Educational
Preparing Your Workforce for Today and 2020
September 17, 2009
In this podcast, Mary Rothchild and Joe Mulford from MN State Colleges and Universities tell us about programs available at campuses all over the state of MN that are available to help businesses maintain a skilled workforce. This is done in conjunction with their customized training and continuing education departments. These are not canned programs, but are customized to help businesses with all types of issues from training programs to helping businesses ramp up for new business opportunities.
Customized E-Learning Programs
September 17, 2009
Patrick Opatz and Lorrie MacGillivray from MN State Colleges and Universities tell us about programs available to help businesses provide training for their employees. Many programs are available thru standard classroom programs but many others are available online so that employees can participate in them after hours. Some of the programs are blended to include some classroom time and some online time to complete the training. They are also available to help create e-training programs for business which can be used in an e-training format for new employees joining the company or starting new positions.
Skillsoft/E-Learning
June 23, 2009
Lee Skaalrud and Pat Berg tell us about their SkillSoft training services. SkillSoft consists of online college-level and general business courses that can be taken from your desktop computer. Businesses can use this for employee retention, cross training, to help attract new hires and for career advancement purposes. This helps with certifications, continuing education, workforce development, legal compliance issues and can help to achieve business goals, workplace efficiency, interpersonal skills and time management purposes.
Executive and Professional Development
May 12, 2009
Durwin A Long, Ph.D. leads the development and delivery of executive and professional development programs at the University of St Thomas. These programs build the leadership capacity of individuals and the organizations they serve. In this podcast we discover that thousands of participants benefit from more than 200 programs offered thru the Opus College of Business.
The Small Business Development Center
May 14, 2009
Michael A Ryan is the director of the Small Business Development Center (DBDC) at the University of St Thomas. The SBDC provides business consulting services to small business in the Twin Cities Metro area. This service can help business owners develop strategies, attract customers, increase sales and improve profitability along with a broad range of other offerings. Mr Ryan is also involved in the Growing America Through Entrepreneurship (GATE) program which helps individuals start businesses and is funded by the US Department of Labor.
The James J Hill Reference Library and Hillsearch
May 28, 2009
In this podcast Mr Poole tells us a bit of the history of the JJ Hill Business Reference Library. We cover the how the library was started 80 years ago and how it has been used in this community to help businesses ever since. We learn about the HillSearch tool as a way for business to access research databases and librarians through the internet. This information can be accessed in the library or on your desktop computers and is a valuable resource. We also discuss the fantastic building that houses the library and why it is one of our favorite places in the Twin Cities.
The Hill Center for Ethical Business Leadership
May 28, 2009
Mr Weinstein tells us how the Hill Center fits in with the Hill Library and how they help businesses to grow and develop new, ethical leaders for the future. He discusses the services and training that he offers and how he interacts with businesses to solve problems and create ethical solutions.
General Information James J Hill Reference Library
May 28, 2009
In this podcast Mr Bellin tells us about the mission of the JJ Hill Business Reference Library, why it is a unique resource, what type of people use the library services, where it is located and how it is funded.
Insurance
Underwriter
November 12, 2009
In this podcast we finally get to interview an underwriter to determine what they look at to assess the risk of a business for purposes of writing and pricing insurance policies. He teaches us that loss control systems, safety procedures and training does make a difference in the risk and the cost of insurance policies. He confirms that when working closely with an insurance agency to operate a business in the safest manner can have a direct impact on the cost of insuring against liability exposures.
Medicare
October 27, 2009
In this podcast we learn about the rules for Medicare insurance, who is eligible, what the various parts of the plan are for and how to deal with employees who are Medicare eligible and also covered under a business group plan. The size of the business in terms of employees comes into play when considering the priority of payment for claims between Medicare and group plans. The size of the business also comes in play in determining the method of pricing for the group health insurance as well.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
October 6, 2009
Chad explains the potential liability exposure that can hurt a business if something bad happens and there is no coverage. Errors & Omissions is a type of exposure that is not typically covered under your general liability insurance. We usually think of E & O coverage as something that Doctors, attorneys and accountants need to have. However is a coverage that all businesses should contemplate such as a trade business: contractor, plumber, electrician or HVAC firm in the instance of participating in the design of a system that ends up not functioning properly and leading to litigation. It should be considered by all businesses as he explains in this podcast.
