Professional Employer Organizations are an increasingly popular way for small and medium sized businesses to manage their HR and payroll functions. By outsourcing these administrative burdens, the staff is free to focus on their core competencies. And, because PEOs service many companies, they can exercise their purchasing power to offer higher qua…

When two or more people get together with a business idea, their first inclination is often to join together as partners. However, that’s not always the best decision, and even when it is, there are a number of variables that need to be considered. A business partnership can be as rewarding and exasperating as any relationship. This podcast discuss…

Every business today is dependent on computer systems, and a cyber attack could be devastating. In this episode, host Dennis Zink talks with David Spire, Chief Development Officer and Chris Brenes, Director of IT Security for Entech. They discuss ways to keep your computers safe when exchanging data with other systems, when using cloud services, an…

Knowledgeable business owners are aware that digital marketing is essential to their growth and survival. In this episode, host Dennis Zink speaks with Nabil Freij, a SCORE Mentor, successful business owner and a proficient user of digital media and social marketing tools. Nabil explains what digital marketing is and how best to use it. His on-poin…

Business owners and entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly aware that social media is a vital part of any marketing plan. Many of them don't have a complete understanding of this technology. They don't know what it is or how to use it. In this episode, host Dennis Zink speaks with Mical Johnson of Cyberize Group and Jason Bearden of Digital MKTG P…

Alexis Nguyen, owner of an Assisting Hands Home Care franchise, is a major success story. She credits her SCORE mentors with helping her build her multi-million dollar business. In this episode, host Dennis Zink speaks with her and her two SCORE mentors, Stroud Curran with the Tampa chapter, and Lloyd Nurick with the Manasota chapter, regarding the…

Access to capital is a problem faced by most businesses. We’ve brought back Gerri Detweiler, Education Director of Nav, to further discuss the ways that businesses can gain access to funding. Gerri and host Dennis Zink talk about the importance of personal as well as business credit, how to check your credit, how you can improve credit scores and c…

Buying a franchise can be an easier way to get into business than starting from scratch. In this episode, we're addressing the benefits and challenges associated with buying a franchise business. We'll be exploring what a franchise is, what types of franchises are available, how to choose the best one to fit your needs, and the cost of buying into …

Buying a business is one of the most important steps in life taken by entrepreneurs. It can be a rewarding experience or it can be a minefield fraught with danger. Our experts are here to guide you safely through that minefield. In this episode, host Dennis Zink explores this topic. He is joined by Peter Gruits, a SCORE mentor, and Michael Zuckerma…

This is the final episode in our series addressing exit strategies. In part one, we explored the important considerations sellers must understand before exiting their business. In part two, our experts presented ways in which businesses are valued. In part three, we outlines the first 5 steps of the process of selling a business. In this podcast, w…

This is part three of a series of episodes addressing exit strategies. In part one, we explored the important considerations sellers must understand before exiting their business. In part two, our experts presented ways in which businesses are valued. In this podcast, we outline the steps in the selling process leading to a successful exit. Our gue…

In this episode, Dennis Zink talks with Peter Gruits with the SCORE Exit Strategy Team and Eric Robinson, a CPA with Robinson, Gruters & Roberts, CPA, about business valuation. You'll learn what a buyer is actually buying, methods used to establish value, and the definitions of goodwill and EBITDA. You'll also learn why owner benefits are added bac…

In this first episode in a series about exiting your business, Dennis Zink talks with Mark Dunlop, Vice President with BankUnited, and attorney Ken Chapman, partner with Bowman, George, Scheb, Kimbrough, Koach & Chapman, P.A. about exit strategies. You'll learn: The six most common exit options The best time to plan for selling your business Key co…

Will your business need access to additional funds to facilitate growth or to cover emergencies? Many, perhaps most, will. In this episode, Gerri Detweiler of Nav, along with host Dennis Zink and co-host Fred Dunayer, discuss the building of business credit, the proper use of debt, and the intersection of personal and business credit. Credit expert…

Customers frequently rely on on-line reviews to make their purchasing decisions, so you want to make sure that your business has a stellar reputation. This online reputation is known as "Social Proof". This presentation by Nick Choat will focus on digital marketing, specifically focusing on how to cultivate positive and turn around negative reviews…

