Sales expert and London resident Geoff Burch joins the show to engage listeners and promote his new book Irresistible Persuasion. Dave has been spreading the word in Anchorage about Geoff’s promise of showing readers “The secret way to get a ‘yes’ every time.”

Interestingly, the book has been selling well in the United States – better than in the U.K. Geoff posits that his country-men just aren’t as hungry for success. His book gets to the heart of sales, persuasion. Geoff says, “You can trace every business failure to someone failing to persuade somebody else to do something.”

Listen or download below:

Consider a Credit Union

Related posts:

1. Geoff Burch – Live!
2. The Way of the Dog with Geoff Burch
3. Sales: The Way of the Dog

Learn all about the sport of roller derby from Sarah Impalem and Hurtz Jenerator (aka Angela Ramirez and Jennifer Schober). You might be surprised to learn that even roller derby requires business acumen!

Listen or download below:

Roller Derby 101

No related posts.

Amanda Cullen, president of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing for small business, joins the show with her segment “Marketing Matters.” She finishes up her five small business marketing rules with tips on how to implement your marketing strategies. She advises, “Keep at it!”

Listen or download below:

Renewable Business

Related posts:

1. Business in Alaska V
2. 5 Small Business Marketing Rules
3. Marketing and Taxes

In the news, David informs of a business that started with the intent to sell and how planning succession early on can make the transition smooth and pain-free.

Listen or download below:

Business for Sale

Related posts:

1. Nuts and Bolts of Business Planning
2. Long Term Business Planning
3. The Do’s and Don’ts of Business Planning

Listen to the show to learn why Bill is applying for this state job.

David also gives us a news update about angel investors – and the possibility of finding them for free. Open Angels and Angel List are examples of these free services. Angel investors are investors who are looking for start-ups in which to invest.

Listen or download below:

Business in Alaska VI

Related posts:

1. Business in Alaska IV
2. Working for Alaska with Governor Sean Parnell
3. Marketing Alaska

David also provides a small business news update, first looking at the small business optimism index. Good news – it’s going up and is higher than it’s been since September 2008! David cheers us that the economy is moving in the right direction, however slowly. And with it, should return Alaska’s tourism business.

Listen or download below:

Geoff Burch – Live!

Related posts:

1. The Way of the Dog with Geoff Burch
2. Sales Tips from Expert Geoff Burch
3. Sales: The Way of the Dog

Small business marketing expert Amanda Cullen of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing joins the show later with her segment “Marketing Matters.” She strays a bit from the topic of marketing this week to ask businesses the question, “Where do you want to go?” Before implementing any marketing initiatives, businesses need to secure a solid business strategy. This strategy will make day-to-day decision making more simple and help your business reach success on time.

Listen or download below:

Business in Alaska V

Related posts:

1. Know Where You Want to Go
2. Business in Alaska VI
3. Business in Alaska IV

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

Related posts:

1. Selling Cold Drinks

Geoff Burch joins the show with some great sales tips. Dave introduces Geoff with a riddle, “Well, of course we were skint when we first started.” Listen to show to learn what that mysterious phrase is all about. If you’re in a visual mood, you can watch some of Geoff Burch’s sales videos here.

Listen or download below:

Business in Alaska IV

Related posts:

1. Alaska State Government and Small Business
2. Marketing Alaska
3. Working for Alaska with Governor Sean Parnell

Later in the show, David brings in two special guests. Russell Ball, founder of ACB Solutions, talks about transitioning his business from Alaska Computer Brokers, a computer retail store, to ACB Solutions, a technology services provider. He and David talk about the evolving marketplace that necessitated this change and share valuable stories and advice for small business owners facing similar situations.

Amanda Cullen, president of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing for small business, elaborates on the importance of keeping your business strategy current with what your customers want. She advocates conducting qualitative research with your customers and gives helpful tips on how to do that.

Listen or download below:

A Matter of Survival

Related posts:

1. Nuts and Bolts of Business Planning
2. Business/News & Views – July 2010
3. Long Term Business Planning

This “Getting Down to Business” podcast inaugurates a new  monthly segment headed by Todd Clark called The IT ProAdvisor. Todd delves into the importance of backing up your data – and the resources required to address this important issue.

David also brings some worrying news about the economy – that the current recession is well-above the average length for post-WWII recessions. Listen to learn what this might mean for your business.

Listen or download below:

Business in Alaska III

Related posts:

1. Preparing for an Economic Downturn
2. Alaska State Government and Small Business
3. Business in Alaska VI

David also talks about the profitability of social media using facts and figures provided by real companies, along with his personal experience with the media.