Workers Compensation Insurance
September 15, 2009
Workers compensation insurance is administered on a state by state basis and has generally been enacted across the USA since 1949. This podcast explains how the premium is calculated using gross payroll, employee classifications and claims history. We discuss in detail how loss prevention techniques like drug testing, safety training, plant conditions, return to work plans and generally operating a safe business environment can help control the costs of workers compensation insurance.
Health Insurance
August 20, 2009
Independent Insurance Agents
August 5, 2009
Affinity Programs Part 2
July 16, 2009
How to Shop Your Insurance
June 18, 2009
Employee Practice Insurance
June 11, 2009
Group Affinity Programs
May 26, 2009
Insurance for Maturing Businesses
April 30, 2009
Insurance For Startups
April 16, 2009
International Business
Developing a China Strategy
September 22, 2009
Jeff W Jiang leads the China Strategies Consulting Group at his firm and is a native of China. His practice helps introduce business owners to China via seminars, organized trips to China and in helping them utilize his network of contacts in China to locate suitable partners to do business there. He tells us about the China economy and how to avoid problems doing business half the world away.
Internet Technology
Business Website Search Engine Optimization and Analytics
July 21, 2009
Mr Kralick is the director of search engine marketing for FirstScribe. In this podcast Mr Kralick pulls together the web site design and use to ensure that the search engines can find your business web site when potential clients are looking for your product or service. It is essential to understand how the search engines operate in order to have your web site come up first at each search. It is also important to utilize the best available analytics to understand who is coming to your site and what they are responding to so that you have an idea of what needs to be improved in order to have an opportunity for a sale.
Business Website Design, Development and Usability
July 14, 2009
In this podcast Mr Perrill describes for us how the use of a web site has changed over the years. We see how deliberate the construction of the web site is tied directly to the clients that we want to connect with. Utilization of key words and correctly building each part of the site along with links, pages and content all have an impact on the success of the site.
Evolution of the Internet
July 7, 2009
At about the same time the internet was getting started Mr Perrill founded and started his firm. Over the last 18+ years his firm has evolved just as the internet has and he has gone from making web sites to understanding how to use the internet as a source for new business for his firm and his clients. He gives us an overview of how to effectively create a web site, attract traffic, optimize web sites and analyze its use.
Legal
Real Estate Property Tax Appeals
November 17, 2009
John walks us thru the process of valuing Commercial real estate, determining if there is a problem with the Assessors valuation, negotiating a reduction and/or appealing the Assessors valuation to the tax court. He covers filing deadlines, documentation, negotiation and possible outcomes that can affect real estate property tax valuations over several years in the same process.
Shareholder & Partner Disputes
October 22, 2009
In this podcast we learn how tough economic times and unexpected decreases in asset values can and do create problems for business owners. Problem loans, unanticipated situations, theft, poor management practices, decreases in sales can all lead to cash flow problems and defaults. These issues are best handled within a very organized business that anticipated future problems when originally drafting the corporate documents to provide the systems to resolve problems. We discuss this and more in this podcast.
Trademarks
October 20, 2009
A trademark is a specific word and/or design that signifies to the consumer that the product is from a specific source or manufacturer. Trademarks can protect your investment by preventing others from using your mark in a way that is confusingly similar to the consumer. There are several kinds of marks and a couple of ways to reserve them which we discuss in this podcast. We also review the rules for protect them and keep others from infringing on them in this interview.
Corporate Governance Issues & Ownership Disputes
September 29, 2009
John Cameron helps us understand business governance and dispute issues that can come up in the operation of a business. The type of entity, hierarch of positions, i.e., shareholders, directors and management of a business and how they are empowered to act on behalf of a business organization. The need for good corporate record keeping including minute book, resolutions and authorizations to take actions. He also covers the process for raising and resolving concerns and disputes between owners and managers of a business.
Patents
September 24, 2009
In this podcast Bill Berggren explains the purpose of patents in protecting intellectual property the how they are used. Patents are used to prevent others from making, using, selling or importing that solution to a problem. There are several types of patents including plant, design and utility patents as well as provisional patents. We cover the process of applying for a patent, identifying intellectual property that might be eligible, the time and cost of obtaining one and what types of protections are available after one is issued.
