You’ve surely heard this saying before, but it holds just as much weight today as it did when it was first uttered. If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. As we wind down the last few days of 2008, have you started putting together your business plans for 2009?

Given the current economic situation in the markets, your business may have a very difficult time securing a loan, so have you considered other strategies and sources of funding if you need it? Have you already secured a line of credit as an emergency fund?

Similarly, taking a look at your upcoming marketing efforts, have you considered how the market will react to upcoming products and services? Many people are holding onto their wallets more tightly than ever, so have you thought about how you are going to market your company is such a way to still be profitable under these market conditions?

Have you addressed any potential cash flow problems? What are your plans for growing or advancing your business, taking it to the next level? These are all questions you should be asking yourself in the next few days, putting together a suitable business plan for the year ahead while revisiting your goals from 2008 as well.