We’re on the move! There’s nothing like a toe-tapping song from the 1970s of 80s to bring on the cheers for our upcoming office move. Yes, the walls in our new suite are being painted as I write this – a few weeks to go and the Tucson office of the Arizona Small Business Association will be moving. Actually, the changes are more profound than a new office and a fresh coat of paint.

ASBA is becoming more current, more vibrant and more relevant. We’re moving forward to 2010 with a new look, a renewed sense of purpose and improved business processes. Our members are already benefitting from these changes.

I will always think of 2009 as the year of “why?” and “what next?” 

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• Why did the old ways of doing business stop working for all of us?

• What changes need to take place now and in the future?

• Why is everyone voraciously embracing social media?

• What shall I do with my new found friends, fans and followers?

• Why did we get so greedy/lazy/complacent?

• What do we need to do to become more frugal/humble/aware?

• Why are some companies thriving beyond expectation? Did they discover the Blue Ocean (from W. Chan Kim’s and Renee Mauborgne’s “Blue Ocean Strategy”) is right here in Tucson and what will they discover next?

• What happens if we do nothing at all? Who even thinks this is an option?

My advice to all business owners who want to make money, save money and create valuable opportunities for the coming year: ask those around you — peers, employees, customers, strangers, family — “why” questions about your business. When you get an answer ask “why” six more times.

• Why am I paying the same rent I paid in 2008?

• Why do I need this amount of space?

• Why do I need to be in this building?

• Why do I need to be in this location?

• Why are these customers important to me?

• Why should anything change?

Now you have a number of answers. Start making plans around those answers.

• What can I do to reduce my rent?

• What reductions/increases in space are realistic/necessary?

• What are the benefits of staying in this building/location versus moving elsewhere?

• What are my customers wants/needs?

• What are the anticipated gains to my business?

Make sure you are able to evaluate and measure the results of any actions you take as a result of the answers to these questions.

To stimulate some thought-provoking, profitable ideas, ASBA on Nov. 19 is presenting internationally-renowned speaker and entrepreneur Harvey Mackay at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd.

You may know him from one of his best-selling books, including “Swim With the Sharks (Without Being Eaten Alive),” “Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt” and “Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty.” Ask anyone in the know if you should listen to him speak and their eyes will light up. To quote one ASBA member, “Are you kidding? How did you get him to come to Tucson?” Ticket reservations are available online at www.asba.com .

On a final note, this past month I’ve met with a variety of business leaders in our community. If we have one thing in common, it is that we are all working diligently to create opportunities to thrive for businesses based in our region. Partnerships and collaboration exist where before there were none. Dare I say there is a new air of respect and old rivalries are being put aside? Sure, there are still disagreements; that’s healthy. More importantly, we are combining the strengths of each other for the benefit of the stakeholders we serve.

Contact Suzette Colley, regional director for the Arizona Small Business Association, at SuzetteC@asba.com or (520) 327-0222. The Tucson office is at 4811 E. Grant Road, Suite 261 (soon to be Suite 262), in Crossroads Festival. The Small Business column appears the second week of each month in Inside Tucson Business.