Six approaches small businesses can take to increase profits during an economic recession are: 1) Increasing advertising spending rather than decreasing it, 2) Leveraging time by hiring an outbound telemarketing firm, 3) Focusing on closing new and repeat sales rather than seeking new business, 4) Ensuring employees receive proper training, 5) Delivering excellent customer service to retain existing customers, and 6) Maintaining an optimistic outlook that employees will adopt. Implementing these six rules can help keep a small business profitable into the future.