National Federation of Independent Business’s Optimism Index made a small but notable gain, settling at 93.8 for December.  Business optimism increased four times since September, ending 2011 on an up note.  Read the complete article here.

mepainter

Charles Lindemuth, painter, illustrator, innovator and entrepreneur visits Getting Down to Business® and talks about how he makes a living as a fine arts painter.  Moving from canvas and brush to a digital art form was a natural step for Charles. Listen as he talks about that process and some of his creations such as “mepainter.”

Business Risk Management

Chis Pobieglo, business insurance expert with Business Insurance Associates, is joined by his business partner and wife Angie to talk about the “Risk of Serving.”  That’s right, the local board you voluntary serve can cause you financial distress.  Find out more as Chris and Angie talk about Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance.

Listen or download below:

Me, Painter

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How to Build Recognition for Your Unknown Brand

Learn how to increase advertising frequency without increasing your advertising budget.  Dave introduces you to Mike Michalowicz, the author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, who believes the greatest business success come from underfunded, inexperienced entrepreneurs.  Read the complete article on the Wall Street Journal site.

Steve Forbes on Economics

Listen as Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief for Forbes Media is Getting Down to Business® with Dave Weatherholt.  Forbes discusses his book How Capitalism Will Save Us, Austrian Economist Joseph Schumpeter, the “Brutality of Capitalism,” and more.

Listen or download below:

Steve Forbes on Economics

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Small-business lending hit a 4 year high in November 2011, according to Thomson Reuter/Pay Net Index.  Listen as Dave describes a small but positive change for small businesses.  Read the complete article on the Wall Street Journal site.

2012 Business and Marketing Planning

It’s not too late to start simple but effective planning for this New Year.  Small-Business Marketing Expert Amanda Cullen and Small-Business Financial Expert Dave Weatherholt give practical tips on planning for 2012.  Be bold and set a sales goal that will make you smile.  Dave provides tools and advice on how to achieve that audacious goal.  Amanda gives you practical cost effective marketing tips that will move your company toward achieving that sales goal.

Here are some useful handouts from the show:

Financial Budgeting Tools

Sample Marketing Plan

Listen or download below:

It’s Not Too Late

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Dave discusses the latest “Optimism Index” which was up 1.8 point in November, settling at a still weak 92.0, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).  Read the complete article.

The Journey of Publishing

Kelly Fisher– attorney, author and publisher– visits Dave on this program.  Listen as Kelly discusses how he came to write his new book A Clueless Man’s Guide to Relationships.  The story doesn’t end there.  The easy part was writing the book; creating a great end product and introducing it to the world takes more effort.  Kelly takes us through his journey.

Business Risk Management

Listen as Chris Poblieglo, insurance expert, talks about Fidelity Bonds.  Find out much, much more about this potential business risk and a solution.  Visit Business Insurance Associates’ website - a must link for business risk management information.

Listen or download below:

The Clueless Man

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A business incubator called VETransfer provides free mentoring and facilities to military veterans who start their own businesses.  The program is funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs and has a waiting list for their services.  Listen as Dave discusses the WSJ article.

SBA 504 Loan Program

When you need to get a job done right, the correct tool works best.  Listen as Barbara Gill, VP & Senior Loan officer with Evergreen Business Capital, describes the SBA 504 loan program.  If your business needs a new location, land, buildings or even leasehold improvements, financing with the 504 program maybe the right tool for you.

Go it Alone

Listen as Geoff Burch discusses the bargaining process and its potential negative impact in sales. Chapter 17 of Irresistible Persuasion provides great advice.

Listen or download below:

More Than Bricks & Mortar

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November affirmed that the US economy is no longer in a recession, but it can be hard to tell.  Listen as Dave explains why he improves the November grade to a “D.” To find out why and view key economic graphs read the complete article on Weatherholt & Associate’s website.

Twitter Talk

Live talk radio can be full of surprises.  Listen as Dave and Amanda adjust in mid-stream from the planned topic “Hands That Photograph” to “Should You Be on Twitter.”  The “Marketing Matters” segment took over the program, with a full discussion devoted to Twitter, including some great tips from Amanda Cullen of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing.

Listen or download below:

Should you be on Twitter?

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The House approved a bill that would let companies sell equities online.  Senator Scott Brown (R., Mass.) introduced a similar measure.  Listen as Dave discusses the overwhelmingly positive potential of this legislation.  And read the complete article on the Wall Street Journal.

