Entrepreneur Magazine: September 2001

Brand Awareness
Wake up! Your brand isn't your savior, and all the goofy ads in the world won't save your company. What can? Well...have you given good business a try?

Born Again
Good businesses don't have to die just because they've gone hopelessly, out-of-control in debt. There is a place they can turn for redemption: the bankruptcy laws.

Prying Eyes
The cry has gone out from web surfers everywhere: "Stop looking at me!" How can your marketing plan respect their wishes?

A Lot to Learn
Just because you run a company doesn't mean you know everything. With a little education, though, you can change that.



Be Your Own Boss Features
Buying in Bulk
Whether good or bad, the surest way to quick growth--for you and your franchisor--is a multiunit deal.

100 Million Dollars Baked in a Pie
Who'd have thought you could rack up millions with a veggie pot pie? Discover the recipe for success, straight from Amy's Kitchen.

Biz 101
So . . . Where Are They Now?
When the dust settles after a business plan competition, what happens to the winners and losers?

Innovations
Don't Stay in the Dark!
Here's how to make sure your big invention sees the light of day.

Opportunities
Need a Nerd?
Drives right to your door, ready to fix your computer . . . but we can't guarantee a pocket protector.

Cold Comfort
Selling ice cream to Alaskans isn't as hard as you might think.

What's New
Seems you can teach an old dog new tricks

Smart Ideas
For Just Peanuts?
No way! These brothers sell much more than boiled nuts to their hard-core Southern-food fans.

What's Your Problem?
Mellow Yellow
You can create a great Yellow Pages ad . . . but you may not even need one these days.

Almost Famous
Drink Up
From cans of Whoopass energy drink to Berry White juice, Seattle-based Jones Soda Co. reflects the offbeat personality of its founder.

Editor's Note
Look on the Bright Side


Buyer Zone
Outside Chance
Less staff, same work? You can still get it done with outsourcing.

Insurance
Power Play
Are you covered when the lights go out?

Legal
Who's Gonna Protect You?
The courts have given the EPA the power to protect the environment. Now if they could just stop it from running all over you.

Management Buzz
Management Buzz 9/01
Bad management advice, the latest on sexual harassment claims and what you can do to ease the pain of layoffs

Smart Moves
Out of Control
You may think you're on the right track, striving for excellence in all areas. But are you heading for disaster?

Staff Smarts
Staff Overhaul
Should you use the tight job market to replace mediocre employees?

Success Coach 2001
Recharge Your Battery
All the energy you need to keep going and going and going . . .

Breakthrough
Mo' Monkey
When this cookie company gave out samples, people went ape and sales soared.

Game Plan
What's the Hook?
If you find the right bait, you'll keep your salespeople motivated--and selling.

Marketing Buzz
Marketing Buzz 9/01
Becoming an author could be good for business.

Net Sales
In an Instant
Track banner-ad performance in real time to find out who's paying attention.

Real Deal
Don't Be a Stranger
Get the scoop on the other side before you meet them at the bargaining table.

Sales Success
Back Off!
Being friendly is good, but being too chummy to make the sale is not.

Tactics
Secret Service
Boost your business by doing a little shopping—undercover, of course.

Ask the Rainmaker
Make a Statement
What to do if your bank requires audited financial statements

Dollar Signs
Pension Pennies
Will the tax reform increase small business's appetite for savings plans?

Funds
The World According to GARP
Discerning this fund's facts from fiction

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 9/01
The consequences of the new estate tax law and the benefits of syndicated lending

Money Makeover
Fashionably Late
After years of searching for expansion capital, this fashion designer has realized that it was just a matter of style.

Raising Money
Royalty Treatment
Instead of selling ownership, sell a piece of the revenue stream.

Tax Talk
Shelter for Shelters?
The IRS may not like 'em—but the courts don't seem to mind.

Biz Travel
Just Chillin'
What to do when the workday ends, but you can't go home

Brand Aid
Dino Sore
Can a new marketing campaign boost Barney's slumping sales?

Capitol Issues
Get a Job!
Want some federal jobs? Good, Bush doesn't.

Hot Seat
Evil EntreKnievel
This side of the chasm: a few geeky clients. The other side: everybody. Ready to jump?

It Figures
It Figures 9/01
The political parties of entrepreneurs, B2B transactions and more

Smarts Features
Where, Oh Where?
The next entrepreneurial hot spot may be coming soon to a city near you.

Acquiring Tastes
If you thought M&A wouldn't fit your growth budget, you haven't seen today's prices.

Big-Bang Theory
Give your employees guns and turn 'em loose in the woods. Now there's a good idea!

Fielding Questions
When laboratory-like focus groups aren't cutting it, you need operatives in the field.

A Floppy Finish
"La-La-La," says the fat lady. The poor floppy disk must now face its final destiny.

Makes No Difference
Today's big companies brew individualism in big, big vats. Do consumers really buy it?

Scared Tactics
Layoffs beat the job pool to a pulp. Give your potential hires some reassurance.

Who Hired Pottymouth?
Everybody's talking dirty these days. Is cursing out of control in your workplace?

Mullet Management
If hairstyle trends reflect the way entrepreneurs manage their businesses, we're in big trouble.

Snapshot
Tracy Graivier Bell & Robin Oldham
Both 38, founders of Smashing Times Inc. in Dallas

Tech Toy
Upstream
A new wireless network card improves transmission of hi-fi content.

Watts Up
Plan of Attack
You may never stick to one, but you should plan anyway.

Wheels
Trade-In Value
The redesigned Nissan Altima offers lots of luxury extras.

Women
Small Ideas
Why is it that some women never look beyond the term "small-business owner"?

Cool Clicks
Cool Clicks 9/01
The hottest thing around for B2B entrepreneurs and a site that will help you set some goals

Digital Edge
Cashing In
Do you want to hand over your online purse strings to Microsoft?

Gear
Gear 9/01
Language translators for the less-than-fluent and a privacy filter for your monitor

Hot Disks
Hot Disks 9/01
A comprehensive search engine and software that helps you create interesting photos

Net Profits
A Return to Retail
Pure-play ain't what it used to be— some bricks and mortar is what your dotcom needs.

Wise Buys
Put your site's pages to the test.

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 9/01
The ins and outs of e-scheduling systems, viewing files on your cell phone and Apple's new retail stores

Wireless
Over There!
Your mobile phone's hot to globe-trot.

Late Arrival
Bluetooth technology is still teething.