Having an up-to-date website is crucial for small businesses, but traditional SEO strategies are losing effectiveness. Focus on local business opportunities and customer-centered solutions to connect with your community. With inflation impacting everyone, economical options like direct mail and email outreach can help businesses grow without overspending on tactics that no longer guarantee results.

Want to create an unforgettable 90-second social media commercial? Learn why your message must grab attention in the first few seconds and why keeping it simple is key. This guide breaks down how to focus on solutions through the eyes of your target customer and deliver a clear call to action that turns viewers into loyal customers. Ready to capture your audience’s attention? Find out how!

Welcome to another episode of the Business Buffet Podcast, where we dive into the crucial topic of cash flow management amid economic uncertainty. In today's fluctuating economy, small business owners, particularly in competitive service industries, face heightened challenges. With optimism at its lowest since 2012 and ongoing inflation issues, finding effective financial strategies is more important than ever.

Key Points We’ll Cover:

1. Technology Integration for Cash Flow:
   • The importance of timely invoicing and payments to maintain financial health.
   • How leveraging technology with affordable cloud-based accounting software can streamline these processes, minimize errors, and offer real-time financial insights.
2. Just-in-Time Inventory System:
   • Benefits for service-based businesses like cleaning companies, salons, or repair services in managing inventory efficiently.
   • How maintaining minimal inventory levels can reduce costs and improve adaptability to customer preferences and market shifts.

Why It Matters:

These strategies not only help in managing the immediate challenges but also pave the way for long-term financial stability and reduced overhead costs. As economic headwinds continue, the resilience and adaptability of small businesses will play a critical role in their survival and growth.

Special Offer:

Don't miss out on expert guidance tailored to your unique business needs. Ed, a seasoned business development specialist from Zenith Exhibits, Inc., is offering a free, no-obligation consultation. Get in touch at (208) 209-7170 or info@zenithexhibits.com to schedule your session.

Conclusion:

Stay tuned as we explore these strategies in depth, offering practical advice and insights to help you turn economic uncertainty into a competitive advantage.

Google has over 92% of the global market share for searches culminating in over 7 billion searches per day.  They built their business on reliable search results, and their position in the marketplace is well earned.  Business has become dependent on the search results driving business, but now Google allows some political ideology to influence search results.  We can only wish for the days when people were punished for crimes they committed, on the internet today (and the nation for that matter) punishment can be doled out for not doing something.  And business can be devastated if it is not perceived as adequately woke.  In today’s episode, we’ll stay clear of the politics behind the issue and instead speak to a solution.  This is not a new-fangled solution with an unproved history, no today’s topic is based on a method with hundreds of years of provable success.

To maximize success on the tradeshow floor, one must plan correctly.  The 5-step engagement process is a proven system for optimizing the limited tradeshow floor time and maximizing lead capture.

Small businesses are scrambling to gain a foothold on their business during this Covid-19 crisis. The tendency is to stop spending money which also means stop marketing. If history has proven anything, it is businesses MUST continue to market in a down economy. But many of those businesses that continue to market, do it from a transactional mindset. “What is the fastest way for me to get a return on my marketing investment?” Today we’re going to look at a different approach to marketing as we talk with Mark Schaefer, a globally-recognized keynote speaker, educator, business consultant, and author. His blog is hailed as one of the top marketing blogs in the world. Not only that, Mark has had a very up close and personal look at the Coronavirus. It’s time to step into the Business Buffet kitchen, open the recipe book and see some of the Business Ingredients Mark Schaefer uses on this Ingredients episode of the Business Buffet.

For more information on Mark Schaefer visit https://businessesgrow.com 

Get your free Pandemic Playbook by visiting https://businessesgrow.com/pandemicplaybook/ 

Thanks to our sponsor Abandon Your Aches Massage. Please visit https://ayamassagecda.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/abandonyourachesmassage/ 

As we head out of the lockdowns, step by step, slow and methodical, the countdown is on to develop your marketing strategy so you hit the ground running. No pressure or anything, but this is important stuff! On this Side Dish Episode of the Business Buffet, I will outline some do's and don'ts, when it comes to marketing, to help you build and execute a winning marketing strategy out of the lockdown period and beyond.

