Karen Kerrigan, President of the SBE Council, an advocacy and research organization dedicated to promoting small business, joins Anita Campbell for an in-depth discussion on the legislative outlook for small business. Particularly, whether Congress and President Obama will move forward with policies that will help small businesses grow, create jobs and compete in this challenging economic environment.
Below are the questions we asked Karen:
- (2:08) First Karen, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to lead an organization like the SBE Council?
- (6:26) Can you bring us up to date on where the healthcare bills stand right now and what the current situation is with them?
- (10:24) Is there anything that you’re hearing from small business owners that they need and what is the SBE Council’s position? Can you tell us, what are you advocating at the SBC Council?
- (17:27) Can you bring us up to date on what is going on with the stimulus package(s)?
- (23:22) What do small business owners need to be concerned about? What issues should they be telephoning their representatives about?
- (30:30) Is there anything out there that is positive on the legislative or regulatory front that can give small business owners a glimmer of hope?
- (33:44) Where can people learn more, Karen? Is there anything that you’d like to point out?
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In today’s economic climate, the cost of setting up, maintaining and growing a business is a capital expense that many entrepreneurs and small business owners do not have access to – or simply cannot afford. The good news is that small businesses can now save money by eliminating unnecessary costs associated with investing in IT hardware and software.
Small businesses can leverage the “cloud” and eliminate costs like never before.
Mark Stellini, Founder of Virtual Resources, and John Panico, VP of Sales & Marketing, join Anita Campbell and Brent Leary for an in-depth discussion to show you how it’s done.
Below are the questions we asked Mark and John:
- (3:04) First, Mark, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
- (4:56) John, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
- (5:48) What exactly does Virtual Resources do?
- (6:40) What exactly can you do for small businesses?
- (9:30) From a small business perspective, what do I need to equip my staff with?
- (10:43) So basically, an employee only needs Internet access? They don’t need any special equipment beyond that, correct?
- (11:01) How do you know that you can continue with business operations and not get interrupted by a data loss that can’t be recovered or a disaster that takes out the computers?
- (13:26) A lot of entrepreneurs think of “cloud computing” as connecting with a wireless connection and using Google apps and Gmail or other online services – and that’s cloud computing to them. How does what Virtual Resources does differ from what I just described?
- (15:03) So it’s really a more robust, sophisticated, tailorable type of approach than simply going online and picking a few software as a service applications that may be limited? Which is OK for entrepreneurs starting out, but would not meet the needs of an established business?
- (19:04) What are some of the applications that you typically host for small businesses when it comes to using your services?
- (19:59) Are we talking things like accounting applications, CRM and the like? What are some of the applications you host?
- (22:02) Do you also help in terms of integrating applications that will make their life easier and hosting it on your side?
- (22:33) Do you integrate with this whole area of unified communications? Do you enable the Windows apps to work with the phone systems, too?
- (23:30) Is the desktop Windows 7 based or are there a number of different Windows editions that you are able to work with?
- (24:27) What are some of the business types that would really benefit most from the services you are providing?
- (25:30) You are based in Delaware, but do you have a geographic location “sweet spot” or do you serve anywhere in the country or around the world?
- (26:25) What are the costs involved with using a service like Virtual Resources provides?
- (27:34) Where can people learn more?
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Geno Prussakov, a veteran of the affiliate marketing industry and Founder of AM Navigator, offers his insider tips and “how to” advice on properly setting up a successful affiliate program.
Geno joins Anita Campbell to let you know what your expectations should be and how to achieve the results you’re looking for. You want to make sure that when you enter into an affiliate program, you need to set your expectations accordingly so that you’re not disappointed.
Below are the questions we asked Geno:
- (2:01) First, Geno, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
- (5:07) What keeps you busy in addition to the affiliate marketing industry?
- (7:10) Can you define “affiliate marketing” for listeners?
- (9:02) If I am a business owner of a small business, how do I know if an affiliate program is right for my business? Which types of businesses are affiliate programs best suited for?
- (11:18) Should I try to set up and run my program with a software program in-house, or should I go to one of the affiliate networking programs out there like ShareASale?
- (14:01) Which of the affiliate programs out there are best for small businesses? Are some better for small businesses or are some better for larger businesses?
- (17:37) Can we assume that the recommendations you gave are affiliate networks that actually score very high on those sectors?
- (20:08) How much should you assume that an affiliate program is going to cost your business?
