Local businesses are sponsoring a seminar later this month to aid other Wahkiakum County businesses and people interested in operating a business.

Business Navigation 101 is an introduction to an integrated planning and budgeting approach using analysis, systems and marketing to set targets, measure progress and quickly adapt to turbulent change.

Business methods formerly used by larger enterprises are now being applied to improve the stability of smaller ventures. There are many practices normally used only rarely, which may help some ventures survive during these challenging times.

Greater predictability of both business and personal cash flow has become essential as credit sources have become more expensive and less available. With a drop in revenue, increased profit can be difficult to produce to fund a shift to lower levels of credit dependence.

"To maintain maximum revenue requires greater concentration upon customer satisfaction and delight," says presenter John E. Anderson. "Innovation is one of the few available ways to increase services while decreasing costs and overhead. Greater still is the creativity necessary to win new clients and seek market share growth, but it is possible with competitors also suffering and reducing their market presence.

"During times of great change, old habits must be examined and new methods considered. Business tools never considered necessary must now be tested and evaluated."

The workshop will be offered on April 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the River Street Meeting Room, Cathlamet.

Sponsors include Lower Columbia Economic Development Council, Bank of the Pacific, Bank of America and The Wahkiakum County Eagle. Registration is $10 by April 23 and $15 afterward. Contact the LCEDC to register.

Anderson is a business consultant operating

Be Cause Business Resources, Inc., Longview.