Cash Flow

If your business is on a calendar year, then you are approaching the end of this year.  Have you been tracking your performance numbers or are you afraid to look?  If you have spent most of this year looking for cash, then chances are that you have not been very profitable.  Listen as Dave discusses cash management tools that work.

Download these tools here:

Projected Statement of Cash Flow (Adobe PDF)

Monthly Cash Flow Status (Microsoft Excel)

Tech Talk

What if your point-of-sale system went down during peak sales on “Black Friday”?  How much would that cost your business?  Tim White, our technology guru, discusses the inevitable but avoidable business risk– backing up your IT system.  Visit Tim at www.akcb.com.

Listen or download below:

Go With the Flow

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The NFIB’s “Optimism Index” gained 1.3 points, nudging the index up to 90.2.  Listen as Dave discusses the main reason the index remains mired in low readings.  Read complete article on NFIB’s website.

Market Analysis

According to Celtic myths, there was once a magical cup.  This cup satisfied the tastes and needs of all who drank from it.  These myths led to the legend of the Holy Grail.  The business equivalent of the Holy Grail is the Business Plan. The real value of a business plan is the process.  Listen as Dave gets a rare opportunity to take you through the process of completing a “Market Analysis.”

Listen or download below:

Know Your Customer

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Even with 14 million people unemployed, 40% of small businesses complain about the dearth of qualified workers. Listen as Dave talks about a pressing problem for employers.  Read complete article at the Wall Street Journal.

Credit & Business Lending

Dave’s guest is Bill Cessnun, VP Commercial Loan Officer with Northrim Bank– a Alaskan community bank.  Listen as Bill talks about making a credit decision during the business lending process.  Bill provides great information to Dave and his listeners.

Go it Alone

Alice in Wonderland meets a Cheshire Cat at the beginning of her journey.  Listen as Geoff Burch explains how “measuring success” ties in to Alice’s journey. Intrigued? Listen to the show!

Listen or download below:

Through a Banker’s Eyes

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Small-business optimism gained 0.8 points in September, according to the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB’s) latest Index, ending a six-month decline. Read complete article here.

2011 Summer Tourism Update

Listen as Julie Saupe, CEO and President of Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) returns for her 5^th visit to Getting Down to Business®.  Julie covers a lot of ground including the just completed 2011 Summer Visitor Season.

Business Risk Management

Listen as Chris Pobieglo, President of Business Insurance Associates, Inc and business insurance expert, explains surety bonding.  Today he discusses bonding for the construction industry.  Listen and learn a lot.

Listen or download below:

Hospitality in Anchorage

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The passing of Steve Jobs had an impact on me.  The “Information Age” developed during my business career and the entrepreneurs, innovators and founders are  a source of inspiration to us all.  The world will miss the inspiration and energy of Mr. Jobs.  He ranks with Great American Entrepreneurs: Ford, Carnegie, Morgan, Vanderbilt, McLean, Gates, etc.

Business Succession Planning

Starting and running a small business is an emotional experience.  The business contains a lot of the founder which makes it hard to pass on.  Succession planning is something most small business owners don’t think about.  Listen as Russell Ball, Founder and owner of ACB Solutions, a 25 year old business tells the story of his plan and how it involves Tim White, the company’s Chief Technology Officer.  Find out more by visiting: www.akcb.com.

Go It Alone

Listen as Geoff Burch, author & business expert, talks about “Big Decisions” from his book Irresistible Persuasion.  As usual, Geoff has some great advice along with a great story.  Visit Geoff atwww.geoffburch.com.

Listen or download below:

Exit Stage Left – Business Succession Planning

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People used to working in an office stocked with technology may find that starting as a solo enterprise can be painful.  Listen as Dave discusses a useful reality of going it alone.  Or read complete article: “Spending Wisely on Technology.”

Alaskan Association of Authors

Authors Josie & Mark McKinney are the co-founders of the Alaskan Association of Authors.  Listen as they discuss the reasons for starting their company and the books they have written and published.

Listen or download below:

Written in Alaska

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Do you want to market your business on Facebook but don’t know how?  Facebook, Inc. the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Business will be able to help.  Listen as Dave summarizes the new Facebook partnership and how it will help your business.  Read complete article here.

