Wednesday - June 01, 2011
Starting a business is easy; running and growing one is not. John Bradberry joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to give your start up the greatest chance to succeed, plus the importance of family support to your start up’s success.
How do you get your family to support your start-up? John Bradberry joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to talk to your family about your vision, and possible sacrifices of resources and time, when you are starting a small business.
Focusing on long-term health is a best practice. Catherine Corley joins Jim Blasingame to talk about a wellness program available from Sam's Club to help small business owners get themselves and their teams on a path to better health.
Jim Blasingame says it’s redundant to say, “Undercapitalized small business.” Catherine Corley joins Jim to report on an SBA micro-loan program available for small businesses through Sam’s Club’s and Samsclub.com.
What does the small business landscape look like to big business? Catherine Corley joins Jim Blasingame to report on some of the challenges and opportunities she sees for small businesses, including how to grow sales.
The purpose of a brand is to create a strong connection with customers. Jonathan Salem Baskin joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how technology is helping to raise the value of authenticity in the marketplace, which is good news for small business.
The double-edge sword of customer reviews? Jonathan Salem Baskin joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how user-generated content (UGC), or customer comments, are becoming better at revealing authenticity than predicting your experience.
Are you ready for an unusual way to raise capital? Jorian Clarke joins Jim Blasingame to reveal a website that makes your creative idea available to the public who vote their acceptance by donating money to your plan.
Do you want to be healthier, but don’t like to exercise? Jorian Clarke joins Jim Blasingame to talk about a fun online game that teaches better nutrition and fitness and can be played in the privacy of your office.
Schools need more curriculum in finance and business for children. Jorian Clarke joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how interactive computer games can teach entrepreneurship skills to kids while they’re having fun.
Thursday - June 02, 2011
Does your online presence "fit the eye" of your prospects? Jim Blasingame talks about the moment of relevance when prospects see your online presence and decide whether it "fits their eye" before you even know they exist.
Do you know the keys to success at the "moment of relevance?" Jim Blasingame offers 3 factors that will help you successfully negotiate the moment of relevance with customers and prospects.
Why is Wall Street at cross-purposes with Main Street? Jim Blasingame takes a look at Wall Street's management capitalism vs. investment capitalism and explains why looking at Wall Street with a jaundiced eye will not hurt you.
Who do you blame for the U.S. economic problems? Jim Blasingame breaks down America's economic challenges and explains why the only solution will come from the American electorate resisting the pandering of Washington.
America will default on its financial obligations. Jim Blasingame believes that America's will have no choice but to default on either its obligations to creditors or to its citizens over the next three years.
Does the minimum wage actually help the people intended? Michael Saltsman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the real impact of government regulation of labor prices, plus the actual demographics of minimum wage earners.
How is technology exposing the failure of minimum wage? Michael Saltsman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how minimum wage encourages technology adoption, plus the impact of minimum wage mandates on the teenage job market.
Don't make business planning a big deal. Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that many small businesses don’t take the time to plan because they don't break down big plans into smaller ones that require smaller decisions and result in smaller failures.
Mind the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves. Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how granular planning will help eliminate crisis management, disastrous mistakes and improve your business's financial performance.
Can granular planning help you get a business loan? Ed Abel joins small business expert, Jim Blasingame to reveal how to simplify the planning process beginning with short-term goals and then extending your horizon to include annual cash flow projections your banker will like.
Friday - June 03, 2011
Are you tempted to say an employee is a contractor? Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss what the IRS says defines an person you hire as an employee or a contractor.
How can you find out if you have an employee or a contractor? Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the some key factors on what makes a contractor an employee, such as hours, tools, quality, schedule, etc.
How motivated are affluent consumers to spend? Pam Danziger joins Jim Blasingame to discuss some of the new attitudes among the affluent about how they spend their money.
What is the new normal for luxury buyers? Pam Danziger joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how luxury buyers have changed and why demographic shifts are creating a new normal that will last for a generation.
There is a connection between values and luxury buyers. Pam Danziger joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why values are important to luxury buyers and how small businesses have an advantage when it comes to this segment.
How strong would your team be in a crisis? Jane Jordan-Meier joins Jim Blasingame to define internal and external crises for small businesses and explains how to actually prepare for them.
