Small Biz Flash

FEATURE

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday business operations, but many companies are still struggling to create meaningful value from it. In this feature, we explore why the biggest AI opportunity isn't simply doing the same work faster, but changing how work gets done through better workflows, smarter systems, and improved decision-making.

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NEWS ROUNDUP

Construction Leads, Retail Lags in Small Business Confidence
https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/new-nfib-industry-specific-survey-shows-shift-in-small-business-optimism

SBA Eases Concerns for Some Small Business Investors
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnschroyer/2026/05/29/sba-clarifies-and-narrows-its-crackdown-on-small-business-investors/

Small Businesses Pull Back on Hiring Plans
https://www.uschamber.com/economy/small-businesses-cut-back-hiring-plans-as-inflation-concerns-grow

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Show web site:  www.smallbizflash.com 

FEATURE

Most small businesses hold weekly meetings, but many of them fail to drive real progress. In this feature, we explore how to build a simple “weekly operating system” that improves visibility, accountability, and execution. We break down a practical meeting structure, discuss how to identify and solve the right issues, and show how AI can support better preparation, follow-through, and performance tracking.

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NEWS ROUNDUP

AI Excitement Is High, but Daily Use Still Lags
https://www.inc.com/elizabeth-gore/81-of-small-businesses-are-excited-about-ai-so-why-is-adoption-stalling/91326561

IRS Staffing Drops, but Audit Risk Remains
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/irs-audit-red-flags.html

Small Businesses Turn to Embedded Finance Tools
https://www.pymnts.com/smbs/2026/inflation-hits-58-of-small-businesses-and-pushes-embedded-b2b-finance-forward/ 

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Show web site:  www.smallbizflash.com 

FEATURE

Many businesses document their processes but still struggle with inconsistent execution. In this feature, we explain how to close the gap between playbook and performance through clear ownership, meaningful KPIs, and a consistent operating rhythm — and how AI can help monitor metrics, improve follow-through, and strengthen operational discipline.

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NEWS ROUNDUP

Small Businesses Struggle to Claim Tariff Refunds

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/some-small-businesses-tariff-refund-isnt-worth-pain-pursuing-it-2026-03-04/

Lenders Ask Small Businesses About AI Plans

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brandonkochkodin/2026/03/06/no-ai-plan-no-loan-small-business-lenders-force-main-street-to-face-the-future/

NLRB Ruling Could Expand Franchise Liability

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/nlrb-joint-employer-ruling-franchises-2026-03-06/ 

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Show web site:  www.smallbizflash.com 

FEATURE

Most small businesses rely on individual know-how instead of a shared playbook — and it quietly limits their growth. In this episode, we break down the ROI of building a simple, practical playbook for your business.

You’ll learn how standardizing your processes reduces mistakes, shortens training, and helps your team deliver consistent results every time. We’ll also cover the tools that make documenting workflows easier than ever, including how AI can help you capture and refine your systems. Discover how a playbook frees up your time, strengthens your team, and creates a smoother, more scalable operation.

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NEWS ROUNDUP

AI Adoption Surges Among Small Businesses

https://www.monitordaily.com/new-amex-data-small-businesses-accelerate-ai-adoption-and-see-strong-roi/

Owners Expect Stronger 2026 Growth

https://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/content/newsroom/press-releases/2025/11/bofa-report--74--of-small-and-mid-sized-business-owners-expect-r.html

Cyber Attacks Hit Nearly Half of SMBs

https://www.totalassure.com/blog/cyber-attacks-on-small-businesses-statistics-2025

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Show web site:  www.smallbizflash.com 

FEATURE

Most small businesses run on memory, not systems – and it’s costing them more than they realize. In this episode, we’ll discuss how the absence of structure quietly drains time, money, and morale. You’ll learn the early warning signs of disorganization, how to start building repeatable processes, and where AI can play a role in documenting and improving your workflows. Discover why getting organized gives you freedom and  profitability.

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NEWS ROUNDUP

Owners Tight on Cash

https://www.bluevine.com/blog/cash-flow-management-survey

Businesses Are Raising Prices

https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/new-nfib-survey-small-business-optimism-declines-in-september/
https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/10/14/small-businesses-raised-prices-or-plan-to-soon-survey-shows 

Gen X Owners Most Pessimistic Generation

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/20/gen-x-business-owners-main-streets-least-optimistic-age.html 

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Show web site:  www.smallbizflash.com 

FEATURE

AI is no longer experimental – it’s becoming a core tool for small businesses. But most owners are still just scratching the surface. In this episode, you’ll learn how to make AI a true force multiplier for your team. We’ll discuss how AI agents amplify employee productivity, why using the AI inside your existing software is key, and the shift from prompt engineering to context engineering.

