Monday - October 03, 2011
What was on your mind when you started your business? John Bradberry joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that regardless of why you start a small business, you must know why so you can deal with the pros and cons of that start-up decision.
Do you know the challenges and opportunities associated with why you started a business? John Bradberry joins Jim Blasingame to reveal more about why you need to examine the real reason you started your business.
What's so special about Texas? Joe Clearly joins Jim Blasingame to report on the reasons that Texas is currently the economic bright spot in the U.S., including low taxes, oil and gas, plus it's a "right-to-work" state.
Is commercial construction recovering? Joe Clearly joins Jim Blasingame to report that commercial construction in the U.S. is still down and not expected to improve any time soon.
When will the housing industry recover? Joe Clearly joins Jim Blasingame to report on why the housing industry is still in the doldrums and will likely be for a few more years.
What if what's good for your business isn't good for customers? Adrian Ott joins Jim Blasingame to celebrate Customer Service Week by reminding us that your company policies might be hurting business.
When is it okay for an employee to break your rules? Adrian Ott joins Jim Blasingame to celebrate Customer Service Week by recommending you allow employees to break company rules and even lose money, it if saves a customer relationship.
The Insperity Championship is 8 years old. Paul Sarvadi joins Jim Blasingame to report on the name change of the Insperity Championship and what this PGA Champions tournament has meant to local charities.
Has your business model gotten stale? Paul Sarvadi joins Jim Blasingame to report on why his company decided to proactively reinvent themselves and take advantage of new opportunities and what he learned from that process.
What does the U.S. economy look like right now? Paul Sarvadi joins Jim Blasingame to report on what he's seeing of the national economy, which is continued slow but steady growth.
Tuesday - October 04, 2011
Why would a customer come back to your small business? Celebrating Customer Care Week, Jim Blasingame reminds you that customers come back for the way you make them feel, not because of your products or price.
Do you differentiate between a transaction and a relationship? Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to relate two customer care experiences he had - one very bad and one very good. Which one will he do business with again?
Would you like to pick up two brand new customer groups? Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that small businesses are missing opportunities to market to two minority segments who are increasingly becoming more affluent.
What's your greatest business challenge? Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to report that, with almost record unemployment, the greatest challenge among business owners is finding qualified employees for open positions.
How do companies provide excellent employee benefits without government mandates? Jerry Ripperger joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how many companies partner with their employees on health, wellness and retirement benefits.
Benefits are more than just health and retirement. Jerry Ripperger joins Jim Blasingame to reveal Principal’s 10 Best companies for 2011 and reveal how you can benefit from their best practices.
Do you have a 2nd in command executive, or just a glorified assistant? John Dini joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to grow your organization by developing and delegating to a 2nd in command executive, not just a manager.
Effective executives don’t surround themselves with “yes men." John Dini joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you need to train a 2nd in command to be an executive, not just a manager, and encourage them to challenge you.
Are you training company leaders to be managers or executives. John Dini joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why executive thinking is critical to growing or hiring a 2nd in command that is capable of filling in for the CEO - that's you.
Wednesday - October 05, 2011
How do you know if your advertising will be effective? Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how a small business can use big business focus group practices to identify the most effective advertisement plans.
How do you leverage your business's competitive advantage? Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to use customer testimonials, ad frequency, and a targeted ad campaign to reach your profile customers.
How do local customers find your business? Kirk Cheyftiz joins Jim Blasingame to report on a Pew Research study that reveals that prospects increasingly rely on Internet resources to find the businesses they intend to do business with.
Who defines your competitive advantage? Kirk Cheyftiz joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that the best place to find evidence of your business's competitive advantage is in the stories your own customers tell about you.
Online platforms and social media make it easy to connect with customers. Kirk Cheyftiz joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how free online platforms, like Facebook, YouTube, etc., make it easy to offer relevant content that helps you connect with customers.
