Friday - December 01, 2006
An Entrepreneur of the Year nominee, Jenn talks with Jim about what it takes to compete in this highly competitive industry.
An Entrepreneur of the Year nominee, Mike talks with Jim about helping small business owners with the financial products and services required to operate a successful business.
An Entrepreneur of the Year nominee, Danny explains how he is successful even though his company only works on two car models, Toyota and Lexus.
An Entrepreneur of the Year nominee, Allison talks with Jim about how an attorney gets recognized as an entrepreneur.
An Entrepreneur of the Year nominee, Marc talks with Jim about the accounts receivable financing business, and how small businesses can benefit from this service.
Entrepreneur of the Year nominees, the Sher brothers talk with Jim about helping small business owners collect their receivables quicker.
Russell and Dan join Jim to talk about the Chamber's Entrepreneur Round Table program, which is a model for other chambers around the country.
Monday - December 04, 2006
The human impact on global warming is a controversial issue that must be addresses with fairness for all countries. Marlo joins Jim to talk about a current court case where the Supreme Court is being asked to rule on a lawsuit that would not be fair for America's small businesses.
The 21st century is a new era in the marketplace and next year is the next installment of this new era for small businesses. Tom talks with Jim about what to expect from customers next year and how to deliver what customers want.
Hiring the right people for the job is one area that most small business owners are just not very good at. Stephen talks with Jim about how to fix this deficiency.
It is possible for small businesses to create and dominate new markets, but not without understanding a few guidelines. Peter joins Jim to talk about some of the key guidelines necessary to be a dominant small business.
Tuesday - December 05, 2006
Starting a small business is increasing as an option for our military veterans, including those who are disabled, like those wounded in the line of duty. Charles joins Jim to talk about a program that is helping these disabled veterans to be more successful.
Dawn lost her right arm standing a post as an Army officer in Iraq. She now is a small business owner who has an important story to tell about herself and others who have paid this sacrifice for her country.
Elections matter. Don joins Jim to talk about how the Democrats control of Congress is already having an impact. They also talk about the likely Democrat presidential candidates for 2008.
Pricing of products and services is a critical element of any small business marketing plan, and Sean joins Jim to talk about how to have an effective pricing strategy.
Getting more sales is the single most important goal of any salesperson, and Brad talks with Jim about some of the key fundamentals needed to get more sales.
Wednesday - December 06, 2006
The holidays are a time of great joy for many, but not so much for some. Jim D joins Jim B to talk about some ways to be happy during this time of the year.
The key to success funding and delivering healthcare is portability, not the 20th century employer-based model. Dr. Gratzer talks with Jim about how this can be done and why it's good for small businesses. The first segment of this interview has Dr. G talking about his thoughts on arguably the greatest economist of the past century, the late Milton Freeman.
Starting a small business is increasing as an option for our military veterans, including those who are disabled, like those wounded in the line of duty. Charles joins Jim to talk for the second day in a row about a program that is helping these disabled veterans to be more successful.
Tracy lost two fingers and his left eye in an ambush in Iraq in 2003. He now is a small business owner who has an important story to tell about himself and others who have paid this sacrifice for her country, and what he's doing as a small business owner.
Being so moved by the spirit of Tracy Reep, Jim takes a few minutes to talk about his thoughts by reflecting on something Winston Churchill said during WWII.
It's time to finalize our end-of-the-year tax planning to make sure we've covered all the bases, and Eva joins Jim to provide some reminders.
Thursday - December 07, 2006
All of us should listen to what our bodies are telling us are warning signs about potential health problems. Beverley will talk with Jim first about a recent health issue she had and what she learned. They go on to talk about how to make sure you have enough capital to start your home-based business.
Sometimes small businesses feel that their biggest enemies are politicians who pass legislation, and impose regulations and taxes, that are harmful to them. John joins Jim to talk about what small businesses can expect out of the 109th Congress, now lead by the Democrats.
Joan and Jim begin their visit discussing some of the key issues of the Iraq Study Group report, which drags some hard truth about the future in Iraq into the sunlight. They move on to talk about the insurance industry, some of the key economic indicators that are being projected for 2007, and some news about venture capital.
Friday - December 08, 2006
Everyone shops, but why do people shop where they do? Pam joins Jim to talk about what you have to do to get customers to shop with you -- and then come back.
The economy is chugging along quite nicely, and Sam joins Jim to explain why your small business should be thinking positive about it.
Cold calling is a lost art and we're better off because of it. Joanne talks with Jim about why referral selling is infinitely better than cold--calling.
