This week SmallBizPod #51, the podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs, includes an interview with Nigel Botterill, chief executive of thebestof.co.uk about online business, franchising and how his local information site became one of the most visited UK websites. There’s also the usual round up of comments from listeners and some summery electronica.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 01:24 Many thanks to Eric Dadoun and Skyler Clarke for helping me develop the SmallBizPod Facebook app, which lets anyone on Facebook install a player that plays the latest podcasts. You can find out more about it at the SmallBizPod Facebook group.

Features:

• 02:48 Interview with Nigel Botterill, chief executive of thebestof.co.uk. Nigel explains how the business evolved from the community magazine business his wife had built up and franchised. He talks about how the business has grown rapidly from its launch in 2005 to over 330 local sites, and how he developed its online franchise business and revenue model. Nigel and Alex also discuss how he dealt with the leap from his corporate background to a career as an entrepreneur, the importance of responding and adapting for success, how he built a team, recruitment and the inspiration of thinking big.

Comments:

• 22:52 Email from Mark Wood about how the inspiration and practical advice he’s received from SmallBizPod has helped him and his wife build their business.
• 25:14 Comments on the blog from Ian Denny re business failure and Fiona Brown on 50 episodes.
• 27:11 Latest people to sign up to the Frappr map including: Ed Masters in the French Alps, Jon King in Newport and Stefan Drew.
• 28:08 Audio comment from Gagandeep Sapra.

• 30.10 Music – Emaze by bitbasic with many thanks to Monotonik.

Tags: small business podcast, thebestof.co.uk, startups, internet business

This week SmallBizPod #46, the podcast for small businesses and anyone looking for help starting a business, returns to the Business Startup Show to check the pulse of entrepreneurship today. Interviewees include the famous, like Lord Bilimoria of Cobra Beer and 2006 winner of The Apprentice, Michelle Dewberry, as well as many yet to be famous, hard working entrepreneurs and start-ups all with a story to tell. The show also includes the latest listener comments and news on some guest contributors to the SmallBizPod blog.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 01:25 Thanks to listeners for their feedback and comments which is always much appreciated and for joining the SmallBizPod networking site as well as an introduction to some new guest contributors to the small business and startup blog.

Features:

• 03:39 Interviews with: Angela Onoforu who is looking to set up an independent record label online, young serial entrepreneur Dan Ku and Chris Rivett,web designer, all of whom were in the queue to hear Levi Roots speak. [With apologies for any misspelt names]
• 09:54 Interview with Michelle Dewberry winner of the 2006 edition of The Apprentice on her plans for the future and what makes a successful business person.
• 12:42 Interview with Katie Moore founder of the Business Startup Community on networking online and in the ‘real world’.
• 16:08 Interview with Oliver Dowding of wheat grass juice producers Tonic Attack.
• 18:30 Interview with one of Britain’s best known entrepreneurs Lord Bilimoria, chief executive of Cobra Beer at the Wiley book store.

Comments:

• 24:30 Alex on how to leave a comment for the show by emailing alex@smallbizpod.co.uk or by calling +44 (0) 20 8133 1656 or if you’re in the US (415) 287 3794 and leaving a voice message.
• 25:48 Nic Morton gives some advice on business plans in response to last week’s diary of a wantrepreneur i.e. keep it short. He also suggests these two resources.
• 27:17 Email from Colin Maddocks who runs a successful web-based travel business.
• 28:04 Email comment from Matt Kendall on how his business has developed over the last few years and the marketing seminars it runs in Manchester.
• 29:05 Thanks to all those who have signed up to the Frappr map including Gagandeep Sapra, Neil from New Zealand and Fitzpatrick from Alabama.

• 34.28 Music – thanks to South African trance artist, Alienation whose track Imagine A Star was played during this week’s show as well as this track, Mad World featuring Marty B, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

Tags: small business podcast, startups, small business

This week SmallBizPod #45, the small business podcast, focuses on venture capital and female entrepreneurship. The show includes a fascinating interview with Gita Patel of Stargate Capital and provides an insight into how a VC thinks and how Gita came to set up the Trapezia fund dedicated to supporting female high growth start-ups. The show also includes audio comments, your chance to appear in a video podcast, more from the SmallBizPod blog, advice for the wantrepreneur, as well as the usual round up listener comments.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 02:10 Audio comment from Jonathan Yates at O2GO.
• 04:14 Audio comment from Guy Kingston at the Mind Your Own Business Podcast who invites SmallBizPod listeners to be involved in a new video podcast he is putting together. If you’re interested, head over to his video site.
• 06:21 Check out the SmallBizPod blog on marketing, technology and franchising.
• 07:00 More listeners and business people signing up to the SmallBizPod networking site, including Ling Valentine.

Features:

• 07:42 Interview with Gita Patel, co-founder of venture capitalists Stargate Capital and creator of the fast growth business fund, the Trapezia fund, aimed at women entrepreneurs. Alex & Gita talk about her background, what inspired her to research a new sector to invest in and how she decided to focus on funding female entrepreneurs. There’s also discussion about the funding gap for women in business, their passion and how a new generation of women want and have the determination to make lots of money. Gita also outlines what she looks for in a business and the importance of a model which provides equity, debt, intellectual capital and a hub of value.

Comments:

• 26:28 Email from Michael Smith who has now set up a sandwich bar business just down the road from Alex in Kent.
• 27:14 Christine Abrahams points out that SmallBizPod was recently featured in New Woman magazine.
• 27:35 Nick Jones with some advice for Kelvin Jones on business planning and some key elements to think about from Stanford Technology Venture Podcast by G Steven Burrill.
• 28:32 Brett Hollis follows-up with more advice for Kelvin and suggests taking the three month business plan approach that Brett himself has found so useful.
• 30:00 Rowena Mead‘s innovative toothbrush.
• 30:35 Feedback for Kelvin from Neil Infield, manager of the British Library’s Business & IP Centre, which really is a tremendous resource for any start-ups or businesses needing to get their hands on reports, databases and advice for their market research.
• 31:49 Check out David Hyner’s Goal Setting Masterclass in Birmingham on Saturday 2 June, if you want to learn how top achievers set and achieve goals.
• 33:20 Latest additions to the SmallBizPod Frappr map including Rowena Mead and Geoff Beattie.