Graphic Design & Technology

Listen as Adrienne Wilkerson, a graphic designer with Beacon Publishing & Design, and Dave talk about the gigantic shift technology had on the graphic design business.  Adrienne also shares her experience building a business– a topic dear to all business owners’ hearts.

Tech Talk

Listen as Tim White, Chief Technology Officer with ACB Solutions introduces his new program segment Tech Talk.”  Tim discusses his goal for the segment and talks about the “What Changed?” effect.

Listen or download below:

A Matter of Design

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Listen to the highlights of the NFIB’s monthly Optimism Index.  This index dropped dramatically in August– find out why.  Or read complete article: “Small Business Confidence Takes Huge Hit.”

Simon & Seaforts: The Restaurant Business

After over 30 years in Anchorage, Simon & Seaforts is one of the city’s oldest and best restaurants. Listen as Robert Kilby gives us a behind the scenes look a successful restaurant.  This is a great show about a super business.

Business Risk Management

Do you know what a “surety bond” is used for?  Listen as business insurance expert Chris Pobielgo talks more about this important insurance product.  Chris is president of Business Insurance Associates.

Listen or download below:

Simon & Seaforts Unwrapped

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Listen as guest host Christopher Pobieglo gives a brief recap of key economic indicators.  The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) will be holding three free webinars.  Find out more at their website - nfib.com.

He also discusses traffic safety and potential business risks from a “Risk Management” standpoint.

Make Credit Card Transactions Easy

Today’s special guest Sushil Wanigantunga, president of American Credit Card Systems, provides great insights into the management of debit and credit card transactions.  Listen to find out how to take credit and debit cards in your business.

Marketing Matters

Listen as marketing expert Amanda Cullen, president of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, discusses marketing on Facebook.  Amanda provides creative ideas to build a following.

Listen or download below:

Make Credit Card Transactions Easy

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Small companies are getting savvier about using Groupon.  Listen as Dave discusses the good and not so good about using Groupon.  Read the whole article on the Wall Street Journal website.

Anchorage Symphony

Listen as Sherri Burkhart Reddick, Executive Director of the Anchorage Symphony discusses her role in a dual management organization.  Sherri talks about the Symphony’s new 2011-2012 season with some really great shows. You won’t want to miss this local update!

Economics and Alaska

Listen as Dan Robinson, Senior Economist with the McDowell Group, discusses the economies of the performing arts.  His thoughts are not what you would expect.  Listen to his insights and even the softer side of economics.

Listen or download below:

The Business of Classical Music

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In an “Atlas Shrugged” moment, Kingwood, Texas bank Main Street Bank gets out of the banking business because of federal banking regulations.  Listen as Dave talks about the frustration of the banks chairman and how they will handle excessive bank regulations. Read the whole article at the Wall Street Journal online.

Alaska Center for the Performing Arts

Listen as Nancy Harbour, Executive Director of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts talks about the new 2011-2012 season.  Nancy tells a story about a fun topic that has a serious economic impact on Anchorage’s community.  And they’ve got a new website! Visit it at www.myalaska.com.

Go It Alone

Listen as Geoff Burch, author & business expert, talks about effective selling without the high pressure.  Geoff is in rare form and entertaining as always. It’s a delightful (and useful) segment you won’t want to miss!

Listen or download below:

Performing Arts New Season

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Bill Dunkelberg, economist says, “Between the deluge of new regulations and a Washington policy agenda that is largely ignorant of Main Street needs, stubbornly low consumer spending, and grave concern among small firms about the federal budget, there is not much to be optimistic about as a small-business owner.”  Listen to the Getting Down to Business analysis.

Starting a restaurant with Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar

Chris Pobieglo sitting in for Dave talks with Anchorage entrepreneur Chad Culley one of the founders of Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar talks about starting a restaurant. Listen as Chad talks about employees, team building, customers, the economy, and what wakes him up at 3:00 am. For more information go to www.crushak.com

Go it Alone

Listen as Geoff Burch, bestselling author in business discusses the “Show Business” element in sales from his latest book Irresistible Persuasion.

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Read Dave’s economic analysis of the US economy July 2011 – hint, “It’s Not Rocket Science.”

Pebble Project

Mike Heatwole, VP of Public Affairs for The Pebble Partnership, joins Dave and Amanda Cullen to discuss The Pebble Partnership.  The Pebble deposit is one of most significant discoveries of copper, gold and molybdenum in the world.  With demand for these commodities at an all time high, the economic impact in the billions of dollars, and the creation of thousands of high-paying jobs in a high unemployment area, why does this project have opposition?  Mike tells the story from the Partnerships side.  Supported by facts and ongoing analysis, Mike also reveals an emotional side to this project. Listen to this fascinating discussion.

