It was a little over a year ago when I first had the crazy idea of starting a business show, with news and information that matters for small business. Now, a year and the 10th episode later, we are still around with a few major changes on the latest show.

The first to the 9th episode – pick one before you watch the latest – were fun and exciting but required less time to do. It wasn’t till the guys from Missing Link, the sole sponsors of the show, thought it can be done better that we re-conceptualized.  It has now become a better, more informative show.

On to Episode 10

In this show we chat to the young and extremely progressive Tshepo Mashigo founder of MASHOnline, one of the fastest growing online business and lifestyle magazines. He shares how their business model is constantly developed along with some lessons from their first 2 months.

We took a drive to the Supercar Club and met with Riaaz Jeena, the co-founder and seasoned entrepreneur. He enlightened us about how they are building a community and continually developing their business model to suit clients. Talking to him with a Lamborghini behind us felt a bit like being at James Bond’s garage.

In the news

The recently launched Crowdfund, an angel fund started web entrepreneurs to fund web startups, features in the news. To-date they have received pledges up to the value of R 1 257 000.

Here’s the show below, take a look at what we’ve done and leave us your comments.

I have been tinkering with the idea of becoming a brand ambassador for some brands that represent innovative thinking. Since no ads are featured on this blog, it seemed something more worthwhile doing. It is also a way for us to talk about things worth doing, which I’d like you to share.

That way we find new activities, share the lessons and get talking about entrepreneurial companies that outdo themselves.

Speaking of companies that give rockstar service. This past Saturday, for the first time, I went to Kai Thai with some friends. And boy did they surpass my expectations. They did all the great things you expect of a restaurant, but never get. That alone did it for us.

One of their treatments is the fish spa, where you submerge your feet into a fish tank and Garra fish – little dermatologists – nible away at them. Their manager offered us an additional 5 minutes on the 15 minute treatment.

While preparing to dip into the cold water – long after 9pm – she added an additional 15 minutes as a promotional offer. Contrary to my skepticism, the treatment was worth more than the price. And the added time wasn’t required, also not used.

As an entrepreneur it proved that giving that much extra, makes you worth talking about. Small businesses can use that to their advantage and customize their service offering according to what your client needs.

The 100 list

I rarely encounter phenomenal service, but never get to talk about it here when it happens.

Being a Brand Ambassador on the other hand is an option that could applaud great service, encourage even more of it and hopefully rid us of the unacceptable. That’s the hope.

There are brands and adventures I would like to start with on the 100 list. But that in a subsequent post.

Where were you offered outstanding service? How do you improve client experience, what can be passed on?

Photo by: karlteskey on Flickr

The Long Tail by Chris Anderson, a book that delves into niches and what makes them, is an interesting read. I still haven’t finished yet. This post isn’t about my opinion on the book, but something it inspired.

Starting at 10pm till 1am in 2001, I would listen to a rock show on 5FM by Barney Simon. He played both local small bands and some criticized international artists. The ‘Night Zoo’, as the show was called, was only the place you could hear Marilyn Manson during the same week he released an album.

With the world calmly snoring away, on weekdays from Monday to Thursday, Barney was building a community, a niche and a following.

Create a community, not just numbers

Chris Anderson writes about how the internet creates small audiences that become even smaller but create markets in themselves. These smaller niches within others, he refers to as “The Long Tail”. In a nutshell! What caught my attention is how Barney built his following among bands and fans through content, not hits.

Knowing your audience and becoming a sought-after name creates a niche for you, where there wasn’t one before. To keep people awake, especially after 10pm and grow your listenership, this had to be an exceptional show. And it was!

It was content that kept me going back week after week after week, till Barney left the station in 2002.

As the conversation develops around your idea, your name grows an even larger following. Communities take ownership of your cause and take it upon themselves to spread it.

Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as you please. – Mark Twain

Barney knew the rules of radio, had applied them for 20 years and broke almost every single one.

Trying to appeal to a large audience, among other things, chokes the essence of your message.  Barney knew what his audience required and never played pop as part of his show. In fact, he was one of the few radio personalities who candidly criticized pop music.

It’s not a popularity contest but the ability to find a balance between making profits (selling ads on radio) and maintaining influence as a credible source.

What do you think causes ideas to ripple in time and gets people talking?

Photo by Amped Photography on Flickr