Small Biz Health Care
The health care debate is heating up in Washington. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), the ranking member of the House Small Business Committee, discusses how health care reform could potentially effect small businesses around the country.

What's in a name? Find out this Sunday as we tour the Lexington, Kentucky based business Big Ass Fans. The company was originally founded 10 years ago as High Velocity Low Speed fans, but CEO Carey Smith decided that the name was not doing justice to his line of giant industrial fans. He changed the company name to Big Ass Fans, and the unique re-branding has helped boost sales, attract employees from Fortune 500 Companies, and develop an unusual corporate culture.

Panelists

--Jennifer Hill, Vice President of Astia, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the work of female entrepreneurs

--Craig Leshen, Founder and President of Outsourced Ad Ops, providers of ad operations services to web based businesses

Business War Chest: Effective Employee Reviews

Employee reviews are standard practice in large businesses, but how can smaller enterprises with limited resources evaluate their staffers? Kim Zoller, Founder and President of Image Dynamics, providers of performance-based interactive training for businesses, discusses how small business owners can effectively review their employees.

Elevator Pitch

Aerin Taubin, Founder of Aerin Rose Swimwear, a new line of form-fitting swimwear, is looking for capital to launch the lingerie end of the brand.

The owners of Charleroi, Pennsylvania based Model Cleaners saw business drop off in the fourth quarter of 2008. When they reviewed customer data, the results were surprising. It turns out long-time clients weren't dropping off clothes as often as they used to. Company president John LaCarte and Dry Cleaning General Manager Dan LaCarte decided it was time to reward their repeat customers in hopes of drumming up more business. Clients were treated to coupons and specials to get discounts on their services. The owners have found these customer rewards are a great way to stabilize sales in an uncertain economy.

Panelists

Steven Little, author of "Duck and Recover: The Embattled Business Owners Guide to Survival and Growth"

Barbara Weltman, small business attorney and author  of the e-newsletter "Big Ideas for Small Business"

Dollars & Sense: Leadership Strategies

Robert Kaplan, Professor of Management at Harvard Business School, provides some leadership tips to help you guide your staff through a difficult economy.

Elevator Pitch

Kate Harrison, founder of TheGreenBrideGuide.com, a website dedicated to planning environmentally friendly weddings, is seeking capital to hire a Chief Technical Officer and develop the Green Bride Registry.

UnderstandingMarketing.com is a blog that provides a variety of "do it yourself" marketing and PR tips. You can also check out the latest news on topics such as social networking and search engine optimization. The site also features giveaways and promotions, and links to other helpful sites for small business owners.

1. Industry-specific online directories

2. Cross-promotion

3. Distribute a press release

4. Comment on blogs

5. Speaking engagements

Source: Success Magazine

Small Biz Marketing

In this special edition of "Your Business," we'll take a look at all the ways small business owners can effectively market their companies. Find out the latest trends and strategies straight from marketing experts. Also see how entrepreneurs Paige Davis, Melissa Nathan, and Amy George, co-founders of the reusable bag company Blue Avocado, are using a giant eight foot ball of garbage bags affectionately named Schlumpy to get the word out about their business in Austin, Texas.

Panelists

--Erica Duignan-Minnihan, CEO of Minnihan Consulting, providers of financial advisory services to early stage companies looking to raise equity capital for expansion.

--John Jantsch, creator of the Duct Tape Marketing Blog, and author of "Duct Tape Marketing - The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide"

Dollars & Sense: Creating the Perfect Email

Eric S. Groves, Senior Vice President of Constant Contact, an Email marketing solutions company, provides tips on how to create the perfect emails to market your business.

Elevator Pitch

Emily McHugh, founder of Casauri, designers of stylish laptop bags and travel accessories for women and men. Emily is looking for funding to expand marketing efforts and grow the product line into a full lifestyle brand for contemporary mobile lifestyles.