SMB Strategy Cast

Small and Medium Business (SMB) Strategy Cast #18 – The Welcome Back EpisodeLast episode was #17 - “Municipal WiFi and the Small Business”. Go to this Podcast.Current Setup: Toshiba Satellite A135 and Castblaster v0.81 Beta www.castblaster.comIntro music: By Candlelight (Theme from Dave's Lounge) Written & performed by David J. Warner. Visit www.daveslounge.com.Recent articles added to bizplanhelp blog at http://www.bizplanhelp.com/blog/blog.htm- Finding a Niche Market - Apple, Nike, and Grantwood Have Done It! – short case study on using a product add on to find a niche. Read it here. - How a Rocketfish USB Hard Drive Enclosure Saved My Neck – true story! Read it here.Upcoming Blog and Podcast TopicsSoftware as a Service (SaaS) – Setting up a client in the hospitality industry with a SaaS point of sale and reservation system delivered as a SaaS. As the client grows we are also looking at setting up an accounting system as a SaaS application.Podcast for Business – I am very open on what I am doing from a marketing standpoint and what the results have been. I will continue to do this including results from referral programs and web site traffic in future podcasts and blogs.Getting Organized – some books that will help us get organized and I will talk about in upcoming podcasts and blogs:- The Four Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss - Getting Things Done by David AllenDownload and Listen to this Episode

May 17, 2006Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - I will talk about the hot topic of municipal WiFi and how it affects small and medium business, as well as introduce the new format for this Poscast. I doubt you have been able to escape the articles on free and low cost wifi in Philadelphia and San Francisco over the last few months. Big names such as Google, Earth Link, and Cisco have been involved in the bidding process.. How will Municiapl WiFI affect your small or medium business? - The bottom line is that it will save you money and increase productivity. Some example how: o You are staying in a Hotel in San Francisco – instead of paying the $9.99 a night in the hotel for access you log into the free wifi to check your email.o You have remote sales people in Philadelphia that take orders on their laptops – now they can transmit instantaneously using the free wifi instead of waiting until latter when they have an Internet connection, are in the office or paying for wireless broadband.o You employ people that work from home and need broadband which you pay for…This sounds great, but back to those Ads that the members of the press feel we should be worried about - I am not sure what to say, how about “there is no such thing as a free lunch” and we all realize this. Some one has to pay for the service and through advertising is much better that out of the small business’ pocket right?But the bottom line is that we the small business owners do get it. We want the free wifi and are willing to look at a couple ads in lieu of paying $6 for an hour at Starbucks, $12 for a night at a hotel or $80 for a month of wireless broadband.Link to article in eWeek by Andrew Garcia, "San Fran's Wi-Fi Plan Includes Ads".Music for today’s show was provided by to the podsafe music network at music.podshow.com. The artist is Bob Hughes (www.bobhughesmusic.com). Go to Bob's page on the podsafe music network. Email questions or comments to podcast@bizplanhelp.comFor help with your business plan, startup or strategy project, check outwww.eaglestrategygroup.com and www.bizplanhelp.comDownload this Episode

May 5, 2006Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - This is the second episode in a 2 part series on the FINANCIAL PLAN. Will cover what is included in the Financial Plan and give tips for creating the Financial Plan. Using Microsoft Excel or another spreedsheet program to set up the financial statementsIn general, create forecasted financial plans with 3 Years – 1st year by Month, 2nd & 3rd year by quarter.I like to build the Excel with 6 sheets, 3 are for internal discussions: Assumptions, Startup Costs, and Projections. The other three sheets are the financials that will get copied into the business plan: P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow.Assumptions – Big Picture Text to set the reader’s mindset – Example: Revenue in the first year will be $2 million and grow 10% per year.Startup Costs – What is needed to get the business up and running or get a product into production? Examples: Equipment, Real Estate, Salaries, etc.Projections – Detailed profit and loss by month for the 3 years. On the P&L you show revenue, on the Projection you break down the revenue into its major components. Example – A product company may show major products or product lines and show the sales by month and use the assumption of growth by 10% per year. P&L – I actually put three statements on this sheet. Three year annual, which is just the total form the other two statements, 1st year by month, and 2nd & 3rd year by quarter. Most of the items on the P&L are just sums form the projection page.Balance Sheet and Cash flow are the final two sheets. – like P&L I include three statement: 3 year annual, first year by month, and 2nd & 3rd year by quarter.Podsafe Music at beginning and end of show - MSFF, “Brooklyn”. For more info on MSFF go to there page on the podsafe music network. Or, for more podsafe music go to music.podshow.com. Email questions or comments to podcast@bizplanhelp.comFor help with your business plan, startup or strategy project, check outwww.eaglestrategygroup.com and www.bizplanhelp.comDownload this Episode

