Friday - October 01, 2010
Is your marketing message easy to remember and repeat? Bill Schley joins Jim Blasingame to explain why your message must be more than memorable, it must be repeatable, and in very few words, which Bill calls a microscript.
When we're connecting with prospects and customers, words matter. Bill Schley joins Jim Blasingame to explain the power of a microscript, which is a very short, totally intuitive and memorable message that conveys the essence of what you do and the value you deliver.
What did the political establishment learn in the 2010 primaries? Former Delaware Gov. Pete du Pont joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the surprises in the Delaware primaries and its similarities with the rest of the U.S., plus the growing anti-incumbent and anti-Democrat climate.
What did the 2010 Delaware Republican Senate primary reveal about the Republican establishment? Gov. Pete du Pont joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the reaction to the surprise Christine O’Donnell win in the 2010 Delaware Republican Senate primary and why it upset the Republican establishment.
How will the November 2010 midterm elections impact the political class establishment? Gov. Pete du Pont joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the anti-incumbent and anti-Democrat climate, plus the possible metamorphosis of both of the main parties.
Are you ready for a small business marketing killer app? Rick Mathieson joins Jim Blasingame to report on the Quick Response (QR) Code technology, which will allow customers to interact with your ads with their smart phones and respond to your call to action.
Is your small business ready to use 3D holograms to demonstrate your products? Rick Mathieson joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how Augmented Reality Markers that project 3D holograms of your products right off of your website.
Are you ready to rent a car by the hour? Joel Barker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss zip cards for renting cars as one of the latest market innovation, including how this idea presents opportunities for some and threats for others.
If you need an organ replacement in the future, you will be able to grow your own? Joel Barker joins Jim Blasingame to talk about medical breakthroughs resulting in growing a replacement liver or lung, for example, from the DNA of the patient.
Could a laser power planes in the future? Joel Barker joins Jim Blasingame to review a model helicopter that flies by the power of an infrared laser and how this power source could change the way we think about energy sources and applications.
Monday - October 04, 2010
Strategic alliances are good for your business and the marketplace. Pamela Harper joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the 2nd decade of the 21st century as the Decade of Partnering, where reinventing your business could mean creating strategic alliances
Are you still selling buggy whips in a storefront when your customers prefer auto parts online? Pamela Harper joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why you being relevant to customers may require you to be more innovative with your business model.
The October 15 extension deadline for filing your personal tax returns is quickly approaching. Barbara Weltman joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the deadline and, if your small business was profitable in 2009, there’s still time to set up and fund a SEP retirement plan.
When will Congress pass the tax laws for next year? Barbara Weltman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the unknown tax rates for 2011, plus the tax provisions of the Small Business Jobs Act, including expensing, depreciation, narrow capital gains restrictions and the small bank lending requirements.
Even though the 2011 tax rates are currently unknown, there are still year-end plans you can make. Barbara Weltman joins Jim Blasingame to talk about year-end tax planning including deferred income and signing the paperwork for a 2010 401(k) before the end of the year, even if you don’t fund it.
Are you connecting with your customers the way they want to connect? Adrian Ott joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the Instant Engagement Age, where customers want, and use, 24-hour Internet access for local search, order tracking and general customer service.
Does your social media strategy include customer service? Adrian Ott joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to use a social media strategy to create better customer relations not only with current customers, but also to find new customers, plus what to do when you find a customer was not satisfied with your service.
Are you ready to charge ahead in the marketplace? Tim Berry joins Jim Blasingame to talk about getting back to the business of growing your business by taking a fresh look at your strategy with an emphasis on fundamentals.
How do you know if your struggles are due to the economy or your strategy? Tim Berry joins Jim Blasingame to reveal the three things to consider when looking at your business plan strategy: business identity, target market focus and business offering focus.
Is your business plan strategy in alignment and focused? Tim Berry joins Jim Blasingame to continue their discussion on refreshing your business plan strategy, including the two questions you should ask: Are you leading with the strongest element of your plan, and are you focused on your targeted market?
Tuesday - October 05, 2010
There is no vocabulary to describe what’s coming next in advertising and marketing. Kirk Cheyfitz joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how consumers, newly empowered by technology, have permanently changed advertising, marketing and media, permanently changing how businesses connect with them.
Why is the new marketing and advertising age good for small business? Kirk Cheyfitz joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how technology has leveled the playing field for small businesses to connect with and attract customers.
How will the future of advertising affect small business? Kirk Cheyfitz joins Jim Blasingame to report that one of the characteristics of marketing and advertising is increasingly to create and tell a story and use social media and other web tools to present it.
