Restaurant business is down due to the economy; people do not go out as often. In the November 2, 2009 issue of Nation’s Restaurant News, trainer and professional speaker Jim Sullivan wrote, “Not that we’re out of the woods by any measure. Grocery prices are falling and restaurant prices rising. Technomic recently reported that in the past three years 21,425 units have closed in the United States, and 84 percent of those were full-service operations. That reflects the worst three-year contraction in foodservice history.”

What does this possibly mean to financial advisors? Coupled with consumer’s expressed desire for education and guidance as to where to go from here, consider a tried-but true marketing concept: dinner seminars.Advisors report seminars are more popular than any time since the 80’s, and clients are attending seminars in record numbers. Restaurants need the business. Contact restaurants to negotiate more favorable pricing for dinner seminars. By making a commitment for multiple events, and you might get a significan price reduction. Also ask for complementary gift certificates. Often you get these at a greatly reduced costs, because restaurant operators know when you have a gift certificate, you bring guests!

Americans love to eat out. They want and need economic news and education. Use the current situation to your advantage as you demonstrate to people in your community you continue to provide information and education that help them make intelligent decisions about money, and do so in a cost-effective manner.

“If you feed them, they will come.” Good selling!

The November 2009 issue of Fortune Small Business magazine features a story titled, “Best Places to Launch:FSB presents the 50 top towns in America to grow your business.” (The top ten towns mentioned are included in a list at the end of this post.)  Do you live and work in one of these towns, and if not should you move?

This article addresses the question of where to launch a business, and also where to grow a business. So what’s the answer for you if you have an established business?

If you are not happy where you live, by all means consider moving. However, if  like where you live, “Bloom where you are planted.” This quote is attributed to many people, from Proverbs to radio icon Paul Harvey to graphic artist and children’s’ book illustrator Mary Engelbreit. If you choose to stay put and grow your business,  consider the following inventories:

• Inventory your best relationships, and continue to build them
• Inventory your expertise, and continue to grow it
• Inventory your marketplace, and determine its challenges, opportunities and strengths
• Inventory your reputation in the marketplace, and promote it

These steps apply whether you choose to stay put or relocate. A “geographic cure” seldom works if you are trying to “save” yourself. Look realistically at your situation, and make changes that help you succeed in a place that you truly love.

Good Selling!

THE TOP 10

1. Billings, MT
2. Bismarck, ND
3. Fargo, ND
4. Rapid City, SD
5. Sioux Falls, SD
6. Midland, TX
7. Morgantown, WV
8. Dubuque, IA
9. Hattiesburg, MS
10. Missoula, MT