This week SmallBizPod #93, the small business podcast, features an interview with the energetic and extraordinary Brad Burton, founder of 4Networking on networking, sales, the loneliness of the small business owner and getting off your arse.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

● Alex on what’s coming up in this week’s podcast and a big welcome to Uncle Spats.

Features:

●Thanks to XLN Telecom for sponsoring. As specialists in the small business telecoms and broadband market, they have some great deals for your business and focus on superb customer service too.

●Thanks too to Audible.co.uk for their sponsorship of SmallBizPod and don’t forget to download your free copy of All Marketers Are Liars by the legend that is Seth Godin using the offer for SmallBizPod readers and listeners to claim a free audio book.

Features:

● Interview with the tidal wave of energy and insight that is Brad Burton, founder and MD of 4Networking. Definitely one of the biggest entrepreneurial characters around in the UK at the moment. This interview first appeared on the SmallBizPod Sales edition hosted by the inimitable Uncle Spats, so please head over there and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes if you enjoy this one. Spats and Brad talk about the benefits of networking, sales and lead generation, overcoming the challenges of low and no sales and the loneliness of the first time small business owner and much more in an outrageously entertaining interview.

● Don’t forget to let us have your feedback on what topics you’d like to see covered in the SmallBizPod Sales podcast. If you have five minutes, please let us know in this quick survey on sales.

●Music Ana Popovic
“Get Back Home to You”
from “Blind for Love”
(Eclecto Groove Records)

Buy at Amazon MP3
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

This week SmallBizPod #78, the podcast for startups and entrepreneurs, kicks off the new year with a positive interview with Irish entrepreneurship expert and motivational speaker, Kevin Kelly. The focus of the podcast is on creating a positive outlook, customers and sales in the tough environment of 2009. There’s also another listener book review and details of SmallBizPod Sevens.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

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If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex introduces what to expect in this week’s episode.

• 02:12 Kelly Magowan of Six Figures reviews Secrets To Building A Winning Business by Andrew Griffiths.

• 10.02 Highlights interview with Richard Grosse of Andrew James Forwarding members of Alibaba.com.  The full interview can be found here.

Features:

• 12:17 Interview with Kevin Kelly, motivational speaker and one of Ireland’s foremost coaches and authors on entrepreneurship.  Alex and Kevin discuss how entrepreneurs can unlearn fear and how self-awareness is vital for leaders facing the challenges of 2009, as well as focusing on a dream and keeping ego at bay to make sure you are open to learning from anybody, anywhere.  They also explore how to exceed customers’ expectations, the exceptional execution of every day ideas, making friends of customers, constructive paranoia, and building experience, energy, enthusiasm and focus into sales.

• 43:20 Do check out the newly launched SmallBizPod Sevens where you can contribute 7 business tips on a topic you know well to raise your profile and help other startups and small business owners.

• 44.20 Music – Jeff Alford
Magical Source
from “Heart Of Trance”
(Aardvark Records)

Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at mTraks

This week SmallBizPod #76, the entrepreneurs’ podcast, interviews Alan Halsall, chairman of one of Britain’s classic brands, the pram manufacturer Silver Cross. The podcast explores the power of branding, importing, exporting and the secrets of turning around a failed business.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

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If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Introduction to what’s coming up in the show.
• 01:09 Join us on the SmallBizPod Facebook group, now nearly 1,000 strong.
• 01:48 Sponsors section featuring Graham Grinnel of GW Associates a member of Alibaba.com – the full interview can be found here.

Features:

• 04:44 Interview with Alan Halsall, chairman of Silver Cross, a British pram manufacturer with a brand enjoyed by customers as diverse as the Queen and JLo. Alex and Alan discuss how Alan bought and then turned around the fortunes of Silver Cross, the power of brands in a low cost manufacturing world, how to trade effectively internationally and with China, as well as building teams and facing the challenges of the major multiples and the web.

• 33:20 Comments from Edward Beresford-Bolton suggesting SmallBizPod covers guerrilla marketing, Admir Rusidovic and Ian Forbes.

