Entrepreneur Magazine: April 1998

Better Off Dead?
Eight ways to spot a product line that's doomed.

Look Before You Leap
In What Were They Thinking? Lessons I've Learned From Over 80,000 New Product Innovations and Idiocies, product development consultant Robert McMath reveals why some products succeed while others fail miserably.

Lend Me Your Ears
Take heed: If you're oblivious to your customers' needs, your sales pitch could fall on deaf ears.

Making Your Move
Relocating your business means more than packing boxes. Make sure you're ready long before moving day.



Business Buzz
Baby Steps
"Dancing Baby" cuts quite a rug.

Entrepreneurial Woman
Recipe For Success
Cheesecake maven gives destitute women a second chance.

Global Smarts
Chain Reaction
Do you have what it takes to run a string of stores overseas...in Siberia?

Pulse
Turning Point
The case against British au pair Louise Woodward raised concerns about our nation's child-care services. Can small business calm the storm?

Travel Smarts
Table For One?
If you hate dining solo, you're not alone.

Up and Coming
Revenge Of The Nerds
Yesterday's computer geeks stake a claim in cyberspace. Guess who's cool now?

Bright Ideas
Winner's Circle
Your chances of hitting the venture capital jackpot could depend on who you know.

Bulletin Board
Program Offers Free Energy Audits
Illinois.

Trade Shows
Trade Shows
Mark your calendar.

Whats Hot
Back To Basics
Vitamin C face cream? Coconut oil soap? A growing number of entrepreneurs are cleaning up by going au naturel.

Cutting Edge
Dress Rehearsal
In the land of simulation, you can test sales strategies, plot market development and more -- without a bit of risk.

Family Business
Ties That Bind
Employment contracts could save your business...and your relationships.

Legal
Bragging Rights
Think your product is better than your competitors'? Be sure you can back it up.

Management Smarts
Honor Roll
Giving rewards to prize employees.

Staff Smarts
Exercise Your Options
Offering stock options could help you nab the most desirable employees.

Advertising Workshop
`Hi' Hopes
Does your brochure get prospective customers to buy...or say bye-bye?

Guerrilla Marketing
Tech Advantage
Don't know your modem from your monitor? Get tech-savvy -- or watch your marketing efforts suffer.

Marketing Smarts
Design Of The Times
Greeting cards reflect the changing face of America.

Sales Success
What's The Problem?
Next time a customer cancels an order, find out what you did wrong -- and fix it!

Tips and Tactics
Satisfaction Guaranteed!
Take this hackneyed phrase and make it mean something in your business.

Fund Smarts
Electric Avenue
Do utility funds turn you off? This one could brighten up your portfolio.

Money Smarts
College Material
On a mission for tuition.

Personal Finance
Packing A Punch
When you want an investment that has some punch in today's uncertain market, a municipal fund may be a good contender.

Raising Money
An Offer You Can't Refuse
If you're looking to raise $1 million or less, an exempt stock offering can help you avoid the hassles of formal IPO registration and get you the money you need.

Stock Smarts
Life Of The Party?
This company may seem ho-hum to everyone - except its investors.

Tax Talk
Up For Review
Is your accountant helping your business---or upping your tax bill? Take a close look.

Opportunity Insider
Spin Cycle
Yesterday's music funds today's schools.

Start-Up Spotlight
Market Watch
Do you know who your customers are?

Business Bytes
Chips Ahoy!
Alternative chip makers are sailing into the mainstream PC market -- bringing more choices for computer buyers.

Business Software
Get It Together
Using computer power to organize your life.

Buyer's Guide
Image Counts
Scanners are an integral part of today's office. Here's how to get the most for your money.

Tech Smarts
Sight For Sore Eyes
Could adjusting your monitor reduce eye strain?

Tools
Roll With It
State-of-the-art tech tools.

Web Smarts
Junk It
You're not the only one who hates spam.