Outro:

• 34.28 Music – Yello Sand Back by Sabi, with thanks to the Monotonik net label.

Tags: small business podcast, venture capital, small business, female entrepreneurship

This week SmallBizPod #44, the small business advice podcast, focuses on franchising, trading on Ebay and the entrepreneurial ambition of UK chief executive of iSold It, Philip Molloy. The show also includes the latest instalment of the diary of a wantrepreneur and the usual round up of listener feedback. Released a little later than usual due to holidays! [Please note iSold It has now gone bust both in the US and in the UK]

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 01:23 Thanks to the nearly 50 people who have already joined SmallBizPod’s new networking site. Looks like a good crowd of business savvy people already congregating there and nice to see some new and familiar names there including Barry Hopkins, Anne Marie McEwan and Taylor Marek who recently interviewed me on his podcast.
• 03:10 Holidays, colds and a podcast delivered a little later than anticipated.

Features:

• 03:58 Interview with Philip Molloy, chief executive of ISold It about the rise of the Ebay entrepreneur and how businesses are also using Ebay to manage stock and as a serious sales tool. He also tells the story of how following a successful business career he wanted to try something new and came to buy the franchise licence for ISold It. Philip also talks about the challenges of rolling out a high street franchise operation and talks about how he has invested in the franchise himself.

Comments:

• 23:58 Thanks to Sue Rann, Angela Gama, Paul Scott, Peter from Warsaw and Hugo from Paris for signing up to the Frappr map.
• 24:33 Email comment from Matt Deighton at Saxon Leather who are celebrating 25 years in business with some thoughts for wantrepreneur Kelvin Jones.
• 25:29 Words of advice for Kelvin also emailed in from Brian Stevenson and Nic Morton.

• 26:47 Diary of a Wantrepreneur Kelvin Jones returns to update us on market research and asks what kind of business plan should he write. Is an 80 page business plan too long? Do you need one?

Outro:

• 34.28 Music – The Magic Come Out At Night by Chris Rusu, with very many thanks to the Podsafe Music Network.

Tags: franchising, ebay, small business, internet business

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.

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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 SmallBizPod #41, the podcast for small business owners, start-ups and entrepreneurs, examines the growing trend of homeworking with Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation. The show also explores the work at home mum (WAHM) phenomenon in the US with Wendy Piersall of eMoms at Home and Ponn Sabra of Empower Women Now.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 02:30 An update on new sections of the SmallBizPod site including a three new bloggers, video interviews and a small business events calendar.

Features:

• 04:42 Interview with Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation on the subject of homeworking – the home now being the most popular location for business start-ups. Emma talks about her new home working podcast and the reasons why she works from home herself including costs, high productivity levels and the flexibility of when and how you work. Alex and Emma talk about homeworking loneliness, the virtual water-cooler, the power of technology and the importance of outsourcing to grow your business without outgrowing your home. Emma also talks about kitchen table tycoons and work at home mums.

Comments:

• 17:49 Email comment from Russell Barton on contributing some updates to the show on the development of his new business.
• 19:15 Email comment from Tony Campbell on the apathy of his local Chamber of Commerce.
• 20:41 Email from Simon O’Keefe suggesting Alex sticks with his first question of guests rather than refining it.
• 21:58 Sympathy for the umm and the err from Andy Hyland.
• 23:05 Comment from Andrew Turner who finds SmallBizPod inspiring in Italy where he encounters less of a passion for entrepreneurship.

Features:

• 24:36 Interview with Wendy Piersall and Ponn Sabra. Alex, Wendy and Ponn talk about the work at home mum (WAHM) movement in the US, the opportunity and accessibility that technology and the internet brings. Also highlighted is the importance of a strong sense of self worth for women working from home to be successful as well as the motivation and focus required to cope effectively with work and home life in one location. There’s also practical advice on mentors, networking and the importance of outsourcing at the right time.

Comments:

• 36.36 Feedback from the SmallBizPod Frappr Map with thanks to the following for signing up: Moosey, Williams Edwards in Orange, California, Nico Goodall from Joannesburg, South Africa, Simon O’Keefe in Australia, Christian Hoffmeyer from Copenhagen, and Colin from Milton Keynes.

Outro:

• 38.26 Music – Cakes by Beak with many thanks to the Monotonik netlabel.

Tags: homeworking, WAHM, small business, female entrepreneurs

This week SmallBizPod #40, the small business podcast, explores the subject of support for environmentally friendly businesses, how going green can benefit your bottom line and the world of social enterprise. Interviews with Hugh Smith of London Remade and Colin Crooks, managing director of Greenworks, provide a fascinating insight and plenty of practical advice. This episode also sees the return of the ‘roving reporter’ and plenty of feedback from listeners.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 01:55 Thank you and hello to all new listeners and how to send your feedback.
• 02:46 Thanks for the promo voice over from Simon Davies.

Features:

• 03:23 Interview with Hugh Smith, programme manager for the Enhance initiative at London Remade. Hugh explains how London Development Agency funding of £3 million is used to provide consultancy and advice to businesses wanting to grow in the green sector and also to establish a capital fund providing grants for recycling projects within companies. Alex and Hugh talk about the growth of environmentally friendly business, what practical steps should SMEs take to improve their environmental impact, but also their bottom line by going green. Hugh also highlights other support networks across the country including: the Community Recycling Network, the Waste and Resources Action Programme, Envirowise and the Green Procurement Code.

