Small Business Conversations

Soon we will all be bombarded with articles and television interviews telling us how to establish goals for the new year. Are goals only to be established to begin on January 1? Can you adjust a goal? Can you abandon a goal? Are all goals good? How do you measure your goals? Some goals are outcome based while others are activity based; what is the difference?

These questions and many more during our hour long visit with Gwen Bortner on Small Business Conversations with host Tom Shay

A little known aspect of the CARES Act from the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic is the existence of the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). Does your business qualify for these funds? How is the amount of ERC determined that you receive? If you received PPP funds is your business disqualified? Are there certain employees that disqualify you?

Should I use one of the firms I find on the Internet offering to prepare the ERC paperwork? Is there more paperwork to do than just the ERC application? Is the money guaranteed? How soon do I get the ERC?

So many valid questions. Our expert, Mike McCormick, CPA of Financialclaritygroup.com answers these questions and more.

We think we just found some funds for some small business owners listening to this month's Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay.

Of course you know that there is going to be the day when you transition out of your business. Other than closing the business, you may sell the business to a family member, an employee, create an employee stock ownership plan, or sell to a third party.

With any of these options one of the biggest questions is determining the value of the business. Ah, that is the big challenge. And, that is what Kurt Tobin does for a living. As our guest on Small Business Conversations, Kurt talks about the three methods for determining the price. We discussed the place in the transaction the real estate agent should have.

This is a program you will likely want to bookmark in your favorite podcasts because someday it is going to be applicable to you and your business.

When was the last time you examined the fees your business was being charged for processing bank card transactions? Are you aware of the "add on services" that are a part of the transaction fees that you might not need? Just how does the bank card transaction system work?

What should I look for in having the right company to handle my bank card transactions? And very importantly, how can I get the best rate?

Stu Kehler, of Retail Control Systems and Mocha Payments visits Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay to answer questions which may help you save on the cost of processing.

Every business faces risks; some risks you know; some risks you don't know. Our guest, Ivy Walker, for this episode of Small Business Conversations is also a small business owner. She authored the book, Twelve-Minute Risk Management, is a "must read" for small business owners. You will learn how to identify and address existing and potential risks in your small business. 

The book is written in a unique manner that allows you to quickly understand the risk concern along with suggestions. As you listen to this month's episode you will quickly understand that Ivy Walker is one of us as she speaks our language; speaks and acts as a highly qualified seasoned entrepreneur.

You want people to think of you and your business as the experts within your industry. Today the easiest and best way of doing so is by way of your having a podcast for your business. During this program, Tom Shay visits with Cliff DuVernois, expert on podcasting and the host of the website Experts on Podcasting. 

With Cliff having interviewed hundreds of podcasters, he shares with us the many inside secrets he has learned. You'll be surprised at how easy and inexpensively you can create a podcast you can use to tell your existing and potential customers that you are where they should do business.

The SBDC (Small Business Development Centers) is a tremendous source of information and assistance for your small business. With most all services provided at no cost, this department of the SBA (Small Business Administration) has offices in all fifty states. Our guest for the March 2022 program is Tee Rowe, president of America's SBDC and Greg Tucker, director of the Missouri SBDC.

During the program our guests explain how you can get an advisor for your business and the many live events and webinars available to your business. Whether you have an opportunity before your small business, or your small business is facing challenges, our guests explain how this is an excellent time for you to connect with the SBDC office in your state.

Ken Banks has had an amazing career in advertising; Circuit City, PetsMart, Levitz Furniture, Eckerd Drugs and one of the largest ad agencies in the USA. Ken joins us for the March 2022 Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay to examine television advertising messages and discuss how the experience and sizable dollars spent by these businesses can give us ideas of how we can advertise. While not likely on television, we can apply the lessons to our social media efforts as well as any other formats we would choose to share our message.

This program was unique as we asked listeners to share with Ron and Tom the details of their business so that during the program we could provide suggestions of a premium loyalty reward program for customers.

The traditional loyalty program is often a, "buy a certain quantity of an item and be rewarded with a free one". A premium loyalty program is one where the customer pay a fee to be a member of a select group of customers who are provided with additional products, services and opportunities to participate in a special group.

Listen as Ron and Tom do an "off the cuff" series of suggestions for small businesses during the program. Listen and you will likely find ideas for a premium reward program for your business.

Pam Danziger is a prolific author, columnist and speaker. During this program we discuss how the four Ps (product, price, promotion and placement) have become the four E's (Experience, Exchange, Evangelism and Everyplace). Listening to this one hour program with Pam Danziger can have a sizable affect on how you position your business - product or service oriented - in your effort to attract and retain customers.