Learn from successful entrepreneurs, CEOs, executives and business leaders as they share their experiences, insight and tips. Topics include marketing, management, mentoring, money and many others. Improve your business by listening to this business series from SCORE, with Business Alchemist Dennis Zink as your host.

This is the final episode in our series addressing exit strategies. In part one, we explored the important considerations sellers must understand before exiting their business.  In part two, our experts presented ways in which businesses are valued. In part three, we outlines the first 5 steps of the process of selling a business.

In this podcast, we outline the final 5 steps in the selling process leading to a successful exit. Our guests Peter Gruits of SCORE and Matt LaPointe with Blalock, Walters PA, along with host Dennis Zink present a free-flowing dialog. This is a must-listen episode for anyone that is in the market looking to sell a small business now or in the next few years.

Direct download: SCORE_Business_TV_E5_10_Steps_Part_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

This is part three of a series of episodes addressing exit strategies. In part one, we explored the important considerations sellers must understand before exiting their business.  In part two, our experts presented ways in which businesses are valued. 

In this podcast, we outline the steps in the selling process leading to a successful exit. Our guests Peter Gruits of SCORE and Matt LaPointe with Blalock, Walters PA, along with host Dennis Zink present a free-flowing dialog on the first 5 steps of this process.  This is a must-listen episode for anyone that is in the market looking to sell a small business now or in the next few years.

Direct download: 74_-_Exit_Strategy_Part_III_-_10_Steps_Part_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:09am EDT

In this episode, Dennis Zink talks with Peter Gruits with the SCORE Exit Strategy Team and Eric Robinson, a CPA with Robinson, Gruters & Roberts, CPA, about business valuation. 

You'll learn what a buyer is actually buying, methods used to establish value, and the definitions of goodwill and EBITDA. You'll also learn why owner benefits are added back to recast the true profit, how multiples are determined, SBA loan guarantees, taking an earnout as partial compensation, non-competes and what you should not do when selling your business.

 

Direct download: Episode_73_-_Exit_Strategies_2_-_Valuation.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

In this first episode in a series about exiting your business, Dennis Zink talks with Mark Dunlop, Vice President with BankUnited, and attorney Ken Chapman, partner with Bowman, George, Scheb, Kimbrough, Koach & Chapman, P.A. about exit strategies. 

You'll learn:

  • The six most common exit options
  • The best time to plan for selling your business
  • Key considerations to include in your planning
  • How to increase the value of your business
  • SBA (Small Business Administration) loan guaranties
  • The need (or not) for audited financial statements
  • How to make your business more desirable
  • The importance of cash flow

If you own a business, at some point you will want to sell it, pass it on to others, or otherwise exit it while gaining the most value for it.  Listen to this series of podcasts and learn how to do it right!

Direct download: 72_-_Exit_Strategy_Part_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:23am EDT

Will your business need access to additional funds to facilitate growth or to cover emergencies?  Many, perhaps most, will.  In this episode, Gerri Detweiler of Nav, along with host Dennis Zink and co-host Fred Dunayer, discuss the building of business credit, the proper use of debt, and the intersection of personal and business credit.

Credit expert Gerri Detweiler is Education Director for Nav, which provides business owners with free personal and business credit scores, along with simple tools to build strong business credit and financially healthy companies. Gerri’s articles have been widely syndicated, and she’s written five books, including Finance Your Own Business: Get on the Financing Fast Track. She’s been interviewed in more than 3000 news stories and has testified before Congress on credit legislation.

Direct download: 71_-_Credit_Strategies_for_Entrepreneurs.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Customers frequently rely on on-line reviews to make their purchasing decisions, so you want to make sure that your business has a stellar reputation.  This online reputation is known as "Social Proof". 

This presentation by Nick Choat will focus on digital marketing, specifically focusing on how to cultivate positive and turn around negative reviews.  Formerly a Walt Disney Company executive, Nick is the owner of two Sport Clips Haircut franchises. He is a SCORE mentor and international best-selling author of "Online Or Flatline: The Small Business Owner's Guide to Digital Marketing".

In this presentation, you’ll learn how to make affordable yet effective investment decisions.  Nick provides real-world, understandable examples that you’ll be able to implement.

SCORE is proud to partner with the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce to offer podcast highlights of the Chamber’s Powerbites series to improve your business’ bottom line.

Direct download: Digital_Marketing_-_A_Small_Business_Owners_Discussion.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

How much is your company worth?  Whether you’re growing it or considering selling it, you want it to be as valuable as possible.  In these highlights from a recorded seminar, Dane DeSantis, owner of Hallmark Business Brokers, tells you eight things you can do to make your company more valuable. His experience and insight will help you get more from your business than you ever thought possible!

SCORE is proud to partner with the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce to offer podcast highlights of the Chamber's Powerbites series to improve your business's bottom line. 

Direct download: Eight_Drivers_of_Company_Value.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Including eBay in your marketing strategy is a great way to expand your reach.  As an online market, eBay can be used as a secondary, or even the primary place to sell your products.  In this episode, Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer speak with Danna Crawford, a nationally recognized and highly successful eBay sales expert, the founder and CEO of powersellingmom.com, and a SCORE mentor, who will tell you everything you need to know to get started selling in this worldwide marketplace.

Direct download: Episode_68_-_Ebay_Selling.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Social Media and Video Marketing have emerged as important areas that business owners should consider when developing their overall marketing strategy.  In the second part of our two-part discussion with host Dennis Zink, co-host Fred Dunayer and Michael Skigen, Senior Manager of Digital Content and Social Engagement at DexYP, the focus is on the key elements of content and timing that belong in a social media and video marketing strategy. 

Direct download: 67_-_Growing_Your_Business_with_Social_Media_and_Video_Marketing.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Developing and implementing an email and text marketing strategy can dramatically increase your sales.  Michael Skigen, Senior Manager of Digital Content and Social Engagement at DexYP, joins Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to discuss the key elements of an email and text marketing strategy and the tools that can be used to automate it. 

Direct download: Growing_Your_Business_with_Email_and_Text_Marketing.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT