After a rocky year, the economy finally seems to be on the rebound. But is the recession truly over? And what's the outlook for 2010?

Robert Cuomo, dean of Merrimack College's Girard School of Business and International Commerce, will attempt to answer those questions in the latest installment of the "Weathering the Storm Part 2: 'Has the Rain Stopped?'" breakfast series this Thursday, Nov. 12.

Though many are saying the recession is over, Cuomo said it's hard to know for sure, especially with unemployment continuing to rise. And he said its hard to tell if the gains that have been seen — like auto and home sales — are the sign of an uptick or if they have been inflated by government stimulus programs like Cash for Clunkers and the first-time homebuyer's tax credit.

"More evidence is required," he said. "I'm not convinced we're out of this thing yet until we get more data going forward."

Cuomo said consumers and businesses will likely continue to be cautious with their spending, and banks will keep enforcing tight credit standards. He said it could take additional, targeted stimulus spending in order for there to be an economic recovery in 2010.

He will close his talk by telling business owners how to prepare themselves for growth and how they can position themselves for a successful 2010. After all, he said, many successful businesses have been launched in bad economic times.

Following Cuomo's talk, those in attendance will hear from Michael Barretti, director of executive education for Suffolk University's Sawyer Business School. He will talk about how businesses can best market themselves as they head into an economic recovery.

"What generally happens during economic downturns is people kind of hunker down. One of the things they stop doing enough of is marketing," Barretti said. "So I'm going to be talking about how during a downturn, you have to increase your marketing efforts.

"That's the way you work yourself through the downturn and set yourself up for the future when things get better. In adversity, there is opportunity for those who are bold enough to do it."

This week's discussion is the last of five sessions held throughout the fall in an effort to help local businesses prepare for the recovery from the nation's economic downturn.

The "Weathering the Storm" breakfast series is sponsored by The Eagle-Tribune, in conjunction with Suffolk University, Merrimack College, and the Greater Derry Londonderry, Greater Haverhill, Greater Salem and Merrimack Valley chambers of commerce.

Thursday's session is scheduled from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Business people of all kinds are urged to attend the free session, held at The Eagle-Tribune offices, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover. For information or to reserve a space, call Lil Toohey, at 978-946-2111. (For further details, please see the ad on this page.)

WEATHERING THE ECONOMIC STORM PART 2: 'HAS THE RAIN STOPPED?'

Thursday, Nov. 12, 8 to 9:30 a.m.: Preparing for Growth — "Ready? Set? Go!" with Robert Cuomo of Merrimack College and Michael Barretti of Suffolk University

ABOUT ROBERT CUOMO

Robert J. Cuomo is dean of the Girard School of Business and International Commerce at Merrimack College. He is a Ph.D economist with substantial corporate, consulting, and teaching experience. His skills and knowledge include modeling, capital budgeting, project management, forecasting, leadership, and team building. In his position as dean, he has been integrally involved in implementing curriculum change in the Girard School. He has held several senior positions in industry, including chief economist and chief financial officer at Boston Edison, as well as principal consultant at Global Insight, a nationally recognized economic consulting firm. He has held faculty positions at Babson College and Cambridge College.

ABOUT MICHAEL BARRETTI

Michael Barretti is the director of the Institute for Executive Education and Life-Long Learning and a clinical assistant professor of marketing at Suffolk University. He has more than 35 years of domestic and international business experience related to marketing, strategic planning, and new business development. He holds an MBA from the Suffolk University, earned in the Executive MBA Program, and also earned a BBA from St. Johns University in New York. In addition to his academic and administrative responsibilities at Suffolk, he maintains business interests in the medical devices industry, and is the holder of patents in the field of laser surgery. He serves on the board of directors of AMEX listed CardioTech International, and on the board of World Boston, an internationally recognized organization developed to promote international exchange and understanding.