March 21, 2006Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - This is the first episode in a 2 part (maybe 3 part) series on the FINANCIAL PLAN. Will cover what is included in the Financial Plan and give tips for creating the Financial Plan. Using Microsoft Excel or another spreedsheet program to set up the financial statementsIn general, create forecasted financial plans with 3 Years – 1st year by Month, 2nd & 3rd year by quarter.Include P&L (Income Statement), Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow StatementsPodsafe Music at beginning and end of show - Alex Brooke, “Goshfunk”. For more info on Alex Brooke go to http://japanese.libsyn.com/ or on the podsafe music network. Or, for more podsafe music go to music.podshow.com. FYI - Alex's site includes a podcast on learning Japanese.Email questions and comments to – podcast@bizplanhelp.comFor help with your business plan, startup or strategy project, check outwww.eaglestrategygroup.com and www.bizplanhelp.comDownload this Episode

February 10, 2006Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - This is the final episode in a 3 part series along with episode 12 and episode 13 on the BUSINESS OF PODCASTING. To download episode 12 or 13 go to the Episode#12 Show Notes or the Episode#13 Show Notes. The Results - The following table shows the listeners by month of the SMB Strategy Cast and the unique visitors to www.eaglestrateggroup.com and www.bizplanhelp.com.Next episode - Financial section of the business plan.Podsafe Music at beginning and end of show Bluesmen Get Hungry – “Podigy”. For more info on Bluesmen Get Hungry go to www.bluesmengethungry.com or their page on the podsafe music network. Or, for more podsafe music go to music.podshow.com. Email questions and comments to – podcast@bizplanhelp.comFor help with your business plan, startup or strategy project, check outwww.eaglestrategygroup.com and www.bizplanhelp.comDownload this Episode

February 1, 2006Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - Continue the discussion of BUSINESS OF PODCASTING. Specifically - o Why I got into podcasting - what my goals where and are was covered in Episode# 12 - Part 1 of the Business of Podcasting. Go to Episode#12 show notes to download. o What the business decisions where and my business strategy going forward. Also touched in Episode #12 and summed up as "Getting Above the Noise".o The Results - what I have learned along the way - I am going to spend some time on Search Engine Optimization SEO and my stats since starting the plan.The Business Decisiono Sales Funnel – get as many potential customers in the top and have touch points to closing a deal.o More traffic = more people in the top of the funnelo Podcast/Shownotes = another touch point with potential customerso Repetitive contact – in advertising there is a rule of thumb that you need to get an ad in front of a customer 10 times before it is noticed.Big Picture Results - will pick up the detail in next episode.o Listeners grew to 1,500 per month from 1st episode mid-October to the end of December.o Web traffic almost doubled in the same period.Next episode - What I have learned as well as my web and podcast stats.Podsafe Music at beginning of show was Barely Hi-Fi – “In Certain Circles” (www.barelyhifi.co.uk). Link to Barely Hi-Fi on the Podsafe Music Network or go to the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com.Email questions and comments to – podcast@bizplanhelp.comFor help with your business plan, startup or strategy project, check outwww.eaglestrategygroup.com and www.bizplanhelp.comDownload this Episode

Friday the 13th, January 2006Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - I am taking a couple episodes off from the discussion of the Business Plan and instead going to talk about the BUSINESS OF PODCASTING. Specifically - o Why I got into podcasting - what my goals where and are. o What the business decisions where and my business strategy going forward. o I am going to spend some time on Search Engine Optimization SEO and my stats since starting the plan.Why I got into Podcasting – a short timelineo October 2004 – I saw a one paragraph article in Business2.0 or Wired Mag on what’s hot mentioning Adam Curry and podcasting. So, I began downloading his podcast and eventually downloaded the ipoder lemon (now called juice) to automatically add Adam’s and other podcasts to iTunes.o January 2005 – I say to myself I can do this, afterall I am a former college radio DJ. I hooked a mic to my desktop and downloaded some freeware and recorded a test show The sound card was so bad it sucked, so I never got going. I continue to listen to other shows.o February 2005 – I start Eagle Strategy Group and setup www.eaglestrategygroup.com. Podcast put on the back burner.o August 2005 – I setup a 2nd web site bizplanhelp.com. To center on business plan resources and drive traffic back to eaglestrategygroup.com. Start spending more time on SEO.o September 2005 – podcasts are on itunes, I need to put together a podcast to sell my work and from an SEO standpoint get above noise. Since my tests earlier in the year I had received a Sony laptop and when I tested again the quality was good and it is what I am using today.o October 2005 – recorded and published my first Podcast.Next episode - Goals for a business to get into pocasting as well as my web and podcast stats.Podsafe Music at beginning of show was Chub Creek Music – “Episode 9 Fake Band Intro” (www.chubcreek.com). Link to Chub Creek on the Podsafe Music Network provided by the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com.Email questions and comments to – podcast@bizplanhelp.comFor help with your business plan, startup or strategy project, check outwww.eaglestrategygroup.com and www.bizplanhelp.comDownload this Episode

