Slappy White once said, “The problem with unemployment is that the minute you wake up in the morning you’re on the job.”  Listen as Chris Pobieglo, guest host, reviews unemployment and other leading economic indicators.  Not only citing statistics but adding his own commentary.

Roofing with Integrity

Good roofing and windows are a vital part of every Alaska building.  Today’s special guest, Chris Dunn from Integrity Roofing and Window tells their story.  Listen as Chris Dunn talks about building one of the most trusted business on the “last frontier.”

Tech Talk

Russell Ball, Technology Expert, goes into the “Cloud” talking about the advantages and security of backups.  Find out more by visiting www.AKCB.com.

Listen or download below:

We Got That Covered

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2. A Matter of Design
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The world of small business funding is changing (for the better!), as I wrote in my article, “Mini Initial Public Offerings (IPO’s)“:

“Congress passed and on April 5, 2012,  the President signed into law a bill “To increase American job creation and economic growth by improving access to the public capital markets for emerging growth companies.”  Of particular note is “Title III—Crowdfunding” of this bill.  Title III amends the Securities Act of 1933 to allow several changes that allow small companies to sell equity, i.e. ownership, in their company.”

Read the article: Mini Initial Public Offerings (IPO’s)

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1. Go With the Flow
2. Business on a Shoe String
3. Have You Considered Public Relations?

After six months of gains, the Small-Business Optimism Index fell by almost 2 points in March, settling at 92.5.  Listen as Dave summarizes this important small business indicator.  Read the full report at NFIB.com.

Gold Rush!

On August 16, 1896, George Washington Carmack discovered a large gold nugget on the Klondike River.  This set in motion one of the most frenzied and fabled gold rushes in history.  Seattle companies became the source for purchasing your “outfit” and to arrange passage to Alaska and the Yukon.  This established the critical logistics link between Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.  Listen as Karen Matthias discusses the importance of this link not only to Alaska but also Tacoma, Washington. Get more information by visiting www.portoftacoma.com.

Business Risk Management

Chris Pobieglo, Business Insurance Expert, describes the importance of reading all business contracts and ways to insure against some of the inherent risks.  Find out more about Business Insurance Associates by visiting www.businessinsuranceassociates.com.

Listen or download below:

Port of Tacoma

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In my Business Risk Management article, I wrote about “What You Need to Know About Contracts and Leases,” which is an area many small businesses neglect. Here’s the intro:

“Every business owner signs contracts with vendors, suppliers, clients, landlords, and others, creating legally binding obligations and conditions designed to protect the participating parties and their respective financial interests.  Despite the important role contracts play, an alarming amount of business is still done in the United States through informal processes that consist of business transactions taking place without any formal legal contract, or worse yet, a contract with onerous terms.”

Read the article: What You Need to Know About Contracts and Leases

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2. Be the Best V
3. Make Credit Card Transactions Easy

The clock is ticking for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Listen as Dave discusses the new equity funding provision of the JOBS act.  Under the act, small businesses can raise up to $1 million in equity funding.  The SEC has 270 days to write the new rules.  Read the full story here.

Alaska Tourism Update

Julie Saupe, CEO & President of Visit Anchorage visits “Getting Down To Business®.”  The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau made some big changes.  Listen as Julie describes these changes and talks about tourism in Anchorage in 2011 and a peek at the 2012 summer season.

Go It Alone

Geoff Burch has an engaging discussion with Julie, Dave and Evelyn.  Geoff’s comments on a local person in his hometown cracks Evelyn up– Dave has never seen her laugh so hard.  Listen to some great and very funny conversation.

