Small Biz Flash

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Most small businesses hold weekly meetings, but many of them fail to drive real progress. In this feature, we explore how to build a simple “weekly operating system” that improves visibility, accountability, and execution. We break down a practical meeting structure, discuss how to identify and solve the right issues, and show how AI can support better preparation, follow-through, and performance tracking.

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Many businesses document their processes but still struggle with inconsistent execution. In this feature, we explain how to close the gap between playbook and performance through clear ownership, meaningful KPIs, and a consistent operating rhythm — and how AI can help monitor metrics, improve follow-through, and strengthen operational discipline.

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NEWS ROUNDUP

Small Businesses Struggle to Claim Tariff Refund...

FEATURE

Most small businesses rely on individual know-how instead of a shared playbook — and it quietly limits their growth. In this episode, we break down the ROI of building a simple, practical playbook for your business.

You’ll learn how standardizing your processes reduces mistakes, shortens training, and helps your team deliver consistent results every time. We’ll also cover the tools that make documenting workflows easier than ...

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Most small businesses run on memory, not systems – and it’s costing them more than they realize. In this episode, we’ll discuss how the absence of structure quietly drains time, money, and morale. You’ll learn the early warning signs of disorganization, how to start building repeatable processes, and where AI can play a role in documenting and improving your workflows. Discover why getting organized gives you freedom and  pr...

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AI is no longer experimental – it’s becoming a core tool for small businesses. But most owners are still just scratching the surface. In this episode, you’ll learn how to make AI a true force multiplier for your team. We’ll discuss how AI agents amplify employee productivity, why using the AI inside your existing software is key, and the shift from prompt engineering to context engineering.

Resource mentioned on today’s ...

FEATURE

Retention.  Morale.  Profitability.  Employee ownership has the power to move all three in the right direction.  By giving employees a vested interest, you create a culture of commitment and shared success.  Discover how this strategy could position your company for growth and stability.

Today’s guest is Marie Davis, Executive Director of the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership (GA CEO):

Marie’s email:  marie@gaceo.org

Marie’...

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There are many ways the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impacts small business – most of them positive.  In this episode, we discuss six major changes to the federal tax code.

Resource:

Download SBS’s “10 Ways the New Tax Law Could Reshape Your Business Bottom Line”:  https://sbsaccountants.com/10-ways-the-new-tax-law-could-reshape-your-bottom-line/


Today’s guests:

Jonathan Bill,...

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Small business owners, you don’t need to constantly guess how much you owe in taxes and where you’re going to get the money to pay them.  There’s a better approach and we’ll discuss it today.

Resource:

Some of the material discussed today comes from Simple Numbers by Greg Crabtree.

Today’s guest is Jonathan Bill, owner of SBS Accounting & Advisors:

Jonathan’s email:  jbill@sbsaccountants.com

Jonathan’s LinkedIn page...

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Marketing is changing.  Your company is being discovered in ways that were not the case just a few years ago.  Research oftentimes no longer starts on a search engine, but they often end there.  So, figure out where your prospects are and go be with them on those spaces.

Resources mentioned:

SparkToro
https://sparktoro.com/

Today’s guest is Mickey Mellen, of GreenMellen:
Mickey’s ...

Join us for Illuminate 2025 on April 22!  Register here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/illuminate-spring-2025-tickets-1273764687469

Email me at adam@smallbizflash.com.

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NEWS ROUNDUP

1 – Tariffs are causing concern among small business owners.

https://www.wzzm13.com/article/money/economy/survey-michigan-small-business-owners-shows-two-thirds-taking-steps-prepare-for-recession/69-dd2f9d65-c2b9-...

Small business owners, have you ever tried sending out a press release about a new product or an event at your company, just to hear crickets chirping in response?  On today’s show, we’ll talk with an experienced PR professional about why most press releases flop, and what you can do to actually get results the next time you send a press release out to your community.

Today’s guest is Claire Angelle, Founder of Angelle Con...

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Small business owners, do you pay yourself a below-market wage to keep your business profitable?  Or maybe you take draws, but they might be sporadic and of varying amounts?  On today’s show, we’ll talk with an experienced accounting professional about how this practice is hurting your business and how you can fix your own compensation structure.

Today’s guest is Sharon Sheekey, Accounting Division Directo...

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Small business owners, have you ever considered buying out a competitor to expand your own company’s capabilities and customer base?  On today’s show, we’ll talk with a lending expert about how you can finance a business acquisition at up to 100% of the purchase price using an SBA loan.

Today’s guest is Laurence Leopold, SBA Senior Business Development Officer at IncredibleBank:
Laurence’s email:  lleo...

FEATURE

Google Trends is a powerful and completely free tool from Google that can help you stay ahead of the curve.  It will help you understand your customers, and can inform decision making on marketing, research & development, and more.

Google Trends:
https://trends.google.com/

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NEWS ROUNDUP

1 - The economy continues to be the #1 concern among small business owners, ...

NEWS ROUNDUP

1 - Small business owners continue to grapple with economic uncertainty, according to the National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Optimism Index.
https://www.nfib.com/content/press-release/economy/small-business-owners-expectations-for-higher-sales-declined-in-january/

2 - Many small businesses are still unaware of the new Beneficial Ownership rule from the Treasury Department that went ...

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The Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized its new independent contractor rule.  There are six factors that you must use to determine if a worker is a contractor or an employee.

The final rule goes into effect on March 11, 2024.

Misclassifying employees as independent contractors can result in lawsuits and penalties, among other costs.

DOL’s Small Entity Compliance Guide to the new rule:...

FEATURE

A fractional chief operating officer, or a FCOO, can help you make your business life wonderful, getting you back to doing what you love in the business, which is likely not overseeing the daily operational tasks.

* How to know when it is time to hire a fractional COO.
* How a fractional COO helps you as the business owner.
* What a fractional COO brings to the table.

Recommended reading: ...

NEWS ROUNDUP

1 – There’s reason for optimism about the economy in 2024, and that’s good news for small businesses.
https://www.wsj.com/economy/what-to-watch-in-fridays-spending-report-inflation-closing-in-on-feds-target-0778037d
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/26/the-us-avoided-a-recession-in-2023-whats-the-outlook-for-2024.html
https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/01/business/5-reasons-to-be-optimistic-about-the-2024-econ...