Mark Riffey June 13th, 2008
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Today Mark talked about the new iPhone, and specifically about the uptake by the Fortune 500, but also how a small business owner can leverage it as another means of getting and keeping more customers.
Mark Riffey June 6th, 2008
A few weeks ago, Mark had trouble with the recording of his show so this week, he did that topic again and I think - better.
We start off talking about the unintended consequences on business processes from the $15 per checked bag fee that American Airlines will likely encounter. This segues into a discussion on pricing and getting out of being in a commodity, price shopped business. Not leaving your market, but instead, not being a commodity in that market, price-wise.
Mark Riffey May 30th, 2008
This week on HotseatRadio, Mark talks about why you need to focus on your business processes, sharpen your attention to detail, and use them as an edge in your marketing.
Mark Riffey May 16th, 2008
This week on HotseatRadio, Mark talks about pet peeves in your business, in your market - and how to turn them around and into a competitive advantage. One example is the plumber who is falling out of his pants as he crawls under your sink.
Click the link above to listen.
Mark Riffey May 9th, 2008
Today, Mark talks about the difference between consumers, customers and clients. Positioning, establishing yourself as the obvious choice, as the expert will transform your business and your consumers/customers into clients.
Mark also discusses the Papa John’s / LeBron James “Crybaby” flap and how great a job Papa John’s did at handling the situation. 64300 search results on Google in just 1 day…all because they handled it right.
Mark Riffey May 2nd, 2008
Social Media is everywhere these days. What is Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and all that? Why should I care? And most importantly, how can I use it to help me grow my business?
Today Mark talks about a few of the social media sites and how to put them to use for your business.
How to use them to establish your expertise. How to use them for better SEO (search engine optimization). How to use them for market research and to get your finger on the pulse of what’s new (and what’s gonna be new) in your market.
Mark Riffey March 21st, 2008
Today, I had the pleasure of interviewing Forrest Breyfogle III (the author of the Integrated Enterprise Excellence series) about business systems and integrating them to improve small business performance. Have a listen to my interview with Forrest.
Here’s the scoop on Mr. Breyfogle:
A professional engineer, CEO and author, Forrest W. Breyfogle III has dedicated his career to assisting companies achieve optimum quality and efficiency. A fellow with the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and a Crosby Medal Award recipient, Breyfogle has written a new, four-part, business book series, Integrated Enterprise Excellence, which takes managers beyond Lean Six Sigma and the balanced scorecard.
This series describes a business system where organizations can move toward achieving the three “R”s of business: Everyone is doing the Right things and doing them Right at the Right time.
The Integrated Enterprise Excellence System will be available in the spring of 2008 and is an “Enhanced, Unified Approach to Balanced Scorecards, Strategic Planning, and Business Improvement”.
The first 3 volumes include:
A 1968 graduate of the University of Missouri at Rolla, Breyfogle obtained a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation, he went to work for IBM as a development engineer, in Lexington, Ky. His stint with IBM was put on hold when he was drafted by the Army one year after joining the company. Breyfogle was stationed in Dover, N.J., where he served at Picatinny Arsenal.
After his time in service, he returned to IBM in 1971, relocated to Austin, Texas, and stayed with the company until 1992. At IBM, he held positions as a development engineer, product test engineer and an internal statistical consultant. Additionally, Breyfogle graduated from the University of Texas with a Master of Science in mechanical engineering in 1975.
In 1992, Breyfogle founded Smarter Solutions, Inc., where he currently serves as CEO. Specializing in training, coaching and consulting, Smarter Solutions introduces companies to the next generation of Lean Six Sigma – Integrated Enterprise Excellence. Breyfogle and his company have worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies, including CIGNA, Hewlett-Packard and Sherwin Williams.
He has authored and co-authored a total of 11 books and published over 80 technical resources for well known, worldwide publications on Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma and Lean methods. In addition, he is a member of the board of advisors for the University of Texas Center for Performing Excellence.
Breyfogle currently hosts seminars through Smarter Solutions and frequently speaks to professional organizations across the country. He enjoys playing golf and often uses the game of golf to illustrate improvement strategies in business. Breyfogle has two children and lives with his wife in Austin, Texas.
To contact Forrest, visit http://www.SmarterSolutions.com.
Mark Riffey March 14th, 2008
This week, Mark talks about strategies for hiring quality people for your small business - without reading 2000 resumes and interviewing 50 people, all to fill one position.
Mark Riffey March 5th, 2008
The old joke goes “I know half of my marketing is working, I just dont know which half…”
If you can’t measure it, how do you know if it’s really working?
This week, Mark talks about how to measure the response to your marketing, regardless of the media you’re using.
Mark Riffey February 20th, 2008
Today, Mark closes out his 3 part trade show series with “After the trade show“, perhaps the most important discussion of all.