Technology Helps Small Businesses Grow Anywhere 3 Business Spotlight: Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor 4 Let’s Talk About Word-of-Mouth Advertising 6 AI Use Is Booming Among Small Businesses 7 I NS I DE CONT ENT S Starr’s Primal Meats is a Cut Above BUSINESS solutions FA L L 2 0 2 5 VOLUME 8 • I SSUE 3
This issue gets to the meat of the matter. Businesses must make strategic and informed decisions in order to succeed. It’s a fundamental part of strong leadership. We were inspired by the Business Spotlight on Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor on pages 4 and 5. While this Carlinville store opened in 2013, the Starr family’s meat market history goes back to the Steak & Chop Shop started years ago by Carl and Dawn Starr. Today, this family business benefits from a legacy of quality-driven decisions and customer-focused service. Madison Communications assists by providing fast and reliable fiber internet. Technology Helps Small Businesses Grow Anywhere, as you’ll learn on page 3. By choosing to take advantage of technology such as fiber internet and cloudbased solutions, you can better equip your business to attain its goals. On page 7, we explore why AI Use Is Booming Among Small Businesses and share ideas for potential applications at your workplace. How you decide to treat customers is another fundamental business decision with far-reaching consequences, and this topic is covered in page 6’s Let’s Talk About Word-of-Mouth Advertising. Is your business providing the kind of customer experience that prompts people to recommend you? We hope this Business Solutions magazine encourages you to call Madison Communications at 1-800-422-4848 whenever you have an internet-related question. Should you also find yourself hungry for a big juicy steak, we know Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor can help you out. Sincerely, The Madison Team 2 F A L L 2 0 2 5 Madison Communications www.gomadison.com Main Office: Madison Communications 21668 Double Arch Road Staunton, IL 62088 Mon. – Sat., 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Payment Drop-Off Centers: 118 E State, Hamel, IL 594 Livingston Av, Livingston, IL 315 W Main, Staunton, IL 21668 Double Arch Rd, Staunton, IL Mailing Address: Madison Communications PO Box 29 Staunton, IL 62088 Customer Service: Phone: 1-800-422-4848 Email: infomtc@gomadison.com Fax: 618-635-7213 Publication Contact: Lexy Horton, Marketing and Social Media Specialist Business Solutions is a publication of Madison Communications 21668 Double Arch Road Staunton, IL 62088 Editorial and Circulation Contact: Lexy Horton PO Box 29 Staunton, IL 62088 Extra issues are available to business customer employees on a limited basis while supplies last. Contact: Lexy Horton, PO Box 29, Staunton, IL 62088, 618-635-5000 All brand names and product names used in this publication are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright© 2025 by Madison Communications and Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc. BUSINESS solutions
F A L L 2 0 2 5 3 BUSINESS solutions Technology Helps Small Businesses Grow Anywhere A big city isn’t required to access big solutions Just because a small business is located in a rural area, it doesn’t mean it can’t reach customers and resources from all over the world. Today’s technology—from high-speed internet over fiber to cloud-based solutions—offers the opportunity for the owners of these businesses to enjoy the best of both worlds. They can live and work in the small communities of their choice and still have access to the “big city” communications services required to work efficiently and remain competitive. SCORE, a source of free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs and small businesses, suggests employing these strategies: • Use technology to connect with new markets, collaborators, and customers. Cloud-based communication tools such as VoIP, Hosted PBX, online portals, and social networks help small businesses build stronger relationships and more satisfied customers. They also support the rise of the virtual workforce, allowing employees to work from home (or anywhere with an internet connection). • Capitalize on technology’s scalability and flexibility. A small business that experiences a surge of orders, for example, can use pay-as-you-go cloud services to quickly scale to handle the traffic and prevent the website from crashing. Cloud services can also be easily downscaled when IT requirements change. The use of on-premise software and hardware is becoming less popular due to the availability of cloud-based solutions such as Microsoft Office 365. These solutions offer greater scalability, security, efficiency, and flexibility than their on-premise counterparts. • Store data in the cloud. The cloud is a safer, more secure place to store business data than on-premise servers. It also keeps small business owners and their computer networks from getting bogged down with files. The massive growth of mobile payment is another important technology factor for small businesses to consider. Accepting mobile payments can allow for faster, smoother, and more convenient customer transactions. Plus, with fewer people carrying cash or checks these days, starting to offer mobile payments can help small businesses reach a wider audience and increase sales. All that’s needed is a smartphone, a mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) app and card reader, and a wireless internet connection. Madison Communications provides the broadband technology that small businesses in our rural service areas require. To discuss your specific needs, call us at 1-800-422-4848.
