The Water Trough- We can't make you drink, but we will make you think!

Send us Fan Mail Today, I have the pleasure of hosting Judi Harrington, a true master in the art of storytelling. Judi's unique talent lies in transforming business ideas into compelling narratives that resonate with the world.  As a seasoned copywriter, she lives by the belief that true understanding comes from stepping outside our own perspectives, and today’s episode, she brings awareness...

Send us Fan Mail Your employees are the key to your small business success. How do you treat them? Like workers, asking them to do more, for less? With respect, being fully aware that to them it is more than a paycheck?  Perhaps things are going well and you ascribe to the old idea "if it ain't broke..." What if I were to tell you, it can always be better?  Listen in.

Send us Fan Mail Under construction- conjures up ideas of not being ready for prime time, eh? Not so fast! A business that is under construction has chosen to remain open to possibility. It is a business that knows that the status quo is not reliable. It is a business that understands, innovation is a key to success.

Send us Fan Mail As enticing as entrepreneurship is, it is often misunderstood. Join us as we take a look at the inner workings of the concept as well as the mindset of those who choose this path. My guest, John Panaccione is the co-founder of Folla Capital , an SEC-registered broker-dealer focused on helping small businesses and startups raise capital. Before launching Folla Capital in 2020, he c...

Send us Fan Mail Marketing, love it or hate it, if you are a small business person you know it matters. Learn more about four fundamental elements that can take your marketing effort from mediocre to extraordinary. Intent, Audience, Content, and Venue... 

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Send us Fan Mail This second hiatus has turned out to be quite a lengthy one.  It wasn't just a matter of relocating and settling in. It is about accepting that with major changes comes a lot of introspection. This process has taught me a few things, which I chose to share in this episode. At the root of it all, it doesn't matter if you are a small business owner, CEO of an international...

Send us Fan Mail My guest, Dave Lubelczyk is a corporate escape artist dedicated to helping individuals break free from societal expectations and live authentically. His philosophy centers around empowering people to create a roadmap to realize their dreams, guiding them to define and follow their own unique paths.  Society tells us to measure success in terms of amassing riches. But Dave believes...

Send us Fan Mail Irene Stern Frielich discusses the attributes of courage, trust-building, and authenticity and how they have helped her achieve audacious goals she sets for herself. Setting those lofty goals, and having an operational plan to break down her goals and then execute on them, has helped Irene to grow her instructional design consulting business and has propelled her through writing a...

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Send us Fan Mail My Home Office Hacks Publisher Joe D’Eramo, a copywriter/marketing & PR consultant by trade, shares his insights on being more productive while working in a home office. During this episode, we’ll also delve into marketing campaigns for small business owners: what works and how they could be better. My guest is Joe D’Eramo, the founder and publisher of My Home Office Hacks, a...

Send us Fan Mail Today I am joined by Kelly Fox for a conversation about work and volunteerism in the non-profit sector. Kelly's journey is powerful and I want to share it with you, with the hope that you will be inspired to explore your opportunities. One of the most powerful takeaways is the impact that Kelly's non-profit work has had on her for-profit business. Kelly Fox came to the f...

Send us Fan Mail Today I am joined by my guest and friend, Ed McDonough. Join us for an enlightening discussion about marketing strategies and tools that will help you to increase your visibility and sales effectiveness. Ed is the founder and Chief Marketing Officer of ECE Marketing Services which is located in New Bern, NC. Since 2001 Ed has been a successful entrepreneur and multi-business owner...

Send us Fan Mail Your business does not exist in a vacuum. No matter how big your business is, the ability to analyze and understand your competition is essential for success. One analytical tool is Porter's 5 Forces Analysis. These 5 forces, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, threat of substitutes, and threat of new entries, can provide information that will solidify your busi...

Send us Fan Mail If you have ever been treated uncivilly, you know just how horrible it feels. Moreover, you know that the impact of being treated uncivilly is far-reaching. Working in an uncivil workplace is hell and the prosperity of the business is damaged as a result. Civility is a choice. It is not rocket science. What will you choose?

Send us Fan Mail Today, I am joined by my guest, Kyle Swanson. Kyle is the founder of Ziel Leadership which is developing a soon-to-be-released program “Live Life Aligned.” The Live Life Aligned program equips people to live their personal and professional mission while moving closer to their goals and aspirations. To accomplish this, the program integrates mindfulness and emotional intelligence i...

Send us Fan Mail They work after school, during the summers and breaks. The jobs they do may not be the most inspiring, but they are as essential as that which anyone else does. It is getting harder and harder to find these employees. How can we inspire them to join us?

Send us Fan Mail Traditional coaching is a top-down affair. It makes sense as it is the job of a manager to get things done through people. But it's more than getting things done. It's about getting things done effectively and efficiently. To accomplish that, a manager has to consider an employee-centric approach. Alas, the manager as coach. Adding coaching tools to your management portf...

Send us Fan Mail Join me as I discuss small business matters with John Dustin. John is the President of JED Insurance and Financial Service Agency and the Founder of the Optimal Collaborative Consulting Group. He is not only an experienced small business owner but he is an advocate for small businesses everywhere.  Our topics range from the pressure (and distraction) of short-term profits, and col...

Send us Fan Mail A strategic alliance is a collaborative relationship between two or more parties. It is designed to facilitate the achievement of agreed-upon goals or to fulfill a critical business need while retaining the independence of the parties. Unlike a partnership, there is no need for a transfer of equity nor is costly legal assistance necessary, however, the quid pro quo principle appli...

Send us Fan Mail A project pre-mortem is just what The Small Business Doctor prescribes to give you the best shot at a successful project. 

Send us Fan Mail This episode is possible due to the amazing customer service offered by the staff of West Bridgewater Coin and Jewelry Buyers of West Bridgewater, MA. These folks put the customer in customer service. They truly have earned the title of 24kt customer service. 

Send us Fan Mail Our government is a not-so-great role model. Put something of great importance off to the last minute. But those of us in business know how to procrastinate too. The big question is WHY do we do It?

Send us Fan Mail Join me and my guest Richard Rimer for an enlightening (perhaps surprising) discussion about branding. If you own a business or if you support folks who do, you are not going to want to miss this. Richard Rimer has seen many small businesses close for an unexpected reason: they chose the wrong brand.  Specifically, they chose a brand that was too similar to that of another company...

Send us Fan Mail All your attention is on the people who BUY what you are selling. But who is responsible for their buying? In large measure, it is your employees. Most of us do not have self-selling stuff. Maybe it's time for you to pay attention to your forgotten customers. You're buying customers will be pleased and I am pretty sure you won't mind the sales.