We want to hear from you. Send questions or Comments to mikeheatwole@pebblepartnership.com or David@waconsult.com.

Marketing Matters

Listen as Amanda Cullen, President of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, joins Dave and Mike to discuss marketing The Pebble Project.  Amanda is our small business marketing expert, and she brings her own perspective to the challenges of marketing with headwinds.

Listen or download below:

Marketing with Headwinds – Marketing the Pebble Project

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NFIB’s monthly Small-Business Optimism Index dropped one tenth of a point (0.1) in June, settling at 90.8, an unsurprising reading, unchanged from the previous month and solidly in recession territory. Read the full article from NFIB, then listen to Dave’s commentary.

Customer Relations Management as a Tool

Techniques are not tools, and Customer Relations Management (CRM) software is a tool to help your sales staff to be more effective.  Back when I first started in sales (I sold printing for 18 years), we used 3’ x 5’ client cards, daily sales sheets and weekly sales forms– a manual system designed to track contacts with customers and potential customers.  CRM automates the client tracking process and provides much more sales help.  Listen as Andre Horton, a Microsoft Dynamics CRM consultant talks about CRM.

Business Risk Management

Do your employees use their personal or business autos during their work day?  If so, you may need to have a commercial auto policy to minimize your risk.  Listen as Chris Pobeiglo, President of Business Insurance Associates talks about commercial auto insurance. Dind out why your company may need this coverage.

Listen or download below:

Tools of the Trade – CRM

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Home-renovation businesses expect a federal ruling proposed last month to increase operating costs and dampen sales, according to a recently released survey.  This survey is a great example of government regulation impacting small business.  Read the full article at the Wall Street Journal blog.

>Entrepreneur takes a leap of faith

What is an entrepreneur?  If you said a person who assembles the factors of production, raises capital, organizes management, makes policy decisions, and reaps the gains of success or the losses of failure, you would be correct.  The short answer is anyone who risks everything to start a business.  Steve Volz, of Alaska Search Marketing, left a good job with a steady paycheck and benefits to pursue the dream of owning his own business.  Listen as Steve tells the story of how he took a “leap of faith.”

Marketing Matters

Does your business use email marketing as part of its marketing plan?  Amanda Cullen of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing provides good reasons why you should and “how to do it right.”

Listen or download below:

Leap of Faith

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In the eyes of the average small business, the U.S. economy is still in a recession and likely to stay that way through 2012.  A new survey, commissioned by the U.S. Bancorp one of several reports out in recent weeks painting a more dismal picture for American small businesses than previously perceived. Listen for my recap, and read the full article on the Wall Street Journal site.

How to prepare a business loan package

The American reserve banking system evolved from Goldsmiths.  In most early towns, the only vault belonged to the Goldsmith who began holding the valuables and money of others in the community.  Today’s bank lending evolved from these practices.  Andy Riddell, VP at Wells Fargo talks about the bank’s side of the lending process including explaining the 5 C’s of Credit.  Listen to find out the best way prepare a business loan package.

Alaska Economics

The U.S. economy is made up of all the individual state economies.  Listen as Dan Robinson, Senior Economist with the McDowell Group discusses the two common beliefs about the relationship between Alaska’s economy and the U.S. economy.  ”Historical data doesn’t really support either of those beliefs,” according to Dan. Listen for his view.

Listen or download below:

Creating a Business Loan Package

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For the third consecutive month, NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index fell.  The drop was slight—0.3 points, with the index settling at 90.9 in May.  The index makes clear that optimism is moving in the wrong direction.  The NFIB Research Foundation has collected Small Business Economic Trends data with quarterly surveys since 1974 and monthly surveys since 1986.  Survey respondents are drawn from NFIB’s membership.

Lessons from the Seattle Economy

The Seattle economy tanked in the early 1970’s due to a severe economic downturn at Boeing. Thousands of people lost their jobs, and an amusing billboard read “Will the last person leaving SEATTLE – Turn out the lights.”  This served as a wakeup call to community leaders and a focus on economic diversity.  The Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is leading the way on a project to make Anchorage the number one place to “Work, Live & Play” by 2025.  Listen as Bill Popp, President and CEO describes the role and steps his organization is taking to make this a reality.

