Tuesday - May 01, 2012
All business owners are not entrepreneurs. Larry Robertson joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the definition of an entrepreneur, which is anyone who sees things differently and seeks to improve their world.
Anyone can become entrepreneurial, but it takes time and the effort to step out of your comfort zone. Larry Robertson joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to teach yourself to look at things differently and become entrepreneurial.
You’ve found efficiencies and made it through the recession, so how do you know when to hire a new employee? Pierce and Jane Howard join Jim Blasingame to discuss how to balance the possible need for a new employee while maintaining efficiencies.
Are you better at repetitive work or people work? Pierce and Jane Howard join Jim Blasingame to discuss how to assess the types of work you’re good at and what you need to delegate.
What if you find a qualified applicant, but they don’t fit your personality profile? Pierce and Jane Howard join Jim Blasingame to discuss how a personality evaluation can help you understand how to manage new employees.
Are you using webinars in your small business? Jane Pollak joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the handy webinar, why you should do them, use them and leverage them.
Have you ever thrown a party for your customers? Jane Pollak joins Jim Blasingame to report on the customer appreciation party she is planning and why every small business should do it.
More and more, the execution of your business model will include some virtual team members. Rick Lepsinger joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the definition, evolution, and current state of the virtual team.
Do you know how to manage a virtual team? Rick Lepsinger joins Jim Blasingame to explain how a virtual team works when its properly managed, plus what it looks like when it doesn't work.
What does it take to have a successful virtual team? Rick Lepsinger joins Jim Blasingame to reveal what the best virtual teams do that make them successful.
Wednesday - May 02, 2012
America has a the most extensive entrepreneur support network than any other country. Jim Mingey joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the resources available to help veterans start a business, including his virtual business accelerators.
Miliary reserves and national guard make a commitment to the U.S., too. Jim Mingey joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the definition of a veteran and why reserves and national guard should be included as veterans.
The cost of taking a new drug to market is over ten times more today than in 1975. Avik Roy joins Jim Blasingame to report on the cost of complying with current FDA regulations is making new drug development prohibitive.
Can FDA approval for new drugs become less onerous? Avik Roy joins Jim Blasingame to report on the high costs of FDA-required clinical trials and the advantages of an accelerated trial program.
Should U.S. drug companies benefit from European testing results? Avik Roy joins Jim Blasingame to compare the U.S. and European drug testing systems to bring new drugs to the market, plus the added costs of litigation.
Your sales team should be a performing investment, not an expense. Jay Mincks joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to develop a successful sales organization by hiring people who fit the sales personality profile and then manage with metrics.
Insperity Championship is dedicated to celebrating small businesses and communities charities. Jay Mincks joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the 9th Insperity Championship and its celebration of small businesses, plus a one-of-a-kind Greats of Golf event.
Can a family business with four siblings working in it be successful? Denis Deluca joins Jim Blasingame to talk about his family business and how he and three siblings have successfully grown the business for more than 35 years.
Why is the nutritional supplements industry growing? Denis Deluca joins Jim Blasingame to report why his industry, nutritional suppliments, is growing by improving the health and performance of their customers.
Outsourcing is the best thing to ever happen to small business. Denis Deluca joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how his family-owned business has successfully used the practice of outsourcing non-core competencies.
Thursday - May 03, 2012
A critical element in today’s job search environment is a customized cover letter for the resume. Beth Ross joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how the new normal of job searches, including resumes and cover letters that fit the position.
The greatest concern of small businesses is finding qualified people. Beth Ross joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why a prospective employee should be able to tell you how they're qualified for the position you have open.
Business plans should include customer representation. Rick Maurer joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the best companies include customer interests in their planning process.
A futurist connects the dots so your business can lead change. Rick Maurer joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to use a futurist's approach to changes in your business by getting team members help you connect the dots.
Influence customers by putting yourself in their shoes. Rick Maurer joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to influence customers by focusing on their concerns and opportunities, not your products.
This small business is a leader in tracking the national housing industry. Mike Inselmann joins Jim Blasingame to explain how his company tracks housing markets to forecast future housing demands.
Who will buy the Baby Boomers' houses in 20 years? Mike Inselmann joins Jim Blasingame to report on the future of America's housing industry from a demographic standpoint.
Is the U.S. commercial real estate industry recovering? Joe Clearly joins Jim Blasingame to report on the continued slow recovery of the U.S. commercial real estate industry, expect in places like Texas.