The 109th Congress will be taking over soon, and Governor DuPont joins Jim to talk about what that new leadership will do for -- or to -- small businesses.
Monday - December 11, 2006
Networking doesn't just happen, it takes planning and practice. Kelle joins Jim to explain how to grow your business by becoming a more effective networking.
Small business is the backbone of the U.S. economy, and Chad joins Jim to talk about how well small business is doing in America. The news is good, by the way.
Selling is both a science and an art, and Jeff talks with Jim about how to be good at both elements of sales success in your small business.
Helping small businesses to more effectively leverage technology requires a guy like Ramon Ray, who joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the next generation of Spam and what to do about it, as well as when to upgrade to Microsoft's new operating system, Vista.
Tuesday - December 12, 2006
Some of the most effective tools managers can use to motivate employees cost nothing but produce a lot. Rodd joins Jim to identify these tools and talk about how to use them.
There are more good things going on in Iraq than you can get listening to the mainstream media. June joins Jim from Baghdad, Iraq to talk about some of these things.
The key to having customers who are motivated to come back is to have motivated employees. Paul and Jim talk about some of the ways to motivate your employees.
As small business owners make plans for next year, the question is, "how is the economy doing and how will that impact my business?" Richard and Jim talk about the economic conditions in the U.S., what next year will be like, and what the Fed will do with interest rates.
Wednesday - December 13, 2006
More and more customers are talking about your company online. Ben joins Jim to talk about how to get in front of this and take advantage of it.
Did you know it's possible to succeed yourself right out of business? Tony and Jim talk about two case studies where this almost happened, and how you can avoid it.
Content is king in the 21st century online world. Gerry talks with Jim about how small business owners can rule with content.
There are always pressing things on the minds of small business owners. Jan talks with Jim about some of the issues that small business owners are the most concerned about.
Thursday - December 14, 2006
With an initial discussion of the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah, Jeff Zbar and Jim Blasingame then talk about what small business owners should be doing to get ready for 2007.
Getting ready for the new year is an important part of December activity for small businesses, and Paul talks with Jim about some of the areas we should all be thinking about to help make the new year a great one.
Joan and Jim talk about adjusted outlook for the 2007 economy, the labor market, prospects for housing, minimum wage, President Bush's domestic agenda, and some tips for small businesses.
Friday - December 15, 2006
Our social security numbers are unique to use, and Bill joins Jim to talk about how and when NOT to use them.
A visit with one of our top political operatives, Rich talks with Jim about some of the key issues of the day, including the new Democrat controlled Congress.
One of the ways to differentiate your business is to deliver extreme customer service, and Anders joins Jim to talk about how they do this at Pike Place Fish.
It's not enough to be a positive thinker, Rosaline joins Jim to talk about how to be optimal thinkers, regardless of whether you consider yourself to be a positive person or not.
Monday - December 18, 2006
There is a direct connection between customer retention and employee retention, and Quint joins Jim to talk about how to accomplish both of these on the way to small business success.
The most important things for small business to know about effective communication is to shut up and listen. Debra and Jim talk about some of the best ways to accomplish this difficult skill.
Selling in the 21st century is different in many ways from selling in the last century, and Rob talks with Jim about how to make sure your small business is making the proper adjustments for the new century customers.
The economy is doing pretty well, according to the small business owners Bill polls every month, and he and Jim talk about some of the things his respondents told him about how they're doing.
Tuesday - December 19, 2006
Honesty is important, especially with ourselves. Steven joins Jim to talk about how to have honest communication with ourselves, and what benefits will follow.
China is still a mixed bag of challenge and opportunity for the U.S., and Ted talks with Jim about whether there is any progress on the issues of doing business with, and competing against, China.
Satisfied employees are not as effective as engaged employees, and Leigh talks with Jim about how small business owners can find and keep employees who are engaged.
Web 2.0 is the term being used to describe the newest Internet technologies, applications and practices, and Anita and Jim talk about these elements and how small business can use them to their advantage.
Wednesday - December 20, 2006
Everyone needs to pay attention to how we act in professional settings, especially during the holidays, and Colleen joins Jim to talk about some of these dos and don'ts.
Year-end is always a good time for small business owners to make last minute checks of our financial plan while getting the new year plan ready, and Rick talks with Jim about some of the key financial planning and tax areas to look at.
Truth is a key element of successful management and Robert talks with Jim about how to use truth as an indispensable tool.