• 34.23 Music – iNSiDEaMiND, Ghislain Poirier
“Twilight Harvest (feat. Ghislain Poirier)” (mp3)
from “Scatterpopia”
(Public Transit Recordings)

Buy at Napster
Buy at Puretracks
More On This Album

This week SmallBizPod #61, the startups podcast, includes a truly inspirational presentation by Levi Roots of Reggae Reggae Sauce and Dragon’s Den fame. Many thanks to Jason Dainter of the Leeds networking group Leeds Inventure for contributing the recording made when Levi visited Leeds recently. There’s also the usual round up of listener feedback and music.

Right click here to download the podcast for startup, small business and entrepreneurs.

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 02:13 Thanks to Sage for their continued sponsorship of the podcast.
• 03:30 A big thank you to the terrific Leeds business networking group Leeds Inventure for recording the interview and to Jason Dainter for sending it in.

Features:

• 04:45 Presentation by Levi Roots, inventor of Reggae Reggae Sauce, slayer of Dragons and celebrity entrepreneur. Levi talks about his journey from hard working musician and chef to successfully gaining funding from two angel investors on one of the most memorable episodes of the BBC’s Dragon’s Den. He also talks about unique selling points, being yourself, persistence and self-belief as vital ingredients for entrepreneurial success. Music, passion, food and charisma are in abundance as well as some very practical business advice from William Shakespeare.

Comments:

• 35.22 Thanks to Jo Ward from London and Tim Guetschow from Minnesota for sticking a pin in the SmallBizPod Frappr map and don’t forget to sign up to the small business Facebook Group too, if you have a moment.
• 35.22 Thanks also to Abbey Business Centres for their support of the SmallBizPod blog.

• 39.04 Music

Nicodemus

from “Dancehall Giant”
(Positive Sound Massive Recordings)

Buy at iTunes Music Store

Tags: small business, levi roots, startups podcast, angel funding

This week SmallBizPod #54, the podcast for anyone starting a business who needs inspiration and small business advice, returns to the subject of marketing with some very practical insight from serial entrepreneur and author Robert Craven.

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If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 0:55 Alex welcomes Sage as new sponsors of SmallBizPod.

Features:

• 02:27 Interview with Robert Craven of Directors Centre and author of a new book called Bright Marketing. Robert talks about how he surveyed 15,000 small business people to identify what practical advice people really wanted on the subject of marketing. Alex and Robert talk about measuring your business in terms of finance, marketing and operations (FiMO), the importance of selling, how the best forms of marketing need not be expensive and avoiding mediocrity by avoiding ‘safe’. Robert also talks about upside down marketing, strangers, friends and lovers and getting your pricing right.

Comments:

• 37:25 Congratulations to Kelvin Jones of ‘Diary of a Wantrepreneur’ fame on his recent marriage.
• 38:04 Thanks to all those who have signed up to the SmallBizPod Facebook group and commented: in particular Matt Johnson who comes up with an idea for a future podcast.
• 39:06 Check out and complete Ivy Ho’s MBA questionnaire on entrepreneurship, if you can.

• 34.18 Music – rpg by Transient with many thanks to Monotonik.

Tags: small business podcast, business marketing, startups

This week SmallBizPod #42, the small business podcast returns to the subject of sales, the very essence of any business, with an excellent, practical interview with cold calling ninjas Mike O’Hara and Greg Grimer from the Cold Calling Podcast. Mike and Greg have sold over the phone to corporate customers in Wall Street, so they know a thing or two about how to make a successful sales call. This episode also has the usual round up of listener comments, feedback and suggestions.

Right click here to download

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed, download your free aggregator software like Juice or Doppler Radio and right click on the orange subscribe button on the top right hand side of this page copying the link into your aggregator. For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 01:00 Thanks to Bibby Financial Services and please visit them www.bibbyfinancialservices.com.
• 02:03 Comment and trackbacks from Wendy Piersall and Ponn Sabra on the SmallBizPod blog.
• 02:40 Welcome to Clare from Kent the latest listener to sign-up to the SmallBizPod Frappr Map.