A big thank you goes out to our sponsors:
Virtual Web Department:  visit virtualwebdepartment.com

In recent weeks we have discussed the importance of giving of yourself as well as being yourself, in your business. This is more true now than ever before. With the lockdown in the early stages of loosening its grip throughout America, small businesses are having to look to different ways of gaining back the attention of the consumer or face possibly closing their doors. Since the creation of the always-evolving social media, it’s becoming more and more clear that small business has to get their message out in a more human way. 

Today, Ed and Phil will dig deeper into what Human-Centered Marketing really means and some ways to implement it into your business's marketing strategies, on this episode of the Business Buffet.

Thank you to our sponsors: 

Abandon Your Aches Massage visit https://ayamassagecda.com 

Phone 208 691 2497

Email laura@ayamassagecda.com

F1 for Help visit www.f1forhelp.net or call 208-687-0183

What IS marketing? Wikipedia says Marketing is the study and management of exchange relationships. It is the business process of identifying, anticipating and satisfying customers' needs and wants. Because marketing is used to attract customers, it is one of the primary components of business management and commerce. This is just scratching the surface. I will drill a little deeper today on this Side Dish episode of the Business Buffet.

Thank you to our sponsors: Abandon Your Aches Massage visit https://ayamassagecda.com 

Bob Burg is a Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker and Bestselling Coauthor of “The Go-Giver” and Go-Giver Book Series.  A Go-Giver is a person who has learned that shifting their focus from getting to giving is not only a nice way to live life, but a very financially profitable way, as well.  In this episode Bob and I will explore the idea of building a business offering on the idea of giving first and building the hero factor as a life-long relationship builder.

Bob’s Website:  https://burg.com
The Go-Govier Website:  https://www.thegogiver.com/
Link to The Go-Giver on Amazon:  https://bit.ly/go_giver
Bob’s Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/burgbob

A bit thank you goes out to our sponsors:

F1 for Help:  visit www.f1forhelp.net
Virtual Web Department:  visit virtualwebdepartment.com 

We’ve all gone to great lengths to diversify our business so we are not dependent on one client or business offering.  What happens to your business if the country shuts down and you are prevented from delivering your products?  Something we’ve never thought of before, or at least not in terms that are normal in a pandemic driven world that embraces social distancing.  The obvious response is something like this will never happen again...are you sure?  Social distancing has become the mode-de-jur and should a second virus flare up, are you sure your business will be able to continue as normal?  We must spend time diversifying not just client mix, but business offering mix.  In this episode, I’ll present information about how to add a business offering alternative that can keep your business afloat during times when the country is social-distancing.

A big thank you to today’s sponsor, Joe from F1 for Help.  Visit www.f1forhelp.net and get the finest in computer support.

Also, visit thegogiver.com to learn more about Bob Burg’s book, The Go-Giver.

Stay tuned after this SideDish to learn how you could win a free copy of Bob Burg’s book The Go-Giver. 

We’ve all gone through great lengths to diversify our business so we are not dependent on one client or business offering.  What happens to your business if the country shuts down and you are prevented from performing your service or delivering your products?  Something we’ve never thought of before, or at least not in terms that are normal in a pandemic driven world that embraces social distancing.  The obvious response is something like this will never happen again...are you sure?  Social distancing has become the mode-de-jur and should a second wave flare up, are you sure your business will be able to continue as normal?  We must spend time diversifying not just client mix, but business offering mix.  In this episode, we’ll discuss issues facing businesses in an age of social-distancing and pandemic worries and how using The Go-Giver Laws for Success to diversify your offering.

