Wednesday - April 04, 2007
How do you know if you have intuition? Listen as Nancy and Jim talk about how to allow your intuition to come out and be a useful part of you in life and business.
There is a difference between someone educating you about buying a franchise and someone helping you buy a franchise. Nick talks with Jim about this difference and how to get the most from both people.
If you don't have enough capital to start and grow your business, you should consider barter. Tune in as Brian talks with Jim about some tips and techniques to effective bartering.
The economy isn't slow, but it is slowing. Gene joins Jim to talk about what you should be doing to make sure that your business is as successful as possible, even when things are slower than last year.
Thursday - April 05, 2007
A huge factor in success as a home-based business is communication with the family, and Bev joins Jim to talk about why this is important and how to pull this off successfully.
Our litigious society combined with a predatory tort bar has created what Lawrence and others have identified as a tort tax totaling over $860 billion. Listen as Lawrence and Jim talk about why this has happened, what it means to small business, and what can be done to reduce this unnecessary burden on society and our economy.
A recent Supreme Court decision could cause the U.S. government to move in the direction of mandating stricter carbon emissions from cars. While this should make Al Gore happy, it could create severe economic problems and Myron and Jim talk about what this ruling could mean for small businesses.
How successful are you when you make a presentation to customers? If you think you could use a little help, listen as these two presentation veterans talk about some of the 21st century presentation fundamentals and tips that will help you make better presentations and close more sales
Friday - April 06, 2007
What are the great management principles? Listen as James and Jim talk about what it takes to be a great manager in the 21st century, including how to work with humans.
Women are doing great as small business owners, but not so well when it comes to getting government contracts. Terry joins Jim to explain this issue and what women can do about it.
Donna talks with Jim about global entrepreneurship first, and then they move on to talk about the 1st Women's Congress in Boston, and a little on women having access to capital.
Do you have a book inside of you? If you do, self-publishing may be the way to make it a reality, and Dan and Jim talk about their experiences and how you can become a published author.
Monday - April 09, 2007
Do you fear failure? Herman says you shouldn't, as he and Jim talk about how to fail your way to success.
What does it look like if your business is failing, and do you know how to get yourself out of that situation, whether to fix it or to close up? Bob and Jim talk about what they have seen and learned about knowing when to quit and when to keep going.
If you're thinking about starting a small business, or if you already have one but you're not having fun, Jim says either way, don't just be in business for business sake. Jim encourages you to be in a business that you love, so you can be successful and have fun.
The brain is something you can train and exercise, and Justin talks with Jim about how to understand when the brain can get you in trouble and how to train it to deliver better results.
Tuesday - April 10, 2007
Success can be sweet, unless it makes you think you're a little too smart. Bob talks with Jim about the dangers that can be part of success and how to manage it well.
Most economists admit that the U.S. tax cuts of 2003 have been good for the global economy, not just for the U.S., and John talks with Jim about how it's looking with regard to those cuts being made permanent.
Would you like to make money while you sleep? Bob joins Jim to talk about how to have an online marketing business, and keep your day job until you get it going.
Do you believe you're no more than 6 people away from anyone else in the world? JoAnna does and she and Jim talk about the importance of building relationships in accomplishing success in business and in life.
Wednesday - April 11, 2007
Jim begins by talking about some concerns he has about the way medicine has evolved today, with so many specialists focusing on their part of the body, but no one actually looking at the whole person, the patient.
Are you having trouble reconciling these two facts: you sell merchandise but you operate in the virtual digital age? Jim talks about how those who sell tangible goods can take advantage of the digital age as much as any other sector.
How is the economy where you are? Sam joins Jim to talk about what his 700 partners have reported to him from across the nation about how the economy is in their area, and what he thinks things look like nationally.
With more and more employees having access to the Internet, email, instant messaging, etc., how does a small business owner manage their the online behavior of their staff? Rick and Jim talk about how much surveillance is allowed by law, what you should do, how you should do it, and how to keep morale high while you're doing it.
Not knowing the difference between a feature and a benefit could actually contribute to failure. That's why Don and Jim talk about how to know the difference and how to use both to your advantage. Remember, a feature is important only to you, not to your customer.
Thursday - April 12, 2007
Jeff Zbar and Jim Blasingame talk about why it's important for small business owners to address security issues, and how to do it during an interview on the radio program The Small Business Advocate Show.