Would you be able to fix a crisis or make it worse? Jane Jordan-Meier joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the stages of effective crisis management and why values and authenticity contribute to crises resolution.
What does online privacy mean to you? Jonathan Zuck joins Jim Blasingame to discuss privacy online and why you should be more in-charge of online privacy rather than government.
Online privacy regulations often have unintended consequences. Jonathan Zuck joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how small businesses often are harmed when big companies violate privacy standards that result in sweeping regulations.
What is the key to good privacy regulations? Jonathan Zuck joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to talk with your elected representative about the correct way to deal with online privacy so we don't stifle innovation.
Monday - June 06, 2011
Are you creating return customers by giving them a great experience? Tom Asacker joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the importance of generating a memorable experience to create return customers and customer evangelists.
Tom Asacker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you have to be authentic in bringing your small business passion to life for your customers.
Are you focused on emotionally connecting with your customers? Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you need to outsource non-core competencies and focus on emotionally connecting with your customers.
What is the “special sauce” of your small business? Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you have to focus on the “special sauce” of your small business, because customers don’t want to settle for good - they want exceptional.
You can’t manage time, but you can manage priorities. Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to offer tips on managing priorities by using a calendar to intentionally schedule and execute tasks.
What is the best plan for retirement through investing? Jack Pierce joins Jim Blasingame to discuss growing your portfolio for retirement without risking it all through dividends, especially Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs).
How important is it to invest for retirement if you're a Baby Boomer? Jack Pierce joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the fear for Baby Boomers of outliving their retirement funds and how to better grow their portfolios.
Marketing on the Internet can be very simple. John Audette joins Jim Blasingame to discuss 7 marketing myths, including localization as a win for small business, and having your name, address, and phone number (NAP) online.
SEO can be intimidating for small business owners. John Audette joins Jim Blasingame to discuss marketing myths around search engine optimization (SEO) and what small businesses need to put their money toward, plus using Facebook.
Are you using email as a connection tool with customers? John Audette joins Jim Blasingame to discuss marketing myths and the importance of utilizing email to build relationships with customers, as it is number one in ROI.
Tuesday - June 07, 2011
Is the value of the dollar the root of our economic woes? Seth Lipsky joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the Constitutional history of the dollar plus the basis of the dollar and why we may need to return to the gold standard.
Should the U.S. return the dollar to the gold standard? Seth Lipsky joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why returning to the gold standard would strengthen the dollar, albeit with a temporary economic disruption.
Is an economic upturn coming? Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to discuss this month’s Tatum results, which show a 4th consecutive month of downward trending, with no upturn in sight, plus he explains that moving out a recession is not a straight-line effort, it comes in waves.
Are we headed into another recession? Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the possibility of a double-dip recession because of the decline in order backlogs, capital expenditures and poor employment outlook.
Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the U.S. may not be heading into a double-dip recession, but will not experience growth for several more months.
As a small business owner, do you ever take a vacation? Jim Blasingame shares the recent poll results on taking a vacation and why it's so difficult to take time away from your business as the owner.
Small business owner, you are important. Jim Blasingame talks about the advocates for small businesses, such as Chambers, SCORE, etc., and why you're important - plus many large companies can't be successful without you.
Why is realistic sales forecasting important for small business? Tim Berry joins Jim Blasingame to discuss realistic sales forecasting and why it is vital for effective management of your company, cash, sales, and more.
How do you do realistic sales forecasting? Tim Berry joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to do realistic sales forecasting when projecting something new by making assumptions and building on those until you build your pipeline.
You must start doing realistic sales forecasting. Tim Berry joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how your goal for realistic sales forecasting is to get started and be creative; your forecast will be wrong, but you'll improve.
Wednesday - June 08, 2011
How can you avoid crisis management altogether? Steve Martin joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the innovation imperative and the importance of anticipating pressure to avoid crisis management and truly innovate and be proactive.
Communicating with employees is vital for your company's future. Steve Martin joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the best way to lead your company forward, which is through communicating with your team and listening to complaints.
Do you know the possible collateral influencers of your new technology? Rob Prinzo joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to be prepared for problems that may occur when implementing technology by collaborative intervention.