- (22:34) If you’re going to be paying just fees to the affiliate or what might be equivalent to a sales commission, then how do you go about setting up the commission structure or the fee structure?
- (24:56) Can you tell us a little bit about the affiliates out there? What kinds are there and where do they advertise their products?
- (27:04) Let’s talk about fraudulent affiliate accounts. Is this something that a merchant should worry about and how frequently does this occur? What should you do about it?
- (28:40) What are three of the deadliest mistakes that a merchant can make while getting involved in affiliate marketing?
- (30:20) What are a few good resources to learn about affiliate marketing?
- (31:41) Where can people learn more about you on the Internet?
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Kristina Bouweiri, President & CEO of Reston Limousine and Travel Service, Inc. , started her business with only five cars and today – she has over 150. Kristina admits to being a micro manager, but she soon came to realize that she benefited immensely when she added another team member to the payroll and she learned that hiring the right people with the right skills got the job done better and faster then she could. Today Reston Limousine and Travel Service, Inc. is the 17th largest limousine and bus company in the United States.
Kristina joins Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to share the story of how she stopped micro managing and hired good people for key positions. By doing so, Kristina’s company doubled in size in only one short year.
Below are the questions we asked Kristina:
- (2:22) First, Kristina, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
- (2:57) What was it like, being here in the United States, after living in all of those exotic places?
- (4:23) Can you tell us how the limousine service was started?
- (5:31) How did you come to be the CEO of the company that your husband founded?
- (8:52) I know you admit to being a micro manager, but what was it that forced you to stop being a micro manager?
- (11:23) So you started with an accounting professional, then hired a human resources professional, and then hired an operations manager – until finally, you hired a general manager?
- (13:42) How did you find the right person? What did you learn about the qualities that you needed for a general manager?
- (18:00) What role did the other managers play in determining what type of general manager would be a fit?
- (19:50) What are some of the long term benefits you’ve received from hiring the right type of general manger for your business?
- (20:50) Has your leadership style changed as a result of bringing in a general manger?
- (22:10) Do you see your role changing as time goes on?
- (23:37) What kinds of things should people be on the lookout for to indicate that it’s time to bring in a general manager?
- (25:04) How long did it take you to feel comfortable having a general manager in your company?
- (26:09) Did you see those types of benefits before you saw tangible benefits?
- (27:39) Where can people learn more about your business online?
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Paul Rosenfeld, CEO of Fanminder, says, “Move over Facebook. So long Twitter. The year 2010 belongs to mobile marketing for the savvy small business owner.” Paul believes that the next must-have tool for business growth is text message marketing. Let’s face it, we’re all connected to gadgets and information 24/7 these days. So, it only makes sense that tapping into these channels is going to be the next wave of the future.
Paul joins Anita Campbell for a discussion to explain, in detail, why text message marketing, in particular, is poised to be your next must-have tool to grow your business in 2010. Paul explains exactly how you can take easy steps to drive immediate revenues for your business.
Below are the questions we asked Paul:
- (2:19) First, tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
- (3:58) Can you tell us exactly what mobile marketing is, for those that may not be aware?
- (7:00) What kinds of businesses are doing mobile marketing? Who does it work best for and who should be using it?
- (12:02) Can you give us an example or two of how a traditional small business might use text marketing?
- (14:18) So it’s an “opt in” by the customer for the marketing messages and they join a list for the business so that they can receive specials, discounts and more, correct?
- (17:42) You mention that text message marketing gets a phenomenal response rate because the person receiving it has to read it to clear it, but you also mention that it’s much more effective than social media marketing. I wonder if you could explain?
- (21:43) As a business owner, how do you get people to sign up for your text message marketing program?
- (24:38) So you can find tips at FanMinder.com/learningcenter?
- (24:53) Isn’t this just marketing to the younger generations? What are the ages of people using text messaging?
- (26:40) If you were going to pick a texting provider to help you with your marketing, what would you look for?
- (29:10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with listeners today?
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Dawn Rivers Baker, host of The Micobusiness News Briefs Podcast, had a special guest at the end of 2009 – our very own Anita Campbell.
The tables were turned and this time, Anita found herself on the opposite side of the microphone where she was interviewed about the topic of trend spotting and how to apply it to your small business:
“I’m talking about turning our hands to trend-watching, a topic about which I had a fun and informative conversation with my good friend, Anita Campbell. Anita offers us tips on:
- how do you spot trends and what can you do about them?
