Thursday - March 01, 2007
What do you do when you're home-based and winter weather gets you down? Bev talks about this with Jim, after they talk about the impact women have had in history.
Over 80% of U.S. exporters have fewer than 10 employees, and Jim M talks with Jim B about some of the current and perennial issues facing these companies, including finance, resources and trade agreements.
Joan and Jim begin their visit talking about the Employee Free Choice Act (Jim doesn't like it), then they move on to what caused much of the stock market drop this week, and then to housing, energy and politics, among other topics.
Friday - March 02, 2007
Barbara and Elizabeth (mother and daughter) join Jim to talk about what they learned about themselves by taking a 2000 mile sailing trip together, and they talk about how we can apply what they learned in our small businesses.
All small businesses create intellectual property of some kind, the question is how are they protecting it, and David joins Jim to talk about how to get started valuing and protecting your IP.
Continuing his series on business fundamentals, Jim talks about how to leverage technology in ways that are good for humans, including employees and especially customers.
Monday - March 05, 2007
What's the best route for humans to take to reduce our reliance on carbon fuels? Tom joins Jim to talk about his (and Jim's) ideas on this topic.
Is your Web site optimized for search engines and those customers you want to reach? Laurie talks with Jim about why this is important and how to make it happen.
There may be a niche out there for companies that are environmentally friendly to demonstrate that corporate value to prospective customers, and Ilise talks with Jim about this.
The European Union is continuing it's assault on Microsoft, and Jonathan talks with Jim about what's happening and why this should be interesting and important to small businesses.
Tuesday - March 06, 2007
Juliette, a young entrepreneur, joins Jim for the first time to tell how she started her company to give "tweens" a fun, interactive place on the Internet.
Jim and Tom discuss how to leverage your brand to your advantage, including phenomenal customer service.
Pamela joins Jim to talk about managing expectations not only for yourself, but also for your employees.
Anna joins Jim for the first time to explain why employee screening and background checks are so important to small businesses. She also explains the procedure for conducting screenings.
Wednesday - March 07, 2007
Jim continues his series on Small Business Fundamentals with a discussion of how public policy is an important element of being a good small business manager.
As the Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, Congressman Chabot talks with Jim about some of the critical small business issues that are being debated in Congress, including tax issues, minimum wage, the union organization bill, and others.
Intellectual property (IP) is becoming increasingly important for small businesses and Henry talks with Jim about some of the things small business owners should be doing to maximize their IP.
At a time when we're all focusing on getting our tax returns together and filed, Doug talks with Jim about why it may be a good idea to file extensions, plus other tax advice for last year's filings and to do planning for the current tax year.
Thursday - March 08, 2007
Managing cash is perhaps the most critical issue for any small business, and Bev talks with Jim about the fact that the money in your business' bank account, or in your cash register, doesn't belong to you; it belongs to your business.
Sam joins Jim to report that the economy, according to the poll he takes of his 600+ professional managers around the country, is like Goldilocks and her favorite porridge, just right.
Beginning with the state of the economy, Joan and Jim report that it's doing pretty darn well, with most sectors showing at least reasonable health, if not growth, especially from consumers. They go on to talk about what Congress is doing to regarding taxes, especially with regard to the alternative minimum tax. Next up is alternative fuels, like ethanol, then the volatility of the Chinese capital markets, and finally, insuring our coastal real estate.
Friday - March 09, 2007
When should a small business incorporate; how should it incorporate; how much does it cost? These are the questions Deborah talks with Jim about.
What is your business doing about diversity, both in employment opportunities and customer base? Andrew joins Jim to talk about diversity not only as the right thing to do, but as importantly, as a best practice.
What do you know about your customers and the relationship you have with them? Scott talks with Jim about the importance of knowing this information and how to acquire it.
What can happen when an entire community is connected with a central wireless Internet network? Glenn talks with Jim about the benefits of having a "wireless city."
Monday - March 12, 2007
Listen to Phyllis as she joins Jim to talk about the importance of using proper grammar as well as the correct words.
It's Women's History Month and Beverly talks with Jim about the women who are important in our history, as well as what is being done to help the women of the present and future.
We all have important business records, and some of us organize them well, but do you know how long to keep them? Teri talks with Jim about how to get and stay organized, and she answers the record retention questions.
Tim joins Jim with his Top 10 List of business planning essentials, and believe it or not, they get through all ten. Don't miss this one!
Tuesday - March 13, 2007
It's National Organize Your Home Office day, and Stephanie joins Jim to talk about some of the smart things we can do to get our offices organized and more productive.
It's time to either file our corporate returns or an extension, and Barb talks with Jim about some of the things we need to know about tax preparation for last year and tax planning for this tax year.