What does Houston have that other markets don't? Joe Clearly joins Jim Blasingame to report that Houston commercial real estate is going well primarily because it has become the energy capital of the world, and what he learned when things weren't so great.
How are banks dealing with commercial construction since 2008. Joe Clearly joins Jim Blasingame to report on how the relationship and the rules have changed between commercial real estate industry and banks since 2008.
Friday - May 04, 2012
You can have a vision and take risks without being fool-hardy. Kelle Olwyler joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the difference between begin risk averse and being responsible with risk taking.
Small businesses are working hard to improve the Greece’s financial crisis. Karen Kerrigan joins Jim Blasingame to report on the resilience, persistence and optimism of small businesses in Greece.
The U.S. cannot continue on its present financial trajectory and continue to undermine small businesses. Karen Kerrigan joins Jim Blasingame to report on Europe as an economic forecaster for the U.S. and the dangers of not addressing the national debt.
What is the SBE Council doing in Washington on behalf of small businesses? Karen Kerrigan joins Jim Blasingame to report on the SBE Council’s efforts in Washington on extending tax cuts and diffusing high energy costs.
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.
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.
Monday - May 07, 2012
Email is one of the best inventions of the 20th century. Marsha Egan joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why email is the standard communication method of the marketplace and why all generations in the marketplace must use it.
Let customers and the situation dictate how you communicate with them. Marsha Egan joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the various tools of communicating and how to follow the customer's lead on which one to use.
Only 1 in 7 family businesses are passed on to the next generation. Jerry Ripperger joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the financial challenges of transferring family business ownership to the next generation.
Let the government help sell your business to your employees. Jerry Ripperger joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) as a tax advantages plan to help employees buy your business.
Where do employees get the money to buy the business with an ESOP? Jerry Ripperger joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the various capital sources used to fund an Employee Stock Option Program (ESOP) purchase of a business.
Do senior citizens need a conservative lobbying alternative to AARP? Daniel Weber joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why he formed AMAC as a conservative alternative to AARP, and why AARP is not a friend of small business.
Senior citizens are well represented on election day, but what about lobbying? Daniel Weber joins Jim Blasingame to explain why conservative senior citizens need to support lobbying groups that can offset the AARP's agenda.
Do your salespeople know how to ask questions? Rob Jolles joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the training they received that taught them how to ask the right kinds of questions at the right time.
If you want to improve sales performance, use role playing in sales training. Rob Jolles joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the power of role play training in helping salespeople have more success.
What should you ask a prospect first? Rob Jolles joins Jim Blasingame to compare notes on the best way to get a conversation going with a new prospect, including what is the best first question.
Tuesday - May 08, 2012
The existance of innovations should not only be “Because we can,“ but “At what cost?” Jim Blasingame discusses the evolution of technological capabilities, and asserts that technology should serve humanity, not just humans.
America must take a lesson from the failing socialist policies of Europe. Jim Blasingame discusses how the socialist policies and demography of Europe is causing severe economic issues and is a lesson for the U.S.
Cultural diversity and socialist policies in Europe could ultimately cause its demise. Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how unassimilated cultural diversity in Europe is contributing to its current problems.
In the U.S., there are enough Gens X and Y to replace Boomers in the marketplace, but what next? Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to predict how replacement demographics in the U.S., Europe and Asia will change global economics in the future.
There are fewer nations more efficient than the U.S. Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how efficiencies have affected unemployment and predict the future demand of housing.
There are different audiences and communities for each content platform. Ilise Benun joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why it's okay to post the same content over several platforms, including your website, newsletter, and blog.
If you don’t feel comfortable creating unique content, find existing relevant content. Ilise Benun joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to develop and distribute content, both written and video, by finding existing relevant content.
Not making a decision is making a decision. Peter Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the power of making decisions when they need to be made, and the void that's created when you don't.
How do you make decisions? Peter Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to offer a 3-step decision-making method that will prevent you from avoiding making decisions.
Think about what you can learn from a decision, not what you're risking. Peter Meyer joins Jim Blasingame to explain how to think about the possibilities of making a decision, rather than just the risks.
Wednesday - May 09, 2012
Do you know why you spend money? Ornella Grosz joins Jim Blasingame to explain that you can't find financial success until you're honest with yourself about how your financial behavior and relationship with money.
Humans are not hard-wired for long-term financial planning. Ornella Grosz joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why long-term financial planning has to be learned, plus perspectives on how to use student loans.
