6 Podcasts for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

Headphones 2We’re going to switch it up a bit today and explore a topic we think is simultaneously fun and informative. We know that you’ve probably heard of podcasts. The question is, which ones are you listening to? These podcasts are a few among many that we want to recommend for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Let’s start with the short list.

  1. The Business of Story

Learn about the power of story and how you can use it to connect with your customers. The shows, hosted by Park Howell, include guests who are leading storytellers across industries. Each episode also has at least one actionable tip to make your content stronger.

Click to visit The Business of Story podcast.

  1. Restaurant Unstoppable

Independent restaurant owners can find motivation on how to run a restaurant, which we all know if no easy feat, but if you scale the mountain, well worth it. Hosted by Eric Cacciatore (yes, like the chicken as the website states), listen to restaurant owners who have been through the trenches and come out alive, and profitable, on the other side.

Click here to visit the Restaurant Unstoppable podcast.

  1. Entrepreneur on Fire

Entrepreneur On Fire is one of the hottest podcasts streaming right now. It was also recognized as the Best of iTunes in 2013. Its strength lies in the fact that it hosts a guest each and every day, seven days a week, a successful entrepreneur.

Click here to visit the Entrepreneur on Fire podcast.

  1. The B Cast

Hosted by Jonathan Michael and Peter Thorsson, learn what’s trending in marketing, sales and entrepreneurship, and tips for running your business. Get the education without the cost of an MBA to learn how to grow your business.

Click here to visit The B Cast podcast.

  1. Small Business Advocate Radio

Small Business Advocate Radio has aired for more than two decades, since 1997,  and runs everyday. Host Jim Blasingame interviews experts and thought leaders in small business and offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs today.

Click here to visit the Small Business Advocate Radio podcast.

  1. Startup

Summary: Startup approaches starting from a business from a real point of view. The podcast began as a day-in-the-life of entrepreneur Alex Bloomberg as he started Gimlet Media. Now the podcast shares information about the stories of different entrepreneurs as they build their businesses. Startup is unique in its ability to follow a business owner from just the idea to its inception.

Click here to visit the Startup podcast.

These are only six, but you can find even more here. What are your favorite podcasts at the moment? If you don’t have one, we hope one of these can be the start.

 

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TLS 1.2 Security Updates for pcAmerica’s Cash Register Express/Restaurant Pro Express **URGENT UPDATE**

 

** URGENT UPDATE**

COCARD has been notified that pcAmerica’s Cash Register Express/Restaurant Pro Express customers must upgrade to version 12.8033 as soon as possible. If your point of sale is not on version 12.8033 or higher, please contact your COCARD representative to avoid any payment processing interruptions.

What is TLS?

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a protocol that provides privacy and data integrity between two communicating applications. It’s the most widely deployed security protocol used today, and is used for Web browsers and other applications that require data to be securely exchanged over a network. Several payment processors, including First Data/TSYS, are phasing out TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 by the end of February 2018 with only TLS 1.2 being supported. All PC America users processing with First Data / TSYS who do not have the updated version of PC America’s Cash Register Express 12.8033 will no longer be able to process credit cards through their point of sale system as of 2/28/2018. To ensure your system is compatible with this change, you must be using the latest version of Cash Register Express.

How will this affect you?

No action needed at this time if your POS

  • Has PCA version 12.8033 or Higher

 

Immediate Action Required if

 

  • PCA version below 12.8033
  • No current support contract through PCA
    *Failure to act will cause you to no longer be able to process credit cards through your point of sale system. *

 

To check your version of Cash Register Express follow these steps:

  1. Open Cash Register Express
  2. At the login screen select File ⇒ About
  3. Check your CRE Software and Database Version

 

PC America Screen Shot
 Upgrade Your CRE/RPE Software to Version 12.8033 by calling 1-800-317-1819 Ext. 4360 or email support@cocard.info.

 

Please use the contact form provided below and one of our support team will give you a call ASAP!

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Mr. Chip the Credit Card

How Do You Show Your Customers That You Appreciate Them?

Anthropomorphic cartoon EMV card smiling

 

It’s a new year, and if you’re still going strong as a business, there’s one reason why—and that reason is your customers.

Have you taken a moment to simply say thanks?

There are many ways that you can show your appreciation to the people and businesses who help keep your doors open.

Here are three ways that you can show gratitude to your clients:

  1. Introduce a loyalty program. From e-commerce to restaurants to department stores, loyalty programs inspire brand loyalty by offering perks for those who are a part of the program. So, if you are a restaurant, why not offer a free dessert or discounted meal on a patron’s birthday?
  2. Share a book or an industry-specific memento. Sharing a book offers two benefits. It shows your customers that you are making an effort to grow and build on your industry know-how. Second, your client will be able to learn more about you as a company, and have an interesting reason to start up a conversation next time he or she says hello.
  3. Feature customers on your website. Take the opportunity to tell a story about how your client used your product or service and benefited from it. Having someone say something great about you is much more beneficial than saying something positive about yourself. So, use the resources you already have to drum up positive press, and your customers will be glad to gain free exposure for their work as well.

These are just a few ideas. You might already have some customer appreciation hacks of your own. What others would you add to the list?

 

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It’s time to offer an IPAD POS Solution to your restaurant clients

Our team has found that selling a merchant what they want instead of trying to sell them what you offer is the easiest sale.  With dozens of years of experience in the point of sale business, we see smiles on the faces of our clients when we talk about our IPAD POS Solution.   The cashiers are comfortable with it, the form factor is customizable, and the cloud component is expected.

Would you like to offer Ipad POS Solutions to your merchants?

You can’t beat the affordability and ease of use, give me a call for more details!

Ryan Christman

National Sales Manager

ryan@cocard.info
http://www.cocard.info

Toll Free: 800.317.1819
ATL: 404.499.9944 ext. 4360
Fax: 678.578.4380

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