- how early is “too early” to take advantage of new trends?
- what’s the window of opportunity between “fad” and “trend” and “mainstream”?”
Trend spotting can be very beneficial to small business. Staying abreast of up-and-coming opportunities can really payoff if you’ve spotted a trend and jumped on the bandwagon early. Visit “An Interview With Anita Campbell” to hear the entire discussion.
Akemi Gaines, Founder of Yes to Me, quit her corporate job in October 2007 because she believed she could help more people worldwide with her unique skills. She rented out the house she bought less than a year prior, moved herself from Tennessee to Oregon, and started her service as spiritual coach. Today she has a successful practice and is earning more than she did in her corporate job.
Akemi shares her insights with Anita Campbell and Brent Leary on how spirituality can actually help entrepreneurs – especially during the difficult startup phase – when it might be hard to pull yourself out of the darkness and into the light. Akemi has published an ebook titled, “Lightworkers Guide to Self-Employment” which you can download and view, free of charge.
Below are the questions we asked Akemi:
- (2:32) First, tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
- (2:37) Is that what made you decide to leave the corporate world?
- (3:47) Was it scary when you decided to leave? How did you come to leave that position?
- (4:50) So you felt you could achieve more with your new business? Is that what actually led you to leave the corporate world?
- (5:56) Tell us why you feel spirituality can help entrepreneurs? Isn’t pursuing money and wealth at opposite ends of the spectrum from spirituality?
- (7:59) Do you feel that many entrepreneurs are in touch with those points, or is that something that we could more successful with if we got in touch with those points?
- (9:22) I know you’ve got an ebook and you lay out some steps for entrepreneurs, with the first step being to ”find your niche.” Where does the title come from?
- (10:55) In the ebook, you talk about self-sabotaging patterns. What are some of those negative patterns and how do we identify if we are engaging in self-sabotaging patterns?
- (7:17) When it comes to spirituality, there are a lot of business people who don’t seem to practice it when it comes to business. Are there cases where people just don’t have spirituality? Are there people who simply have no spirituality?
- (19:31) You write about starting a business as a way to live your life purposefully. What does that mean? What does “life purpose” mean to you?
- (20:40) When you think about perfectionism, where does it fit into starting your own business as an entrepreneur?
- (21:17) When you talk about spirituality in business, when can it become a detriment? Can you rely on it too heavily?
- (22:17) What if you come across a customer who leads with their religion as opposed to their spirituality? And it conflicts with how your spirituality leads you in business – how do you resolve that?
- (23:34) How does culture impact the way people view spirituality? Does it keep us from really understanding the spiritual aspects of how we’re trying to do things?
- (24:56) You have a concept that you call “jumping” - what is jumping?
- (26:15) How would you suggest entrepreneurs start to drill down and get a clear vision of their success?
- (27:20) Akemi, where can people find out more about you on the Internet and get your ebook?
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Aviv Shahar, Founder of Aviv Consulting, is an international consultant, CEO Coach, author and a world leader in the design of leadership and talent development programs for Fortune 100 companies. For more than 25 years, Aviv has specialized in helping leaders and teams improve collaboration, cultivate innovation and accelerate breakthroughs. His experience in coaching for high-level performance in critical operations was gained as a fighter pilot, responsible for training other fighter pilots, in the Israeli Air Force.
Aviv brings cutting edge methodologies to help entrepreneurs enhance their creativity, develop clarity of vision, and execute an action plan. Today, he shares how he helps executives and entrepreneurs in Europe, Canada, Israel, Mexico, Brazil and the United States develop their purpose and strategy, realize their potential and create breakthrough results.
Below are the questions we asked Aviv:
- (2:10) First, where are you speaking to us from?
- (2:31) I wonder if you can tell us about yourself and your background?
- (6:39) How do you get the people that you coach and consult with to get those breakthrough results?
- (9:09) How do you prioritize your time? What should entrepreneurs be doing? Where do you start?
- (11:30) How does that translate into the life of the entrepreneur? How do you learn and reach greatness? How do you practice or do you just have to be in business a long time?
- (14:06) You’ve written about the peak productivity zone. What is that?
- (17:24) How do successful professionals and entrepreneurs actually apply and use their peak productivity zone?
- (20:52) How do you identify what your peak productive pattern is and how do you hone your use of that?