How do you price your products for sales growth and profitability? Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss several ways to think about pricing structure, for both business to business as well as business to consumer models.
How does a business react to discount pressure from customers? Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blasingame with discounting tips and pricing strategies that help you keep customers without hurting profitability.
What does it take to improve your eating habits? Ken Leebow joins Jim Blasingame to offer simple tips to improve your diet without eating less!
What is the foundation for healthier habits? Ken Leebow joins Jim Blasingame to help you establish a foundation for healthier eating and living, including exercise and focusing on two food elements: protein and fiber.
How do small businesses feel about the economy? Giovanni Coratolo joins Jim Blasingame to discuss polls that show small business owners are not confident in the economy, why the government has let them down and why that's impacting their growth plans.
What is in the Small Business Jobs Act? Giovanni Coratolo joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how the bill misses the mark regarding capital gains, increased taxes and bank lending.
Will the health care bill be a nightmare for small businesses? Giovanni Coratolo joins Jim Blasingame to talk about some of the damaging elements of the health care bill, including requiring small businesses to file 1099 forms on almost every business relationship.
Wednesday - October 06, 2010
Are your Gen X and Y employees engaged? Michael Muetzel joins Jim Blasingame discuss tips to promote trust and engagement with your 20- and 30-something employees.
Michael Muetzel joins Jim Blasingame to continue their discussion engaging Gens X and Y, including involving them in business decisions, plus helping them understand how to communicate with their Baby Boomer bosses.
If you're a successful imitator, how do you prepare for being imitated? Oded Shenkar joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how the pace of change and imitation has accelerated, so you have to defend from other imitators.
What have you learned in this recovery? Debbie Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to talk about specific things your small business can do to maintain company integrity: motivate customers and employees, plus renegotiate to survive.
Where should you cut back to survive this recovery? Debbie Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to suggest eliminating non-essential costs while keeping your current customers, being referral-worthy and also telling the truth.
Should you innovate through imitation? Oded Shenkar joins Jim Blasingame talk about how smart companies use imitation to innovate and gain a strategic edge within your own niche.
How will your small business survive this recovery? Debbie Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to offer some tips on attitude and change to survive and still be creative and innovative in this recovery.
Bob Kustka joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why having a website is essential for every business and should reflect who you are, who you are trying to reach and what your purpose is.
Are you a management leader or a driver? Michael Muetzel joins Jim Blasingame to talk about talk about some of the realities of getting the generations - Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y - to work together more effectively.
Are you intimidated at the thought of working with a website developer? Bob Kustka joins Jim Blasingame to discuss tips for website specifications and working with a webmaster.
Thursday - October 07, 2010
Will the economy improve after the mid-term elections? Jim Blasingame reveals the results of a recent Small Business Advocate poll where almost 75% of respondents said yes, plus the reasons behind the emotional “dam”, caused by economic and political uncertainty.
Reporting on the entrepreneurs of the compounding pharmacy industry? Jim Blasingame reports on a recent visit with compounding pharmacists, including how they have found success against the Big Box pharmacies by getting back to the basics of serving customers one at a time.
What do small businesses think about the economy? Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to report that this month’s Tatum Survey of Business Conditions indicates the small businesses are optimistic that the economy will improve.
The Oct 2010 Tatum Survey of Business Conditions. Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to report that small businesses are optimistic about the economy for the near term, including hiring, credit, capital expenditures and order backlogs.
Should small businesses be worried about a devalued U.S. dollar? Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to report on global currencies and the government’s philosophy of manipulating the value the dollar to stimulate the economy, and what this means for small business.
Do you provide your customers with a special experience? Eric Karjaluoto joins Jim Blasingame to celebrate National Customer Service Week, and discuss the roots of small business customer service, plus the importance of giving customers a special experience.
Are your employees empowered to offer memorable customer service? Eric Karjaluoto joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why businesses should invest in customer service training, plus the influence of the Internet on customer behavior.
Kiplinger’s Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on the mid-term elections, whether 2011 will be the year of political gridlock and whether that will be good for the economy.
Kiplinger on how Washington will work after the mid-terms. Kiplinger’s Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on how governing will change after the mid-term elections, including the impact on limiting carbon emissions, the card check bill, the Bush tax cuts and the 1099 issue.
Kiplinger reports on securities mortgages & offshore drilling. Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on the future of securities mortgages and the pace and politics of foreclosures, plus future of oversight of offshore drilling.
