Last year, Dawn Rivers Baker, Editor and Publisher of The MicroEnterprise Journal, joined us to discuss the unhealthy state of small business health care.

Quite a lot has changed on Capitol Hill since then and the political landscape is very different now. But the big question still remains. Are small business owners any closer to getting relief from escalating health care costs?

Dawn has joined us again as our featured guest in this episode of Small Business Trends Radio. As Publisher of The MicroEnterprise Journal, Dawn is often sought by fellow journalists for her expertise on microbusinesses. Today - she’s going to be sharing some of that expertise with us.

Here is a sampling of topics discussed during this show:

• Less than 50% — of Microbusinesses (those with 10 employees or less) provide health care for their employees or themselves - and the number is shrinking every year. A figure that Dawn provided for us during her interview of August, 2006.

• The key issue — gathered from surveys on the subject indicate the major issue is cost — increasing too fast and remaining too high. Health care costs have increased, on average, by a whopping 72% since 1999.

• Self employment tax — is the equivalent of FICA tax, which is currently at 15.3%. Sole proprietors are the only business form currently that pay this tax on health insurance premiums (i.e., the premiums cannot be excluded from the requirement to pay FICA taxes). So when filling out a Schedule C as self employed, you are not able to deduct this amount. Regrettably, this situation looks like it will remains for the self employed.

• Bills for tax breaks — are being proposed, however, Congress cannot seem to agree. And when the Bill dies within Congress, so do the prospects of the proposed tax relief benefits.

• The Healthy Americans Act — is a proposed plan by Senators Widen and Bennett. They are attempting to develop a plan where all businesses are required to contribute to “the kitty” and a sliding scale is employed. The result of this would be additional taxes imposed on businesses to help pay for the plan. It would require mandated insurance coverage, is very complicated and may not make much economic sense for participants.

Dawn has much more to say and offers a lot of insight into the current state of small business health care. Click the player below to listen to Dawn’s full interview.

Listen Now:

 Small Business Health Care Update [30:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Posted by Staci Wood | Comments (4) | Permalink

This week’s Podcast Review is about the For Immediate Release Podcast

Description: For Immediate Release is the twice-weekly podcast of Neville Hobson, ABC, and Shel Holtz, ABC, a pair of communication professionals who think they have something to say.

Comments: Ranging in length from 5 minutes to an hour this Podcast is well produced, the great sound, music and outstanding conent makes this Podcast a great one to listen to.

The show is typically done in a newscast type of format, headlines, story snippets and even some weaved in humor keep the listener entertained and informed. Here is a small sampling of some recent show titles:

- Paperless maps are the next killer app
- MoveOn.org takes on Facebook
- Vodafone offers calls and text service inside Second Life
- Weak US dollar spells opportunity for US PR firms

There are literally hundreds more shows to choose from on an infinite number of topics.

Pluses: Very good website, instant play, multiple subscribe options, very good show notes and requests for feedback make access to the audio easy. The biggest plus is the content, over 290 shows, WOW!

Minuses: Not much to criticize here but I do wish the categories listed were also organized by content area and not show segment. Their is a search box for help however.

Recommendation: If you are a communications professional or you just like to listen to smartly presented excellent content then the For Immediate Release Podcast is one you should listen to.

Posted by Steve Rucinski | Comments (4) | Permalink

Many of us are always looking for ways to achieve a better web presence while avoiding overpaying for it. But how do you decide what’s an improvement? How do you know what’s effective and what’s not? And what are some ways to drive traffic once you have a great website?

Our featured guest in this episode of Small Business Trends Radio is John Munsell, CEO of Bizzuka. For the past 12 years John has been helping companies market their goods and services or streamline their internal communication processes by leveraging the Web. And in this episode - he’s going to help YOU.

Here is a sampling of topics discussed during this show:

• Did you know — that statistics state that 90% of initial customer interactions come through websites? And that potential customers will size up your website within first 52 milliseconds - the blink of an eye, literally.

• Websites are not — simply ads or billboards for your company. Visitors are coming to you to receive something - information, assistance, education, services, etc. It’s gone far beyond advertising or an electronic brochure so make sure you’re giving them what they are looking for.

• Don’t Make the mistake of — using splash pages with animations and a button to bypass or “Enter Here.” When you visit a company, you don’t have to knock on the door to get in - why knock on the door of a website to enter? It’s best not to place another barrier in front of them. Just open the door and let them in.

• Think through the purpose — of your website. Hold a strategy session if necessary. What are customers looking for? Place yourself in their shoes and immediately give them what it is that they want. Is it time for a redesign?

• Every 12 to 18 months — you should redesign your website and rid it of certain elements that are outdated such as flash animation, blink art, clip art, overwhelming colorful text, splash pages, etc. Clear navigation and legible text is still “king.”

Remember that technology is always changing, growing and evolving. Your website should also be living, breathing and ever-evolving in order to keep up.

John offers a lot of great advice and concepts to take into consideration when designing your website. Want to hear them all? Click the player below to listen to John’s full interview.

Listen Now:

 10 Things CEOs Should Know About Web Design [27:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Posted by Staci Wood | Comments (5) | Permalink

This week’s Podcast Review is about the StartUp Bizcast Podcast

Description: Startup BizCast offers weekly small business advice, tips, and education from owners of small businesses.

Comments: Over 20 different podcast shows. Great sound, music and production values. The shows are quick to the point, 15 minutes or less in length.