Listen or download below:

The Connection Between Congress and Business

Related posts:

1. Finding the Right Spot
2. Four Common Errors on Social Media Strategy

Governor Parnell weighs in with the similarities between running a business and running a state. In fact, he owned his own small business for ten years after learning entrepreneurship from his father and understands small business owners’ challenges. Listen to the podcast below for more stories and observations from the governor.

Listen or download below:

Working for Alaska

Related posts:

1. Business in Alaska IV
2. Business in Alaska III
3. Marketing Alaska

After Dave’s news update about the optimism index, Geoff Burch joins the show with his “Go It Alone” segment. Geoff talks about some of the crazy things entrepreneurs think they need before they can launch their business- and what they should be focusing on instead.

Listen or download below:

Dancing with Goats

Related posts:

1. Cloud Computing and Your Future
2. Geoff Burch – Live!
3. Marketing Alaska

Later in the show Dave is joined by Amanda Cullen founder of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, who specializes in small business marketing. Amanda gives her 5 rules for small business marketing and delivers a pop quiz to listeners, challenging them to put their business to the test. Here are the rules:

1. Be easy to do business with.
2. Communicate with your customers in ways that are meaningful to them.
3. Know where you want to go.
4. Involve your team.
5. Keep at it.

Listen or download below to take the test and see how your business stacks up!

Marketing and Taxes

Related posts:

1. 5 Small Business Marketing Rules
2. Creative Marketing Ideas for Small Business
3. Business/News & Views – February 2010

Dave starts the show with the questions, “What makes a good employee?” and reports on an innovative article to help small businesses know their hiring practices will ensure they recruit great employees.

Listen or download below:

Photo Shoot – Alaska!

Related posts:

1. Marketing Alaska
2. Working for Alaska with Governor Sean Parnell
3. Business in Alaska IV

Listen or download below:

Minimizing Business Risk

Related posts:

1. Focus on DenaliTEK: Succeeding with a technology business
2. Business in Alaska III
3. Cloud Computing and Your Future

Later in the show, Geoff Burch, international consultant, calls in. He is the author of Go It Alone, a great book for those with an entrepreneurial spirit. Geoff talks about the classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and how it applies to those who have recently been laid off or are looking for a way to be self-employed.

Listen or download below:

Marketing Alaska

Related posts:

1. Business in Alaska IV
2. Alaska Tourism Report
3. Marketing Fundamentals

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

Related posts:

1. Long Term Business Planning
2. Minimizing Business Risk
3. Marketing and Taxes

Julie Saupe, CEO of the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, joins the show to give a tourism update for Anchorage. They talk about the 30-year history of the ACVB. While last year was the first year tourism declined in Anchorage, Julie is hopeful for the future. She shares her community report with listeners, and what that will mean for Anchorage tourism.

Dave’s second guest is Sam Dickey, Deputy District Director of the Small Business Administration. SBA programs are changing, and Sam has the details. He is hopeful that Congress will keep funding some programs, but deadlines for stimulus money have passed. They discuss trends and facts related to small business lending and what this could mean for your small business.

Listen or download below:

Alaska Tourism Update

Related posts:

1. Alaska Tourism Report
2. Marketing Alaska
3. Non-Profits are Businesses

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

Related posts:

1. Creative Marketing Ideas for Small Business
2. Small Business Advertising and Promotions
3. Alternative Lending Sources

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

Related posts:

1. Finding the Right Spot
2. Marketing and Taxes
3. Franchises are Businesses, Too

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

Related posts:

1. Cloud Computing
2. Clouds in Your Future
3. Focus on DenaliTEK: Succeeding with a technology business

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

Related posts:

1. Business Plan: Financial Projections
2. Business Plan: Creating a Loan Package
3. Business Plan: Management Team

Pamela Marsch joins Dave Weatherholt in this “Getting Down to Business” to discuss tips for buying and leasing commercial real estate. She is a commercial real estate broker with vast experience in Alaska’s real estate market.

Dave shares his personal experience with commercial real estate and hopes his listeners can learn from his less-than-ideal experience.

Dave also weighs in with his news update, bringing to light some useful business stories.

Listen or download below:

Finding the Right Spot

(Graphic by Getty Images)

Related posts:

1. Non-Profits are Businesses
2. Working for Alaska with Governor Sean Parnell
3. Getting Down to Business

Kathy Day of KD/PR | A Virtual Agency joins Dave Weatherholt to talk about public relations, and how good PR can benefit your business. Kathy explains how we can go beyond thinking of PR as “free advertising,” and truly maximize its potential. Dave tells us of his own success with PR– and just how much exposure it can generate.

Dave gives us an economic update, talking about interest rates, historical data and what this information means for us today. He addresses a question important to all of us, “Are consumers ready to buy?”