Comments:

• 15:54 Email comment from Paul Grant at Capital Partners Group to a free seminar called the Funding Game in London on Thursday 15 February which helps early stage businesses explore funding options. Contact Paul, if you’d like to attend: 0207 7482215.
• 17:03 Thanks for the trackback from Ed Stivala who has been enjoying SmallBizPod #4 on blogging.
• 17:51 Email comment from S Rajasekar an Indian entrepreneur from Theni who has been enjoying SmallBizPod, particularly the Taylor/LaBarre episode and the interview done by Juliette Prouse. He also makes an interesting suggestion about adding a 30 second business tip and 30 second joke to each episode of SmallBizPod, to add to the variety.
• 20:10 Update on new people to add themselves to the SmallBizPod Frappr Map including: Rajasekar, Ed Stivala, Richard Boyd, and Daley Ervin.
• 21:23 Email comment from Jim Markham saying yes he would like a SmallBizPod forum.
• 22:16 Email comment from Greg Sue who runs a fashion label start-up in Brighton and the concept of vuja de.
• 23:59 An audio comment from Nick Rogers on open source business models and the Juice screencast.

Features:

• 26:48 Interview with Colin Crooks, managing director of Greenworks who explains what his company does, why it does it and how to define a social enterprise. Alex and Colin also talk about how green business and social enterprises have grown together to lead the way in the recycling arena. There’s also some discussion on recycling profits, the difficulty of motivating social enterprises to make money, the need to recruit employees with commercial experience and the options in terms of company formations.

Outro:

• 38.45 Music – The return of Carl Barton the original SmallBizPod roving reporter with a track called Coming Home composed by Carl and friends as v.f.d with thanks to the Podsafe Music Network.

Tags: social enterprise, green business, small business, recycling

This week SmallBizPod #39, the podcast for anyone interested in entrepreneurship or starting and running their own business, takes a detailed look at what it takes to list your business on AIM, the London Stock Exchange‘s market for growth businesses in the UK and beyond. The show includes an interview with the deputy head of AIM, Marcus Stuttard, and also a new segment, the diary of a ‘wantrepreneur’ as well as the usual feedback and commentary from listeners.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 01:32 Thank you and hello to all new listeners and how to send your feedback.

Features:

• 04:29 Interview with Marcus Stuttard, deputy head of AIM. Marcus outlines some of the practical issues facing businesses looking to list on AIM including how to work with nominated advisers, dubbed NOMADS. Alex and Marcus also talk about why a business might prefer listing rather than private equity as a means of finance, how challenging an IPO is for a business, understanding the practicalities of being under public scrutiny, disclosure and open communication. The interview also touches on some of the challenges facing AIM itself.

Comments:

• 19.10 Email comment from Daley Ervin at Arizona State University with comments on the Taylor/Labarre interview and seeks advice on reading for budding entrepreneurs from SmallBizPod listeners.
• 20:41 Email comment from Nick Jones re umms and errs.
• 21:38 Email comment from Nuno Pereira in Portugal who suggests a SmallBizPod listeners’ forum. What do you think, should SmallBizPod have a forum?
• 22:39 Email comment fro Lucie at Follet Motors on Commerzbank or Commerce Bank.
• 23:19 Email comment from entrepreneurship student Laura Hammond.
• 23:19 Email comment from Russell Barton, a photographer in Western Australia with a particularly impressive blog.
• 25:13 New faces on the SmallBizPod Frappr Map – add yours too and check out MyBlogLog.com too.
• 26:48 Comment on the blog from Rob Smorfitt re innovation – inspiration or necessity?

Features:

• 27:43 Diary of a Wantrepreneur with Kelvin Jones. Don’t forget to email your views or leave a comment here on whether or not Kelvin should attend a course on entrepreneurship?

Outro:

• 40.56 Music 2 Steps Back by Nick Zero with thanks to Rest.

Tags: entrepreneur, growth business, small business, IPO

This week SmallBizPod #36, the small business podcast, includes an interview with one of Britain’s youngest and most successful entrepreneurs, Adam Hildreth, who left school at 16 with few qualifications to set up his first business and who at the tender age of 21 is worth £5 million and is now CEO of his second start-up Crisp Thinking.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in the show.
• 01:12 A quick plug for an electronica podcast – Beatific Podcast.
• 01:28 BJ Cunningham, branding guru and all round good chap who appeared in SmallBizPod #28, offers listeners a free teleconference Q&A on 23 January 2007 on branding and how it can benefit your bottom line. If you’re interested sign up at www.brandevolutionworkshop.com/ask

Features:

• 02:41 Interview with Adam Hildreth, CEO of Crisp Thinking. Adam talks about what inspired him to launch his first business at the age of 16 and how he was involved with the Young Enterprise initiative at school. He goes on to discuss his first business Dubit, that launched an online payment card for teenagers and consulted on marketing to the teenage market. As a veteran of the first dotcom bubble in 1999, Adam discusses online business models then and now and how he sees the current Web 2.0 boom. Alex and Adam also discuss determination and passion in business, the importance of listening and ways to encourage and support young entrepreneurs.

Comments:

• 20:10 Alex asks for listeners views and experience of what different places and countries do to encourage young entrepreneurship.
• 20:51 Email comment from David Kroesslhuber in Austria seeking advice on how to market his b2b binocular business.
• 22:38 Email comment from Doug Smart.
• 22:38 Carolyn Mumby from the Managers Club and a podcast interview with Alex.
• 23:39 Comment from Ray Algar of Oxygen Consulting about the length of SmallBizPod interviews.
• 25:05 Send comments by email, on the blog or by leaving a message on Skype or the SmallBizPod answer machine.
• 26:01 Sponsorship of SmallBizPod.

Outro:

• 26.39 Music Man Without a Hannover by Russian Linesman with thanks to Mmmph Netlabel.

Happy Christmas to all SmallBizPod listeners. Thank you for your support and have a wonderful and prosperous New Year.

Tags: young entrepreneur, online business, small business

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.

