Thursday - February 01, 2007
Ever hear of a 200 year old chamber of commerce? Well, that's how old the Meadville, PA Chamber is, and its president, Charlie Anderson, joins Jim to talk about how he and his organization came to be and how they're celebrating their bi-centennial.
Don't believe what you've been hearing about the death of real estate. Dolf and Jim talk about why real estate is still one of the best investment options available.
Joan and Jim talk about the complicated issue of lowering C02 emissions, while simultaneously meeting the increased demand for energy of all kinds. They also talk about the prospects for some of the legislative issues being debated in Congress, and other current events.
Friday - February 02, 2007
Business ownership is a journey that can take you in directions you didn't expect, and Bev joins Jim to talk about the success story of one small business while on their journey.
Rich joins Jim to talk about how the Democrat Congressional majority is doing in their first month in business, plus his thoughts on the 2008 presidential campaigns.
If you sell your professional services, like a consultant, for example, setting your fee schedule is one of your most important issues, and Kate talks with Jim about how to do that.
Ivan joins Jim to kick off International Networking Week, which is the first full week of February, and what activities are happening around the world. They also talk about what it means to be a successful networker.
Monday - February 05, 2007
Duane joins Jim as he broadcasts live from Meadville, Pennsylvania to help celebrate the Chamber of Commerce's 200th anniversary. Duan tells Jim how important all industry is to chambers of commerce, not just manufacturers. He also gives a history of his hospital.
Charlie gives Jim the history of the Meadville - Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce, the third chamber in the United States.
Jim is broadcasting live from the Meadville - Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce to help celebrate their 200th anniversary. Randy joins Jim to talk about Excalibur Machine Co, Inc., Pennsylvania's Small Business Of The Year.
Rud joins Jim as he helps celebrate the Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce's 200th anniversary to talk about the utility company and the future of electricity.
Juanita joins Jim live at the Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce to talk about the tourism industry during the celebration of their 200th anniversary.
Jim is broadcasting live from the Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce and Ike joins Jim to talk about the cable industry and the future of their technology.
Tuesday - February 06, 2007
Trish joins Jim for the first time during International Networking Week to talk about her theory of networking being basic communication and the importance of networking face to face.
Jim and Chester talk about the missing ingredient in leadership and what bosses can do to gain the trust of their employees.
Continuing his series on the fundamentals of small business, Jim explains what it takes to be a good manager.
Marlo joins Jim to talk about recent global warming bills and the resulting regulatory costs.
Wednesday - February 07, 2007
Email marketing is still a great small business tool, and Ryan joins Jim to talk about why, and how to do it successfully.
Are you ever short on cash, even though your business is doing well and you think you're running it well? The problem might be in your warehouse, not your cash register, and Steve Martin and Jim Blasingame talk about how that could be and how to fix it on the small business radio program, The Small Business Advocate Show.
Leveraging intellectual property is a 21st century perspective that is necessary for all small business owners, and Jim talks about why and how to incorporate this perspective into your management philosophy.
Should we ever ease up on our tendencies to make things happen and just let things happen? Jennifer talks with Jim about this and answers the question with examples of why we might want to loosen up a little.
Thursday - February 08, 2007
What do you do with your small business when you travel? Jeff Zbar and Jim Blasingame, small business expert, talk about this on The Small Business Advocate Show.
Regulations are costing small businesses more every year, and Bill joins Jim to talk about something President Bush is doing about that.
The economy is defying the news media and clicking right along, and Joan talks with Jim about why, plus some good and bad news for small business.
One of the true champions of small business, Senator Mike Enzi joins Jim to talk about the debate over minimum wage and small business health plans, among other topics. Don't miss this interview with this very important Senator.
One of the true champions of small business, Senator Mike Enzi joins Jim to talk about the debate over minimum wage and small business health plans, among other topics. Don't miss this interview with this very important Senator.
Friday - February 09, 2007
Are you a Sparklebrain? Or a cross-dominant? If you are, you have your own organizational style, and Liz joins Jim to talk about how to determine what your personality type needs to do to get organized.
Helping Jim celebrate International Networking Week, Andrea and Jim talk about what it takes to be an effective and successful networker.
It's tax preparing time again, and Barbara talks with Jim about some of the things we need to be doing, including key dates, as well as some news about what Congress is planning for small business taxes.
Are we letting our ability to verify the work of others erode the element of trust in the marketplace? Stephen joins Jim to talk about this and other issues concerning trust, which is clearly the eternal glue that hold our marketplace together.