Listen or download below:

Visit Anchorage

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In my April Economic News Summary, I caution businesses and investors to be very careful as the recovery progresses:

“All of that great news about the economic recovery is more hype than fact.  The new trend: end the year and begin the new year semi-strong, i.e. looking like a recovery only to unravel as the year goes on.  The problem to watch out for is to become overly confident in recovery, getting caught when the economy moves to lower growth.  How long will this last?  Great question. When government regulators begin to release their economic strangle hold, and the uncertainty surrounding tax policy becomes both clear and stable, then meaningful economic growth will take place.  Systemic problems require focused will and decisive leadership to solve.  Changes in economic policies require changes in leadership.  Until changes takes place, be careful when making longer-term business decisions.  Overall grade for April: D (March was a D)”

Read the article- Economic News Summary: Be Very Careful

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1. August 2010 Economic News Summary
2. Economic News Summary: It’s Not Rocket Science
3. Economic News Summary: Road to Recovery?

Great news for small businesses!  A new bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives and was signed into law by the President allowing small businesses to raise equity financing online.  This is a “game changer” according to Dave.  Listen as he describes the new small business funding source. Read more on WSJ.com.

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur

Dave has the unique opportunity of introducing Anchorage, Alaska the author, entrepreneur, and small business expert Mike Michalowicz.  Michalowicz describes his books The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur and Focus Five.  Visit Mike @ www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com.

Marketing Matters

Amanda Cullen, President of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, fills us in on the newly released Facebook “Timeline.”  Cullen does it again, grabbing changes in social media and passing that information on to her listeners.

Listen or download below:

Business on a Shoe String

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In April’s Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter, we have a lineup of great articles. Dave Weatherholt brings us his economic news summary along with an editorial on crowd-funding. Learn “What You Need to Know About Contracts and Leases” from Chris Pobieglo. Amanda Cullen goes into “Marketing 101: What is a Brand?” while in Tech Talk there’s “4 Safety Tips for Conducting Research on the Web.”

Read the newsletter: Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter

Subscribe to the Newsletter

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1. March 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter
2. February 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter
3. January 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter

The latest Tech Talk article, “Save Time with Computer Shortcuts in Microsoft Office Programs,” will help computer users be more efficient with their time by using shortcuts (we promise these aren’t the kinds of shortcuts that will get you lost!). Here’s how it starts:

“If you’re like most people, you’re always looking for ways to save time, even when using Microsoft Office software. Keyboard shortcuts could be your new best friend when it comes to time management.  Not everyone uses shortcut keys to save time, but some people find them easier to use than a mouse, especially when spending long stretches of time at the computer.”

Read the article: Save Time with Computer Shortcuts in Microsoft Office Programs

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2. Listen to the Radio on your Computer
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Listen as Dave reviews his monthly economic summary grading the U.S. Economy.  Find out what he thinks and why.

Rep. Tuck and Megaprojects

Representative Chris Tuck, House District 29 joins Dave again.  Listen as Rep Tuck discusses “megaprojects,” legislative training and HB 9 In-State Gasline Development Corporation.  Follow the legislative process by visiting The Alaska State Legislature.

Tech Talk

Russell Ball, Founder and President of ACB Solutions visits Dave to discuss Key Performance Indicators (KPI).  Russ and Dave introduced the topic and illustrated the importance indicators play in every successful business.  They will devote an entire program to KPI on the upcoming May 26, 2012 “Getting Down to Business®.”  Get your technology question answered by visiting www.akcb.com.

Listen or download below:

Legislative Update – 27th Session

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3. Interview with Alaska Representative Chris Tuck

In my latest Getting Down to Business® article, “Controlling Workers Comp Costs,” I discuss why Alaska has the highest workers comp costs in the nation and provide several tips for employers to control these costs. The article starts:

“For many businesses, workers compensation remains a major expense in the cost of employment and a major consideration when it comes to managing staff size. In Alaska, we have the highest average workers compensation rates in the nation.”

Read the article: Controlling Workers Comp Costs

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2. Cut Marketing Costs, Not Effectiveness
3. Surety Bond Overview

Women-owned businesses are growing in number, but their revenues aren’t, new data show.  Between 1997 and 2011, the number of women-owned firms increased by 50%, or 1.5 times the national average, but the same growth rate is not reflected in business size.  The full report released by American Express OPEN is available on this Wall Street Journal’s blog article.

