I started running a small business ( which i cannot not mention for the security of my identity) five years ago. and the thing that i have learned is:
1. good communication with the employee allows the workers to understand the current situation that the company is facing.
2. Its not that you make the profit .But it how you make that profit.
for example :I flew with Gf in Y class from LHR to bahrain. I was shocked that only dinner was served while the passengers were left hungry as they were hoping for breakfast. And it was obviously another cost cutting scheme.But the thing they can do to cut costs is by learning from other airlines. as when UPS has made a procedure when a plane starts its starts coming for an approach, the engines are kept on idle to reduce wastage of fuel and the plane some what glides.
I have forgotten the name given to the procedure.