4 F A L L 2 0 2 5 BUSINESS spotlight Although Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor opened in 2013, the Starr family had been working on making this dream a reality many years before then. First, the Steak & Chop Shop “It all started with my parents, Carl and Dawn Starr, when they owned and operated the Steak & Chop Shop in Carlinville on West Main Street. My brothers, Bryan and Nathan, and I have so many great memories of it—smelling the aromas rolling off the smoker, peering through the spotless glass of a full-service meat case and deciding which piece would be dinner that night. There’s something different about picking out your fresh cut of meat and having it wrapped in butcher paper, compared to meat that’s mass produced and factory packed,” Starr said. He added, “Carl, Bryan, Nathan, and I wanted to open another meat market with that same nostalgic hometown feeling where personalization meets quality. I believe the experience at our store today is like the old Steak & Chop Shop. We have a different name and location, but the quality and comradery remain.” What You Need for Memorable Meals Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor is located at 116 South Plum Street, Suite 1, in Carlinville. The store sells USDA Prime 1855 Black Angus Beef for unparalleled flavor, tenderness, and juiciness. Also available is a huge selection of premium pork, poultry, and fresh seafood as well as sauces, marinades, and seasonings. In addition, shoppers can pick up dairy, bread, snacks, and deli items, and lunch is served weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the beverage category, there’s an impressive array of craft beer, liquor, and wine. Starr noted, “We do a good portion of our business through our handy drive-through. People either call in ahead of time and place their order or pull up and order at the window.” Owner Ryan Starr described Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor this way: “It’s a place where you create a bond or even a friendship discussing your favorite cuts, how you cook them, and maybe which recent find is your new favorite liquor, wine, or beer. It’s also a place that isn’t corporate America.” Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor Family, food, and friendships are essential to this success story
F A L L 2 0 2 5 5 BUSINESS solutions It’s All About Family This successful operation is truly a family business, with past and present contributions of many Starr family members coming together to make it work. “Even though Nathan, Bryan, and Mom don’t currently work as store employees or have ownership, their individual roles are what made this a family business. It took all of our ideas to get here and create Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor. Everyone was at a time in their lives with different career opportunities, so Dad and I co-owning and operating the business is just what happened to work out. We continue to cut and smoke meat and do all the other things that running a family business entails,” explained Starr. According to Starr, the family also includes the store family. He said, “We’ve been fortunate to have some of the best employees one could ask for. It takes a wellhearted and friendly individual to work in this fast-paced environment. Dad and I couldn’t do this without everyone’s help.” A Switch to Madison Communications Speaking of help, Starr appreciates the 1 Gig fiber internet fromMadison Communications, which helps Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor operate smoothly and efficiently. “You can’t compare Madison’s service to any other. It’s been flawless. With our previous internet provider, the internet would overload at our busiest time of day, and we weren’t able to run a credit card. We switched to Madison Communications because Kim Harbor and Josh Boente, both Madison employees and great customers at our store, highly recommended the service. We’ve never regretted our decision!” I believe the experience at our store today is like the old Steak & Chop Shop. We have a different name and location, but the quality and comradery remain.” —RYAN STARR, OWNER, STARR’S PRIMAL MEATS & PACKAGE LIQUOR Who’s Minding Your Business? Alex Wood Senior Accountant Alex Wood joined Madison Communications in 2023. Earlier in his career, Wood was an Army officer stationed mainly in Fort Carson, Colorado, working in logistics. He also spent one year as a business teacher at a high school in Mt. Olive, Illinois. Wood said, “I really found my comfort zone working as an accountant. As Senior Accountant at Madison Communications, one of my primary responsibilities—outside of the typical financial reporting—is regulatory filings. Telecommunications is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country and requires filings with government agencies on a routine basis. I help ensure these filings are accurate and on time.” What does he find most rewarding about his job? Wood replied, “I like being a part of a local company that’s vital to the community. Madison Communications is a small business in rural Illinois competing against the telecom giants of AT&T and Verizon, and it’s rewarding to see us persevere.” When not working, Wood enjoys football (especially fantasy football) as well as gaming and going to the movies.
