Niranjana Dhumal

Even though it’s impossible to accurately predict future economic conditions, rumors of a global recession have left business leaders all over the world feeling uneasy. Leaders must anticipate shifting market conditions in order to prepare their organizations for the future when making difficult decisions. In order to create a fully recession-proof your business 2023, you must develop a strategic plan that examines how your organization runs while focusing on your strategy, operations, and overall alignment. You can make your company more resilient, better withstand the effects of constantly fluctuating markets, and better position it for success during an economic recovery by developing a long-term, integrative approach to business agility. Establishing the square one of your business An initial business health check is always a good idea in challenging economic times to make sure you are aware of the situation. To better understand how to begin recession-proofing, this entails evaluating crucial business elements such as finances, market positioning, and strategic direction. Check the health of your company by asking the following questions: How should we anticipate our customers will respond in a downturn? How will competitors behave? Will cash keep flowing into our business? Are significant budget cuts required? What steps must we take to create these? Is it feasible to maintain heavy R&D investments? If not, why not? How can we take advantage of fresh business prospects? Knowing your current strengths and shortcomings can help you create a personalized outline for recession-proofing your business, allowing you to uncover the most suitable strategies for your business’s future. Strategies to make your business recession-proof 2023 Gartner’s research shows that less than half of companies (43%) are successful in achieving their desired cost reductions in the first year, and only a small fraction (11%) can maintain this behavior for up to three years. The reason for this failure is attributed to companies losing sight of their long-term goals. Harvard Business Review notes that only 9% of companies have sufficient resources to support future growth and innovation. Although managing economic uncertainty and planning for future success can be challenging, there are few proven strategies that can help businesses succeed in any conditions. Keep and eye on your budget Your company will be in the best possible position in the event of a recession if you operate within your budget. According to NetSuite, adhering to a budget or operating plan is actually a best practice at all times. There are times when there are no economic early-warning signs, such as when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Automation is here to stay You can save time, money, and valuable resources by incorporating more automation into your business processes by utilizing an ERP platform like NetSuite. According to Capital Numbers, a consulting firm, “Key Ways to Recession-Proof Your Business,” “the futuristic businesses focus on incorporating automation of essential business operations.” It allows businesses to accomplish more with fewer resources while saving countless hours of labor and frustration. Customer is king According to Capital Numbers, it is important to prioritize your customers. Their research shows that 86% of customers are willing to pay more for a better experience, and 93% are more likely to make repeat purchases if they have had a positive experience. Capital Numbers emphasizes that these statistics demonstrate the importance of providing a positive customer experience for increasing revenue. Satisfied customers are more likely to be loyal, spend more money, and even promote your brand. Top 5 recession-proof business 2023 examples Businesses that can withstand a recession typically operate in certain sectors that are immune to significant downturns, even when the economy is experiencing difficulties. Notably, during a recession, not all businesses are immune to financial risk. You will be better prepared for a recession if you run your business effectively and responsibly even during the most favorable economic conditions. The following is a list of industries that are able to withstand the challenges of a recession; however, businesses in these industries should still be expertly managed to best protect themselves from the effects of a recession. 1. Healthcare Healthcare requirements do not wait for a recession to end, for better or worse. As a result, the healthcare industry is uniquely suited to withstand economic downturns. For good reason, healthcare is frequently mentioned as one of the first industries that can withstand a recession. According to recent research, healthcare unemployment only rises by 1.27 percent for every 10 percent increase in overall unemployment. Employment figures are a measure of an industry’s performance. Evidence suggests that the healthcare sector performs better than other industries during economic downturns if it does not have to cut staff at the same rate as other industries. However, just because healthcare did exceptionally well during the Great Recession does not mean that it will continue to do so in a subsequent economic downturn. In 2007, many patients had full health insurance. Since the insurance landscape is now very different, many people who have insurance now have high deductibles, which means they have to pay a lot of money. Patients may now think twice before getting medical help. While cosmetic procedures and other elective treatments, among other medical services, may see a decline during a recession, healthcare has a long history of recession resistance. 2. Finance Although accounting and finance aren’t immediately thought of as “recession-proof,” most economic downturns still require accounting services, such as tax preparation, estate planning, or bookkeeping. Additionally, numerous businesses and customers require financial assistance. The need for these financial products, such as credit cards, auto loans, business loans, and other forms of lending, does not go away when there is a recession. However, during a recession, some finance businesses may be at risk. The pressures of an economic downturn are easily transferred to finance companies that are willing to take significant risks. For instance, Bear Sterns, one of the most well-known banks in the United States, went bankrupt in 2008 during the Great Recession. 3. Food People will always need to eat, so the food, grocery, and

