Small companies must be ready to diversify in order to beat the economic downturn, one expert has claimed.
According to actress and SME owner Jane Asher, running a business is tough, but people can do things to make it easier.
Speaking on behalf of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), she said: "You've always got to be ready to diversify, if you possibly can.
"If you find you're not getting the customers you need, or you are not selling your services or your product as expected you may have to be ready to move sideways."
By doing this, people can generate extra cash which could prove vital in helping them through hard times, she added.
This change of direction might even be taking up something that the firm had not previously considered, Ms Asher stated.
Last week, the FSB urged the government to address the needs of SMEs by looking at issues such as parking charges and post office closures.