- (23:14) What is the next decade going to be like and what is it that’s going to make business owners and entrepreneurs succeed in this upcoming decade?
- (24:58) If you had one final piece of advice for professionals to use in the coming year, what would that piece of advice be?
- (27:07) Aviv, where can people find out more about you on the Internet?
Aviv is also offering Small Business Trends listeners a special free complimentary MP3 recording of his teleseminar: “The Ten Rules Practiced by Innovators, Transformational Leaders and Champions.” This is a special offer for Small Business Trends listeners only. It is not available elsewhere and is a paid for offering on his site.
If you’d like to receive a free complimentary copy of Aviv’s teleseminar recording, simply contact Aviv via email using the subject line “Small Business Trends Gift” and Aviv will send you your complimentary MP3.
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Chris Gaba, Co-Founder of Central Bark Doggy Day Care, has taken his passion for pets and for service to others – and combined them into one powerful philanthropic program for his franchise system. Chris Gaba has owned and trained dogs since age nine, starting with the family dog Ringo, a liver-spotted Dalmatian. He is a true dog lover and has developed a deep affinity with dogs of every breed.
Chris worked in Advertising and Marketing for over 12 years when in 2000, he decided it was time to hang up the suit and follow his passion. He opened Central Bark Dog Day Care and Training Center, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, and in less than three years the business has grown into one of the most successful new ventures in Broward County. He has three four-legged children, Sophie and Taz, both Weimaraners, and Boo Radley, a Brussels Griffon. Chris shares how he integrated his vision for Dog Bless America, an organization that places service dogs with wounded veterans returning from war, into Central Bark and he’s here today to share advice for small business owners on how to successfully develop their own charitable programs.
Below are the questions we asked Chris:
- (2:19) First, can you tell us about yourself and your background?
- (4:12) How does Central Bark Doggy Daycare work?
- (7:08) Is the entire concept of Central Bark franchised or is it just the philanthropic program?
- (8:24) Tell us more about Dog Bless America? What exactly is that program?
- (11:52) How does this philanthropic program help the franchisee? If I am a franchisee, why would I want that?
- (12:33) How do you encourage franchisees to participate?
- (16:13) How has your work with Dog Bless America impacted your life from a personal standpoint?
- (17:23) How has this impacted the way you look at and do business?
- (18:27) How has that translated to some of the charitable contributions your franchisees are making? Are you seeing that impacting their business through this process as well?
- (20:13) How has social media impacted the way you are using, and doing business with, Dog Bless America?
- (21:02) So you are thinking that maybe the use of social media on the charitable side may actually help the franchises on the business side as well?
- (21:42) What are the more important qualities that are necessary for a charitable program like yours to be successful?
- (23:00) How much time do you spend on the business side versus the charitable side?
- (24:08) Has this made your overall quality of life better, both the personal and the business side?
- (24:30) What advice would you give business owners to integrate charitable giving into their business?
- (25:18) Chris, where can people find out more?
- (25:28) A year or two from now, how many franchises do you think you will have?
- (26:17) If you had to guess, how much of your success would you put to the charitable side of your business?
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Natalie MacNeil co-founded Garage Entrepreneurs shortly after starting her first business as a student entrepreneur. Natalie says, “Garage Entrepreneurs is a community I wish I had when I started my first business.” Her entrepreneurial journey has led her to become a media producer and consultant, specializing in online media and marketing, an award winning blogger and a speaker. Natalie has been featured in Forbes.com, Entrepreneur.com and the Financial Post. Natalie was also recognized as one of Canada’s top 25 young entrepreneurs by the Impact Organization.
Natalie is passionate about encouraging younger generations to consider entrepreneurship as a career option. She shares her insights on young entrepreneurs, what it takes to build a successful business, and the impact of the recession on new businesses.
Below are the questions we asked Natalie:
- (1:58) First, can you tell us about yourself and your background?
- (3:33) You also write at Forbes.com, is that right?
- (4:06) Do you think the trend of young entrepreneurs is here to stay, Natalie?
- (5:48) How old were you when you noticed that you were an entrepreneur?
- (6:58) Tell us about Garage Entrepreneurs, where did the name come from?
- (7:48) Garage Entrepreneurs is a web site, correct?
- (8:39) How do you define a young entrepreneur?
- (10:02) As an entrepreneur, what would you say that the main characteristics someone should have to be successful and happy about it?
- (11:13) What else would you say are key characteristics?