After 6 months of an upward trend, business conditions and confidence have softened. Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to report the May 2012 Tatum Survey of Business Conditions indicates little economic momentum.
New banking regulations will inhibit relationship banking. Tatum’s Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to report a negative outlook of order backlogs and capital spending, likely a result of new banking regulations.
Is Europe's current condition a movie of America’s future? Sam Norwood joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how Europeans can't accept that their socialist policies have caused their current fiscal crisis and are sustainable.
Are you ready to stop struggling for cash? Ruth King joins Jim Blasingame to reveal a method of cash management that will ultimately help a small business stop worrying about cash flow.
Business momentum takes time, but it's worth the effort. Ruth King joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to create your own business momentum by going outside the four walls and calling on customers, face-to-face.
Don't try to manage employee benefits yourself. Luke Vandermillen joins Jim Blasingame to encourage small businesses to seek professionals who can help them manage employee benefits.
Luke Vandermillen joins Jim Blasingame to discuss innovative and creative ways companies are approaching employee benefits.
Health care benefits has to be more than insurance. Luke Vandermillen joins Jim Blasingame to reveal a number of elements that should be part of an employee health care benefits program in addition to insurance.
Thursday - May 10, 2012
Are you using an email signature? Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to offer tips and best practices on how to create and use a signature effectively in your email correspondence.
Could you articulate your business' values? Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to encourage you to think about what your business stands for, write them down in a mission statement and then execute them to customers.
Hanging out in college is not bad. Charles Wheelan joins Jim Blasingame to encourage college students that making as many personal, face-to-face connections is likely to result in life-long benefits.
Failure is the harness mate of success. Charles Wheelan joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you should embrace failure, plus how everyone can leave the world a better place.
Life is a journey – be spontaneous and have fun. Charles Wheelan joins Jim Blasingame to tell college graduates why they should read obituaries. plus the power of being spontaneous.
How do you combine two different cultures to create a global company? Tomio Taki joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how his experiences in Japan during WWII contributed to the global success of his family fashion business.
Empower employees to improve quality and performance. Tomio Taki joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how the quality process benefits when all employees understand how customers use your products.
Last year the Arab Spring, this year the European Fall? Rich Galen joins Jim Blasingame to report on changes in the political winds in Europe that don't bode well for economic recovery for the continent.
What impact will the Tea Party have on the 2012 election cycle? Rich Galen joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the evolution of the Tea Party and the sometimes painful adjustments the Republican party have made as a result.
President Obama didn't have a good week. Rich Galen joins Jim Blasingame to talk about some of the national issues playing out in the presidential race that are helping voters make their ultimate decision.
Friday - May 11, 2012
Most women are CEOs: Chief Everything Officers. Vicki Milazzo joins Jim Blasingame to encourage women to recognize and use their unique feminine forces to take control of their lives instead of being taken advantage of.
Everything women do shouldn’t be for others – they should do things for themselves. Vicki Milazzo joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why women should promise themselves a passionate life, daily commit to success and believe you can do anything.
Why was Franklin Roosevelt, whose policies were often failures, one of the most popular presidents in history? Burt Folsom joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how well FDR connected with the masses, was protected by the press and used Hoover as a foil.
Can Obama successfully still use Bush as FDR used Hoover? Burt Folsom joins Jim Blasingame to discuss whether Obama can be successful in November by employing similar blame tactics that FDR used.
Many of FDR’s policies and programs were an assault on the Constitution. Burt Folsom joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how FDR assaulted the Constitution and the similarities in Obama’s policies and political tactics.
Hint: Only 5% of people are cross dominant. Liz Franklin joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the traits of the three personality types, how to determine which type you are and how to embrace that discovery.
What is a cross-dominant person and why should you care? Liz Franklin joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how unique and different cross dominance people are, plus what advantages and challenges do they have.
When a bank forgives a mortgage, full or partial, the IRS considers that amount taxable income. John Fox joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the taxable event that will be created when banks forgive full or partial mortgage balances.
Do rich people have too many tax breaks? John Fox joins Jim Blasingame to discuss tax reform in the form of abolishing many of the tax loopholes available to upper income people, like home mortgage interest deductions.
Half of Americans do not pay any income tax. John Fox joins Jim Blasingame to discuss broadening the tax base by making sure everyone above the poverty line pays some income tax.