Friday - October 08, 2010
Wall Street is a predictor, not an investment advisor. Bob Fischer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the "naked portfolio" management strategy is better than following Wall Street investment predictions.
Why is an analytical investment strategy better than Wall Street predictions? Bob Fischer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss tips for better investing, including re-balancing your portfolio and how to invest based on historic information.
Are you using the best investment professional for your portfolio? Bob Fischer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss using logic and rules-based methodology for investing, plus the advantages of using a naked portfolio manager over a Wall Street expert.
Should the estate tax be repealed? Douglas Holtz-Eakin joins Jim Blasingame to discuss a study that suggests a reinstatement of the Federal Estate Tax could lead to the loss of as many as 1.5 million jobs by the damage it would do to small businesses.
How can we accelerate the economic recovery? Douglas Holtz-Eakin joins Jim Blasingame to talk about some of the leadership steps that must be taken to help small businesses grow the economy and America back to prosperity.
It's breast cancer awareness month. Joan Pryde and Judith Glaser joins Jim Blasingame to be the first of four ladies to tell their breast cancer experience and survival story and remind all women to get screened yearly.
Should you get screened if breast cancer doesn't run in your family? Paula Lovell and Lois Geller join Jim Blasingame to discuss their breast cancer experience and stories of survival, plus how breast cancer isn't always genetic, and dealing with the fear of cancer.
Is breast cancer a death sentence? Lois Geller, Judith Glaser, Paula Lovell, and Joan Pryde join Jim Blasingame to say cancer doesn't have to define you. Take action, get screened, participate in clinical trials.
Beware of political candidates’ lip service on small business. Janet Christy joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the importance of voting, especially this year, including tips to determine which candidates’ values most closely align with small business based on what they do, not what they say.
Why must small business owners become more political? Janet Christy joins Jim Blasingame to continue their discussion on the importance of voting, plus why we must do our homework to determine which candidates are best for small business.
Monday - October 11, 2010
Should communities trump demographics in your marketing strategy? Gary Vaynerchuk joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how things are evolving away from demographics and toward communities, and why that's good news for small businesses who have a social media strategy.
Is it better to build customer communities instead of a social media strategy? Gary Vaynerchuk joins Jim Blasingame to discuss building customer communities, plus the power of digital word-of-mouth marketing, or user generated content.
How far should government go in regulating the marketplace? Bill Halal joins Jim Blasingame to identify examples of why the marketplace and the government have to develop a new regulation relationship.
Can government solve health care industry challenges? Bill Halal joins Jim Blasingame to discuss his thoughts on the failure of the U.S. health care industry and to propose that the government should play a bigger role in providing every American with health care.
Is there an increasing income disparity in America? Bill Halal joins Jim Blasingame to propose that there is an income inequity in America that cannot be fixed by the government.
What are the key elements of entrepreneurial success? Steven Schussler joins Jim Blasingame to reveal two of the five Ps of entrepreneurial success, including Personality and Persistence.
What does it takes to be a successful entrepreneur? Steven Schussler joins Jim Blasingame to continue their discussion with three of the five Ps of entrepreneurial success: Product, People and Philanthropy.
What is the future of print journalism? Joel Welker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the differences between business journals and daily newspapers, plus how both have to adopt technology to adapt to the digital age.
How will professional journalism survive in the digital age?Joel Welker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the future of professional journalism and why consumers of information should differentiate between journalism and amateur opinion.
When will the news stop being distributed on newsprint? Joel Welker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss whether electronic news publishing will make newsprint obsolete, plus the compelling nature of high touch.
Tuesday - October 12, 2010
Is the Democrat’s campaign strategy looking like desperation? Rich Galen joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the mid-term elections with an historic perspective, plus whether the Dems are becoming desperate and the GOP is losing touch.
How will the mid-term Congressional elections turn out? Rich Galen joins Jim Blasingame to predict the Republicans will pick up 50 seats to take control of the House and nine in the Senate, to split that house down the middle. Plus, Galen says the GOP will win more governorships.
Can you predict whether someone will be a successful leader? David Rock joins Jim Blasingame to discuss his current study to determining whether someone will be a successful leader by examining their behavior and innate characteristics.
Are we slaves to our technology? David Rock joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the impact of technology on the brain, including social interaction, plus social media’s effects on work ethics and regulating the use of technology.
David Rock joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the fine line between using technology to accomplish company goals while meeting customers’ expectations. The answer is to ask customers what they want.
What should be the correct motivations for starting a small business? Tom Asacker joins Jim Blasingame to say that the right reasons to start a small business should be less about following your passion and more about delivering what customers want.