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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 #27 marks a return for the small business podcast and the first on the re-launched website and blog. This week I interview a series of entrepreneurs and small business experts covering the practicalities of setting up a franchise, angel funding and how to protect your intellectual property. The show was recorded on the road at a very enjoyable business seminar run by Gifty Enright of Business Scope. I also catch up on all the feedback from listeners over the last month.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex, the prodigal zombie and proud father, returns to introduce the show and highlights the launch of the new SmallBizPod website.

Comments:

• 01:44 Comment from David George on business planning.
• 03.10 Thoughts on the benefits of podcasting for small businesses from Bob Cartwright at Backpackinglight.
• 04:24 Email from Mike Jump at Frankfurt Messe on additional advice for businesses looking to export which you can download here.
• 06:05 Comment from David Rose who is writing a book on the lifestyle and human interest aspects of becoming an entrepreneur. David would like any SmallBizPod listeners interested in being interviewed for the book to contact him at: +44 (0) 1568 611196 or davidgrose@onetel.net.
• 07:06 Another comment from David George on guidance on recruiting.
• 07:34 Comment from David Braziel with some ideas for a show on web applications and software that could benefit small business owners.

Features:

• 10.00 Interviews from the Business Scope seminar, beginning with Elaine Gold of Y’s weight on how she managed the process of developing and franchising her business idea.
• 16.00 Interview with Jeffrey Pym of Beer & Partners on the potential benefits of looking to business angels for funding and why some businesses fear giving up control and equity.
• 22.12 Interview with Sarah Staines of Sherrards on how to structure your business to protect the value of your intellectual property.

Frappr Map Comments:

• 28:41 Comments from listeners who’ve put a pin in the SmallBizPod Frappr map including: Edward Kay, Richard Banks, David George, Matthew Marshall our first Maltese listener, David Cruickshank, Joel Haasnoot in Leiden, Adrian Pepper, Fin, David Anderson, Elwyn Price, James Kennedy in Dublin, Mike Cleary, Ben Moss of Robertson Cooper, Soren Helsted in Copenhagen, Mike in London, Raj Bangar, John Dutton, Dustin Senos in British Columbia, Jason Wallace, Antonino from Rome in Italy, Jess Craven, Dean Whitbread, Chris Ledden, Kare Anderson, N Tootie and James Kenny.

Outro:

• 32:50 Music – Get Into Your Brain by sublimator with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Tags:
business podcast
franchising
small business
business angels

This week SmallBizPod #26, the podcast for entrepreneurs and small business owners, highlights advice on how to expand your business through international trade. The show has an excellent interview with Simon Coyle a young Scottish entrepreneur whose designer chocolate brand, Kschocolat, is now being sold across the globe. There’s also a debate on what makes an entrepreneur and the usual round up of small business views and feedback from listeners around the world.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex introduces the show and highlights the listener voicemail service for audio feedback via Skype at alex-smallbizpod or +44 20 8133 1656.
• 02:38 Comments from listeners who’ve put a pin in the SmallBizPod Frappr map including: John Ireland, Fred, Carl Barton, Derek Telles, Kare, David Fineberg, Lamia Cross, and James Turner.

Features:

• 05.07 Interview with Simon Coyle of Kschocolat. Alex and Simon talk about international trade; how to grow your business through exports; the importance of good distributors and importers; how the Kschocolat brand was built; the inspiration behind the brand; market research; small business quality and differentiation; and the key factors that have lead to business success.

Comments:

• 20:46 Comment from Alan Stevens, the MediaCoach who also runs a media training podcast.
• 22.19 Jason King thanks SmallBizPod for the inspiration behind OfficeBuffoon.com!
• 24.34 Paul Worrall comments on some issues around factoring, a business finance concept he’s developing and his open source software podcast.
• 26.42 Feedback from Guy Kingston of the Mind Your Own Business podcast and business conversations between SmallBizPod listeners.
• 27.51 Gordon Graham of the Broken Bulbs blogs puts forward some fascinating views on what defines an entrepreneur.

Outro:

• 31:42 Alex closes the show and reminds listeners of how to get feedback to SmallBizPod.
• 33:31 Music – Jupiter II by Quibus with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
international trade
business
small business
exporting

After a few weeks away the small business podcast, SmallBizPod #25, returns with a show which takes a look at how small businesses can free up their cash flow by considering factoring. Included are interviews with the Chief Executive of the Factors and Discounters Association and a baby products business noonoo design that has expanded rapidly into international markets thanks to a shrewd approach to financial management. There’s also some great feedback and food for thought from SmallBizPod listeners in the show this week.

Right click to download

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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 introduces a packed show and apologises for a small delay in getting out SmallBizPod #25.
• 01:31 Comments from listeners who’ve put a pin in the SmallBizPod Frappr map including: Stuart Oliver, Chad Reese, Jeremy Gittens, Steve Smart, Shawn George, Giovanni Salinas, John Attree, Ben, Georgette Jarvis, Napoleon Biggs, David aka Xodust, Anne Marie McEwan, Alexis Goncalves, Lee Wilson, Katie Shellhorse, Alexander van Grunsven, and Dave from Pretoria.

Features:

• 05.33 Interview with Kate Sharp of the Factors and Discounters Association. Alex and Kate talk about how small businesses can benefit from factoring and invoice finance; which businesses suit this form of finance; how to choose the right factor or invoice discounter; what to expect by way of charges; and whether there is any benefit over a simple bank loan to cover cash flow shortfalls.
• 16.10 Interview with Jo Ashburner and Jonathan Dean of noonoo designabout their experiences of factoring and how it has helped their baby comfort blanket business secure rapid growth into international markets.

