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Toolkit 01-31-12 - Surviving the Sharks:

Shawn "Chef Big Shake" Davis went on ABC's Shark Tank in hopes of finding financial assistance for his new business of providing shrimp burgers and other fresh products to grocery stores. The sharks denied his proposals but it didn't Davis long to turn that disappointment into huge business growth. Davis tells Greg Corombos how he got the idea for his shrimp burger and how he reacted to the TV rejection. He also explains why his appearance on the show led to great success anyway and what key lessons he's learned throughout his business efforts. In our "Top Takeaway for Your Small Business," John Duoba offers advice on how business owners can best grow and preserve their wealth for themselves and their children.

Toolkit 01-24-12 - Good Company Index:

Greg Corombos discusses the new Good Company Index with Laurie Bassi, author of Good Company: Business Success in the Worthiness Era. Bassi explains how the index gauges which companies are doing things the right way with respect to employees, customers and stewardship. She also details how these concepts easily translate to small businesses and how to improve in any of the areas where your business may be lacking. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business, John Duoba highlights the importance of detailed employee performance goals and reviews.

Toolkit 01-17-12 - Content Is Currency:

Greg Corombos learns how best to establish business relationships that show promise for creating new customers as he visits with Jon Wuebben, CEO of Content Launch and author of Content is Currency. Wuebben explains that being a helpful resource before trying to sell something is a winning strategy. He also tells us how to stand out from our competitors in making that initial contact and why keyword searches are critical for online and mobile success. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business, John Duoba explains why major government policy changes next year could mean some big decisions for your business this year.

Toolkit 01-10-12 - Killing Giants:

Greg Corombos learns how small businesses can fight much larger competitors and win as he visits with Stephen Denny, author of Killing Giants. Denny explains how to fight dirty in a good way against your bigger rivals and what counts as killing a giant even if you don't actually run them out of business. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business, John Duoba explains the multiple tax deadlines your small business faces in the coming days.

Toolkit - 01-03-12 - Up Your Sales in a Down Market:

Greg Corombos discusses how to maintain and even boost sales in tough economy with Ron Volper, author of Up Your Sales in a Down Market. Volper explains what the first sales priority should be in difficult economic times, how to make the sale all about the customer and how to close the deal with new clients. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business, John Duoba highlights the importance of keeping your records well organized.

Toolkit 12-27-11 - Grower's Secrets:

Greg Corombos learns about the unique success of fertilizer maker Grower's Secret and discusses business principles with CEO Chaz Berman. Berman explains what makes his product different and better than anything else on the market and why his business model succeeds as well. Berman also tells us why too much virtual communication may be a bad thing and why the entrpreneur and the MBA don't always mix well. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business, John Duoba explains what tax changes your business can expect in 2012.

Toolkit - 12-20-11 - Chatter Marketing:

Greg Corombos discusses the best strategies for online marketing with Neil Rosen, head of ewaydirect.com and author of Chatter Marketing: Putting the Relationship Back in Customer Relationship Management. Rosen explains how to translate traditional marketing into today's internet age of marketing, how to engage customers without annoying them and why the opt-in concept is so critical. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business, John Duoba details the importance of having your 2012 budget ready now.

Toolkit - 12-13-11 - Protecting Your Reputation:

Greg Corombos and Brand Yourself's Patrick Ambron discuss the damage that can be done to the online reputation of your business by bad reviews or malicious conduct. Ambron explains how to deal with negative internet search results and how to flush out the bad news with a steady flow of positive content. He also tells us why that steady content is important even when there is nothing bad out there. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business, John Duoba offers advice on closing out the books for 2011 and how those numbers can help you plan for 2012.

Toolkit 12-06-11 - 30 Days to Marketing Success:

Greg Corombos discusses the keys to effective online marketing and social media with Gail Martin, author of 30 Days to Online PR and Marketing Success. Martin explains why 30 days makes sense as a goal and how joining an online conversation is far more effective than trying to start one. She also reveals why embracing technology for marketing should not mean an end to traditional means. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business, John Duoba highlights the tax breaks that could benefit your business if you act before the end of the year.

Toolkit 11-29-11 - The Compound Effect:

Greg Corombos discusses making the right choices on the path to small business success as he visits with Darren Hardy, author of The Compound Effect. Also the publisher of Success magazine, Hardy explains why discipline and consistency are the biggest assets on the road to small business success. In our "Top Takeaway for Your Small Business," John Duoba details the steps aspiring business owners must take to compile a solid business plan and start off on the right foot.

Toolkit 11-22-11 - Best Work-from-Home Jobs:

Greg Corombos and Forbes magazine reporter Jenna Goudreau discuss the best-paying jobs you can do at home as an employer or employee. Goudreau also explains how the rough economy is making this trend more and more popular. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business , John Duoba explains why it's vital to regularly consult and update your business plan.

Toolkit - 11-15-11 - Business and Personal Entities:

Business and wealth planning attorney Jim Duggan tells Greg Corombos why establishing an entity for your business is vital and how to find the right entity for your firm. Duggan also explains why a personal entity is also a good idea as your wealth grows. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business, John Duoba details how to make sure you're not breaking the law when rewarding employees at the end of the year.

Toolkit 11-08-11 - Raising Your Antenna:

Longtime business leader and coach Rick Miller tells Greg Corombos why it's vital for a business owner to 'raise their antenna' and develop strong instincts of where a business should head and know where others on the team want it to go. He explains how this instinct works in tandem with facts on a page and strong business discipline to move a business in the right direction. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business, John Duoba offers some tips on how to show appreciation for your employees and vendors this holiday season.

Toolkit 11-01-11 - Recession-Proofing Your Business:

Greg Corombos gets advice on how to recession-proof your small business from Melinda Emerson, who is also known as the Small Biz Lady. Emerson explains why it's vital to keep marketing, make great contacts, set 30-day sales goals and be bold in collecting unpaid bills. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business , John Duoba offers great tips as your business gears up for the holiday shopping season.

Toolkit 10-25-11 - Making the Government Your Customer:

Greg Corombos learns the best ways for private sector businesses to land government contracts as he visits with EZGSA President Scott Orbach. Orbach explains how a business can best position itself for a government contract and why having Uncle Sam for a client can be a very good thing. In our Top Takeaway for Your Small Business, John Duoba offers five critical tips to help your business weather the rough economy.