Grow your business by staying in touch with customers. Tom Asacker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why as small businesses grow, they must stay connected with customers by continuing to ask them what they want.
How do small businesses benefit from Moore's Law? Ed Yourdon joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how computer processing doubling every 18 months has resulted in great advantages and competitive power for small business owners.
How can small business find success in the cloud? Ed Yourdon joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how cloud computing has produced a number of powerful applications that help small businesses to compete on a higher level without a lot of capital.
Could our commitment to cloud computing create future problems? Ed Yourdon joins Jim Blasingame to discuss potential issues arising out of our expanded use of cloud computing, including the loss of physical assets and potential for government control.
Wednesday - October 13, 2010
Empowering small business is good for the world. Mary Cantando joins Jim Blasingame to discuss her recent trip to Amsterdam working with women business owners from all over the world, plus the importance of micro-loans to third world entrepreneurs.
Do you know why you are a small business owner? Mary Cantando joins Jim Blasingame to recommend asking yourself if you remember why you became a business owner, plus why knowing the top three priorities of your top three customers is important.
Is the U.S. trending toward the European social model? Guy Sorman joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the demonstrations in France and across Europe against diminished entitlements in the face of economic realities, and how the U.S. could be headed in that direction.
Liu Xiaobo is a living profile in courage. Guy Sorman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss Guy's friend, Liu Xiaobo, the imprisoned Chinese dissident and now Nobel Peace Prize winner, and his struggles to bring democracy to China. Plus how this story impacts business relationships.
Should we be worried about the devaluation of the U.S. dollar? Guy Sorman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the current low exchange rate of the U.S. dollar and whether it should be of concern. Plus whether the U.S. should return to the gold standard.
Why are the values of your small business important? Nancy Anderson joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you should be aware of the values your business projects and why customers look for businesses with shared values.
Why does a small business have to know its limitations? Nancy Anderson joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why knowing your limitations and setting boundaries is the best way to stay focused on what you do best and what customers want.
Do you think exporting is just for big businesses? Doug Barry joins Jim Blasingame to dispel some of the myths about small business exporting, and how to get your export strategy started.
How could attending a trade show help you create an export strategy? Doug Barry joins Jim Blasingame to report on a number of international trade shows in the U.S. that focus on business matchmaking between international buyers and sellers.
U.S. embassies are prospecting for U.S. small businesses? Doug Barry joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how American embassies all over the world recruit buyers to go to the U.S. trade shows to meet U.S. sellers, including small businesses.
Thursday - October 14, 2010
How have smart phones changed the competitive landscape? Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how customers are using smart phone technology - mobile apps - and why small businesses must follow them there.
When customers want you to "follow them home," could you do it? Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to talk about using mobile technology to stay connected with customers, and why this is getting easier with the ability to create mobile apps for your small business.
How are you projecting cash flow for the next 12 months? Jim Blasingame talks about the importance of creating a cash flow spreadsheet to project what your cash picture will be in any month for the next year, and why doing this will make your banker happy.
Jim Blasingame talks about the structural and emotional issues that are complicating this economic recovery, including the negative impact of the behavior and policies of politicians.
Is it time to stop using the economy as an excuse for poor performance? Jim Blasingame contends the deficiencies in your small business could be from poor performance and not the economy, and offers tips on how to differentiate.
Has the art of presentation been lost? Nancy Duarte joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the differences in sharing information and delivering an effective presentation, including telling stories rather than just regurgitating facts and figures.
Are your presentations creating STAR moments? Nancy Duarte joins Jim Blasingame to offer tips on creating more effective presentations, including finding a way to create at least one "STAR" moment: Something They’ll Always Remember.
Kiplinger reports on the economic recovery and housing. Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on the tenuous economic recovery and possibility of a long-term recovery period, including the problems created by a very sick housing industry.
Kiplinger’s Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on the similarities between the U.S. housing issues and what caused Japan’s continuing economic woes, plus the historic impact of public policy on the economy.
Kiplinger's Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on new loan approval practices for small businesses, plus why small businesses should be looking to independent community banks and credit unions for credit.
Friday - October 15, 2010
Is email still an effective communication technology? Christina Cavanagh joins Jim Blasingame to make the case for email as the universal standard for electronic business communication, and to offer tips on how to be more successful and productive with email.
Are you managing your email, or is it managing you? Christina Cavanagh joins Jim Blasingame to offer tips on using email effectively, including reasonable response time to emails and checking and responding to emails at appropriate times and places.