Customer Service from Senior Care of Alaska, Inc.

Kevin Turkington is the Founder and CEO of a company called Senior Care of Alaska, Inc.  A simple telephone call to his business is truly a great customer service experience.  This experience did not happen by accident.  Listen as Kevin discusses how they create this experience.

SBA Update

Listen as Sam Dickey, Deputy District Director for the Alaska District talks about the disaster declaration because of our snow.  This declaration makes Southcentral Alaska businesses eligible for direct disaster loans.  Get more Information from the SBA website.

Listen or download below:

Creating Great Customer Service

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Last month, Facebook introduced a new page design for businesses, based on the timeline. If you’re still feeling your way around the new design, read my article, “A Primer on the New Facebook Page Design,” to learn how to get your page in order and some of the benefits of the timeline.

Read the article: A Primer on the New Facebook Page Design

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3. March 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter

The Small-Business Optimism Index gained 0.4 points in February, to 94.3, marking the sixth consecutive month of gains. While still historically low, the latest increase is a sign that the recovery is likely to continue (albeit at a glacial pace).  Read the complete report from NFIB here.

Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan

Anchorage’s Mayor Dan Sullivan visits GDTB® on St. Patrick’s Day.  The Mayor last visited us in November 2009 at the beginning of his term, providing his vision for Anchorage.  Listen as Mayor Sullivan discusses his administrations achievements.  Here’s the podcast link to Mayor Sullivan’s first visit to GDTB®: “Municipal Government & Small Business.”

Business Risk Management

Chris Pobieglo, small business risk management expert, tackles “Workers’ Compensation Assignments” and makes the complex simple.  Listen as Chris describes the “Risk Pool” and how that can impact the price you pay.  Get more Information about Chris’s company, Business Insurance Associates here.

Listen or download below:

Talk With Our Irish Mayor

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Each month, readers have come to expect my economic insight from key economic indicators. This month, in “Road to Recovery?“ I take a slight detour to discuss the political underpinnings behind our economic realities– although we’re in a recovery, I still give our economy a D for the month of March.

Read the article: Road to Recovery?

Subscribe to the Newsletter

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1. Economic News Summary: Be Very Careful
2. Economic News Summary: The 800-Pound Gorilla
3. Economic News Summary – End of the Beginning

The March issue of Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter has more insightful economic news from Dave Weatherholt with his article, “On the Road to Recovery?” Readers also will learn how about “Controlling Workers Comp Costs” from expert contributor Chris Pobieglo and get up to date on ” The New Facebook Page Design” with Amanda Cullen. Our Tech Talk article helps you get savvy with Microsoft Office shortcuts, and we wrap up this issue with some Anchorage news from KD/PR and Wells Fargo.

Read the newsletter: Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter – March 2012

Subscribe to the Newsletter

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1. February 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter
2. April 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter
3. January 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter

Imagine your staff is a team, about to play a big game in the fascinating new sport, YogaRugby.  It’s crucial that your team wins the game, but when you take the field you realize you’re doomed.  Mike Michalowicz gives some great advice in this article.

Self-Employment with Geoff Burch

“Self-employment beats everyday employment.”  Geoff Burch, Author, Business Expert & Speaker in his new book Self-Made Me identifies a “new way of living in a changing world.”  Listen as Geoff makes the case for going it alone. Visit Geoff’s website for great information.

Listen or download below:

Geoff Burch – Up Close & Personal

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In my most recent Getting Down to Business eNewsletter article, “Foursquare for Small Business Marketing,” I discuss how businesses can take advantage of Foursquare in their marketing efforts. I start:

Foursquare is a social site that reports having 15 million members worldwide. The number is pretty impressive, but is Foursquare an effective small business marketing tool? As with any marketing tactic, the answer depends on the kind of business you have. Here are some details to help you decide.