Features:

• 03:07 Interview with Greg Grimer and Mike O’Hara of the Cold Calling Podcast exploring how to sell successfully over the phone. Mike, Greg and Alex discuss some of the tactics and approaches that make an initial sales/prospecting call effective and how cold calling can actually help you reach potential customers not reached by other marketing. There’s also a lot of practical advice about getting to the value proposition quickly, getting around the gatekeepers, listening to feedback, building your sales confidence and advice on the Telephone Preference System.

Comments:

• 27:04 Email from Michael Smith looking for advice on food and drink franchising opportunities and advice.
• 28:23 Email from Andrew Turner who is finding is feeling less isolated in sunny Italy now he’s discovered a lot of valuable resources and small business communities on the web.
• 29:34 Email from James Hunter who has just started an IT support business.
• 30:02 Comment from Gerry who listens to SmallBizPod in bed, despite his girlfriend’s occasional disapproval!
• 31:09 Comment from Nick Fogarty in Barcelona who recommends podcast produced by Stanford Technology Ventures.

Outro:

• 32.08 Music – Flashback by Fitzpatrick with many thanks to small business owner and progressive trance producer Patrick Mauldin.

Tags: sales, cold calling, small business, business leads

This week’s small business podcast, SmallBizPod #34, features an excellent interview by one of our listeners, Juliette Prouse, with George Torok, entrepreneur, best-selling Canadian author and marketing expert. George and Juliette discuss how your business can get an unfair advantage over the competition and how you can build a personal brand. There’s also a review of PodcastCon UK including live music from one of the bands that played as well as the usual round up of comments from listeners and the latest from the SmallBizPod Frappr map community.

Right click here to download

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed, download your free aggregator software like Juice or Doppler Radio and right click on the orange subscribe button on the top right hand side of this page copying the link into your aggregator. For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.

Features:

• 01.55 Interview from SmallBizPod listener Juliette Prouse at Qube with George Torok, best selling Canadian business author and marketing guru. George talks about how to get an unfair advantage over your competitors by applying systems and business principles that will take you beyond natural talent. Juliette and George also talk about how to build a personal brand, ‘smell out’ your best customers and how to overcome the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

Comments:

• 24.48 Alex on interview contributions from listeners.
• 24.48 Round up of PodcastCon with thanks to Cheeze and the other sponsors.
• 26.45 Email comment from Jason King.
• 27.47 Email from Ian Wells on whether or not SmallBizPod has covered the issue of small business joint ventures.
• 28.13 Chris Rusu checks in to say hello.
• 28.49 Hugo Carlone who runs a small advertising agency in Brazil emails the show and realises that advice for small businesses is relevant across the globe.
• 29:54 Comments from the latest listeners to add themselves to the SmallBizPod Frappr map including: Matt Griffiths in Malaysia and Caron in Alberta.

Outro:

• 31.11 Music – Janine by The Shakes live at PodcastCon UK 2006 with thanks to the excellent Fishbowl Acoustic and the Podcast Music Network.

Tags:
business podcast
small business advice
branding
small business marketing

This week SmallBizPod #30 includes an interview with journalist and blogger David Tebbutt offering up small business advice on how to handle the media, generate positive stories for you business and how to defend yourself against bad press. There’s also the usual round up of feedback from listeners in the form of Frappr map feedback, emails and yet another audio comment.

Right click here to download

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed, download your free aggregator software like Juice or Doppler Radio and right click on the orange subscribe button on the top right hand side of this page copying the link into your aggregator. For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, click on the link or player above.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.

