Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity are overpaid?

Saliva Heather, bombastic, get talking - right speech - perhaps finally cheap. Cumulus media (CMLS), which seems transmitters in the United States second largest in a cul-de-sac with talk-radio stars Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, who his air time from noon to 18 every day of the week to fill. The Conservatives are athletes of the country's top rated radio, and they are very expensive. Cumulus shopping with two treaties to end allegedly for replacement for political.

Cumulus said in a statement that it is "not in a position to comment on negotiations with talent under contract." Premiere shows a unit of clear channel (CCMO), handles distribution rights to Limbaugh and Hannity and Ryan Seacrest and some 90 radio. When premiere - who also declined to discuss negotiations - can't beat a new syndication deal with Cumulus, the right two stay would probably be in-house and broadcast on clear channel stations.

The nature of the contracts give syndication already paid not premiere that go freedom - it is, no matter who broadcast the shows. Hannity's 2008 contract with Premiere was on about 20 million $ per year, according to AdWeekestimated. The Limbaugh is especially nice, with much millions until 2017 to 2008 amounted to $50. Limbaugh its value for the New York Times described a few years ago: "First target is my to win the largest possible target group, so that I can charge confiscatory ad prices."

The measurement of return on investment for a company like Cumulus works mathematics not always in favor of superstars. How can serious massive celebrity in Hollywood become a black hole for value. Take this summer blockbuster: A Johnny Depp bloated budget the Lone Rangera total bust for Walt Disney (DIS), while the man of steel and his lesser known star absolutely crushed expectations. Familiar with Henry Cavill? Probably not, before he was attracted to, that Cape-and thats exactly what Warner of Bros. (TWX) bet if it continued to negotiate is with him.

Star power differs a little in the radio. Inflated jockeys like Limbaugh command large fanbase and display prices. Cumulus must not care to keep his audience, must keep it make enough of it, in relation to their talent costs. From this perspective, substitutions such as Mike Huckabee and Mark Levin look quite well. Both have heavy conservative cred, and should you work much cheaper than Limbaugh and Hannity. Huckabee also plays a decent guitar.

Transmitter in general more bandages need in these days. Disappeared from 2008 to 2012 10% radio revenue according to the radio advertising Bureau. The stars of love free-market talk radio. It's time to see if its well known efficiency comes to cut their salaries.

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Happy Birthday SBA!

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The Official Blog of the U.S. Small Business Administration with news and views from top SBA officials

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Strengthening America’s Small Business Supply Chain

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SBA Announces Request for Proposals to Conduct Supply Chain Mapping Analysis and Matchmaking

How do we build ecosystems of entrepreneurship that can make regional economies more competitive and attract more manufacturing back to the United States?

Today, many cities and communities are looking past the old practice of simply “chasing smokestacks” (using tax and other incentives to lure companies to their cities). Instead, they are focused on building the types of long-term, local entrepreneurial ecosystems and supply chains of small businesses that serve as a natural magnet for these companies.

The reality is that large manufacturers need a diverse and nimble network of small suppliers. These suppliers make large companies more efficient, more productive and more globally competitive. A strong supply chain of small businesses can be a determining factor for locating production in a particular area. And it really is a win-win. Tapping into a large commercial supply chain can also be a game-changer for a small supplier. A recent report showed that suppliers reported revenue growth of more than 250 percent just a few years after selling their products to a large corporation and employment increased by more than 150 percent on average.

Across the country, we are seeing manufacturing and production coming back to the United States. And this trend is likely to continue as companies recognize higher U.S. worker productivity, lower energy costs, increasing labor costs abroad and other logistical advantages of U.S.-based production.

Today, companies around the world are seeing America’s competitive landscape and they are increasing investment and expanding in the United States. This is creating good American jobs and economic opportunity. In fact, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlighted an annual survey of executives showing that the United States was viewed as the top destination for future foreign direct investment. This was the first time the United States topped this survey since 2001.

So how do we build on this momentum?

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently launched the American Supplier Initiative (ASI). The goal of the ASI is to increase market access for small suppliers, to offer counseling and mentoring services, and to provide ready sources of working capital to support increasing sales. And as part of these efforts, the SBA is helping to lead the Administration-wide Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), an effort designed to support communities that demonstrate best practices in developing a sustainable manufacturing ecosystem.