Outro:

• 33:18 Comments left on the blog from Tee and Steve Smart with some views on entrepreneurship and SmallBizPod editorial policy.
• 38:10 Email comments from Crystal and Bob Cartwright with some constructive criticism of the website and forum.
• 39:57 Comment from the mystery Mexican, Giovanni Selinas, on inspiration and his own experiences as a start-up.
• 41:41 SmallBizPod will be interviewing the shadow small business minister at a seminar on discovering hidden profits in your business put on by Gifty Enright of Business Scope – Alex hopes to see some SmallBizPod listeners there.
• 42.45 Simon Davis with another call for weekly editions of SmallBizPod!
• 44.15 Interesting comments and views on how to be successful in business from Matthew Harwood.
• 46.20 A podcast plug for FundingUniverse.com.
• 47.02 Thanks go Guy Kingston of the Mind Your Own Business podcast.

• 47:38 Music – London Chainsaw Massacre by REDXONE with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
small business finance
business
small business
factoring

This week SmallBizPod #24, the small buisness podcast for entrepreneurs and start-ups, includes a series of interviews and expert advice on how to recruit, motivate and manage staff and the thorny issue of employment legislation. Interviews include a conversation with Julia Scott, founder and managing director of Base Connections, winner of European Call Centre of the Year, about her innovative approach to managing her people. There’s also a bumper round up of listeners’ comments and frappr map feedback.

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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.
• 00:53 Comment from Sanjay Parekh of Signifo on his interview on SmallBizPod #20.
• 01:42 Comment from Thomas Power, chairman of Ecademy.
• 02:10 Comment from Rita Gayford and a question on where are all the female entrepreneurs on the Frappr map.
• 04:20 Comment from Oladele Ayuba on the strategies and tactics to adopt when breaking free from the corporate world to become an entrepreneur.
• 05:46 Comment from Mark Anthony on the benefit of SmallBizPod for franchisees.
• 06:36 Comment from Sebastian Prooth of the From The Director’s Chair podcast.
• 08:10 Thanks to everyone who has said hello on the SmallBizPod Frappr map – a who’s who of listeners, including Gary Dring, Scott Gavin, Ron Cesek, Stephen Cotterell, Tue Hellstern, and Neil Gibson.
• 09:20 The mysterious Mexican – a telephone message from a Mexican listener.

Features:

• 10.10 Interview with Julia Scott of Base Connections an award winning marketing and telemarketing business about the challenges of employing people, their approach to recruitment and retention of staff, how to motivate and develop employees, and the challenges of employment legislation.
• 23.48 Interview with Professor Martin Binks of the University of Nottingham Institute for Enterprise and Innovation on insuring against loss of key staff and recruitment based on the University’s UK Business Barometer surveys which you can find here and here.
• 27.39 Interview with Alan Phillips of Croner on key employment legislation for small businesses.

Outro:

• 32:13 How to send comments to SmallBizPod – just email alex@smallbizpod.co.uk.
• 32:34 Music – Laughter House by Chris Rusu with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
employment
business
small business
entrepreneurship

This week SmallBizPod #23, the podcast for entrepreneurs and small business owners, includes a series of interviews from the Web Wednesdays business networking events held each month in London. The events have a real buzz about them and the enthusiasm and insight of these current and future web entrepreneurs is well worth a listen. There’s also the usual round up of listeners’ comments, the launch of the world’s first podcasting magazine and frappr map mayhem!

Right click to download

Click on the play button below to listen now

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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.
• 00:56 Comment from Phil Brown about how he has made a business connection with a US listener of SmallBizPod.
• 02:18 How to get in touch to leave a comment by email or audio.
• 03:04 Thanks to everyone who has said hello on the SmallBizPod Frappr map – a who’s who of listeners, including Khurram Masood in India, Fred in China, Duncan Schultz, Barry Hopkins, John Nousis, Michael from Owatonna, Penny Haywood, Joe Ackers-Douglas, Gustavo Arizpe, Lee Sarrazan, Takeshi, Rick and May Kuroma in Japan, David Jarvis, Sebastian Prooth, Andrew Thompson, Nash of the Biz and Buzz podcast, and private eye Mark Docker in Manchester.

Features:

• 06.54 Inroduction to networking. Alex asks listeners to let the him know about how, why and where they get the best from networking.
• 12:37 Interview with a great group of web-based business owners and creatives at the Web Wednesdays networking event hosted by Damien Senn and Rob Anderson.

Outro:

• 27:03 How to send comments to SmallBizPod – just email alex@smallbizpod.co.uk.
• 27:35 Alex talks about the launch of the world’s first magazine dedicated to podcasting, Podcast User Magazine.
• 28:23 Music – Are You Dead Yet? by The Phatbelly Collective with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
web business
business
small business
entrepreneurship

SmallBizPod #21, this week’s small business podcast includes an interview with Guy Kawasaki of Garage Technology Ventures. Guy was one of the original Apple evangelists and is author of the Art Of The Start. He discusses his time at Apple, business mantras, the relationship between VCs and entrepreneurs, simplicity in business, and why he has started his blog.

Right click to download

Click on the play button below to listen now

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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.
• 00:50 Happy New Year to new and existing listeners and a mantra for SmallBizPod – ‘Inspiration For Entrepreneurs’.
• 01:50 The SmallBizPod Frappr map – a who’s who of listeners.
• 02:37 Comments from Bob at Backpackinglight Podcast, Carl Barton, Lauren Pecorino and David Cruickshank who talks about the online software market and how interesting small businesses are.

Features:

• 05.43 Interview with Guy Kawasaki of Garage Technology Ventures. Alex and Guy talk business mantras, the relationship between VCs and entrepreneurs, simplicity in business, and why he has started his blog. Guy also reveals his humility and asseses whether God is on Microsoft’s side.

Outro:
• 26:26 Music – Strange Forest Fruit by Yellow Goose with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
guy kawasaki
business
small business
entrepreneurship

SmallBizPod #20, the small business podcast, this week has a Christmas party feel as I interview a diamond manufacturer, a SmallBizPod listener and software entrepreneur, a fire walker, a Financial Times journalist and a cancer specialist at the Bootstrapping Your Business book launch.

