The Proactive Accountant Blog (a part of the UK's Accounting Web) has details on the four steps to take to help clients through a recession. The genesis for this was a survey that said that 17% of business owners do not expect their business to survive the current downturn.
So the steps, and, like I said, this is not rocket science, are:
ONE - Proactively start a dialogue with clients about the recession and how to beat it
TWO - Proactively help them to understand the facts about the recession and the facts about what it means for their businesses and their families
THREE - Proactively help them to create action plans for dealing with the implications of these facts for them and their family
FOUR - Proactively help them to implement those plans – and update them in the light of what happens
To which I would add:
FIVE - Provide a flow of benchmarking information on the economy and their industry to allow them to see their progress
SIX - Gently remind them of the progress they have made with your help. How they have survived and are positioned to thrive