If you run a training or consulting business and have been watching your income erode over the last months, no doubt you are feeling pressure. We all are. It’s good to consider that the poor economy isn’t going to last forever, and that you have options,particularly if you have enough financial strength to that you can ignore current lower revenue, and build for increased revenue when things improve.

It is an ideal time, particularly if you have less work, to start looking at new product/service lines. Introducing innovative products and services can place you way ahead of the game come the recovery. So build your “infrastructure” for the long term.

There is one thing I can suggest that is a bit more specific. It has more to do with mental perspective and how you conceptualize what you do.

First, if you see yourself as a trainer, delivering training as the heart of your business, throw out the idea completely. The more you wed yourself to a delivery method, the more at risk your business is. So, don’t run a training company. Period.

Second, change the concept from training to learning. The simple act of saying “I’m in the learning business” as compared to “I’m in the training business”m will allow you to open new doors and new revenue streams. Just a simple reconceptualization opens the doors to revenue streams that help people learn. That’s a huge universe.

So, make the leap. And then play with new ways to increase your revenue. Now is the best time to do so if your niche is slow and customers are scarce.