The $100 MBA Show

Conferences aren’t getting any cheaper. In fact, they’re getting more and more expensive — for those who don’t know some money-saving tips and tricks. Today, we discuss how to shave every possible dollar from the cost of your next conference. With some careful planning, the ROI on a conference can be well, well worth it. The insights, networking, and exposure you can get at a conference are invalu...

You want to launch a business. Should you bootstrap down and go lean, or take a hefty investment from an outside source? It’s Q&A Wednesday, and one of our listeners is pondering whether to take money from an investor or bank. Is a pile of outside money a launching pad, or a trap? Is it wise to take money before getting proof of concept, or silly to turn perfectly good dollars away? Today, we expl...

A simple truth: entrepreneurship is not for everyone. That’s not a judgment, but a helpful statement of fact. Just because you have a great product idea, or simply want to quit your day job, does not mean you should go into business for yourself. The decision to become an entrepreneur is a very serious, very big one. You need to be sure. Today, we discuss exactly what questions you need to ask you...

Content marketing: is there any other kind? If you’re getting into business, you need to get into the content game. Blogs, videos, pics; whatever the medium, it’s a necessary skill set. Content is the key to traffic, and traffic is the source of any and all sales leads. Your online presence depends on your ability to create, promote, and manage content. This week’s Must-Read book for entrepreneurs...

To everything, there is a season. Some businesses just don’t rake in the cash all year long. In fact, most business have their slow spells at the same times every year. So how in the heck can you stabilize your revenue stream, and keep your business on an even keel month after month? It just takes a little planning. Today, we discuss how to analyze your seasonal ups and downs, and create an action...

The jet-setting lifestyle of an entrepreneur requires a little work on the road. But what if the jet you’re setting on doesn’t have WiFi? We’re always traveling. Finding the time, space, and resources to handle business in transit can be a challenge. Planes in particular seem like the perfect place to hunker down and get some focused work done, but how often do we board with the best of intentions...

Ah, working from home. For some, it’s the dream. For others, it’s a guarantee that you won’t get much done. It’s Q&A Wednesday, and one of our listeners has a problem. He’s trying to build a business on the side, but the second he comes home from the day job it’s one distraction after another. Of course, there is an alternative: the ever-more-popular co-working space Is it worth the cost for a sid...

It’s often said that the captain should go down with the ship. What we don’t say too often is that if the captain goes down, the ship is likely to follow. Taking care of your own financial needs is not an act of selfishness. It’s not a sign of disloyalty to your team. It doesn’t mean that you’re not putting yourself on the line for your business. It means that you’re keeping yourself strong enough...

We review a lot of books. But every once in a while, a gem comes along that stands out from the rest. Our expectations for The Laws of Human Nature were high. Robert Greene is a legendary author, and one of Omar’s personal faves. Greene’s 48 Laws of Power was a game-changer, and we anticipated no less from Human Nature. Needless to say, Greene did not disappoint. In this Must-Read, Greene explains...

There’s no shortage of podcasts out there, but some are (way, way) better than others. With so many podcasts in interview format, how can you make sure yours stands out? If you’re trying to attract great guests, and give your audience something to talk about, you can’t go into interviews without a plan. Omar’s been interviewed on many a podcast, and each time he’s seen what makes a great interview...

Paper ads. Billboards. Sponsoring the local little league. It’s how our grandparents did business, but can it still work for us? Is the offline world still a viable source of traffic for your business, or is physical advertising over? Today, we discuss how to make offline marketing work for you. While not as precise as targeted online content marketing, there are still ways for certain businesses...

Content marketing is all about the numbers. And when it comes to numbers, email open and click-through rates are some of the most important numbers by far. Of all the factors that can affect those rates, is time one of them? Does it matter what day or hour you hit “send?” It’s Q&A Wednesday, and one listener is wondering if timing can give their business an edge in the email game. Is there any evi...