While implementing new technology, you’ll be operating in parallel universes. Rob Prinzo joins Jim Blasingame to talk about seamlessly implementing new technology by setting a realistic time frame and ensuring the implementation aligns with your business cycle.
Do you use webinars as part of your marketing strategy? Rob Levin joins Jim Blasingame to discuss NY Report’s webinar series on marketing to small business owners, plus the learning and marketing opportunities available through webinars.
Do you want to offer webinars, but don’t know where to start? Rob Levin joins Jim Blasingame with tips on successfully conducting a webinar, plus why the archive of the webinar should be available online.
Can your customers find information they need on your website? Rob Levin joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how to use website content to engage customers and remain relevant in The Age of the Customer™.
Where did minimum wage come from - and why? Michael Saltsman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the origins of minimum wage, what it was really meant for, and what happens when it is raised today in America.
Why is minimum wage sinister and an evil political device? Michael Saltsman joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why minimum wage is sinister and a political ploy and why raising it does more harm than good.
Innovation isn't just radical new products. Steve Martin joins Jim Blasingame to discuss what innovation may be for small businesses when adapting to change, whether changing your products or your hours, etc.
Thursday - June 09, 2011
Is the culture of your business happy, safe, open, positive? JoAnna Brandi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to lead a positive culture in your small business and its impact on employee morale as well as your bottom line.
Did you know that 30% of a company’s performance can be contributed to culture? JoAnna Brandi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to lead a positive culture for your customers, creating not only return customers, but also customer evangelists.
Want to beat the street with your portfolio? Bob Fischer joins Jim Blasingame, along with Jenny Young, a recent graduate of Sweet Briar College, to discuss teaching rules-based investment strategies to college students.
Can a college co-ed beat the Street? Bob Fischer and Jenny Young join Jim Blasingame to discuss how this Sweet Briar College co-ed beat the top Wall Street investment advisors using rules-based investment strategies.
Could rules beat the bear? Bob Fischer and Jenny Young join Jim Blasingame to discuss the success how well rules-based investment strategies work during a bear market.
Are you intimidated by all the new technology? Ramon Ray joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how small business owners should think about keeping current with the latest technology, including website development.
What's the latest technology in tablets and notebooks? Ramon Ray joins Jim Blasingame to compare the tablets out there with the iPad and discuss the latest notebook from Google, the ChromeBook.
Are you reacting to change or leading it? Ivan Misner joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to lead change by recognizing what's working in your business more than focusing on what's not working.
The velocity of change is the only thing that's different. Ivan Misner joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to handle the challenges and opportunities of the compression of time between generations of change.
Do you know the odd couple of small business? Ivan Misner joins Jim Blasingame to discuss change leadership and how to manage the relationship between the small business odd couple: challenges and opportunities.
Friday - June 10, 2011
How different are selling skills across industries? Wally Bock joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the similarities and differences in sales skills between those who make quick sales and those who sell products that require a longer sales cycle.
How much does your selling cycle impact who you fire to sell? Wally Bock joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how beyond basic traits that make a good salesperson, you should then hire people who fit your sales cycle.
Happiness is when you have more positive emotions than negative ones. Pierce Howard joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why some people are inherently happy and some are not.
Can being in "flow" substitute for happiness? Pierce Howard joins Jim Blasingame to discuss what makes people happy, whether it’s inherent or environmental, and how being in “flow” can substitute for happiness.
Only one out of nine people are innately happy. Pierce Howard joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you want innately happy people in your sales force, because they have more enthusiasm for what they do.
How are moms influencing your business? Stacy DeBroff joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the mom influence on businesses and their marketing strategies through online word of mouth.
How are moms finding your small business? Stacy DeBroff joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why more moms are looking for your business in the online communities they hang out in, not necessarily your website.
Should we have more regulations regarding our food? Joel Barker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how more innovation and tighter regulations combine to make our food safer.
Could anything good come from mutating microbes? Joel Barker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss some of the challenges and opportunities around how microbes are mutating based on human behavior.
One of the bi-products of a free market is niches. Joel Barker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss some examples of how technology and observation have created business niches.
Monday - June 13, 2011
The price war is over and small business lost. Sarah Petty joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the many reasons why your customers do business with you, but that one of them should not be price.