How do your sleep habits affect your health and vice versa? Steve Cela joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the sleep diagnostics industry and identify some of the many reasons why humans don't get the kind of sleep they need.
One word: Efficiencies. Steve Cela joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that constantly seeking efficiencies, and outsourcing, are two very important small business best practices.
Who are the beneficiaries of a PGA golf tournament? Celebrating the 8th annual Insperity Championship, Richard Rawson joins Jim Blasingame to reveal what it takes to conduct a PGA tournament and identify the economic impact on the local market.
How much time do you spend focusing on strategy? Richard Rawson joins Jim Blasingame to encourage small business CEOs to carve out time from executing to devote to developing a strategic plan for the business' future.
What's in store for the U.S. economy? Insperity president, Richard Rawson, joins Jim Blasingame to talk about his thoughts on the U.S. economy compared to the global economy, and why America's future is brighter than the E.U.
Thursday - October 06, 2011
Steve Jobs was a creative genius whose decades-long contributions to technology are unparalleled. Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the life and legacy of the co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, and how they were directly impacted by him.
Steve Jobs created brand zealots and enhanced people’s lives. Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how you can become Steve Jobs-like by creating great customer experiences that make a difference in the lives of others.
When will the constitutionality of ObamaCare finally be decided? Grace-Marie Turner joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the status of the various court battles over the constitutionality of ObamaCare, all the way to the Supreme Court.
How will the impending Supreme Court decision on ObamaCare affect the 2012 election? Grace-Marie Turner joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the impact of various scenarios of a Supreme Court decision on ObamaCare on the 2012 presidential election.
Health Savings Accounts are a better alternative to ObamaCare. Grace-Marie Turner joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the characteristics of Health Savings Accounts not only defeat ObamaCare, but could save our healthcare system.
Big dogs like to help underdogs, but you have to approach them the right way. Amy Showalter joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the underdog edge of small businesses who know how to successfully engage with big businesses.
Use your small business underdog status to your advantage. Amy Showalter joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to use your gritty, underdog position to ask for business from the big dogs.
How much self-reference do you make when calling on a new prospect? Joanne Black joins Jim Blasingame to encourage you to focus on the customer, not yourself, or your company, when talking to prospects.
When is it okay to use "I, me, and my" on a sales call? Joanne Black joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the dangers of using personal pronouns on a sales call, unless you know how to use them correctly.
How can doing your homework lead to more sales? Joanne Black joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how doing research on a prospect will help you eliminate the need to be self-referential when you're making that first impression.
Friday - October 07, 2011
The value of customer relationships to sales has never been higher. Mary Cantando joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to increase sales by focusing on customer relationships and customization.
Businesses have become more efficient with fewer people. Mary Cantando joins Jim Blasingame to discuss systemic issues of unemployment: increased use of technology, capital acquisition challenges and economic and political uncertainty.
Monday - October 10, 2011
It's okay to fall in love with what you do, but don't fall in love with how you do it. Jim Blasingame talks about historic, game-changing killer apps and encourages you to take a hard look at the innovation and creativity of your small business.
Are you creative enough to develop your own killer app? Jim Blasingame reveals what the process of developing a killer app might look like in a Main Street small business.
What is your definition of innovation? Pam Harper joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the new definition of business innovation, which in the 21st century is found in being useful and relevant to your customers.
To have customers you can’t run off, help your customers help their customers. Pam Harper joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to think of innovation as a way to help your customers serve their customers better.
How could a strategic alliance be a form of innovation? Pam Harper joins Jim Blasingame to talk about her upcoming seminar where mergers, acquisitions and alliances will be discussed as a form of innovation.
The recognition of Columbus’ 1492 voyage was celebrated as early as 1790. Ken Davis joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the voyages of Columbus, his financial backing and the competition to explore the New World.
Columbus was not the romanticized explorer of history books. Ken Davis joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the good, bad and ugly of the legacy of Christopher Columbus, who was not necessarily the benevolent explorer you may think.
