Tag: entrepreneur

Highs and Lows of Starting a Business

podcast

Starting a business is an exciting time for an entrepreneur, and it can be tempting to skip a few steps before jumping in head first. This podcast looks at the preparations entrepreneurs should take BEFORE launching a new business.

Host Mary McCarthy talks to aspiring entrepreneur Donna McGehean about  how McGehean is preparing to open a new HR Consulting practice.  They discuss the steps to take to network and learn, as well as how to find your niche in your field.

“The greatest challenge I find with our microbusinesses is, we want to be everything to everybody, because we are afraid if we don’t do it all, we might miss an opportunity for a customer or for revenue. But the reverse is really true.            The more we niche, the more we can explain what we do, the more we can define who our target audience is, to really have the best chance of success.”                      ~ Mary McCarthy

What You Will Learn:

  • Finding your niche in your new business
  • What a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs say, that could hurt their business
  • The steps to take to achieve success in starting your new business

Donna McGehean                                                                        donna.mcgehean@gmail.com                                                                                    614-404-0908

About the Host:                                                                                                                                Mary McCarthy                                                                                                                               Host, The Successful Micropreneur Podcast                                                                           President of Your Management Team, Inc.                                                          Co-Founder of the Women’s Small Business Accelerator, Inc.

Taking the Pain out of Workers’ Comp

podcast

You probably hear the words “workers’ compensation” and want to run in the other direction. It hasn’t always been easy to understand for small businesses and entrepreneurs. But a lot has changed with Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, and this podcast helps takes the dread out of learning what all small businesses and entrepreneurs need to know.

Small & Minority Business Advocate for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Melony Bryant walks our host Mary McCarthy through the process of applying for the insurance protection, and explains which businesses are required to get it, and why. She also breaks down cost, discounts available, and how entrepreneurs can get the help they need.

What You Will Learn:

  • What is the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, and what does the agency do?
  • How to know if you need to apply for workers’ compensation for your business
  • How to tell if someone is an Independent Contractor vs. an Employee
  • How are premiums determined?
  • How much should you expect to pay?
  • How workers’ compensation acts as a protection for small business

Melony Bryant                                                                                                                        Small & Minority Business Advocate                                                                               Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation                                                                        Melony’s cell: 614-307-5559

 

Finding your Passion in your Second Career

podcast

“It was an unexpected end to my career in TV news. And instead of ending it with a period, I was ending it with a question mark.”

Former TV news anchor Mikaela Hunt recounts the sudden end of her on-air career, and reveals how it helped her discover her passion in the exciting new field of brand journalism.

She talks to host Mary McCarthy about the steps she took to find her way, and the “5 things” exercise that helped point her in the right direction.

“If I could do those five things in some way, shape, or form, I knew that I could create a business that could help other people and serve other people.”

What You Will Learn:

  • Steps to take when faced with finding a new career
  • How to use the “5 things that would make your ideal day” exercise
  • What is a brand journalist
  • The importance of feedback

Mikaela Hunt                                                                                                                             Brand Journalist & Co-host of The Momcast                                                             http://www.mikaelahunt.com/                                                                                                 The Momcast

 

The Benefits of Microbusiness

podcast

3/1 UPDATE: Ohio House Bill 5 which adds and defines the term “microbusiness” unanimously passed the House, and moves on to the Ohio Senate. You can track the bill’s progress here.

 

In our first podcast of 2017, we update the status of microbusinesses in Ohio, and discuss the benefits and challenges associated with running them.

Host Mary McCarthy talks to Sharon DeLay, the president and owner of Go-HR. They share stories of struggles facing microbusinesses with retaining quality employees, paying (or not paying) for healthcare, and the lack of tax incentives.

What You Will Learn:

  • What microbusinesses need to be more competitive
  • An advantage microbusinesses have over larger companies
  • Who microbusiness owners need to talk to, to make change happen

HB 601 would add the definition of “microbusiness” to the Ohio revised code.  The Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee has approved the bill, but it still has a way to go to become official. You can read more about it here.

Sharon DeLay
GO-HR
4889 Sinclair Road, Suite 103
Columbus, Ohio 43229
P (614) 473-0122
sharon.delay@go-hr.biz
http://www.go-hr.biz/

Customer Service vs. Customer Experience

podcast

Customer Service is providing a specific service/action to a customer. It can be quick, and often doesn’t require much from the employee or company.

Customer Experience is your microbusinesses’ relationship with the customer. It is the overall connection you make with that person. It is more involved than customer service, often more time consuming, but with greater rewards.

One bad experience can ruin a company’s reputation with that customer and lose their business for a lifetime. One great experience can solidify their business with you, and ensure that they will tell their friends all about it.

What You Will Learn:

  • How do you make that lasting connection with your customer?
  • How can a better customer experience make your small business more money in the long run.
  • The roadblocks that prevent companies from providing outstanding customer experience.
  • How do you get your employees to provide the customer experience you want your company to be known for.

Diana Westhoff                                                                                                           Professional Speaker, Speak4You                                                                           614-738-8416

 

Related Reading: http://www.forbes.com/sites/danielnewman/2016/11/22/great-customer-experience-is-bigger-than-just-solving-customer-problems/#79afee1236b2