You've heard of Fantasy Football, right? Well, John Fox joins Jim Blasingame to talk about a Fantasy President who tells the truth about our aging tax code. Tune in to as Jim tells John a fantasy president won't work without a fantasy Congress.
Joan and Jim talk about the current and future state of the U.S. economy, why a slowdown is in progress and why we won't have a recession, who the new kid is on the auto manufacturing block, what the IRS is up to with regard to small businesses, and a shift in how women take vacations.
Friday - April 13, 2007
Broadcasting live from the Strom Entrepreneurship Conference in Dickinson, North Dakota, Jim talks with Jo about the real estate environment in Dickinson. Joe says the frost line here is 4 feet, but there is some debate about that.
Broadcasting live from the Strom Entrepreneurship Conference in Dickinson, North Dakota, Jim talks with Vaune about her experience as the co-chair of Destiny Dickinson, which is an effort to create more retail businesses here. Vaune also agrees with Jim that what happens in Dickinson, stays in Dickinson.
Broadcasting live from the Strom Entrepreneurship Conference in Dickinson, North Dakota, Jim talks with Joel about being a small business manufacturer in small town America, and as well as what it takes to be a small business exporter. The controversy over the frost line in SW North Dakota continues, as Joel declares that it's not 4 feet, but rather 6 feet.
Broadcasting live from the Strom Entrepreneurship Conference in Dickinson, North Dakota, Jim talks with Beth about being a stone cold entrepreneur in North Dakota, starting her small business with an idea and turning it into a nationwide enterprise with customers in all 50 states. Jim describes the North Dakotans as "sturdy folk," but is quick to point out to the ladies that he's not talking about ankle size.
Broadcasting live from the Strom Entrepreneurship Conference in Dickinson, North Dakota, Jim talks with Dennis first about what it's like being the largest manufacturer in small town America, and then about what it's like being the mayor of this small town, Dickinson, ND.
Broadcasting live from the Strom Entrepreneurship Conference in Dickinson, North Dakota, Jim talks with Shane about what it's like to have the top commerce job in North Dakota. Shane points out that it includes many areas, including tourism and promoting entrepreneurship. Shane also explains what he thinks is the success plan for any state to make its soil fertile for entrepreneurs.
Monday - April 16, 2007
Making the decision about what to do with a low-performing employee is often a difficult one, but it must be done, and Quint talks with Jim about how to take the correct steps.
You know about branding, but do you know how to do it on the Web? Jane and Jean join Jim to talk about how to put our best brand foot forward online.
How can we get customers to come back to our small businesses? We have to show them we care about what they want and Michael talks with Jim about how to do that.
Do you know how you're going to make your sales numbers for '07? Skip does and he and Jim talk about what you must do if you're going to successfully make your sales budget.
Tuesday - April 17, 2007
Is anything more important to a 21st century small business than a good business model? Susan and Jim talk about this and determine that your corporate values could be the most important asset of your business.
What can be learned from the massacre at Virginia Tech? What good can come from the firing of Don Imus? Rich and Jim talk about these questions, and others.
Gerald joins Jim to give him another dose of his views of how things are going. Caution: Gerald can come across as a little cynical, and he and Jim don't always agree. Don't miss this one.
You've heard about Web 2.0, well Jorian Clarke talks with Jim Blasingame about Web 3.0 and explains how small businesses can use it right now to reach and serve customers better during an interview on the small business radio program, The Small Business Advocate Show.
Wednesday - April 18, 2007
Ever wonder if you're getting the full reporting on what's really going on in Iraq when you listen to the major news outlets? Well you're not. You only get the full story -- warts and all -- when June joins Jim to talk about the real story in Iraq. Tune in to hear the latest report from June.
The economy is moving forward, but not too fast, and Bill joins Jim to talk about what the small business respondents to his survey said about how the economy is doing.
What's the best way to talk with someone you've just met? How should you present your business card? Is networking like selling? Get the answers to all of these questions, and more, as Debra talks with Jim in this interview.
Do you sell for a living? Do you know the difference between selling with a little "s" and selling with a capital "S"? Why don't our schools teach selling? Get the answer to all these questions -- some answers may surprise you -- as Joanne talks with Jim about what selling really is.
Thursday - April 19, 2007
Why are so many small businesses failing? Bev and Jim talk about about why this is happening and how to not let it happen to you.