Electronic commerce, also known as e-commerce, is the exchange of goods and services over the internet. This includes online retail stores, online marketplaces, digital downloads, and more. E-commerce allows businesses to reach a wider audience, conduct transactions online, and eliminate the need for physical storefronts. Overall, e-commerce entrepreneurs have made the industry an integral part of modern business, playing a critical role in enabling businesses to reach new audiences, streamline processes, and increase revenue. In 2020, global e-commerce sales reached $4.28 trillion, representing a 27.6% increase from the previous year. This growth is expected to continue, with projections that global e-commerce sales will reach $6.39 trillion by 2024. Mobile e-commerce is also on the rise, as more people use their smartphones to shop online. According to a report by eMarketer, mobile e-commerce sales are expected to reach $3.56 trillion by 2021, accounting for 72.9% of all e-commerce sales. The e-commerce industry is becoming increasingly competitive, with large players like Amazon and Alibaba dominating the market. However, there are also many opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to succeed in e-commerce by offering unique products, providing excellent customer service, and leveraging social media and other marketing channels. The top E-commerce entrepreneurs as mentioned below have seized the opportunity and ranked their platforms to be at the top of the industry. The top 5 e-commerce entrepreneurs 1.Jeff Bezos Background and history of Amazon: Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, with the goal of creating an online platform for selling books to customers across the globe. Over the years, the company expanded its product offerings to include a wide range of products and services, including electronics, clothing, groceries, and more. Today, Amazon is the largest online retailer in the world, with a market value of over $1.7 trillion. Bezos’ leadership and innovation in e-commerce: Bezos is known for his visionary leadership and innovative approach to e-commerce. He has been instrumental in driving Amazon’s growth and expansion, leveraging the power of technology and data to create new business models and improve the customer experience. One of Bezos’ key innovations was the development of the Amazon Prime membership program, which provides customers with free shipping, exclusive discounts, and other benefits. This program has been a major driver of Amazon’s growth and customer loyalty, and has helped the company to compete with other online retailers. Bezos has also been a champion of data-driven decision making, using analytics and artificial intelligence to understand customer behavior and preferences, and to optimize the company’s product offerings and marketing strategies. Key strategies that made Amazon a global leader in e-commerce: Some of the key strategies that have made Amazon a global leader in e-commerce include: Focus on customer experience: Amazon has always put the customer at the center of its business strategy, emphasizing the importance of convenience, selection, and customer service. This has helped the company to build a loyal customer base and to differentiate itself from other online retailers. Investment in technology: Amazon has invested heavily in technology and data analytics, leveraging these tools to optimize its operations and to develop new products and services. This has helped the company to stay ahead of the curve and to continue to innovate in the fast-changing world of e-commerce. Diversification: In addition to its core retail business, Amazon has diversified into other areas such as cloud computing, digital streaming, and advertising. This has helped the company to create new revenue streams and to position itself for future growth. Overall, Jeff Bezos’ leadership and vision have been instrumental in making Amazon a global leader in e-commerce, and the company’s focus on innovation, customer experience, and technology will continue to be key drivers of its success in the years to come. 2.Pierre Omidyar Background and history of eBay: Pierre Omidyar founded eBay in 1995 as an online marketplace for buying and selling goods and services. Initially, the site was focused on collectible items, but it quickly expanded to include a wide range of products and services. Today, eBay is one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, with millions of users and billions of dollars in annual sales. Omidyar’s entrepreneurial journey and vision for eBay: Omidyar was a computer programmer and entrepreneur who was interested in using the power of technology to create new business models. He believed that the internet could be used to create a global marketplace where buyers and sellers could connect and transact with each other in a safe and efficient way. This vision led him to create eBay, which quickly became one of the most successful e-commerce companies in the world. Omidyar was also committed to creating a company that was guided by strong values, including transparency, trust, and respect. He believed that eBay could be a platform for empowering people and communities around the world, and he worked to build a culture of collaboration and innovation within the company. Key strategies that made eBay a successful online marketplace: Some of the key strategies that have made eBay a successful online marketplace include: User-generated content: eBay’s success is built on the contributions of its users, who create listings, provide feedback, and share information about products and services. Omidyar recognized the importance of user-generated content early on, and he worked to create a platform that encouraged collaboration and communication among buyers and sellers. Trust and safety: eBay’s success also depends on the trust and safety of its users. Omidyar recognized the importance of building a system that protected buyers and sellers from fraud and other types of scams, and he worked to create a platform that was transparent and trustworthy. Innovation: Omidyar was committed to innovation and experimentation, and he encouraged his team to be creative and take risks. This led to the development of new features and services, such as eBay’s feedback system and its buyer protection program, which helped to differentiate the company from its competitors. Overall, Pierre Omidyar’s entrepreneurial vision and commitment to values have been instrumental in making eBay

