This week SmallBizPod #96, the small business podcast includes an interview with Bill Liao, entrepreneur and co-founder of the business social networking site Xing, on leadership, funding, social enterprise and his business philosophy set out in a new book – Stone Soup.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

? Alex on what's coming up in the podcast with thanks to sponsors Bibby Financial Services, XLN Telecom and Audible.co.uk.

Features:

? Interview with Bill Liao, co-founder of business social networking site Xing, on his new book Stone Soup, his business philosophy and how language and positive thinking can bring about change. Alex and Bill discuss the importance of bootstrapping and micro-angel funding, why VC funding is a broken model, leadership and the importance of story-telling in creating something from nothing in business and in life. The conversation also examines social entrepreneurship and Bill's philanthropic startup, Neo.org.

?MusicDenis Rusnak
“Nature Is Chill”
from “My Chillroom”
(Kotangens)

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This week SmallBizPod #95, the young entrepreneurs podcast includes an interview Jamie Murray Wells of Glasses Direct and Priya Lakhani of Masala Masala. Both are previous winners of Enterprising Young Brits and have a wealth of insight for new business owners young and old.

Right click here to download the podcast for start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

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If you'd like to subscribe using an RSS feed click on the orange feed button at the very top right of this page or better still subscribe to the podcast on iTunes it's free and you'll never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

? Alex on what's coming up in the podcast.

Features:

?SmallBizPod #100 will be recorded at Thrive! London on Thursday 25th February. Over a hundred people are registered to attend, but there are still a few tickets left. Use code ‘smallbizpod' to grab a free ticket.

? Interview with two enterprising young Brits, Priya Lakhani of Masala Masala and Jamie Murray Wells of Glasses Direct. Alex, Jamie and Priya discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being a young entrepreneur, the importance of education, research and how to take calculated, rather than unnecessary risks when starting a business. Jamie also talks about why Glasses Direct is advertising on TV, mentoring and seeking advice to supplement your own skills. Priya reveals how she rapidly built Masala Masala into a successful business as the recession kicked in and how speed of execution is vital.

?MusicBurkina Electric
“Sankar Yaaré”
from “Paspanga”
(Cantaloupe Music)

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This week SmallBizPod #94, the small business podcast includes an interview with Wendy Tan White, co-founder in 1999 of Moonfruit. A fascinating story of a decade of business and web startup survival and growth from one of the UK's best known female web/tech entrepreneurs.

Right click here to download the podcast for start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

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If you'd like to subscribe using an RSS feed click on the orange feed button at the very top right of this page or better still subscribe to the podcast on iTunes it's free and you'll never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

? Alex on what's coming up in the podcast.

Features:

?SmallBizPod #100 will be recorded at four events around the UK in February 2010. Do check out Thrive and we hope to see you there in Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham or London for an evening of top entrepreneurs and your chance to be both on the panel and on SmallBizPod.

? Interview with Wendy Tan White of Moonfruit, the diy website builder on 10 years in business on the internet and the amazing story of the ups and downs of her own entrepreneurial journey. From early days moving from Egg to becoming a startup co-founder through the dot.com boom, huge investment & TV advertising through to the crash and a rebuilding of the business almost from scratch. Alex and Wendy talk about what it takes to stick in there as an entrepreneur when things get tough, growing viable businesses on the web and the controversy sparked by the Twitter campaign that went viral. Plenty of excellent advice and inspiration for businesses on and off the web about determination, persistence, finance and building a community.

?Music Mantis
“What? (feat. Justis)”
from “Still Life”
(Brick Records)

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This week SmallBizPod #93, the small business podcast, features an interview with the energetic and extraordinary Brad Burton, founder of 4Networking on networking, sales, the loneliness of the small business owner and getting off your arse.

Right click here to download the podcast for start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

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If you'd like to subscribe using an RSS feed click on the orange feed button at the very top right of this page or better still subscribe to the podcast on iTunes it's free and you'll never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

? Alex on what's coming up in this week's podcast and a big welcome to Uncle Spats.

Features:

?Thanks to XLN Telecom for sponsoring. As specialists in the small business telecoms and broadband market, they have some great deals for your business and focus on superb customer service too.

?Thanks too to Audible.co.uk for their sponsorship of SmallBizPod and don't forget to download your free copy of All Marketers Are Liars by the legend that is Seth Godin using the offer for SmallBizPod readers and listeners to claim a free audio book.