To build on the partnership, the SBA is seeking proposals to conduct supply chain analysis of disrupted or at-risk regional manufacturing communities. Additionally, these proposals call for the creation of matchmaking events designed to better integrate small businesses into commercial supply chains. A link to the RFP can be found here.

Going forward, we will continue to build the type of public private partnerships that support the onshoring of more American manufacturing and the expansion of America’s entrepreneurial infrastructure to ensure that more small businesses have the tools they need to grow, to create jobs and to fuel America’s economic growth.  

Karen Gordon Mills is the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA helps both Main Street and high-growth small businesses get access to capital, counseling, federal contracts, disaster assistance and more.Tags: Official SBA News and Views, Open For Business, SBA News and Views

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Angry airline says Boeing 787-payout

While the 787 Dreamliner fly suffer can dominate headlines, are payments Boeing (BA) is to reassure disgruntled buyers of new aircraft generally much quieter way treated. But the first European customer for the 787, LOT Polish Airlines, makes their demand for compensation public.

The problem was then an earnings conference call last week in the Boeing Chief Executive Officer W. James McNerney declared all customers payment requests from 787's three month grounding of the set. "There have been some cases where we had commitments to customers and those were all fulfilled," McNerney told investors and journalists during the July call. "And you see by quarterly figures, there was no significant impact on our business, we work with our customers to help. He added: "We think they are all behind us now."

The Polish airline begs to differ. "Maybe this didn't not affect profit the Boeing, but in fact we were not satisfied at all financially" many spokesman Robert Moren says in a telephone interview on Monday. "[Cost] are not likely huge money for Boeing, but for us - while we are in the process of restructuring – it's quite substantial."

MUCH to get his fifth 787 in Warsaw on Tuesday. Airline officials met with Boeing executives earlier this month to claims from the January, grounding, to transmit the rendered useless fires two new Boeing 787, which already by the airline, while Boeing redesigned the lithium-ion battery system that has been suggested on board in a January a Japan Airlines 787 parked in Boston.

Boeing spokesman John Dern said the company remains in "Close contact" with its customers, "but the details of these discussions are private."

MUCH has resumed flights with its Boeing 787 and plans to deploy the aircraft on all four of its long-haul markets - Beijing, Chicago, New York and Toronto - by Aug. 10 Moren said that the plane travellers has proven popular and sales are higher than other models, while the 787 is still having problems with the reliability, the slowly resolved. "We take this as a childhood-old disease, it goes away quickly," he said. "The Dreamliner will become a profitable aircraft for many."

Payments made by aircraft manufacturers for such new airplane questions include always a certain legalistic bargaining, drifting into the public domain only if it perhaps serves the interest of a financially-pressed airline. In March 2012, for example, Boeing reacted quickly to deny a statement by the Indian Government, which the company had agreed to pay $500 million over 787 delivery delays on Air India. "We not comment on offers, we have done, but I can tell you that we write a check for $500 million, not someone", Jim Allbaugh, President of Boeing said the commercial airplanes unit.

Sometimes, the 'prevention' can be cash payment - Reuters reported , that all Nippon Airways (9202: JP), the first 787 customer some of Boeing in this spring sought - but it could be also in the form of a discount on a future purchase or a break in the credit offer, but Boeing capital, the Chicago-based company the financing unit. Typically, United Airlines (UAL), who also tried only U.S. 787 operator, payments from Boeing late aircraft but has avoided to discuss the matter publicly.

However, it is difficult to deny the significance of the 787 for many who received for the first time in November 2012, and composed a dramatic press release on the occasion. "Our dream come true," said the carrier. "The day of 15 November 2012 will be printed in the history of our company as a moment-the landmark of our long-term work and striving for change." Eight months later, it is also a quest for money.

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4 Ways to Safeguard and Protect Your Small Business Data

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Are you doing enough to safeguard and protect your small business data?

Small businesses are widely adopting data back-up practices to ensure data is retrievable should a disaster occur, but gaps remain. According to a July 2012 study by accounting software company Sage, the bulk of small businesses are backing up key data such as financial information, but most businesses back up that data on-site only. Furthermore, the study found that only 38 percent of surveyed small businesses have a formal emergency or disaster preparedness plan.

