This week, “Getting Down to Business” invites the Rage City Rollergirls on the show to give listeners a lesson roller derby. They are hosting their 2010-11 season at the Dena’ina Center.
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!
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August’s issue of Business/News & Views® brings articles on marketing war, conflicting economic news, being a peerless competitor and some internet tips and tricks. Here’s a quick summary of each article:
Amanda Cullen asserts that “Marketing isn’t war on your customers,” and tells small businesses why using warlike metaphors could cut into their profits. She suggests more realistic alternatives and shows recent, real-life examples.
There’s “Good News & Bad News” on the economic recovery front. David Weatherholt analyzes the data and gives the economy a D+ grade for August. Read the article to find out why.
David weighs in again with his article “Be the Best II.” If you stand alone at the top of your market, your business will enjoy above average profits and regard.
Finally, “Protect Yourself with a Strong Password” gives you all the advice you need to keep your password-protected data safe.
Read now: Business/News & Views® – August 2010
My article on implementation for small businesses was in the latest issue of Business/News & Views®. Implementation is the last step in the long process of strategy and planning. Here’s an excerpt:
You’ve developed a strategy that informs where you want your company to go. You’ve involved your team in developing and planning for this strategy. Together, you’ve made sure this strategy communicates with customers in ways that are meaningful to them and ensures your company is easy to do business with. You’re probably feeling pretty satisfied with your progress. But your work has only just begun.
Read the full article: Implementation Means “Keep at It”
July’s Business/News & Views® contains great information and resources for small businesses. David Weatherholt encourages your company to “Be the Best” and introduces you to the process that can lead your business to the top. With similar intention, Amanda Cullen writes on implementation- tips to take your strategy to market.
David’s economic summary emphasizes the uncertainty businesses and consumers feel about the economic recovery. He describes this outlook with up-to-date analysis and data.
Finally, lighten things up a bit with “Four Common Errors on Social Media Strategy,” to help your business be smart about social media.
Read now: Business/News & Views® – July 2010
May’s issue of Business/News & Views® brings a bevy of great advice – from how to be a peerless competitor to defining your business’ future to helping shape the futures of graduates.
David Weatherholt brings great economic news, as he says that Prosperity Returns. For businesses looking to find new markets, we have news of a free international and trade seminar sponsored by the SBA.
And lastly, don’t miss out on some helpful technology tips.
Read Now: May 2010 Business/News & Views®
David starts off this “Getting Down to Business” by celebrating his first year on the radio and providing listeners with some great borrowing advice – how to start and maintain a close relationship with a bank.
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.
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David Weatherholt tells of his audit woes and talks marketing in this episode of “Getting Down to Business.” Even an accounting expert may be on the receiving end of an audit- Dave gives advice to small businesses on how to survive audits in this surprisingly entertaining segment.
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:
Listen or download below to take the test and see how your business stacks up!
When it comes to marketing, small businesses actually have many advantages over larger ones. In my article, “5 Small Business Marketing Rules,” I introduce the rules and a test for you to see how your marketing stacks up. In future articles, I’ll delve into each rule in detail.
Take the test and read the full article here: 5 Small Business Marketing Rules
Sponsored by the CEO Club.
All small business people manage issues that are beyond their areas of expertise. Interior designers need to manage finances. A CPA firm needs marketing. But how can you know you’re making the right decisions? You need a mentor who can help you “Learn How to Fish.”
Learn the benefits of business mentoring for you and read the full article here: Learn How to Fish
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.
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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.”
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.
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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?”
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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
In this first “Getting Down to Business” of 2010, Dave interviews Todd Clark, founder of DenakiTEK, an Anchorage-based IT-maintenance, consulting and technology firm. Todd started the company nine years ago and discusses the road he’s taken to success.
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.
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Dave Weatherholt interviews Kim and Blain Roberts, owners of Westport Winery in Aberdeen, WA. They are passionate about what they do and have built a successful small business. Listen for their advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs.
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.
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The December issue of Business/News & Views® is chock full of useful news and great advice for small businesses. In the news, David sees growth in the economy’s future with his Economic News Update. Amanda Cullen writes an article about creating great customer experiences and how that grows your profits. David weighs in with the importance of tracking your business’s performance numbers. He provides an easy-to-use cash flow statement and walks readers through each step in this helpful article. Finally, Kevin Donnigan details the seven top social networking sites for businesses– and how you can use them for your business.
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.
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Entrepreneurs Sydney Mitchell Dawn Walsh talk with David Weatherholt about their venture: a shoe store for women who love shoes beyond reason. Their store, Shoefly + Hudsons, is in Juneau, AK and appeals to shoe lovers in many creative ways– including hosting private parties.
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.
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David Weatherholt talks with Dan Sullivan, Mayor of Anchorage, about the relationship between government and small business. Throughout the decades, government regulation has been pilloried, but without some key legislation, our business environment would be unstable, recessions would be less predictable and small businesses would find it difficult to thrive.
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.
