Get the “soft” in your business. Maybe go green too.
Everyone has felt this downturn in our economy. Business a year ago was different, and we may need to change some ways we do business.
One way is to bring in a secondary business or service to supplement the main business.
- Government supported work is good in bad times.
- Find work that is similar to share with some of the duties.
- If you are an expert – train people – educate. Schools are great businesses.
- Find something that you can be passionate about and do it.
You can also
- Share office space, secretaries, advertising or change advertising, and share booth space at shows.
- Creative financing or services
- Creative hiring – share the business.
- Downsizing, reorganizing, and don’t forget networking
Construction businesses can bring in new technologies. There is the Weatherization of homes. While the lower income homes will get the government grants to fix up their houses. The higher end homes will go green construction and they would also pay a premium for this service. Heating and Air Conditioning companies can go into Geothermal, Evacuated Tubes, or PV installs. Electricians can expand into Photovoltaic Electric Panels. Roofers could do PV attic fans. All of these have tax reductions associated with them. States and local governments may also have incentives.
For Geothermal, there is a 2-day IGSHPA Driller Course costing under $1000., And a Geothermal Sales and Design course costing $150. This may be all you need to start a great business, and you may have more training than most in the field.
Pictures of Chicago's Green Festival 2010