Bob’s Website:  https://burg.com 

The Go-Govier Website:  https://www.thegogiver.com/ 

Link to The Go-Giver on Amazon:  https://bit.ly/go_giver 

Bob’s Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/burgbob 

Thank you to our sponsors:  F1 for Help visit www.f1forhelp.net and Northwest Pet Resort visit www.nwpetresort.com 

We’ve all gone to great lengths to diversify our business so we are not dependent on one client or business offering.  What happens to your business if the country shuts down and you are prevented from performing your service?  Something we’ve never thought of before, or at least not in terms that are normal in a pandemic driven world that embraces social distancing.  The obvious response is something like this will never happen again...are you sure?  Social distancing has become the mode-de-jur and should a second virus flare up, are you sure your business will be able to continue as normal?  We must spend time diversifying not just client mix, but business offering mix.  In this episode, I’ll present information about how to add a business offering alternative that can keep your business afloat during times when the country is social-distancing.

A big thank you to today’s sponsor, Joe from F1 for Help.  Visit www.f1forhelp.net and get the finest in computer support.

Also, visit thegogiver.com to learn more about Bob Burg’s book, The Go-Giver.

This article guides small service-based business owners on developing fresh website content. It covers researching relevant topics, utilizing SEO strategies with keyword phrases, understanding the target audience through client personas, and structuring content with key information upfront to engage and benefit readers.

It’s been a week all about video. Monday was about using Facebook Live to grow your brand and Tuesday I blatantly said, it’s time to get over yourself when it comes to getting in FRONT of the camera. Should you do it? Or should you not take the chance? Ed has a different opinion than mine in some regard but today, we’re going to talk about an expert in the field of video, Nick Nimmin, who will hopefully put to bed this debate on this Ingredients episode of the Business Buffet.

If you build it, they will come.  Right?  Well, not so much.  In today’s business world you need to build it and then seek out customers, craft a message that resonates with those target customers, and execute a multidimensional advertising campaign.  Simple.  Ok, how?  In today’s episode, I’ll highlight the steps for developing market research for the purpose of finding customers.

Got questions or need help developing your market research?  Visit businessbuffet.page and click Ask a Question.

Joe with F1 for Help sponsored today’s SideDish.  Visit www.f1forhelp.net  and support the business that supports the Business Buffet.

Let’s face it: MOST of us are camera shy. Yet, all we hear day in and day out is how small business owners must learn to, not only embrace social media, but we must also put our faces out there too, in the form of videos and still images. Sure that sounds easy if you’re an extrovert but what if you’re an introvert? Is it even possible? Today we will talk you off the ledge of fearing being in front of the camera and then give you five tips to get over yourself on camera.

As we’re still in the Coronavirus lockdown, small businesses have been sent into a tailspin and their ability to spin and pivot to something outside of their comfort zone is vital for survival. Today, we’ll talk all about how, if your business hasn’t already embraced Facebook Live, you need to do it now. As in today, on this episode of the Business Buffet Side Dish.

When it comes to business, it’s important to know your ‘why’. We’ve talked about that many times on the Business Buffet. If you don’t know your ‘why’, you’re destined for increased challenges when it comes to being successful in business. Is your ‘why’ more than just making a buck? It should be. It should come from a place that lives deep in your soul. Today we’ll talk with Mark Michaelis, Principal, CEO and Chief Technical Architect of IntelliTect Corporation about his unique journey in the business world and how his business has less to do with making money and more to do with changing the world on THIS Ingredients episode of the Business Buffet.

A national pandemic only seems to come around once every hundred years or so...while no one wants people to suffer and I don’t mean to make light of the national situation, but this COVID-19 thing is great for business.  In today’s episode, we’ll look at ways to cut costs and improve the bottom line.  We’ll also explore how to use the pandemic to better position your Profit and Loss for long term profitability.

The Small Business Development Center in Clackamas Oregon, and my operations professor in college, both agree that during times of recession, you package offerings.  While technically not yet in a declared recession, with 17 million new unemployment claims and millions of businesses shuttered, America is in recessionary mode.  These are times best suited for small business...yes, that is right, we have the advantage because we are more nimble.  In today’s episode, we’ll discuss ways to capitalize on the pending recession and things you can do to prepare now.

It seems like GIF’s are EVERYwhere on social media. Wouldn’t it be great to have your own collection of GIF’s that help extend your brand? This episode will walk you through those steps so that you can start using your OWN GIF’s to make your points, rather than using those of others.