Why is the accomplishments of Steve Jobs an American story? Frenchman Guy Sorman joins Jim Blasingame to reveal why the impact of visionary inventors like Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs could only happen in America.
What are the potential dangers of a European Union financial crisis? Guy Sorman joins Jim Blasingame to report that concerns over a contagious financial meltdown in the U.S. over European problems is unfounded.
How much is China's stealing of U.S. intellectual property costing us? Guy Sorman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss what do do about China's blatant practice of stealing intellectual property that costs the U.S. 7 millions jobs annually.
Tuesday - October 11, 2011
What if Steve Jobs innovations would have had to get approval by the FDA to get to market? Paul Howard joins Jim Blasingame to discuss whether the FDA approval process is unnecessarily delaying the approval of new drugs and devices.
Should there be a quicker protocol for drug and medical device availability? Paul Howard joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why FDA standards cause new drugs and medical devices to be delayed in America longer than those in Europe.
Are your employees satisfied with they job or do they take ownership? Rick Maurer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the key differences between employee satisfaction and engagement in their job.
Is there a difference between how managers and employees think about engagement? Rick Maurer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how and when to talk with employees about their level of engagement.
How do you get employees to take ownership of their assignments? Rick Maurer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to explain the concept of ownership of and assignment to employee and then manage their ownership successfully.
As an expert in your industry you are an online content creator. Patrick Schwerdtfeger joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to create and re-purpose online content, in your niche, for free, using online marketing resources.
It's 10 o'clock - do you know where your customers are? Patrick Schwerdtfeger joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the three questions to ask to create effective, viral online content that will help you reach more customers.
Are you aware that there is a major mobile shift happening? Chuck Martin joins Jim Blasingame to report on the exponential growth of mobile computing around the world and what that means for your small business.
Does your small business have a mobile strategy? Chuck Martin joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that you can create a mobile strategy easier than you think, even if you're behind the curve with other online activity.
Have you seen what your business looks like on a mobile device? Chuck Martin joins Jim Blasingame to encourage you to make sure you know what customers see when they try to find you online using a smart phone.
Wednesday - October 12, 2011
Does a gold monetary standard have success stories? Chuck Kadlec joins Jim Blasingame to report how gold has been used by sovereign countries over the centuries to stabilize and grow their economies.
Was taking the U.S. dollar off of the gold standard a mistake by Nixon? Chuck Kadlec joins Jim Blasingame to reveal the reasons why the U.S currency should never have been disconnected from gold and the damage that has resulted.
How would the U.S. benefit from returning to the gold standard for its currency? Chuck Kadlec joins Jim Blasingame to explain how returning to the gold standard for the dollar would work and how America would benefit.
How much do you know about personality and performance? Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blaisngame to reveal why you need to pay attention to pesonality as you run your business and hire people.
Do you know what personality type you are? Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss types of decision-making personalities and why knowing more about them is important to your success.
What can we learn from the Great Recession? Steven Little joins Jim Blasingame to talk about whether business and political leaders we've learned anything in the past three years.
Are there ways to take advantage of the new normal? Steven Little joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the various ways you can create opportunities in your niche of the marketplace, domestic and abroad.
America needs leadership in long-term vision and sustainable systems. Steven Little joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why we have to promote, value and encourage leadership both in our businesses and in Washington.
Thursday - October 13, 2011
Are you better off having information available 24/7? Brian Reich joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the behavioral and societal shifts caused by new technologies and digital media, including the 24/7 news cycle.
Do we have too many non-profit organizations? Brian Reich joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the future of non-profits, whether we have too many, and the alternative to starting a new non-profit.
Are women still being held back from acquiring capital? Jori Clarke joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the challenge of women business owners asking for capital, plus an organization developed to help capitalize women-owned businesses.
