Although your business is successful, there are times when sales may level off or profits might start to slide. In this uncertain economic climate, you cannot take anything for granted. So you might take a more aggressive stance in 2008.

Keeping that in mind, here are several basic management tips to observe. It can’t hurt to follow these practices even if your business has been prospering.

Prepare for the days when things will not be going as well as they are now. Just witness the recent rash of high-profile corporations that have fallen on hard times. There are simply no guarantees about the future success of your company. One of the worst enemies of every business owner or manager is complacency.

Avoid knee-jerk assumptions about customers or clients. For example, a salesperson might assume that a certain territory is all wrapped up or a particular client will remain loyal forever. Then the other shoe drops when a large account is unexpectedly lost to the competition. Even if you have provided quality services to someone in the past, you must show that you will continue to do so tomorrow and the day after.

Continue to expand your business. It is rare to be in the enviable position of having “too much” business. More often than not, a business tends to get bogged down at a certain comfort level. When that happens, it is easier for a competitor to siphon off some of your profits. In addition, you may come across as being arrogant to clients and prospects if you make a halfhearted attempt to generate new business. A successful business is usually a growing business.

Keep learning more about your clientele. Gathering information should be an ongoing process. For instance, you should regularly ask customers or clients questions about any concerns and opportunities they are facing, the changes that are affecting them and any special conditions that are causing problems. If you do not regularly keep in touch, you may not be able to fulfill their needs in the future.

Do not risk everything on just one or two accounts. Similarly, if your sales are completely price driven, your business can go down the drain quickly if a competitor decides to undercut you. In other words, you must offer more to customers than just a low price. The way you operate should give the impression that you intend to stay in business for the long haul.

Plan ahead for potential economic downturns. This is not to suggest that you should let doom and gloom pervade your thinking. Instead, it is meant to convey the idea that it is better to be safe than sorry. A “safe and sound” approach is to recognize the uncertainty of the future and to act accordingly.

Don’t wait: Take these precautionary measures before the danger signs appear. As a result, you can keep your business growing despite the inevitable bumps in the road.