Features:

? Interview with the tidal wave of energy and insight that is Brad Burton, founder and MD of 4Networking. Definitely one of the biggest entrepreneurial characters around in the UK at the moment. This interview first appeared on the SmallBizPod Sales edition hosted by the inimitable Uncle Spats, so please head over there and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes if you enjoy this one. Spats and Brad talk about the benefits of networking, sales and lead generation, overcoming the challenges of low and no sales and the loneliness of the first time small business owner and much more in an outrageously entertaining interview.

? Don't forget to let us have your feedback on what topics you'd like to see covered in the SmallBizPod Sales podcast. If you have five minutes, please let us know in this quick survey on sales.

?Music Ana Popovic
“Get Back Home to You”
from “Blind for Love”
(Eclecto Groove Records)

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This week SmallBizPod #92, the podcast for startups and entrepreneurs, focuses on the world of UK web startups, funding in the current climate, and the dilemma of shooting for the moon or building revenue early. Includes interviews with Mike Butcher, editor of TechCrunch Europe, Wil Harris of Channel Flip and Silicon Valley veteran Scott Rafer.

Right click here to download the podcast for start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you'd like to subscribe using an RSS feed click on the orange feed button at the very top right of this page or better still subscribe to the podcast on iTunes it's free and you'll never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

? Alex on what to expect in this week's podcast.

Features:

?Thanks to XLN Telecom for sponsoring. As specialists in the small business telecoms and broadband market, they have some great deals for your business and focus on superb customer service too.

?Thanks too to Audible.co.uk for their sponsorship of SmallBizPod and don't forget to download your free copy of Felix Dennis's superb How To Get Rich using the offer for SmallBizPod readers and listeners to claim a free audio book.

? Interviews recorded at a recent TechCrunch London event exploring the challenges and opportunities of starting a web business in a difficult economic climate, the availability or otherwise of funding from angels and VCs, and some perspective on the web hot house that is Silicon Valley from a US serial entrepreneur. Alex interviews Mike Butcher, editor of TechCrunch Europe, Wil Harris, founder of ChannelFlip.com, Julian Ranger of Social Safe, Steven Renwick of Affect Labs and Silicon Valley veteran Scott Rafer and discusses web businesses shooting for the moon vs those that are building revenue early.

?Music Drake
“Newest Leaf”
from “The Drake LP”
(Dope Lotus Records)

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This week SmallBizPod #91, the small business podcast, includes an interview with renowned economist Roger Bootle on his book The Trouble with Markets, the causes and way out of recession and what it means for small businesses.

Right click here to download the podcast for start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

? Alex on what to expect in this week's podcast.

Features:

? Thanks to Audible.co.uk for their sponsorship SmallBizPod and an offer for SmallBizPod readers and listeners to claim a free audio book of their choice by signing up to a 14 day trial with Audible. Thanks too to XLN Telecom for sponsoring. As specialists in the small business telecoms and broadband market, they have some great deals for your business and focus on superb customer service too.

? Interview with Roger Bootle, one of the City of London's best known economists on his new book The Trouble with Markets: Saving Capitalism From Itself, the origins of the recession and financial collapse, who's to blame, the problem with super-savers and the implications for small businesses. Alex and Roger discuss how China and economists got us into this mess, the problem with free markets, what governments need to do next, the economic outlook for small businesses and possible ways out from what he calls The Great Implosion.

?Music with thanks to SmallBizPod listener Fitzpatrick Mauldin for his latest progressive house track, Will I Ever Love Again?

This week SmallBizPod #90, the small business podcast, includes an interview with O2 X best male entrepreneur of the year, Sunil Kadri of Optoswim on bringing an extraordinary innovation from university research lab to market – the story of the fish gym.

Right click here to download the podcast for start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

? Alex on what's coming up in the podcast this week.

Features:

? Thanks to Audible.co.uk for their sponsorship SmallBizPod and an offer for SmallBizPod readers and listeners to claim a free audio book of their choice by signing up to a 14 day trial with Audible. Thanks too to XLN Telecom for sponsoring. As specialists in the small business telecoms and broadband market, they have some great deals for your business and focus on superb customer service too.