Read the article: Foursquare for Small Business Marketing

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2. Marketing is easy when you’re awesome
3. Yelp for Small Business Marketing

“Imagine your staff is a team, about to play a big game in the fascinating new sport, YogaRugby.  It’s crucial that your team wins the game, but when you take the field you realize you’re doomed.”  Mike Michalowicz gives some great advice in this article, “Fire These Employees to Boost Your Business.”

Emotional Intelligence

Listen as Christine M West, President of The Business MD, takes us through the world of Emotional Intelligence (EI).  Find out how emotional issues can drain your business.  EI can be applied to every business or organization.

Marketing Matters

Amanda Cullen, small business marketing expert, tackles another social media site called Foursquare. Listen as Amanda discusses the potential marketing benefits of Foursquare for small businesses. Find more information at her small business marketing blog.

Listen or download below:

The Human Factor

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If you’ve ever wondered what the Cloud is, then my latest article in Getting Down to Business eNewsletter is for you – “What is ‘The Cloud?’” The article begins:

The Cloud seems like such a common phrase today.  I keep hearing people talk about “the cloud” as if it’s a new trend that is sweeping the world we live in.  And part of that is true; the cloud is becoming a huge force to reckon with in the IT realm.  But what is it?  How does it work? And better yet, how will it affect you?

Read the article: What is ‘The Cloud?’

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The pressure to make News Year’s resolutions has passed, but there is still time to consider good advice.  Listen as Dave summarizes a great article from the Wall Street Journal – “3 Small-Business Blunders to Avoid This Year.”

Husky Homestead

Listen as Jeff King, four time Iditarod Champion, discusses the business behind his passion for dog-mushing.  He gave up his construction business to focus entirely on dogs, which led to Husky Homestead.  Listen to his very interesting story.

Tech Talk

Listen as Information Technology expert Tim White discusses “Virtualization.” If you are like me, this is new stuff.  To get more information, contact Tim’s firm ACB Solutions.

Listen or download below:

The Dog-Mushing Business

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The NFIB “Optimism Index” for January has been released.  Listen as Dave summarizes the report’s findings.  Read the complete report here.

Alaska Wanted Cards

Local entrepreneur Jason Hahn turns a deck of card into a business.  Listen as he relates his story. Find out more about Alaska Wanted Cards here.

Business Risk Management

Business insurance expert Chris Pobieglo of Business Insurance Associates tells some great insurance claim stories. Prepare to be entertained and educated!

Listen or download below:

Wanted – Alaska Outlaws

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In my latest economic news summary, “End of the Beginning,” I enlist Winston Churchill to help explain the current state of the US economy:

After a series of defeats from Dunkirk to Singapore, Prime Minister Winston Churchill could finally tell the House of Commons that “We have a new experience. We have victory – a remarkable and definite victory.”  He continued, “Now this is not the end.  It is not even the beginning of the end.  But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”  With recent positive economic news, perhaps, we entered the “end of the beginning” of the “great recession.”

Following, I delve into my monthly economic indicators and analyze what they mean for our future.

Read the article: End of the Beginning

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Listen as Dave compares the weak U.S. economy with eating milk toast. It might not be very inspiring, but it’s certainly educational.  Read the complete article.

A Senator’s Small Business Experience

Did you know that Senator Begich was a small businessman?  Listen as the Senator describes his experience running small businesses and much, much more.  Contact Senator Mark Begich here.

Marketing Matters

Amanda Cullen, small business expert with Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, introduces Dave to “Yelp” and discusses how small businesses can use it as part of their social media marketing campaign.

Listen or download below:

U.S. Senate and Your Small Business

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February’s Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter brings the insightful economic summary readers have come to expect from Dave Weatherholt. We’ve also got Tech Tips with Tim White, with his article “What Is The Cloud?” Amanda Cullen, our resident marketing expert, discusses social media site Foursquare and if it’s right for your business.

Read the newsletter: Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter – February 2012

Subscribe to the Newsletter

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2. January 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter
3. April 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter

Yelp is an online community of user reviews, and it can be a great marketing tool for small business. Alternately, it can be a marketing pitfall if businesses ignore it. In my recent article, “Yelp for Small Business Marketing,” I write:

Your small business is already on Yelp. People are voicing their opinions about your business, and others are listening to their advice.