The phone book is not your small business's prospect list. Sarah Petty joins Jim Blasingame with ideas on how your boutique business, whether service or retail, can attract customers by personalizing service, instead of doing mass marketing.
Small business is the foundation of the U.S. economy. Pamela Springer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how critical small business is to America and how many organizations focus on how to help small businesses.
Are small businesses are committed to hiring? Pamela Springer joins Jim Blasingame with the recent Manta survey on hiring that shows over half of small businesses plan to hire in 2011, plus the advantages of working for a small business.
What's the biggest obstacle to putting America back to work? Pamela Springer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why Congress’s partisanship and lack of leadership in Washington is impeding employment in America.
How do you turn being a victim into a success story? Linda Hollander joins Jim Blasingame to talk about being a victim professionally and personally, and then choosing a path to success that took 10 years.
In business, what is the big difference between the sexes? Linda Hollander joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the single greatest difference between men and women is how they demonstrate confidence.
Are you a controller or a governor? Peter Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the benefits of being a governor type of manager, instead of a controller-type.
Want to grow your business more effectively? Peter Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how business growth can be hindered if you can't balance the management principles of controlling and governing your organization.
Are you capable of promoting fun in your business? Peter Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that being able to have fun as you practice serious business is a great contributor to sales, profitability and success.
Tuesday - June 14, 2011
The U.S. government has an unsustainable business model. Jim Blasingame talks about America’s tenuous financial state and why it needs a turnaround plan before we become like Greece.
The president is not supposed to run the country. Jim Blasingame reminds us that Americans run America and the economy. Politicians are supposed to run the government, not the country or the economy.
Is your business lean and mean? Jim Blasingame reveals results of a recent Small Business Advocate poll which indicates that more small businesses are finding a way to survive with the sales they have.
How does President Obama compare to FDR? Burt Folsom joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why FDR’s unsustainable philosophy of wealth redistribution hurt the country long-term and the same practice by Obama is doing the same thing.
Have we become confused about the role of the president? Burt Folsom joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the Constitutional role of the president, which is to run the government, not the country or the economy.
How much time do you spend on strategic thinking? Rich Horwath joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how the process of strategic thinking can help a small business create a long-term success story.
Do you know where your business will be in five years? Rich Horwath joins Jim Blasingame to talk about using strategy to identify where your business is today and where you want it to go.
The heart has nervous systems too. Judith Glaser joins Jim Blasingame to discuss research that has discovered that the heart is definitely involved in how we behave.
Are you a leader who likes power? Judith Glaser joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the limitations of power rules and what can happen when you realize that shared power is better leverage.
Where do you find the source of your management power? Judith Glaser joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how liberating it can be when you realize that sharing power with your team is more productive than having power over them.
Wednesday - June 15, 2011
Has Washington become the enemy of entrepreneurs? Henry Nothhaft joins Jim Blasingame to discuss some of the repressive laws and regulations that are preventing the U.S. from being what it is best at, innovative and entrepreneurial.
What can the government do to stimulate small business job growth? Henry Nothhaft joins Jim Blasingame with ideas on how Congress can revitalize small business hiring, including reducing regulations and revising the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Could your next growth direction be a global strategy? Pamela Harper joins Jim Blasingame with tips to develop a global strategy, either for your business or to support customers who are global.
What is involved when developing an global strategy? Pamela Harper joins Jim Blasingame to reveal some of the key issues of a global strategy, including understanding cultural differences and whether your organization is ready.
What are your global strategy expectations? Pamela Harper joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why your expectations should be clear and realistic with regard to your goals, organization and other stakeholders.
Do you know how to start a video component of your marketing strategy? Kathy Perry joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to make and distribute videos in your social media marketing strategy, including online how-to videos.
Do you know how to make a tiny URL? Kathy Perry joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how to solve the long address problem with tiny URLs, plus how to update social media sites simultaneously.
Did a single entrepreneur really start the Arab Spring? Guy Sorman joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how a Tunisian produce seller's suicidal protest of government repression started the revolution in Tunisia and the Arab Spring.
Turkey should be the economic and government model for the Middle East. Guy Sorman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss entrepreneurial and democratic optimism for the Middle East and why Turkey should be the regional model.