Resource mentioned on today’s show:

https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/new-nfib-report-how-small-businesses-incorporate-tech-and-ai-advancements/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

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NEWS ROUNDUP

FinCEN has announced it will destroy Beneficial Ownership Information rule data

https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/nfib-major-win-for-main-street-as-fincen-promises-to-destroy-small-business-beneficial-owner-data-expedite-final-rule/

Health insurance premiums for small businesses are set to climb sharply in 2026

https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/how-much-and-why-premiums-are-going-up-for-small-businesses-in-2026/

Small business owners are sounding more upbeat, even though costs keep pinching

https://www.uschamber.com/economy/small-businesses-remain-upbeat-despite-challenge-of-high-costs 

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Show web site:  www.smallbizflash.com 

FEATURE

Retention.  Morale.  Profitability.  Employee ownership has the power to move all three in the right direction.  By giving employees a vested interest, you create a culture of commitment and shared success.  Discover how this strategy could position your company for growth and stability.

Today’s guest is Marie Davis, Executive Director of the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership (GA CEO):

Marie’s email:  [email protected]

Marie’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariebdavisinatlanta/

GA CEO web page:  https://www.gaceo.org/ 

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NEWS ROUNDUP

Small business sentiment is nudging higher, but owners are still concerned.

https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/new-nfib-survey-small-business-optimism-rises/ 

https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/nfib-jobs-report-july-job-openings-hit-lowest-levels-since-2020/ 

https://www.uschamber.com/sbindex/

Judge hands small businesses major win over debit card swipe fees

https://www.cspdailynews.com/technologyservices/judge-vacates-debit-card-swipe-fee-rule-pending-appeal

Lemonade Stand Freedom Act becomes law in Missouri

https://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2025/07/28/americas_youth_should_be_free_to_innovate_without_barriers_1125077.html

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Show web site:  www.smallbizflash.com 

FEATURE

There are many ways the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impacts small business – most of them positive.  In this episode, we discuss six major changes to the federal tax code.

Resource:

Download SBS’s “10 Ways the New Tax Law Could Reshape Your Business Bottom Line”:  https://sbsaccountants.com/10-ways-the-new-tax-law-could-reshape-your-bottom-line/


Today’s guests:

Jonathan Bill, Owner of SBS Accounting & Advisors
Jonathan’s email:  [email protected]
Jonathan’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbsaccounting/

SBS Accounting & Advisors website:  https://sbsaccountants.com/

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Show web site:  www.smallbizflash.com 

FEATURE

Small business owners, you don’t need to constantly guess how much you owe in taxes and where you’re going to get the money to pay them.  There’s a better approach and we’ll discuss it today.

Resource:

Some of the material discussed today comes from Simple Numbers by Greg Crabtree.

Today’s guest is Jonathan Bill, owner of SBS Accounting & Advisors:

Jonathan’s email:  [email protected]

Jonathan’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbsaccounting/

SBS Accounting & Advisors website:  https://sbsaccountants.com/

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NEWS ROUNDUP

Small business optimism made a modest recovery in May

https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/new-nfib-survey-small-business-optimism-increases-in-may/

The tax bill could substantially affect small business owners

https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Section-by-Section.pdf

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau won’t enforce small business data collection rule

https://www.bankingdive.com/news/cfpb-small-business-data-collection-rule-vought-ncrc-van-tol/746990/ 

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Email me at [email protected].

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Show web site:  www.smallbizflash.com 

FEATURE

Marketing is changing.  Your company is being discovered in ways that were not the case just a few years ago.  Research oftentimes no longer starts on a search engine, but they often end there.  So, figure out where your prospects are and go be with them on those spaces.

Resources mentioned:

SparkToro
https://sparktoro.com/

Today’s guest is Mickey Mellen, of GreenMellen:
Mickey’s email:  [email protected]
Mickey’s LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickmel/
GreenMellen web page:  https://www.greenmellenmedia.com/

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NEWS ROUNDUP

A persistent labor shortage continues to hamper small business growth
https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/nfib-jobs-report-labor-shortages-continue-to-constrain-small-business-job-growth/

Small business owners are growing increasingly pessimistic about the economy
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/09/small-businesses-expect-recession-with-trump-tariffs-poll.html

Tariffs impacts owners’ decision-making to buy or sell businesses in 2025
https://www.bizbuysell.com/insight-report/ 

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Email me at [email protected].

• Please give me feedback on the podcast.

Show web site:  www.smallbizflash.com