Yelp reported that 61 million people visited the site in the 3rd quarter of 2011.

Many small business owners don’t realize Yelp’s influence, let alone contribute to the conversation on the site.

Read the article: Yelp for Small Business Marketing

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1. Foursquare for Small Business Marketing
2. Marketing is easy when you’re awesome
3. Marketing Matters: Should I be on Twitter?

The Pebble Partnership releases their Environmental Baseline Document (EBD).  Listen as Dave describes this 20,000 page, $120 million document.  ”The document presented here provides a significant legacy of publicly available data.”

Alaska Chamber of Commerse

Find out what the Alaska Chamber of Commerce does for its members.  Listen as Andy Rodgers, Deputy Director describes their mission.  Find out more about the Alaska Chamber here.

Go It Alone

Geoff Burch wraps up the discussion on his book Irresistible Persuasion, telling stories to paint a vivid picture of your product.  Vintage Geoff delivers another fun segment.

Listen or download below:

Alaska’s Business Voice

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Did you realize serving on a board of directors could be risky? Learn the risks and how to mitigate them with my article, “The Risks of Serving,” as I write:

Each year, thousands of Americans are presented with the opportunity to serve on a board of directors for non-profit organizations, private for-profit corporations and publicly traded corporations.  In some cases, board members are elected, in other cases they are appointed.  And while the dynamics from board to board will be different, they all share one thing– the risk that is involved with serving, for both the individual and corporation.

Read the article: The Risks of Serving

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2. January 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter
3. Alternative Lending Sources

It might surprise you that a network can become ill, but it can! I write in my article, “The Common Network Cold“:

Normally, when you get a cold, you tend to move slower than normal, you don’t think straight, and you aren’t as efficient.  In most cases, you are congested.  The same thing happens to a network if it’s not properly maintained.

Network congestion is a pain point for many business owners.  No one wants to work on a network that’s congested.

Read the article: The Common Network Cold

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2. Four Common Errors on Social Media Strategy
3. What is “The Cloud?”

Best Buy Company and Apple, Incorporated are just two examples of large companies trying to capitalize on the huge market– providing IT services to small businesses.  Read the complete article.

Talking Global Emerging Markets

Alaska and Global Emerging Markets (GEM) have much in common, especially competing for business with resource users.  Listen as Aryam Vazquez, Vice President, Economist – Global Emerging Markets with Wells Fargo & Company, provides insights into what countries are hot and how they impact Alaska.  Do you have any questions?  Contact our guest at Aryam.vazquez@wellsfargo.com.

Tech Talk

Does your network computer seem slow or sluggish?  Maybe it simply has a “common network cold.” Listen as Tim White, IT Expert, discusses symptoms and solutions. Find more tech answers on ACB Solution’s website.

Download or listen below:

Emerging Markets and Alaska

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Have you ever wondered what’s the difference between a caucus and a primary? My latest article in the Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter is here to help with a lesson in Civics 101: “Caucus vs. Primary.” Here’s the basic definitions, but the article contains much more detail:

Caucus – The way all states used to conduct voting, getting down to the one person they want to represent their party.  In a caucus, registered voters get together to discuss the candidates and decide who should win.

Primary – Simply going into a voting booth and casting your vote on a secret ballot.

