Been There, Done That!

Business is built on relationships, and relationships are built on communications.  In this episode, host and SCORE Mentor Dennis Zink speaks with communications consultants, experts and authors Bob and Eileen Parkinson.  Topics include both oral and written communications to individuals and groups.  Given that “how you say it” is just as important as what you say, you’ll want to consider and adopt the tips and tricks shared by these professional communicators. To get a free SCORE mentor, go to our website at www.score.org, or call 941-634-0245.

Professional Employer Organizations are an increasingly popular way for small and medium sized businesses to manage their HR and payroll functions.  By outsourcing these administrative burdens, the staff is free to focus on their core competencies.  And, because PEOs service many companies, they can exercise their purchasing power to offer higher quality employee benefits while reducing insurance costs. Join host Dennis Zink and guests John Coleman and Brian Smith of Oasis, a Paychex company, as they discuss the benefits and costs of using a PEO.  If your business has employees or intends to have them in the future, you’ll want to hear this important information.  

When two or more people get together with a business idea, their first inclination is often to join together as partners.  However, that’s not always the best decision, and even when it is, there are a number of variables that need to be considered.  A business partnership can be as rewarding and exasperating as any relationship.  This podcast discusses what a partnership entails, including the benefits, drawbacks and other things you should know before proceeding down this path. Listen as host Dennis Zink and expert guest Michael Zuckerman, a SCORE mentor, attorney and subject matter expert, discuss the details of business partners and partnerships.

Every business today is dependent on computer systems, and a cyber attack could be devastating.  In this episode, host Dennis Zink talks with David Spire, Chief Development Officer and Chris Brenes, Director of IT Security for Entech.  They discuss ways to keep your computers safe when exchanging data with other systems, when using cloud services, and simple email and web browsing hygiene.  They discuss ransomware, and how best to avoid and recover from it. They also discuss how and when to update passwords.  The answer to this may surprise you! If you lead a business, you won’t want to miss this important information.

Knowledgeable business owners are aware that digital marketing is essential to their growth and survival.  In this episode, host Dennis Zink speaks with Nabil Freij, a SCORE Mentor, successful business owner and a proficient user of digital media and social marketing tools.  Nabil explains what digital marketing is and how best to use it.  His on-point suggestions will increase your ability to use these tools to drive business success.  Nabil provides easily understandable examples of using long-tail keywords, on-page and off-page search engine optimization and back links.  

Business owners and entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly aware that social media is a vital part of any marketing plan. Many of them don't have a complete understanding of this technology. They don't know what it is or how to use it.  In this episode, host Dennis Zink speaks with Mical Johnson of Cyberize Group and Jason Bearden of Digital MKTG Pro (see contact information at bottom.)  They discuss: What is social media? How is social media different than SEO? The main social media platforms for B2B and B2C What Twitter is good for? Why it’s important for businesses to be involved in Social Media How to build your customer base What is the most effective way to build engagement What are some benefits to joining groups How to measure social media activities What the best platforms are to reach a younger audience When is the best time to use Pinterest When is the best time to use Instagram How to reach a more mature audience What does it cost to have a social media campaign What is the biggest misconception about social media What are the key components of a typical social media marketing campaign What a client budget looks like Social Media and your website are key to your future success.  Listen to this podcast and learn how to use them for maximum effect! Contact Information: Mical Johnson, President, Cyberize Group / mical@cyberizegroup.com James Bearden, Owner, Digital MKTG Pro / jason@digitalmktgpro.com  

Alexis Nguyen, owner of an Assisting Hands Home Care franchise, is a major success story.  She credits her SCORE mentors with helping her build her multi-million dollar business. In this episode, host Dennis Zink speaks with her and her two SCORE mentors, Stroud Curran with the Tampa chapter, and Lloyd Nurick with the Manasota chapter, regarding the relationship between a client and mentor, and how the client can best use the mentors to advance their business. Subjects discussed include the setting of goals and key performance indicators, the frequency and logistics of meetings, how to work with multiple mentors, and the key advice that the mentors gave Alexis to help her understand her role in her own business.  If you're considering getting a SCORE mentor, this episode will help you make that decision, and to get the most out of your mentoring relationship.  

Access to capital is a problem faced by most businesses.  We’ve brought back Gerri Detweiler, Education Director of Nav, to further discuss the ways that businesses can gain access to funding.  Gerri and host Dennis Zink talk about the importance of personal as well as business credit, how to check your credit, how you can improve credit scores and common mistakes people and companies make regarding their credit.  They also discuss different types of financing, the impact of under-capitalization, the importance of a business credit card, the availability of SBA loans and many other topics.  If your business requires capital, you won’t want to miss this!

Buying a franchise can be an easier way to get into business than starting from scratch.  In this episode, we're addressing the benefits and challenges associated with buying a franchise business. We'll be exploring what a franchise is, what types of franchises are available, how to choose the best one to fit your needs, and the cost of buying into and operating a franchise. Along with host Dennis Zink, our guests are Bob Melberth, a SCORE Subject Matter Expert, and Jenny Sutter, owner of FranNet, which helps prospective franchisees select an appropriate franchise and negotiate the purchasing process. SCORE is a 55-year-old nationwide non-profit organization providing free mentoring services to business owners. Our SCORE experts are here to guide you safely through that minefield.

Buying a business is one of the most important steps in life taken by entrepreneurs. It can be a rewarding experience or it can be a minefield fraught with danger. Our experts are here to guide you safely through that minefield. In this episode, host Dennis Zink is joined by Peter Gruits, an experienced SCORE mentor, and Michael Zuckerman, also a mentor and an attorney who has been in practice for than 50 years to explore this topic.

This is the final episode in our series addressing exit strategies. In part one, we explored the important considerations sellers must understand before exiting their business.  In part two, our experts presented ways in which businesses are valued. In part three, we outlines the first 5 steps of the process of selling a business. In this podcast, we outline the final 5 steps in the selling process leading to a successful exit. Our guests Peter Gruits of SCORE and Matt LaPointe with Blalock, Walters PA, along with host Dennis Zink present a free-flowing dialog. This is a must-listen episode for anyone that is in the market looking to sell a small business now or in the next few years.

This is part three of a series of episodes addressing exit strategies. In part one, we explored the important considerations sellers must understand before exiting their business.  In part two, our experts presented ways in which businesses are valued.  In this podcast, we outline the steps in the selling process leading to a successful exit. Our guests Peter Gruits of SCORE and Matt LaPointe with Blalock, Walters PA, along with host Dennis Zink present a free-flowing dialog on the first 5 steps of this process.  This is a must-listen episode for anyone that is in the market looking to sell a small business now or in the next few years.

In this episode, Dennis Zink talks with Peter Gruits with the SCORE Exit Strategy Team and Eric Robinson, a CPA with Robinson, Gruters & Roberts, CPA, about business valuation.  You'll learn what a buyer is actually buying, methods used to establish value, and the definitions of goodwill and EBITDA. You'll also learn why owner benefits are added back to recast the true profit, how multiples are determined, SBA loan guarantees, taking an earnout as partial compensation, non-competes and what you should not do when selling your business.  

In this first episode in a series about exiting your business, Dennis Zink talks with Mark Dunlop, Vice President with BankUnited, and attorney Ken Chapman, partner with Bowman, George, Scheb, Kimbrough, Koach & Chapman, P.A. about exit strategies.  You'll learn: The six most common exit options The best time to plan for selling your business Key considerations to include in your planning How to increase the value of your business SBA (Small Business Administration) loan guaranties The need (or not) for audited financial statements How to make your business more desirable The importance of cash flow If you own a business, at some point you will want to sell it, pass it on to others, or otherwise exit it while gaining the most value for it.  Listen to this series of podcasts and learn how to do it right!

