PHILLIP M. PERRY

Ready for a rebound in 2011? Who isn’t? But if you’re like most micro-business owners, you’re more than a little concerned about how an unsettled economy will affect your sales in 2011.

When consultant Jennifer Schaus joined LinkedIn a couple of years ago, she looked upon the social network as little more than a convenient way to keep track of clients and prospects.

Diane Parker expected to pay for her new home with the funds received from the sale of her previous one. Suddenly the sale of her first house fell through, creating a serious cash squeeze. Common problem, right? What’s not so common was the solution.

As a micro-business owner you don’t have to accept the opening terms from suppliers or even demanding clients. Instead, continually look for ways to create transactions that are mutually beneficial to you and the other party.

Micro-business owners everywhere are relying more than ever on freelance workers.

Carla, the owner of an Atlanta gift shop, knows only too well what a recession can do to the financial health of a micro-business. Earlier this year a steep sales decline made it tough for her to pay the rent.

The failure of an anchor store can cause a shock that’s as much emotional as financial for surviving retailers. But, you can take action to mitigate the potential financial loss and improve the well-being of the surviving small retailers. Here’s how.

A showroom retooling can be just the ticket to get shoppers excited about buying. And that’s what you need to move that moribund merchandise sitting on your floor.