Listen to Friday’s DMBIZSHOW!

Thanks again to the Bargain Babe for her insight today. Her tips on purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables and doing a “self-check” on your credit card statement every month were great!

The most read article from today’s New York Times was about a 55-year-old woman who has essentially started over after being unable to find a job in today’s marketplace.

(tip* listen to THIS SONG for inspiration)

David Magee’s tips for Still Alive and Starting Over

Help for anyone who’s unemployed, underemployed or simply in desire of starting over…creating their own path with talents so you no longer have to chase “The Man.”

1. Same Broad, New Specific
Stay in the same broad professional category you’ve worked in before, but take one step away when looking to start your own business or consulting firm, for instance, taking one step away from your previous specific duties to gain leverage and advantage through the outside in perspective.

2. Be Smart, Not Safe
To become an entrepreneur at any level, even if it’s just marketing yourself as a consultant, requires risk. Accept the risk gladly, but wrap it in smarts. In otherwise, jump off a cliff, but make sure there’s a river flowing down below.

3. See the World as Small, Yourself as Big.
Humility is critical, but you have to recognize with full embrace the talents you have and accept that fact that you can be as big as anybody in your area, region or world – whichever is the smartest – with those talents. Think BIG, but understand anybody that seems better than you in the space is probably just like you, and maybe not even as good.

4. Spend More Energy Than Capital.
Starting over requires money, period. Sometimes little, sometimes moderate and sometimes a lot. But whatever the level, make sure you invest more energy than capital. That does not necessarily grunt work, though it does to some degree. Everybody starting over has to work extremely hard – harder than ever before. Also make sure though that you also spend energy every day being your own worst critic, researching the space, and brainstorming ways to set yourself or your business apart from competitors.

5. Don’t Dream; Dare.
Dreams are just figments of imagination based on life impressions. Dare’s are done in the real world. Thus, dreaming will lead you into wasting time thinking about impossibility – the unreal. Daring will lead you to action.

Thanks for listening!

E-mail:

DMBIZSHOW@gmail.com

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Listen to Thursday’s DMBIZSHOW

Today, the DMBIZSHOW had visitors today from the Korean Broadcasting System. They were in town to shoot David for a segment on Toyota. David, as you may or may not, is the author of “How Toyota Became #1.”

The show today touched on some good and bad news for Toyota. First, the bad: apparently, the Camry is having more trouble even after the supposed “fix” was put in place. Anectodal accounts from customers describe terrifying brake failures and crashes into ditches. So far, 10 complaints have been filed but we can expect to hear more in the coming days. The good news — although it means very little in the long-run — is that the Prius is still selling very well in Japan. David doesn’t think Toyota has hit bottom yet, especially if they start having problems with the recalls.

Retail numbers are out for February and the signs toward recovery are pointing up. This is indicated in earnings this week from Macy’s, Dillard’s and an uptick in sales reports from Abercombie & Fitch. This is despite the horrible weather in much of the nation. Play the stocks? Eh, maybe not.

Here are a couple of articles we touched on during the show: Good stuff on failing hip replacements and tactics some cities are using to spur on small business.

And as always, we’d love to hear what’s going on in your area. Drop us an e-mail:

DMBIZSHOW@gmail.com

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Listen to Wednesday’s DMBIZSHOW

Whew! Today’s show was a weird one. David was delayed a bit at the start, so I had Philip Shirley call in and talk to us about personal branding and Toyota’s woes. Philip had some great insight on how to search for jobs away from the grudge and trudge of the normal job market. Here’s a novel idea: lose a bit of pride and seek out your friends for help. That’s what they’re there for.

Visit Philip Shirley’s websiste: godwin.com

A couple of retailers David is a fan of, especially after the earnings reports of recent:

BigLots (BIG)

Costco (COST)

Word on the street is that BigLots is becoming more and more desirable by folks who have more money just because it’ s cheaper and well, yeah…it’s cheaper. Who doesn’t like cheap?

Costco has really done a pretty good job of cost-cutting and remaining relative as a wholesale club. The Newsman is a member of a similar club and, even though I probably go maybe twice a year, I’m still glad to have a place to shop for those big ticket items on the cheap (disclosure: I bought a microwave and a fouton at Sam’s Club)

Finally, have you seen “comedian” Gallagher lately? Did you hear about how his show in front of a predominately hispanic audience went? Do you want to? Click here

And do you now want to read a really awkward interview that indicates the exact opposite of what we  mean by “personal branding” ??? Courtesy of the Onion: Click Here

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Listen to the Tuesday’s DMBIZSHOW

Welp, it snowed again. David said 6-inches plus on the mountain. Downtown, it appears to be just a wet, slushy mix of failure. Not a good Tuesday to be a tourist in Chattanooga.

So, the USPS wants to take away our Saturday mail delivery eh? I hope this doesn’t happen. Imagine the impact on small businesses and my Netflix delivery schedule? And, if they raise the rates on stamps again,  how much will I be willing to pay to send Grandma that annual Christmas card? Not much more. Sorry, Grandma. The world is ending, folks. 2012.  (disclaimer: we actually don’t believe the world is ending in 2012.)

Toyota has announced a pretty sweet incentive deal for prospective car buyers. There are some crazy deals out there on a bunch of different models. However, we do want to point out that this “incentive” is a 180-degree turn from Toyota’s original focus on quality. They’re hungry and desperate.

A great call from Tim in Chattanooga, TN today helped spark conversation on the impact baby boomers are going to have on the job market in the future. Unfortunately, it may be negligible. It appears that many boomers who were formerly employed are no going to find it difficult to land a job when faced with stiff competition from younger workers eager to work harder for less.

CALLING ALL MAIN-STREETERS!

The DMBIZSHOW is seeking your story about struggling during the recession. We’re tired of hearing everything is “great” in this country when the reality is so apparently different on Main Street. We want to hear your story.

Are you struggling to find employment?

Drop us an E-mail:

DMBIZSHOW@gmail.com

…..we can’t get you a job, but we can get your story out there.

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