For well-positioned companies, an economic recession should not prompt marketing cutbacks, but rather an aggressive increase in marketing spending to achieve superior business performance.

One of the best quotes about the importance of advertising is by Stuart Henderson Britt and goes like this: “Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing but nobody else does.”

More and more small businesses find it essential to market their products and services online. Customers are increasingly turning to the Web to research companies, compare product features and prices, and to purchase online. A company that does not take advantage of the Web and email to market their business can lose valuable customers.

Fortune Direct is an online business directory where business decision-makers identify, evaluate and connect with other businesses. If you are interested in business-to-business, you'll find that having an Fortune Direct Enhanced Profile is a valuable tool in marketing your business, networking and closing sales.