This week SmallBizPod #74, the podcast for entrepreneurs, includes interviews with a selection of the UK's most exciting start-ups in the web and digital space just before they headed off to New York on the the first Digital Mission of 2008. The podcast also has details of two conferences offering special deals for listeners, another listener book review and a classic drum and bass track.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp74.mp3)

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 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.

Features:

• 03:30 Listener book review from Sarah Dillon - Inspiring Women by Michelle Rosenberg.

• 09:06 Interviews with a selection of startups and entrepreneurs selected for the UK Trade & Investment supported Digital Mission, organised by Chinwag and sponsored by Sun Microsystems and Winston & Strawn.
• 09:38 Sam Michel - Chinwag
• 14:36 Andrew Davies - Idiomag
• 17:43 Christoph Schmaltz - Headshift
• 19:42 Jason Trost - smarkets
• 21:23 Jay Nguyen - sweemo
• 24:33 Sam Matthews - Ugame
• 27:53 Jake Stride - Tactile CRM
• 29:22 Alberto Nardelli - UnLtd World
• 33.56 Stewart Townsend - Sun Microsystems
• 36:22 Fabio De Bernardi & Matteo Canzi Blanc - Veedow
• 40:45 Nick Bell - quick.tv
• 44:18 Benjamin Ellis - Redcatco & event blog

Digital Missioners head for a taxi in NY, NY with thanks to Benjamin Ellis

Other startups not featured on the podcast, but who were also selected for the Mission are: bview, Harvest Digital, head, huddle, KMP, Little Loud, market sentinel, mippin, slicethepie, tempero, Unruly Media and World TV.

• 49.16 If you're interested in all things Web 2.0 it would be great to see you at the Web 2.0 Expo in Berlin on 21-23 October 2008. All SmallBizPod listeners can register for the conference using the code webeu08gr10 which will give you a 35% discount. (You will need to sign up for a user on the website. During the registration you can enter the code and see the discount applied).

• 50.31 SmallBizPod listeners can also win free tickets to the Small Business 2.0 conference on 11 October. Just email alex@smallbizpod.co.uk - free tickets to the first ten to respond.

• 51.50 Please join the SmallBizPod Facebook group which is now home to nearly 700 entrepreneurs.

• 52.30 Music - Beautiful Music by Paradigm X with many thanks to Exegene.

This week SmallBizPod #73, the entrepreneurs' podcast, includes a series of inspiring interviews on social entrepreneurship at an extraordinary three day event called Shine which took place in May 2008. There's also the first audio review of a business book by listener Peter Henderson and comments from other listeners too.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp73.mp3)

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 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.
• 01:40 The SmallBizPod Facebook group continues to grow with well over 500 members now, so please head over and join us.

Features:

• 02:10 Listener book review from Peter Henderson of PiSys - The New Philanthropists by Charles and Elizabeth Handy.

• 06:00 Interviews on social enterprise with participants and organisers of the three day un-conference, Shine. Includes discussion about supporting social entrepreneurs with Jason Mollring of Social Enterprise South East and the genesis of Shine and social media reporting of the event with Nick Temple from the School For Social Entrepreneurs who also gives his views about the growth of the sector. Also interviews with Ulricka from UnLtd on funding social entrepreneurs, Olivia McGilchrist on art and photography projects, Ned Lewis from The Hub, Luke Rafters on sustainable development, Eddy Finch of Buzzacott on tax and structures for social enterprises, and Natalia Fernandez of the New Economics Foundation.

• 27.16 Comments from: Emily Tarrant who's just launched the Brilliant Business Books blog; Robert Gowans with his thoughts on the Michael Gerber perspective; thanks to Gill Millington for contributing to the SmallBizPod blog on small business finance; Henry Stuart on networking; and Davide Bonomi.

• 34.23 Music - Blue Tribe
“The Buddha Bar”
from “Deep Buddha”
(Ultraviolet Productions)

Stream from Rhapsody
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This week SmallBizPod #72, the small business advice podcast, interviews one of the world's best known authors on entrepreneurship, Michael E Gerber on awakening the entrepreneurial imagination and transforming small businesses into extraordinary enterprises. There's also details of a special deal for listeners who'd like to go to the next Going Solo conference and a summer chillout track.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp72.mp3)

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 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.
• 00:56 SmallBizPod is once again a media partner for Going Solo, the practical and inspiring conference for freelancers which is taking place in Leeds on 12 September. Two listeners can win 30% off tickets to the conference by sending the correct answer to the question in the podcast to alex@smallbizpod.co.uk. Anyone else who'd like to attend, please register at Going Solo quoting the referral code: sbpref.
• 03:40 Over 400 listeners now on the SmallBizPod Facebook group. Please join us.