Building symbiosis with vendors is good business. Jori Clarke joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the benefits of partnering with pooling resources with vendors for the purpose of benefiting both businesses.
Women business owners face unique marketplace challenges. Jori Clarke joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the unique challenges of women entrepreneurs and the benefits of assembling an advisory board.
Entrepreneurial curriculum is growing in high schools,, but who is teaching it? Brien Biondi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss challenges and opportunities that face the need to improve entrepreneurial education.
What are business and education leaders doing about entrepreneurial education? Brien Biondi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the upcoming Future of Entrepreneurship Education in Washington, D.C.
How is the economy doing? Ray Keating joins Jim Blasingame to report that the U.S. economy is still struggling to gain traction and likely will remain that way through 2012.
Can you learn how to run your business better from a television series? Ray Keating joins Jim Blasingame to reveal valuable business management and operating lessons from the NBC television series, "Chuck."
What are the "Occupy Wall Street" folks mad about? Ray Keating joins Jim Blasingame to discuss whether the "Occupy Wall Street" protesters are justified or are they protesting at the right place but for the wrong reasons?
Friday - October 14, 2011
Many Baby Boomers are becoming small business owners out of necessity. Olalah Njenga joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the challenges of Baby Boomers as they enter the marketplace as small business owners.
Retired Boomers want to contribute and stay productive, and many are starting a business. Olalah Njenga joins Jim Blasingame to help Boomers take inventory of their skill sets and decide if they are cut out for small business ownership.
Tatum has reported on many economic booms and busts over the last decade. Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the origins of the Tatum Survey of Business Conditions and the accuracy of their predictions.
This month’s Tatum Survey of Business Conditions indicates a decline in economic growth. Tatum’s Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to reveal there is still a lot of uncertainty in the marketplace, from politics to housing to unemployment.
Finding efficiencies usually means using technology instead of employees. Tatum’s Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to report a rise in capital expenditures but a decline in employment, which may indicate higher productivity from technology.
How do you create income that continues after you do the work? Liz Franklin joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to develop multiple streams of passive income, including royalties, etc.
Be creative in developing repeat customers. Liz Franklin joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to grow new income streams from your existing customer communities, including rental income.
Iran seems to be more emboldened as a terrorist state. Rich Galen joins Jim Blasingame to report on the recent revelation that Iran sponsored a terrorist attack on U.S. soil, and what our political response might be.
Who is surging and who is waning among Republicans? Rich Galen joins Jim Blasingame to report on how the GOP presidential hopefuls are doing, including which one has staying power and likely VP candidates.
What's the difference between the Tea Party and Wall Street protesters? Rich Galen joins Jim Blasingame to say that there is a double standard by the media and others when it comes to comparing the Tea Party with the Occupy Wall Street protesters.
Monday - October 17, 2011
Inspirational companies go beyond what is generally expected. Terry Barber joins Jim Blasingame to reveal the best practices of companies that, according to their customers, are inspirational.
Inspiring customers requires inspired employees. Terry Barber joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the four characteristics that will make your small business inspirational, which includes engaging your customers.
Why are so many small business owners so negative about the economy? Giovanni Coratolo joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Survey showing small business owners think the economy is on the wrong track.
Small businesses are afraid of what ObamaCare will cost them. Giovanni Coratolo joins Jim Blasingame to discuss U.S. Chamber Survey results showing why small business owners are worried about the cost of ObamaCare.
Why are small business owners turning thumbs down on Obama's jobs bill? Giovanni Coratolo joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the why small business owners don't like Obama's focus on certain kinds of jobs at the expense of all others.
Positive leadership causes employees to want to go to work. JoAnna Brandi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the difference between leadership and positive leadership, and why you need to know the difference.
A positive leader trains employees to become positive leaders. JoAnna Brandi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how the positive attitude of your employees helps create a positive connection with customers and makes them want to come back.
Individual states are mounting an Internet sales tax movement. Cliff Ennico joins Jim Blasingame to report on how various states, especially California and New York, are shaping online sales tax legislation that could affect all of us.