Monday - May 14, 2012
How one mother let go of her worries by writing them down as a prayer. Mary Lou Quinlan joins Jim Blasingame to talk about her mother’s love and faith and the power she found in writing her worries and prayers down and putting them in the "God Box."
Let your problems look back at you from a sheet of paper. Mary Lou Quinlan joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why her mother created the "God Box" and Mary Lou’s God Box Project to benefit charities.
How much does checking email and social media hurt your productivity? Judith Glaser joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the impact of email and social media urgency on productivity and how to limit these distractions.
Do men and women have different levels of conversation sensitivity? Judith Glaser joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to use conversationally intelligent to understand how the other person wants to hear what you have to say.
Do women care too much about what other people think? Judith Glaser joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how women leaders can gain respect by finding a way to be tough without acting like a man.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is an epitaph for 21st century businesses. Jason Jennings joins Jim Blasingame to talk about why every business must be able to reinvent themselves on a continual basis.
Lead change by keeping in touch with customers and letting go of traditional thinking. Jason Jennings joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to reinvent your business by leading change and staying ahead of customer expectations.
Has Harvard University been teaching negotiating the wrong way? Jim Camp joins Jim Blasingame to talk about his trip to Harvard University and what happened when he cast doubt on their negotiating teaching style.
How much damage has collective bargaining caused in global negotiations? Jim Camp joins Jim Blasingame to reveal why collective bargaining is a dangerous negotiating practice and how to replace it with one that works.
Your strongest negotiating tool is the value you deliver. Jim Camp joins Jim Blasingame to explain that the most powerful tool you have when negotiating is your ability to convince the other side of the value you can deliver.
Tuesday - May 15, 2012
The key to the American dream is to seek excellence. Peter Weddle joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that America has the capacity to be great again, but only if we focus on the things that produce excellence.
The world is a better place because of American exceptionalism. Peter Weddle joins Jim Blasingame to discuss America’s exceptionalism, which includes American businesses committing to excellence.
Are you ready for prime time? Jane Pollak joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how she was selected as a speaker at a recent TEDx event and the exposure she received as a result.
There is a formula to getting market exposure. Jane Pollak joins Jim Blasingame to reveal the four elements of the formula she devised to get great exposure, including persistence and networking.
You have to meet the world a little more than halfway. Jane Pollak joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why you must consistently and persistently get outside your four walls and network to get market exposure.
Small businesses are finding themselves between a rock and a hard place. Jim Blasingame discusses the challenge small businesses have in finding pricing power during inflationary times and how to create a pricing power strategy.
Main Street must take back America from Washington and Wall Street. Jim Blasingame to discuss the great heroes of America, small business owners, and their assignment of taking back America from our failed institutions.
Why have we lost trust in our institutions? Arky Ciancutti joins Jim Blasingame to explain how trust has been lost in our institutions and what we have to do to restore not just trust, but trustworthiness.
Fighting for trust requires dealing with the fear of rejection. Arky Ciancutti joins Jim Blasingame to explain why we have to fight through fear of rejection and failure in order to re-establish trust in our businesses and institutions.
Trust cannot exist without truth. Arky Ciancutti joins Jim Blasingame to explain that admitting mistakes and dealing with misunderstandings are firsts steps to restoring trust in an organization.
Wednesday - May 16, 2012
What is really behind the feel-good facade of Wal-Mart? Chuck Hood joins Jim Blasingame to discuss his disastrous experience as a Wal-Mart vendor and how it bullies vendors and suppliers.
The price war is over and small business lost. Chuck Hood joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how small business can compete against Wal-Mart on quality, value and personal relationships, but not on price.
Entrepreneurship is in America’s DNA. Bill Schley joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the influence of entrepreneurship on America’s exceptionalism and how the world benefits from it.
Edison said failure is successfully identifying what doesn’t work. Bill Schley joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that the essence of entrepreneurship is seeing something that doesn't exist, believing that you can create it, and being willing to take that risk.
Main Street has become the collateral damage of Wall Street. Bill Schley joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how small businesses are squeezed in the regulatory war between Washington and Wall Street.
Try new online marketing ideas in baby steps. Steve Olsher joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to try new web marketing platforms so you can identify what works and what doesn’t.
Don’t let production value be the enemy of production. Steve Olsher joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the SEO practices of long tail, short tail and keywords, plus why you need to add video to your online content.
It's Small Business Week in America. Connie Certusi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss Sage's involvement in National Small Business Week in association with the SBA, including how small business champions are chosen and recognized.