Should XM and Sirius be allowed to merge? Wayne and Jim talk about the market and anti-trust issues around this proposed merger.
Joan and Jim discuss some of the issues of the day including: the future of the airline industry, various legislative issues being debated, the postal rate hike and the "forever stamp," assistance being proposed by states to encourage angel investors, and other topics.
Friday - April 20, 2007
The Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration joins Jim to talk about Small Business Week and what the SBA is doing to help small business.
Even though you've just finished with 2006 tax filing, it's not too early to think about 2007 tax planning, and Rick talks with Jim about some of those issues.
Want to hear about a true entrepreneurial success story? Listen as Scott talks about how he and his partner grew an idea into 800 stores in about 6 years, and then sold the whole thing.
What do big businesses need to know about small businesses in order to serve them as customers? John's company provides this information and reports to Jim about why that's good for this relationship.
Monday - April 23, 2007
What do you do when you think an employee is doing the absentee scam? How much "paid time off" should a small business offer employees? Bill joins Jim to talk about these and other attendance issues.
Do you know the top five mistakes small business owners make regarding their intellectual property? Well, David does and he and Jim talk about them and how to avoid them.
In addition to being Small Business Week, it's also Earth week and Sharon talks with Jim about how we can all be more "green" without becoming a tree hugger.
Helping Jim kick-off Small Business Week, Congressman Chabot talks with Jim about why small businesses are so important and what he and others in Congress are doing to help us. They also talk about some alternatives to the current tax system.
Tuesday - April 24, 2007
Entrepreneurial education is spreading across America and Phyllis and Jim talk about why this movement is important to the future of the world.
With government health care programs already virtually bankrupt, why is Congress debating whether to expand these programs to insure every child in America, instead of working on how to accomplish the same thing with market solutions? Grace-Marie joins Jim to talk about this and other health care public policy issues.
After years in development, Jim introduces his new Web site, AskJim.biz. This is the world's only true knowledge base for small business, and Jim believes it will help small businesses avert failure and have the maximum opportunity to be successful.
When is the right time to have a sales manager? How do you create this position and who should fill it? As Brad joins Jim, they answer these questions and more on the right way to install a sales manager.
Wednesday - April 25, 2007
Do you know how to approach an angel investor? Ty joins Jim to explain how angel's work, think and what they want.
After years in development, Jim introduces his new Web site, AskJim.biz. This is the world's only true knowledge base for small business, and Jim believes it will help small businesses avert failure and have the maximum opportunity to be successful.
During Small Business Week Jim heard Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee speak and he takes a few minutes to take issue with some of the things the Senator said about the U.S. economy.
It's International Administrative Professionals Week, and Just as he has done for the past 9 years, Jim talks with Rick and Judy about these very important people in the lives of our small businesses, and why it's fitting that we should honor them.
Having a competitive benefits program for your employees is not just the right thing to do, it's a best practice of the best companies in America. Chris introduces Jim to Debbie who's company, as one of Principal's 10 Best, has benefited from the execution of a robust benefits package, which has helped them grow from start-up to over 800 employees in less than 10 years.
Friday - April 27, 2007
Now that you have a brand -- you do have a brand, don't you -- Tom talks with Jim about how to communicate that brand to the 21st century customer.
Before you open that office downtown just because you need to hire an assistant -- your first employee -- check out what Gayle has to say to Jim about employing a virtual assistant.
Do you know what your employees are doing on your computers over your Internet connections? Well, you should, and Adam talks with Jim about why, and how to do it.
Rumors of an economic downturn are greatly exaggerated, according to Marty, as he talks with Jim about what's really going on with the U.S. economy.
Monday - April 30, 2007
What is your business' BIG IDEA? Do you have one? Bill joins Jim to talk about how to realize that your big idea is your own brand. This could turn your business around -- don't miss it.
Did someone actually say you don't need a web site? Tune in to listen to Ramon Ray and Jim Blasingame squash this myth and talk about other technology issues that will help you be competitive in the 21st century.
How can technology help you get organized? Liz talks with Jim about that and other organizing ideas and tips.
What mayhem is Congress cooking up for small business these days? Giovanni talks with Jim about some of the specific issues being debated in Congress that are not in the best interest of small business, like the minimum wage increase, the union card check bill, and the medical leave act amendment.
