Lorraine Ball

More than a few words: Strategies for a struggling economy

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:31:07 +0000

After one of the longest recessions in the last 50 years, many of us have forgotten how to operate our businesses in an expansionary economy. But the recession is over, and it is time for a change in strategy! In today’s podcast I talk about the single most important strategy for small business owners in the recovery … consumer spending!

Click here to listen to the podcast.

More than a few words: Permission-based marketing

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:25:38 +0000

About a year ago, Ingrid Cummings invited me to be a guest on her radio program Rubicon Salon. In the course of the hour, we talked about marketing, social media and staying ahead of your competition in an economic downturn.

In this segment, we talk about the shift in marketing strategies, from pushing to permission-based marketing and the challenges and the rewards for business owners who adopt this approach.

From the interview: “While the medium has changed, the fundamental methods have not. It is still about identifying your customer and talking to your customers in the places they are most likely to find you!”

Click here to listen to the interview.

More than a few words: But it’s my business!

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:19:56 +0000

My friend Laina Moloski dropped by the other day to talk about all the new developments at C & S Consulting which include her new books, and new web site.

In this first podcast we focus on her new book: But It’sMy Business in which she shares tips and realistic ideas for small business owners.

From ideas on how to terminate employees to tips on sales and planning, Laina approaches the process of owning a business with both humor and serious, useful advice.

The book is available to order at http://candsconsulting.biz/

Click here to listen to the podcast.

More than a few words: Coaching Strategies for Small Businesses

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:13:44 +0000

My friend Deseri Garcia of Vida Aventura is a coach, trainer, motivator and leader. I always have great conversations with her because we have so much in common, including the title Past President of Rainmakers.

Recently Des stopped and we talked about coaching, and why a small business owner might turn to a coach for a little outside assistance.

Click here to listen to the Podcast.

More than a few words: Robby Slaughter and Productive Networking

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:10:38 +0000

Robby Slaughter, owner of Slaughter Development, an Indianapolis-based productivity firm, stopped by and shared some networking strategies for small business owners. Robby offers some great advice on how to decide if you’re in the right place for your networking, how to open a conversation, and how to make networking a part of your ongoing marketing activities.

To hear our short conversation check out the podcast now.

More than a few words: Team building exercises with small businesses

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:15:16 +0000

It can be difficult for small business owners to find the time or the drive to have team building exercises. But as my good friend Deseri Garcia explains, team building can make your team happier and more productive.

Click here to listen the interview.

More than a few words: Marketing by The Numbers with Howard Cox

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:11:27 +0000

One of the questions that I always ask new employees is: “Are you a word person, a picture person, or a numbers person?” Most people assume that I’d answer word person, but in actuality, I’m very much a numbers person. Good marketing is all about the numbers. While the creative execution is emotionally based, the decisions of how much, when and where should be financially based.

Click here to listen to my interview with Howard Cox.

More than a few words: Five Box approach to productivity

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:07:38 +0000

I recently had the chance to sit down with productivity expert Robby Slaughter. Robby’s job is to to inspire change and productivity in others. One of the most helpful things we spoke about in our conversation was his Five Boxes Approach to Productivity. In this process, you divide up the contents of your desk, and place it in five boxes. You give yourself permission to only work on one box each day. To learn more about this concept, listen to the podcast now. Click here to listen to the interview.

More than a few words: How much is a customer worth?

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:03:44 +0000

How much is a customer really worth? And how much should you be spending on retention vs acquisition activities? Working with Howard Cox, an accountant at Sommerset CPA’s, I have created a model which will help you analyze your own business.

Listen to this excellent podcast with Howard to learn more about how you can determine how much you should be spending on customer acquisition and retention to get–and keep–the customers you want.

To learn more, check out the short Podcast interview with Howard Cox. Click here to listen to the interview.

More than a few words: Magic Weight Loss Plan

admin — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:00:53 +0000

Are you surprised to see this topic on business blog? You shouldn’t be. Why? Because the same techniques and discipline required to lose weight can be applied to your business.

In the last year, I have lost some weight and now, I’m applying many of the same strategies to my business.

Want to learn the secret and how it will apply to your business success ? Listen to today’s short podcast.