- (16:28) What are some of the benefits that you’ve seen in starting a business when you’re younger?
- (18:31) Do you think that the econimic downturn has forced more graduates to consider entrepreneurship?
- (20:29) Are existing entrepreneurs working harder or abandoning entrepreneurship? What do you see happening there?
- (22:35) Do you see people bootstrapping longer or finding new paths to entrepreneurship?
- (25:00) Younger generations seem to be really web and mobile saavy. How do you see that translating?
- (27:09) Natalie, where can people find out more?
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As a young man, Larry’s Janesky’s entrepreneurial journey began right out of high school when he started a carpentry business. Larry’s journey eventually lead him to become the owner of a multi-national company with 27 patents that revolutionized the industry.
Larry’s entrepreneurial journey continues and today he is the Founder and CEO of the largest basement waterproofing and crawl space repair dealer network in the world, Basement Systems. He shares the universal lessons learned along the way, which he has applied to 5 other businesses with the same results.
Larry believes that if you improve yourself, your business will improve.
Below are the questions we asked Larry:
- (2:50) First, can you tell us about yourself and your background?
- (5:43) Can you tell us about some of the high points and the low points in your entrepreneurial journey so far?
- (7:58) As an entrepreneur, what is it about your advice that makes it worth listening to?
- (10:19) What would you say is the one single most important theme you’ve discovered?
- (11:43) What’s one concrete example of the business leader’s way of thinking making a difference?
- (13:30) How do you go about developing a vision as a business owner? Can you give us an example of what a clear vision might sound like for a business?
- (15:06) So be detailed and clear and fill it out in your head?
- (17:10) What inspires you?
- (18:29) How does that inspiration help you to overcome the obstacles you’ve faced?
- (20:13) Is it easy to develop a desire to succeed or is that something that you’re born with?
- (22:12) Can you tell us about your blogs?
- (23:23) How has the impact of writing these blogs changed the way you look at business or helped your approach to business?
- (24:08) Are you putting out a new book?
- (26:03) Are there autobiographical overtones in the book, perhaps?
- (27:01) Where can people get the book?
- (27:46) What is your overall definition of success?
- (28:27) Larry, where can people find out more?
For more information on Larry Janesky and Basement Systems you can read, “How One Entrepreneur Grew Sales to $50 Million in a Mundane Industry.”
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Many entrepreneurs have varied professional backgrounds and Dan McComb, Co-founder of Biznik, is one of them. Dan started his professional career as a photo journalist where he covered the end of the war in Bosnia and the extreme right-wing militia movement here in the United States. However, he soon realized that the work he was producing actually belonged to someone else – his employer – which led him to start his first small business as a freelance photographer. Dan learned the hard way that even though he wanted to run his own business, early on he lacked the business skills to do so and his first business soon failed.
Dan has come a long way since then and is now a full-time filmmaker in addition to being the Co-founder of Biznik. He has just completed a movie, Shine, profiling entrepreneurs, their challenges and what they lost and gained in their quests for success. Dan shares the insights he’s gained as he discusses how happiness matters . . . therefore, people are following their passions – not money.
Below are the questions we asked Dan:
- (1:50) First, can you tell us about yourself and your background?
- (4:30) How is Biznik different from Linkedin, a site that a lot of business owners and operators use?
- (6:16) Can you explain how you can go to Biznik and be connected with people in your local area to network with?
- (8:14) Tell us about your survey with iStockPhoto and how this correlates to our topic today?
- (10:03) What did the survey reveal?
- (11:42) Do you think this had anything to do with the survey being conducted in part with iStockPhoto or do you think that this goes well beyond that?
- (12:43) What other things did you find through this survey?
- (17:00) You talk about the enjoyment factor. Was that regarding older entrepreneurs, younger ones or both?
- (18:00) How did you become interested in film-making and how that happened?
- (21:10) So what are the messages that one can take away from the film?
- (23:13) What do you hope the impact of the film is for people who see it?
- (24:34) How can the film be viewed?
- (25:34) Are you displaying clips of it now online?
- (27:45) Dan, where can people find out more?
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In today’s modern world, many of us are “on-the-go.” With the advent of new technologies, it seems that it’s more possible now, than ever before, to be mobile and still remain in touch. As a result, many small business owners, operators and employees are now afforded the ability to conduct business “on-the-go.” The side effect to this – the lines between our personal and professional lives are blurring more quickly than ever.
