In today's business podcast, we have some VERY exciting announcements:

1. International Podcasting Expo is coming! April 21 - 23, 2006... around the clock Podcasting Marathon (not just for business), Seminars, Conferences, Exhibitors, Sponsors, Freebies - something for EVERYONE!
   
2. 3-Day Online Podcasting Conferences - for people who want to learn podcasting FAST!
3. Sample Fruit and Herb Teas...hehehehe...well, that's not really very exciting, but I made the offer to my listeners anyway...<smile>

Today's business podcast discusses the winners in the food and beverage industry, according to the Inc 500 List for Private Businesses.

Listen in for some more interesting (and some silly) insights about these companies. For some reason, alcohol tends to predominate my thoughts throughout these ramblings (no, I'm not a lush - there is actually alcoholic beverages to be discussed in there! Get your mind out of the gutter and back into brainstorming! <smile>)

We will discuss Moe's, a franchise out of my hometown here, Atlanta, an ice cream cone maker, an insulated cup company, and more.

We'll find out how they all flew by the competition - personally, I don't think Moe's fought fair (you'll have to listen to find out why), but it did give me the giggles to think about other fast food restaurants doing the same thing. We'll also talk about a company that gives their employees a case of beer with every paycheck! I just hope they only get paid once a month, because any company whose employees drink a case of beer each week makes me nervous about the quality of their product! <smile>

I'm up to 4 participants in the business round table - last call!

I've got an entrepreneur, a brainstormer, a process consultant, and a small business & life coach - plus myself, whatever I am! There's still room for more, so come on in - the water's fine!

Well, enjoy my stuffed-up nose podcast -

hopefully I'll sound better soon. And I apologize for the late delivery of this, but I've been sick in bed since Wednesday. I'm just now returning to the land of the podcasting...<smile>

Lastly, about that International Podcasting Expo and the 3-Day Podcasting Conferences...

[Read More!]

In today's business podcast, we will discover why certain entrepreneurs fly by the competition.

This was truly interesting to me - I learned so much I had never known. I always knew that personality affected your business style. However, I didn't realize that there was a definite, identifiable and quantifiable pattern to super successful CEOs.

Find out what elite military personnel, athletes and Inc 500 CEOS have in common...

The results of the studies were fascinating. The most "obvious" answers weren't the right answers at all. Some behaviors and attitudes seem to be learned, but others seem to be qualities and characteristics these CEOs receive at birth.

I am still looking for entrepreneurs who would like to be a part of a business round table discussion.

I would like to be able to address the question of how do you start a part-time business (especially when you are already working full-time!). One listener has shared the chapters of his book on starting a business to be used as a part of the outline. I just need some more input from the rest of you!

Everyone who participates will be entered in a drawing for an MP3 player, so I need to hear from you this week.

Otherwise, I'll have to seek help from outside the Brain Storm! family. I am surrounded by some truly talented and inspired entrepreneurs within my networks, and I can tap their expertise. However, I'd like to give you an opportunity to do so first.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon, either here on the Brain Storm! channel, at the QMTP messaging system on the channel, or via email at customerservice * AT * 1stpod.com.

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing and DigBizBooks.com

This week's business podcast contains lessons from the Financial Services industry.

So many businesses and lessons to learn - so little time! <smile> We've got some great examples of how investing in technology and customer service can shoot you past the competition. We also have a "wonder boy" story of someone who got their GED at 16 and started (in his parents' basement) what is now (he's 22) a 12.2 million dollar a year business. You'll think of him every time you go through a drive-thru from now on!

I need your business advice!

I had a listener contact me and ask me advice on how to start a part-time business, what is involved, etc. In today's podcast, I ask for volunteers who would like to be involved in a recorded round-table discussion about this. We'll create a joint outline first, then meet and cover the points with our own experiences (and horror stories). Then we'll podcast the result, which will be available for anyone to use as they see fit. Let me know what you think.

And I'm finally taking my own advice...

I'm putting my brainstorming ideas into play and moving into several different areas to create multiple streams of income. Once they're in place, I'll let you know what works out and what doesn't. I'm really psyched, and I'm looking forward to the day when I can hire one of my closest friends (who is an amazingly efficient business woman!) to manage all of my businesses (I think I've lost count of them by now! <smile>) 2006 is looking really, really good!

Oh, and I'm investing in a brand spanking new, top-of-the line multi-media computer...

to get back into video production (I used to be a television director, editor, producer) for one of my latest brainstorms. It's a really great idea to help solopreneurs have high quality video products and commercials without having to put a second mortgage on their house! I'll tell you more as it comes together...

Until next week, KEEP BRAINSTORMING - but remember, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing - Giving You A Voice

In today's business podcast, we will discover how podcasting can revolutionize your business and your customers!

Join me today as I interview Paige Eissinger of 2 Smart Chix, podcaster of View from the Coop and assistant producer of Jammin' With Slam on Cool Cast radio. Paige, a web designer and talk-show host, is a self-described podcasting addict now. She can't get enough of it (as you'll hear in the podcast).

There are several great reasons for businesses to podcast...

Your network expands as your meet other podcasters, and podcast listeners. You interview them, they interview you, you exchange podcasting tips and tools and everyone benefits.

You give potential clients an opportunity to "take you with them" and learn about you "on the go". They aren't chained to a radio and/or a time frame. They can download you and listen to you in the car, on a walk, wherever they choose. And they can listen to you "hands free".

Present and future customers will be more predisposed to believe you are an expert in your field, and treat you as such. (Listen to the story about a client of an entrepreneur whose whole outlook changed after listening to the entrepreneur's podcast!)

Your target market comes looking for you - not the other way around! If someone responds better to audio, they will go the route of podcasting. And when they want information, they will come to you if you offer what they need.

You can't always get across your passion for your subject solely with written words. People get excited about a subject when you are excited about it, and your voice is the most effective tool for igniting that passion in others.

So sit back (or run, or drive, or whatever you're doing while you are listening to this!) and enjoy!

And if you would like to know more about how to create a podcast for your business, or as a hobby, and want to find the most inexpensive tools available, contact me via the QMTP message form at http://www.PodcasterCentral.com, or go to http://www.1stPod.com to review our services, classes and resources.

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing.

We have 2 parts for today's business podcast - one with listener comments, and another with an interview with a business podcaster.

I have had some great responses so far in regard to the series we are doing on the Inc 500 list. All 5 MP3 players are now assigned (although Rolando needs to send me his physical address...[smile])

But I am going to offer you guys a chance every month to win an MP3 player...

At the end of every month, I will have a drawing from any of the people who leave comments or brainstorms at the BrainStorm-Podcast.com site. Leave 2 comments, get entered 2 times! I think you get the idea!

We're taking a one week hiatus from the Inc 500 list so I can share with you the premier episode of a new podcast, 1st Business Podcasters, aka http://www.PodcasterCentral.com.

We interview businesses who are using podcasting and finding out what effects, if any, they are having from podcasting. I've got people in all different fields, from Technology, to Coaches, to Marketing, to Finance and more.

Please let me know your feedback about this new podcast - and any suggestions on how I can make it better.

I will reserve one special mp3 player for a drawing from the people that respond to this one particular question. AND, if you are a business person who is podcasting, and you would like me to interview you for the show, please let me know, and I'll schedule you soon.

Thanks for making this podcast enjoyable and personally rewarding for me.

Penny Haynes, Digital Business Books