Rebranding can be a difficult, even dangerous endeavor. Connie Certusi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss Sage's recent rebranding strategy and what small business can learn from their experience.
How many automation tools do you use? Connie Certusi joins Jim Blasingame to report on a new survey on how small businesses automate their task, including how to benefit from tools with integrated applications.
Thursday - May 17, 2012
The workplace is evolving away from the classic job. John Bradberry joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the end of the classic “job” and how the workplace is evolving based on demographic and technology forces.
Small businesses are becoming a more attractive employment option. John Bradberry joins Jim Blasingame to discuss changes in the workplace and the reasons small businesses are more competitive employers.
Small businesses have not been optimistic about the future for several years. Bill Dunkelberg joins Jim Blasingame to report although the April NFIB Optimism Index is up, there has been no real gain for over a year.
Still not much for small businesses to be optimistic about. NFIB’s Bill Dunkelberg joins Jim Blasingame to report some job creation is occurring, capital spending and credit availability are steady, plus slightly higher sales.
What’s happening in Europe could also happen in the U.S. if the federal debt is not addressed. Bill Dunkelberg joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the economic upheaval in Europe and how that will ultimately impact U.S. small businesses.
The economy and the planet are forever linked. Bob Doppelt joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why economic growth and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive.
What are the long-term global challenges of Earthlings? Bob Doppelt joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the interconnectedness of carbon consumption and providing food and water to a growing global population for the next century.
What is the ethical condition of Earthlings? Len Marrella joins Jim Blasingame to appraise the ethical condition of planet Earth and, recent behaviors indicate it is less than positive..
What is the role of character in the future of humanity? Len Marrella joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why character matters for the future of humanity and contemporary humans have a lot of work to do.
What does American exceptionalism look like? Len Marrella joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the concept of American exceptionalism and what we have to do to not lose this unique national trait.
Friday - May 18, 2012
Unemployment among Generation Y is the highest. Scott Gerber joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how the education system and culture of Y has contributed to high employment in that demographic.
Rethinking employment by Generation Y. Scott Gerber joins Jim Blasingame to discuss solutions for helping Generation Y find their position in the 21st century marketplace.
Government regulations are not solving problems with the financial system. Nicole Gelinas joins Jim Blasingame to report on why politicians have not been able to prevent dangerous practices of the financial industry.
Small businesses have become collateral damage from Wall Street bank behavior. Nicole Gelinas joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how small businesses are hurt by regulations meant to fix Wall Street bank bad behaviors.
Market forces should be more influential to reform the U.S. financial system. Nicole Gelinas joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how markets should have more influence in reforming and regulating U.S. financial system.
Creating a Gen Y start-up partnership. David Baron and Zeshan Muhammadi join Jim Blasingame to discuss how they decided to start a business that includes social responsibility in its mission and business model.
Build your brand by connecting with customers through their social interests. David Baron and Zeshan Muhammadi join Jim Blasingame to discuss how they differentiate their business through the social interests of their target market.
Are you telling your brand story? Olalah Njenga joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why every business has a brand story and why every business must be in control of telling their brand story before someone else does.
What is your brand "ding"? Olalah Njenga joins Jim Blasingame to encourage small businesses to think about what customers feel - the "ding" - about their experience with you as you tell your brand story.
How is 21st century branding different? Olalah Njenga joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how branding has evolved in the 21st century to include the relevance issues of engagement, responsiveness and being deliberate.
Monday - May 21, 2012
The more you work on your business, the less you’ll work. John Dini joins Jim Blasingame to discuss optimizing the value of your business by firing yourself from everything but executive-level decisions.
Sometimes the best buyer for your business is internal. John Dini joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to lead employees toward executive decision-making, create a more transparent organization and therefore, a prospect to buy your business.
How long does it take from first contact to contract? Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why every business must establish a customer acquisition process so you don't give up before you cross the finish line.
There are specific steps in a successful customer acquisition prrocess.. Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to blend their approaches to creating a successful customer acquisition process, including differentiating influencers and prospects.
To get more business, deliver formal sales proposals? Ed Abel joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to develop a formal sales proposal to communicate the benefits and value of doing business with you in writing.
America is the only industrialized nation that has a Generation Y. Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to discuss population realities and changing demographics of other countries compared to the U.S.
What will the impact of Gen Y be as they come of age? Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the lifestyle trends of Gen Y and business opportunities that will present to serve their next life stage.