China's theft of U.S. intellectual property is out of hand. Guy Sorman joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the true cost of selling to China, which includes IP piracy, and how the U.S. can force respect of IP ownership.
Thursday - June 16, 2011
Small business power is increasingly in the clouds. Pete Lamson joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how cloud-based services have become more ingrained in everyday operations, including online data backup and remote access.
If your hard-drive crashes, it is an inconvenience or a disaster? Pete Lamson joins Jim Blasingame to discuss affordable, set-it-and-forget-it online data backup options that are available for your small business today.
Could we be headed for another recession? Bill Dunkelberg joins Jim Blasingame to discuss whether we’re in danger of having a double-dip recession, plus whether the government in helping or hurting.
How are small businesses holding up these days? NFIB’s Bill Dunkelberg joins Jim Blasingame to report that small businesses still are not growing, hiring, investing or borrowing, all things needed to grow the economy.
Could Greece become a Lehman Brothers scenario? Bill Dunkelberg joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how Greece’s generous social policies led to an unsustainable business model and why it's a warning to the U.S.
What is discretionary effort and how do you find it? Pam Bilbrey joins Jim Blasingame to reveal what discretionary effort is, how to find it in your organization and motivate your team to deliver it.
How do you unlock the discretionary effort in your team? Pam Bilbrey joins Jim Blasingame to offer tips on how to create an environment that will engage employees and produce discretionary effort.
How is the economy in America? Gary Vaynerchuk joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the U.S. economy and whether he thinks America needs to find a way to believe in itself again.
Are you prepared for The Thank You Economy? Gary Vaynerchuk joins Jim Blasingame to define the elements of the Thank You Economy as power shifts from businesses to customers.
Mobile is the battlefield of the future, especially for small business. Gary Vaynerchuk joins Jim Blasingame to reveal why you must have a mobile strategy that matches up with your customers' mobile expectations.
Friday - June 17, 2011
How are the pacific rim business centers doing? Bill Treasurer joins Jim Blasingame to talk about what he learned during his recent trip to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia.
Courage is essential to leadership. Bill Treasurer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the concept of courage, how it manifests in small business owners and its limited existence in the political class.
Do you see the opinions of employees? Rick Maurer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss what you can learn from your employees by simply asking, “What do you think?” and then listening.
How much do you listen to your employees? Rick Maurer joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how to motivate employees to offer solutions to problems and how to make sure you don't stifle that behavior.
Being a father is the hardest job you’ll ever love. Small business expert, father and grandfather, Jim Blasingame talks about the love that’s like no other – the tough love of a father.
Why would the government attack a business for building a new factory? Labor attorney, Richard Vitarelli joins Jim Blasingame to discuss right-to-work states and their fight with businesses against unions and the Obama administration.
Will the NLRB and unions close a Boeing plant in South Carolina? Richard Vitarelli joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the case Obama's NLRB and unions are bringing against Boeing for building a new plant in a right-to-work state.
Jim Blasingame talks about testing prospective employees for personality and psychological traits to make sure you're not hiring an accountant-type to be a full-commission salesperson.
Do you know the right kind of questions to ask a prospective employee? Leigh Branham joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to practice behavior-based interviewing where you ask questions based on the "PARS" method.
Monday - June 20, 2011
Is Greece the canary in the mineshaft for the U.S.? Charles Wheelan joins Jim Blasingame to discuss Greece as the first national government to practically default and it’s comparison to the financial plight of California.
Former Massachusetts Sen. Paul Tsongas said, “You can’t hate the employer and love the employee.” Charles Wheelan joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the NLRB, a federal government board, is attacking Boeing’s expansion plans in S.C. and preventing new jobs.
Will the healthcare bill be part of the 2012 campaign? Grace-Marie Turner joins Jim Blasingame to report on the impact of the healthcare bill on the 2012 elections, plus the similarities of ObamaCare and RomneyCare.
The healthcare bill includes employee AND individual mandates. Grace-Marie Turner joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the failure of RomneyCare and how the bureaucracy of the individual and employee mandates are devastating Massachusetts small businesses.
Which political party offers 21st century leaders? Grace-Marie Turner joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the political parties, including the Tea Party, and their candidates’ potential for success in 2012.