Most people associate checks with dinosaurs, dodo birds, and other extinct creatures. So while paper checks are on their way out, eChecks are still going strong. Nacha, the company that manages the eCheck network, claims that there were 29.1 billion eCheck payments completed in 2021. Continue reading to find out what eChecks are and how they function if you want your company to share in some of those billions. Defining eChecks EChecks can best be characterised as a “digital version” of paper checks. Direct debit, an internet check, and other phrases like an online check are also used to describe eChecks. Electronic checks (eChecks) employ the Automatic Clearing House (ACH) to perform a direct debit from the customer’s checking account and into the merchant’s commercial bank account. A payments processor helps with each step of the transaction. Electronic check transmission makes these transactions quicker, safer, and simpler. As long as the bank makes this option available for use online, nearly all checking accounts now have the capacity to submit an eCheck. What sets it apart from paper checks? Paper checks are simply paper by definition, and they might soon be a thing of the past. Customers are simply writing less checks for their daily costs, which is the cause of this. They much prefer to use electronic payment options like eChecks. Online retail sales in the US increased by 15% in 2018, totaling $517 billion. It is nevertheless anticipated to win an even bigger portion of global trade. This demonstrates that most transactions are conducted online, which led to the development of brand-new, entirely digital means of payment. These payments are typical for being undetectable, simple, and fast. The benefit of using eChecks is that they process far more quickly than paper checks do. Here are some of the causes: Paper checks require more time and effort to deposit at the bank. Paper checks take longer to process. Hold than electronic checks, and electronic checks speed up the procedure significantly. How eCheck works? Banks can move funds instantly from one account to another thanks to eChecks. They achieve this by utilising a digital network known as the Automated Clearing House, or ACH. According to Nacha, the ACH network connects all banks in the U.S. and moves about $72.6 trillion annually (formerly the National Automated Clearing House Association). The eCheck procedure includes the following steps to ensure that all of the money reaches to its intended recipients: Authorization of Payment : The client first enters the details of their bank account and authorises payment. Usually, an internet payment gateway is used for this. A one-time purchase or a recurring subscfription may be authorised. Payment Request : The company’s payment processor creates a payment request using the account information of the customer. The processor transmits batches of these requests to the Automated Clearing House at specific times each day. Payment Confirmation: The ACH sorts the batches and sends the customer’s bank the payment request. The bank confirms the information is accurate and that there are funds available. Payment : Following the confirmation of the transaction, the funds are transferred from the customer’s account to the company’s account. eChecks can also function in reverse, such as with online tax refunds or direct deposit payroll. Here, the recipient consents to a deposit rather than a withdrawal and provides information about their bank account. Even if these processes seem difficult, processing them is still quicker than processing a paper check. Also, the banking information is encrypted during the entire procedure, unlike a paper check, which is handled by many people. What advantages do eChecks offer? There are a number of advantages to using eChecks, which may be the reason why ACH processing has been increasing every year since 2012. 1. Cost-cutting In the first place, ACH does away with the necessity for pricey credit card networks. In place of high card network exchange charges based on a percentage of the dollar amount transacted are lower flat costs with no transaction amount restriction. If your company frequently accepts sizable payments, think about the economic advantages of ACH over credit cards. 2. Ease of access The monies are transmitted quicker and more conveniently than with paper checks because ACH is an electronic process. 3. Repeated payments eCheck payments are the ideal option for businesses that operate on subscriptions. This is why: Customers can sign up for autopay without you having to fear that their credit card information will change. While credit card numbers frequently change, bank account information doesn’t. Services for processing ACH payments assist avoid lost business and payment lapses. Monthly costs pile up over time, and a company can save a ton of money by signing up for a lengthy membership. Network exchange fees are eliminated with electronic payments. Online electronic check payments are simple to start. Make a straightforward, secure form page that your consumers may fill out. Setting up autopay simply takes a moment, and because they won’t need to write paper checks in the future, it will save them time. You can offer incentives for your consumers to join up because using an ACH direct payment can save your organisation money. Give them a tiny cash incentive, and you’ll probably end up sharply reducing your own expenses. How to integrate eChecks in small businesses? Accepting eCheck payments can greatly expand your consumer base and enhance your revenue. This is especially true for US-based companies that allow clients to make recurring transactions. What you would need to do in order to take eChecks as a form of payment is as follows: A merchant account should be opened using an ACH provider. Get consent from the client by a digital signature or a phone call that is recorded. Provide payment details, such as checking account numbers, routing numbers, the total amount owed, and the due date. You can now manage eCheck payment processing with the aid of your ACH provider. Selecting to work with ACH providers who have a track record of dependability