Drew Garcia, VP of Product Management at SugarSync joins hosts Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to share his tips on how to manage our digital lives while living on the go.
Below are the questions we asked Drew:
- (3:13) First, can you tell us about yourself and your background?
- (3:57) In your experience, how have you seen the lines between personal lives and professional lives blend together? And is that a good thing, or a bad thing?
- (6:25) What exactly does a VP of Product Management do?
- (7:16) Drew, how do you stay productive “on-the-go?
- (8:45) What exactly does SugarSync do?
- (10:00) So, SugarSync works will all of your files. You don’t have to be on a software as a service product, correct?
- (11:09) In addition to SugarSync, what other solutions or devices to you use or recommend to others?
- (15:34) How does a service like yours work with the different kinds of data content we’re creating? Is is strictly for professional content or personal content?
- (16:57) What are some major examples of the need to work with this type of mobile syncing and back up that you see?
- (18:21) How important is it in today’s world for entrepreneurs and small business owners to be connected and share this type of information? Is it really impacted by this idea of being connected 24/7?
- (19:42) What kinds of solutions does SugarSync offer small business owners?
- (21:33) You mentioned before the whole idea of the cloud and that the data will be stored in the cloud. How secure is that?
- (23:00) What if there was a catastrophe? What’s the process for getting the data back onto your computer?
- (23:54) Is it any easier depending on the device?
- (24:46) How long would it take to restore a decent amount of data to a mobile device?
- (25:34) What are one or two “best practices” you can give us to get us started on the right foot?
- (27:03) Drew, where can people find out more?
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We’ve all suffered through employment for employers that we didn’t necessarily like – or enjoy working for. If you are currently in that situation, or have been at some point in time, you’ve come to realize that everybody copes with that atmosphere in a different way. Some are healthy ways to cope and some are not.
Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster, Authors of “Working for You Isn’t Working for Me,” joins hosts Anita Campbell to show you how to take back some control and learn to manage your boss and yourself by applying their four-step process.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to technical issues with our broadcasting company, BlogTalkRadio.com, there is a silence and delay at the beginning of the recording. Just keep listening – the show will start — we promise!
Below are the questions we asked Katherine and Kathi:
- (2:33) First, can you tell us about yourself and your background?
- (3:32) Did that lead you directly to writing the book or was that something that happened in between?
- (7:08) Katherine, what kind of situations do people encounter with bosses?
- (7:46) Some people like to be left alone at work, so why an absentee boss such a problem then?
- (9:07) What kinds of bosses are there and who is the most difficult to work with?
- (10:30) What other types are difficult to work with?
- (13:43) How do people cope with bad bosses? What can you do about it?
- (16:44) What should you do, instead of these negative coping mechanisms, to deal with a bad boss?
- (18:32) What can you do, physically, to calm down?
- (20:30) What does the four step process involve?
- (23:20) Let’s say you work for someone who is younger than you are. What is the challenge in that situation?
- (24:36) Are there any final thoughts each of you would like to leave our listeners with before we close?
- (26:40) Katherine and Kathi, where can people find out more?
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Have you ever noticed how detrimental “silent problems” can become? Things unspoken - they tend to eat away at people, situations and even business. One man has recognized how silent problems, problems that are being avoided, neglected and going unnoticed, are negatively impacting small businesses in very profound ways.
Rod Johnson, Speaker, Executive Business Coach and Author of “Without Warning: Breakthrough Strategies for Solving the Silent Problems Taking Aim at Your Organization,” joins hosts Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to share how business owners can significantly improve their organizations performance - by simply identifying and then resolving the silent problems that lie within.
Below are the questions we asked Rod:
- (7:08) First Rod, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?
- (7:51) How would you describe being a business coach?
- (8:30) What IS the number one reason why businesses underperform?
- (9:39) What is the difference between working FOR your business and your business working for YOU? How would you characterize the difference between the two?
- (10:35) What is a “silent problem?” How is that different from a “loud” one?
- (12:52) Can you give us an example of a business owner experiencing a silent problem that is festering?
- (16:49) How long does it take for one of those silent problems to become “loud” and noticeable for people?
- (18:03) Who, typically, notices these problems first and feels like something should be addressed?
- (18:34) How long before they communicate that?
- (19:49) What are some of the best ways that an employee can bring this to the attention of an owner who doesn’t like to hear about problems?