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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 and a pointer to the SmallBizPod Frappr map.
• 01:19 Happy Christmas to SmallBizPod listeners old and new.
• 01:54 Comment from Easton Ellsworth.
• 02:27 Comment from Nick Rowlands on open source software and whether Alex has Swedish ancestors?
• 03:46 Comment from April in Hong Kong.
• 04:33 Comment from Ron Molenda in Taiwan on bootstrapping.
• 05:18 Comment from Bob at the Backpackinglight podcast (RSS feed)on making money from podcasts and US and UK comparisons.
• 07:06 Comment from Mike Sharp on podcasting resources in this month’s .Net magazine.

Features:

• 08.30 Interviews from the Bootstrapping Your Business book launch at the house music filled Zebrano bar off Carnaby Street in London.
• 09:36 Interview with Natasha Starkel of Transparent Assets on a Russian diamond manufacturing business.
• 13:15 Interview with Sanjay Parekh of Signifo on developing a software business.
• 17:20 Interview with Marcus Gibson, Financial Times journalist and co-author of Boostrapping Your Business, on podcasting, blogging, the congestion charge and a database of small high tech companies.
• 21:53 Interview with a motivational fire walker.
• 25:22 Interview with cancer specialist Dr Lauren Pecorino.

Outro:
• 27:48 Music – Grey Haze by Haegl with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business
entrepreneurship

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.

Right click to download

Click on the play button below to listen now

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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 #18, the small business podcast, this week includes a wide ranging interview with Heather Gorringe, managing director of Wiggly Wigglers, winners of this year’s Federation of Small Businesses’ National Business Champion awards.

Right click to download

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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.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 and podcasting for small businesses
• 00:56 A comments no show, tax and the pre-Christmas rush.
• 01:52 Greg Gianforte book launch, Thursday 8th December at Zebrano Bar, 14-16 Ganton Street, London. All SmallBizPod listeners are invited, just contact Krista on 01753 894993.
• 02:38 Winners of the SmallBizPod competition.

Features:

• 03.29 Interview with Heather Gorringe, managing director, Wiggly Wigglers. I discuss with Heather the benefits of entering small business competitions, how Wiggly Wigglers reaches out to its customers, business in the community, farm diversification, small business podcasting and a whole host of other topics. Well worth a listen.

Outro:
• 26:43 How to leave audio comments using Waxmail with thanks to the For Immediate Release podcast.
• 27:48 Music – Close To You by NightVision with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business
entrepreneurship

SmallBizPod #17 includes an interview with the head of small business at Microsoft, the chance to win a new book on starting up in business and an invitation to a swanky launch party in London. There’s also the usual round up of opinions and comments on the show and a classic slice of electronica.

Right click to download

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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.
• 00:50 Comment from Ray Algar.
• 01:47 How to get comments, audio comments and feedback to SmallBizPod.
• 02:19 SmallBizPod competition to win ‘Bootstrapping Your Business’ a new book from CEO of RightNow Technologies, Greg Gianforte.
• 04:10 Invite to Greg’s London launch party at the Zebrano bar off Carnaby Street on Thursday 8 December. To put your name on the guest list, please email Krista Burnett at RightNow Technologies at kburnett[at]rightnow[dot]com.
• 05:51 The Swazipod appeal.

Features:

• 09:36 Interview with Clare Barclay, head of small business, Microsoft. Clare talks about how Microsoft keeps in touch with the small business sector and offers her views on the challenges and issues facing SMEs in the UK. She also talks about security issues and the future of podcasting, blogging and what this means for businesses both large and small.

Outro:

• 29:07 Alex closes the show and points to a ‘how to’ on podcasting at www.verbalism.net.
• 30:25 Music Silicone Angel by Youth In Asia, with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business
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.

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 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

SmallBizPod #15 includes the show’s first guest correspondent, Carl Barton, and an interview with David Hyner of Stretch Development on setting goals and personal motivation – a key to small business success. There’s the usual round up of opinions and comments in this, the ‘we’re back’ edition of SmallBizPod.

Right click to download

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:
• 00:00 Alex on where the hell he’s been and a welcome back to listeners.
• 01:06 What’s coming up in today’s show.
• 03:44 Comments from Chris Ritke, 49 Media, Richard Harrison and Mike Sharp.
• 04:28 Comment from David Fuhrer re interview techniques.
• 06.00 Thanks to Adriana Cronin-Lukas and IF for the review of SmallBizPod.

Features:

• 07.00 Interview with David Hyner of Stretch Development, interviewed by guest SmallBizPod correspondent, Carl Barton.
Outro:
• 25:10 Alex on running a business and keeping positive.
• 26:04 Become a roving reporter and how to send comments to SmallBizPod.
• 26:36 Music – On The Shore by The Great Design, with thanks to Electromancer.com.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business
entrepreneurship

SmallBizPod #14 includes an analysis of the economic outlook for small and medium sized businesses in both the UK and the US. Included are interviews with the Forum of Private Business in the UK, the National Federation of Independent Businesses in the US as well as a manufacturer from Leeds in Yorkshire, and one from Nashville, Tennessee

Right click to download

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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 this week’s show.
• 01:03 Thanks to new listeners and SmallBizPod ‘Interesting Indies’ feature on iTunes.
• 02:07 Comment from Yaro Starak on SmallBizPod and a review on Entrepreneurs Journey.
• 03:52 Comment from Martin Neumann of Home Office Voice
• 04:52 Comment from Jason Gaved of Lexel Designson why he doesn’t think SmallBizPod is crap, despite the talking.
• 05:53 Comment from Frederik in Sweden on the SmallBizPod interview with Greg Gianforte and how to go from a corporate job to self-employment while still supporting a family financially.
• 06:21 Comments from Marv and interesting developments at Electromancer.com.

Features:

• 09:01 Interview with Andy Mowlah, Policy Advisor from the Forum of Private Businesses. Andy talks about small business reaction to the Bank of England interest rate reduction, the broader UK economic outlook and lobbying.
• 16:00 Interview with William Dunkelberg, chief economist at the US National Federation of Independent Business. Bill analyses the US economic climate for small business including the positive spending, hiring and investment in the sector and some of the threats from international trade patterns. Also how small manufacturers are among the strongest hirers in the US economy.