Given the brutal impact of Superstorm Sandy and other disasters that affect small businesses on a regular basis, these are worrying statistics.

“Backing up on-site may not be sufficient to protect small businesses from natural disasters – particularly if the business is located in an area prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, fires or flooding – or more common crises, such as theft or hardware malfunction,” said Connie Certusi, executive vice president and general manager of Sage Small Business Solutions, in a company press release.

“The development of a preparedness plan that includes solutions for protecting critical information, such us backing up off-site, could be the difference between getting a business on its way to recovery and worrying about its survival.”

So what’s the best way to make sure your small business data is secure and available at all times? Here are four tips:

1. Automate Your Back-Ups and Build in Redundancy

Whether you’re a freelancer or a 50-person firm, an automated back-up system is a must. Many of us know the value of backing up to a local hard drive (you can buy one that will store terabytes of data for under $100) or server.  But you should also consider backing up to a third party or off-site service. If your business property (along with your back-up device) is destroyed in a disaster, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your data is retrievable.

Cloud back-ups are increasingly popular, whereby companies such as DropBox, Symantec and Carbonite will securely replicate, back up and store your data in the cloud (basically a shared computer hosted by a third party on the Internet). Cloud services are particularly beneficial for small business owners who may not have an in-house IT team to help them manage and administer server back-ups.

To help you determine the best approach for your business, read this blog: Finding the Best Backup Option for Your Small Business Data.

2. Consider Server Virtualization

According to a survey by CDW, 25 percent of small businesses have virtualized at least some of their servers, with improved data protection cited as a direct benefit. But what is server virtualization? Server virtualization allows you to take one physical server machine and run several virtual server environments (for example, your email, database, and web servers) on it. Essentially, one server performs the work of many. Along with cost benefits, virtualization also makes disaster recovery easier.   Read more about the ins and outs of server virtualization in this Server Virtualization Guide for Small Business on Small Business Computing.com.

3. Run a Full Service Security Suite

Safeguarding data is about more than backing it up. Intrusion attempts, computer viruses and malware all can compromise business data and threaten your systems.

Consider installing a hardware firewall. Most firewall systems protect your software, but by the time most firewalls are activated, the threat is already inside your network. But a secure appliance-based firewall between the Internet and your business data will block intruders and threats before they enter your network.

Anti-virus and spam filters represent another security layer that protects incoming and outgoing data. Use content filters; they protect local computers from malware threats by blocking entry to potentially harmful websites.

4. Have a Big Picture Disaster Preparedness Plan

Approximately 40-60 percent of small businesses never reopen their doors after a disaster (source).  While the value of our business data is incalculable, protecting your business and your employees by ensuring you are prepared for the eventuality of a natural or man-made disaster is equally critical. Create a plan of action to lessen the impact of disasters, and a disaster recovery plan to ensure you are up and ready for business sooner.

Check out SBA’s guides, tools and templates to help you prepare and improve your chances of recovering quickly should the worst happen – Small Business Emergency Preparedness Guide. You can also visit the SBA Learning Center for online courses, webinars and other tips to help you with your disaster planning.

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Caron Beesley is a small business owner, a writer, and marketing communications consultant. Caron works with the SBA.gov team to promote essential government resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners start-up, grow and succeed. Follow Caron on Twitter: @caronbeesleyTags: Community Blogs, Small Business Matters, Emergency Planning, Managing

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5 Tips for Writing a Basic (and Un-Daunting) Marketing Plan

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by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator

Created: April 4, 2013, 7:41 amUpdated: April 7, 2013, 9:30 am

Have you ever written a marketing plan for your business? Do you keep putting off the task?

Whether you are launching a new product or promoting your latest offer, a marketing plan is worth taking the time to complete. Why?

As a small business owner, it’s likely that you not only own the task of coming up with a strategic plan, but also the act of executing it (writing email copy, hosting events, etc.). If this is you, then a plan can help you direct your day-to-day activities, guide your approach, and ensure you are making the most of the available resources.

The good news is that a marketing plan needn’t be encyclopedic or overly time consuming to prepare. In fact, in my experience, the simpler the plan, the more effective it can be (bog yourself down in too many details and you’ll quickly lose focus). A simple plan also gives you the flexibility to quickly adjust your tactics if you need to.

