Recent talk regarding stimulus packages makes us all wonder how to stimulate our businesses? Government grants and loans aside, I don't think we can count on our politicians to solve the problem. Depending on politicians is like hunting with blanks; you might make a lot of noise, but nothing will get accomplished.

How do we do it? There are as many answers as there are businesses, although there is something almost any business can do to jump-start their economy. Every business, but a few prohibited from specific solicitations, can audit their business and determine the origin of their sales. Two core strategies are available to stimulate growth once you define who your customers are.

The first is target marketing. Once you know who your customers are, focus your advertising on the needs of your market. Promoting your business to an interested audience not only stimulates growth but also saves on promotion costs.

The second method you can use to stimulate business entails a more direct approach. Most enterprises derive the majority of sales from about 20% of their customers. Meeting with high-volume customers can not only enhance company growth, but it may also reduce lost sales due to customer shopping. Determine if you are addressing their needs, and be sure they are aware of your entire product line.

It doesn't matter how you do it as long as you don't wait for a bailout or stimulus package to help you grow.