Business Risk Management

Business insurance expert and president of Business Insurance Associates, Chris Pobieglo tells us about the risk to your business when employees travel both domestically and internationally.  As a business owner you really don’t need another risk to consider however, Chris also provides some low cost ways to cover this risk.

Listen or download below:

Live, Work & Play

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Two crucial forms of bank lending that remained stubbornly weak are finally showing signs of life, another indicator that the credit crisis is on the mend.  This uptick could help businesses expand and reduce unemployment listen to the summary.  Read the full article: “Uptick in Loans Could Aid Business.”

A Wild Ride

An entrepreneur is a person who wants to change the future.  Change involves more than talk.  The vision must be followed by action.  Following that vision is a great risk.  There is the risk of failure, a damaged reputation, the loss of time and money.  Listen as Dave describes what it took to follow his vision of a professional football team, Alaska Wild, in Anchorage.  Contact Dave  at david@WaConsult.com.

Listen or download below:

A Wild Ride

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The US economy is still the largest single-nation economy in the world at $14.2 trillion, as measured by gross domestic product.  It is still bigger then the next three largest economies combined.  Consider what would happen if we put-the-pedal-to-the-metal economically.  Instead of just limping along, we could set the world on fire, and in the words of John F Kennedy, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”  Listen and find out what grade Dave gives the US economy.  Read the full article: Still a Powerhouse.

Effective Co-Branding and the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association began branding itself officially in 1948 with a network radio contest called the “The Walking Man.”  Today, the American Heat Association is recognized by 96% of consumers and has a 98% favorable reaction.  Listen as Lisa Sauder talks about way to leverage your product with their brand.  To contact Lisa, email her at lisa.sauder@heaqrt.org

Marketing Matters

Listen to “Marketing Matters” with marketing expert Amanda Cullen of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing.  Amanda gives us three tips on how to make a good first impression with your marketing.

Listen or download below:

Effective Co-Branding

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The Internal Revenue Service is moving aggressively to collect more taxes from small businesses. It is telling companies being audited to turn over exact copies of the electronic records kept in their business-software programs. The IRS wants your QuickBooks files.  Read the full Wall Street Journal article.

Business Planning

Success in anything that works well requires vision, dedication, luck and a great plan.  Join Dave as he talks about the subject he knows well– “business planning.”  A well-written business plan will not guarantee the success of your business start-up, but it will improve the long odds.  Listen, as David Weatherholt, you business authority, reveals the art of writing a business plan.

Economics in Alaska

The “Economics Guy” Dan Robinson, Senior Economist for the McDowell Group, discusses gross domestic product and how it impacts your business.  Dan and Dave also discuss gross domestic product for the state Alaska.  Listen as economic principles become clear and relevant.

Listen or download below:

The Art of Business Planning

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Small-Business Optimism on the Wane: Optimism Index Dips for Second Consecutive Month

The Nation Federation of Independent Business (NIFB) has tracked business optimism since 1976, making this a reliable measurement of business optimism.  The month of April marked a second consecutive month of decline in small business optimism. Listen for Dave’s take on the news.

Council of Alaska Producers

San Francisco, Denver and Seattle have much in common.  Plenty of social amenities, fine dining, shopping, cultural and arts carters, and professional-level sports teams.  They also create lots of jobs with vibrant and diverse economies.  When they were fledgling communities, mining gave them a big economic boost.  Mining can be a game changer for the Alaska Economy.  The Council of Alaska Producers represents large mining companies and tracks their economic impact.  Listen, as Mike Satre, Executive Director of the Council discusses their role in Alaska.

Business Risk Management

The “Insurance Guy” Chris Poblieglo of Business Insurance Associates reveals an often overlooked business risk.  A company’s employees represent a risk to any business.  Managing employment practices and obtaining liability insurance can minimize this business risk.  Listen as Chris gives “advice you can use.”

Listen or download below:

Produced in Alaska

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Dave Weatherholt starts off this Getting Down to Business with social-networking sites that link entrepreneurs to pools of money.  Security & Exchange Commission (SEC) considers allowing equity stakes on crowd-fund sites.  This could be a great source of funding for small businesses, says Dave.

Outcast Productions

Kimberley Gray and Elisa Hitchcock met 14 years ago working on murder mystery dinners and started Outcast Productions, LLC. Today, their part-time business with expanded services is thriving.  Listen and learn from their business story.