Mortgage & Debt Acquisition
August 27, 2009
In this podcast, John Cameron tells us how to locate opportunities to purchase secured loans at a discount in today’s markets. By approaching banks, insurance companies and other conduit loan originators you may be able to find, analyze and purchase secured loans in a manner that gives you an opportunity to make a healthy return on your investment. He covers Letters of intent, due diligence and exit strategies for these types of assets as well.
Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights
August 25, 2009
This podcast is a discussion of Intellectual Property Rights. These include a general discussion of patents, what they are used for, the rights they include, how to obtain them and the cost of doing so. We also cover trademarks, what they are, why they can be important, how to use them and the cost of obtaining them. We also cover copyrights and trade secrets so that the business owner has a good idea of how they work.
Commercial Loans Workouts & Foreclosures
August 11, 2009
In these difficult economic times, when asset values are falling, many loans that previously were performing and within the loan to asset values established by lenders are in trouble. Mr Cameron advises us to be preemptive in dealing with your lenders and try to work with them prior to being in default. There are occasions where a loan modification (extending the term, rate change or principal reduction) or forbearance agreements may provide the short or long term fix necessary to avoid foreclosure. We also cover the rules of foreclosure so that the listeners know how that process works if it is impossible to save the deal.
Minimizing Taxes
July 30, 2009
Trusts & Estates Part 2
July 30, 2009
Trusts & Estates
July 30, 2009
Business Litigation
July 28, 2009
In this podcast, Mr Cameron tells us that business litigation is a last resort to solving problems between businesses, vendors, customers and lenders. There are many ways to try to resolve disputes prior to engaging in litigation and we discuss many of them here. We then review the possible venues for litigation, how long it might take and the possible costs of entering into a law suit. This is a refreshing discussion of the actual cost of and possible outcomes of litigation that can be helpful in contemplating how to resolve business issues with the help of your attorney.
The Attorneys Role in Real Estate Transactions
July 1, 2009
In this podcast we discuss the process of acquiring real estate and the attorney’s involvement in the transaction. We talk about identifying a potential property, and the due diligence process to ensure that there are no liens on the property and no title defects that could cause problems at a later date. We go over title insurance and the title company’s role in the process. We then discuss the types of documentation to expect at the closing of the deal.
The Attorneys Role in the Sale of a Business
June 16, 2009
This is a discussion of the role of an attorney in the sale of a business. We go over the process from beginning to end including: letter of intent, purchase agreement, warranties and representations, loan documents, consulting and non-compete agreements. We also discuss what is involved in a properly executed due diligence process. This podcast will give you a good general idea of what will be involved in the sale or acquisition of a business.
Layoffs, Furloughs and Terminations
June 9, 2009
In this podcast we review the laws regarding layoffs, furloughs and terminations that apply to business owners. We discuss the “at will doctrine” of employment and how to ensure that you are not in violation of discrimination, whistle blower or retaliation rules which may apply. Mr Cameron shows us how to be fair and honest making transparent decisions and how to document the file so that everything is handled properly. In tough economic times we sometimes have to let people go in order to save the business and there is a proper way to do so and limit the repercussions of these unfortunate events.
Opportunities in a Down Market
May 21, 2009
In the current economic down market there are investment opportunities that might be good investments. These could include acquisition of distressed assets such as residential properties, commercial properties and the purchase of mortgages. In order to increase your chance at a successful investment, Mr Cameron reviews the proper “due diligence” process and we review how to ensure clear title, find suitable funding and the basic rules of lending in the situation of purchasing a mortgage position. The key here is to be prepared to foreclose if necessary to protect your investment.
Ponzi Schemes
April 28, 2009
Mr Cameron tells us the history of bad investment schemes from the original Alfonso Ponzi case thru the cases in the news in 2009, locally and nationally. He then shows us some of the historical schemes that have come and gone around the world. We then spend a most of the podcast discussion how to perform enough “due diligence” to have a better chance to avoid the type of investments that might be classified as ponzi schemes while analyzing possible investments.
New Ventures, Joint Ventures and Partnerships
April 14, 2009
In this podcast Mr Cameron walks us thru the process of selecting an entity to house a new business venture. We discuss the choices of entities available, how they are formed and how they are governed. We review initial capitalization, debt structure and the requirement for income tax filings on behalf of the entity. We also discuss buy/sell agreements, partnership and membership agreements for the various choice of entities. This is a basic “business entity 101” podcast.