Features:

• 04:36 Interview with Michael Gerber about how he came to write his new book Awakening The Entrepreneur Within, the inspiration of Disney, how and why he wanted to do E-Myth again, but better, entrepreneurial legacy and why dreaming big is so vital from the outset. Michael also discusses why small businesses are the answer to nobody's question, the importance of invention over knowledge, a passionate vision and how to find the courage to do something that's not been done before.

• 27.16 Comment from Daksh Sharma and how to contact SmallBizPod. Feedback is always welcome.
• 32:36 Check out BizPod TV and subscribe on iTunes to race it up the new video charts!

• 34.23 Music - Vanessa Daou
“Mess Around”
from “Make You Love”
(Daou Records)

More On This Album

This week SmallBizPod #71, interviews Alastair Mitchell, ceo and co-founder of successful UK Web 2.0 startup Huddle, on building a business on the web, angel funding and dealing with competition. There's also the usual round up of comments, an update on the book review challenge and another gorgeous electronica track.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp71.mp3)

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 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.
• 01:08 Thanks to all listeners who have offered to review business books for SmallBizPod. Do get in touch, if you'd like to join them.
• 02:08 Join other listeners on the SmallBizPod Facebook group which continues to grow by the day.

Features:

• 02:49 Interview with Alastair Mitchell, ceo and co-founder of Huddle, the virtual workspace for SMEs and corporates, on building a web startup, cloud computing, the inspiration behind Huddle, getting noticed, embracing competition and dealing with large customers. He also talks with Alex about the connections which helped Huddle find angel funding and how they stumbled on a Silicon Valley-style model of securing investment.

• 27.16 Comments from Roger Magill who is planning on starting his own business and who loves listening to voices of real entrepreneurs rather than reading words in books.
• 28.24 Contact Alex if you would like take part in the podcast or review a business book.

• 28.59 Music - Observing Fractals In Clouds by Risch with many thanks to Monotonik.

Tags: Web 2.0, startup, Huddle, SaaS

This week SmallBizPod #70, includes interviews with Gitanjali Banerjee Bhattacharya and Kaustav Bhattacharya about their plans for Jagriti Yatra, an inspiring entrepreneurial train journey across India, and what it hopes to achieve. There's also the usual round up of comments, books for review and a beautiful track from the Bombay Dub Orchestra.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp70.mp3)

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 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.
• 01:17 Check out the latest episode of BizPod TV.
• 02:11 Thanks to everyone who has signed up to the SmallBizPod Facebook group .

Features:

• 04:08 Interview with Kaustav Bhattacharya and Gitanjali Banerjee Bhattacharya about their plans for an entrepreneurial train journey through India called the Jagriti Yatra aimed at inspiring and supporting young social change makers in the country. Alex, Kaustav and Gitanjali also talk about the motivation behind the project, social entrepreneurship in Asia, the impact of grass roots entrepreneurial activity in the more remote areas of India, and how to get involved.

• 26.46 Comments from Gaj about how much he enjoyed the interview with Rachel Elnaugh. Also from Jonathan Yates about his new book and recent experiences selling his most recent business.

• 28.38 Contact Alex if you would like to receive a business book to review for SmallBizPod.

• 29.39 Music - Bombay Dub Orchestra
“Rare Earth”
from “Bombay Dub Orchestra”
(Six Degrees Travel Series)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
More On This Album

Tags: indian entrepreneurship, jagriti yatra, small business, social enterprise

This week SmallBizPod #69, the small business podcast, includes an interview with Clive Birnie, managing director of Severn Delta, on his experiences of a successful management buy-out, funding, leadership, blogging and much more. There's also the announcement of the winners of the Rachel Elnaugh book competition and the chance to win tickets to Fuel.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp69.mp3)

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 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.
• 01:00 Announcement of three winners of the Rachel Elnaugh book competition: Nai Chng Sulemann Rasheed and Mark Lawrence.
• 02:22 Chance to win one of two tickets worth £195 to Fuel, a conference in London for small businesses, startups and marketers who want to make the most of social media. The conference takes place on Friday 13th June. First two people to send an email with Fuel-SmallBizPod in the subject line to keir@carsonified.com will win.

Features:

• 04:59 Interview with Clive Birnie, managing director of south west textile manufacturing business Severn Delta, on how to pull off a successful management buy-out and the leadership, finance and business marketing tips that he's learned along the way. Clive and Alex also discuss brand development, dealing with supermarkets, the importance of managing your own strategy and how Clive got into business blogging at Positive Churn.

• 34.33 Comments from Michael Shakesheff who runs a family shipping business in Middlesborough, Paul Grech suggesting an episode of SmallBizPod on time management, and Daniel Barker who loves the music at the end of the podcast. Do keep your audio and email comments and suggestions coming.