How much is your company worth? Whether you’re growing it or considering selling it, you want it to be as valuable as possible. In these highlights from a recorded seminar, Dane DeSantis, owner of Hallmark Business Brokers, tells you eight things you can do to make your company more valuable. His experience and insight will help you get more from y…

Including eBay in your marketing strategy is a great way to expand your reach. As an online market, eBay can be used as a secondary, or even the primary place to sell your products. In this episode, Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer speak with Danna Crawford, a nationally recognized and highly successful eBay sales expert, the founder and CEO of powerse…

Social Media and Video Marketing have emerged as important areas that business owners should consider when developing their overall marketing strategy. In the second part of our two-part discussion with host Dennis Zink, co-host Fred Dunayer and Michael Skigen, Senior Manager of Digital Content and Social Engagement at DexYP, the focus is on the ke…

Developing and implementing an email and text marketing strategy can dramatically increase your sales. Michael Skigen, Senior Manager of Digital Content and Social Engagement at DexYP, joins Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to discuss the key elements of an email and text marketing strategy and the tools that can be used to automate it.…

Franchise ownership comes with its own benefits and challenges. In this discussion, Nick Choat, owner of a Sport Clips Haircuts franchise and a SCORE mentor, talks with Dennis Zink about how he selected this particular business and the processes of starting, marketing and running his franchise locations. He also discusses the franchise model in gen…

Every business is a reflection of its employees, and selecting, training and promoting the right employees are a key factor in long term success. Host Dennis Zink and co-host Fred Dunayer are joined by talent management specialist and SCORE mentor Howard Kilman, who shares some of his key concepts and experience in the staffing of Avenade, a joint …

Managing your digital world is a key process in creating business success. In this information-packed extended recording, Mike McCormick, CEO of Full Stack Marketing Consultants, discusses how you can use all aspects of digital marketing in your business. From startups to the enterprise level, Mike shares his insights on the digital landscape. He p…

Nearly all merchants need to accept credit and debit cards, and an increasing number accept other forms of electronic payment. Pat Moran, "Master Your Card" expert, has over 14 years of experience across the entire electronic payments ecosystem. In his role with Master Your Card, a community empowerment program sponsored by Mastercard, Moran uses h…

By using social media and email marketing, you can attract prospects and move them from a “shopper’s” mindset to a “buyer’s” mindset. For many businesses this sales process can be automated, freeing you to manage your business while your marketing continues working for you non-stop in the background. In this episode, Barbara Langdon, an email and s…

Take care of your business relationships and your company will prosper. This is the message of Andrea Nierenberg, president of The Nierenberg Consulting Group. In this discussion with Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer, Andrea shares her secrets and methods for building business relationships and making everyone in the company a brand ambassador She disp…

Achievers throughout history have had one thing in common—they know themselves. In this seminar on Personality Selling, Mike Lewis will share insights into the psychology of the sales process, provide practical tips and tools to understand your own selling style,recognize the buying styles of your customers and adapt your selling style to increase …

Purchasing a franchise gives you a head start towards owning and operating your own business. In this session Mats Bengtson, a Certified Franchise Specialist at FranNet and a SCORE Certified Small Business Mentor, will discuss the items that should be considered when reviewing franchise ownership opportunities, as well as planning for business owne…

Crowdfunding can be the entrepreneur's avenue to success. Last year, entrepreneurs with great product ideas raised over $16 billion to launch their companies. Presenter John Montelione is CEO and Founder of J-Tech Investments and a self-described serial entrepreneur, author, mentor and lecturer. He actively consults to startups. John has extensive …

Many small businesses experience sales increases and decreases based on the seasons. In this episode, John Horne, CEO of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurant group, Dylan Bower, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Sarasota Airport, and Stefan Sommerfield, a SCORE mentor with 40 years of experience in retail management, including clients such as Sax …

Growing your local business by taking it online requires thought and commitment. Danny Catullo and Dennis Zink discuss the opportunities and challenges in this wide-ranging discussion which includes finding and using both your own resources and those of resource partners like Fedex.

