Entrepreneur Magazine: March 2003

Gold Bond
Alliances are worth their weight in business gold.



Be Your Own Boss Features
Homing In
We've narrowed the world of homebased franchises down to 101 top companies.

Out on a Limb
When the money tree looks dry, sometimes you just have to create your own branch.

Biz 101
Roast of the Town
Can the ordinary Joe find coffeehouse success in a Starbucks world?

Laying Down the Law
Don't be legally blind--watch for these common start-up blunders.

Innovations
Play Your Cards Right
Presenting a case study in striking the best deals to launch your own great product on a limited budget

Opportunities
Grilling Prospects
After helping build a chain of sub shops, a franchisee chose to stir up something new in his hometown.

On the Circuit
This couple exercises skill in owning a gym.

What's New 3/03
Visions of optical franchises dance through Macy's head.

Real Life
Driving Forward
Read part two of our ongoing series on one couple's exciting trek into franchise ownership.

Smart Ideas
Blanket Statement
One entrepreneur makes a comfortable living after proving security blankets aren't just for kids anymore.

What's Your Problem?
Doing Your Detective Work
There are other ways to find out what the competition is charging besides asking them.

Almost Famous
Cold Gold
Striking a blow in the age-old quest to find a cure for the common cold

Editor's Note
Badly Done


Creative Zone
Food for Thought
Creativity is an acquired taste, so start your company off with small bites.

Insurance
You Didn't Tell Me!
If your agent leaves out the good parts, get your day in court.

Legal
A Fran-What?!
Surprise! You may be involved in a franchise relationship and not even know it.

Management Buzz
Management Buzz 03/03
The long-term effects of employee theft; flexible "sick" days for your workers

Real Deal
Looking for a Punch in the Nose?
The only thing more annoying than a bad deal is a bad deal-maker.

Smart Moves
Private Business
The word from HIPAA is to keep it zipped when it comes to employee health issues.

Staff Smarts
Brake Time?
If you work your employees to the bone and still aren't seeing any rise in productivity, speed may not be the only answer.

A+ Ads
A Sure Thing
Too long has the persuasive guarantee played a supporting role in ads. Why not make it the star in your own efforts? It works wonders, we promise.

Breakthrough
Passing Grade
These crib sheets don't cheat the safety tests.

Marketing Buzz
Marketing Buzz 03/03
Deciding if "wacky" will work for you; a "do not call" registry for telemarketers

Net Sales
Attention, Please
Yell out "Look at me!" for free by using other Web sites to your advantage.

Sales Force
You're Dismissed
Face it--part of your job is relieving others of theirs. So how do you do it right?

Sales Success
Step by Step
Having trouble remembering how to make a sale? Let us jog your memory.

Tactics
Friends and Foes
It sounds crazy, but your toughest competitor can be your greatest ally when you're vying for a sale.

Dollar Signs
Number Rustling
Feel like your accounting is getting out of control? Rein it in with the right software.

Funds
Value Pack
This fund thinks portfolio diversity is overrated.

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 3/03
A CD-ROM to organize your family's important papers, why life insurance may be illegal and more

Personal Finance
Weighing the Variables
Is a variable annuity for you? Depends on who's pitching it.

Raising Money
The Best-Relaid Plans . . .
When investors ask you for a growth plan, they want a growth plan. A cleaned-up, rehashed business plan isn't going to do the job.

Tax Talk
SIMPLE Problems
The only way your SIMPLE plan will ever rival a 401(k) is if you get out and fight for it.

Biz Travel
Family Time
Turn business trips into holidays with these kid-friendly deals.

Books
Inside Job
Secrets to unleashing your inner salesperson

Capitol Issues
Tic Tax Toe
You might win tax breaks if a new bill plays out in your favor.

Flash
Hot Trends
Bright, bold colors make a splash, new "blankies" and more

Hot Seat
The Lowdown
This expert says tech has to get even worse before it can start getting better.

It Figures
It Figures 03/03
Last century's top 10 products, how entrepreneurs react to bad corporate citizenship and more

Smarts Features
United We Fall?
Worker interest in unions may threaten your business. How will you respond?

Small World
Nanotechnology will soon mean big changes in the way you do business.

Opt Out
Stock options aren't the only way to pay.

Movers and Takers
Are you getting stiffed on relocation incentives?

Double Duty
This entrepreneurial mayor takes community involvement to a whole new level.

The EU Strikes Back
Will proposed EU import sanctions hit U.S. small businesses where it hurts?

Balancing the Books
If you've got too much reading to digest, try changing the menu.

Snapshot
Emily Dalton and Curran Dandurand
37, 43, co-founders of Jack Black in Addison, Texas

Tech Toy
Sign of the Times
Get your message noticed when you print your signs on reusable plastic paper.

Wheels
Back It Up
New gadgets for your fleet keep your data and drivers safe.

Women
Your Turn
Don't let business rule your life 24/7. These successful businesswomen sure don't.

Buyer's Guide
Camera Shy?
If you were waiting until the prices (and features) were right to buy a digital camera, then your wait is over.

Digital Edge
Why Wait?
While 3G networks are stuck in wireless limbo, Wi-Fi is growing by leaps and bounds.

Gear
Gear 03/03
A big-company LaserJet for a small-business budget; label-making on your Windows

Hot Disks
Hot Disks 03/03
Employee evaluations made easy, driving directions on your handheld and more

Net Profits
Quit Bugging Me!
Many online affiliates are being bitten by software that wrongly credits Web site referrals. Are you a victim?

Solutions
In Case of Emergency
How reliable is your ISP in a disaster? Simple steps can ensure your link to the Net survives.

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 3/03
The skinny on Internet SCSI

Wireless
Track 'Em Down
Keep an eye on your employees in the field.

Safe! (For Now)
A band-aid for your security until the real thing comes along