Richard Warner Online

Gloom, doom, customers rethinking everything forcing you to do the same. Georgia Aquarium CEO Mike Leven has been in business nearly 50 years, including time at the top of Days Inns, Holiday Inn, and his own company that launched Hawthorn Suites and Microtel. He admits he hasn’t seen it this bad before. What now? “Moving quickly is a lot better than not moving.” Mike’s strategy is something for every small business owner to consider. 

• - Market aggressively.
• - Love your current customers. Over-perform for them.
• - Existing customers will be your best source of new business.
• - Don’t borrow money.
• - Be transparent with your team.
• - Don’t hire new people unless you absolutely have to. Get through it with existing staff, even if it means working longer hours.
• - If someone doesn’t “get it,” they’re gone.