The world of protecting intellectual property can be complicated. Ken Krosin joins Jim Blasingame to report on the kerfuffle between universities that feel they must take legal action to protect their trademarks, etc., against high schools that use similar names, logos, etc.
What makes a trademark, name or logo protectable as an asset? Kenneth Krosin joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to think about names and marks that you want to protect with a registration, including whether the public would be confused by your mark or name.
Why does the U.S. have an advantage over Europe when it comes to leveraging a patent in the marketplace? Ken Krosin joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that the U.S. has one patent system for the national marketplace, while Europe has different patenting requirements for every country.
How do you accomplish more with the time and resources you have? Stever Robbins joins Jim Blasingame to offer tips on how to be more effective and productive as a person and as a company by setting priorities and effective delegating.
Are you a problem solver or a crisis manager? Stever Robbins joins Jim Blasingame to talk about avoiding crisis management by solving problems instead of just managing them, plus better delegating and the effective use of technology.
Do you have a pricing strategy that serves your entire business model? Jim Blasingame talks about how your pricing strategy can help you maintain pricing power, profitability and the perceived value of your offerings.
Are you discounting your products more than necessary? Jim Blasingame talks about the difference between a sales strategy that often requires discounting, and a pricing strategy that focuses on gross profit more than top-line sales.
If your business isn't performing, it might not be the economy. Jim Blasingame talks making sure you're not using the economy as an excuse for poor performance. It might be that your practices are not competitive and that you haven't made the case with customers.
Monday - October 18, 2010
Are holidays the most important time for your small business? Pam Danziger joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how small businesses can maximize sales during the holiday season, as well as year round by targeting your idea customers, delivering value and not getting into a price war you can't win.
How are affluent consumers handling the current economic conditions? Pam Danziger joins Jim Blasingame to talk about her research that shows the wealthy consumer is still not spending as they were a few years ago and why this is the case.
Now that we have a health care law, how do experts feel about it? Grace-Marie Turner joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how supporters of the health care bill are now overwhelmed about implementation and seem to be amazed at many details in the law. But are they ready to abandon it?
How much of the negative political reality for Democrats has been caused by the health care law? Grace-Marie Turner joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the political costs Democrats seem to be paying for support of the very unpopular health care law.
What are the possibilities of overturning or refining the health care law? Grace-Marie Turner joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the different steps that can be taken to minimize the damage brought on by the health care law, including repealing it.
Are your differentiating the internal from the external influences on your small business? Jim Blasingame talks about making sure you aren't using the current economic conditions as a excuse for not taking a hard look at your own management performance and execution.
How do we get the three generations to work better together? Jim Blasingame talks about the convergence issues facing Baby Boomers, Generation X and Gen Y, as they work and do business together. He also reports on research on this issue.
Why are more competitors finding ways to partner rather than compete? Steve Strauss joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the fact that sometimes you may be able to serve customers better if you partner with competitors.
Is your small business ready for the mobile app revolution? Steve Strauss joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the future of mobile apps for small business, including serving customers, plus productivity tools that your employees use. Steve has an excellent example.
How are small businesses handing the recovery? Steve Strauss joins Jim Blasingame to report on how small businesses are dealing with this marathon recovery, including finding ways to use social media to build online customer communities.
Tuesday - October 19, 2010
Are you looking for a better way to connect with your best customers this holiday season? Sarah Petty joins Jim Blasingame with ideas to build emotional connections with your top customers during the holidays by making sure your gifts are unique, creative and, whenever possible, hand-delivered.
Are you getting the most out of your holiday cards? Sarah Petty joins Jim Blasingame to offer tips to emotionally connect with your customers with creative holiday cards, including ideas on how to personalize cards for your business.
There is good and bad in the Earth's aging population. Ted Fishman joins Jim Blasingame to launch his new book, "Shock of Gray", and discuss the effects of the world’s aging population on global economies, including the benefits of this phenomenon as well as the challenges.
Ted Fishman joins Jim Blasingame to launch his book, "Shock of Gray" and discuss the aging global population is impacting the U.S, including our own economy, plus the political challenges of global aging on our economy and national security.
Ted Fishman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the Chinese government's desperate behavior as one of it's dissidents wins the Nobel Peace Prize, plus how their behavior has created demographic challenges that will impact the rest of the world.
How has the Internet changed traditional advertising practices? Robert Bly joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how new technologies and changes in human behavior have impacted the traditional way small businesses attract prospects through advertising.
How do small business owners find the right mix between traditional advertising and the new stuff? Robert Bly joins Jim Blasingame to offer advertising tips by targeting your market, looking at competition, and testing small.