Each show has a focus topic but all shows also have a small business news segment to keep listeners up to date on the latest news. Here is a sampling of show topics:

- Alternative Advertising
- Voice over IP for your Small Business
- Your Small Business Elevator Speech
- Small Business Logos

Nice website, all of the latest bookmark and subscribe options, between podcasts they post a good recommended reading list. Decent show notes and an easy to get to episode list is available as well.

Pluses: I really like the 15 minute or less length of the shows, of course my favorite instant play and the multitude of ways to get to the content.

Minuses: The site is just a wee busy for my eyes, too many chicklets and links on the right side. My eye doesn’t know where to land.

Recommendation: If you like quick access and quick content focused on a wide range of small business topics then the StartUp Bizcast Podcast is one you should give a listen to.

Posted by Steve Rucinski | Comments (5) | Permalink

Each day we have more and more entrepreneurial success stories being created. These stories of success, failures, mistakes - and dreams coming true - are inspirational.

They remind us of the old adage: “If you think it — you will be it. . .” It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you’re passionate about something.

Our featured guest in this episode of Small Business Trends Radio is CD Vann, Founder of Soho Business Magazine. CD started Soho Business Magazine in 2005 with just a few dollars in her pocket and a 3-year old Mac computer. She saw there was a need for growing businesses to be able to use their marketing, PR and advertising dollars “wisely,” and they could be published in a magazine, writing about their product or service industry knowledge while targeting other growing businesses.

At the time a few of her competitors wished she would fail. But she’s here to prove she is a survivor and successful with Magazine Soho.

Here is a sampling of topics discussed during this show:

• Print Publications — are not out of style. Electronic is nice for a concise, quick read. But it’s still a fact that no one wants to download a 365-page file onto their desktop. Additionally, print material can be kept as a reference for later use.

• Business Mentors — are invaluable. Using a mentor in your industry can help guide you along your way and continue your education.

• Advertising — is crucial. PR marketing and advertising is a must to get the word out about your business. In certain industries, word-of-mouth can only get you so far and properly targeted advertising within publications can assist your business growth tremendously.

• Get Published — and start a blog. Get the word out and position your product and service. People read everyday and a well written article or blog can be priceless in the assistance of building clientele.

• Build Relationships — and network within your industry. Work with other businesses and leverage the relationships as a “give-give” situation. It’s one sure way to experience growth and success.

CD says to remember to find balance in your life while building your business. Be sure to take time off. Take advantage of your evenings and weekends and rest so that you can be more effective during the work week.

Want to hear more of CD’s story and advice? Click the player below to listen to CD’s full interview.

Listen Now:

 How to Start a Print Magazine With No Money [18:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Posted by Staci Wood | Comments (3) | Permalink

So far we’ve had a great year here at Small Business Trends Radio, with a new expert each week. The result is a wealth of business advice.

From time to time we share the most popular small business podcasts with you. Today we want to share the top 5 most popular small business podcasts for the year to-date with you.

Congratulations to the small business experts listed below — they had the most requested audio podcasts between January and October 2007.

Here are the Top 5 Popular Small Business Podcasts:

Entrepreneurial Terror: Through Dark Days Into the Light
Ruth King, CEO of BusinessTVChannel.com
Uplifting true-life stories of entrepreneurs who overcame crises. One of the stories Ruth shares is even her own.

What’s All This Buzz About Buzz Marketing?
Ron McDaniel, CEO of Buzzoodle.com
The trend toward buzz marketing and word of mouth marketing - and why they are so important today.

How To Reduce Stress On The Job - The Easy Way
Erik Luhrs, President of BOOM, Inc.
Shedding a few tears may be worth a million dollars. Stress can be eliminated through a few small steps towards balance.

Getting Really Organized For Small Business
Liz Franklin, Founder of Miz Liz On Biz
Pull new cash and productivity out of your existing business as a substitute for more time and money.

Why Hackers Love Small Businesses
Thomas Raef, Founder of e-Based Security
Cyber criminals will break into your network and steal sensitive data. Offers practical tips to protect your systems.

The great thing about podcasts is that they can be listened to over and over. They’ve got a long shelf life. We hope you enjoy the information.

Posted by Staci Wood | Comments (6) | Permalink

This week’s Podcast Review is about the 10 Golden Rules Internet Marketing Podcast

Description: Jay Berkowitz is a small business Internet consultant with more than 20 years of marketing experience and he uses this Podcast to focus on the 10 Best Rules for Internet Marketing Success.

Comments: Good sound, simple but effective intro clips (bumpers). Sometimes Jay is solo and sometime with guests. He even shares content live from various Podcasting events.

Shows seem to be 30 to 60 minutes in length for the most part. Jay brings to our ears a who’s-who in the Internet marketing world. Here is a sampling of his topics:

- Finding your voice for your podcast, how and where to host your podcast, the software and hardware you need to produce a podcast, how to prepare a show, how to develop great content and entertainment, strategies and tactics for free and paid promotion for a podcast.

- Finding your voice for your podcast, how and where to host your podcast, the software and hardware you need to produce a podcast, how to prepare a show, how to develop great content and entertainment, strategies and tactics for free and paid promotion for a podcast.

From just these two descriptions you can see that Jay packs each show with some great depth and breadth of valuable advice and insight.

Pluses: I like the sound quality, the content and the presentation. The website is pretty basic but it does have instant play, good notes, requests for comments and feedback and RSS subscribe links.

Minuses: I would like to see search, categories and archive access provided. As more content is put up I am sure these functions will be added.

Recommendation: If Internet marketing is important to you then you should give a listen to the 10 Golden Rules Internet Marketing Podcast.

Posted by Steve Rucinski | Comments (2) | Permalink