Are you using all the available resources in your business community to survive this pandemic?  If you are like me, you’ve probably been a member of the local chamber for years...are you turning to them for help?  Today we’ll talk with the VP of Membership for the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce and discuss ways the chamber is uniquely positioned to help you and your business.

To learn more about the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce visit their website at www.cdachamber.com 

COVID-19 Link:  Coronavirus Relief Options 

Learn more about Chamber Events and Program by visiting:  https://cdachamber.com/programs-events/ 

Derrell Hartwick
President/CEO
Derrell@CdAChamber.com
208.415.0104

Visit the North Idaho Small Business Development Center at https://nisbdc.com 

Thank you to our sponsors:  

Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce

Joe with F1 for Help can be reached at 208.687.0183 or visit him on the website www.F1forHELP.net

Virtual Web Department can be reached at (208) 286-2607 or on the web at www.virtualwebdepartment.com 

As we all experience unsettled times as business owners it’s important to know the basics of what continues to work in the world of social media. Storytelling is still a strong play and will be for a long time. A business that is good at storytelling is a business that not only gets it but will also connect with their customer. Consumers love good stories. Today we’ll talk about how important storytelling is for your business and some tips that will help you shine while doing it.

Discover how adding audio narration to your business blog can skyrocket user engagement and page views by up to 15%! In this episode, we delve into the power of audio content, from attracting new visitors faster to enhancing sales conversations. Tune in to learn how simple audio additions can transform your blog into a dynamic tool for growth. Ready to boost your digital marketing strategy? Listen now!

COVID-19 has changed everything, and small businesses are itching to get back at it when this is all over. What do they have to do to hit the street running so that they minimize the effect this virus has had on their business? 

To climb the ladder of success, you don’t need more techniques and strategies, you need more friends.

Do you love animals? Dogs in particular? I mean REALLY love them? Maybe you’ve thought about opening your own doggy daycare, then. You’re in luck! In today’s Business Buffet Ingredients episode, we are going to walk through set up costs and things to think about when opening a doggy daycare. Then we’ll talk with Scott Ansel from Northwest Pet Resort about some of the challenges he faced when opening his facility.

In today's episode, Phil talks about a keynote presentation he witnessed at Social Media Marketing World from Michael Stelzner. Michael Stelzner is the CEO of Social Media Examiner which runs the Social Media Marketing World conference in San Diego every year. Phil shares the key highlights from the presentation on what you should do in the social media world to help your business, in 2020.

COVID-19 has changed everything, what is your business doing to attract new customers?  In this episode, we discuss virtual tradeshows and virtual networking meetings and how to attract new markets to you and your business offering.

Social media is constantly evolving and with that come apps to help with efficiency. Whatever your situation, managing social media requires the right strategy and the right tools.  And while there are thousands of social media tools, not all of them can be classed as management tools. Today I’m going to focus on the best social media management tools that include these three key elements Engagement, Scheduling, and Reporting.

Are you an organized person who gets called on by friends and family to help plan parties and family vacation?  Then you may have the make-up of a professional event planner.  Today we’ll explore the career option of event planner and then talk with the expert of experts, Carolyn Wence with Plans & Action located in Portland, Oregon.

Music makes the world go round. It’s the international language, understood by most everyone. But when it comes to doing your work, do you have music playing? And, if so, is it soft and in the background, loud and in your face or somewhere in between? We’re going to talk about the pros and cons of “whistling while you work” as well as tips for working from home, on this episode of the Business Buffet.

When it comes to the new platforms for social media, Snap Chat and Tik Tok are usually near or at the top of the list. In this Side Dish episode, Phil spends a few minutes talking about IF your business should have a presence on these platforms and, if so, how to make them work for you.

You hear your marketing guru asking to define your target customer, but for you, everyone is a target customer.  Why do marketing people want to define one type of person to market too?  In today’s episode we’ll discuss developing a target client persona and how doing so will help maximize sales.

