No one would argue that 2009 was a walk-in-the park for business. And while indicators are showing some signs of improvement, many businesses are still struggling.

Even in this unsure environment, there is opportunity. It's the opportunity to face the recession head on and make transformational changes to your organization that will improve it, streamline it and make it run at maximum efficiency. Take the opportunity to review your business, it will help you be a stronger , more resilient, and overall better company once the recession does completely end.

Here are a few suggestions as to how you can optimize your strengths, eliminate your weaknesses and thrive...even now:

Action:
Do something. And do it quick. The sooner you take action, the more options you will have available. Develop a detailed action plan with measurable accountabilities for each objective. Translate your strategy into real and specific programs, budgets and procedures. Be flexible, but hold yourself and others accountable to their decisions and actions.

Balance:
It's easy to have a knee-jerk reaction. That's why a lot of businesses immediately make cutbacks when times are tough. Not the way to do it. It's vital that you balance short-term objectives with long-term goals. Re- evaluate your strategic plan. Fully assess and understand your core business, your competitive landscape and your R&D investments. But most importantly, understand the needs of your customers both short and long term and how any actions you take will impact them.

Commitment:
Effective change will not happen without the full support and commitment of the senior leadership team. Make sure your key people are aboard and in agreement. And you, as a leader, must stay focused and continually motive your staff.

Engage Your Employees:
Employees are more likely to support something they help create. All too often organizations fail to involve employees in restructuring initiatives. As a result, employees are hostile to change. Involvement will give everyone a vested interest in seeing changes succeed.

Explore:
Now is the time to analyze your entire operation from top to bottom. Take an honest, in-depth look at all related processes, projects and actions; make sure all are examined for waste, redundancy, inefficiencies and poor alignment to the company's objectives. When you uncover ineffective activities, convert them to growth-generating actions. Keep your emotions in check and make only fact- based decisions. Some options you may find helpful:

• Rationalize your product lines and services
• Outsource where you can
• Evaluate you pricing structure and options
• Optimize key business processes
• Don't duplicate: consolidate "like" functions
• Update technology
• Delayer management levels
• Accelerate or slowdown R&D investments
• Explore selling assets and leaseback programs

Razor Cut:
Across the board reductions in personnel, capital, R&D, overhead, etc., can cause a severe, negative impact on the company's future. If you must make cuts, make them with razor precision. Analyze your options from every perspective before you make any changes and beware of the full impact of your decisions.

Work With Your Supply Chain:
Review all contracts with your supply chain. Renegotiate contracts and terms wherever possible. Are you dependent on a sole source? If so, fully understand their situation and develop alternative supply options as necessary.

Manage Your Stakeholders:
Communicate with your stakeholders early and often. Whether it's your Board of Directors, employees, customers, vendors or key constituents, the more information they have, the more support they can give you. And the better your chances of success.

Be Open to Opportunities:
As market consolidation occurs, merger and/or acquisition, joint venture and strategic alliance opportunities will be abundant. Be ready to pursue the opportunities that make sense.

Be Real:
Throughout this necessary and ultimately extremely beneficial process, be realistic. Change is difficult. People resist. But the fact is, you can't do business the same way with reduced resources. Also, results take time and the changes you are implementing are long-term, permanent improvements. You will have a much smoother and more successful adjustment if you establish a realistic plan with priorities, objectives, timeframes and expectations that everyone understands.

So, bad times? Sure. But a worse time to not analyze, fine-tune and maximize every aspect of your business. This could be the push that turns your company from average to outstanding. From just making-the-numbers to blowing them out of the water.