May 1-2, 2010 – Some More Lessons in Entrepreneurship Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Some News Updates

I begin the program by commenting on some of this week’s news headlines.

After holding four votes in three days, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) was finally able to force the 1,600 page financial “reform” bill onto the floor of the U.S. Senate. Republicans reluctantly allowed the bill to move forward after receiving assurances from Democrats that the $50 billion permanent bailout fund would be removed. The fact is, this is still a problematic bill, which fails to address Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s roles in causing the housing crisis and recent recession. These government sponsored entities gave hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to leading Democrats, including Chris Dodd, John Kerry, and Barack Obama before the financial crisis. These same Democrats blocked a serious effort to reform Fannie and Freddie back in 2005. Now Democrats refuse to launch a proper investigation into the sub-prime mortgage fiasco that has caused (and continues to cause) so much economic pain. Instead, Democrat law makers are trying to use the SEC’s partisan prosecution against Goldman Sachs to rally the American people against Wall Street. In so doing, they are attempting to deflect attention away from their own major roles in creating the crisis.

I also comment on Arizona’s new immigration law. I am a big supporter of legal immigration to this country, but I also strongly oppose illegal immigration. The new Arizona law has received a lot of scrutiny from both the political left and right. This law requires state law enforcement personnel to check the residency status of individuals while enforcing other laws. The left calls this bill “racist,” and those who support it “Nazis.” But the left likes to call everyone who disagrees with their policies “Nazis,” so this reaction is not unexpected even though it is entirely incorrect. Proponents argue that this bill simply affirms federal law on the state level. 64% of Arizona citizens are in favor of this bill, and Republican Governor Jane Brewer’s approval rating jumped 16% after she signed it into law.

By the way, using the label “Nazi” casually is a huge insult to the memory of those who were murdered and brutalized by REAL Nazis a half century ago. It is time for left-wing people to stop their unjust and casual use of this word that defines evil itself.

Whether it’s our healthcare, our national security, our economy, or even our national borders, the liberals in Washington are intent on advancing destructive policies that will leave us weaker, poorer, and less safe as individuals and as a nation. We must continue to oppose their socialist agenda. Our Liberty depends on it.

Lessons in Entrepreneurship

Two terrific guests also join me in the studio this weekend with insights on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, successful in business, and successful in life.

Alan Veeck, one of my business partners and a frequent guest on this program, discusses another important question that all aspiring entrepreneurs must ask themselves, “is the market for my product big enough?” Successful entrepreneurs are able to accurately assess just how innovative and disruptive their product really is, and are also realistic about the fact that potential market share is probably smaller than they think. Business owners can increase their market share by implementing quality customer service, which helps to establish and maintain a loyal customer base. A road map for success in business includes the ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities to help potential clients with a variety of problems.

I also interview Jim Gaffney, a Principal at Peak Performance Management and a new sponsor of The Glen Meakem Program. Jim offers hands-on sales training that teaches entrepreneurs and business owners how to make their products more attractive to their clients. The team at Peak Performance strives to impart the tools necessary for individuals to improve their economic viability and be more successful. If you would like information on Jim’s seminars, give him a call at 412-928-0314, or visit Peak Performance on the web at www.superiorselling.com. Scholarships are available to former military personnel.

Have a great week.

Glen Meakem is a successful technology entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and conservative talk radio show host, who offers information and insights on how individuals and our nation can be more successful. Glen’s unique perspective has been shaped by his experiences as founder, chairman and CEO of the B2B internet success Freemarkets Inc – which he founded in 1995, took public in 1999, and sold to Ariba in 2004. In 2005, Glen co-founded Meakem Becker Venture Capital, a firm that invests in early stage start up companies. Concerned about the liberal political agenda that has gripped the United States and his home state of Pennsylvania, Glen launched the Glen Meakem Program in 2008. Glen served as an officer in the United States Army Reserve and is a veteran of the First Gulf War. He also earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard and his MBA from Harvard Business School. For more information about Glen and the Glen Meakem Radio Program, or to read his blog, please visit http://glenmeakem.com.

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