- (21:12) Suppose a small business owner identifies a problem and the problem is that the organization’s manager is actually a brother-in-law . . . what can you do?
- (23:21) So, businesses started with friends or family businesses, do they have more opportunities to develop “silent problems” than a company that isn’t structured like that?
- (24:32) What are a couple of steps that business men and women can take to identify these “silent problems” within an organization?
- (25:53) Are these silent problems more critical than visible ones? Or do they not reach that impact until they become more visible?
- (26:58) Any final thoughts to share with the audience before we finish?
- (27:50) Rod, where can people find out more?
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Do you know where the term “Pirates of Silicone Valley” comes from? Well, did you know that Bill Gates borrowed the idea for Windows from Steve Jobs? And Steve Jobs borrowed the idea from Xerox and Xerox borrowed the idea from an obscure academic researcher? Hence, the birth of the term ”Pirates of Silicone Valley.”
David Kord Murray, former head of innovation at Intuit and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller, “Borrowing Brilliance,” joins hosts Anita Campbell to explain how a small business owner can start to think creatively by borrowing ideas from the world around them to create a new product - or improve on their existing service.
Below are the questions we asked David:
- (5:41) First David, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background regarding public relations?
- (8:11) What do you mean by “cherry picking ideas?” How do you actually do that?
- (9:17) You say that anyone can think creatively. Do you really believe that to be true? What is it that makes some more creative than others?
- (10:25) So you believe that we are born creative and we just slowly fall out of touch with that creativity?
- (11:04) What are the best sources for new ideas in one’s business? How do you find those new ideas?
- (15:48) Now when you saying “borrowing,” you’re not referring to stealing a competitors intellectual property, correct?
- (16:29) Can you explain how mountain climbing helps you to be more innovative and solve problems?
- (21:27) What are some other steps about the creative process that people should become good at and try to practice and learn?
- (24:21) Would you agree with the claims from others that “acting” moves you further than “thinking?”
- (27:03) You spoke in the book about a big marketing idea you had. How long did an idea like that take from conception to revelation?
- (29:21) Is there any point that you’d like to wrap up with to help entrepreneurs become more creative and innovative?
- (30:06) David, where can people find out more about your business?
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Visibility is important to your small business and affordable publicity is out there. There are many tools that can help you grow your business and expand its visibility today. However, researching to discover those publicity tools can be a drain on your time - which may actually hinder your small business.
Margie Zable Fisher, President of Zable Fisher Public Relations, joins hosts Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to share her top 10 publicity tools that cost $1 or less. Margie also explains how to maximize your success in using them and she’s done the “dirty work” of uncovering these valuable publicity tools for you.
So, get ready to take advantage of these tools to help your small business gain visibility and grow to its full potential.
Below are the questions we asked Margie:
- (1:40) First Margie, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background regarding public relations?
- (6:16) Can you walk us through these tools and give the best ways to leverage them? What are the professionals’ secrets?
- (13:25) Is there one more tip you’d like to add about Help a Reporter?
- (14:01) I see you reference Contact Any Celebrity, tell us about that a bit?
- (15:39) What is The Gift List about, Margie?
- (16:52) Let’s move on to your next tip called “Contacts on Tap.” What’s that about?
- (17:57) Let’s do one more before we go to the break. This one intrigues me. “Chases Calendar” – what is that?
- (21:28) Let’s make sure we get through all 10 tips. Can you talk about EzineArticles a bit?
- (22:41) How do you actually make number seven happen?
- (24:24) How do you go about winning an award?
- (25:25) Number nine is “create profiles and use free social media tools,” can you discuss the importance of that?
- (25:54) Number ten “set up and write posts on a free WordPress blog platform,” can you tell us about that?
- (26:41) What’s the best way for people to get started with these tools?
- (27:29) Margie, where can people find out more about your business?
Download Margie’s “Top 10 Publicity Tools For a Dollar or Less” PDF now or visit Small Business Trends where Margie wrote about her “Top 10 Publicity Tools”
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If you have a blog or website, chances are you’ve asked yourself, “Where do my visitors come from? What are they doing when they get here and where are they going?”
Have you ever wondered what improvements, if any, would be beneficial to your site, your sales and your visitors?
You’re not alone and the good news is that, for those of you unaware, there’s a very insightful analytics program out there from Google named Google Analytics. Best of all – it’s absolutely FREE.