Monday - February 12, 2007
With Hispanics now the largest minority in the U.S., Herman talks with Jim about what this group should be doing to make sure that everyone has a shot at the American dream.
Dr. Schwartz joins Jim on Lincoln's birthday to talk about why after all this time, the life of our 16th president is still someone we should study.
PR is part of the marketing low-hanging fruit small businesses can take advantage of, and Lauren talks with Jim about how to accomplish that.
More government organizations should be focusing on supporting small business instead of spending all their resources on trying to land the next big plant. Tom talks with Jim about why, and they go on to talk about some good news with EPA compliance for small business.
Tuesday - February 13, 2007
Tom talks with Jim about how he started his $200 million business on a napkin. In this first-time visit with one of America's great entrepreneurs, Tom talks about how to get that first funding.
Checking in with his monthly report on the economic conditions of the marketplace, Sam joins Jim with good news, as reported by his 600+ partners.
There is a bill before the House of Representatives that if passed, would provide a tax credit for angel investors who invest in small businesses, and Barbara joins Jim to talk about the details and what has to be done to get this bill through.
One of the 21st century keys to small business success is to recognize what you're good at and focus your activity on those things, and Michael joins Jim to discuss how to become and stay focused.
Wednesday - February 14, 2007
It's all about the customer, and Jim talks with you about how to make sure you always keep that in mind when dealing with these very important people.
Karen joins Jim to talk about some projects she's working on, including: the next assault on small business from Congress, which is the so-called "Employee Free Choice Act," and the evolving impact of Sarbanes-Oxley law, and how these are and will hurt small businesses.
Are you sleep deprived? Do you take naps in the middle of the day? Sara joins Jim to talk about what is being called the sleep deprivation epidemic, and why we should be talking naps during the day.
There is nothing new about office romance, but Bonnie talks with Jim about the importance for small business to be proactive about establishing the company's policies about fraternization, harassment and other relationship issues for employees.
Thursday - February 15, 2007
One of the most challenging issues for home-based businesses is local zoning restrictions, coupled with ignorance about the impact of a home-based business, and Beverley talks with Jim about how to handle this.
Elvis Presley's heirs lost 73% of his estate value to taxes. Rick talks with Jim about this and other estate planning nightmares he's seen and what we can do to avoid them.
Beginning their visit with some of Jim's sarcasm about the global warming wack-jobs not being able to debate the issue -- due to cold weather, Jim and Joan move on to talk about Fed Chairman Bernanke's speech to Congress and what he had to say about the economy. They wrap up with thoughts on the relative health of independent banks and something called reverse mergers.
Friday - February 16, 2007
Minimum wage is an economic fact of life for small businesses, and Bill talks with Jim about some of the guidelines and issues associated with paying minimum wage, including the differences between the Federal rate and local rates.
The Rehnquist court didn't turn out to be as conservative as those on the right would have liked, and Jan joins Jim to talk about this very interesting group of nine.
Jim talks about why knowing the difference between what customers need and what they want is essential to small business survival in the 21st century.
Contrary to what you're hearing in the mainstream news media, there are many good things happening in Iraq, and June Reed, one of the courageous American's who are working in Iraq, joins Jim from Baghdad to talk about some of the things you won't get anywhere else, except on The Small Business Advocate show.
Monday - February 19, 2007
Continuing his series on Small Business Fundamentals, Jim talks about how to become a better marketer by making sure you know what is keeping your customers up at night, and how that information turns into ROI.
Bill and Jim talk about what small business owners are saying about the current and near-future economy, which is pretty good, by the way. They also talk about a decision by the Fed to pursue a new inflation decision.
When English speaking Americans try to communicate with others who speak English as a second language, there are certain steps that should be taken, and Renee joins Jim to talk about them.
First, we have a visit from President Abraham Lincoln, who, among other things, will recite his Gettysburg Address. Then Gene joins Jim to talk about some of the tips we've learned from Lincoln on how to be a better communicator.
Tuesday - February 20, 2007
Want to start your small business from scratch, Michelle joins Jim to talk about how to make that happen, but you have to be patient.
The world being flat may may be a good thing, as Thomas Freidman says, but it won't help if the government puts up protectionist walls, and Steve talks with Jim about some of the things we need to focus on to make sure our flat global economic and innovative world flourishes without walls.