• Also do check out the SmallBizPod Facebook group and also check out Twitter and follow Alex to stay connected.

• 51.38 Music - Johan Brunkvist
from “Mixed Grooves - Chillout Lounge Volume 3″
(Johan Brunkvist)

Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

.

Tags: MBO, entrepreneurship, small business, leadership

This week SmallBizPod #68, the podcast for startups and business owners, interviews Rachel Elnaugh, former ‘Dragon' and one of Britain's best known entrepreneurs. There's also a round up of comments from listeners and a chance to win Rachel's new book Business Nightmares.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp68.mp3)

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 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.
• 02:30 Last chance to sign up for Going Solo conference for freelancers on 16 May.

Features:

• 03:25 Interview with Rachel Elnaugh of Dragon's Den fame, on how she faced and overcame business failure, celebrity, business growth, femininity in business, the link between sex drive and entrepreneurship, and the well-being sector.

• 20.55 How to win a copy of Rachel's new book, Business Nightmares.

• 20.55 Comments including an audio comment from Glen Biclar, and email comments from BBC3, Bryan Kress and Mark Richardson.

• 29.09 Finally, do sign up to the SmallBizPod Facebook group and also check out Twitter and follow Alex to stay connected.

• 51.38 Music - Breaking The Square Waves by Delayscape with many thanks to Monotonik.

Tags: rachel elnaugh, entrepreneurship, small business

This week SmallBizPod #67, the small business podcast, takes a look at the life of a freelancer ahead of a conference on the subject called Going Solo. The podcast includes interviews with speakers at the conference including some of the social web's best known freelancers and consultants on how to survive as a soloist.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp67.mp3)

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 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.

Features:

• 01:56 Interview with Stephanie Booth, blogger, consultant and organiser of Going Solo, a very practical conference on freelancing aimed at freelancers all over Europe to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland on 16 May.

• 09:12 Interview with Laura Fitton, aka @Pistachio, on her life as a freelancer, how she started out, her vertiginous rise in the social media space, Twitter and advice on real world and virtual face time.

• 17:50 Interview with Martin Röll about becoming a freelancer accidentally, why it's so hard and so easy to consult and how to manage technology and time.

• 22:21 Interview with Stowe Boyd, one of the most well known voices in the blogosphere and successful social web consultant, on negotiation, fame and social capital.

• 31:35 Interview with Suw Charman-Anderson, one of Britain's best known bloggers, on her early life as a freelance consultant, catastrophic financial failure, peer groups and work-life balance.

• 42:17 Interview with Dennis Howlett, freelance writer and blogger and former international tax partner on the nitty gritty of managing your freelance finances.

• 51.38 Music - Raygun
from “The Best of Vol. 1 LP Part 2″
(Night Drive Music)

More On This Album

Tags: freelance podcast, goingsolo, consulting, social web

This week SmallBizPod #66, the podcast for startups and entrepreneurs, includes an in depth interview with Dan Harple, founder and ceo of mobile lifestyle application, GyPSii. A fascinating insight into tech entrepreneurship and the mobile web.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp66.mp3)

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 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.

Features:

• 02:30 Interview with Dan Harple, founder and ceo of GyPSii, the mobile social networking platform. Dan discusses the fundamental reasons why he believes GyPSii's location-based, real time networking will take off and looks at the real time social networking and media trend. He also discusses the altruistic vision for the mobile web and a more person-centred search drawn from his time at Netscape. There's also discussion about the GyPSii business model, building a sustainable technology company, entrepreneurial passion and why he thinks Europe is a better place for a tech startup than the US.

• 28.30 Music - Blue Supergiant by Chromatic Flights with big thanks to the netlabel Monotonik.

Tags: startups, gypsii, mobile web, venture capital

This week SmallBizPod #65, the small business podcast, includes an interview with David Wei, chief executive officer of Alibaba.com, the international e-commerce marketplace specialising in global and domestic trade with China. The podcast also highlights the launch of BizPod TV and rounds up comments and opinions from listeners.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp65.mp3)

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 show.
• 01:08 Do check out a new small business TV podcast aimed at startups and entrepreneurs - BizPod TV. Subscribe to this business video podcast on iTunes.
• 01:59 Sage sponsors SmallBizPod and we're delighted they do.

Features:

• 03:00 Interview with David Wei, chief executive officer of Alibaba.com the international online market place for small and medium-sized enterprises. David and Alex discuss, alibaba.com's successful conversion from start-up to successful IPO, the company's brand, ethos and how it maintains its small business grass roots and original entrepreneurial essence. They also talk about how the internet has flattened the world to the benefit of SMEs, the issue of pollution in China and tips for success in trading with Chinese companies.

• 28.30 Music Levan Vs Ekala
from “Happiness”
(System Recordings)

Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Tags: small business, China trade, e-commerce, IPO