What will it take to resolve the collection and remitting of online sales tax? Cliff Ennico joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the challenges involved in collecting and paying sales tax on all online transactions.
Will there ever be a national solution to collecting sales tax on e-commerce? Cliff Ennico joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how technology, not legislation, will solve the challenge of collecting sales tax on Internet transactions.
Tuesday - October 18, 2011
Are you taking advantage of being an expert? Mindy Gibbins-Klein joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how the things you know about your business can be used to grow your brand and get more business.
Are you aware of the brand value of being a thought-leader? Mindy Gibbins-Klein joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to convert your position as an expert in your business into being recognized as a thought-leader as a brand credential.
Are small business owners optimistic about the economy? Bill Dunkelberg joins Jim Blasingame to report the NFIB Optimism Index indicates America is in the worst post-recession recovery in over 40 years and small business owners don't like it.
The biggest negatives in the economy are still the two "Hs": housing and hiring. NFIB’s Bill Dunkelberg joins Jim Blasingame to report on which is the chicken and which is the egg, hiring or housing, and what it will take to get either one going again.
The Obama Administration is not business-friendly. Bill Dunkelberg joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the words and actions of the Obama administration creates a negative economic outlook for small businesses.
How can you be more like Steve Jobs? Jim Blasingame talks about the late Steve Jobs’ entrepreneurial vision on innovation, customer focus, and uncompromising quest for excellence and how you can be like him.
Is your bank your business's best friend? Jim Blasingame reveals results of Small Business Advocate polls which indicates what kinds of banks small business owners use and how satisfied they are with these relationships.
The 3% contractor withholding law is a hardship for small business. Karen Kerrigan joins Jim Blasingame to report on the progress of repealing the 3% government contract withholding tax that is punitive and costly for small business.
America needs to lead the world again as a trading partner. Karen Kerrigan joins Jim Blasingame to report on the progress of three trade agreements with South Korea, Columbia and Panama, and why these are good for small businesses.
How do you seek private capital without breaking securities laws? Karen Kerrigan joins Jim Blasingame to report on new laws that will help start-up entrepreneurs seek private capital without violating securities laws.
Wednesday - October 19, 2011
Are you reluctant to ask customers the hard questions about their business? Rob Jolles joins Jim Blasingame to explain why trusted business advisors must ask customers the difficult questions to get to the source of their problems.
Getting to the heart of a customer problem is the right thing to do. Rob Jolles joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how and why sales people should ask customers questions about their business challenges.
Federal agencies create over 3,500 new regulations every year. Wayne Crews joins Jim Blasingame to reveal the annual growth of new regulations created every year by federal agencies.
Currently there is very little accountability of the U.S. government's regulatory system. Wayne Crews joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to measure regulatory cost and effectiveness, and how to create a system of regulatory accountability and elimination.
How many unnecessary regulations are imposed on small businesses? Wayne Crews joins Jim Blasingame to discuss regulations as a hidden tax on small business, and connect the growth of regulations with the size of government.
Businesses have a responsibility to protect the free market economy. Joseph Bower joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why business, big and small, must realize they are responsible for the future success of capitalism.
Government and the stock market are not good stewards of capitalism. Joseph Bower joins Jim Blasingame to explain why politicians and the trend toward trading instead of investing are not good for the future of capitalism.
What are small business owners across the globe saying about economic conditions? Connie Certusi joins Jim Blasingame to report on the Sage Global Index of small business owner sentiment around the world.
What do U.S. small businesses think about the economy? Connie Certusi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the Sage Index with responses by U.S. small business owners who are concerned about the economy but have confidence in themselves.
How do small business owners rate government performance? Connie Certusi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the Sage Business Index where small business owners respond to the performance of government on the economy.
Thursday - October 20, 2011
Want to have customers you can't run off? Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how you can use technology to remember high-touch things about customers.