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Alaska Municipal Government, Small Business and Customer Relationships
Many of you know that starting a business takes hard work, long hours, low pay, and a lot of sacrifice. In fact, only five of every ten businesses will survive their first five years. It’s easy to look around and see examples of dying businesses and even ones that are thriving. However, these are extremes and easy to notice. What the public (and new business owners) don’t get a chance to see are the business owners who are plodding along, making small inroads, and making their dreams happen because they had a fantastic business plan.
Most successful entrepreneurs are highly motivated, focused and full of intention. Having a thoughtful and professionally written business plan will tip the odds in your favor. There are fifteen “must haves” for a good business plan. Each one takes time and thoughtful reflection to be done well. The first is a qualified business-planning consultant. When you hire a fully qualified business-planning consultant much of the stress of wondering whether you are fully informed about your market, product and future earnings will be alleviated as you turn over that task to a professional.
The second “must have” for a business plan is an executive summary and business concept. The executive summary is a statement of purpose and general overview of your plan: concept, product/service, market, operations, management, your company and the industry. Your business concept includes your mission statement, your background, current status, and future plans.
When describing the industry your business calls home, it is important for you to look for the characteristics, the participants and the trends that make your business unique.
The product or service you provide is often the focal point of any business. What is needed is a simple
explanation of the product features, the customer benefits, the stages of development, and future products and/or services.
Next describe the facilities in where your business will be located. You will describe the business location, any special transportation routes or vehicles needed, what the labor pool or employees consists of, and the availabilities of utilities to meet your needs.
Marketing is a key component to business success. Analysis of target markets will bring many important insights. When you profile target customers to understand the total person and their motivation for wanting a product or service like yours, you begin to understand how you can best serve that customer’s needs. Looking at market share, trends, and growth potential is an important part of the process.
A large portion of a thorough marketing summary includes the competition analysis for your business. What is your competitor’s profile? How does your product or service compare with that of your competition? Do you occupy a particular market niche? Is it possible that you share a segment of the market with another company or business? Finally, what are your strengths and weaknesses in relation to those of your competition? When working on the marketing piece of your business plan, a good one will have market penetration goals. It will cover pricing and packaging of your product or service. In addition it will include advertising, public relations, and promotions.
When planning the business structure and organization of your business, the management and ownership of the business are crucial. What type of business structure will you work from? Will you be an LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, partnership, or sole proprietorship? The list goes on and is worthy of some investigation. Who will manage your company? Is there a board of directors? Who owns the business? Are you or your business a member of any supporting professional assistance programs? Answering these questions will give you a clear picture of how your business will run.
Financial data and projections of your company are critical for assessing the outcome of your business. What is the source of funding for a start-up? Does it come from an owner, partners, stockholders, loans, or venture capital?
What do you plan to do with the money that is allocated? What are your business’s needs for start-up costs? Does the money you plan to have from the beginning cover your plans for expansion of the business? Will there be new construction? It’s also important to think about what equipment you need to successfully begin running your business. Do you have a budget set aside for your needed marketing campaign? Do you have enough working capital to draw from for any of these scenarios? For projected or pro forma financial performance, do you have detailed assumptions, a pro forma balance sheet, a pro forma income statement, or measures of performance?
In the final section of your business plan you will include supporting documentation which will add support to your plan. There are four areas to this: company and product/service support material, legal support materials, market support materials, and business structure and organization. When providing the company and product/service support material, the product and equipment specifications sheets may be helpful. In addition, photos of product, equipment, or facilities can be included.
This article has provided a template for creating a great business plan. Now start evaluating your mission, purpose, values, and motivation for launching or expanding a business. Then begin writing. Once it is complete, your business will have a schedule and plan, strategy and road map to the future. This will enable the plan to grow and change with your business as it becomes more successful.
On his radio show “Getting Down to Business,” David Weatherholt talks with Bob Poe, gubernatorial candidate for Alaska. Poe discusses his views on the relationship between government and small business– what it looks like currently and what he thinks it should be. This is a great opportunity for small businesses in Alaska to hear the candidate talk about issues affecting their livelihoods.
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.
David provides an economic update, relaying to listeners some good news for the economy.
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.
In October’s edition of Business/News & Views®, you will find some great advice on blogging for small business, pricing for profits and protecting your business’ wireless network. David Weatherholt also provides an economic summary, including unemployment figures, personal income and consumption and the national GDP.
We write Business/News & Views® for your small business, so we are certain you will find the articles informative and useful.
Having a great strategy is only the first step of a successful business. Dave’s show this week is about putting legs on your strategy and giving you tips for effective implementation.
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?
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An informative monthly newsletter loaded with solid advice and down-to-earth lessons on how to succeed in your marketplace. Our goal is to stimulate your creativity and provide the courage and knowledge you need to move to the next level in your business.
Editor David Weatherholt brings you business ideas, economic news and views from across the business community. We're proud to bring you advice you can use.
There are hundreds of thousands of small businesses. Each one of them has owners that spend their days working hard, trying to find the formula for success. Most of them could use good, solid business advice. Weatherholt & Associates, LLC is a consulting firm that helps these businesses discover their own personal formula for success.
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