Gen Y will be fully entrenched in the economy in 3 years. Ken Gronbach joins Jim Blasingame to predict the U.S. economy will boom in the next 3 years, when Gen Y takes their place in the economy as both producers and consumers.
Tuesday - May 22, 2012
Failure is successfully identifying what doesn’t work. Rick Newman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why some people are able to rebound from setbacks and what can be learned about this behavior.
Sometimes hard work and desire just isn’t enough. Rick Newman joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how to not let optimism become dangerous and how to make decisions so that you fail productively.
Training and mentoring women entrepreneurs to help build stable democracies. Dr. Terry Neese and Dr. Kevin Fegan join Jim Blasingame to discuss their program to educate women business owners about entrepreneurship in Afghanistan and Rwanda.
Economically stable societies have a greater potential for peace. Terry Neese and Dr. Kevin Fegan join Jim Blasingame to discuss the curriculum of the Peace Through Business Program and how they mentor women in leadership and democracy.
The color of ethics is gray. Dr. Terry Neese and Dr. Kevin Fegan join Jim Blasingame to discuss the connection of risk and ethics and why teaching this is more important today than ever before.
Hispanic small businesses are the fastest growing sector in the economy. Hector Barreto joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how the Latino Coalition is supporting Small Business Week.
Small businesses are truly the engine of the economy. Jim Blasingame celebrates Small Business Week in Washington, D.C. and talks about why this week is important.
Why small business startups aren't flourising in the current economy. Ray Keating joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the decline in growth trends of small businesses, especially startups.
Congress needs to stop enacting policies that are detrimental to small businesses. Ray Keating joins Jim Blasingame to discuss small business tax issues currently considered in Congress, plus policies that hurt small business.
Like private equity firms, small businesses are founded to create wealth, not jobs. Ray Keating joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the debate on private equity and why jobs are the by-products of capitalism.
Wednesday - May 23, 2012
Are there advantages to leasing vs buying? Jack Otter joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the tax and financial advantages of leasing or buying a car and working with independent community banks.
How you invest for retirement depends on how long until that event. Jack Otter joins Jim Blasingame to advise college graduates how to save for retirement and encourage small business owners and employees to consider index funds for retirement.
Small Business Week at the U.S. Chamber. Giovanni Coratolo joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how the U.S. Chamber is celebrating National Small Business Week.
Are policy uncertainties spinning the U.S. back into a recession? Giovanni Coratolo joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the tax and regulatory deadlines could create a shock to the economy and lead to a recession in 2013.
Small business owners should lobby Congress for themselves - face-to-face. Giovanni Coratolo joins Jim Blasingame to report on the power of small business owners lobbying Congress, face-to-face, on Capital Hill.
Turn off the news and pay attention to YOUR economy. Ellen Rohr joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the future of your success is more dependent upon your business behavior than on the national economy.
We’re can’t fix Wall Street, but we can fix our own businesses. Ellen Rohr joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the importance of a “walk among the troops” approach to business, plus if you want to know the answers to your business’s tough questions, ask your customers.
One way or another, one day you will leave your business for the last time. Gene Siciliano joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the reasons you want to make plans, years in advance, to exit your business one day with a big check.
Why should small business owners get to know an investment banker? Gene Siciliano joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how an investment banking firm could be the answer to helping small business owners sell their business.
Could you be the reason your business isn't worth as much as it could be? Gene Siciliano joins Jim Blasingame to reveal why a business owner's management style may be the greatest impediment to a higher sale price.
Thursday - May 24, 2012
Do families benefit from a home-based business? Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how families benefit when technology helps more parents work from home.
Networking should be more than you meeting people. Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that if you want to be a world-class networker, you'll take the opportunity to introduce people to each other.
If you’ve survived the recession, you’re in a unique position for profitable growth. Pat Sigmon joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why businesses that survived this recession are poised to be extremely profitable in the next expansion.
Take advantage of profit-driving technologies. Pat Sigmon joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how new technologies are creating efficiencies and leverage to drive profitability without added payroll.
The by-product of capitalism is jobs. Pat Sigmon joins Jim Blasingame to discuss what private equity firms and every small business has in common: they were founded for the singular purpose of creating wealth.
No immigration reform has ever worked. Tamar Jacoby joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why attempts at national immigration reform has failed, plus the role immigration will play in the 2012 presidential election.