Listen or download below:

Have you considered PR?

Related posts:

1. Americans in Business
2. Business/News & Views – July 2010
3. Business in Alaska III

Todd credits a great mission and vision statement with the successful growth of his company. Amanda Cullen, of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing for Small Business, joins the show and discusses how to create mission and visions statements that are effective for the organization along with how to use them as marketing tools.

Dave also gives a news update for small businesses, including tips for how to make your website great.

Listen or download below:

Focus on DenaliTEK

Related posts:

1. Cloud Computing and Your Future
2. Getting Value from Technology
3. Technology Tips

Accountant Paul Foutz joins the conversation and makes projections for the Alaskan economy. He predicts what businesses can expect in the coming year. This episode of “Getting Down to Business” will be valuable to any small business owner.

Listen or download below:

The Winery

Related posts:

1. Discovering Latent Revenue
2. Franchises are Businesses, Too
3. Alaska State Government and Small Business

Dave also gives a business and economic news update by analyzing the Optimism Index over the course of the year.

Listen or download below:

Doing It Right

Related posts:

1. Do you need a server?
2. Business Plan: Management Team
3. The Way of the Dog with Geoff Burch

In this week’s “Getting Down to Business,” Dave talks with IT expert Mark Mathis of Arctic Information Technology about Cloud Computing. Mark helps us understand what Cloud Computing is, how long it has been around and how small businesses can use it to reduce their IT costs. This useful technology is familiar to many businesses through companies such as Carbonite and Go To Meeting.

Dave also talks with Amanda Cullen about 2009’s Black Friday. They talk about the history of Black Friday, how performance was this year and the changing attitudes of consumers. Amanda, of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, explains how these factors affect small business retailers.

Listen or download below:

Cloud Computing

Related posts:

1. Cloud Computing and Your Future
2. Do you need a server?
3. Alaska Tourism Report

International consultant Geoff Burch talks about his sales management book, The Way of the Dog: The Art of Making Success Inevitable. Dave finds this book very motivating, compelling and full of useful information. Geoff proves to be a lively guest who tells great stories.

In other news: We also learn that Dave is broadcasting during International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Listen or download below:

Sales: The Way of the Dog

Related posts:

1. Sales: The Way of the Dog
2. Geoff Burch – Live!
3. Sales Tips from Expert Geoff Burch

David also talks economic news, using his experience dealing with recessions to encourage businesses. Paul Foutz joins David later in the show to discuss the Alaskan economy and what’s ahead in the coming year.

Listen or download below:

Discovering Latent Revenue

Related posts:

1. Getting Down to Business
2. Business Plan: Breakeven Analysis
3. Consider a Credit Union

These friendly competitors discuss the top ten franchise businesses, the benefits of franchising and the changing face of the franchisor.

Is franchising a good fit for your entrepreneurial spirit? How do you get started in franchising? Listen to find out!

Listen or download below:

Franchises are Businesses, Too

Related posts:

1. Nuts and Bolts of Business Planning
2. Getting Down to Business
3. Non-Profits are Businesses

Dan Sullivan shares his business background and the similarities between running a business and a municipal government.

Later in the show, Amanda Cullen, of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, explains relationship marketing and how small businesses can develop strategies to build relationships with their customers. Strong customer relationships lead to stronger loyalty, more numerous customer referrals and higher profits.

Listen or download below:

Alaska Municipal Government, Small Business and Customer Relationships

Related posts:

1. Alaska State Government and Small Business
2. Value of a Customer
3. Alaska Tourism Report

Also, David speaks with the deputy director of the SBA about the changes enacted last week by the SBA program. Finally, David introduces the show with a history of recessions, how government intervention has helped or hurt the economy and why we no longer call them “economic panics.”

All considered, this episode of “Getting Down to Business” is full of essential knowledge for small businesses.

Alaska State Government and Small Business

Related posts:

1. Municipal Government, Small Business and Customer Relationships
2. Business in Alaska IV
3. Pictures: Alaska State Handball Doubles Tournament

Guest Robert McDowell, Vice President of Information Worker Business Value for Microsoft, provides valuable advice for businesses looking to generate a better return on their technology investments. These IT investments include hardware, software and personnel. He discusses how Microsoft works with other vendors to create efficient business solutions.

Getting Value from Technology

Related posts:

1. Focus on DenaliTEK: Succeeding with a technology business
2. Technology Tips
3. Doing it Right – Project Management

Dave’s guest is Dwain DeVille, author of The Biker’s Guide to Business. Dwain is an entrepreneur coach and asks, “What do entrepreneurs and business leaders have in common with bikers?” The answer? More thank you think!