Comments:

• 00:41 Comments from the latest listeners to add themselves to the SmallBizPod Frappr map including: Rob Prouse in Canada, Ramanujam Thodur from Texas, Mark Hammersley, Big Steve, Ron Cesek, Rolf Binder from Adelaide and Carl from Melbourne in Australia.
• 02:08 Comment from Fraser Edwards who has a very useful podcast on affiliate marketing over at affiliateblog.co.uk.
• 02.51 Comment from Steve Pursell who is looking for advice on a business selling ebooks and a recommendation for Yaro Starak’s blog.
• 03.53 Email comment from Ollie Banks of Velocity Bars who’s been inspired to explore setting up his own podcast as a result of the SmallBizPod ‘How To Podcast’ screencast.
• 04.36 Email comment from Mike Laughton looking for advice on how he can contribute to the show.
• 05.20 Email comment from Mark Mitchell in Newcastle, Australia on what a refreshing and useful perspective SmallBizPod brings to his own business.
• 06.16 Audio comment from Mike O’Hara who took up my challenge and has recently launched a sales advice podcast called the Cold Calling Podcast.

Features:

• 07.51 Interview with David Tebbutt, a journalist who has written for the FT, The Times, Real Business, Director and edited Personal Computer World. David is also a blogger and developer of an interesting piece of shareware called Brainstorm. David and Alex discuss how to get positive press coverage for your business, how to target the right journalists and publications and how to identify and pitch a story. There’s also some very valuable advice on developing concise key messages, understanding how journalists work and how to manage negative stories and protect the reputation of your business.

Outro:

• 32:12 Music – Long Way Home by Egobomber with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Tags:
business podcast
SME PR
small business
media relations

This week’s small business podcast, SmallBizPod #28, takes a look at small business branding with serial entrepreneur and branding consultant, BJ Cunningham of Brand Evolution. Recorded in the heart of glamorous Mayfair, we discuss what it takes to create a memorable and effective brand, how to work your way into your customers’ hearts and minds, as well as taking a look at how consultants can develop their own personal brand. As usual I also round up the latest feedback on the podcast from listeners spread far and wide.

Right click to download

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed, download your free aggregator software like Juice or Doppler Radio and right click on the orange subscribe button on the top right hand side of this page copying the link into your aggregator. For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, click on the link or player above.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show and how to contact SmallBizPod with your comments or audio comments.

Comments:

• 01:29 Email from Phil Locke who found himself being distracted from the World Cup by listening to the SmallBizPod interview with Richard Denny. Phil also asks whether there is a SmallBizPod newsletter.
• 03.13 Email from Sam Walter who raises the issue of the importance of environmental concerns for business and mentions his new website on the subject.
• 04:37 Madelaine Kirke reminds us all of how vital it is to have off site secure backups of data, a subject dear to my own heart!
• 06:20 Juliet Prouse who oscillates between Gabon and Canada in her job for an oil company mentions her entrepreneurial ambition, enjoys SmallBizPod and seeks a link to For Immediate Release, one of the best PR podcasts on the web.
• 07:51 Comments from the latest listeners to add themselves to the SmallBizPod Frappr map including: artist Greg Manley, Sam Walter, Madeleine Kirke, Nick Fogarty a kiwi in Barcelona who’d like to know more about the pros and cons of distribution agents for his export/distribution business, and Oliver Abrahams who’d like to see a show on PR on a shoestring and who has recently launched a product innovation business.

Features:

• 11.08 Interview with BJ Cunningham a serial entrepreneur and brand consultant. BJ gives listeners a fascinating insight into how to make small business branding stand out based on his own entrepreneurial experiences as a luxury car importer, the creator of Death Cigarettes, and founder of Georgina Goodman an exclusive London shoe shop. We talk about building depth, rather than width when it comes to branding, engaging customers by communicating clearly and delivering on your promises. We also cover how to create a brand proposition through a compelling idea that shoots like a bullet into the brains of your customers and how to make the ordinary extraordinary.
• 31.41 BJ talks about brand consultancy and his forthcoming Brand Evolution workshops in London.