• 26:37 PodcastCon UK 2005 and the sponsorship by Be, the 24 megs broadband provider.

• 28:09 Interview with Eric Tomlinson of Rushforth & Co Ltd based in Leeds. Eric talks about the issues facing small manufacturing firms in the UK, particularly taxation, threats from cheap imports and the need for a real apprenticeship scheme. He also highlights what a business needs to do to survive in a difficult economic climate.
• 37:14 Interview with Bill Merry Jnr of Herndon & Merry Inc based in Nashville. Bill talks about the positive economic outlook in the states and how his firm is investing during the good times. He also talks about the complex tax system in the US.

Outro:
• 43:03 PodcastCon UK 2005 sign-up.
• 43:35 Marv at Electromancer.com launches podsafe music section of the site.
• 44:09 Music – SugarFac3 by Auxin.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business
entrepreneurship

SmallBizPod #13 includes an interview with Phil Crowshaw, business and training consultant and the brains behind expertsonline.tv. This week the show examines the anatomy of successful entrepreneurship and also rounds up the usual mix of news, views and opinion from around the worlds of small business and enterprise.

Right click to download

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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 this week’s show.
• 01:00 Thanks to listeners and for the feedback at the YouCanGetIt and Shell LiveWIRE small business forums.
• 02:00 Comment from Des Daniels talking about the telephone operator 18866 and presenting some very valid criticisms. Discussion of evangelical entrepreneurs and the editorial responsibilities of podcasters and bloggers.
• 04:20 Comment from Scott Gavin of Ergonomic IT on the podcasting feature in The Guardian newspaper which featured SmallBizPod, the SlamIdol podcast, podcastpaul and PodcastConUK 2005.
• 05:30 Comment from Tracy Heatley regarding her decision to focus training on female entrepreneurs after listening to SmallBizPod #12.
• 06:21 Comments from Sam Sethi of Vecosys on podcasting, PodcastCon UK 2005 and blog tracking.

News:
• 08:01 BT Business statistics on the growing problem of mis-selling over the phone to small businesses.
• 08:28 East of England Development Agency seminar on enterprise with Gordon Ramsay.
• 10:38 Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors report on a slowdown in the commercial property market.
• 12:19 SmallBizPod Blog of the Week – Entrepreneur’s Journey by Yaro Starak.

Features:
• 10:16 Interview – Philip Crowshaw of expertsonline.tv on the anatomy of a successful entrepreneur. The VIP pass to expertsonline.tv for SmallBizPod listeners is www.expertsonline.tv/vip. Includes comments from Dame Anita Roddick and Simon Woodroffe of Yo Sushi!

Outro:
• 36:58 How to send comments to SmallBizPod – please feel free to send audio comments!
• 37:28 Music – Crack by Tules.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business
entrepreneurship

SmallBizPod #12 takes a detailed look at the challenges that face female entrepreneurs today. The show includes interviews with the chief executive of Prowess, Erika Watson, and two young female entrepreneurs, Tracy Heatley and Reba Begum. There’s also the usual mix of news, views and opinion from around the world of small business and enterprise.

In other news, SmallBizPod has been nominated in this year’s Podcast Awards in the business category. The first UK conference on podcasting to be held on Saturday 17 September is also highlighted.

Right click to download

Click on the play button below to listen now

Full show notes will be available soon.

If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed, download your free aggregator software like iPodder or Doppler Radio and right click on one of the syndication buttons on the 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 above.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business

SmallBizPod #11 includes an interview with Chrissie Slater based in Leeds who, with her business partner Lydia Ross, is using NASA space technology to build a unique pet care business. Also in the show I have an interview with Greg Day of McAfee about the threats to smaller businesses of malicious computer viruses. And there’s the usual mix of news, views and opinion from around the world of small business and enterprise.

Right click to download

Click on the play button below to listen now

Full show notes will be available soon.

If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed, download your free aggregator software like iPodder or Doppler Radio and right click on one of the syndication buttons on the 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 above.

Best wishes

Alex Bellinger

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business

elcome to SmallBizPod #10 – a podcast for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the UK and beyond. 39 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 features an inspiring interview on bootstrapping – setting up a business with virtually no money – with founder and CEO of RightNow Technologies, Greg Gianforte. The show also includes the lost comment from Seattle and the usual mix of news, views and advice from the world of small business and enterprise.

Right click to download

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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 play them on the show.

Summary

Intro:
• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in this week’s show.
• 01:13 The lost Seattle comment from Darryl Caldwell.
• 04:03 Comment from Neville Hobson on Skype.

Features:
• 10:16 Interview – Greg Gianforte – RightNow Technologies.

News:
• 30:40 EU Directive on Optical Radiation comment from the Forum of Private Business, Charities Aid Foundation Companies and Communities Awards, Experian and Microsoft credit information, Kelo decision.

Outro:
• 35:41 How to send comments to SmallBizPod.
• 36:10 Music – Absent Mind by Lotd.

Tags:
My Odeo Channel
business podcast
business
small business
start-up
entrepreneur

elcome to SmallBizPod #9 – a podcast for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the UK and beyond. 36 minutes of news, interviews and practical advice for small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in investing in new enterprises.

This week sees a SmallBizPod first – a sound seeing tour of the recent Business Start-Ups 2005 event held at the Birmingham NEC. The show includes interviews with the organisers of the event, visitors and exhibitors and also includes a comment from Richard Vobes. In addition, there is the usual mix of small business and enterprise news, views and opinion from the UK and beyond.

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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.

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 play them on the show.

