Archive for the ‘Innovation’ Category
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 |
Have you ever considered how important Malcolm McClain is to Alaska? He invented the idea of using containers for shipping, saving companies untold expenses. David’s guest “the Pallet Guy” has taken container to the next level of innovation – climate control. “The Pallet Guy’s” name is Don Harmond and his product is TEDS Box (tracking environmental deviation).
Don started our repairing pallets for airlines, but the TEDS Box has taken his business to the next level. This product actually actively heats or cools the container, depending on the contents. David asks Don to explain the research and development of this new product, and Don elaborates on the regulations, engineering and building of the TEDS Box. This podcast will be useful for any entrepreneur with an idea for an invention and wants to take it to the next step.
Listen or download below:
The Pallet Guy
Posted in Alaska, Entrepreneurs, Getting Down to Business, Innovation | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 |
Dave interviews the owners of Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop, Jerry Lewanski and Janis Fleischman. The couple opened their bakeshop less than a year ago and share their interesting startup story. They started by completing thorough research, traveling around the United States and visiting successful bakeries. The only thing they didn’t plan for was their immediate success!
Amanda Cullen, small business marketing consultant, joins the group to give startup businesses advice on marketing their fledgling businesses. Marketing for small businesses doesn’t have to involve a large budget, and most of the time, the most effective marketing is quite economical.
Listen or download below:
The Gift of Bread
Posted in Entrepreneurs, Getting Down to Business, Innovation, Marketing, Public Relations, Small Business | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 |
The diversification principle has long been accepted as an important investment strategy. Can the diversification principle be applied to your business as well?
In this article from the January 2010 Business/News & Views®, I advocate that businesses should start thinking differently about their business structure. It is dangerous to put all your financial eggs in one basket, just as it is dangerous to have only one stock in your investment portfolio.
For my recommendations on how to start this analysis and implement the changes you need, read the full article: Diversify Your Business
Posted in Business Planning, Finance, Innovation | No Comments »
Thursday, January 21st, 2010 |
The January issue of Business/News & Views® contains great advice for your business in the new year.
David Weatherholt encourages you to “Diversify Your Business” — using the proven investment principle of diversification to look at your business in an innovative, risk-reducing way.
In David’s Economic Summary, he discusses the Federal Reserve’s approach to handling the recession, along with presenting his interpretation of important economic indicators.
Amanda Cullen weighs in with advice on “How Not to Treat Your Customers,” and our Internet Tips and Tricks provides tips on “How to Get Repeat Visits to Your Web Site.”
Read Now: Business/News & Views® - January 2010
Posted in Business/News&Views®, Economy, Finance, Innovation, Marketing, Technology | No Comments »
Saturday, August 15th, 2009 |
In this week’s “Getting Down to Business,” Dave asked Amanda Cullen of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing to give his listeners some creative marketing ideas for small business. Zoo in a Jungle Marketing specializes in small business marketing.
Dave also tells us the story of the founder of the Geek Squad, an entrepreneur who started the company with $600. As we all know, now Best Buy owns the Geek Squad.
Listen or download below:
Creative Marketing Ideas for Small Business
Posted in Getting Down to Business, Innovation, Marketing, Small Business | No Comments »
Saturday, August 1st, 2009 |
Small businesses need good marketing, which is why Dave dedicated this “Getting Down to Business” to marketing fundamentals. In a lively discussion, he talks with David Taylor of SugarSled Creative in Alaska and Amanda Cullen of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, specializing in small business marketing.
They explain the 4-P’s of marketing (Product, Price, Place and Promotion) and how to integrate new marketing strategies into this classic categorization.
Listen or download below:
Marketing Fundamentals
Posted in Getting Down to Business, Innovation, Marketing | No Comments »
Monday, July 20th, 2009 |
Necessity, the Mother of Invention
This path followed, sometimes reluctantly, by brave or desperate individuals driven to make a difference can have a dramatic impact on not only themselves, but sometimes their community and even the world. True entrepreneurs, like heroes, often are simply trying to survive using their own instincts, which can lead to astounding feats while all along they are simply doing their jobs. Setbacks, recessions, down cycles, or just plain bad luck can either defeat or inspire the choice made at an individual level. The choice to move forward (choosing inspiration) requires taking that first step, then the next, and so on until you reach a different point from where you started. This, in a nutshell, is what entrepreneurship is all about, simply doing what it takes to survive. How many businesses do you know of that started this way?
Business innovation takes place all over the world. In Vietnam during the war, I found myself driving a large truck in a convoy that strained under heavy loads to climb the steep grade of An Khe Pass. The pace was so slow that you could literally walk to the next truck and borrow a cigarette. The trucks labored in the sweltering heat to reach the summit of the pass. The trip was long, hot, and treacherous, however, at the summit, in the middle of nowhere, was a vender selling cold drinks. In a war zone, on a road that snaked its way to the Cambodian border in the heart of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) controlled areas in sweltering heat and humidity with no electricity, stood a man and women next to an ice chest selling cold drinks to thirsty drivers. They didn’t do this just to see our smiling faces but were driven by necessity.
Their necessity sheds a different light on our current economic downturn. Many of us are experiencing real pain and anguish over our businesses. Waking in the middle of the night straining restlessly to figure out how we will make it through another day. This is the fertile valley of innovation and many of you are coming up with truly inspiring ideas.
The enterprising owners of a women’s shoe store located in Juneau, Alaska developed the idea of using their store for birthday parties. Their website claims; “You can schedule your own shoe party after-hours at Shoefly + Hudsons! It’s a great idea for celebrating birthdays, wedding parties, summer and more. You bring your own food and drink, and we provide shoenistas and shoes!” This idea created a whole new revenue source with very little in the way of costs.
The innovative owner of ESSpa and Organic SkinCare located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania needed a quick cash infusion. In a single day she raised $30,000 by pre-selling spa services at a discount. A dentist who developed a “Dentspa” states on their website, “State-of-the art technology, a warm, inviting atmosphere, and an array of spa amenities combine to provide you the highest quality care in the ultimate relaxation setting.”
This is another example of a truly different and innovative spin on a routine business. Then there is the story of an entrepreneur who sold high-end designer t-shirts very successfully, but the economic downturn slowed business to a trickle. They spurred sales by using an innovative discount tied to the Dow Jones Industrial average combined with steep price reductions. Not all changes result in immediate success but taking action is the most important step. What can you do differently with your business?
Is there a new market for your products or services, or possibly a different business opportunity out there that you haven’t considered? Changing your business model is not always a bad idea. Every business that successfully makes it past their first five years usually has changed significantly from the business that it started as. In the beginning of a business, product or service knowledge was your advantage but now that you have demonstrated success operating a business, look for ways to replicate that success using your business experience to engage in and promote other business ideas and opportunities. Tell me, what ideas have you tried or have heard about?
Posted in Entrepreneurs, Innovation | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 |
The July 2009 issue of Business/News & Views® is full of optimism and helpful tips for small businesses. David Weatherholt reminds us that necessity is the mother of invention and provides rich examples to inspire entrepreneurs and small businesses. Amanda Cullen has an article on the power of passion in marketing design– and reminds readers that passion is nothing without purpose. In Internet Tips & Tricks, you’ll read how to use MySpace to promote your business.
Read now: Business/News & Views® – July 2009
Posted in Business/News&Views®, Entrepreneurs, Innovation, Marketing, Social Networking | No Comments »