Read the article: Civics 101: Caucus vs. Primary

Subscribe to the Newsletter

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2. Business in Alaska IV

In January’s economic news summary, I assert that we are in a “Milk Toast Economy.” I include many key economic indicators with historical graphs to prove my point. Here’s how I start:

My mother would always give me milk toast when recovering from a bout of stomach flu.  This temporary, bland remedy was meant as a transition to a better diet.  Yet after ten straight quarters of economic recovery, we are still eating “milk toast,” economically speaking.  The post-recession economic recovery from the 1982-1983 recession, after ten quarters, showed 13.4% growth in Gross Domestic Product.  Ten quarters into our current post-recession recovery that rate is a tepid 6.2%– less than half of our previous recovery.  Why do you think we are still eating “milk toast?”  Overall grade for January: D

Read the article: Milk Toast Economy

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Related posts:

1. The Economy Still Feels Bad
2. Economic News: The Uncertain, Jobless Recovery
3. Economic News Summary: Be Very Careful

January’s Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter has a full line-up of great articles. Start with Dave Weatherholt’s insightful economic summary – “Milk Toast Economy.” Learn about the “Common Network Cold” from Tim White, “The Risk of Serving” by Chris Pobieglo and “Yelp for Small Business” from Amanda Cullen. Finally, Dave gives us a civics lesson with “Caucus vs. Primary.”

Read the newsletter: Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter – January 2012

Subscribe to the Newsletter

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2. March 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter
3. April 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter

National Federation of Independent Business’s Optimism Index made a small but notable gain, settling at 93.8 for December.  Business optimism increased four times since September, ending 2011 on an up note.  Read the complete article here.

mepainter

Charles Lindemuth, painter, illustrator, innovator and entrepreneur visits Getting Down to Business® and talks about how he makes a living as a fine arts painter.  Moving from canvas and brush to a digital art form was a natural step for Charles. Listen as he talks about that process and some of his creations such as “mepainter.”

Business Risk Management

Chis Pobieglo, business insurance expert with Business Insurance Associates, is joined by his business partner and wife Angie to talk about the “Risk of Serving.”  That’s right, the local board you voluntary serve can cause you financial distress.  Find out more as Chris and Angie talk about Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance.

Listen or download below:

Me, Painter

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How to Build Recognition for Your Unknown Brand

Learn how to increase advertising frequency without increasing your advertising budget.  Dave introduces you to Mike Michalowicz, the author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, who believes the greatest business success come from underfunded, inexperienced entrepreneurs.  Read the complete article on the Wall Street Journal site.

Steve Forbes on Economics

Listen as Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief for Forbes Media is Getting Down to Business® with Dave Weatherholt.  Forbes discusses his book How Capitalism Will Save Us, Austrian Economist Joseph Schumpeter, the “Brutality of Capitalism,” and more.

Listen or download below:

Steve Forbes on Economics

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Employee theft is certainly a sensitive issue. But it’s also a necessary one for all businesses to address… before it happens. In this month’s article, Mitigating the Risk of Employee Theft, I paint a grim but realistic picture:

“For small business owners, employee theft can be a fatal blow and put an end to their business.  For larger corporations, it can have an equally undesirable outcome.  In Alaska alone, we saw several prolific cases of embezzlement and employee theft this year, each case involving employees who embezzled corporate funds.”

But there are ways to mitigate this risk. Read my article to learn more.

Read the article: Mitigating the Risk of Employee Theft

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2. Minimizing Business Risk
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Small-business lending hit a 4 year high in November 2011, according to Thomson Reuter/Pay Net Index.  Listen as Dave describes a small but positive change for small businesses.  Read the complete article on the Wall Street Journal site.

2012 Business and Marketing Planning

It’s not too late to start simple but effective planning for this New Year.  Small-Business Marketing Expert Amanda Cullen and Small-Business Financial Expert Dave Weatherholt give practical tips on planning for 2012.  Be bold and set a sales goal that will make you smile.  Dave provides tools and advice on how to achieve that audacious goal.  Amanda gives you practical cost effective marketing tips that will move your company toward achieving that sales goal.

Here are some useful handouts from the show:

Financial Budgeting Tools

Sample Marketing Plan

Listen or download below:

It’s Not Too Late

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In my first article in my computer back-up series, I encouraged businesses to take their back-up strategy seriously. In this month’s article, Computer Back-Ups: The Avoidable Business Risk, Part 2, I continue:

“Now that your backup procedures are second nature, what steps are you taking to verify that the data is recoverable and usable?  Creating a backup of your data is only the halfway mark.  There are other steps that must to be followed to ensure that, in the event of a catastrophe, you do not lose data.”

