Shop Talk Podcast #9 - Francis Ten of West Indian Girl on Today's Music Business

For the latest edition of the podcast, we're talking the business of music. It's changed dramatically since the boom days of the late 1990's, when Napster hadn't yet been born and CD sales were at their peak. Now, music is easier to download free than to purchase.

In spite of these obstacles, the music world is more open to new voices than it's ever been. Making a living, though, has gotten harder.

Francis Ten is the bassist for West Indian Girl and also manages the group's business operations. West Indian Girl is based in Los Angeles and its latest album 4th and Wall was released in late 2007.

In a wide-ranging, fun (and funny) discussion, we talk about "revenue streams," MySpace, and why music is different from t-shirts.
And check out Fran's very personal and human response to the question of acquiring music free via filesharing rather than purchasing it. (Some similarly nuanced sentiments can be found in this post from consumer-electronics columnist and author David Pogue.)

The podcast is here (right-click to download).

(Intro and Outro music: "Up the Coast," from West Indian Girl's latest album 4th and Wall.)

Shop Talk Podcast #8b - Another mistake story from Ford Harding

Ford Harding, author of "Rain Making," who was interviewed in Shop Talk Podcast #7, was kind enough to share a mistake story for inclusion in The Mistake Bank.

Actually, he shared two. (The first is here.)

In the second, he tells us of the profound teachings he received from a prospect who simply wouldn't call him back (right-click to download).

Tags:
podcast, sales, public relations, press relations, business development, narrative, storytelling

Shop Talk Podcast #8a - A mistake story from Ford Harding

Ford Harding, author of "Rain Making," who was interviewed in Shop Talk Podcast #7, was kind enough to share a mistake story for inclusion in The Mistake Bank.

Actually, he shared two. In the first, he relates a story that taught him there can be pitfalls in sharing the good side and bad side of things with a reporter (right-click to download).

Tags:
sales, public relations, press relations, business development, narrative, storytelling

Shop Talk Podcast #7 - Ford Harding on Rain-making

rain-mak-er n. a person (as a partner in a law firm) who brings in new business.

On this edition, we talk to Ford Harding, author of "Rain Making: Attract New Clients No Matter What Your Field." Ford's book presents very practical and complete advice on selling professional services. He is president of Harding & Co., a consulting firm that helps companies improve their selling performance.

Among Ford's observations in the podcast is that most professional services people are hired for their native intellgence, critical thinking skills, etc., and not for their sales competence. Which results in an often painful transition when these folks are asked to start selling.

It was a fun chat. I hope you enjoy it. Click here to download.

Tags:
sales, business development, professional services, rainmaking

Mistake Bank story - boss with one employee, bad for the employee

When I got overloaded at one job and was allowed to hire an assistant, I thought my troubles were over. But I had just pushed them onto my new hire, and they came back to me pretty soon. Click here to download.

management, leadership, tasking, organizational behavior, Mistake Bank

Shop Talk Podcast #6 - Todd Mittleman on Honda's Fuel Cell car

On this edition of the Shop Talk Podcast, I talk once again with Todd Mittleman, Director of Environmental & Safety Public Relations for Honda, this time about the Clarity FCX, Honda's fuel cell car for the mass market, to be launched sometime in the summer of 2008. (You can find our first interview here.)

If you've ever wondered what on earth a fuel-cell is and how it can power a car, and how you can drive in Southern California's carpool lanes with no one else in your car, you'll want to listen.

Please right-click and save here to download the podcast.

automobiles, environment, technology, fuel cell, green technology, podcast, corporate social responsibility

Shop Talk Podcast #5 - Todd Mittleman of Honda on Green Automobiles (CORRECTED)

(NOTE: A previous version of this post pointed to a podcast file with a large gap in the middle. The correct podcast file is referenced herein.)

On this edition of the Shop Talk Podcast, I talk to Todd Mittleman, Director of Environmental & Safety Public Relations for Honda, about environmentally-friendly vehicles.

I confess that all the "green" options make me a bit dizzy--hybrid, E85, fuel cell, all-electric, clean diesel. Todd helps put the various environmental considerations--fuel efficiency, emissions, carbon footprint--into context for us. And, of course, he talks about the cars Honda has now and in the future for the environmentally-conscious driver. It's a very interesting conversation.

Please right-click and save here to download the podcast.

automobiles, environment, technology, green technology, podcast, corporate social responsibility