•    In some ways, this video isn’t too far off from the truth on today’s tech start ups – obviously I am generalizing – please don’t send me a bunch of hate mail on how your start up is different.  •    Looking for a way to manage social media?  Check out the Roost.  •    Who doesn’t love a good freebie now and again (or in my case, all the time)?  And if you are going to the trouble of using a promo item for your small business, read this first for a few tips.•    This one doesn’t have a ton of great stuff in it, but I mention it based on the sheer power of all things Harry Potter.  •    If you are constantly hearing “no” as you look for a lending source for your start up, don’t overlook the credit union industry as a source.  Chad Lyons has a good piece here about CU’s as a viable source fo... [More]

Recently, there's been a lot of discussion about cyber security. Even as you read this, the Black Hat "hacking" Conference is in full force, McAfee just released a notice about a huge cyber espionage attack (codenamed "Operation ShadyRAT," and of course we can't forget Murdoch's phone hacking scandal. Here are a just a few easy things you can do to better protect yourself from cyber attacks to your business computer(s): Use a Safe Web Browser Google Chrome remains the only browser that has not been cracked in the popular Pwn2Own hacking competition (even after a $20,000 added bonus Google offered). Of course, it's also my favorite browser, and I can't write a blog post without mentioning at least one Google tool :). Perhaps even more important than which particular browser you use, is that you keep it updated to the latest and greatest release. Use an Anti-virus Software First let's clear the air: it is definitely worth paying a little money to have a high quality anti-virus so... [More]

(Originally posted on the Far Reach Blog) Last summer, I read Gary Vaynerchuk's (aka, Gary Vee's) book, Crush It, and, as much as I tried to relate to it, it didn't speak to me on a real visceral level. I got much more excited watching and hearing him speak at Big Omaha where his passion was truly contagious. For some reason, the book didn't affect me in the same way, although, for some people, I'm sure it did. However, after getting a sneak peak at his new book, The Thank You Economy, I'm excited to read it. I can tell from reading just part of the first chapter that it's important and relevant to me as a small business owner and entrepreneur. In The Thank You Economy, due for release March 8, 2011, Gary Vee reminds us of the importance of connections. Connections with family, friends, and customers and their connections with the community.  He begins by describing life as it likely was for our grandparents or great-grandparents when, prior to the mid-1900s... [More]

Its taken me a week to get to this, but I wanted to get down some of my take-away’s from EntreFest 2011. ·         First off, the positive energy and enthusiasm of Iowa’s entrepreneurs is amazing, especially given the current economic environment ·         From Josh and Jess at Lessing-Flynn – “Customer Service isn’t a differentiator anymore.”  So true.   It’s expected and has been thoroughly commoditized.  Having great customer service is just a basic requirement to do business, like taking a credit card, or being open on Saturdays.  If you are going to open a business and customer service is your angle, I think you need to redefine things. ·         Also from Josh and Jess - Use your social media presence for more than just spamming with deals and discounts.  Offer someth... [More]

·         Apparently Iowa is running out of smart people – according to this study anyway.   The study looked at NAEP scores, level of education earned, white collar job rates, and a few other stats.  Iowa’s place on the list seems to have a lot to do with our eroding performance at the k-12 level vs the rest of the U.S.  – at least according to NAEP and 24/7 Wall Street ·         For those of you who may be interested (not many, I know), I started writing for Silicon Prairie News a couple months ago.  They have great content on the Midwest tech scene and now my awesome views as well…. ·         Think you can handle the upcoming tax deadline on your own?  Maybe you can.   But maybe read this first. ·         If you are in e-commerce a... [More]

1.       Jeff Echkoff of the Register did a nice feature on Juan O’Sullivan’s salsa.  Great story on a Bootstrapper, and a good example of smart growth.  For those thinking of a similar model, never be afraid to approach Hy-Vee, they are one of the best at encouraging local foods on their shelves. 2.       Much has been inked about the new IPEP that Governor Branstad recently proposed, here is another take. 3.       ExactTarget put out their most recent survey on social media.  The biggest takeaway seems to be to be cautious in your frequency of blasting your “fans” with communications via Facebook, Twitter, etc.  Erica Swallow wrote a nice blurb on the findings over at mashable.  Everyone already knows that, but how many follow it?  So maybe its time to back off of the “once a day” Facebook post mandate and move to more powerful,... [More]

If you don’t have a Google Place yet, today is your lucky day.  I’m here as a self-described non-techie to get you through it.  The best part is it’s free, and you can probably quick paying dex and yellow pages to put it up for you.  Watch this little video to learn why you need a Place and how Google looks at “local search”.  Basically, the Google Juice, as the kids call it, comes down to Relevance, Prominence, and Distance.  Having a “Place” will help you along with the Relevance and Distance portions.  You can’t effect “Relevance” a whole ton.  If someone is searching for an ice cream shop and you sell guitars, you aren’t relevant and Google won’t show you.  Deal with it.  For “Distance, it is what it is.  If that same person is looking for an ice cream shop in Brooklyn, Iowa, and your shop is in Brooklyn, New York, Google won’t show you.  Agai... [More]

If you watched the State of the Union last week (and it was hard to avoid on TV), you’ll probably remember the President’s theme on innovation, jobs, and encouraging small business.  The White House has used the past couple days to follow up on that message with some proposed policy and new initiatives.  The big thing in regards to policy seems to be the President’s push to make permanent the elimination of capital gains taxes on investments held by small businesses, provided they are held a minimum of 5 years.  It’s an extension to a policy that was part of 2010’s Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act of 2010, but expires December 31st 2011.     On the new initiative side, the White House is partnering up with the Kauffman Foundation and Steve Case, of AOL fame, to put together what they are calling the Startup America Partnership.  Some of their main charges will be providing easier access to capital, offering mentoring... [More]

Its gonna be an interesting few months as the economy, tax cuts, and economic development initiatives take center stage at the Statehouse and DC.  Let’s hope they keep some focus on small business! ·         National Geographic put together a stat filled tutorial on what 7 Billion of us on the planet looks like.  It took me about 30 seconds to type this, which means about 90 more people have been added to that 7 Billion.  Wow! ·         Grinnell College has launched a new social justice prize program giving away hundreds of thousands a year, yeah that’s right, hundreds of thousands a year - to young social justice innovators.  Deadline for submissions is coming up February 1st if you are interested. ·         The Business Record had a nice interview with the incoming director of the Iowa Partnership of Economic P... [More]

Looking to take grandma’s pickled beet recipe to the masses?  Maybe start raising organic chickens?  Have a salsa you’d love to see on the grocery shelves?  Getting it from your cookbook or barnyard into the consumer’s hands can be a challenging journey.  The University of Nebraska’s Food Processing Center knows this well and has developed a nationally-recognized program to help food entrepreneurs realize their dreams.  They deliver most of the info through a 2 day seminar, which happens to be coming up March 5th over in Storm Lake.  Day 1 is “From Recipe to Reality” and covers the basics from market research to legal issues.  Day 2 is “From Product to Profit” and allows you get some 1 on 1 consulting about your specific food idea.  U of N’s FPC doesn’t make a ton of stops in Iowa, so this is a great chance to get some of their training without driving too far.  If you’ve ... [More]