Cover Story
Quick Guide To InsurancePick your agent. Pick your insurance. Pick the business disaster you're most afraid of and insure against it.
Features
Stop-Gap MeasuresIs bringing two age groups together under one business roof brewing success or inviting each other to a nightmare? Meet two sets of entrepreneurs who made their differences work—and one who couldn't span the generation gap.
Not WiredFlash: The Internet is
not the final frontier for way-of-life-changing industries. Such opportunities seem to be opening up every time you turn around. Next up: wireless services.
It’s My PartyAnd you may be crying if you stick with it come Election Day. Entrepreneurial concerns don't necessarily fall along Democrat/Republican lines, so know which candidate is best for your business.
Use Your HeadIt's not enough just to sell anymore. Now every potential client is looking for a few creative ideas to go with your sales pitch.
Columns
Bright IdeasMake 'Em TalkJump-start sales the simple waywith endorsements.
Get Exports MovingThe SBA offers international trade tips.
Wanna Make Millions?This contest makes it possible
Help For NewcomersIdeas for developing a prototype
GlobalTouchy-FeelyIt's sometimes the little things that are crucial in international business.
PulseThe End of Entrepreneurship as We Know It?Yeah, dotcoms have made the venture capital market volatile; sure, corporate employees are offered entrepreneur-esque development opportunities; but if I recall, we got into this game to take the risk and own our own businesses!
What Gives?Apparently not the SBA when it came to the Small Disadvantaged Business certification program.
Hot Food: Techie Take OutAll work and no food spawns a new line of easy edibles.
Virtual EstateWhat are domain names going for these days?
Close Up: Space InvestorFind out one successful entrepreneur's plans for his future in space.
Watt's Up!: The Power of TouchThe cost is nothing. The potential is limitless. Welcome to the future of a "touch" economy.
Beat SceneEqual parts underground icon and mainstream phenomenon, today's deejay has the best of both worlds.
TravelWeb EscapesWhere to click after you've booked your trip
Road NotesDeals from Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Expedia.com and Hilton HHonors
Business & PleasureDoing business in Washington, DC
WheelsRest InsuredKeeping the brakes on car insurance costs
Don't Just Kick the TiresUse these tips to avoid buying one of the worst cars of the century.
Keeping TrackDon't look for your package in the lost property office.
WomenMoney MasterHelping women overcome their Achilles' heel
In For the CountSharing the wealth is what it's all about.
FYI
Beating The OddsLumbering To SuccessSomeone said, "Try and try again." Tom Sullivan did and ended a string of soured businesses by selling old lumber, proving that you can make a successful business out of almost anything.
Bulletin BoardNationwideCredit card company creates entrepreneur-friendly program.
GeorgiaBusiness-plan contest targets Peach State entrepreneurs.
IllinoisFree legal help available
CaliforniaCenter answers intellectual property questions.
Hot SeatHe's Giving It Away!Think philanthropy is a dotcom
don't? Anthony Parks would like a word with you.
Trade ShowsTrade ShowsMark your calendars.
Management
Capitol IssuesAn Ergonomic WarOSHA and the GOP clash over a new rule
Cutting EdgeMore Than A FlingIf you're courting your customers just for that initial sale, you're missing out on the long-term advantages of CRM.
Family BusinessGag OrderIf the family business is seeping its way into every off-hours conversation, it's time to draw the line on shop talk.
InsuranceOldie But A GoodyThough it may sound antiquated, boiler and machinery insurance is a modern necessity.
LegalRA-A-A-ID!Creepy competitors raiding your work force? The law can be the perfect bug spray.
Management SmartsA Reason to StayIncentives provide the "golden handcuffs" that keep employees from getting away.
Down And OutDeny a pink-slipped manager a chance to be "bumped down," and you could get in trouble.
Free LunchDon't underestimate the value of free food when seeking employees.
Staff SmartsIt’s A GivenSure, charities and nonprofits benefit from employee volunteer programs, but what about your business?
Web SiteA concierge-type service for your employees
Your BusinessKeeping WatchMonitoring employees? "They'll never notice" is not the way to start.
