Tired of competing against the gorillas in the industry like Google? These large competitors have bottomless supplies of cash and incredible brand recognition.

How is a small Web 2.0 business supposed to compete with these Goliaths?

Our guest on this show is David Koretz, CEO and President of BlueTie, he talks with us about how to use your advantages of being a small company to compete effectively against large competitors.

In addition he shares strategies such as how to use partnerships and new business models to create new revenue streams.

Learn more about:

- What is Web 2.0?
- What is SAAS or Software as a Service?
- Free vs Paid Services?

Learn more about the details of this show or download the file for David And Goliath – SMBs Can Beat The Web 2.0 Giants

Listen Now:

 SMBs Can Beat The Web 2.0 Giants [53:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Posted by Steve Rucinski | Comments (0) | Permalink

Think your small business is immune from hackers? You had better think again. Understanding what they are after will help you protect your business.

Our featured guest on this show is Thomas Raef, Founder of e-Based Security. Thomas talks about how these cyber criminals want control of your systems and the signals you should be watching in order to spot whether or not your network has been infiltrated.

The major items covered in the show are:

- What do hackers want?
- Why do they do it?
- What do they do with the information?
- Why isn’t the government acting?
- What are the signs to watch for?

Learn more about the details of this show or download the file for Hackers Target Small Business

Listen Now:

 Hackers Target Small Business [53:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Posted by Steve Rucinski | Comments (1) | Permalink

This is a review of a data back up solution called Data Deposit Box. This is a service that small businesses should consider. Because let’s admit it — we do not back up our systems often enough. Be honest. When was the last time you remembered to back up your files on your computer?

Data Deposit Box is an online back-up solution. No hardware to buy. You go over to Data Deposit Box and set up an account online. Then you download the software, and it is ready to go.

It is a super-simple system to use. Once everything is in place all the backups are handled automatically. You do not have to remember to do anything in order to back up your system.

You can use Data Deposit Box to back up multiple computers. The number of computers does not matter. You pay only for the storage used ($2 per gigabyte).

So who needs online data storage? I can think of several groups. Anyone who doesn’t want to mess with doing backups on his or her own. Anyone who travels a lot and may need access to documents and files while on the road. Even those virtual small businesses (like ours here at Small Business Trends Radio) that have people working in different locations — Data Deposit Box makes it possible to share files. You can share all or just selected files.

This sounds like a convenient and elegant solution for backing up computer files. You can even try a 14-day free trial. Try it out, and see for yourself.

Posted by Anita Campbell | Comments (0) | Permalink

This week’s Podcast Review is about Small Business Netcast

Description: In late 2005, TEB Media LLC, operators of SBWire, the small to mid-sized business newswire, created the Small Business Netcast to provide valuable advice to small business owners and marketing personal worldwide.

Every week, their panelists discuss the creation, development and management of small business.

Comments: Using the panel format with very good production values (music, sound quality, organized, entertaining) this podcast brings valuable advice to small business listeners.

New shows arrive weekly and a segment is dedicated to answering listener questions. From public speaking to getting a good business card a wide range of small business topics is discussed with good advice from the panel of experts assembled.

Pluses: Nice clean, easy to operate website. Instant play listening capability, panel bio page and even a show blog serve the listener and visitors needs. All listeners are invited to join the show and be a potential panelist and guest.

Minuses: I would like to see improved show notes. I think that is the intent with the blog but I could find only one post with show content details.

Recommendation: Easy to listen to and packed with good small business advice, this podcast will only get stronger over time. I recommend you add Small Business Netcast to your list of small business shows to listen to.

Posted by Steve Rucinski | Comments (0) | Permalink

You already know that positive word-of-mouth from your customers to their friends and associates can be the best marketing your small business can ever get.

Did you know that your business can use internet technologies, like blogs, social media sites, online videos and social networking websites to amplify this word-of-mouth marketing for you?

Our guest in this show, Author and word-of-mouth expert, Jackie Huba, will discuss how the outlaws of culture are using the latest in online technologies to become centers of influence.

Learn more about the details of this show or download the file for Citizen Marketing - The Most Effective Form of Marketing

Listen Now:

 Citizen Marketers - When People Are The Message [53:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Posted by Steve Rucinski | Comments (1) | Permalink

This week’s Podcast Review is about iBiz Radio - A Business Podcast Directory

Description: As I predicted in my Top Podcasting Trends for Small Business article on Small Business Trends, a business podcast directory has arrived called, iBiz Radio.

iBizRadio is the Internet’s first podcast directory solely dedicated to business podcasts. iBizRadio was developed to help business people easily locate and download audio/video podcasts that relate to their market of interest or industry.

iBizRadio’s focus is to deliver quality business content through means of voluntary submissions and RSS from companies around the world. By offering a central location of business podcasts on the Web, iBizRadio allows you to stay abreast with the news and perspectives in your industry even when you’re on the run.

Comments: With 35 current categories and over 150 podcasts iBiz Radio is still early in its development. Podcasts are organized by industry or market and business function.

It is easy to search and find the content you are interested in. Each category has its own page and each podcast its own page, each show has its own player, download or subscribe choices.

Tools to share your favorites like Delicious, email to a friend and Technorati are clearly visibile.

The Home page also lists the newest podcasts and the most popular so you might choose to start your search with these.

Pluses: At last a business directory, easy to use, great features, (particularly instant play), good site descriptions and made for podcasters and subscribers alike.

Minuses: They need to pump up the number of available podcasts, time will make that happen.

Recommendation: If you are looking to use podcasts or currently do then this directory could be a way for you to identify those podcasts that best meet your needs quickly and efficiently. I highly recommend you check out the iBiz Radio - Business Podcast Directory.

Posted by Steve Rucinski | Comments (0) | Permalink

Did you know that Fortune 1000 companies took over $123 Billion (yes Billion with a B) in U.S. government business that was supposed to go to small businesses? So says our guest in this featured episode.

Our featured guest on this show is Lloyd Chapman, President of the American Small Business League, otherwise known as the ASBL, a small business advocacy group that fights for fair small business contracting policies.

Lloyd shares information about doing business with the U.S. government and recommends the actions you can take to make a level playing field and improve your chances at being successful in the government marketplace.

Learn more about the details of this show or download the file for Government Business, Real or an Illusion?

Listen Now:

 Government Contracting - Real or Illusion? [53:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Posted by Steve Rucinski | Comments (0) | Permalink