Summary

Intro:
• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in this week’s show
• 00:58 Why the delay and request for the lost Seattle comment
• 02:43 Comment from EW4N and an audio comment from Richard Vobes

Features:
• 06:48 Feature – Sound seeing tour of the Business Start-Up Show 2005, Birmingham NEC
• 08:18 Interview – Nick Moss, organiser of Buisness Start-Up Show 2005
• 12:15 Interview – Barry Hibberd, Advantage Business Angels
• 15:50 Interview – Luke Hewitt, show visitor
• 16:50 Britcaster sweeper – www.britcaster.com
• 18:05 Interview - Tracy Ronan, Lavender Business Solutions
• 19:45 Interview - Vikram and Raj, VRJ International, show visitors

News:
• 22:21 Alliance & Leicester Commercial Finance analysis of commercial vehicle demand, HM Customs & Excise regional trade statistics, launch of TalkTalk business, Small Business Research Trust survey on UK SME confidence, US small business confidence index from the National Federation of Independent Businesses

Outro:
• 26:58 How to send comments to SmallBizPod
• 27:38 Music – Lightstorm by Dagas

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business
start-up
entrepreneur

Welcome to SmallBizPod #7 – a podcast for businesses in the UK and beyond. 38 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 covers entrepreneurship among young people and includes interviews with a 23 year old Newcastle-based theatre producer, and Duncan Robbie, director of Shell LiveWIRE which runs the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

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 play them on the show.

Summary

Intro:
• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in this week’s show.
• 00:51 Comments from Rob at rsitesolutions.com
• 01:23 What do you think of a small business advice line?
• 02:00 HP small business blogging survey
• 02:32 UK small business bloggers where are you?

Features:
• 02:48 Interview – Olly Royds, Bums On Seats Productions
• 17:39 News – SME sleepless nights from the Factors & Discounters Association, official stats on strength of UK labour market, Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development pessimism on labour market outlook, CBI quarterly small business survey, reaction to the Queen’s Speech, British Chambers of Commerce technology security seminars.
• 21:33 Interview – Duncan Robbie, director, Shell LiveWIRE

Outro:
• 32:00 How to send comments to SmallBizPod
• 32:19 Music – Sonic Rush by Dapulse

Tags:
business podcast
business
small business

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

Welcome to SmallBizPod #5 – 39 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 is an election special and focuses on interviews with the small business spokespeople of the three major UK political parties.

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 use them in the show.

Summary

Intro:
• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in this week’s show.
• 01:35 How to contact SmallBizPod with your comments.

Features:
• 02:10 Interview with Brian Cotter, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on small business & enterprise
• 10:30 Interview with Henry Bellingham, Conservative shadow minister for small business
• 10:48 Interview with Nigel Griffiths, Minister for Small Business & Enterprise (Labour)

Outro:
• 33:15 News making a comeback
• 33:29 Electromancer.com
• 33:43 Music – Chris Rusu, Not Afraid To Love

Welcome to SmallBizPod #4 – 39 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 focuses on the benefits of blogging for small and medium-sized businesses.

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.

Please vote for SmallBizPod at Podcast Alley – just click here.

Summary

Intro:
• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in this week’s show.
• 00:56 Thanks to listeners in the UK and around the world.
• 01:57 Comments from Stephen Cotterell of Building Better Outcomes and Stephen Wright of Business 550.
• 03:26 The Royal We
• 04.05 Skype and audio quality

Features:
• 04:30 Interview with Adriana Cronin-Lukas, The Big Blog Company
• 22:45 Interview with Paul Woodhouse, The Tinbasher Blog, Butler Sheet Metal

Outro:
• 34:01 Small Business news goes missing
• 34:13 Music – Stardom by DJ Lenoxx

Welcome to SmallBizPod #3 – 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 focuses on franchising.

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.

Please vote for SmallBizPod at Podcast Alley – just click here.

Summary

Intro:
• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in this week’s show.
• 01:06 Comments from UK podcasters Paul Nicholls and Richard Vobes.

Features:
• 02:32 Interview with Brian Smart, director general, British Franchise Association.
• 14:05 News Update, including: Business Week article on business and passion; Scottish Enterprise to focus efforts on medium-sized businesses in Scotland; The Forum of Private Business calls for more ASBOs to be issued in UK seaside towns; UK election announced for 5 May.
• 16:58 Interview with Andy Cook, franchise sales manager, Domino’s Pizza.
• 24:59 Interview with Jim Dove, Domino’s Pizza franchisee.

Outro:
• 28:14 How to give feedback to SmallBizPod and details of the next show.
• 29:21 Music – Goldengrove by Alex Bellinger

Welcome to SmallBizPod #2 – 34 minutes of news, interviews and practical advice for small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in investing in new businesses.

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 enjoyed the show, why not vote for us at Podcast Alley – just click here.

Summary

Intro:
• 00:00 Alex on what’s coming up in this week’s show.
• 00:52 Comments and emails from listeners of the first show broadcast last week

Features:
• 03:12 Interview with Anita Campbell, Editor, Small Business Trends
• 20:07 News Update, including: Microsoft survey on small business names; Small Business Service seeks SMEs to host civil servants; British Chambers of Commerce warns against return of business rates to local authority control.
• 21:22 Interview with Mike Segall, managing director, Speednetworking Ltd.

Outro:
• 28:36 Music – Damiele, Happy Feelings.

Welcome to SmallBizPod #1 – 24 minutes of news, interviews and practical advice for small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in investing in new businesses.

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.

Podcasts are all about conversations, so please feel free to contribute a comment here or send an email to info@smallbizpod.co.uk. We really appreciate any feedback, discussion or interview suggestions.

Summary

Intro:

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

Features:

• 00:40 Interview with David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce.
• 06:26 News Update, including: the Budget; Liberal Democrat plans to abolish the Department of Trade and Industry; bad habits could be ruining your business (Business Opportunities Weblog); Barclays survey on start-ups.
• 09:50 Interview with Glenn Watson, founder of i-barter.co.uk.

Outro:

• 17:39 Round up and contact details
• 18:34 Music – The Clearwater Project