HOW TO MANAGE YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH A BAD ECONOMY WITH ERP
Posted by Glen Mund on Tue, Nov 25, 2008 @ 02:55 PM
I have been reading a great deal in the newspaper and magazines about the poor economy, the recession or whatever you want to call the current scenario that exists.
Plus Computer Solutions has been very busy during the last several months. I have asked myself why as I have read such negative information recently. What is making the difference for Plus. I am not a 100% sure but here are some ideas.
1.) We have stayed positive. Negativity breed negativity. Some customers are having difficult times but other look at a recession as an opportunity and are coming to us to take help them take advantage. We look for customers and prospects who look at this economy as an opportunity. I spoke to a customer today who indicated sales 6 months ago were as high as they have ever been. Today they are significantly reduced but he knows when the economy picks up sales will be even greater than they were 6 mos ago. He is looking at this slow time as an opportunity to implement new systems to help his business be more efficient when sales go through the roof.
2) We did not reduce our marketing budget. In fact we have increased it for 2009. We have watched our competitors stop attending trade shows, stop periodical advertising, let there websites fall behind. While they do this we have continued the same marketing program. There are fewer leads and opportunities right now. The only way to ensure we get to the plate is to find prospects. Less marketing means less prospects. This is amplified by organizations who tighten the purse strings. Prospecting is critical right now.
3) We have not reduced staffing levels. In fact we are increasing them in late 2008. We need more staff to satisfy our customer demands but we also need staff to improve our internal systems and infrastructure. This may take some time but when the improvements have been made we will be poised for the increased sales levels of a strong economy rather than scrambling to catch up at that late date.
4) We are investing in software/hardware infrastructure. The more staff we have the more pressure it puts on our software and hardware. We need better software to manage our fixed assets, time and billing, project management, human resources, etc... The software is available to us as a software reseller we just need to implement it. Hence the need for more staff during what is a busy time for us. When the software and hardware is implemented we will again be in a better position to manage our business through a strong economy.
I am not suggesting these are the answers for your organization. They are just my thoughts as a business owner, a Sage Value Added reseller, and your business partner.
Glen Mund - President
Plus Computer Solutions Ltd.