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Technology eliminates many hurdles that have previously impeded the ability of small businesses to compete on a large scale. Today's most successful small businesses are using technology to solve administrative, security or technical challenges, using marketing partnerships to help generate new business, and using consultants to ease the accounting burden, thus enabling the core business to remain more focused on serving the needs of its customers and growing revenue.

Beyond maintaining a perfunctory website, the biggest must have for a modern small business is a search engine results maximization strategy. Companies that want to maximize their growth potential must make a serious commitment of time and their operating budget to ensure they are putting themselves in the best position possible to develop new business. Because millions of small businesses are introduced to new business opportunities outside of traditional word-of-mouth, companies need to dedicate a significant amount of resources to ensure a web presence with the appropriate placement and presentation.

Companies must pay close attention to the costs of organizational growth and the costs of generating new business. Many small businesses have turned to marketing partnerships to help generate leads and new business. Companies are outsourcing direct marketing and initial telesales leg work to organizations like Rainmaker Systems, hoping to maximize revenue and reduce the costs of lead generation.

Another must have is a way to manage corporate security. Small businesses cannot afford to be naïve when it comes to protecting their intellectual property and proprietary databases from former employees and competitors. Businesses must ensure the best possible informational safety and operational contingencies are in place and tested. The last thing an existing or new customer wants to hear is their order did not get fulfilled because their information was lost because the servers crashed. For a small business to feel secure means confidential information is completely protected and essential technology is backed-up.

Not every small business can afford to outsource financial accounting and other administrative aspects of managing the company. Some companies succeed using a combination approach -- doing what they do best and offloading that which is better left to outside experts. Because it is a fundamental part of running a business, it is generally a good idea for senior management to understand the company's finances intimately. Yet it makes sense to consult an outside expert who might be able assist in getting the accounting, reporting and compliance on the right track. Companies that are successful find the right cost/reward balance, allowing the business the time and resources to focus on revenue-geared core competencies of sales and customer service.

Any company, regardless of its size, should have a vision of what it needs to grow its business while managing the costs of doing business. If it is going to survive, every small business needs a solid plan for search engine results maximization, marketing to generate new business, maintaining corporate security, and maintaining financial integrity and product quality amidst growth.