The world has become a very risky place for a company to operate. As such, many businesses have decided to hoard cash to wait out the storm. Indeed, American businesses are currently holding more than $2 trillion in cash and cash equivalents, one of the highest levels ever seen in corporate America. One company alone, Apple, has more than $70 billion in cash sitting in its bank account.

Because of this uncertainly, many companies are desperate for sound business analysis so that they can create a rational economic plan for their future. Although corporate profits are currently doing well, economic growth is still anemic and unemployment remains stubbornly high.

Although all business decisions are made with a lack of complete information, proper business analysis can help companies reduce the number of unknown variables, thereby making the decision concerning the desirability of investment in this economic environment an easier one.

The decision is complicated by the fact that, in many respects, it is a very propitious time to invest for the future. Interest rates are at record lows as the Federal Reserve has been looking to stimulate economic growth with cheap money, which provides a unique opportunity for companies looking to borrow cash to grow their companies.

In addition, business costs have been steadily falling for companies looking to invest. The popping of the housing bubble has made real estate very cheap across much of the country; since 2006, housing prices have fallen by an average of 30 percent. As well, the high unemployment rate has kept labor costs low, making it a good time to hire for those companies looking to expand.

Of course, any decision to invest can only be made after a detailed business analysis of the consequences of such action. Without it, a business is operating in the dark, a serious risk in such perilous economic times.