Go it Alone

Geoff Burch is in rare form on his “Go It Alone” segment.  Listen as Geoff gives business advice to Kimberley & Elisa with great wit and witticism guaranteed to make you laugh.

Listen or download below:

A Great Bunch of Characters

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Price of a new suit and gold historically has been the same.  Dave talks about his article on the economy and the impact of rising commodity prices.  Listen to find out Dave’s current grade on the economy.

90 Days and Counting

The 27^th Legislative Session was scheduled to run for 90 days starting January 18^th and officially ended on April 17^th.  Starting on April 18^th, the Alaska State Legislature went into special session and while Representative Tuck was originally scheduled to give a session wrap-up he gave an update.  Listen to Representative Chris Tuck from HD 29 talk about the session and predict the end of the special session.

Marketing Matters

Amanda Cullen, our small business marketing expert, talks about her passion “Word of Mouth Marketing.”  Listen to Amanda’s great tips.

Listen or download below:

Legislative Update

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3 Ways to Maintain Positive Cash Flow in a Down Economy

David Weatherholt gives a summary of an article on cash flow– the life blood of a business. Focus on creating annuity revenue is one of the helpful tips.  Listen to learn more.

Real Estate Opportunity

It’s no surprise to anyone that the domestic real estate market is in difficulty.  Winston Churchill said that an optimist “sees opportunity in every difficulty.”  Find out how Dee Thomas and Jeff Greenberg, managing partners in a company called Synergetic Investment Group, LLC, look for opportunity in the real estate market.

Alaska Economics

Dan Robinson, Senior Economist with the McDowell Group, discusses the commercial real estate markets in Alaska.

Listen or download below:

Building Wealth Through Real Estate

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What 1099 Reporting Rule Repeal Means to Small Business

The comprehensive health care reform bill (ObamaCare) expanded 1099 reporting to include all B2B transactions that exceed $600 per year.  Dave talks about the bullet small business owners dodged with the repeal of this provision.

The Cyber Market

Courtney Brooke Smith, Principal of Courtney Brooke Smith, MBA Consulting talks about your business’s Cyber Market.  Conversations taking place on social media networks can either build or erode your business.  Courtney discusses reasons why you need to understand your “Cyber Market.”

Listen or download below:

Social Media Unwrapped

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Hiring Up, But Optimism Down in March

The Index of Small Business Optimism fell again in March.  This index has been tracked by the National Federation of Independent Business since 1976, making it a great measure of business optimism.  According to the NFIB chief economist, “Today’s recession-level reading is, all in all, a real disappointment.”

Anchorage Tourism Update

Julie Saupe, President, and CEO of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau joins Dave to talk about the upcoming visitor season in Anchorage.  Julie also discusses their volunteer program and its role in assisting visitors by matching them to services and tours.

Business Risk Management

The third segment in our series “Workers Compensation Uncovered,” Chris Poblieglo discusses job classifications and how they can affect your bottom line.  Chris also describes three bills now before the Alaska State Legislature: HB-12, 13, and SB-116, and their effect on workers’ compensation in Alaska.

Listen or download below:

Anchorage Tourism 2011

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In the news, learn about the controversial ways one can use to finance a business using a 401(k). Love it or hate it, it’s important information to know.

Listen or download below:

The Business Side of the Food Bank

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2. It Takes More Than Good Food
3. Business Plan: Projected Financial Statements

Marketing expert Amanda Cullen, president of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, joins the show to explain Facebook advertising. She answers the questions, “Should you advertise on Facebook?” and “How do you do it?” If you’ve been thinking about advertising on Facebook, you don’t want to miss this segment!

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It Takes More Than Good Food

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2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising Explained
3. Where to Advertise Your Ecommerce Business Locally on the Internet

Later in the show is our “Business Risk Management” segment with Christopher Pobieglo, CRIS and President of Business Insurance Associates, Inc.Chris joins David to talk worker’s comp. He has great advice for Alaskan businesses on how to manage worker’s compensation insurance and claims.

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Stone Horn Ridge

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2. The Business of Risk Management
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Sales and entrepreneurial expert Geoff Burch has his segment “Go it Alone” later in the show. And we’d all like to congratulate Geoff for being voted the Business Communicator of 2011 by the U.K.’s Speechwriter’s Guild!

