Like many Americans, I have reevaluated my personal spending in areas such as my Jeep’s gas consumption, my credit card usage and my entertainment spend (i.e., my late night dinners and adult beverages at the local pub). As you can probably guess, I have not stopped driving, I have not stopped using my credit card and I have not eliminated FUN! What I did do was drive a little less, watched what I spent and had fun at home with my wife and friends more often. Think about what you do with your personal finances when times are tough.

The smell of hotdogs and freshly cut grass. The roar of the fans. A young kid with a rally cap and a newly worked-in glove preparing to catch a foul ball. Harry Carry (R.I.P.) singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game at historic Wrigley Field. The home of my beloved Chicago Cubs. These are the connections that encapsulate my passion for America’s past time and the Chicago Cubs. Where is your connection and how did it develop?

Last week a couple friends and I played a friendly round of golf. As we walked the 18 holes, we chatted about our jobs, our personal lives and, of all things, pop culture. I was quickly reminded that while we all communicate and interact with each other over social media platforms, the in-person interaction is essential in sustaining and building upon our already strong relationships.

We all know that it's smart to market during a recession and that firms that do market are better positioned when the economy turns around. If we all know this, why aren't firms flexing their marketing muscle now? Here are tips on how firms can position themselves for growth in the post-recession economy that bear repeating. They're not earth-shattering. But they are marketing basics that you can't afford to ignore.