Outro:

• 34:18 Music – Intelligent Design by Electronic Voice Phenomenon with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Tags:
business podcast
branding
small business
marketing

SmallBizPod #19, the small business podcast, this week starts the first in a series of interviews with some of the world’s leading small business bloggers. Today’s show focuses on Ron McDaniel of the Buzzoodle blog who talks about how businesses can develop buzz marketing strategies effectively.

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For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, click on the link above.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:
• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 01:25 Comment from Easton Ellsworth
• 03:11 Comment from Paul on SmallBizPod interviews with large companies and the issue of whether big brands are the best suppliers for the small business sector.
• 07:35 Progressive mix from Gordon at the Broken Bulbs blog.
• 08:32 Comment from George Hopkin on the practical benefits of podcasting for business.
• 13:34 Audio comment from Jeremy Hague at Waxmail.

Features:

• 15.33 Interview with Ron McDaniel, managing director of Buzzoodle Buzz Marketing. Ron and Alex talk about buzz marketing, practical tips to help your business get started, personal brands, blogging and how Ron reshaped his business.

Outro:
• 27:48 Music – Visiting Pictures by Japanese Seizure Robots with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business
buzz marketing
entrepreneurship

SmallBizPod #16 take a look at the way mobile working is changing the way small businesses are doing business. The show includes interviews with innovative soft drinks manufacturer Feel Good Drinks and also Intel. There’s also the usual round up of opinions and comments on the show and a classic slice of electronica.

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Click on the play button below to listen now

If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed, download your free aggregator software like Juice or Doppler Radio and right click on the orange subscribe button on the top right hand side of this page copying the link into your aggregator. For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, click on the link or player above.
Show Notes

Summary

Intro:
• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in today’s show.
• 00:48 Thank you to listeners old and new
• 01:47 Comments and feedback on the ‘roving reporter’ from Paul Worrall, Glen Watson and Darryl Caldwell and advice on gear for mobile interviews.
• 05:05 How to get comments, audio comments and feedback to SmallBizPod

Features:

• 05:43 Interview with Chris Wright, co-founder of Feel Good Drinks. Chris talks about how Feel Good Drinks got started, some marketing tips and tricks and how it uses mobile technology to improve the efficiency of its sales force.

• 15:45 Interview with Mike Bonello, analyst relations manager, EMEA, for Intel. Mike talks about the benefits of wifi and mobile technology for small businesses, takes a look at the security of wifi for small businesses and start-ups, considers the pros and cons of allowing staff to work from home and comments on Blackberry.

Outro:
• 25:40 Relaunch of SmallBizBlog for up-to-date news for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
• 26:41 Alex closes the show.
• 26:36 Music qwerty by The Impossible Flower, with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business
entrepreneurship

Welcome to SmallBizPod #6 – 35 minutes of news, interviews and practical advice for small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in investing in new enterprises.

This week’s show takes a look at the art and science of selling and includes an interview with best-selling author of Selling To Win and management guru, Richard Denny.

Right click to download

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed, download your free aggregator software like Juice or Doppler Radio and right click on the orange subscribe button on the top right hand side of this page copying the link into your aggregator. For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, click on the link or player above.

If you would like to comment on the show, please click on the comments link at the bottom of this blog entry or email comments@smallbizpod.co.uk. If you would like to send in an audio comment in mp3 format, I’d be more than happy to air them on the show.

Summary

Intro:
• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in this week’s show.
• 00:40 Comments from Elisabeth Lewin at Podcasting News.
• 01:24 The Bluggcast
• 01:36 Thanks to Neville Hobson of For Immediate Release and www.nevon.net

Features:
• 02:52 Interview – Richard Denny, Chairman of the Richard Denny Group and author of Selling To Win
• 23:03 News – More Than’s alterpreneurs; British Library Business and Intellectual Property Centre funding; Interland Spring 2005 US Business Barometer; European Parliament vote to abolish UK exemption from the Working Time Directive; DTI rebranding.

Outro:
• 29:12 How to send comments to SmallBizPod
• 29:33 Music – 6 weeks, 4 days and no content by Kondencuotas Pienas