Entrepreneur Magazine: December 2001

Pass or Fail?
2001 was a fickle beast, reserving a different attitude for each business that faced it, but whether it was a banner year or a bust, it did share its wisdom—and we're here to pass those lessons on.

Attention, Shoppers!
Paco Underhill knows what they look at, what they buy and why, so get ready to put a huge dent in the concept of customers' free will.



Be Your Own Boss Features
I'm New Here
Meet 'em at the door: the latest franchise opportunities!

You Name It
"Sorry, what did you say your name was again?" That's the one question you don't want people asking about your business.

Biz 101
Mind Your Mentors
If you're looking for great advice on starting a business, ask those who've "been there, done that."

Who's Steering the Ship?
A new study says you are the captain of your own destiny.

Innovations
Double Your Pleasure
One is never enough: Is another successful product just what your company needs to grow?

Opportunities
Home(town) Decor
While she was off in Chicago, Green Bay grew up--and became the perfect spot for her business.

Law & Pretzels
A title like that might not make for a very exciting TV show, but it's this ex-lawyer's life story.

What's New
Reducing health-care costs for corporate clients

Smart Ideas
Boys, Go Wash Up!
Two Georgia entrepreneurs prove that southern gentlemen—and their cars—clean up real nice.

What's Your Problem?
Hiring Help
You've got a product but no customers yet? That's where sales reps come in.

Almost Famous
Using His Noodles
With a vision of bringing Asian street food to the American public, this former restaurant manager may have hit on the next big thing.

Editor's Note
Shifting Gears


Insurance
Bitten by an ASP?
There's no worry if you've taken the right precautions.

Legal
Steal a Look?
Think you can learn about good Web design by stealing ideas from other people's sites? Copyright law would have to disagree.

Management Buzz
Management Buzz 12/01
The allure of seasoned executives and time-sensitive relaxation tips

Smart Moves
ISO a Go-Go
More companies comply with ISO than ever before—not necessarily because they want to. What will pleasing your clients cost your business?

Staff Smarts
Who's Paying?
Should you choose to pay your employees a "living wage" today? Tomorrow, the decision may not be yours to make.

Success Coach 2001
Wild Ideas
Nature's calling, and it has a lot of good thoughts on building your business.

Breakthrough
Clean Break
A trade show spurred their soapy sales.

Marketing Buzz
Marketing Buzz 12/01
Proving your company's longevity, discounted magazine ads and inexpensive rich media e-mail marketing

Real Deal
Mail Me Not
E-mail's good, but to hash out a deal, you need to get personal.

Sales Force
Down, Not Out
Your reps not selling like they used to? Don't worry—they can be rehabilitated.

Sales Success
Watch Your Step
Four simple ways to make your meeting with that new customer a success.

Tactics
Addled Ads
Marketing moves not to make

Dollar Signs
(W)inner City
When it comes to untapped entrepreneurial potential, the city's where it's at.

Funds
Take a Shortcut
Get a quick piece of the action with money market funds.

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 12/01
SBA-administered New Markets Venture Capital Program underway, relief for companies with reservist employees called into active duty, and more

Raising Money
Worth the Price You Pay?
If your search for venture capital feels like it's getting out of hand, maybe you don't need their money after all.

Tax Talk
Plug & Pay
The IRS is now taking your money online.

Biz Travel
Power of Deduction
Get your expenses in order.

Books
You’re History
As history repeats itself, pick which role you want to play.

Brand Aid
Get Happy
Meet a company in desperate need of some deep-tissue branding.

Capitol Issues
Free at Last
You no longer have to be up to your "S" in regulations.

Flash
Flash 12/01
Avon enters the teen market, tossed-to-order salads and eBay on TV

Hot Seat
I've Got an Idea!
You can get one, too, if you just learn to brainstorm a little more like Doug Hall.

It Figures
It Figures 12/01
An increase in online ad spending, employee job satisfaction, office betting pools and more

Smarts Features
Rubble-Rousers
Time for entrepreneurs to cash in their most valued commodity: Spirit

Big in Japan
Forget Honda, Fujitsu and Sony--take your next big cue from Tokyo's teenage girls.

It's Child's Play
How many piggy banks do you have to break to make a $300 billion kids' market?

Teen Green
Position your business to sell teenagers what they'll just die if they can't have.

Americas the Beautiful
The opportunities in Central and South American culture will make your mouth water.

Senior Year
Is the senior market coming of age in 2002? It is . . . if you know how to reach it.

Snapshot
Denise Lasprogata
28, president of DLL LLC in New York City

Tech Toy
Pad About
The 1-1/2-pound QuickPad Pro laptop lightens your load.

Wheels
Showoff!
Take a ride in luxury's other lap.

Women
Who's to Judge?
Wait and see what Bush does for women entrepreneurs. And wait . . . and wait . . .

Buyer's Guide
Get Your Clicks
With a digital camera, there's no more standing around scanning photos. The downside? No more exciting drives to the fotomat.

Cool Clicks
Cool Clicks 12/01
e-Business and Net statistics

Digital Edge
True Blue
New products prove Bluetooth wasn't a figment of the tech industry's imagination.

Gear
Gear 12/01
A portable note-taker and a wires-free cell phone headset

Hot Disks
Hot Disks 12/01
Enhance your networking capabilities with Windows XP, plus scheduling software

Net Profits
Winter of Your Content
Even with recent events, your e-tailing site can do well this season.

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 12/01
Save money at computer outlet stores and a new smart phone from Microsoft

Wireless
Positive ID
Trouble tracking inventory? Tag it like a wild animal.

Speak & Dial
Will cell phone voice recognition catch on?