Wrapping up his series on small business fundamentals, Jim talks about how happiness is a critical element in small business success.
Beginning with a discussion on the problems created by Sarbanes-Oxley and the hypocrisy of some of our members of Congress on the Employee Free Choice Act, Rich and Jim talk continue with a discussion on the Libby verdict, what would the middle east look like if we had not gone into Iraq in 2003, and finally, what the presidential candidates are looking like today.
Wednesday - March 14, 2007
Why aren't women more supportive of each other? What do women have to do to help each other and themselves? Nan talks about this with Jim, and Jim tries to make sure he doesn't get himself into trouble with this topic.
Rick joins Jim to talk about some of the tools financial planners use to help their clients. You can use this information as you interview financial planner prospects.
Creativity may be the most valuable skill you have and yet the most unused. Fred talks with Jim about how to use your creativity the the maximum, and how that can turn into a return on investment.
How can you grow your business without creating a casualty list? Dave and Jim talk about how improving the people in your organization -- including yourself -- may be the key to outrageous growth without casualties.
Thursday - March 15, 2007
Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to talk about some of the critical tools every small business traveler must have, including computer and technology bags.
Celebrating International Brain Awareness Week, Pierce talks with Jim about some of the things we can do to make sure your brain -- and the brains of your employees -- are fully functioning to the maximum level possible, including what you should eat to feed your brain.
Joan and Jim begin their visit talking about the importance of not confusing what happens on Wall Street with the fundamental strength of the economy of Main Street. They go on to talk about how states are preparing to raise taxes, in the face of already record tax revenue collections. Next they discuss the national employment situation, onerous government regulations, how to hire our young veterans, and whether it is actually possible for a Vice President to be a lame duck.
Friday - March 16, 2007
DWD, or driving while distracted, is an old problem that has gotten worse, with all of the technology we use in our cars. Bill talks with Jim about how all of this can harm a small business and what to do about it.
Joining Jim from Ireland to help him celebrate St. Patrick's Day, John talks with Jim about how the holiday is celebrated in Ireland, plus all of the wonderful Irish wisdom that John is known for. This is one of Jim's favorite interviews.
Dealing with the transitional stage of our aging parents has become a national conversation, according to Barbara, who along with her husband, co-author and long-time Brain Trust member, Jim Ballard, joins our Jim B to talk about this very important topic.
Jim has been a longtime supporter of the SBA's Business Matchmaking, and David joins Jim to talk about this highly successful program, and what it looks like for 2007.
Jim takes a few minutes to thank his listeners for their prayers for his son, Craig, who has just returned from his second tour in the Iraq Al Anbar province. And he has a few things to say about our men and women in the military.
Monday - March 19, 2007
Fear doesn't have to be a negative emotion and Joe talks with Jim about how to manage fear, instead of letting it cause you problems.
Chris joins Jim to talk about some of the myths of the global warming hysteria.
Focusing on core competencies is critical for all entrepreneurs, and Ann talks with Jim about why this is especially true for women.
What does the global picture look like for women who want to start a business? Elaine joins Jim to talk about the most recent GEM report on women entrepreneurship, how much progress has been made since the last report, and what still needs to be done.
Tuesday - March 20, 2007
Are your plans working out? Is your business where you think it should be? If not, it's possible that you're aiming too low. Jim talks about the importance of aiming a little too high, even if you miss.
How will the challenges of the mortgage industry impact your small business? Mike joins Jim to talk about this and other issues that impact your relationship with your bank.
Will Baby Boomers be able to sell their businesses in the next 5 to 10 years? John talks with Jim about the impact of the generational waves on Boomers' exit strategies.
It's okay to look at a success model and want to follow it, but not at the expense of denying your own unique way of executing your plan. Marc talks with Jim about how to value your uniqueness and use it to your advantage.
Wednesday - March 21, 2007
One of the organizations Jim supports is the Wounded Warrior program, for our men and women who have been wounded in battle. Jo joins Jim to talk about what she is doing in support of their families, spouses and children, whose lives have been so significantly impacted.
So you've got an idea. What are you going to do with it? Jeff talks with Jim about the concept of licensing as an option to patenting. He also provides a website where you can get free books on licensing.
Are the members of Generation X aloof and self-absorbed, or are they just demanding that those of us who are older actually do what we say. Mike and Jim talk about the very interesting relationship between the generations.
Bill talks with Jim about the fact that the sub-prime lending meltdown has been overblown, what small business owners are telling him about how the economy is doing, and what the Fed is going to do with interest rates
Thursday - March 22, 2007
On the 550th anniversary of the first Gutenberg bible, Bev and Jim talk about how home-based businesses have benefited from the intellectual journey that was begun by Mr. Gutenberg's press.
