Customer review sites such as TripAdvisor.com, Yelp.com and Google Maps are a terrific way to market your small business by allowing prospective customers to see how well you treat your current and past customers. But what if you get an unfair negative review or one that looks to be written by your competitor? What's the best way to capitalize on the exposure these sites can give your local business and how do you encourage happy customers to post positive reviews? We discuss this and more with bed and breakfast owner Barry Werner of the Scarborough Bed and Breakfast in Baltimore, Maryland.
When it comes time to sell your business, what are the first steps you should take to get the highest amount possible for the company? We answer that question today with business valuation expert Matt Donnelly. With 21 years in the business of appraising companies, we ask Matt about selling a business in a down economy, what factors go into a fair appraisal of a business and what you can do to make that figure as high as possible. We also discuss how using an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) is one option for business owners who want to ensure their legacy is carried on by the employees.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) for small businesses goes far beyond a simple contact list with notes. Today's software options offer small business owners a way to see track the sales process with incredible detail and also offers an easy way to view the history of purchases and payments. Especially useful in a tough economy, CRM software can help you sell more of your product or service by targeting your most profitable customers. In this episode, the Small Business Podcast talks with Steve Ireland of JobBlogs.cc about what small business owners should look for in a CRM software package and how to use it effectively.