Will your business need access to additional funds to facilitate growth or to cover emergencies?  Many, perhaps most, will.  In this episode, Gerri Detweiler of Nav, along with host Dennis Zink and co-host Fred Dunayer, discuss the building of business credit, the proper use of debt, and the intersection of personal and business credit. Credit expert Gerri Detweiler is Education Director for Nav, which provides business owners with free personal and business credit scores, along with simple tools to build strong business credit and financially healthy companies. Gerri’s articles have been widely syndicated, and she’s written five books, including Finance Your Own Business: Get on the Financing Fast Track. She’s been interviewed in more than 3000 news stories and has testified before Congress on credit legislation.

Customers frequently rely on on-line reviews to make their purchasing decisions, so you want to make sure that your business has a stellar reputation.  This online reputation is known as "Social Proof".  This presentation by Nick Choat will focus on digital marketing, specifically focusing on how to cultivate positive and turn around negative reviews.  Formerly a Walt Disney Company executive, Nick is the owner of two Sport Clips Haircut franchises. He is a SCORE mentor and international best-selling author of "Online Or Flatline: The Small Business Owner's Guide to Digital Marketing". In this presentation, you’ll learn how to make affordable yet effective investment decisions.  Nick provides real-world, understandable examples that you’ll be able to implement. SCORE is proud to partner with the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce to offer podcast highlights of the Chamber’s Powerbites series to improve your business’ bottom line.

How much is your company worth?  Whether you’re growing it or considering selling it, you want it to be as valuable as possible.  In these highlights from a recorded seminar, Dane DeSantis, owner of Hallmark Business Brokers, tells you eight things you can do to make your company more valuable. His experience and insight will help you get more from your business than you ever thought possible! SCORE is proud to partner with the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce to offer podcast highlights of the Chamber's Powerbites series to improve your business's bottom line. 

Including eBay in your marketing strategy is a great way to expand your reach.  As an online market, eBay can be used as a secondary, or even the primary place to sell your products.  In this episode, Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer speak with Danna Crawford, a nationally recognized and highly successful eBay sales expert, the founder and CEO of powersellingmom.com, and a SCORE mentor, who will tell you everything you need to know to get started selling in this worldwide marketplace.

Social Media and Video Marketing have emerged as important areas that business owners should consider when developing their overall marketing strategy.  In the second part of our two-part discussion with host Dennis Zink, co-host Fred Dunayer and Michael Skigen, Senior Manager of Digital Content and Social Engagement at DexYP, the focus is on the key elements of content and timing that belong in a social media and video marketing strategy. 

Developing and implementing an email and text marketing strategy can dramatically increase your sales.  Michael Skigen, Senior Manager of Digital Content and Social Engagement at DexYP, joins Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to discuss the key elements of an email and text marketing strategy and the tools that can be used to automate it. 

Franchise ownership comes with its own benefits and challenges.  In this discussion, Nick Choat, owner of a Sport Clips Haircuts franchise and a SCORE mentor, talks with Dennis Zink about how he selected this particular business and the processes of starting, marketing and running his franchise locations.  He also discusses the franchise model in general, and the relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee.

Every business is a reflection of its employees, and selecting, training and promoting the right employees are a key factor in long term success.   Host Dennis Zink and co-host Fred Dunayer are joined by talent management specialist and SCORE mentor Howard Kilman, who shares some of his key concepts and experience in the staffing of Avenade, a joint venture of Microsoft and Accenture.  As Chief Leadership Officer, he grew the company from a handful of startup staff to thousands of high value, highly skilled employees. Topics of the discussion include the creation and maintenance of a corporate culture and the things to look for when hiring and promoting employees. Howard is now with WriteHeights LLC, specializing in Leadership Development and Business Coaching.