Are you thriving in the current economy? Peter Sheahan joins Jim Blasingame to explain how to turn good ideas into great results through fundamentals to help you execute your ideas in the marketplace.
What are the 5 basic competencies of great results? Peter Sheahan joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the 5 basic competencies of great results - package, position, influence, accelerate, and reinvention.
Are your media products being pirated online? Richard Hooker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss this age of piracy in which we live and whether it's a metric of success when someone pirates your media online.
Would you like to make the decision-making process simpler? Richard Hooker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss decision-making and why you should return to the fundamentals and make lots of decisions as you go.
What are core decisions and fat decisions? Richard Hooker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss decision-making and the difference between core decisions and fat decisions and the fundamentals you need to make the right decisions.
Tuesday - June 21, 2011
Do your employees’ values reflect the values of your brand? Terry Barber joins Jim Blasingame to discuss defining your brand and hiring employees whose values are in line with the brand.
President Harry Truman said, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you don’t care who gets the credit." Terry Barber joins Jim Blasingame to talk about creating engaged employees by giving appropriate recognition for accomplishments.
Do Gen X and Y have enough practical experience to be managers? Mike Muetzel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss what happens when a Gen X or Y becomes the manager of a Boomer.
Are the younger generations good managers? Mike Muetzel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the challenges when Gens X and Y are managing Boomers, plus how the recession affected their leadership styles.
How can you keep Gen X and Y engaged? Mike Muetzel joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the differences in Gen X and Gen Y, what they’re each looking for in a job and how to keep them engaged.
When meeting with prospects, close for what’s in front of you. Beverly Inman-Ebel joins Jim Blasingame to talk about investing time with your prospects in order to create long-term relationships and be top of mind when they’re ready to buy.
How do you deal with those who are left after downsizing? Beverly Inman-Ebel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the way you communicate and interact with other people will determine how successful you are in the new normal.
Your organization is not a 2D pyramid, it's a 3D matrix. Rick Lepsinger joins Jim Blasingame to reveal why your company will work more efficiently if you think about it like a dynamic matrix.
Your matrix should serve customers. Rick Lepsinger joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to structure your organizational matrix around one thing - the customer.
Do your salespeople promise things other departments can’t fulfill? Rick Lepsinger joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to minimize conflicts and avoid internal politics when establishing a matrix, plus the importance of open communication.
Wednesday - June 22, 2011
Effective leaders exhibit humility and self-management. Tim Irwin joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why leaders, like those in the news recently, lose self-management and derail.
How do effective leaders achieve and preserve their integrity? Tim Irwin joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the requirements of maintaining integrity: accountability, self-examination, and constant reading.
The Fed is part of the economic problem, not part of the solution. Steve Forbes joins Jim Blasingame to discuss today’s Fed meeting and how Fed policies are weakening the dollar and hampering the economic recovery.
What do Republicans have to do to have a shot at the presidency? Steve Forbes joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the Republican presidential hopefuls and what Republicans must do to win in 2012, plus the NLRB and the Boeing labor dispute.
Steve Forbes joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how politicians have slowed economic recovery through regulations and a weak dollar, plus why Greece is an omen for the U.S.
Use the 65/35 rule of communicating – listen 65% and talk 35%. Karen Reisman joins Jim Blasingame to reveal two components for empathic communication, listen before you speak and, tell what you know and what you don’t know.
Do you explain your emotions or just get angry? Karen Reisman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to communicate more empathically in challenging situations by naming your emotions and staying calm.
If you survived the Great Recession, you've learned some things. Stephen Baum joins Jim Blasingame to discuss some of the decisions the best CEOs are making about growth, now that they've learned how to survive.
What are the most important issues for CEOs to focus on? Stephen Baum joins Jim Blasingame to discuss seeking growth opportunities consistent with post-recession operating strategy, plus looking for top talent.
Is it time to start accruing gratification it? Stephen Baum joins Jim Blasingame to report that many small business owners who survived the recession by finding efficiencies and are now more adequately compensating themselves.
Thursday - June 23, 2011
Do men use intuition more often than women? Nancy Rosanoff joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the difference in intuition and emotion, plus the way men and women use intuition.
Follow your intuition when evaluating mesages of leaders. Nancy Rosanoff joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why intuition will lead you to follow the truth, even when someone’s words and behavior belies the truth.