Here are five tips for developing a basic marketing plan that can be applied to discrete activities such as a product launch or promotional campaigns.

1. Build a Precise Picture of Your Ideal Customer

Identifying your target market is the first step of any marketing plan and it’s essential that you are as precise as possible. If not, you run the risk of a scatter-gun approach that will dilute your message and drain your budget. Instead, think about your target market in terms of specifics – who in your current customer base is the right fit for your product or service? What have they purchased from you before? Do their purchasing patterns suggest they might be a good target? Are they the kind of customer you even enjoy doing business with? What about reaching new customers outside your customer base?

The more specific you can be, the easier it will be to craft the right message and tactics for reaching that audience. Read 5 Ways to Find the RIght Niche and Target Market for your Small Business for more tips.

2. What do you Want to Accomplish?

Again, be specific. Stating that you want to increase brand awareness about your business/product isn’t really specific enough. Think about what actions you want them to take after they are made aware of your campaign or promotional activity. Do you want them to register for an event, take advantage of a special offer, upgrade an existing product, invest in training, or request a quote? There may be multiple actions that you want them to take. For example, a webinar could be positioned as a free training opportunity and your initial action goal would be to get your target market to register for the event. However, once the event is over, you may then want to circle back with attendees and see if they are interested in receiving more information (such as a one-on-one product demo or quote for a product or service).  

These actions will drive your messaging and delivery methods.

3. How Can You Reach your Targets?

Now that you know who you want to reach and what actions you want them to take, you’ll need to identify the best ways to reach them and with what message. To do this, consider the following about your customers and prospects:

What associations do they belong to?Are they active on social media?Do they subscribe to your email marketing?What print or online media do they read?What are their pain points (how can you help address these)?What types of messages or call to actions have they responded to in the past?Why should they care about what you have to offer (what’s in it for them / in what ways will they benefit)?

4. Work Out Your Budget

When it comes to planning your budget, either start with a figure that you can afford, or determine your tactics, price them out (my preferred method) and prioritize where necessary.  You can always adjust your budget as you go, so be flexible. For tips on calculating your marketing budget read: How to Set a Marketing Budget that Fits your Business Goals and Provides a High Return on Investment.

5. Plan Your Tactics

Your tactics are the actions you need to take to help you reach your target market and accomplish your goals. These include specifics such as direct mail, email marketing, print/radio/online advertising, blogs, social media, case studies, webinars, events, sponsorships and so on.

Never rely on one tactic alone. An integrated approach that delivers a consistent message across multiple, targeted platforms is the best way to ensure you reach your target market and get the most out of your budget. Refer back to who it is you are trying to reach, where they are, and what you want them to do.

Above all, be flexible. Track results and adjust your tactics and messaging as you go. I’ve seen many campaigns start out with one message and close out with a completely different one. Try out new email subject lines, test social media messages, and keep a close eye on what works and what doesn’t.

Don’t forget a call to action – whether it’s taking advantage of a coupon, downloading a white paper, or attending an event. Use a unique code for each medium so that you can track where your leads are coming from. This blog offers some tips: 8 Ways to Strengthen Your Email Marketing Offers and Calls to Action.

Lastly, don’t forget to include internal elements to our plan such as sales trainings or briefings about your campaign or new product offering.

Good luck! For more help, contact your local Small Business Development Center. They offer training, counseling and support for business owners in all areas of business planning and operation.

Additional Resources

For more marketing tips, check out SBA’s extensive archive of marketing-related blogs.

Caron Beesley is a small business owner, a writer, and marketing communications consultant. Caron works with the SBA.gov team to promote essential government resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners start-up, grow and succeed. Follow Caron on Twitter: @caronbeesleyTags: Community Blogs, Small Business Matters, Managing, Marketing

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Grow Your Business This Summer – 7 Marketing Tips that Won’t Break the Bank

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Looking for ideas to incorporate the summer season into your marketing plans this year? Whether it’s a busy or quiet time for your business, here are some things you can do to take advantage of the summer months!