What are the keys to successfully growing your business by acquisition? Jack Mitchell joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how his family-owned business combined their "hugging" philosophy to grow their business through acquisition.
How are customers different throughout the country? Jack Mitchell joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how customers are more similar than different and how to create an experience with each customer and even a relationship.
Jim Blasingame talks about why more than product or price, the reason more customers come back to do business with you is because of the experience they have with your small business.
Wednesday - October 20, 2010
Do women travelers want more than men? Tracy Chapman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss adjustments the travel industry has made in its offerings to female travelers, which they now recognize is different from what men expect.
Do you know what your female customers want? Tracy Chapman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the differences in the buying thought processes of women and men – men believe they deserve nice things, while women want to feel like they are getting something extra.
Is commercial construction tracking with the overall economy? Joe Cleary joins Jim Blasingame to report the commercial construction industry is seeing "green shoots" from pent-up demand from groups like real estate investment trusts (REIT) and government spending.
Joe Cleary joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the factors that are causing a little construction industry upturn and why he fears it may not be sustainable after 2012.
Joe Cleary joins Jim Blasingame to explain that, like most others, the commercial construction industry is experiencing both cyclical and structural unemployment, and what the future of construction employment will look like.
Why would an American think he could build a golf course in the home of golf - Scotland? Jerry Sarvadi joins Jim Blasingame to report on the golf course he built in Scotland and how the effects of global economic realities have impacted his growth plans.
Jerry Sarvadi joins Jim Blasingame to talk about planning and constructing a golf course in Scotland, The Renaissance Club at Archerfield, including the the differences in the construction industry there, the regulations and the people.
How do we manage three generations that are so diffferent? Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to discuss some of the differences between the Baby Boomers, Generation X and Gen Y, and why there is more tension between the generations than in any other period in the past.
Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the differences and similarities of the three generations, Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y, and how the "new normal" in the employment picture will impact the younger folks.
Will Generation Y be more entrepreneurial? Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to explain some of the marketplace and demographic realities that he believes will make the younger generation more entrepreneurial than older generations.
Thursday - October 21, 2010
Are you ready to transition into the next phase of small business ownership? Ed Kopf joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the challenges of transitioning from entrepreneur – working “in” your business – to professional manager, working “on” your business, plus tips on how to know when to make the transition.
Ed Kopf joins Jim Blasingame to report on a case study of how a multi-generational family business successfully transitioned their management style.
Is your office just messy or creatively cluttered? Debbie Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that being organized doesn’t mean you have to be a neat freak, but you do need to know where everything is and be prepared and proactive, and offer insights on organizational strategies.
Debbie Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to offer tips to lessen the feeling of isolation when times are tough, especially in a home business.
Debbie Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss keeping an organized and productive work environment.
How is software in the clouds helping small businesses operate? John Tangredi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to leverage technologies to streamline your forte, help your customers, and allow you to "stick to your knitting."
What does Expensable do to help your bottom line? John Tangredi joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how Expensable makes expenses visible and simple through automation, making it easier to control them and improve your bottom line.
Kiplinger reports on whether or not the United States Post Office is dying out. Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on the Post Office's debt and Congress's hand in it, plus the future of the Post Office.
How has de-leveraging affected the economy? Kiplinger's Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on the decline in credit card debt and use and how it affects the recovery, plus the Fed wants to continue Quantitative Easing (QE2).
Kiplinger's Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on the personal barcode for individuals to use with mobile apps and the new categorization of small business owners that will allow them to get more government loans.
Friday - October 22, 2010
Do you know how to successfully hold employees accountable? Rick Lepsinger joins Jim Blasingame to reveal his ATC model for holding employees accountable and how to execute this model.
Why do small business owners struggle with accountability? Rick Lepsinger joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why too many small business owners fail to successfully manage accountability with employees and how to correct this management problem.
You're not going to believe what this person did. Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to describe how one small business owner got so caught up in making money that she lost a sale that could have made her a lot of money.
There are many ways to monetize a customer relationship. Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that you shouldn't let money get in the way of making a sale by following the prospect's lead as to how they want to do business with you.
What happens when business partners stop getting along? Ruth King joins Jim Blasingame to discuss a case study in which 50/50 partners have developed irreconcilable differences, but don't have a buy-sell agreement.
Why should you start a business partnership planning for the divorce? Ruth King joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why every business partnership should begin with a legal buy-sell agreement, what that looks like and how to get one.
Who are the real winners of a professional golf tournament? Jay Mincks joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the 2010 Administaff Small Business Classic and over $5 million has been raised for charities. Plus a tribute to Arnold Palmer.