Small business indicates widespread discontent with economic conditions. Ray Keating joins Jim Blasingame with the recent SBE Council survey which indicated most small business owners are not satisfied with current federal economic policies.
Between health care, fuel prices and the financial system, does small business have a chance? Ray Keating joins Jim Blasingame to explain that while politicians give lip-service to small business, their policies and regulations are anti-business and anti-jobs.
It’s clear from his policies, President Obama likes green jobs and union jobs. Ray Keating joins Jim Blasingame to discuss whether the Administration creates policies and regulations that favor green and union jobs at the expense of all others.
Are you creating return customers by giving them a great experience? Tom Asacker joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the importance of generating a memorable experience to create return customers and customer evangelists.
Tom Asacker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you have to be authentic in bringing your small business passion to life for your customers.
Are you focused on emotionally connecting with your customers? Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you need to outsource non-core competencies and focus on emotionally connecting with your customers.
What is the “special sauce” of your small business? Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you have to focus on the “special sauce” of your small business, because customers don’t want to settle for good - they want exceptional.
You can’t manage time, but you can manage priorities. Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to offer tips on managing priorities by using a calendar to intentionally schedule and execute tasks.
Friday - June 24, 2011
Focus on the process and productivity will follow. Gary Harpst joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the correlation between productivity and inflation and why manufacturing is outperforming the service sector with regard to productivity.
Do your employees focus on the purpose of the company? Gary Harpst joins Jim Blasingame to talk about improving your employees’ productivity through a clear strategy and efficient technology.
Congress has gotten us into a “fine kettle of fish.” Pete Sepp joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the U.S. national debt is on par with the GDP and high levels of public debt to T-bills and entitlement programs.
Congress has passed 27 spending bills for each bill that cuts spending. Pete Sepp joins Jim Blasingame with a fiscal evaluation of the 112th Congress, plus how an improvement in the economy will generate more tax revenue and reduce the deficit.
Will this Congress have the courage to cut, cap, and balance the budget? Pete Sepp joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the budget negotiations currently going on in Washington, plus what is needed to chip away at the deficit.
Is the culture of your business happy, safe, open, positive? JoAnna Brandi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to lead a positive culture in your small business and its impact on employee morale as well as your bottom line.
Did you know that 30% of a company’s performance can be contributed to culture? JoAnna Brandi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to lead a positive culture for your customers, creating not only return customers, but also customer evangelists.
Monday - June 27, 2011
If your organization isn't performing, perhaps it's how you're communicating. Kristin Arnold joins Jim Blasingame to discuss ways to improve how you communicate ideas to your team by focusing on “why” instead of “how” and then demonstrating your commitment.
As a manager, are you walking your own talk? Kristin Arnold joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the power of management aligning its actions with personal and organizational messages.
How do we eliminate the entitlement attitude of America's political class? Rich Galen joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the escalating detachment of the political class from the electorate and how it affects their ability to serve effectively.
If you ran your business the way Congress runs theirs, you would be arrested. Rich Galen joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the budget and national debt debate between Democrats and Republicans, and what the likely outcome will be.
Rich Galen joins Jim Blasingame with a prediction of the outcome of Congress’s budget negotiations, plus the likely complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
Only one-third of organizations achieve excellence. Colin Price joins Jim Blasingame to explain how great organizations achieve excellence and create competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
Niches are helping small businesses compete globally. Colin Price joins Jim Blasingame to discuss competing in the global 21st century marketplace by filling and serving niches and leading change.
How is technology empowering the electorate? Bill Diffenderffer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how technology and social media has been used effectively by political campaigns.
Could social media help Americans take back their country from the political class? Bill Diffenderffer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss his new social media platform, GoCoalition.com, that is helping political groups express themselves and connect.
How can political independents gain a voice? Bill Diffenderffer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss his new platforms for coalitions and campaigns that help give a voice to political independents who haven't been heard.
Tuesday - June 28, 2011
The world needs more entrepreneurship education. Michael Simmons joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour, designed to educate young people about the power of entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship is vital to liberty and economic prosperity. Michael Simmons joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the power of teaching entrepreneurship and the success of the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour.