On the 550th anniversary of the first Gutenberg bible, which gave rise to the intellectual journey humans have been on ever since, Russ and Jim talk about how much value intangible assets, intellectual property, has increased and is now a very important part of the sale price of businesses that are being sold.
On the 550th anniversary of the first Gutenberg bible, Joan and Jim talk about the tempest in the teapot that is caused by the sub par mortgage industry meltdown. They go on to talk about the Fed's decision to keep rates level, price increases in the travel and vacation industry, news about hybrid cars, new regs on access for the disables in new and renovated buildings, and several other topics.
Friday - March 23, 2007
Are you a procrastinator? Listen as Bob talks with Jim about how to use the "Five D's of productivity" to fight off the procrastinator inside of you.
Online video is all the rage, but could it be a marketing tool for your small business? Listen as Ken talks with Jim about some ideas on how you can used video as part of your marketing strategy.
Failure is successfully identifying what doesn't work, and Stuart has plenty of that in his past. Listen in as he joins Jim to talk about his failures as well as his many great entrepreneurial successes, and what you can learn from them.
How would you like to reduce your chances of being audited by the IRS? Well, Macey talks with Jim about some things you can do to avoid the dreaded tax audit.
Monday - March 26, 2007
What can small business owners learn from Wal-Mart? Bill joins Jim to talk about that, plus what we need to know about how to compete with any big box.
Are you reacting to change in the marketplace? Tony and Jim talk about how to stop reacting and start leading change. The difference is the difference between success and ... that other thing.
Be prepared to be amazed at what Caroline tells Jim about the level of intellectual property theft America is experiencing at the hands of the Chinese. They also talk about what we can do about it.
What kind of manager would your employees say you are? Steve talks with Jim about the importance of learning how to be a "hands-off manager," with everyone still knowing that you're the one where the buck stops.
Tuesday - March 27, 2007
Having just returned from CeBIT, in Germany, the world's largest consumer electronics trade show, Doug talks about how this event can be the gateway to the world for U.S. small businesses that want to export. They also talk about how other industries offer similar trade shows that aggregate prospects from around the world, and how the Department of Commerce can help. Doug also talks about an upcoming Webinar on doing business in the Pacific Rim.
Jim congratulates Richard on having been named the top economist in the U.S., by U.S.A. Today, as they talk about what impact the sub-prime lending meltdown will have on the economy. Richard also give his thoughts on how the economy will perform for the rest of the year.
Mary and Jim begin their visit talking about the size of the economy created by U.S. small businesses, and then move on to talk about the importance for women-owned businesses to look into becoming certified to do business with larger corporations and the federal government.
Are you tracking the sales activity of your sales staff and projecting the likelihood that a prospect will become a customer? Geary and Jim talk about why you must be tracking prospect development and customer relationships if you want to survive in the 21st century.
Wednesday - March 28, 2007
What's the difference between a business' brand and it's owner's personal brand? How is a small business brand different from big business? Listen as Catherine and Jim talk about these topics and provide answers that will help you.
What are the keys to selling success in the 21st century. Listen in as Skip and Jim share their ideas on this topic.
There are definite trends in retirement plans and how employees and employers use them in the 21st century, and Barrie reports on those trends in this visit with Jim, and they discuss what all of this means for small businesses.
What are some of the similarities of a consulting practice to a law practice? Judge Huss and Jim talk about these issues, especially one very important connection -- ethics.
Thursday - March 29, 2007
Patience is a major virtue for anyone starting a small business, and Jeff Zbar and small business expert Jim Blasingametalk about how you can start your new business idea while being employment full-time on the Small Business Advocate Show.
Small businesses should pay more attention to the generational and demographic forces, and Ken and Jim talk about some of the issues that will encourage and help you incorporate this discipline in your own marketing strategy.
Joan and Jim begin their visit talking about the current crisis regarding the British sailors who have been taken captured by Iran. They move on to talk about how many in Congress want to tie the funding of the Iraq war to a specific withdrawal date. Next they discuss new legal services available online, how Russia is rivaling China as a thief of U.S. intellectual property, and finally, recent decisions made by the Fed.
Friday - March 30, 2007
If something unfortunate happened with your business and it became public knowledge, what would be your response to the press, to the public? Randi joins Jim to talk about how to be prepared for such an event -- which does happen to small businesses, too.
Announcing his second Small Business Awards Gala, Robert joins Jim to talk about what we can learn from the best practices of some of last year's winners.
Change is not only with us, but the velocity of change is increasing. Rick talks with Jim about how to initiate and lead change successfully by the way you introduce and execute it with your people.
Marketing is one of the most important management fundamentals and one of the areas that small businesses need to work on, and Jan and Jim talk about how to start small and grow into a professional management strategy.