Friday, December 23, 2005Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small business and medium business.In this episode we are going to cover the Organization Plan in the business plan.Download the UPDATED Business Plan Outline.Items in Org PlanHow corporation will be organized: o Type - S-corp, c-corp, partnership, LLC, etc.o Ownership – Owners and % (or shares) of ownershipo Board – who will be in the board of directorsPersonnel & Responsibilitieso Org Chart – Don’t go below director level, unless key to business.o 1 paragraph on each person filling a role o Or, If the position is open include a paragraph on the characteristics you are looking for in someone to fill the role.o Put resumes in the appendixHow does this compare to what was included in the Description of venture?o There will be some replication, because the key people introduced in Description of Venture should also be in this sectiono They may be serving a role in the org chart, on the board, an owner, or all of the above.Distribution Example o 2 Guys set up a public warehouse company in the mid-west, the majority partner has contacts and money, the minority partner will run day-to-day operations of the business.o Set up an LLC with Majority holding 70% of stock, 30% to minority partner. Legal address also includedo Board members are these two plus a finance person that they bring in, who will also help setup accounting department, accounting system, and hire independent accountant. Positions on Board (chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.)o Org Chart – Minority owner as President/COO, Majority Owner is VP of Sales. Show at least highest level in each operational area. Overall chart should not be more than 3 deep. In this example they will hire a BookKeeper as highest accounting level.Podsafe Music at beginning at end of show was Charlie Crowe “Vegas Hard Rock Shuffle” (Charlie Crowe's Web Site). Link to Charlie Crowe on the Podsafe Music Network or listen to other music on the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com.Email business plan questions and general questions and comments to – podcast@bizplanhelp.comIf you need help writing a business plan sendme an email at – info@eaglestrategygroup.comClick here to vote for this Podcast at Podcast AlleyDownload this Episode

Wednesday, December 07, 2005Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small business and medium business.In this episode we are going to cover the purpose of the business plan.Key Messages:1. The entrepreneur or department manager needs to take an active role in writing the business plan. 2. The business plan is about getting organized. Podsafe Music at beginning at end of show was Alamantra “Surf Babe” (www.alamantra.com). Link to Alamantra on the Podsafe Music Network or listen to other music on the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com.Email business plan questions and general questions and comments to – podcast@bizplanhelp.comIf you need help writing a business plan sendme an email at – info@eaglestrategygroup.comClick here to vote for this Podcast at Podcast AlleyDownload this Episode

Thursday, December 1, 2005Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.Download or view Business Plan OutlineIn this episode - Continue the discussion of the Business Plan, concentrating on Marketing Plan. Specifically - Marketing Plan from Business Plan vs. Marketing StrategyNumber 1 difference is “DETAIL” – Comsumer Packaged Goods (CPG)example from Episode #8 talked above the marketing plan as 2 pages. Marketing Strategy is all the detail on what is expressed in the plan and then some.Two Examples of Expanding the Marketing Plan into a Marketing Strategy Doc:Pricing – In marketing plan, talked about the keystone pricing strategy in a couple paragraphs. For Marketing Strategy, break down actually pricing for specific product lines. Some questions the Marketing Strategy answers that are not necessarily in the Marketing Plan: How will each product be priced to customers and what the goal is for pricing at retail? Will different customers or customer segments get different pricing?Promotion – in marketing plan for the CPG startup, spend a couple paragraphs on couponing and in store circulars, but in the strategy you break down the schedule of what coupons and when, what in store circulars and when. Also, in a Marketing strategy you need to include a budget by month.Podsafe Music at beginning at end of show was Chub Creek Music – “Episode 9 Fake Band Intro” (www.chubcreek.com). Link to Chub Creek on the Podsafe Music Network provided by the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com.Email questions and comments to – podcast@bizplanhelp.comDownload this Episode

