Ronald Balla, Founder of The CJB Group, is our featured guest in this Episode of The Small Business Trends Radio. Several years ago, Ron was employed by a local municipality and had a brother that was employed as a police officer. Together, they had many discussions about the events happening within his brothers line of work as a law enforcement officer.

It was from these very discussions that sprung forth the inspiration for Ron’s invention, The Balla Base. The Balla Base is is a safety product designed to protect law enforcers and preserve evidence which will be introduced to the market in the fall of 2008.

Ron shares his personal story of invention - from idea, to prototype, to field tests, to market - and everything in between.

Here’s a sampling from the show:

• Where do you begin? — The first step may be different for some, but a good starting point is to contact an established patent attorney to perform a thorough search that no prior art exists. Once that is confirmed, you are free to seek a manufacturer to create a prototype.

• Necessity IS the mother of invention. — When consumers or industry are in need of your product, the demand can be strong. So it’s important to first ask yourself, “Is there a need by consumers or industry for my product?” If the answer to that question is yes, your chances of success are greatly increased.

• Is it expensive? — Cost can be a factor but being prepared helps. Working out many of the small details on your own, prior to presenting your idea to a manufacturer, can save you money. The less specifics the engineers or manufacturers have to work out, the more the cost savings to you.

You, too, may have a great idea that you’d like to share with the world but may not be sure about what’s involved or how to go about doing so. If you’d like to learn more and hear Ron’s story, listen to his full interview by clicking the red and yellow player below.

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 How To Get Your Invention To The Market [27:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Do you have a question for our upcoming radio show guest?

Brian Wallace, President and Founder of NowSourcing, is joining us on Small Business Trends Radio on Tuesday, July 1st at 1:30PM EST to discuss Plurk, a new social media site. Brian will be discussing the ins and outs, the benefits of usage and everything you need to know to start “plurking” away in cyberspace.

Plurk is a new instant messaging system that is spread out in timeline form and allows for threaded conversations that you can jump right into. If you like Twitter, chances are that you’ll like Plurk, too.

If you have a question about Plurk, we’ll try to present it to Brian during the live show. The deadline for your questions is Monday, June 30th at noon Eastern time.

Ask away below in the comments section!

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Do you have a question for our upcoming radio show guest?

Ronald Balla, Founder of The CJB Group is joining us on Small Business Trends Radio on Tuesday, June 24th at 1:30PM EST. Ron has invented a very interesting product. He will share his insights and lessons about inventing his product and bringing it to market — from idea, to prototype, to field tests, to market — and everything in between.

His invention is The Balla Base, a safety product designed to protect law enforcers and preserve evidence, which will be introduced to the market in the fall of 2008. Basically, the Balla Base is mounted on the trunk of a police cruiser and provides a place to preserve evidence and other features.

If you have a question about the Balla Base or about inventions in general, such as how to get a prototype developed or how to get your invention into the market, please leave a question below. We’ll try to present your questions of Ron. The deadline for your questions is Monday, June 23 at noon Eastern time.

Ask away below in the comments section!

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Each day, many of us are in the trenches busily creating, innovating, and marketing our entrepreneurial ideas. There’s so much to do and so much to focus on. As a result, things tend to slip through the cracks and where most companies and owners drop the ball is pricing. Lack of focus results in “quick fix” prices created by marking up costs, matching competitors, and following the “that’s the way we always do it” frame of logic.

Rafi Mohammed Ph.D., Founder of Pricing For Profit and author of The Art of Pricing, is our featured guest in this Episode of The Small Business Trends Radio. Rafi shows you how to create and implement the right pricing strategies for your products and services.

Here’s a sampling from the show:

• Pricing — is the way that you’re compensated for the work and the value that you create for your customers and a purchase is the customers way of saying, “We’ve looked everywhere and the best value came from you.”

• It’s all about options — let customers self-select which pricing option is best for them and they will always say “yes” by allowing them to choose. It’s a simple pricing strategy that can add a lot of money to your bottom line. Capture the value of your product or service and always remember that different customers have different ideas of value.

• Set a value based price — by capturing premiums from those willing to pay a bit more. Offer them additional benefits for their money and offer those only willing to pay less a price reduction. That way, those willing to pay more get a bit more for their money and those who may not have purchased otherwise, are enticed to do so. This is an example of different value pricing for the same type of product or service.

With Rafi’s pricing for profit and growth insights, you’ll be ready to start uncovering your hidden profits immediately after the show. To do so, click the red and yellow player below and listen to his full interview.

Brought to you by our sponsors:

JumpUp.com and Infusionsoft.com

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 Uncover Hidden Profits Through Better Pricing [31:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I once read a story about a gentleman whose business was hit by a recession. His contracts dried up and he began using credit cards to keep his business afloat. Ultimately, he racked up some $85,000 in debt. But then he made a gutsy move for a company in financial distress and hired an employee which freed him up to pursue more contracts. He now has 4 additional employees and has satisfied the debt accrued during that time. His recession strategy was a risk, but it was one that paid off.

David Rudofsky, Founder of Rudofsky Associates is our featured guest in this Episode of The Small Business Trends Radio. David is in his fifth year advising small businesses on financial strategy and he shares his insights on the best strategies to survive during a U.S. recession.

Here’s a sampling of topics discussed:

• If consumers are leery to spend — it’s a good indicator of a U.S. recession. Because here in the United States, it’s the consumers that drive 70% of the economy. A much different figure than in other countries.

• Internet sales — are likely to see a significant increase due to rising fuel costs and a desire by consumers to consolidate excess travel spending. If you want your small business to survive, an Internet presence is a must in times like these.

• Grow your business through acquisition — because savvy business owners realize that a recession is a good time to acquire property and assets at very reasonable prices. Your investment is likely to increase and your business can benefit from the growth and expansion.

Hear all of David’s insights and strategies to survive a recession by clicking the red and yellow player below and listening to his full interview.

Brought to you by our sponsors:

JumpUp.com and Infusionsoft.com

Listen Now:

 Strategies to Survive During a Recession [26:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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