The hiring of any employees in a small business is a very important task, but especially when we're hiring sales people. Josh and Jim talk about how to conduct this process successfully.
Thursday - December 21, 2006
The holiday season is a good time to subordinate yourself to the needs of others, and Bev and Jim talk about some of the ways to make that happen.
Family businesses are always challenging, but especially during the holidays, and Ellen talks with Jim about some of the things families who work together can grow closer during the holidays, or at least not hurt each other.
Joan joins Jim to report on the most recent Kiplinger Letter, including discussions about the U.S. military readiness, the U.S. automobile industry, the Fed's new inflation standard, and other items of current interest.
Friday - December 22, 2006
Christmas is a very important time of year for millions of people around the world, but what do you really know about it? Ken joins Jim to dispel some of the myths of Christmas.
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Our employees are the ones who tough most of the customers, so why don't we do a better job with them? Scott and Jim talk about how to make sure you're maximizing this very important relationship we have with our internal customers.
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Many successful marketing strategies actually blend old technologies with new ones. David joins Jim to talk about how to use the Internet to get your marketing message on television, even in your local market.
Visionaries have been talking about networking for decades, but what is the future of networking. Ivan is one of the world's top networking experts and he joins Jim to talk about the future of this very important element of small business success.
Monday - December 25, 2006
Jim is broadcasting his 10th consecutive live Christmas show since he began in 1997, where he quotes some of history's smart people on the topic of the day, including the concept of faith. And of course, he always has something special to say about our men and women in the U.S. military, who are standing a post around the world on behalf of all of us.
For the first time ever, Jim talks with an entire family, his friends, the Dilenschneiders, about what Christmas means to them.
Jim is broadcasting his 10th consecutive live Christmas show since he began in 1997, where he quotes some of history's smart people on the topic of the day, including the concept of faith. And of course, he always has something special to say about our men and women in the U.S. military, who are standing a post around the world on behalf of all of us.
As the end of the tax year nears, Barb and Jim talk about some of the last-minute steps small business owners should take to minimize their tax bill. Minimize, meaning avoidance, and evasion.
Jim wraps up his Christmas Day show with some last minute thoughts on faith, especially the kind we have in ourselves and others.
Tuesday - December 26, 2006
Leadership in the 21st century requires more partnering and less commanding, and Scott talks with Jim about how to pull this off in our small businesses.
More and more of your prospective customers are shopping online, which means that every company, without exception, should have a presence on the Internet -- even if you only sell locally. Laurie joins Jim to talk about how people are using search engines today, including local searches.
The keystone of effective leadership in the 21st century is trust, and Judith talks with Jim about the two most important ways that employees want to trust their leaders.
One of the most effective ways for small businesses to compete with big businesses for the best people is to offer competitive benefits packages, and Renee talks with Jim about how small business are able to do that in the 21st century.
Wednesday - December 27, 2006
With the new Democrat controlled Congress, tax increases are anticipated. Jeff joins Jim to talk about how bad things could get.
With virtually all the things we sell being commodities, the only way for small businesses to differentiate themselves from the competition is in the way they serve customers. Jack Michell talks with Jim Blasingameabout how to deliver world-class customer service on the small business radio program, The Small Business Advocate Show.
The younger generations are a lot different from their seniors -- the baby boomers -- in so many ways, and Ruth talks with Jim about how the "older folks" can do a better job of communicating with the kids.
The best way to have a great new year in sales is to get off to a fast start in January, and Skip and Jim talk about how to make that happen, including how to get referrals.
Thursday - December 28, 2006
Jim reviews his 2006 Crystal Ball Predictions and discusses what he said would happen, what actually happened, and his score for the year.
Just as you take stock of your investments at the end of the year, it's also a good idea to take stock of the value of your business, and Russell joins Jim to talk about how to do that.
Spring cleaning for a business should happen in December, and Jim talks about some of the December Cleaning steps every small business should take.
Gene joins Jim to talk about four critical tax savings steps you can take before the end of the year.
Friday - December 29, 2006
Creating profit in our small businesses is a very important goal and Bob joins Jim to talk about how to be more profitable.
The 110th Congress will convene with an attitude and Ray talks with Jim about whether this Congress will do things for small business, or to small business. Jim is not hopeful.
The Jims talk about how to recognize all of the love we're capable of and all of the love we receive, and then turn it into something productive in our small businesses.
One of the major keys to profitability can be found in the minds of our employees, and Steve talks with Jim about how small business owners can find outrageous profits by just asking these people sincere questions, listening to what they say, and then taking action accordingly.
