In an Economic Downturn, How Do You Spell Relief? It Might Be 'R-E-N-E-G-O-T-I-A-T-E Y-O-U-R L-E-A-S-E'

You've heeded Franklin D. Roosevelt's advice, recognizing as he did that, "It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." You've already dulled your sharpest paring knife; staff is at a minimum; inventory is threadbare; marketing (hah!). Still, a graph of recent revenues shows that after they flatlined, they went over a cliff. Not so good, but hopeless? Too many tenants believe that putting their heads in the sand will solve all their problems, and they always seem to find out too late that an unflattering negotiating posture yields little value. So why not just ask your landlord for some help? Before you do, however, take a deep breath and remember that your landlord is your business partner, not your adversary. . . . (to read the remainder of this article, please log in below.)