How do you know when to change your business model? Jay Mincks joins Jim Blasingame to talk about what it looks like when you need to change the way you take your business model to market, especially in the 2nd decade of the 21st century.
It's not difficult to know what customers want. Ask them! Jay Mincks joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the fundamentals of serving customers, which begins by asking them what they want and then listening to them until you've earned the right to speak.
Monday - October 25, 2010
Has your value proposition changed in the past two years? Peter Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to recommend how to find out if changes in customer behavior have caused the way you do business today to be less competitive.
Can the experience we deliver to customers overcome a pricing premium? Peter Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to propose that delivering a customer experience that includes peace of mind and trust can go a long way to helping a small business maintain a premium pricing structure.
Are you using social media as part of your marketing strategy? Brian Moran joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the importance of incorporating social media into your business plan's marketing strategy.
There are at least six reasons why social media is good for your small business. Brian Moran joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the six reasons to use social media for your business, including lead generation, customer service, networking and public relations.
Small business owners continue to contribute so much to their communities. Brian Moran joins Jim Blasingame to discuss his experience as a volunteer with Big Brothers - Big Sisters, and how you can contribute with your time and/or money.
What does it take to turn challenges into opportunities? Greg Reid joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how to know when to make adjustments in the way you connect with and serve customers.
Is there an emotional dam of entrepreneurial energy about to be released? Greg Reid joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why he believes small businesses are becoming impatient with the progress of economic recovery and are ready to break out with new entrepreneurial energy.
How difficult is it for prospects to find your business online? Anita Rosen joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why every small business must have a website, even if it's just a simple one that shows who you are, what you sell and how to contact you.
How does your website serve prospects and customers? Anita Rosen joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that your website should include features like answers to common questions about what you sell, plus positive customer comments.
Which should you focus on more: website or social media? Anita Rosen joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why having a website and social media activity are not alternatives, but should be used to complement each other.
Tuesday - October 26, 2010
Women finally have full access to all government contracts. Nell Merlino joins Jim Blasingame to report on the new SBA expanded rules for government contracting certification which finally includes women and the new opportunities that are now available.
Nell Merlino joins Jim Blasingame to report on the success of several of the recipients of her program, Make Mine a Million, plus events and programs they have that assist women in growing their businesses.
Why is is to difficult for small business owners to think of themselves as executives? Scott Eblin joins Jim Blasingame to reveal some of the reasons why small business CEOs don't think of themselves as executives.
Do you always manage your small business from the trenches? Scott Eblin joins Jim Blasingame with critical steps for how to become a more effective CEO of your small business.
Become a better executive by promoting yourself. Scott Eblin joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why the best executives are always firing themselves from jobs someone else can do and promoting themselves to jobs no one else can do.
When did your customers become the experts? Roberts Bloom joins Jim Blasingame reveals that your customers are increasingly becoming experts on what they want and what you sell, and how your business must be prepared to connect and serve these experts.
What are the four decisive moments of every customer relationship? Roberts Bloom joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the four critical moments as you connect with prospects and customers: now or never, make or break, keep or lose, and the multiplier.
What's worse than not having the money to pay your taxes? Eva Rosenberg joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the importance of filing your taxes on time to avoid serious penalties, even if you don't have the money to pay.
What if you don't have the money to pay your business taxes? Eva Rosenberg joins Jim Blasingame to talk about some of the many alternatives to paying your taxes up front, including installment agreements, credit cards, or offer and compromise.
What other options do you have when you can't pay your income taxes? Eva Rosenberg joins Jim Blasingame to continue their discussion on tax payment alternatives, including the "currently not collectible" option that can be combined with other plans.
Wednesday - October 27, 2010
Can Generation Y really be separated into two groups? Dr. Tim Elmore joins Jim Blasingame to identify the characteristics of what he calls Generation iY, the second part of Gen Y, born since 1990 and why it's important to understand what makes these folks tick.
Are you prepared to hire and manage Generation iY? Dr. Tim Elmore joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how Generation iY is different from the other half of Gen Y, and what we need to know about hiring and managing them as they are just now entering the workforce.
Do you know how to identify your ideal customer? Josh Costell joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you should only be focusing on those prospects and customers who are suited for what you sell, the value you deliver and what you have to charge for it.
Do you know how to qualify your ideal customer? Josh Costell joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to identify and qualify your ideal customers by asking them what they want and value, and when you find that customer, how to ask them for referrals.
