Businesses today are looking for ways to hang onto more of their dollars and find the best ways to cut costs. Often Employees are the victims, as evidenced by the numbers of lay offs today. Maybe you are one of those that have been laid off and felt; now is the time to look into Self Employment. The next question is what works today during this recession and how can I help.

During a recession, Money gets tight, business owners get nervous and employee morale is strained. If you are someone that has been a victim of corporate down sizing, you may be bringing with you very valuable information, talent and ability to market. Your background can be turned into a Successful business!  The question is what type of business should you start in these recessionary times?

Consulting! How else to better the economy, than to offer your services as a consultant. The average entrepreneur today, is coming from corporate America, over 45 and has a severance or 401k available to invest in a new business. That individual brings expertize and experience, that can offer new or established businesses information and training, that they no longer can afford to pay salaries for. They may however pay a short term consultant.

Consultants come in all types. Engineering, Medical and Cost Cutting as an example of different consulting fields.  My favorite type of Consulting is in the cost cutting arena, as today businesses are scratching and clawing for every dollar! What if you could put more money back into a business, without charging them anything up front. Working On A Contingency Basis is the way to go! Here are some types of Cost Cutting Services that you can offer to small to mid sized companies, that will grow their cash flow and give them more working capital.

1. Office lease auditing. A process of looking at a businesses lease and making sure that the charges are congruent with the terms of the lease. Then recovering any overcharges for the tenant.

2. Cost segregation. This is for building owners. Cost segregation is the process of separating real property assets and personal property assets, for the purpose of reclassifying them. Once reclassified, the depreciation schedule can be changed from 39.5 yrs down to 5-7 yrs and accelerate the tax benefit to the business.

3. Property Tax audits. Property Taxes should be going down not up. Auditing them and making sure they are accurate will assist a business once again with CASH FLOW!

4. Auditing of other expenses, such as telephone bills, utility bills, export taxes, and waste bills.

5. Small Business Tax reviews. Find out any over payment to the IRS and get the money back into the owners hands.

I saw a gentleman wearing a shirt the other day that said, "I am not unemployed, I am a consultant". I chuckled, as many times being a consultant means we are unemployed!  Consulting is a legitimate way to help others, use your expertise and build a very timely business. Consulting is the business of choice in these recessionary times. The above services are unique and available, through Business licensing or business opportunities. You can be trained on how to do all of the above services or outsource them. You as a Consultant will put the pieces together.