Imagine an American going to the home of golf, Scotland, and building a golf course in the middle of the most historic golf area on the planet. Well, Jerry is doing that and he joins Jim to talk about how.
Listen to Brian and Jim talk about the challenges and opportunities for 21st century entrepreneurs.
Wednesday - February 21, 2007
Continuing his series on business fundamentals, Jim talks about how to make your company indispensable to your customers.
Rich and Jim talk about the current issues on the Iraq war and then move on to who is going to be the most likely to emerge as the presidential nominee a year from now.
Priscilla talks with Jim about how to use the media to help you market your business, as well as how to use blogs to promote your small business.
Since cash is king, cash management must be one of the most important tasks of any small business, and Kenny talks with Jim about how to use credit tools and technology to help you improve your own cash management
Thursday - February 22, 2007
Jeff Zbar and Jim Blasingame talk about the fact that business travel is heavily influenced these days for good and bad: It's bad when you go through the airports with all of your technology, and it's good because many of the new technologies allow you to take less stuff.
It's President Washington's 275th birthday, and Dennis joins Jim to talk about the life and times, and impact, of this great American.
Jim and Joan talk about how as the 21st century marketplace evolves, the great challenge is getting the newly unemployed from 20th century jobs transferred to the often unfilled 21st century assignments. They go on to talk about the new way the Fed is looking at the twin challenges of unemployment and inflation, why you should do your due diligence when picking a professional employer organization, and finally, a look as some of the tax incentives that are being packaged with the minimum wage increase.
Friday - February 23, 2007
For the real scoop on what it takes to start your business from scratch and turn it into a million dollar opportunity, listen to Kim's story as she tells it to Jim.
Even though a business owner may tell you they want to sell their business doesn't mean they're ready, and Russ and Jim talk about how to deal with this issue when buying or selling a business.
If you want your elected officials to do your bidding, you have to tell them what you want, and Stephanie joins Jim to talk about the most effective ways to make sure your message is heard by your Congressional delegation.
The minimum wage is going to be increased, but hopefully with some small business benefits included, and Paul talks with Jim about some of those issues that will be good for small business. They go on to talk about the negative impact of Sarbanes-Oxley on public companies and those that want to become public.
Monday - February 26, 2007
Microsoft has it's newest operating system, Vista, available, and Alan talks with Jim about it and whether anyone should pay the money and convert. They also talk about the potential threat that Google is, and could be, to Microsoft.
The secret ballot system of union organizing will convert to a system where everyone will know how an employee voted if a new bill being introduced by the Democrats passes, and Kevin talks with Jim about this bill and how its passage could hurt small businesses.
How do you know when to grow? When do you grow? How do you grow? These are all questions that Steve answers during this visit with Jim. Don't miss it.
Want to cause your business to grow without spending any money? Arky talks with Jim about how to grow more efficiently and successfully merely by understanding and executing the elements of trust. This really works.
Tuesday - February 27, 2007
Woodie joins Jim as he broadcasts live from the North Carolina Entrepreneurship Summit to talk about the event and why public policy is important for entrepreneurship.
<br></["br"]>
Jim and Scott discuss some challenges facing entrepreneurs today and resources that are available to help with those challenges.
Jim and Lenna are in North Carolina where Lenna co-owns and runs a wine company. They talk about the wine industry in North Carolina and also being a woman owned business.
<br></["br"]>
Jim broadcasts live from North Carolina, Jose's home state, as they talk about Latino entrepreneurs and his company, Que Pasa Media.
Jane joins Jim live at the North Carolina Entrepreneurship Summit to talk about how technology impacts entrepreneurship and what the e-NC authority is doing to tie the two together.
<br></["br"]>
George joins Jim live in Raleigh, North Carolina to talk about how community colleges can be a nucleus for community support to entrepreneurs.
Wednesday - February 28, 2007
Are you tracking your business financial activity on a regular (monthly) basis? Ruth joins Jim to talk about why you should and how to do it.
Telecommunications are more and more a major part of our lives and businesses, and Annabel talks with Jim about some of the telecom mergers and technologies that we need to know about.
The best solution to having good people working for you is to not lose the good people you have. The best way to do that is to provide competitive benefits, and Jerry and Julie join Jim to talk about what Julie's company did to become one of Principal's 10 Best Companies offering employee benefits.
<br><br></["br"]></["br"]>
Continuing his series on business fundamentals, Jim talks about the importance of leveraging technology in small business, including why it's easier than ever.
