can. Action is needed to build the top revenue line. This is the role of strategic thinking — to determine appropriate initiatives and then embark on them. Here are five practical pointers to make the needed adjustments:

	Envision the optimal outcome. What strategies will help you get there?
	Analyze. Determine what adjustments you need to make by looking at the current situation and comparing it to where you want to be.
	Broaden. Take hold of a bigger purpose. There may be other product and market segments where you can find opportunity.
	Divide and conquer a big goal by breaking it into smaller chunks. What should you do as a first step? Focus and finish one piece at a time and allow that progress to replenish your energy.
	Reaffirm and execute. Establish mid-course corrections, commit to them with courage, and take the action to make them happen!

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PLAN

There's no better time than now to get one. In a storm, economic or otherwise, you don't want to be the ship that's lost at sea without a rudder. Without a plan you could actually sink. That's why one of the seven actions to survive and thrive in a recession is: Develop a good plan, and act on it. Companies with a written plan outperform those without one. A good plan depends on a core ideology to provide guidance and direction.

Now is the time to define your core and craft your strategic plan. Make sure it includes a sales assessment and plan. Then execute it. Don't wait!

Upcoming Public Events

Monday, March 30, 2009. You're invited to come as my guest to the Boulder Business Series program "Survive and Thrive in a Tough Economic Environment: Practical Business Tips." This free program is sponsored by the Deming Center of Entrepreneurship. 6:00 - 7:45 PM MDT at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder, Koelbel room 210. Rich Wobbekind, CU economist, will look at what the economy has in store for us in 2009. Theresa will offer suggestions to help your company successfully weather the economic storm. Dan King, CEO of ReadyTalk, will share the measures his company has taken to thrive. Attendees will apply these approaches during a small group interaction.

Thursday, April 16, 2009. Join Theresa who is host of the "Young Careerist Celebration and Networking Night" with the Boulder Business and Professional Women. 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM MDT at A Slice of Life Event Center in Boulder. Learn more and register at www.boulderbpw.org.

Tuesday, April 21 - Wednesday, April 22, 2009. Join Gazelles® Business coach, Theresa, at the "Sales and Marketing Summit" sponsored by Gazelles International in New Orleans. Hear the world's top sales leaders including Chet Holmes, author of The Ultimate Sales Machine: Turbocharge Your Business With Relentless Focus on 12 Key Strategies. Learn more at www.gazelles.com. Please contact Theresa directly to learn about her special registration offer.

Believe and Act!

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D.
CEO, Entrepreneur, Consultant & Business Coach, Speaker & Author
Technology and Management Solutions, LLC

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