Language of Business (TV program)

The Language of Business (LOB) is an independently produced newsmagazine television program, which mixes in-studio and on-locations interviews with entrepreneurs, and is broadcast weekly on WBIN-TV in Derry, New Hampshire. The show debuted on April 2, 2013 on The Needham Channel, in Needham, Massachusetts. It started with an educational mission, evolving from trying to support entrepreneurs working together with MBA students, in bringing their business creations to life,^[1] and originated from a Boston College course combining law and business.^[2] Three years later it has remained true to those same roots. Every episode deals with a separate theme, where entrepreneurs are interviewed for 5–8 minutes at a time. Recent topics have included Branding for Success, the increasing popularity of the Made in the USA label, Global Commerce with a Local Touch, Decoding the Alphabet of Finance and the Business of Sports. The WBIN-TV debut occurred on June 5, 2016. On September 17, 2016 WBIN-TV began airing a second, and different episode, of the show each week on Saturdays. In early April 2017, WBIN-TV began airing a third episode each week on Fridays. Production for season #2 begins in mid-August, 2017.

After debuting on The Needham Channel, The Language of Business began distribution without any advertising through PEG Media, which is a "a media transfer site for PEG (Public, Education, Government) community television stations and producers of media" for member stations.^[3] On PEG, the program has received over 1,200 downloads and has been aired on over 90 public access stations in 24 states.

The program has two co-creators and social media assistance is provided by Jennifer Powell. There are currently 15 people in total helping to produce the show, 95% of whom are volunteers, in the areas of production, social media and legal.

Background

The show's goal is to address the challenges and questions that entrepreneurs face and provide insights that can help them grow their businesses. It gives entrepreneurs a stronger voice, globally, nationally and in their local communities. The Language of Business is a resource for entrepreneurs and others interested in local business growth. There is a lot of innovation in the area and this is an opportunity to highlight the great work that’s being done. According to Executive Producer Don Kelley, "Whether through luck, gut instinct, or maybe a bit of both, entrepreneurial forums or articles in the popular press tend to mirror the very topics we're covering each month on the show.^[4]"

Extensions

The Language of Business also includes a web site^[5] with footage, business resources, and entrepreneurial advice. Many of the topics are also discussed via local^[6] and national^[7] radio interviews, and Op Eds on different entrepreneurship related business topics (often written by co-founder and host) such as business acumen,^[8] teamwork,^[9] and global ethics.^[10] The show and its web site generates a lot of press through expert commentary,^[11] analysis,^[12] and references.^[13] The program uses closed captioning, and international guests often mention their appearances by featuring a transcript.^[14] Domestic guests widely report appearances, too,^[15] as do the TV stations broadcasting them.^[16]

Format

Episodes 1–6 featured three entrepreneurs through successive ten minute interviews. Topics covered different elements of a business plan. After completing focus groups, the format in episodes 7–15 changed to include four entrepreneurs at roughly 7 1/2 minutes apiece. The show also began using Skype in episode 5 (International Sales^[17]) to feature international guests and then in episode 8 (Investing and Cash Flow^[18]) began filming in high definition on location. The show has continued featuring four guests per episode, running either 30-minutes without commercials on public access stations or to a shortened 22-minute format on commercial TV. To date, the team has produced 25 episodes, completed 96 interviews and filmed 36 on location shoots.

Content approach

The Language of Business provides original local content with subject matter that is demographic-friendly and attract a group of viewers most TV stations, either public access or commercial, don't usually attract: Entrepreneurs.^[19] But unlike Shark Tank, the show doesn't talk with people having a crazy pie-in-the-sky invention; it's meant to focus on real people in all walks of life who have successfully created businesses. The Kauffman Foundation commented on this same trend in 2015.^[20] In this regard, both of the show's co-creators either currently runs a business, or has a multi-year tenure in C-level positions.^[21]

Registration

The Language of Business became a registered, standard character mark on April 7, 2015.^[22] Registrant was Gregory Stoller, Attorney of Record was Aaron Silverstein.

External Mentions

The Street published a press release created by the show’s producers on the broadcast of the 20th episode, on June 23, 2015. Founderswire, an independent news organization with documented editorial guidelines, ran its own article about the show on August 17, 2016.^[23] Radio Entrepreneurs, an independent private organization (whose mission statement is on the home page), and which simulcasts the audio for the TV show, ran an independent article on September 1, 2016.^[24] The show is regularly listed in channel guides such as Verizon. The Language of Business was referenced in the introduction of chapter 5, part 1, and again in chapter 14, of Harold and Nan Klein's Bible of Business series, a video compilation on entrepreneurship, composed of 35 six-to-seven-minute-long "modules".^[25] The show was additionally referenced in November 4, 2013 magazine at the Université d'Angers ^{[26] [27]}, an article on the Portsmouth NH.com website ^[28], the headline grabbers section of the Spring 2016 Everett Magazine from Boston University ^[29], on the Agency Sparks web site in March/2017, and in the Riparian, of the Rivers School, on page #35 of the Spring 2017 issue ^[30].

References