? Interview with Sunil Kadri of Optoswim on winning the O2 X awards 2009 for best male entrepreneur. Alex and Sunil talk about developing and commercialising an innovation from university laboratory through to market, the importance of IP and patents, funding, grants and Sunil's own personal journey as entrepreneur and academic. Packed with advice for anyone who has invented a product they'd like to turn into a business and a fascinating insight into the ‘fish gym', its implications and the size of the market it can reach. Inspiring, if unusual.

?Music with thanks to IODA Promonet The Phenomenal Handclap Band
“15 to 20 (feat. Lady Tigra)”
from “The Phenomenal Handclap Band”
(Friendly Fire Recordings)

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This week SmallBizPod #89, the podcast for startups and small businesses, features an interview Jill Sutherland, co-founder of award-winning sandwich shop, Taste, on being successful as an independent retailer in recession.

Right click here to download the podcast for start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

? Alex on what's coming up in the podcast this week.

Features:

? Thanks to Audible.co.uk for sponsoring SmallBizPod and an offer for SmallBizPod readers and listeners to claim a free audio book of their choice by signing up to a 14 day trial with Audible. Thanks too to XLN Telecom for returning as a sponsor – the small business telecoms and broadband specialists.

? Interview with Jill Sutherland of Taste, the Best UK Independent Sandwich Bar 2009. Jill is also the author of Start & Run a Sandwich & Coffee Shop.

Jill talks about how her and her husband quit their office jobs to set up their own high street sandwich shop and cafe. In a great discussion about the practicalities of starting a sandwich shop, she and Alex also discuss a wide range of topics beneficial to all startups including: franchising, managing staff, keeping costs under control, keeping branding simple and the work-life balance of running your own business. There's also a discussion about how to survive the recession as a high street retailer and the advantages you have when competing against big chains.

? Listener book review of Nigel Temple's How To Get Clients To Come To You, from Chris Lee.

?Music with thanks to IODA Promonet B6
from “Blind Leading the Blissed”
(Clubstream Green)

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This week SmallBizPod #88, the small business advice podcast, includes an interview with Alex Will and Henry Erskine Crum, the two young web entrepreneurs behind Spoonfed, an events, listings and review site that looks set to challenge Time Out and create a new model for online publishing and event marketing.

Right click here to download the podcast for start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

? Alex on what's coming up in the podcast this week.

Features:

? Thanks to Audible.co.uk for sponsoring SmallBizPod and an offer for SmallBizPod readers and listeners to claim a free audio book of their choice by signing up to a 14 day trial with Audible.

? Interview with Alex Will and Henry Erskine Crum, the founders of Spoonfed, about their motivation behind starting a web business straight from studying at the London School of Economics, building a site, choosing a board, finding angel funding and managing the pressures of a fast growing web business. Alex, Henry and Alex also discuss the benefits of a business partner, working together as friends and learning from disagreements. There's also an interesting discussion about business models, iPhone apps, plans for growth and a software as a service marketing toolkit called Bullseye developed in conjunction with Spoonfed.

?Music with thanks to IODA Promonet Todd Terry
“Samba #2″
from “SP1200 Shittt Part 2″
(InHouse Records)

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This week SmallBizPod #87, the startups podcast, looks at the tips and tricks of launching an eBay business and how existing businesses can make the most of the auction site as an online sales channel. Includes interviews with two leading experts, Dan Wilson and Sue Bailey of tamebay.com.

Right click here to download the podcast for start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Click on the play button below to listen now

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

? 00:00 Alex on what's coming up in the podcast this week.

Features:

? 02:06 Thanks to Dell for sponsoring SmallBizPod this month. Do check out what they have to offer your small business.

? 03:23 Interview with Dan Wilson, one of eBay's first employees in the UK and author of several books on how to make money on the auction site and Sue Bailey an early eBay trader and founder of tamebay.com. Sue, Dan and Alex talk about how eBay has changed over the last decade and how to plan and prepare for success on eBay whether it's your first foray into selling online or a great way for your existing business to dispose of stock or reach new customers. Lots of practical help and advice from two of the UK's best known experts.

? 33:03 Book Review from Nathan Brown of The Complete Guide To Selling A Business by Fred S Steingold.

? 38.03 Music with thanks to IODA Promonet Abigail Washburn & The Shanghai Restoration Project
“Sala”
from “Afterquake”
(Undercover Culture Music)

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