Read the article: Computer Back-Ups: The Avoidable Business Risk, Part 2

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2. Listen to the Radio on your Computer
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Dave discusses the latest “Optimism Index” which was up 1.8 point in November, settling at a still weak 92.0, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).  Read the complete article.

The Journey of Publishing

Kelly Fisher– attorney, author and publisher– visits Dave on this program.  Listen as Kelly discusses how he came to write his new book A Clueless Man’s Guide to Relationships.  The story doesn’t end there.  The easy part was writing the book; creating a great end product and introducing it to the world takes more effort.  Kelly takes us through his journey.

Business Risk Management

Listen as Chris Poblieglo, insurance expert, talks about Fidelity Bonds.  Find out much, much more about this potential business risk and a solution.  Visit Business Insurance Associates’ website - a must link for business risk management information.

Listen or download below:

The Clueless Man

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In December’s Getting Down to Business eNewsletter, I advised that it’s not too late to complete your marketing plan for 2012. Guess what? If you haven’t finished now, it’s still not too late! Here’s an excerpt:

In fact, January is a great time to plan for the rest of the year. The previous year’s results are final; holiday vacations are over, and employees are refreshed and ready to dive in. As you start focusing on the new year, consider these tips in developing your 2012 marketing plan.

Read the article: 2012 Marketing Planning – It’s Not Too Late

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1. It’s Not Too Late
2. February 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter
3. April 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter

A business incubator called VETransfer provides free mentoring and facilities to military veterans who start their own businesses.  The program is funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs and has a waiting list for their services.  Listen as Dave discusses the WSJ article.

SBA 504 Loan Program

When you need to get a job done right, the correct tool works best.  Listen as Barbara Gill, VP & Senior Loan officer with Evergreen Business Capital, describes the SBA 504 loan program.  If your business needs a new location, land, buildings or even leasehold improvements, financing with the 504 program maybe the right tool for you.

Go it Alone

Listen as Geoff Burch discusses the bargaining process and its potential negative impact in sales. Chapter 17 of Irresistible Persuasion provides great advice.

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More Than Bricks & Mortar

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1. Visit Anchorage
2. Geoff Burch – Live!
3. Alaska’s Business Voice

In my December Getting Down to Business eNewsletter article, “Economic News: Revised Downward,” I start:

Economically, are you better off today than a year ago?  The numbers tell the story.  Gross domestic product for Q3 2010, a weak 2.5%, continued to slide into a 2.3% Q4 2010 rate.  The slide continues: Q1 2011 was revised down to an abysmal 0.4%, clawing its way back to a meager 1.3% in Q2 2011.  The final estimate for Q3 2011, 1.8%, was another significant downward revision. The first estimate was 2.5%.  An accurate description for 2011 is “Revised Downward.”

Read the article – Economic News: Revised Downward

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1. Economic News Summary: Psychology vs. Economic Reality
2. Economic News: Shackled
3. Economic News Summary: Unusually Uncertain?

December’s Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter wraps up the year with some great articles – including marketing planning for 2012 from Amanda Cullen and economic news from David Weatherholt. Christopher Pobieglo advises on the sensitive subject of employee theft, while Tim White continues his series on computer back-ups.

Read the newsletter: Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter

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Related posts:

1. November 2010 – Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter
2. Mitigating the Risk of Employee Theft
3. April 2012 – Getting Down to Business eNewsletter

November affirmed that the US economy is no longer in a recession, but it can be hard to tell.  Listen as Dave explains why he improves the November grade to a “D.” To find out why and view key economic graphs read the complete article on Weatherholt & Associate’s website.

Twitter Talk

Live talk radio can be full of surprises.  Listen as Dave and Amanda adjust in mid-stream from the planned topic “Hands That Photograph” to “Should You Be on Twitter.”  The “Marketing Matters” segment took over the program, with a full discussion devoted to Twitter, including some great tips from Amanda Cullen of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing.

