Finding New Leads Is your business in a sales slump? Here's how to find some hot prospects.

If sales have slowed and you're scrambling for newcustomers, the fastest way to find them is to target past customersand ask them to refer you to their colleagues. Or, when relevant,let your nonbusiness acquaintances know what you do. Can you dobusiness with someone at the gym or the PTA? You'll never knowif you don't ask.

Try forming your own board of advisors. Your lawyer, insuranceagent or banker can supply you with good advice as well as a steadysource of leads. Or how about a blast from the past? Check out yourold high school and college yearbooks, or contact people you usedto work for or socialize with.