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Current customers can tell you what you’re doing right and ex-customers can speak about what you’re doing wrong. If you listen carefully you’ll learn what each group needs and how they make purchase decisions; information you can use to your advantage.

To get this valuable information on a budget, consider building low-cost “listening posts” on the Internet. Ask customers to take a Web-based survey or visit a chat room where they can discuss their needs. Use these forums to start an open and honest dialogue with, and between, customers. read more

As with any other aspect of your business, choose your tools carefully for the long-term management of your finances. Of course, credit and deposit accounts in the name of your business will help build the company’s credit rating — and likewise prevent a problem at the company from affecting your personal credit.

If monthly expenses tend to be up one month and down the next, a credit card with a revolving balance feature can help you manage cash flow and deal with the fluctuations. read more

To prevent cash shortages, the best defense is a good offense, so get serious about minimizing fixed expenses. A company should be big enough to cover only its most predictable, recurring needs. Find creative ways to handle peaks in demand without hiring additional staff; outsourcing and finding interns are good strategies for “right-sizing” and minimizing cash needs.

Consider non-cash ways to make purchases. Credit-card rewards programs and frequent-flyer points can be effective cash substitutes. read more

Your customers don’t have to be the only source for cash flow when you earn more rewards with The Gold Card from OPEN^SM. You can get one Membership Rewards^® point for virtually every dollar you spend, plus earn automatic bonus points. Then, you can redeem those points for rewards that you can put right back into your business. So with the Card, you can afford to look at your customers as more than just your cash flow. read more