Been There, Done That!

Marketing in the age of the internet is a complex subject, and external resources can assist in selecting and directing your marketing efforts.  Jennyfer Crawford of AskJennyfer, a business consulting and event management company, Jami Schwartz with online lender Kabbage, and SCORE mentor and chapter chair Dennis Zink discuss marketing concepts and opportunities, both on the internet and in the real world.

Good credit can encourage business success by making cash available when needed for growth or to keep the business operational.  Ty Kiisel of OnDeck rejoins Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to discuss how a business can and should maintain credit availability and the differences between small business and personal credit.

The processes, policies and circumstances of bank loans have been changing rapidly with the growth of technology  Dennis Zink chats with Ty Kiisel, small business expert, author and representative of online lender OnDeck, to understand the changes and how they might apply to your small business

Managing cash flow is one of the primary responsibilities of a business owner. In the case of retail businesses, inventory typically drives expenses, which in turn drives cash needs. Jami Schwartz of Kabbage, an online lender, and Allison Boswell, a retail consultant with Reedy Consulting, join Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to discuss how a business owner can use their internal information and external resources as necessary to properly manage their cash flow.    

What should a business person do in the event of an emergency or disaster?  Peter Hedberg of the Hiscox Insurance Company joins Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to discuss the actions you should take and what you should expect from your insurance provider. 

In our continuing discussion of insurance for businesses, Peter Hedberg of Hiscox rejoins Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to explain the types of insurance available to businesses, along with some understanding of when and how to file claims.

While all entrepreneurs take risks, some risks are best transferred to others.  Peter Hedberg, an executive with the Hiscox Insurance Company, discusses with Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer the kinds of risks that insurance companies cover and what you can expect in terms of services and costs.

Getting your message across requires more than just talking or typing content.  In this episode J. Robert (Bob) Parkinson, executive communications coach, author and newspaper columnist, shares his expertise on the subject of interpersonal communications with Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer.

Creating a brand image is an essential element of marketing communications.  Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer are joined by Steve Smith of Consonant Custom Media to discuss best practices and policies in the creation of a brand identity.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be tough for business persons and those around them.  97-year-old author and entrepreneur Sylvia Goldman sits down with Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to discuss theories and techniques designed to keep us healthy in mind and body.

Matching your communication style to that of your customer will profoundly affect your ability to close sales.  Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer chat with Mike Lewis, author of The Sales Bridge and a SCORE mentor, to understand the various personality types and communication styles that can improve your ability to sell your products and services.

Rapid and reliable access to documents can have a profound impact on the productivity of your business.  Steve Feldstein, Director of Marketing – SMB Laser & Scanner Products for Brother, Inc., Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer discuss the basics of selecting and using document management systems.

Selecting the best form of organization for your company can make a significant difference in your taxes and potential liabilities.  Join Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer in a discussion with Nellie Akalp of CorpNet.com, to review the different organizational structures that can optimize your corporate environment.   Nellie writes for Entrepreneur, Forbes, Mashable and others sharing her insight on a monthly basis. She has been named as a Top Small Business Influencer by Small Business Trends the last three years and CorpNet.com was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list in 2015 as one of the fastest growing privately-held companies in America.

Setting prices for your products or services can be challenging for entrepreneurs.  Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer chat with Jack Grise and Mike Lewis, both SCORE certified mentors, regarding various strategies and things to consider when setting prices. 

Keeping your employees healthy and happy is just good business!  Dennis Zink leads a discussion with Bob Merberg, a progressive and highly recognized wellness expert with Paychex, Inc., that identifies the best cost-effective policies and practices to have a healthy, motivated workforce.

A financially secure retirement is the goal of small business owners and their employees.  T. J. Houppert, a retirement planning expert with Paychex, discusses with Dennis Zink how small business owners can build a successful retirement plan both for themselves and for their employees.

Acquiring the right technology for your office allows you to accomplish more tasks with less effort.  Dennis Zink, Fred Dunayer and Tom Monczka from Brother International Corp. discuss the computers, software, printers and other devices that will make your office efficient and productive.  

Running your business from your home has major advantages and some disadvantages.  Listen as Janet Shellenberger, a SCORE mentor and home-based business person, discusses with Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer the details of how to start and manage your home-based business.

Starting a non-profit organization can do good things both for the community and the entrepreneur.  Dennis Zink interviews SCORE mentor and non-profit expert Jack Dunigan on the details of starting and maintaining a non-profit organization.

Tax planning needs to start at the very beginning of the startup process and continue though the life cycle of the business.  Dennis Zink and Bert Seither, VP at 1800Accountant, discuss the decisions that need to be made in order to have a tax strategy that keeps your tax bill low - and legal!