Debate the causes all you want, but the fallout of this recession is clear: Business leaders will have to permanently change some of their thinking about finance.

Three ways that “business as usual” is going to change in the near term:

• Reconsider banking relationships and resources — It used to be banks worried about the strength of the companies they were lending to. Now, business owners have to worry about the health of their bank. Managing cash and credit was never easy, but it’s even harder with the added burden of wondering if the bank will actually honor its credit line — or get gobbled up by the FDIC. Future forecast: Companies will likely see a need to have less debt, and more cash on hand.
• Watch customers more closely — Companies already keep an eye on customer credit, but they’re expected to be looking more closely, at more metrics, for the long haul. We’ve all learned the hard way that it isn’t enough to rely on current demand, customer forecasts and the like.
• Review staffing resources — A nimble staff, in the right positions to take advantage of their expertise, is a must going forward if companies are going to be able to navigate the likely-to-be-choppy waters ahead. Future forecast: Reallocating staff will mean different things to different companies — there isn’t one common trend that’s expected to become the new norm. Instead, expect to see companies outsourcing, shifting to flex-time, contract and job-sharing programs, or shifting internal resources to better fit their new needs.