Business Podcasts to Inform Your Commute

Radio

Who said video killed the radio star?

(Okay, some band from the late ’70s sang that phrase in a popular song that many associate with the rise of MTV.)

But the point is, radio never died. It is back and bigger than ever, thanks to a growing industry movement: the podcast.

With the ability to instantly stream or download radio programs on any number of topics, podcasting has invigorated audio listeners and broadcasters alike. Your phone most likely holds enough hours of programming to keep you awake for days bingeing everything from true crime (my personal favorite), to news and politics, health and wellness, music, pop culture, literature and business (and a whole lot more).

If you’re new to the podcast landscape, understand that you can access shows from just about any device that has an internet connection. There are plenty of apps to download to manage your podcast subscriptions, which makes it easier to know where you left off and what you’d like to save for the future.

EchoChamber

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce launched the EchoChamber podcast earlier this year, featuring conversations with Indiana leaders in business, education, government and more. New episodes are featured every other Tuesday and you can listen via the web site, www.indianachamber.com/echochamber, or subscribe wherever you get podcasts.

(If you listen, do us a favor and rate and review us on iTunes! It helps more people discover our content.)

Our most recent episode features Blair Milo, former LaPorte mayor (elected at age 28), Navy veteran and the state’s first Secretary of Career Connections and Talent. She discusses the challenge of aligning current workforce efforts and introducing new ones to tackle workforce issues in Indiana. Listen here.

There are other Indiana-focused business podcasts to tune into as well: Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar has been featured on The ROI Podcast from the Kelley School of Business. And Inside INdiana Business recently launched a podcast of its own, focused on its weekly television show.

If you’re looking outside of Indiana-specific business podcasts, Fast Company recently listed 10 popular business podcasts to check out:

  1. “Startup,” Gimlet Media

No podcast better captures the thrills and struggles of launching a company. Created as a remarkably candid docuseries on the birth of podcasting business Gimlet Media, it now traces the surprising stories of other enterprises.

  1. “Planet Money,” NPR

This show – launched in 2008 to help explain the financial crisis – offers fascinating explorations of the intersection between economics and culture.

  1. “Working,” Panoply

Each installment starts with the same question: “What is your name and what do you do?” Guests then reveal details of their jobs, whether they’re a neurosurgeon, a novelist, a pollster, or a clown.

  1. “Above Avalon,” Above Avalon

A giant bite of Apple. Hosted by analyst and technology writer Neil Cybart, this show goes deep into all things Cupertino, with some of the most informed analysis you’re likely to find.

  1. “Brown Ambition,” Brown Ambition

Journalist Mandi Woodruff and personal-finance expert Tiffany Aliche chat about news, relationships, and other topics, but they’re especially incisive when discussing their successes and failures in the business world.

  1. “How I Built This,” NPR

This series explores backstories of various big businesses, from AOL to 1-800-GOT-JUNK. The storytelling is simple and linear, leaving space for gripping personal tales to emerge.

  1. “Eater Upsell,” Vox Media

Editors from culinary site Eater glean insight from chefs and other industry pros, both famous (Anthony Bourdain) and less so (cookbook photographer Evan Sung).

  1. “Exponent,” Exponent

Tech watchers Ben Thompson and James Allworth tackle topics of the moment – fake news on Facebook, Uber’s scandals – and offer broader discourse on where the digital world is headed.

  1. “I Hate My Boss,” Wondery

Former Nike and Oprah Winfrey Network marketing executive Liz Dolan and executive coach Larry Seal offer advice on your stickiest workplace conundrums.

  1. “Loose Threads,” Loose Threads

Focused on innovation and technology in the fashion industry, this podcast digs into notable developments in manufacturing, design, retail, and other areas.

What’s playing on your drive home? Share your favorite podcasts in the comments!

EchoChamber: Behind the Scenes for 20 Years of Award Dinners

EchoChamber

The Indiana Chamber’s 28th Annual Awards Dinner takes place this evening. The EchoChamber team has been around for 20 of the outstanding events – helping tell the stories of award winners through video and print, as well as interacting with a tremendous lineup of keynote presenters. This is your opportunity to hear some thus-far untold anecdotes. Listen now.

EchoChamber is the Indiana Chamber podcast featuring conversations with business, education, political and technology leaders. It’s your opportunity to listen in on your terms.

Visit www.indianachamber.com/echochamber or subscribe at iTunes, GooglePlay or wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate and review us on Apple podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe so you will always be informed about the latest conversation.

And keep an eye on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts for updates from the 28th Annual Awards Dinner tonight.

Misleading Use of Social Media Could Warrant Federal Fines

Thinking of having your employees pose as customers and post positive reviews of your company online? You might want to think again, Shady McSketchball. The Federal Trade Commission now has precedent to drop the proverbial hammer on your business if you’re caught in such acts. The California Chamber’s HR Watchdog blog explains:

The New York Times recently reported that a California-based company settled charges with the (Federal) Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC alleged that the company engaged in deceptive marketing practices by encouraging its employees to post favorable reviews for its clients’ games on iTunes. The employees did not disclose that they were being paid to write favorable reviews.

Late in 2009, the FTC made changes to its Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. The FTC’s guides address endorsements by consumers, experts, organizations and celebrities. The FTC said the revised Guides also add new requirements that mandate that “material connections” between advertisers and endorsers (sometimes payments or free products) must be disclosed because consumers would not expect these connections to exist.

These examples define what constitutes an endorsement when the message is conveyed by bloggers or other “word-of-mouth” marketers. The guides stipulate that the post of a blogger who receives cash or in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement.

Inform your employees that they should not post testimonials or endorsements on social media Web sites about your company or any of its products or services without disclosing their relationship to your company.

Countries to Watch, (Intellectual) Piracy Wise

Did you know there was a Congressional Anti-Piracy Caucus? (I’ll take a chance and guess not). Neither did I.

The caucus has been in place for six years. The primary goal is laudable — protecting intellectual property, particularly for the entertainment and software industries. I just didn’t know it took a caucus of members of Congress to focus on this issue.

Anyway, the group released its watch list of countries to keep a close eye on. The caucus will offer briefings for congressional delegations traveling to these countries.

The five countries range from the expected (China and Russia) to several surprises (Canada, Spain and Mexico). Do you agree or disagree that these countries are threats? Any anecdotes you can share?