The Philadelphia Business Journal published an article this week about rising gas costs and how this affects businesses. Gene Marks said that the high price of gas will bring on a fundamental, “good” change in our economy, in “Penny Pincher's Almanac: High gasoline prices? Bring it ON!”

Marks heads The Marks Group, which provides technology and financial consulting in Bala Cynwyd. He is also the author of "The Streetwise Small Business Book of Lists" and three other books on small business.

Marks details ways for “penny pinchers” to manage energy costs. His recommendations include:

• Make the best use of technology by exploring technology tools/sites such as Citrix, Windows Terminal Server, Freeconferencecall.com and video conference tools. Plan to have in-office meetings, utilize the web and cut down on traveling. “Your customers will understand. If you're good enough, you'll still accomplish the same,” Marks says.
• Pool your office resources. Employees can carpool to work, or work from home. Encourage employees to use public transportation and turn the thermostat down a bit. Marks encourages businesses to “be nimble and focus on anything that will cut a few dollars from the gas bill.”
• Raise your prices. “You're in business to make money,” Marks says. Fuel expenses are affecting many businesses, including yours. You might not want to raise prices, but your competition will likely be doing the same.

Do you think Marks’ recommendations will work for your business? Is it easier for small businesses/start-ups to try and cut costs?

We want to hear from you, tell us what you think.