Is technology helping you or hurting you? Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to discuss some of the ways that technology is a disruptor and a lever, and how you can use it to your advantage..
Do you know where your new customers are coming from this year? Pat Sigmon joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that an increasing number of customers are coming from the Internet and how to take advantage of that trend.
Prospects are using local online search to find businesses like yours. Pat Sigmon joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the power of local search and what you have to do to take advantage of it, plus how to network on LinkedIn.
The impact of technology from prospective customers to prospective employees. Pat Sigmon joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how technology has changed the way we connect to all of our business's stakeholders and how to bridge the gap from old practices to new.
When it comes to crisis management are you an ostrich, or a Boy Scout? Jane Jordan-Meier joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you should be a crisis management Boy Scout, prepared for an unknown crisis, rather than an ostrich with its head in the sand.
Any crisis management plan should answer all the questions. Jane Jordan-Meier joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the questions you must answer – and the communities that must be addressed – during a crisis.
Breast Cancer survivors Lois Geller, Joan Pryde, Judith Glaser, Paula Lovell joins Jim Blasingame to discuss Breast Cancer Awareness. These ladies begin by relating their diagnosis experiences.
Breast Cancer survivors Lois Geller, Joan Pryde, Judith Glaser, Paula Lovell joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why screening is so important and why, even after being diagnosed, they still get regular check-ups and mammograms.
Breast Cancer survivors Lois Geller, Joan Pryde, Judith Glaser, Paula Lovell joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how awareness marketing has evolved, and not always for the better.
Friday - October 21, 2011
Does your marketing communicate your values? Tom Asacker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to make sure you go to market with a strategy that will successfully communicate your values.
Do you know what your customers really want? Tom Asacker joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the strategy of finding what your customers want and then filling that desire.
Do you know how your web strategy is performing? Philippa Gamse joins Jim Blasingame to explain how to use Google Analytics to track the effectiveness of your website.
Don’t presume trends in your storefront are the same as on your website. Philippa Gamse joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to use Google Analytics to compare online customer activity with your traditional in-store customer behavior.
Should you outsource the evaluation of your website traffic data? Philippa Gamse joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you should hire a pro to evaluate your web traffic, but do not outsource how your business strategy is applied.
The price war is over and small business lost. Sarah Petty joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the perils of making discounting a prospecting way of life instead of just a customer service means to an end.
Could offering a discount put you out of business? Sarah Petty joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how a number of best practices for getting new customers and keeping existing ones without becoming a slave to discounting.
Which one of your networking activities works best? Ivan Misner joins Jim Blasingame to report on what respondents to a recent BNI survey said about what networking programs worked best for them.
What type of networking - online or face-to-face - works best for you? Ivan Misner joins Jim Blasingame to report on a recent BNI survey that shows face-to-face referral programs creates more success than online communities.
Are you willing to do what is required to be exceptional? Ivan Misner joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the concept of exceptionalism and what you must be prepared to do in order to accrue the benefits of this level of performance.
Monday - October 24, 2011
Will crowd-funding become a way to capitalize startups? Sherwood Neiss joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the concept of crowd-funding as startup capital, including the legal challenges.
Crowd-funding is legal for musicians, but what about a small business? Woodie Neiss joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the legal challenges for using crowd-funding as a way for a business start-up to raise capital without violating securities laws.
Steve Jobs had something in common with President Lincoln? Gene Griessman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how both Lincoln and Jobs experienced periods in their careers when they were justifiably written off.
Failure is the harnessmate of success. Gene Griessman joins Jim Blasingame to reveal three ways to get past failure: salvage something, learn the right lesson, and failing does not make you a failure.
The words you use are important. Gene Griessman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the power of words and why communication skills are critical to success in life and business.
Are you prepared to lose one or more of your best people? Beth Ross joins Jim Blasingame to explain why good people are starting to look into other opportunities and how you can prevent that from happening to you.