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The House of Barry Matteson

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2. Cloud Computing and Your Future
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Amanda Cullen, president of Zoo in Jungle Marketing, joins the show to give advice on how to provide great customer service even when you have to tell a customer, “No.” She makes this tough marketing challenge understandable.

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The Business Side of the Performing Arts

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2. The Business Side of the Food Bank
3. The Business of Classical Music

Later in the show, get an Alaska economics update with Dan Robinson,  Senior Economist with the McDowell Group. Uncertainty abounds, and Dan and Dave discuss how to handle it.

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The Entrepreneur

Sponsored by Business Insurance Associates

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3. An Amazing Company

The interview is 21:16, and well worth the time for anyone interested in an inside look at Alaska governing. And if you want more information on the Alaska State Legislature, visit their website!

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Interview with Alaska Representative Chris Tuck

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2. Alaska Legislative Update
3. Legislative Update

Our resident sales expert Geoff Burch talks about his new book Irresistible Persuasion, and he gives listeners lessons from the early days of door-to-door salesmen. As always, he peppers his tips with plenty of humor.

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The Business of Risk Management

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1. Minimizing Business Risk
2. Business Plan: Management Team
3. Produced in Alaska

Amanda Cullen, president of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, takes up the conversation with marketing advice for farms and agriculture businesses. She advises farms to keep their marketing “creative and fun,” with tips on how to start.

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Young Entrepreneurs

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2. Marketing Fundamentals
3. Small Business Advertising and Promotions

Café Del Mundo founder Perry Merkel, who has been roasting coffee since 1975, comes on the show to discuss the coffee business, how he got his start and the business environment in Alaska.

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A Great Cup of Coffee

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2. Creating a Great Smile
3. The House of Barry Matteson

Stay tuned for sales and business guru Geoff Burch in his segment for entrepreneurs, “Go it Alone.” As always, Geoff is insightful and entertaining – with a bit of biting wit.

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Alaska Econ 101

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2. Business in Alaska IV
3. Marketing Alaska

In the news, David has some small business stats from around the world and why entrepreneurialism is growing globally.

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Business Impact of Title 21

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David brings us bad economic news, his segment being titled, “Few Businesses Sprout, With Even Fewer Jobs.” Learn what this dearth of innovation might mean for your business and customers.

Amanda Cullen of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing brightens the mood by looking towards 2011 and how to cut your marketing budget without reducing its effectiveness. Her four steps will have your marketing budget in tip-top shape for the upcoming year.

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Built In Alaska

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3. Marketing Alaska

Our resident sale guru, Geoff Burch, tells listeners how they can get a “yes” with every customer. Geoff knows that an endless stream of “yes” answers are every salesperson’s dream.

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Art for Sale

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2. Business for Sale
3. The House of Barry Matteson

David takes a look at some economic indicators for small businesses- showing, among other things, that small businesses are lowering their prices and feeling slightly more optimistic. It’s not resoundingly good news, but listen to the show for David’s full analysis.

Later in the show, our favorite Englishman, Geoff Burch, joins us with his segment “Go it Alone.” He has some great sales advice for entrepreneurs. Remember, Geoff has a new book out, Irresistible Persuasion.

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Creating a Great Smile

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2. A Great Bunch of Characters
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Amanda Cullen, president of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, calls in later in the show to assert Marketing is Everything. Or, more accurately stated, everything you do is marketing. Learn how each interaction a customer has with your company builds – or destroys- your brand.

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Hire the Best

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2. Marketing with Headwinds – Marketing the Pebble Project
3. The Business Side of the Performing Arts

Joining him are experts Julie Saupe and James Minton. Julie Saupe is CEO of the Anchorage Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. James Minton is Director of Membership and Communications for the Alaska Tourism Industry Association. As part of the discussion, they explain the 12% bed tax in Anchorage and Fairfax along with transportation taxes and how the measures are indicators of how the Alaskan economy is faring.

To hear how Alaskan tourism fared in 2010, listen or download below:

Alaska Tourism 2010

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2. Alaska Tourism Report
3. Anchorage Tourism 2011

In the news, David summarizes and explains an article on micro-lending, and how your business might be able to take advantage of it.

And back to business, sales expert Geoff Burch comes on the show to discuss his new book, Irresistible Persuasion. He explores what sales used to be… starting before World War I and going all the way back to the pharaohs.

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Living in Alaska

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2. Creating a Great Smile
3. Business in Alaska IV