The final article in our series demystifies podcast analytics, guiding podcasters on how to use data to refine and grow their shows. It emphasizes understanding audience demographics, tracking downloads and listener engagement, and leveraging geographic insights for tailored content. The piece also discusses how to use feedback for improvement and analytics to attract sponsors, underscoring the importance of analyzing trends for strategic planning. This comprehensive overview equips podcasters with the knowledge to make informed decisions, enhance listener experiences, and achieve podcasting success through data-driven insights.

Do your employees bring you a hard decision or a selection of options?  Business is the process of solving problems and making things easier, but yet we tolerate our employees making our life more difficult.  In this episode, I’ll share with you one way you can get your team working towards making your life (as the boss) easier.

Running a small business requires the ability to wear many hats but it's one thing to put a hat on your head and another thing entirely to execute on wearing that hat well. One thing many small business owners don't know much about is doing their books, accounting, and taxes. Today we're going talk about a subject NOBODY enjoys talking about unless you're an accountant: Taxes. Specifically small business tax deductions that you may, or may not know about, on THIS episode of the Business Buffet.

In sales, too often, our emotions get the best of us.  Many outside influences impact our psychological well being and ultimately have an adverse impact on your ability to sell your product or service.  Today’s I share with you some tips on how to avoid or mitigate the social pitfalls that could impact your bottom line.

Is small business behind the curve when it comes to making changes to your product or service offering? In today’s episode, Ed and Phil will discuss the strengths and weaknesses, threats and opportunities for small business people when market conditions go soft. What should you do in your business if sales slump? Turn-in today and get ready to dish up the business buffet!

When it comes to running a small business, we have to be aware of every aspect of our brand. The smallest overlooked detail can lead to catastrophe. Even the words we use. Do the words you use to convey what your business represents?

In business, we can be the market mover and shaker or the one who gets shaken up by the marketplace.  Resistance to change is a natural human instinct, but in business, it will kill your future.  In today’s SideDish, I will present a simple solution you can use to be the instrument for market change.

In the ‘80s, it was desktop computers, in the ‘90s it was the world wide web.  In the 2000s we saw a surge in telecommuting and home-based business and in the 2010s, mobile applications took the market by storm.  These were all things business people resisted.  What are the changes business people are facing today and what is the cost of resisting them?  In today’s episode, Phil and I will share some personal stories about people we knew who resisted change and how that resistance impacted their business.  Then we will explore the decision of 2020 that every small business person faces.

On this Business Buffet Side Dish Phil Anderson is going to give you a few of his favorite apps that he uses in his social media management company and tell you a little bit about them.

So you want to be a dentist. Let’s begin by saying that, as a dentist, you’ve chosen an amazing line of work with proven high success rates. Today we'll take a deeper look at the cost and income projections, start-up requirements, and considerations for your new dental practice. We’ll then explore the ups and downs of the business as we talk with, Dr. Brent Zastrow, a dentist who uses a unique business model for his dental practice on this Business Buffet Ingredients episode.

EVERY business should know their why. In today’s episode, Phil Anderson is going to talk about the Simen Sinek book, Start With Why.

In the fourth article of our series, we dive into effective strategies for promoting your podcast, ensuring it reaches the ears of a wider audience. We outline how to harness the power of social media through engaging content, leverage collaborations with fellow podcasters for mutual audience growth, optimize your podcast for search engines, and actively engage with your listeners to foster a loyal community. Additionally, we highlight the importance of consistency in publishing and utilizing email marketing and podcast directories to maximize visibility and attract potential sponsors. This guide provides a comprehensive blueprint for podcasters aiming to elevate their show's profile and listener base.

It’s long thought that customer satisfaction is the number one goal of all businesses. After all, the happier the customers and clients, the bigger the bottom line, right? But what if you don’t have any customers or clients? Then customer satisfaction is irrelevant. So which is more important? We’re going to discuss that in today’s episode of the Business Buffet. 

On this Business Buffet Side Dish we are going to talk about SEO: Search Engine Optimization, for beginners.

This Side Dish we are going to dive into The E-Myth by Michael Gerber, a book that all business owners should read. This is part 2 of a 2 part Side Dish mini series on this book. Today we will explain the personalities of every business and how each play a vital role.