As the economy improves, employees are getting restless. Beth Ross joins Jim Blasingame to explain why your best employees could be poached by another company and how to play offence and defense during this time.
What is the Fed up to with regard to another round of quantitative easing? Gary Moore joins Jim Blasingame to discuss whether the Fed is currently injecting liquidity into the marketplace and what that means for Main Street.
How responsible should major corporations be beyond their shareholder? Gary Moore joins Jim Blasingame to talk about whether corporate America has any obligation to society beyond what their self-interested marketplace activity produces.
Are the Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street movement compatible? Gary Moore joins Jim Blasingame to compare how the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street philosophies are compatible as well as how they diverge.
Tuesday - October 25, 2011
"The more high tech we have, the more high touch we want." John Naisbitt. Jim Blasingame talks about why small businesses must balance the power of high tech mobile apps and the primordial human need for high touch.
A campaign promise and what can really be done are two different things. Jim Blasingame talks about the need to distinguish between the political reality of campaign rhetoric from the reality of what can actually be accomplished.
Profit is the Queen of business, but cash is King. Ruth King joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you must understand the difference between cash and profits.
Is your marketing relevant to your customers? Ruth King joins Jim Blasingame to warn about the dangers of a big customer going bankrupt and taking a big chunk of your accounts receivable with it.
Do your employees pick up on customers’ buying signals? Ruth King joins Jim Blasingame to reveal ways customers will give buying signals, but are your employees listening?
Are you looking for networking opportunities in the wrong places? Don Cooper joins Jim Blasingame to reveal networking best practices, including where to network and what kind of a mix of networking venues.
What is the ROI of your networking activity? Don Cooper joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to convert networking activity into sales.
Occupy Wall Street has a problem bigger than their demands. Kirk Cheyfitz joins Jim Blasingame to report on why Occupy Wall Street movement hasn't gained traction - they're letting others define them.
Could your small business be like the Occupy Wall Street movement? Kirk Cheyfitz joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that if you allow others to define your brand, you're no better off than a grass roots movement with no one in control.
Could any of your customers tell the story of your business? Kirk Cheyfitz joins Jim Blasingame to say avoid the brand problems of Occupy Wall Street, create and tell the story of your business and your brand.
Wednesday - October 26, 2011
One way for a company to excel is to do one thing really well. Kurt Badenhausen joins Jim Blasingame to discuss attributes of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, plus a highlight of one company that does one thing really well.
It’s hard for small companies to be publicly traded in the era of Sarbanes-Oxley. Kurt Badenhausen joins Jim Blasingame to discuss two Forbes Best Small Businesses that succeeded in their niche despite strong competition.
Finding efficiencies may also create a casualty list. Michael Stallard joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to help employees manage the stress they feel as a result of doing more with less for the past three years.
Involve employees in business decisions to make them feel more engaged. Michael Stallard joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to be intentional in connecting with employees on a regular basis, and by involving them in business’ decisions.
A values statement creates common goals and ideals for employees. Michael Stallard joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how to instill a common goal, regardless of the economy, through a company values statement.
Your business can be at the top of the browser page for a local search. Kathy Perry joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to claim your own page on search engines and business directories, so customers can find you easier.
How do you get a listing in online search directories? Kathy Perry joins Jim Blasingame to reveal why and how to claim your page and update your company information in online search directories.
Should you start thinking about buying a home now? John Harrison joins Jim Blasingame to reveal an excellent rule-of-thumb to help you decide if the market is right for you to buy a house right now.
Is it time to think about buying a house? John Harrison joins Jim Blasingame to reveal another tip on how to determine if right now might be a good time to purchase a new house in your area.
Are you ready for the tax changes coming in 2012? John Harrison joins Jim Blasingame to report on several changes in the 2012 tax code, including involving social security, and several retirement programs.