Will Sen. Marco Rubio’s version of the Dream Act accomplish immigration reform? Tamar Jacoby joins Jim Blasingame to discuss Senator Rubio's approach to the Dream Act and why it may be disarm the Democrats.
Why independent community banks are critical to small business success. Cam Fine joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the Buy Local program that is being promoted by independent community banks.
How could a bank owned by the Chinese government be allowed to buy a U.S. bank? Cam Fine joins Jim Blasingame to reveal China's desire to own American banks and their recent success in doing so, plus China's desire to create community banks there.
Why does America have an independent bank sector and China does not? One word: liberty. Cam Fine joins Jim Blasingame to discuss that the concept of liberty in America is what creates the environment where community banks flourish to serve local markets.
Friday - May 25, 2012
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, when women decorated the graves of fallen soldiers. Ken Davis joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the Civil War origins of Memorial Day and the declaration of the national holiday in 1967.
Citizen soldiers have fought beside regular soldiers since America’s beginning. Ken Davis joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the role of U.S. citizen soldiers from America’s independence to today, plus the bicentennial of the War of 1812.
Online marketing should only change where you are, not who you are. Gail Goodman joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how to make online connections by asking for people to follow you and be relevant to them.
Technology has created broader connection platforms. Gail Goodman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why customers want to connect online and the power of leveraging customer communities.
Online platforms are moving to local and mobile. Gail Goodman joins Jim Blasingame to predict the future of online platform is local and mobile and why you need a mobile strategy to stay relevant.
Even before it went public, most people don’t see Facebook as a good investment. Kathy Perry joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the long-term prospects of Facebook stock and whether the business model can endure.
Creating a social media buzz is only one tactic in an online strategy. Kathy Perry joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to correctly create and use a social media buzz as part of your overall social media strategy.
Could bending solar panels make them better? Joel Barker joins Jim Blasingame to reveal how researchers are wrinkling solar panels, like the surface of leaves, to make them absorb more energy and the panels more efficient.
Patents cannot include natural processes. Joel Barker joins Jim Blasingame to report the Supreme Court upheld a challenge to a patent that included a process that is part of nature.
How mice can help you have strong bones. Joel Barker joins Jim Blasingame to report that tests on mice in space has produced research to help humans recover and increase bone density..
Monday - May 28, 2012
How much should the federal government get involved in our lives? Joseph Boyett joins Jim Blasingame to debate the role of the federal government and how much it should impose its will on our lives.
Should the U.S. federal government have done more to stimulate the economy? Joseph Boyett joins Jim Blasingame to define bipartisanship and party ideals from a progressive point of view and compare them to the socialist policies of Europe.
What Memorial Day means today. The VFW's Joe Davis joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the origins of Memorial Day and why it continued to have an important place in America's future.
Honoring those who gave all their tomorrows so we can have freedom today. The VFW's Joe Davis joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the sacrifices made by Americans throughout history and why veterans make excellent employees.
Other than the Vietnam era, veterans have been respected. The VFW's Joe Davis joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the respectful way our military are treated today compared to Vietnam veterans in the past..
America’s first militia was comprised of small business owners and employees. On Memorial Day, Jim Blasingame recognizes America’s militia – small business volunteers who serve honorably, courageously and paid the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of a grateful nation.
Someone paid dearly for your freedom. Jim Blasingame shares two poems that honor those who paid the ultimate price - all of their tomorrow - for Americans to have freedom today.
Gene Griessman brings President Lincoln to life as he joins Jim Blasingame with original thoughts on Memorial Day and our connection with history.
The power of knowing our history. Gene Griessman joins Jim Blasingame on Memorial Day to reveal the reasons Americans must study history to secure a successful future.
Discussing American exceptionalism and Memorial Day. Gene Griessman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the concept of American exceptionalism and the connection to Memorial Day.
Tuesday - May 29, 2012
When do you bring an attorney into your franchise due diligence process? Joel Libava joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that the timing of when you bring an attorney into your franchise purchase process is important and the advice you should expect.
Interesting in buying a franchise? Talk to franchise owners. Joel Libava joins Jim Blasingame to advise that the best franchise due diligence is in conversations with existing franchise owners, and those who failed, if you can find them.
Small businesses, like private equity, are designed to create wealth first. Barbara Weltman joins Jim Blasingame to compare the motivations of private equity firms and small businesses, which are the same - to create wealth first, then jobs..
