Archive for February, 2010
Friday, February 26th, 2010
February’s issue of Business/News & Views® will provoke you to think differently about your small business.
David Weatherholt knows the way of the entrepreneur is challenging, and sometimes lonely. His “Paradox of Leadership” article has ten concepts that can keep you going, even when times seem tough.
David tells us in his economic summary that this is a, “Slow Motion Recovery.” Read the article for more details.
Amanda Cullen presents her “5 Small Business Marketing Rules” in a new series on small business marketing. In this initial article, she challenges you to take the test and see how your marketing efforts stack up.
Our final article is sponsored by the CEO Club and encourages small business leaders to find mentors. A mentor will hold your business accountable, and help you “Learn How to Fish.”
Read Now: Business/News & Views® - February 2010
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Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Lori Davey, owner of Motznik Information Services, joins Dave Weatherholt to talk about buying a used (or existing) business. Lori purchased Motznik and tells listeners the story of the purchase process. She starts out by letting us know, “I sold my airplane to buy my business.”
Dave also talks about how your vendors can help with your financing. For many small businesses, borrowing has become increasingly difficult. Some have developed creative means of raising capital, and Dave has the details.
Listen or download below:
Buying a Used Business
Posted in Entrepreneurs, Getting Down to Business, Small Business | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Non-profit organizations perform many necessary functions in our communities, but they face many unique business challenges, as well. Dave’s first guest is Candace Winkler, CEO of Thread, an Anchorage-based non-profit. They discuss some of the business aspects non-profits focus on more than other organizations, such as having a transparent accounting system, keeping administrative costs reasonable and keeping a strict budget. Candace also talks about her experience in rebranding Thread (formerly Child Care Connection), and the wide variety of non-profits that are in Alaska.
In the next segment, Dave brings in Jason Stralka to discuss taxes for non-profits and answer listener questions. Jason is a tax expert for Carter Tax, Inc. Dave discovers that he has a passion for taxes. Jason knows that taxes are more than just filling out the forms– he loves finding loopholes and saving his clients money. However, he realizes the importance of being accurate and paying all the taxes that are due to the IRS.
Listen or download below:
Non-Profits are Businesses
Posted in Alaska, Business Planning, Finance, Getting Down to Business, Marketing | No Comments »
Friday, February 12th, 2010
Joining the show this week is Todd Clark, founder and president of DenaliTEK, one of the leading IT services firms in Anchorage. He and Dave delve into the concept of cloud computing and how it can help your small business. Revolutions in the the IT industry come and go, but cloud computing is an innovative way to increase efficiency and manage budgets in your organization.
Todd also discusses some of the business issues he faces: why he develops client relationships, what DenaliTEK does to keep clients and how they handle losing a client. All small business owners can learn from his candid assessment.
Dave and Geoff Burch, author and international guru, launched a new segment of “Getting Down to Business” called Going it Alone. In his trademark cheeky manner, Geoff encourages entrepreneurs to go out and make it alone. He says of employment, “Who was the first caveman who got another caveman to go out and kill a buffalo for him, then just give him a tiny piece of the buffalo as a wage? When did that start?”
Listen or download below:
Cloud Computing and Your Future
Posted in Alaska, Entrepreneurs, Getting Down to Business, Sales, Small Business, Technology | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
There are two aspects to growing your website’s traffic: getting more visitors and getting visitors to come back. “How to Get Repeat Visits to your Web Site,” an article from Business/News & Views®, addresses the latter issue.
Think about what makes you return to certain web sites on a regular basis. It’s probably the new and compelling content — on topics you truly care about — that greets you every time you drop in. That content might be in the form of fresh blog posts, new video footage of your favorite sports teams or insider news that pertains to your industry. These things can all be considered “sticky.”
Read the full article: How to Get Repeat Visits to your Web Site
Posted in Customers, Marketing, Social Networking, Technology | No Comments »
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
In this article from Business/News & Views®, I give small businesses marketing advice about how to treat their customers. Here’s an excerpt:
It’s said that the brain cannot process a negative. We can prove this with a simple example: Under no circumstance should you think of a pink polar bear. Do not think of a pink polar bear.
Of course, you just thought of a pink polar bear.
At the peril of using negatives, I want to give small businesses advice on how not to treat their customers.
Read the full article: How Not to Treat Your Customers
Posted in Marketing, Small Business | No Comments »
Monday, February 1st, 2010
Dave interviews Andy Riddell, VP and Business Banking Manager at Wells Fargo Bank. The discuss how important it is for a small business to develop a relationship with a bank. Andy provides advice for how to reach the business expert at your bank and how to start the relationship.
In Dave’s news update, he talks about Congress’s recent changes to the SBA loan program and other stimulus package details affecting small businesses. There might be good news for small businesses struggling to obtain loans.
Listen or download below:
Building a Banking Relationship
Posted in Finance, Getting Down to Business | No Comments »