Learn how to increase website clicks and conversions by tweeting during live events and by tapping into followers of thought leaders for a particular genre that resonates with your target audience. In this episode, Mical Johnson of Omen Interactive, a Navy and nearly two decade digital marketing veteran shares best practices to maximize the return …

The customer acquisition system is the most critical component of any business. Using Facebook advertising, you can create a system that will be predictable and scalable. In this episode, Mical Johnson, a Navy and nearly two decade digital marketing veteran shares best practices to maximize the return on your Facebook advertising investment. Whethe…

Target marketing allows you to focus your marketing dollars and brand message to increase your ROI and track your results in real time. In this episode, Raul Vielma, Channel Manager for Propel Marketing and a digital marketing expert shares multiple ways to target your customer and potential customers online. Begin applying these practical tips on …

Welcome to another edition of the Success Strategies for Business Owners podcast series. Most business is generated by repeat customers, and new customers frequently come as referrals from those existing customers. In this episode, Barbara Langdon, an email and social media marketing expert, owner of Market Momentum and a Constant Contact Authorize…

In this episode of our Success Strategies for Business Owners, Scott Gonnello, Search Engine Optimization expert and author of the book “Common SEO Mistakes”, shares SEO strategies and practical tips that you can apply to achieve online domination for your target market. SEO is marketing. Get answers to questions including what it takes to get and …

In this special episode consisting of highlights from a SCORE workshop, Barbara Langdon, an email and social media marketing expert, owner of Market Momentum and a SCORE Mentor takes the mystery out of social media. She discusses how to build your social presence using the 5 most popular social media platforms. Barbara shares tips to identify if yo…

In this episode, our guests discuss how to select a digital marketing provider. Gretchen Miscik, a SCORE Mentor, serves as the panel's emcee. Fred Dunayer, also a SCORE mentor, is the audio engineer. SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources and our panel of five digital marketing experts to offer this progra…

In this episode, our guests discuss search concepts, digital platforms, tools to start your digital marketing efforts, and common mistakes to avoid. Gretchen Miscik, a SCORE Mentor, serves as the panel's emcee. Fred Dunayer, also a SCORE mentor, is the audio engineer. SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources…

In this special episode, our guests discuss why you should consider digital marketing, what you should expect from it, and how you should budget for it. Gretchen Miscik, a SCORE Mentor, serves as the panel's emcee. Fred Dunayer, also a SCORE mentor, is the audio engineer. SCORE is proud to partner with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resou…

Marketing in the age of the internet is a complex subject, and external resources can assist in selecting and directing your marketing efforts. Jennyfer Crawford of AskJennyfer, a business consulting and event management company, Jami Schwartz with online lender Kabbage, and SCORE mentor and chapter chair Dennis Zink discuss marketing concepts and …

Good credit can encourage business success by making cash available when needed for growth or to keep the business operational. Ty Kiisel of OnDeck rejoins Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to discuss how a business can and should maintain credit availability and the differences between small business and personal credit.…

The processes, policies and circumstances of bank loans have been changing rapidly with the growth of technology Dennis Zink chats with Ty Kiisel, small business expert, author and representative of online lender OnDeck, to understand the changes and how they might apply to your small business

Managing cash flow is one of the primary responsibilities of a business owner. In the case of retail businesses, inventory typically drives expenses, which in turn drives cash needs. Jami Schwartz of Kabbage, an online lender, and Allison Boswell, a retail consultant with Reedy Consulting, join Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to discuss how a business…

What should a business person do in the event of an emergency or disaster? Peter Hedberg of the Hiscox Insurance Company joins Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to discuss the actions you should take and what you should expect from your insurance provider.

In our continuing discussion of insurance for businesses, Peter Hedberg of Hiscox rejoins Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to explain the types of insurance available to businesses, along with some understanding of when and how to file claims.

While all entrepreneurs take risks, some risks are best transferred to others. Peter Hedberg, an executive with the Hiscox Insurance Company, discusses with Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer the kinds of risks that insurance companies cover and what you can expect in terms of services and costs.

Getting your message across requires more than just talking or typing content. In this episode J. Robert (Bob) Parkinson, executive communications coach, author and newspaper columnist, shares his expertise on the subject of interpersonal communications with Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer.

Creating a brand image is an essential element of marketing communications. Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer are joined by Steve Smith of Consonant Custom Media to discuss best practices and policies in the creation of a brand identity.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be tough for business persons and those around them. 97-year-old author and entrepreneur Sylvia Goldman sits down with Dennis Zink and Fred Dunayer to discuss theories and techniques designed to keep us healthy in mind and body.