Take Your Business Into the Fresh Air

Don’t wait for your customers to come to you; look for ways to get in front of them. Whether you run a retail store, restaurant or provide a service to customers, consider the following:

Host a Cookout – Invite your customers (past and present) to join your business for a celebration of summer. Use your parking lot or public park and plan on catering yourself (a grill, hot dogs, hamburgers, salad, and cold drinks are fine). Look for ways to make this a worthwhile event for folks to want to join – hire a magician, moon bounce, or give away prizes. Don’t forget to offer incentives (demos or special offers) to those who attend so that they have a good reason to keep frequenting your business over the summer.Take Your Food Business on the Road - If you are in the food business, taking a concession stand on the road is a great way to earn money and give new customers a taste of what you’ve got to offer back at your restaurant or store. This article can help you understand how to start up a concession business: Starting a Mobile Food Concession Business.

Spoil Your Customers

I mentioned hosting a cookout above, but what about treating a select group of loyal customers to an appreciation event like an afternoon at a winery, a round of golf, or an afternoon of fishing? Don’t forget, as long as there is a business purpose for these activities—and substantial business discussions occur before, during or afterwards—you can claim the cost of customer entertainment expenses (including meals) as a tax deduction (typically up to 50 percent of the cost).

Hold a Themed Week or Day

Like restaurant week or Small Business Saturday, think of ways to really showcase what your business does for one week or one-day only. You might want to use some of the tips in this blog – events, community charity participation, promotions, and giveaways – or combine them to maximize visibility and interest in what you do. You could even partner up with complementary businesses or those in the same district as you and co-market each other’s products, services and specials with fliers, coupons and teasers. Try to come up with a theme, something like “ABC Town Small Business Week,” “Take a Staycation with Us,” or “Back to School Week” and weave it into all your marketing and advertising.

Give Back to the Community

Community projects are a great way to build your brand and give back to the community. Why not organize or sponsor a community service day or charitable event? Pick a cause that’s a good fit for your business and reach out to the media, in addition to your own marketing, to publicize it. You can also deduct certain expenses related to any volunteer work or charitable giving.

Summer-ize your Marketing Activities

From your website to your email newsletter, look for ways to incorporate summer themes and information that are relevant to your customers. Send out newsletters that showcase your summer specials, but mix it up with good content—summer fashion tips, recipes, or pet care in the heat.

Pre-order low-cost summer promotional items now. Branded goods such as Frisbees, beach balls and drink coolers will ensure your logo is in front of customers all summer long.

Drum Up Business with Promotions

If summer is a slow season for your business, consider offering financial incentives to increase foot traffic. Don’t just dive in with a wholesale across-the-board discount; instead, consider some of the following options:

Discount Certain Products and Services – Test the market to see if you can shift slower selling products with a limited-time discount (say, for the month of July). Promote your offer to a select segment of your email list, perhaps those who haven’t purchased from you for some time.  Monitor the results. If the offer works, then consider extending it to other products and consumers next month.Package Promotions – Offer a discount if customers buy more than one product or service. For example, buy a coffee and a donut for $3.50 instead of $5.Off-Peak Specials – Many people have more flexible schedules during the summer months. Consider ways to draw people in during your off-peak hours, whether it’s a time-bound discount or another incentive (free corkage, bring a friend for half price, or a free consultation).

Plan for Your High Season – Take the Pulse of your Market

Again, if summer is your slow season, use the time wisely and start planning your marketing activities for the rest of the year. Conduct market research to gauge what your customers think of your business and the products and services you offer. What could you do better/more of/change? Is there a certain product that they’d like to see you carry? Are there any market or demographic trends that might impact your business in the coming year? Market research doesn’t have to cost much money; this blog explains some free resources that can help: Conducting Market Research? Here are 5 Official Sources of Free Data That Can Help.

SBA’s SizeUp Tool can also help you benchmark your business against competitors, map your customers and locate the best places to advertise.

You can also use surveys to gauge customer buying and spending habits. Use this data to inform your product marketing strategy and any other changes you may need to make in your business before your high season starts.

Caron Beesley is a small business owner, a writer, and marketing communications consultant. Caron works with the SBA.gov team to promote essential government resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners start-up, grow and succeed. Follow Caron on Twitter: @caronbeesleyTags: Community Blogs, Small Business Matters, Marketing

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