Everyone is painfully aware that the US economy has taken a downturn. Many businesses and industries are facing difficult and scary times. Now that people are more concerned about their future earning power, they are more careful about where they spend their time and money. Here are ten tips to help you stay proactive during a tough economy.

• Go for quality over quantity – when thinking about how to spend your limited advertising dollars, don’t be afraid to pick only those opportunities that give you the most bang for your buck.
• Get creative – they say necessity breeds ingenuity. Think outside of the box by looking into local partnerships and exchanges.
• Put words into the word of mouth approach – it’s true that we are our own best advertising. Send a letter or note to parents and alumni and ask them to tell a friend and offer them a reward or incentive.
• Have a heart – don’t be afraid to contact families that haven’t registered for camp and ask (gently), “why?” You may find that finances are the primary reason, and if so, let parents know about any financial assistance your camp offers. If there are other reasons, it’s important to know what those are as well. You may find a common thread.
• Keep it clean – One of the top complaints among dissatisfied camp parents is cleanliness. Make sure that all staff are properly trained and abide by cleaning procedures.
• Say it with a smile – You’ve heard that “the customer is always right.” And while we know that this doesn’t always apply to parents, it is important to remember customer service basics.
• Ask for a better deal – if it’s time to renew existing contracts, don’t be afraid to renegotiate.
• Give a shout out – recognize staff members that you rely on. If someone is doing a great job, let them know. Staff are motivated by positive feedback, so make sure that, when appropriate, you dish it out.
• Together Everyone Achieves More – use the team approach to build positive relationships within your staff. By taking a team approach to problem solving, everyone will feel invested in the outcome.
• Don’t be a pencil pusher – when your best staff members are promoted, make sure that they still get regular interaction with parents and campers. Make sure that all staff, even office staff, participate in camp activities.