6 F A L L 2 0 2 5 Word-of-mouth advertising is highly valued because of its power to bring in new customers without the expense of paid media. It’s also one of the most credible forms of advertising since people tend to trust recommendations made by their friends and family. Once limited to in-person conversations and phone calls, word-of-mouth advertising now has much broader reach thanks to posts on social media and online product reviews. It’s important to note that word-of-mouth advertising should never be faked or invented. It’s unethical to do this and can create a backlash against the brand that damage its reputation. Businesses can, however, take steps to foster the level of excitement and confidence necessary to get customers to recommend them. What can your business do to help trigger word-of-mouth advertising about your products and services? Provide a customer experience that goes far beyond what’s expected. Just slightly exceeding expectations isn’t enough. You must go the extra mile if you want customers to freely recommend your business to others. Consider these techniques: Create special spaces. Some businesses make themselves unforgettable through distinctive buildings or spaces. One dramatic example is the erupting volcano outside the Mirage in Las Vegas. But this principle can be employed on a simpler scale—such as a very comfortable and well-furnished waiting room at a car repair shop or a restaurant located in a former schoolhouse or factory. Provide memorable experiences. The tossing of fresh fish from one employee to another at Pike Place Market in Seattle is a famous example of a business that offers customers a unique shopping adventure. Other examples include the hotel that passes out freshly baked cookies to guests, the electrician that offers to do a free safety inspection of each customer’s home, or the retail store that follows up major purchases by sending a handwritten thank-you note. Be thoughtful and generous. Businesses with a strong customer-service culture are proactive and look for ways to deliver even more than the customer expects. Perhaps this means staying late to help a customer meet a tight deadline, patiently explaining how to use new technology, offering a toy or snack to a mother with a fussy child, or sending a book or article to a client that you think they’d enjoy reading. While it’s common to over-deliver to new customers, the key to success is to exceed expectations consistently, for all customers, in all areas of interaction, over the long haul. To help generate it, you must greatly exceed expectations Let’s Talk About Word-of-Mouth Advertising
F A L L 2 0 2 5 7 BUSINESS solutions According to the 2024 U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s report, “Empowering Small Business: The Impact of Technology on U.S. Small Business,” generative AI use has nearly doubled to 40%, compared to 23% in 2023. These businesses are mostly using generative AI for marketing tasks and to better understand and communicate with customers. What are some examples? Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Adobe Firefly can help with content creation for all types of marketing and advertising applications —including blog posts, social media, and emails. AI-enabled Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software can help drive sales or identify marketing opportunities based on its learnings from customer behavior and data, such as offering incentives based on order value and frequency. It can also help predict future customer behavior and provide suggestions related to developing trends. Adding a chatbot to a website is another example of AI use. Chatbots can field common requests from customers and free up time for employees to address more complex issues. They also extend customer service hours beyond the usual hours of operation. Is your business currently using any generative AI tools? If not, these benefits may encourage you to start: • Improved efficiency: AI can increase employee productivity by decreasing the time required for rote or recurring tasks. • Reduced costs: AI can help optimize inventory management to minimize costs associated with overstocking and stockouts. • Enhanced customer experience: AI can assist in personalizing content or business offerings to offer more customers a unique engagement with the brand. • Increased growth opportunities: Many AI programs incorporate machine learning algorithms, which can offer an enhanced understanding of customer behavior via pattern recognition that improves over time. This can lead to better sales and revenue growth. • Better decision making: AI can provide and interpret analytics on large volumes of key business data to facilitate better problem solving. It’s important to note that you’re probably already using common technology that’s in some way enabled by AI technology, such as mapping apps, financial management tools, and virus detection. It could be time to go from dipping your toes in the AI water to jumping in! AI Use Is Booming Among Small Businesses Be Aware of Mobile Device Vulnerabilities Many people use personal smartphones and tablets for business purposes. This makes mobile device security a critical concern, since these devices often have access to business networks and sensitive data yet aren’t subject to the same security controls as traditional business systems. Examples of mobile device vulnerabilities include: • Malicious Apps – They can be downloaded from third-party app stores or installed via phishing links, allowing attackers to gain access to sensitive data or to control the device. • Operating System (OS) Vulnerabilities – Mobile operating systems may have vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. • Phishing Attacks – Mobile device users can be tricked into revealing sensitive information or downloading malicious software. • Unsecured Wi-Fi – Mobile devices may connect to unsecured Wi-Fi networks, which can be exploited by attackers to intercept data or to launch attacks on the device or the network to which it’s connected. To mitigate mobile device vulnerabilities, require complex passwords and multifactor authentication, make sure devices are updated regularly, and provide secure channels for accessing business data.
You need fast and reliable internet to run your business efficiently, and you need local support to address challenges promptly. Connect with Madison Communications to get it all. Talk to our local team at 1-800-422-4848. www.gomadison.com FAST CONNECTIONS RELIABLE CONNECTIONS LOCAL CONNECTIONS
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