'Upside of the Downturn' workshop for businesses

Beaver Street Enterprise Center hosted a workshop Wednesday, September 30 to help businesses see the positive aspects and opportunities of the economic downturn and give then strategies for survival and success.

Kathy Hagan, area director for the UNF Small Business Development Center, presented “Upside of the Downturn,” providing a close, comfortable discussion with business owners, and offering specific examples applicable to the businesses represented at the workshop.

The business owners discussed challenges they’ve faced during the economic downturn, their successes and strategies for moving forward.

The downturn, which includes barriers such as limited access to capital, lower consumer spending and increased competition, can be offset by the upside, which includes weakened competitors, availability of top-quality employees and new trends such as government procurement and “going green,” according to Hagan.

Systematically focusing on internal strengths and areas for improvement allow businesses to deal with even the most uncertain environment, such as the current state of the global economy.

“We can’t control the economy, interest rates, banks and other external threats,” said Hagan. “You have to focus on things that are under your control.”

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