Bad BaitYou're dangling an incentive-program carrot, but no one's biting. What now?
Training GroundIn a tight labor market, try asking, "Can this applicant learn to do the job?"
Web SiteA new site from the U.S. Chamber Of Commerce offers tools for small businesses.
Marketing
Advertising WorkshopA Sharp OpenerIn sales-letter writing, it's the most important weapon for capturing your reader's attention.
Fast PitchKick It Up a NotchWant to turn up the heat on your marketing campaign? Start by turning cold contacts into hot prospects.
Marketing SmartsSounds FishyInvent your own news story? Why not?
Make No MistakeCommon ad-campaign screw-ups
Cooking Up ClientsThe sweet rewards of bringing cookies on sales calls
Web SiteFree Internet access for Spanish-speaking Web surfers
FlashWhat's the best way to make amends with customers you've ticked off?
Real DealControl FreakYou are Type A. You are in negotiations. Take charge.
Sales SuccessFollow The Leader. . . and discover five traits the great ones share.
Money
Ask the RainmakerWise WordsIn business, the learning curve is steep—don't take a leap.
New To You?Did ya hear the one about the lesser-known SBA loan program?
FundsGoing for the GlobeIt's a small-cap world after all.
Money SmartsInside InvestingEver wonder what goes on behind the doors of a venture capital firm?
And On Your Left . . .What are investors looking for when they take the tour of your business?
Web SiteNews and information on any public company
Raising MoneyYour Feature PresentationBe a star when you audition in front of investors for a role in their venture-capital portfolios.
Tax TalkGreed Isn't GoodBe careful when deciding what to pay yourself, because Uncle Sam's watching.
House Passes Estate Tax RepealUpdate of the bill's progress through Congress
Opportunity Spotlight
Biz 101Got Net?10 great Web businesses to start now
First StepsEquippin’ The Kids…Isn't always expensive: Here it led to profitable inventions.
Experts WantedWhat it really takes to succeed as a consultant
State Your PurposeMission statements with kick
Passing The BreadSubway's co-founder helps you with your start-up dough
Franchise FocusAll Gussied UpMake money by makin' people prettier.
OpportunitiesDrill Bit PlayerHere's a creative opportunity that turns the tables on your fear of the dentist.
After HoursA franchisee goes above and beyond.
What's NewUpdates on the latest happenings at PetPeople Franchise Systems Inc. and Personnel Services Inc.
Wrestling for PretzelsOr vice versa. Twisting dough and twisting on mats--how they combine for big charity
The Power Of The DollarTurning discount into profit
Opportunity FeaturesHome Is Where the Money IsAnd improving the home is where today's franchises are headed.
What's Your Problem?Small But SpecialIs it possible for a new company to compete in the online books market?
Coverage For AllCan I get insured even though I have a pre-existing health condition?
Tech
BytesOf Mobile BirthWill PDAs commingle with cell phones to form a go-anywhere, do-anything handheld hybrid?
ConnectionsGray MattersA new study takes another look at cell phone risk.
Hot DisksWise BuysReviews of Tiny Personal Firewall software, Xtime online scheduling solutions and TakeCharge! Accounting software
Web SiteNeed business-quality Web-hosted applications? Check out this site.
Net ProfitsSite in Shining ArmorYour personal quest for intellectual property protection on the Net
Wise BuysReviews of Responsys Jumpstart, Zoomerang and eDepot.com's eCourse
Tech SmartsBogus BillsPhony charges on your phone bill? You've been crammed!
The Bare MinimumWhy pay big bucks for PCs with fancy functions you don't need?
ToolsSafe HavenPanamax's Surge Protector8Tel
Write MePlextor's PlexWriter 12/4/32 SCSI CD-R/RW
Picture ThisEpson's PhotoPC 3000Z digital zoom camera
WebMind Over MatterSelling intellectual property online
Go The DistanceWant lower phone rates? Here's one option.
Go Speed GoA service that provides quick delivery of documents nationwide
Fast FactsInternet and technology statistics