Thursday - October 27, 2011
How a small business exported bacteria and got rich. Doug Barry joins Jim Blasingame to report on how one small business used the U.S. Commercial Service as a partner to grow his bio-business globally.
Half of all sales are influenced by some aspect of the Internet. Aaron Shapiro joins Jim Blasingame to explain why your next generation of customers are coming from a community of online users.
Connect with online users and turn them into customers. Aaron Shapiro joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to join communities that are relevant to online users of what you sell, and then create communities that are relevant to your customers.
When trial lawyers find a new cash cow in state-sponsored litigation small business loses. Jim Copland joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the questionable practice of state attorneys general hiring litigation firms to do the state's work on a contingency basis.
Employers avoid states known for cozy relationships between the attorney general and law firms. Jim Copland joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how a state’s out-of-control litigation climate affects small businesses from insurance costs to loss of business opportunity.
Has your state adopted the Private Attorney Retention Sunshine Act (PARSA)? Jim Copland joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how PARSA reforms state contracts with independent law firms, creating a more business-friendly environment.
What is your succession planning strategy for all assignments? Herb Greenberg joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to hire or promote based on whether the person has the ability to step up and fit into a position's future requirements, not the last one.
Studies show experience alone is not the best criteria in hiring. Herb Greenberg joins Jim Blasingame to discuss tapping into non-traditional talent - hire for who the person is, not just what they’ve done.
After years of languishing, the U.S. has signed three new trade agreements. Doug Barry joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why it's good news that the U.S. has new Free Trade Agreements with Panama, Columbia, and South Korea.
Let the U.S. Commercial Service be your partner in growing your business abroad. Doug Barry joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how the U.S. Commercial Service can help your small business create and execute a successful exporting strategy.
Friday - October 28, 2011
What does the current capitalization landscape for small business look like? Tom Markel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the current financing conditions for small business in America.
How is an angel lender different from an angel investor? Tom Markel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss some of the new capital source options for small businesses, including the angel lender.
Should you be looking at online capital sources? Tom Markel joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how iBank.com works as an online clearinghouse for multiple capital sources.
Most of what you learned in the 20th century is now obsolete. Jack Uldrich joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why, in the 21st century, what you have yet to learn is more important than what you do know.
Are you willing to risk what you know for what you might learn? Jack Uldrich joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you may not know your customers as well as you think and how a little research can lead you to new opportunities for your small business.
Think of young people as reverse mentors. Jack Uldrich joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why, in this era of accelerated change, a younger employee or intern can become a reverse mentor, if your ego will allow it.
Monday - October 31, 2011
There are two words that can do more to increase sales than any others. Jim Blasingame explains how just saying "Thank you" to customers when they do business with you will go a long way toward getting them to come back.
Want to guarantee that customers will come back? Bob Negen joins Jim Blasingame to explain why the number one competitive advantage of a retail store is the ability to deliver an experience and connect with customers.
Do you have a customer loyalty program? Bob Negen joins Jim Blasingame to explain how successful retailers have grown their business by designing and executing a customer loyalty program.
Can your online strategy work with a customer loyalty program? Bob Negen joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to manage and blend customer loyalty programs with your online strategy.
How did Halloween get started? Ken Davis joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the origins of Halloween, including how today's traditions aren't much different from thousands of years ago.
Is your business going in the direction of your ego or your customers? Jane Pollak joins Jim Blasingame to explain why your business must adapt to evolving customer expectations, even if it hurts your ego.
What do you do when what you want is not what your customers want? Jane Pollak joins Jim Blasingame to explain how she found success by adapting her marketing strategy to fit what customers wanted.
Find success by giving customers what they want. Jane Pollak joins Jim Blasingame to explain that changing the direction you take your business is not easy, but when customers change their expectations, you have to follow them.
What lesson can small business learn from the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street? Jim Blasingame uses the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street to teach a small business lesson about how to write and tell your own brand story.