How can you measure motivation? How can you quantify the effect of appreciation on your team? When you don’t have a lot of cash to throw around, do the little ways of saying “thank you” really matter? Today, we share our experience using small incentives and rewards to keep our team on track. Small gifts and little bits of recognition can go a long way, but you shouldn’t take our — or anyone’s — w...

It seems like there’s a new self-help book for business people every day. But sometimes, it pays to look back to the old-school masters. Napoleon Hill was born in the 1800’s, but his wisdom has held up well into the 21st century. His best-seller Think and Grow Rich is a foundational text for entrepreneurs, and one of the most popular business books ever. Today, we review another of Hill’s classics...

Your website’s pricing page: it’s the page where visitors are closest to making a purchase. It’s also the page where websites lose the most visitors, as cold feet stop visitors from becoming customers. How can you convert them? How can you get a visitor on the pricing page to pull the trigger? You have their interest. You have them *this close* to buying. What you need is a way to address those la...

What do you do with a dedicated, talented worker who’s exactly the kind of employee you need — but only sometimes? Employing part-timers has unique advantages, but it also comes with some challenges. Give them too much work, and they’re not part-time. Give them too little, and they won’t hang around long. So how can you ensure commitment despite the less committed nature of the part-time relations...

There’s a huge talent pool on a sunny set of islands in the Pacific. If you hire remote workers, the Philippines is one of the best places you can look. It’s Q&A Wednesday, and one listener is ready to make the very smart move of recruiting Filipino employees to help run his business. As it happens, we have several invaluable team members who stand as perfect examples of just how well this can wor...

Is your revenue leaking? Every month, businesses lose hundreds and thousands of dollars to failed payments. Whether it’s an expired account, insufficient funds, or a cancelled card, recurring payments that don’t go through account for an astonishing amount of lost revenue. So how can you safeguard your business against these unnecessary losses? Too many entrepreneurs simply don’t have procedures i...

Don’t think you’re a leader? That’s actually a good place to start! This week’s Must-Read book for entrepreneurs is Brene’ Brown’s Dare to Lead . In it, Brown explains how to find your own innate ability to take charge and lead, however hidden it might be under layers of insecurity. The emotions — including the fear — inside you can be used to inspire your team in ways you might not realize. As Br...

Conferences can be a very wise investment. As you decide which conferences you’ll attend this year, you have to make another decision: which ticket is right for you? Conference ticket options — and prices — range widely. From a seat in the nosebleeds to the multiple-VIP treatment, the choices can be overwhelming. Which tickets are worth the investment, especially considering the costs of travel an...

Every project is a learning opportunity — but only if you take advantage of it. After each and every project, our team takes a few minutes to reflect, learn, and (most importantly) improve. We are constantly raising our game, because we never let a project’s lessons go to waste. No matter the size of your team, you can do the same. Today, we discuss our efficient, 5-step process for post-project b...

Reading: it may be the smartest investment an entrepreneur can make. The ROI of a good book is hard to exaggerate. For less than the cost of a sandwich, you can completely alter your perspective, grow professionally, and find inspiration you never had. Every second you spend reading adds value to you as a business person. That’s why our host Omar reads, on average, over 50 books a year. How the he...

You want to network. You want to make the connections that’ll help your business grow. You want to make the right friends and partners. Should you just reach out? Cold emailing is an option some entrepreneurs consider. Without any connection or previous relationship, some folks just get a hold of someone’s email address, and pitch away. But is this really an effective strategy? Does it ever work?...

Entrepreneurship shouldn’t suck. That’s the essential message of Greg Winteregg’s career. In his decades in business, he’s been a prolific speaker and management consultant, and a well regarded business author. Today, he’s here to explain how no one can truly succeed if they’re unhappy with their business — and how to find meaning in your independent path. Staying motivated is about completing you...

Chargebacks are a hot topic of inquiry these days. With banks and credit card companies pledging to stand by their customers no matter what, it’s way too easy for someone to force a refund — even when they’re in the wrong. In this climate, knowing how to avoid these chargebacks is a necessary skill. No entrepreneur can manage their revenue stream if it runs in reverse! Plus, too many chargebacks m...