Look for industries that everyone needs regardless of their economic situation
By
identifying industries that need help providing the day to day services
that everyone needs - food, shelter, clothing, day to day amenities of
sustenance, and health care - you will likely find ways to either find
a job or identify a market you can serve with your talents.
Find companies that offer products for managing tough economic times
Look
for companies that supply temp workers, handle business liquidations,
or provide comfort items such as counseling services. They are all
going to need help for the extra business they are flooded with.
Try brokering excess inventories through barter or trade
Act
as the liaison between people who want to buy excess inventories and
people who have them. If you build a network, you can end up getting
some of the things you need directly easily.
Offer education, retraining, and tutoring
With
people out of work, sometimes from industries that won't rebound due to
shifts in technology, you can offer paid classes that help retrain an
obsolete workforce.
Package your own products in a new and interesting way
If
you're already in business selling products, try bundling them in a
new, creative way. Make working with you more convenient, more
complete, easier and more efficient than working with someone else.
Establish joint venture relationships that provide synergy
By
partnering with another business person to offer both of your client
bases more value, you both win and all of your clients win too.
Become a consultant
Many
people who get laid off can go back to work as independent contractors
for their old employers. It saves the employer benefit costs and you
can often charge even more per hour than you used to get paid via a
salary
Get online
For a very small amount,
you can launch a website, sell products, promote your site and begin
making money. Lots of people want to try something new during tough
times - you could sell them what they need to make a change.
Don't forget the needs of the wealthy
Affluent
individuals who were more in cash than debt are open to finding great
bargains and continuing to live their lifestyle. They see this economic
time as an opportunity to get in low. You can cater to that.
Invest in you by starting your own business
By
investing in your own business, instead of being subjected to the whims
of an employer who can lay you off, you can choose your destiny. By
establishing an additional revenue stream that allows you choices, you
have more freedom.