Managing your digital world is a key process in creating business success. In this information-packed extended recording, Mike McCormick, CEO of Full Stack Marketing Consultants, discusses how you can use all aspects of digital marketing in your business. From startups to the enterprise level, Mike shares his insights on the digital landscape. He provides practical tips on lead generation and sales, advertising and promotion, content marketing, the customer experience, social community management and business management. SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources, and the Sarasota County Office of Business and Economic Development to offer this seminar as part of the ongoing Success Strategies for Business Owners Meetup Group.

Nearly all merchants need to accept credit and debit cards, and an increasing number accept other forms of electronic payment.  Pat Moran, "Master Your Card" expert, has over 14 years of experience across the entire electronic payments ecosystem. In his role with Master Your Card, a community empowerment program sponsored by Mastercard, Moran uses his deep knowledge of payment technologies to educate small business owners and advisers on how to maximize the value from electronic payment acceptance. In this discussion with Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer, he promotes a deeper understanding of the process to empower business owners to limit the costs and headaches associated with electronic payments.

By using social media and email marketing, you can attract prospects and move them from a “shopper’s” mindset to a “buyer’s” mindset. For many businesses this sales process can be automated, freeing you to manage your business while your marketing continues working for you non-stop in the background. In this episode, Barbara Langdon, an email and social media marketing expert, owner of Market Momentum, Certified Constant Contact Solution Provider and SCORE Mentor, shares tips, tools, and techniques for growing your business by moving your customers through the buying journey in a cost and time efficient way. SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources, and Sarasota County Economic Development to offer this seminar as part of the on-going Success Strategies for Business Owners Meetup Group.

Take care of your business relationships and your company will prosper.  This is the message of Andrea Nierenberg, president of The Nierenberg Consulting Group.  In this discussion with Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer, Andrea shares her secrets and methods for building business relationships and making everyone in the company a brand ambassador  She dispenses fantastic networking advice and also gives examples of good and bad practices in networking.

Achievers throughout history have had one thing in common—they know themselves.   In this seminar on Personality Selling, Mike Lewis will share insights into the psychology of the sales process, provide practical tips and tools to understand your own selling style,recognize the buying styles of your customers and adapt your selling style to increase sales, enhance sales communications and build relationships.   Mike Lewis is a certified SCORE mentor and the Chapter Chair of Pasco-Hernando SCORE in Pasco County, Florida. Mike has been a small business owner and is an expert in selling techniques and sales communication skills and an entertaining and engaging sales trainer. His published book, The Sales Bridge, The Art of Sales Communication, focuses on why personality selling is an ideal way to interact, communicate, and sell more products and services.   SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources, and Sarasota County Economic Development to offer this seminar as part of the on-going Success Strategies for Business Owners Meetup Group.

Purchasing a franchise gives you a head start towards owning and operating your own business.  In this session Mats Bengtson, a Certified Franchise Specialist at FranNet and a SCORE Certified Small Business Mentor, will discuss the items that should be considered when reviewing franchise ownership opportunities, as well as planning for business ownership and funding options. SCORE is proud to partner with Manatee County Public Library and Manatee County Economic Development Division and the speaker to offer this program.

Crowdfunding can be the entrepreneur's avenue to success.  Last year, entrepreneurs with great product ideas raised over $16 billion to launch their companies. Presenter John Montelione is CEO and Founder of J-Tech Investments and a self-described serial entrepreneur, author, mentor and lecturer.  He actively consults to startups.  John has extensive experience in developing strategic business plans and launching innovative products within the healthcare and Department of Defense intelligence and Homeland Security markets. SCORE is proud to partner with Manatee County Public Library and Manatee County Economic Development Division and the speaker to offer this program.

Many small businesses experience sales increases and decreases based on the seasons.   In this episode, John Horne, CEO of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurant group, Dylan Bower, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Sarasota Airport, and Stefan Sommerfield, a SCORE mentor with 40 years of experience in retail management, including clients such as Sax Fifth Avenue, Gimbel’s and Target, discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by seasonal business.  Hosting this session are Bob Melberth, SCORE vice-chair, and Chelsea Baker, Information Services Librarian of the Manatee County Central Library. SCORE thanks the Manatee Public Library and the Economic Development Division for its assistance in the production of this podcast.

