Well, we’re just about through one of the most challenging and uncertain years for business in recent memory — and good riddance!  Here’s to a prosperous 2010.

Although we’ll all be glad to put 2009 behind us, the unfortunate reality is that changing our economic fortunes is not as simple as changing our calendars. Despite some signs that the economy is recovering, many individuals, businesses and industries continue to struggle through the ongoing effects of the recession.

Nevertheless, the new year does provide an opportunity to take a small step back and assess the lessons learned in 2009 and think about how to apply that hard earned knowledge upcoming challenges in 2010.

A common business practice when deciding on a course of action is to perform a S.W.O.T. analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that you expect to face in 2010? Do you plan to make any changes to your business in the coming year in response to the ongoing economic slump? Do you expect to see a strong pick-up in business next year, or more of the same?

Tell us what your crystal ball is telling you by posting a comment below

Many so-called economic experts are saying that the recession is over, and they cite a number of statistics to support this claim — Gross Domestic Product is up, the unemployment rate is getting less worse (does that really qualify as a good thing?), the Dow Jones Industrial Average is at its highest point in over a year and the purchasing manager’s index indicates that conditions are improving.

And yet when you go beyond these broad indicators and look a little closer at the day-to-day lives of normal Americans, you’ll see that many people are still struggling to manage their personal finances under heavy credit card debt and onerous mortgage payments.

These broader measures offer hope that the economic situation for the average American will begin to improve in the year ahead, but they offer little consolation for those struggling in the here and now.

Businesses, too, face equally challenging times as competition drives down margins, the cost of employee benefits continues to increase, credit for new equipment is scarce and general morale suffers from these ongoing troubles.

Are you seeing the improving economy that many experts are touting? Have orders picked up at your workplace? Do you feel more secure in your job than you did a year ago? Tell us how you or your business are experiencing these broader economic measures by posting a comment below.