In the news, Dave alerts small businesses to the opportunity of applying for grants and stimulus money. Someone has to get it. Why not you?

Listen or download here:

The Tragedy of Strategy

Related posts:

1. Sales Strategy Podcast
2. Long Term Business Planning
3. Business Plan: Financial Projections

Dave finds out what his Facebook page and Twitter account really mean. His guest, Mindy O’Neill, is the Director of Integrated Marketing for news magazine Alaska Dispatch. She imparts her social media expertise to Dave’s listeners (and Dave himself!).

Listen or download below:

Making the Right Connections

Related posts:

1. Sales: The Way of the Dog
2. The Way of the Dog with Geoff Burch
3. Four Common Errors on Social Media Strategy

Dave welcomes Julie Saupe to the show. She’s the President and CEO of the Anchorage Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and provides a forecast on the upcoming 2010 tourist season.

How can small businesses that depend on tourism weather the economic storm? Dave’s next guest, Amanda Cullen, gives small businesses advice for reaching their customers– and it might surprise you just who she thinks is your customer. Her company, Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, specializes in small business marketing.

In the news, Dave talks about the credit crisis still plaguing small businesses, even while larger businesses see credit loosening. Dave’s moved “Getting Down to Business” over to station 1080 KUDO, and he’s excited for the new opportunities this station provides.

Listen or download below:

Alaska Tourism Report

Related posts:

1. Anchorage Tourism 2010
2. Marketing Alaska
3. Creative Marketing Ideas for Small Business

In this week’s “Getting Down to Business,” Dave talks with IT expert Mark Mathis of Arctic Information Technology who will help you determine if your business needs a server. And what is a server, anyway?

In the news, Dave highlights the optimism index and forecasts some sign of recovery on the horizon.

Listen or download below:

Do you need a server?

Related posts:

1. Cloud Computing
2. Getting Value from Technology
3. Doing it Right – Project Management

In other news: We also learn that Dave is broadcasting during International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Listen or download below:

Sales: The Way of the Dog

Related posts:

1. The Way of the Dog with Geoff Burch
2. Geoff Burch – Live!
3. Sales Tips from Expert Geoff Burch

In the news, Dave talks about the recession’s effects on Alaska’s tourism industry and some competition for the Alaska Pipeline. And Dave’s guest is Ralph Swan, sales manager for Swan Employer Services.

Listen or download below:

Preparing for an Economic Downturn

Related posts:

1. Business in Alaska III
2. Economic Summary for January 2010
3. August 2010 Economic News Summary

Dave’s guest, Paul Foutz, a walking encyclopedia of business information, shared important labor statistics with Dave and his listeners (appropriate for Labor Day Weekend, don’t you think?)

Listen or download below:

Small Business and Labor- A Great Partnership

Related posts:

1. A Great Partnership: Small Business and Labor
2. Nuts and Bolts of Business Planning
3. Business Plan: Financial Projections

Long term planning becomes especially important during a recession. So, pull up a chair and let Dave give you Advice You Can Use.

Listen or download below:

Long Term Business Planning

Related posts:

1. The Do’s and Don’ts of Business Planning
2. Nuts and Bolts of Business Planning
3. Sales Strategy Podcast

Amanda Cullen of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing gave small businesses advice on how to tie marketing in with your sales strategy to reinforce your brand and customers’ impressions of your business.

Listen or download below:

Sales Strategy for Small Business

Related posts:

1. Long Term Business Planning
2. Sales: The Way of the Dog
3. The Tragedy of Strategy

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

Related posts:

1. Marketing Fundamentals
2. Marketing and Taxes
3. Small Business Advertising and Promotions

The three talk about simple and innovative steps small businesses can take to advertise and promote their businesses. They also debate the benefits and drawbacks of low-cost positioning and why it’s not always a good idea to discount your products in a down economy.

Listen or download below:

Small Business Advertising and Promotions

Related posts:

1. Marketing Fundamentals
2. Creative Marketing Ideas for Small Business
3. Alaska Tourism Report

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

Related posts:

1. Creative Marketing Ideas for Small Business
2. Marketing and Taxes
3. Small Business Advertising and Promotions

Dave’s guest on “Getting Down to Business” is Mitch Jacobs, founder and CEO of On Deck Capital.

And in the news, Dave talks about the issues around mandating small businesses to provide health insurance for their employees.

Listen or download below:

Alternative Lending Sources

Related posts:

1. Minimizing Business Risk
2. Business Plan: Creating a Loan Package
3. Financial Ratios

Listen or download below:

Financial Rations: The story behind the numbers

Related posts:

1. Business Plan: Financial Projections
2. Business Plan: Projected Financial Statements
3. Business Plan: Management Team