Jerri Ledford, Co-Author of the book, “Google Analytics,” joined Anita Campbell in a previous interview to demystify Google Analytics for those who may be a little intimidated by it. And since joining us back then, Jerri has gone on to Co-Authored a second book titled, ”Google Analytics 2.0.”
Jerri offers insightful advice into this topic and she unravels a bit of the mystery and confusion surrounding how to effectively use Google Analytics on your website and/or blog. Yes, I said blog. There are some savvy ways you can employ the analytics program (by assigning dollar values) even on “information only” blogs and websites that aren’t involved in retail sales.
We’ve just transcribed her interview for your reading enjoyment because there’s so much valuable information here for you. It’s titled, “How to Use Google Analytics” and we hope you enjoy it!
I think I can speak for everyone here and say – we’d all like to unlock hidden cash and profits. And Kenneth Kaufman is going to help us find it.
Kenneth Kaufman, Founder & CEO of CFOwise, joins hosts Anita Campbell to share the insights he has gained from helping entrepreneurs and small business owners use their monthly financial statements – to drive cash flow and profitability by unlocking hidden finances.
So, are you ready to unlock hidden cash and profits in YOUR financial statements? Why not get started now?
Below are the questions we asked Ken:
- (2:21) First Ken, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and CFOWise?
- (4:28) What are the financial statements that small business owners should be looking at? I assume the profit and loss statement is one of them?
- (6:30) Let me ask you about the balance sheet. Is it of less value to small businesses? How important do you think the balance sheet is to the typical small business?
- (8:20) What are the issues causing some small business owners to neglect looking at these financial statements in an accurate form or on a timely basis?
- (11:03) Where are the most common places to find this “hidden cash” in a small business?
- (13:50) How do you then use that financial statement to find hidden cash flow?
- (20:45) How can you find hidden profits? Where do you look for that in your financials?
- (22:07) How many small business owners do you think can quote that growth profit number immediately?
- (23:10) Do you start looking at your expense line or your top line – or both?
- (24:49) Are there any other obvious places to look?
- (26:28) Can you outline some of the key financial ratios and averages that a small business owner should be keeping track of?
- (29:20) Can you tell us about the free industry report you are offering our listeners and how they can maximize this report when they receive it?
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Mary Crogan, Senior Business Marketing Manager for online survey from Constant Contact, joins hosts Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to discuss how online surveys can actually act as a GPS system for your small business. They can help guide you and your small business along the most direct and efficient path to your goals. Surveys are cost effective, fast, easy and are useful mechanisms for gathering customer feedback.
Surveys can help you chart the right course for your business - and can take you inside the mind of the mostly silent majority.
Below are the questions we asked Mary:
- (2:04) First Mary, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and what you do at Constant Contact?
- (2:41) What is your background in business? How did you come to get involved with the Constant Contact survey product?
- (3:10) So you are a marketing expert and have now translated that to the online survey world then?
- (3:34) Now most people know Constant Contact from the email marketing service provided. Is the online survey tool something new?
- (4:20) What type of customers does Constant Contact have?
- (5:04) How big of a business do you need to be to use an online survey? Can any size business, large or small, use an online survey?
- (5:36) What is so valuable about an online survey? What value does it bring to a small business?
- (6:57) What if you are not used to giving online surveys? How do you get help to figure out what kinds of questions to ask and how to use the survey?
- (8:03) Do you provide sample questions so people can get started?
- (9:24) What kinds of questions should a small business be asking of its customers? Can you give us a few examples?
- (11:06) Is there an optimal length for putting together an online survey?
- (12:31) Should you create a survey that requires someone to complete all of the questions, or is it better to limit the number of “required” questions?
- (16:05) For small businesses that are new to online surveys, what kind of participation rates can they expect?
- (17:14) So you find out what’s interesting enough for them to take five or ten minutes to complete a survey?
- (17:36) So what’s the process a small business would take to build an online survey?
- (19:25) How do you go about soliciting those respondents?
- (20:51) How many respondents do you need to have to get a good feel to make actionable decisions afterwards?
- (21:54) What do you do with the data gathered from the survey?
- (22:58) Do people expect to see action taken quickly? What’s a good time frame to follow up on what you’ve found in your survey?
- (24:12) Can you give us one example of how an online survey can work for a small business?
- (26:34) Are there any guidelines as to how often you should survey your customers?
- (27:52) Mary, where can people find out more on the web?
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