Cover Story
Suckers!The fact: more than a million people bought rocks as pets. The lesson: you can sell anything to anybody.
Features
When The Party's Over . . .You've built your business on millennium madness. Good for you! But what happens when the ball drops over Times Square? Don't let your business become last century's news.
Betting On SuccessBlack entertainment television founder Bob Johnson commands a billion-dollar empire built on one simple rule: choose a niche and serve it any way you can.
Chain ReactionOpen a store . . . open a store . . .and so on . . . and so on . . . and so on . . .
Around The World In 15 WaysAttention, road warriors! Tips to tackle your next overseas trip
Columns
Business BuzzStrike It Niche!Get the jump on these up-and-coming trends.
GlobalAn Old Favorite2,300 years after its culture dominated the world, Greece is still very open for business.
PulseAliens Abducted My EmployeesEntrepreneurial nightmares you have to see to believe
Travel SmartsMiles PlusBalance popular with practical and you'll get the best reward
WomenR-E-S-P-E-C-TYou can't change the sexist attitudes you find in the global marketplace, but you can take advantage of them.
FYI
Beating The OddsSky's The LimitEver thought of starting your own airline? Now that's an entrepreneur.
Bulletin BoardNorth CarolinaA directory of Tarheel State recyclers
Trade ShowsTrade ShowsMark your calendar.
Management
Capitol IssuesIn The Clear?A bill to ease National Labor Relations Board action against small business is up for a fourth time. Will it pass?
Cutting EdgeIn The BHAGPlan to stay small forever? We didn't think so. One way to shoot for the big leagues is to think big--Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals, that is.
Family BusinessRuling RouletteAre you gambling with the future of your company? Why staff rotation is risky business
InsuranceKnock, KnockShould the IRS come calling, your welcome mat had better read `insured.'
LegalTime For Change?Runaway lawsuits provoke lawmakers to push for reform. Here's how their proposals will affect you.
Management SmartsHuman ResourcesBuild a better company through better employees.
Staff SmartsTake A Load Off!Overwhelmed by heavy HR duties? Try leaving inner-office issues to outside experts.
Your BusinessNew DirectionsHow you implement a change is as important as the change itself.
Marketing
Advertising WorkshopAlakazam!Work magic with a testimonial headline.
Fast PitchSpeak Up!Done correctly, seminars can increase your company's visibility--and even ring up sales.
Marketing SmartsBetween The LinesReading your customer's next move is easier than you think.
Sales SuccessSmile and Dial. . . but watch out for phrases that put a glitch in your across-the-wire sales pitch.
Money
FundsBonds Have More FunThink munis aren't all that exciting? This one may change your mind.
Money SmartsOpening DoorsA new SBIC targets Latino entrepreneurs.
Raising MoneyReady Or Not?Before you start shaking the trees for investors, make sure you're prepared to catch them.
Tax TalkThe PayoffCan giving more to yourself or your employees mean giving less to Uncle Sam?
Opportunity Spotlight
Franchise NewsTrue ColorsFamily-run Maaco offers franchisees a proven sales system and a tag line customers will never forget.
Opportunity ArticleSurvival Of The BiggestIn the war against category killers, franchises provide entrepreneurs with secret weapons: a big company brand and the specialized service of an independent.
Watch Your Mouth!If you don't want to lose the rights to your idea, don't talk about it--without a nondisclosure agreement, that is.
You'd Better Shop AroundBuying an existing business? Smart idea. But before you sign on the dotted line, make sure the business is all it's cracked up to be.
Extra CreditEarn while you learn--and leave college with a flourishing business.
More Than MoneyCash-poor friends may still have a lot to contribute.
Partners in PizzaProgram pairs investors with enthusiastic franchisees.
Read The Fine PrintBuying a franchise isn't that scary--and this book tells you why.
Exact ChangeA business opportunity you see everyday
Opportunity InsiderLocal HeroesRental franchise believes charity begins in the community.
What's Your Problem?The Write IdeaHelp! I need a business plan.
Tech
BytesTake Control. . . before too much technology sends you and your business over the edge.
ConnectionsNonstop NumbersAuto-dialing is now within your reach.
Net ProfitsHot On The TrailMore and more online retailers are using a variety of tools to help them track their customers. Here's how you can, too.
Tech SmartsGet It TogetherAll the Web you need, uncluttered and fit to you
ToolsNo Plug. . .And PlayState-of-the-art tech tools
Web SmartsIn Search Of. . .Save time and effort with a better search engine.