How do you motivate your ideal customer to take action? Josh Costell joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to "advance or abandon" a prospect or customer by implementing a well-defined call to action to determine how invested the prospect is in your relationship.
How do you make social media relevant to your small business? Kathy Perry joins Jim Blasingame with tips on how to use social media strategies and activity to find your targeted customers as they connect online.
Should every small business have a social media strategy? Kathy Perry joins Jim Blasingame to reveal why, regardless of what you sell or the size of your business, at least part of your marketplace activity should be conducted in the social media environment.
How is public policy impacting small business attitudes? Connie Certusi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the recent Sage survey which showed that small businesses are increasingly concerned about laws and regs being passed that affect them.
Why are small business owners increasingly energized about politics these days? Connie Certusi joins Jim Blasingame to report on the recent Sage survey about how small businesses feel about the economy and how decisions made by the government will impact them.
How do small business owners feel about the health care law? Connie Certusi joins Jim Blasingame to report that small business owners are concerned about a number of recent government decisions, especially the health care law and associated regulations.
Thursday - October 28, 2010
What do you do when a prospect you've been working on doesn't close? Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame with tips on what to do and how to act when a prospect tells you they are not going to give you the sale.
Do you know how to accomplish the quantum leap in business? Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how proposals you've given in the past can resurrect in the future, which give rise to what Jim calls the quantum leap in business.
Why is "too big to fail" a dangerous reality now? Nicole Gelinas joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the history and concept of whether some organizations, especially banks, can become too big to fail, and why this condition is dangerous.
Should the government decide whether “bad” banks should be allowed to fail? Nicole Gelinas joins Jim Blasingame to propose that allowing bad banks to fail is a more productive policy than propping them up with government involvement.
Have we learned any lessons from the policies of "too big to fail?" Nicole Gelinas joins Jim Blasingame to propose that one of the lessons we've learned from “too big to fail" policies is that government involvement in the marketplace often does more long-term damage than helping.
How do you convert a customer complaint into an opportunity? Don Cooper joins Jim Blasingame with tips on turning a customer’s problem into an opportunity by trying to win (keep the customer) instead of trying to be right.
How do you empower employees to solve customer problems? Don Cooper joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that employees must be trained how to not take a customer complaint personally.
Kiplinger’s Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on U.S. mid-term election polling, which indicate Republicans may take over the House, plus implications for the lame-duck session.
Will the mid-term election result in gridlock? Kiplinger's Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on the potential for legislative gridlock if the GOP takes control of at least one of the houses of Congress. Plus something Jim calls an "Enviropol."
Is a weak U.S. dollar good for the economy right now? Kiplinger’s Jim Ostroff joins Jim Blasingame to report on how the value of the dollar benefits U.S. exports, which may be the best thing for economic recovery.
Friday - October 29, 2010
Do you know the origins of Halloween? Ken Davis joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the history of Halloween, including the original name, how it got started, why the costumes and how did the kids get involved.
Lighten up! Isn't Halloween just supposed to be fun? Ken Davis joins Jim Blasingame to continue their discussion on Halloween, how it has become one of the top three retail holidays, and why we should stay focused on the fun.
Why should you worry about protecting intellectual property when you outsource? David Dawsey joins Jim Blasingame to make the point that increased outsourcing requires more vigilance in protecting intellectual property.
Are you protecting your intellectual property when you enter into contracts? David Dawsey joins Jim Blasingame to reveal why and how you have to make sure intellectual property protection language is included in any contract you sign.
When companies work together, who owns the IP? David Dawsey joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to determine who owns the intellectual property that's developed during outsourced relationships between two or more companies.
Are you blind to what's going on in your company? Pam Bilbrey joins Jim Blasingame to discuss spatial blindness, a management malady that prevents you from seeing what's really going on in your business.
Are you running your business or is it running you? Pam Bilbrey joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the dangers of a condition she calls "busyness," which masquerades as work, but results in crisis management and, ultimately, failure.
What's so special about the Forbes Best Small Companies? Forbes' Kurt Badenhausen joins Jim Blasingame to report on their list of the 100 best small companies and the criteria used to rate them, including strong sales growth and ability to thrive.
What can small businesses learn from the Forbes Best Small Companies? Kurt Badenhausen joins Jim Blasingame to report on some of the best practices and management strategies that put 100 companies on the Forbes Best Small Companies list.
From failure to becoming one of Forbes Best 100 small companies. Forbes’ Kurt Badenhausen joins Jim Blasingame to report on their list of 100 Best Small Companies, and how they have survived and thrived through the recession.