What separates America from the rest of the world? Inspiration. Bob Prosen joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how Washington can restore American inspiration by unleashing the power of the marketplace and allowing companies to grow.
Big businesses should partner with Washington to create a better environment for small business. Bob Prosen joins Jim Blasingame to talk about programs that Washington and big businesses should create that would quickly empower small businesses and improve unemployment.
America’s economic might can be restored if Washington would behave more like Texas. Bob Prosen joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how America can restore employment by helping small business improve efficiency and find more ways to prosper.
Small Business Advocate poll reveals an early 2012 election trend. Jim Blasingame talks about the seeming perpetual – and exhausting – presidential campaigning, plus how poll respondents would vote for president if the election were held today.
What does the capital market look like for small business? Steve Strauss joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the issues of raising capital in today’s economic environment, especially for start-ups.
Be creative when looking for working capital. Steve Strauss joins Jim Blasingame to talk about creative ways to raise operating capital, including factoring and inventory consignment.
Unless you want to get really big, venture capital is not for you. Steve Strauss joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the realities of seeking venture capital, plus SBA guaranteed loans and crowd-funding.
Wednesday - June 29, 2011
In a red-letter case, the Supreme Court basically rules against lawyers. Jim Copland joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the Supreme Court ruled against the structure of the class action discrimination suit against Walmart.
Is ObamaCare constitutional? Jim Copland joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the constitutionality of ObamaCare, plus whether the federal government had exceeds its authority under the commerce clause with the law’s mandate that requires individuals to purchase health insurance or be fined.
Creating income for small business. Pat Sigmon joins Jim Blasingame to discuss maintaining positive cash flow, plus creating retainer plans to turn one-time clients into returning clients.
What does cash flow have to do with profit? Pat Sigmon joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how cash flow impacts profit, plus dealing with cash flow situations that could hurt your profitability.
How to operate a profitable business. Pat Sigmon joins Jim Blasingame to offer tips on operating a profitable business, including knowing and operating within your budget, getting rid of things you don’t need, and building a 21st century business model.
Julie Steelman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss selling strategies that bridge heart and business.
What is your selling archetype? Julie Steelman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss selling archetypes and the importance of knowing your strengths and weaknesses, plus how observations and role playing are great tools to become more comfortable with the value you are selling.
Small business owners should network with other small business owners. Stephanie Anderson joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the upcoming Cablevision Conference for small business owners to meet and network.
How are larger companies creating value with small companies? Stephanie Anderson joins Jim Blasingame to discuss strategic alliances that allow big business work with small business and provide values to customers.
Are you available in the online local search race? Stephanie Anderson joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the importance of being accessible online where local search is concerned and being where your customers are.
Thursday - June 30, 2011
Not spiders, but fear of public speaking is the number one phobia. Diane DiResta joins Jim Blasingame to offer tips on conquering the fear of public speaking and offers ideas on how to efficiently engaging your audience.
How can we prepare students to become public speakers? Diane DiResta joins Jim Blasingame to discuss her ideas and experience in teaching young people to become public speakers.
How has technology evolved since the Apollo moon missions? Bill Halal joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how technology has evolved from being just a lever to also becoming a disruptor.
How do you stay on the virtuous side of technology? Bill Halal joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the virtuous and vicious tendencies of the cycles of technology and how to stay on the right side by embracing change.
How do you create your technology revolution strategy? Bill Halal joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to be part of the technology revolution strategy through your stakeholders and by anticipating and embracing your failures.
Is Wall Street the enemy of Main Street? Larry Light joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to succeed with investing by using certain tools and resources to learn what insiders know about investing.
Can Wall Street be conquered by individual investors? Larry Light joins Jim Blasingame to discuss using Wall Street's tools against it through value investing, being a long-term investor, and having a good balanced portfolio.
Having trouble driving sales growth? Skip Miller joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to take advantage of the momentum of the customer in the second half of the year.
What's the best way to prospect for customer momentum? Skip Miller joins Jim Blasingame to offer prospecting tips and the proper language to use to discover where to find customer momentum and turn that into a sale.
Are you maximizing the mid-year momentum of your existing customers? Skip Miller joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the importance of knowing current customers' momentum by staying connected with a mid-year tune-up.
