What would YOU do if someone provided you contact with literally millions of potential customers…and did so absolutely FREE? Well, if you’re in the newspaper business, you would complain. Which may explain why they are in the shape in which they currently find their industry.

In an op-ed piece in the December 2 edition of “The Wall Street Journal,” Google co-founder Eric Schmidt offers that his company should not be considered the problem when the print media belabors its woes. In fact, according to Schmidt, Google is the newspaper industry’s greatest source of promotion. They are providing literally 100,000 opportunities a minute for newspapers to “win loyal readers and generate revenue-for free.” I think he’s right. The problem is not Google – the flaw is in the monopolistic, conventional thinking that is part of the fabric of most traditional media outlets. Even Rupert Murdoch has said the problem is not technology – it’s complacency.

You don’t have to look to a far-away past to remember the time that a city’s newspaper was one of its most stable and profitable enterprises. The family (before media conglomerates like today) that owned the paper – in my home area, it was the Bingham’s of Louisville or the Pulliam’s of Indianapolis – were one of the center-points of high society. Reporters were given time to research and investigate, and it went without saying that civic and charitable involvement was an integral part of the duties expected of their employees.

» Read more: Complacency – Not Technology – Is Creating the Problem

There has been much negative talk of late regarding the economy and the outlook for the coming months and possibly years. The good news is, there is always strong buying demand from prospective purchasers of profitable, well-managed small* and middle-market* companies. Companies with a solid track record for growth and stability sell well amidst the ebbs and flows of the economy at fairly consistent multiples. However, all business owners should consistently prepare for the sale of their company.

The preparation of a company for sale is commonly called an exit strategy. When preparing an exit strategy, it is important to find a firm that helps business owners bolster their company’s operations and positions their company to sell at the best possible price and terms. A comprehensive team approach to an exit strategy is paramount as it includes a team of professional advisors including your accountant, attorney, financial advisor and an expert in transactions involving privately-held companies.

Business brokers sell smaller businesses and investment bankers facilitate transactions involving much larger companies. Owners of companies in the small and middle-market need a firm in between these more defined categories. Small and middle-market companies often require the similar level of services available to larger companies and may require greater personal attention. Operations may need improvement before seeking a buyer. Expertise in financial management, mergers & acquisitions, consulting and accounting and the ability to work with your other professional advisors is the ideal combination required to maximize your company’s value.

» Read more: Tremendous Opportunity For Business Owners in Any Economy

In the average household, the energy bill is normally one of the single biggest monthly outgoings and rising energy prices mean that’s not going to change any time soon. However, even a home energy bill is dwarfed by the energy requirements of even the smallest company so it’s very important that businesses make sure that they are paying the right amount of money for their energy. What amounts to small savings when switching residential energy can become a much bigger saving for a big company.

Of course, nobody wants to pay more than they absolutely need to for energy, and the cheaper you can make your energy bills, the more profit your company can make. The good news is that making a few very simple changes to how you approach your energy usage can make a big difference to your overall costs. Here’s some of the biggest changes you can make:

Compare and switch business energy – Don’t make the mistake of thinking that comparison and switching is something that only benefits residential customers Business energy price comparison is a vital part of keeping your energy costs low for your company. Where your business is based and the size of your business are the biggest factors in determining how much you’ll end up paying, but it’s crucial that you shop around. There’s a large number of business energy tariffs available from more providers than you might think, and simply going with the first offer or the biggest brand name is unlikely to net you the best deal.

» Read more: Save Your Business From Huge Energy Bills With Business Energy Price Comparison