Growing your local business by taking it online requires thought and commitment.  Danny Catullo and Dennis Zink discuss the opportunities and challenges in this wide-ranging discussion which includes finding and using both your own resources and those of resource partners like Fedex.

Learn how to increase website clicks and conversions by tweeting during live events and by tapping into followers of thought leaders for a particular genre that resonates with your target audience. In this episode, Mical Johnson of Omen Interactive, a Navy and nearly two decade digital marketing veteran shares best practices to maximize the return on your Twitter advertising investment including geo-targeting, use of Twitter Cards, automatic bids and more.  SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources and the speaker to offer this program.  

The customer acquisition system is the most critical component of any business.  Using Facebook advertising, you can create a system that will be predictable and scalable. In this episode, Mical Johnson,  a Navy and nearly two decade digital marketing veteran shares best practices to maximize the return on your Facebook advertising investment.  Whether your marketing objective is increased website traffic, more leads or higher conversion, you can begin applying his practical tips to improve the effectiveness of your online marketing campaigns. SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources and the speaker to offer this program.

Target marketing allows you to focus your marketing dollars and brand message to increase your ROI and track your results in real time. In this episode, Raul Vielma, Channel Manager for Propel Marketing and a digital marketing expert shares multiple ways to target your customer and potential customers online. Begin applying these practical tips on mobile responsiveness, search engine marketing and optimization, social media and display advertising immediately to grow your business .   SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources to offer this program.

Welcome to another edition of the Success Strategies for Business Owners podcast series. Most business is generated by repeat customers, and new customers frequently come as referrals from those existing customers.  In this episode, Barbara Langdon, an email and social media marketing expert, owner of Market Momentum and a Constant Contact Authorized Local Expert, tells you how to use these tools to build your revenue by driving repeat business and customer referrals.  Learn some simple but effective best practices for making more effective use of your email marketing program. SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources and our digital marketing expert speaker to offer this program.

In this episode of our Success Strategies for Business Owners, Scott Gonnello, Search Engine Optimization expert and author of the book “Common SEO Mistakes”, shares SEO strategies and practical tips that you can apply to achieve online domination for your target market. SEO is marketing. Get answers to questions including what it takes to get and keep your website on page one of the search engines and how to know if what you are doing is delivering value for your business. SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources to offer this program.

In this special episode consisting of highlights from a SCORE workshop, Barbara Langdon, an email and social media marketing expert, owner of Market Momentum and a SCORE Mentor takes the mystery out of social media.  She discusses how to build your social presence using the 5 most popular social media platforms.  Barbara shares tips to identify if your social media activities are working and insights on the time and resources necessary to support each of these platforms. SCORE is proud to partner with the Manatee County Government Neighborhood Services Department Library System to offer this program.

In this episode, our guests discuss how to select a digital marketing provider. Gretchen Miscik, a SCORE Mentor, serves as the panel's emcee.  Fred Dunayer, also a SCORE mentor, is the audio engineer. SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources and our panel of five digital marketing experts to offer this program

In this episode, our guests discuss search concepts, digital platforms, tools to start your digital marketing efforts, and common mistakes to avoid. Gretchen Miscik, a SCORE Mentor, serves as the panel's emcee.  Fred Dunayer, also a SCORE mentor, is the audio engineer. SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources and our panel of five digital marketing experts to offer this program.

In this special episode, our guests discuss why you should consider digital marketing, what you should expect from it, and how you should budget for it. Gretchen Miscik, a SCORE Mentor, serves as the panel's emcee.  Fred Dunayer, also a SCORE mentor, is the audio engineer. SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources and our panel of five digital marketing experts to offer this program.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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