Monday, November 28, 2005Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - Continue the discussion of the Business Plan, concentrating on Marketing Plan.Download or view Business Plan OutlineWalk through what should be included in the marketing plan from the business plan outline. Examples for Consumer Packaged Goods startup and a hospitality startup (restaurant or bed & breakfast). Consumer Packaged Goods Company Sample: Branding Strategy – brand identity, packaging, sloganPromotion & Pricing – Promote the product and price at retail (keystone)Target Market (Distribution) – Bricks N’ Mortar Retail Segments – Mass, Drug & GroceryProduct Forecast – 3 Years by quarter, by product line (Why 3 years?)Hospitality Business Sample – B&B or RestaurantBranding Strategy – same except now packaging is the restaurant or B&B itself (restaurant theme? VT B&B or for west coast wine country?)Pricing – restaurant – menu, B&B – rooms & additional services (travel, hay rides, champagne & chocolate covered strawberries)Promotion/Distribution – how do you get the name out. Location, chamber of commerce, yellow pages, Internet, AAA, etc. Send Questions or Comments to podcast@bizplanhelp.comPodsafe Jazz at beginning at end of show was Evan Tate "Round One" (www.evantate.com) provided by the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com.Download this Episode

Tuesday, November 15, 2005Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - Continue the discussion of the Business Plan, concentrating on Operations Plan.Download or view Business Plan OutlineWalk through what should be included in the Operations Plan for a manufacturer or distributor. Examples for an Importer, Distributor, and Manufacturer. What services shoul do an Operations Plan. Examples for a Computer Software Ousourcing business and Car Rental businessCheck out Jimmy Buffett products at Amazon.com. His music will always cheer you up.Send Questions or Comments to podcast@bizplanhelp.comDownload this Episode

Wednesday, November 9, 2005Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - Continue the discussion of the Business Plan, concentrating on DEscription of Venture.Download or view Business Plan OutlineThis show is produced with the latest beta of CastBlasterwww.castblaster.comWhat do you include in the Description of Venture:Products and/or Services.Size of Business and bios of key people. Any general requirements that are important to the business such as office space, fixtures, computers, software, etc The Description of venture answers the question "What?". What products are you producing? What services are you offering? What real estate are you selecting?Purchase U2 products at Amazon.com.Send Questions or Comments to podcast@bizplanhelp.comDownload this Episode

Friday, November 4, 2005Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - Continue the discussion of the Business Plan, concentrating on Industry Analysis.Download or view Business Plan OutlineNew York Public Library (NYPL)- www.nypl.orgNYPL Science Industry and Business LibraryNYPL Business and Industry Online DatabasesSend Questions or Comments to podcast@bizplanhelp.comDownload this Episode

Thursday, October 13, 2005Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - Continue the discussion of the Business Plan Outline from episode #2.Download or view Business Plan OutlineSend Questions or Comments to podcast@bizplanhelp.comSuggest a site that is valuable to SMB's for the Links section of bizplanhelp.com by emailling links@bizplanhelp.com include "Suggest a Link" in the subject and in the body include the URL, descrioption of the site, and topic.Download this Episode

Continuing Business Plan discussion will be delayed to the next episode and will instead talk about Network Attached Storage(NAS) for SOHOVisited Digital Life show at the Javitz Center in NYC on Friday, October 14th.I visited Tivo at the show and the next version of the software will facilitate listening to Podcasts. User will be able to surf preloaded Podcasts by category or add their own feeds on Internet connected Tivo's.Iogear Boss - www.iogear.com - we actually purchased this on eBay. We buy a lot of tech products through eBay, take a look at an article Network by eBay Buffalo Technology - Tera Station and Link Station Netgear - Storage CentralSend feedback, comments, and questions to podcast@bizplanhelp.com Download this episode - SMB Strategy Cast - NAS for Small Business

Thursday, October 13, 2005Podcast Description – Cover business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business.In this episode - Start our discussion on the Business Plan.Download or view Business Plan OutlineSend Questions or Comments to podcast@bizplanhelp.comSuggest a site that is valuable to SMB's for the Links section of bizplanhelp.com by emailling links@bizplanhelp.com include suggest a link in the subject and in the body include the URL, descrioption of the site, and topic.Download this Episode

Podcast Description – Covers business strategy topics that pertain to startup, small and medium business. Publishing - 10 Minutes in length 1 or 2 times per week. Upcoming episodes cover the business plan for startups as well as seasoned companies.XML Feed and show notes will be added soon. Send feedback, comments, and questions to podcast@bizplanhelp.com Castblaster - The software used to create this Podcast is available at www.castblaster.comDownload the first episode - SMB Strategy Cast Introduction