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Should you be on Twitter?

Related posts:

1. Marketing Matters: Should I be on Twitter?
2. Business/News & Views – November 2010
3. Business/News & Views – November 2009

As the year comes to a close, business owner’s minds turn to… cash flow. Use my article and included downloads to manage your cash flow and keep it positive!

Read the article: Go With the Flow

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Projected Statement of Cash Flow (Adobe PDF)

Monthly Cash Flow Status (Microsoft Excel)

Business Risk Management is sponsored by Business Insurance Associates, Inc.

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Related posts:

1. Go With the Flow
2. What You Need to Know About Contracts and Leases
3. Mitigating the Risk of Employee Theft

The House approved a bill that would let companies sell equities online.  Senator Scott Brown (R., Mass.) introduced a similar measure.  Listen as Dave discusses the overwhelmingly positive potential of this legislation.  And read the complete article on the Wall Street Journal.

Cash Flow

If your business is on a calendar year, then you are approaching the end of this year.  Have you been tracking your performance numbers or are you afraid to look?  If you have spent most of this year looking for cash, then chances are that you have not been very profitable.  Listen as Dave discusses cash management tools that work.

Download these tools here:

Projected Statement of Cash Flow (Adobe PDF)

Monthly Cash Flow Status (Microsoft Excel)

Tech Talk

What if your point-of-sale system went down during peak sales on “Black Friday”?  How much would that cost your business?  Tim White, our technology guru, discusses the inevitable but avoidable business risk– backing up your IT system.  Visit Tim at www.akcb.com.

Listen or download below:

Go With the Flow

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1. Go With the Flow… Cash Flow, That Is
2. Legislative Update – 27th Session
3. Focus on DenaliTEK: Succeeding with a technology business

Business owners often ask me, “Should I be on Twitter?” In this month’s Marketing Matters, I provide a basic litmus test for answering that question, along with content tips and basic Twitter definitions.

Read the article: Should I be on Twitter?

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1. Should you be on Twitter?
2. Marketing is easy when you’re awesome
3. Facebook Marketing Tips

The NFIB’s “Optimism Index” gained 1.3 points, nudging the index up to 90.2.  Listen as Dave discusses the main reason the index remains mired in low readings.  Read complete article on NFIB’s website.

Market Analysis

According to Celtic myths, there was once a magical cup.  This cup satisfied the tastes and needs of all who drank from it.  These myths led to the legend of the Holy Grail.  The business equivalent of the Holy Grail is the Business Plan. The real value of a business plan is the process.  Listen as Dave gets a rare opportunity to take you through the process of completing a “Market Analysis.”

Listen or download below:

Know Your Customer

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1. Business Plan: Market Analysis
2. A Wild Ride
3. Nuts and Bolts of Business Planning

Computer back-ups are the avoidable business risk, as I write in this month’s Tech Talk article. Even if your backups are spread across multiple external hard drives, your valuable data isn’t truly secure.

Read the article: Computer Back-Ups

Tech Talk is sponsored by ACB Solutions.

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1. Tech Talk: The “What Changed?” Effect
2. Save Time With Computer Shortcuts
3. Computer Back-Ups: The Avoidable Business Risk, Part 2

Even with 14 million people unemployed, 40% of small businesses complain about the dearth of qualified workers. Listen as Dave talks about a pressing problem for employers.  Read complete article at the Wall Street Journal.

Credit & Business Lending

Dave’s guest is Bill Cessnun, VP Commercial Loan Officer with Northrim Bank– a Alaskan community bank.  Listen as Bill talks about making a credit decision during the business lending process.  Bill provides great information to Dave and his listeners.

Go it Alone

Alice in Wonderland meets a Cheshire Cat at the beginning of her journey.  Listen as Geoff Burch explains how “measuring success” ties in to Alice’s journey. Intrigued? Listen to the show!

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Through a Banker’s Eyes

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1. Consider a Credit Union
2. Buying a Used Business
3. A Wild Ride