What are the signs that your business may be experiencing slow death? Determine whether each of the following statements is "true" or "false" for you.

1. I regularly attend conferences and training in search of innovations that will give me a competitive edge.

2. I have mastered the scripts and dialogs that allow me to obtain listings at the right price and to obtain price reductions where necessary.

3. I have an Internet marketing program that includes both organic and pay-per-click strategies.

4. My assistant and/or I respond to all Web and telephone inquiries as soon as possible, but always before the end of the business day.

5. I use an automated lead follow-up program that allows me to respond to Web inquiries instantaneously.

6. I either own or am considering purchasing a tablet computer so I can go paperless within the next 12 months.

7. My Web site consistently generates good leads that I convert into closed business.

8. I track market statistics and have mastered the scripts and dialogs that allow me to work effectively with both buyers and sellers.

9. I publish a regular e-mail newsletter that goes out to all of my clients as well as to my sphere of influence.

10. I use blogging to build my Web site traffic.

11. I have a business strategy for generating and converting leads for clients who do not speak English as their first language.

SCORING: The more "false" answers you have, the more likely your business will suffer from the deep changes taking place in our industry. While it's not necessary to do all of the items outlined above, failing to do them places you at a competitive disadvantage.