Why are politicians dragging their feet on the tax code for 2012? Barbara Weltman joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how difficult it is for small businesses to do tax planning when we don't yet know the rules for 2012.
You can still make tax adjusting steps for 2011. Barbara Weltman joins Jim Blasingame to report on things you can do to lower 2011 and 2012 taxes, plus how to pay 2011 taxes even if you haven't filed yet.
Running a small business is three times more stressful than raising children. Robb Hilson joins Jim Blasingame to discuss results of the new Bank of America Small Business Owner Report, plus what a small business banker does.
Small businesses are reporting increased optimism about the future. Bank of America's Robb Hilson joins Jim Blasingame to report small business demand for credit is rising, how a banking relationship is created today.
Using the Internet is easy - marketing on it is not. Anita Rosen joins Jim Blasingame to some of the issues a business faces when conducting marketing online, including using Facebook.
Online marketing is different for B2B than for B2C. Anita Rosen joins Jim Blasingame to reveal that if your customers are businesses, you can't reach them the same way online that you reach consumers, especially with Facebook.
How will Facebook fair as a marketing platform in the future? Anita Rosen joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how viable Facebook will be in the future as a marketing platform.
Wednesday - May 30, 2012
Why do some big businesses mistreat small business vendors? David Gebler joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the damage that is done when trust breaks down when big businesses behave badly with their small business vendors.
Small businesses spend more than their big business cousins on regulatory compliance. Wayne Crews joins Jim Blasingame to report on the prohibitive cost of regulatory compliance, especially for small business.
The cost of regulatory compliance is greater than the annual federal deficit. Wayne Crews joins Jim Blasingame to report that the expansion of federal government regulations is hurting our ability to grow the economy.
Wealth AND jobs can be created if unnecessary regulations were removed. Wayne Crews joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how government could be more streamlined and efficient if all regulations had a sunset clause.
Think about what you are Tweeting before you send it. Marie Dubuque joins Jim Blasingame to reveal several etiquette and professional best practices when posting on social media platforms.
What if someone sends you a friend request and you don’t want to be their friend? Marie Dubuque joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how to handle unsolicited Facebook friend requests, plus privacy concerns and LinkedIn recommendations.
How is angel investing working today? Tim Berry joins Jim Blasingame to report on the concept and execution of angel investing for small businesses.
What impact will crowdfunding have on angel investing? Tim Berry joins Jim Blasingame to report on the future of crowdfunding, including whether it will be a disruption for angel investing.
Should you be excited about the possibility of crowdfunding? Tim Berry joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the reality of what happens when a small business acquires many shareholders through crowdfunding.
Your corporate values are a competitive advantage. David Gebler joins Jim Blasingame to explain how your values as a business can be demonstrated and used to your competitive advantage with customers and employees.
Thursday - May 31, 2012
A big part of business survival and growth is being able to make the tough decisions. Jay Myers joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how he had to make tough personnel decisions in order to prepare his company for the new normal.
Your organization has to align with your sales forecast. Jay Myers joins Jim Blasingame to discuss lessons learned from the recession, from sales forecasting to profitability to making the tough decisions on personnel.
Congress should reconstruct America’s outdated and onerous tax code. Wall Street Journal's Stephen Moore joins Jim Blasingame to report on the slow economic recovery, the tax increase catastrophe on the horizon and why we need a compete tax overhaul.
Private equity has become the mother’s milk of investment capital. Stephen Moore joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the importance of the private equity sector and what it has in common with small businesses.
Could Hispanics be in play for Romney in 2012? Wall Street Journal's Stephen Moore joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how Romney is connecting with the Hispanic business community, plus the bellwether effect of the Wisconsin recall election.
Base business decisions on reality. Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss financial decision-making, including some important advice for start-ups.
Make lots of little decisions with an eye to the future. Tom Anastasi joins Jim Blasingame to discuss why the best growth strategy is to make lots of little decisions and keep your focus on the future by forecasting.
There are specific reasons employees are engaged - or not. Leigh Branham joins Jim Blasingame to reveal the six drivers of employee engagement, including which one is the most important.
How well-being factors into employee engagement. Leigh Branham joins Jim Blasingame to discuss the how achieving a elements of well-being is critical to promoting employee engagement.
Innovation and low employee engagement are mutually exclusive. Leigh Branham joins Jim Blasingame to discuss how critical employee engagement is to creativity and innovation, plus a small business talent acquisition opportunity.
