Entrepreneur Magazine: December 2005

Defining a Dream
An entrepreneur's knack for decision making and her drive to move forward blend into the sweet smell of success.

Wheels and Deals
The 2006 vehicles hit the road with more power, better options . . . and lower prices.



Be Your Own Boss Features
Pushing Forward
Is enough being done in the franchise industry to encourage diversity? An expert has his say.

It's Who You Know
If you really know how to work your connections, a successful startup is less than 6 degrees away.

Biz 101
Diary of a Startup
Follow this young entrepreneur on her way to opening a gym for teens.

Cast Off the Curse
Make your business succeed in a location where others have failed.

International E-tiquette
Avoid embarrassing faux pas in online global communications.

Don't Blow the Show
Make the most of your first trade show by breezing past these 5 common blunders.

Biz U
Ethically Speaking
What are today's students learning about business ethics?

Innovations
Put a Lid on It!
An infomercial for this inventor's snappy new food containers helped her seal the deal with a large retailer.

Opportunities
New York Action
Creative franchise concepts are just a slice of life in the Big Apple.

Smart Ideas
Smart Ideas 12/05
Lucky wishbones, MP3 loading services and more

Success Coach
Success Squad
Team up with like-minded people who can give you the push you need to meet--and surpass--your business goals.

What's Your Problem?
Home Office Tips for Holiday Houseguests
Keep your home business running smoothly with these three tips for entertaining holiday guests.

Biz Travel
Catch Me If You Can
Keep clear of the cold and flu this season by packing smart.

Books
Take Your Perch
Get the bird's-eye view that can help alert you to potential problems.

Forward Features
Close Quarters
You want to yell "Get your act together," but twentysomethings are facing more than you think.

Bound & Gagged
How will the battle over mandatory binding arbitration affect you?

Can You Hack It?
Build the best defense you can against hackers.

Tempting Fate
How far would you go to finance your startup?

#1 Source of Brand
The best marketing slogans of today--and all time

Back to Basics
Sick of the rat race? Embrace the simple life with a business that soothes customers' souls.

Enter the Center
Seeking stylish boutiques, malls are courting entrepreneurs.

Bonus Round
Holiday bonuses that really hit it big with employees

Hire Up
The numbers don't lie--small-business hiring is still resilient.

Fighting Chance
Even a co-founder off at war couldn't hold this firm back.

Forward Snapshot
Making Merry
This innovator really lights up a room . . .or a house, or a city.

It Figures
It Figures 12/05
Negative cost-cutting, a $761 billion market and more

Tech Toy
Tech Toy 12/05
More bytes, less bark

Tip Sheet
In Good Time
Make the most of your precious minutes with a time-management system that works.

Wheels
Throw Caution to the Wind
Treat yourself to something gorgeous, sexy and lots of fun.

Women
Got It, Flaunt It?
Know where to draw the line between subtly sexy and sleazy.

Editor's Note
Disaster and Relief
Ready to put this year behind you? Don't forget those still in need while you're looking to the future.

Feedback
Feedback 12/05


Resources
Resources 12/05
Websites, organizations, events and more to grow your business

Global Village
Safer Passage
Get certified for security.

Lead Buzz
Lead Buzz 12/05
Conducting exit interviews, tracking work time and more

Lead Snapshot
Leader of the Pack
A former police department pilot believes there's room for everyone to be a leader.

Legal
What Did I Say?
Be a responsible reference.

Smart Moves
All Shook Up
You can't control disruptive innovations, but you can learn to predict them--and to react to them in a positive way.

Staff Smarts
Cómo Se Dice?
Break down the language barrier between you and your employees.

Dollar Signs
Smooth Moves
Implementing Sarbox-style strategic governance changes can help small businesses woo---and win---more big customers.

Funds
What's In a Name?
There's often more to a fund than its moniker.

Insurance
Up for Review
Now's the time to evaluate your insurance coverage.

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 12/05
Limiting investors' partnership power, shrinking health care and more

Money Snapshot
Earners, Keepers
Two entrepreneurs pump up Puerto Rico's economy while taking advantage of its tax incentives.

Personal Finance
A Rising Tide
Though costs will likely go up in the wake of the recent hurricanes, flood insurance is still a life preserver worth considering.

Raising Money
Guide and Seek
If you're heading out on the fundraising trail, consider taking a guide along to keep your company on the right path.

Tax Talk
Don't Mention It
Your reporting burden may now be a little bit lighter.

Net Sales
Straight Shooting
Your customers are all over the web, and they're not easy targets. Make sure your message hits its mark by keeping up with new technologies.

Real Deal
Right On Time
Use the art of timing to your advantage in negotiations.

Retail Register
It's Better to Give
Rack up sales with a wildly generous promotion.

Sales Force
Money Talks
Motivate sales reps with the almighty dollar.

Sales Success
Make No Mistake
The things you do--and don't do--could keep you from closing sales. Watch out for these 5 common mistakes, and learn how to avoid them.

Sell Buzz
Sell Buzz 12/05
Advertising on postage stamps, cell phones and more

Sell Snapshot
Art of Persuasion
By making evidence come to life, this entrepreneur ensures the whole truth gets told.

Tactics
Triple Threat
Want to boost your consulting practice in the new year? Power up your sales and marketing programs by following 3 key steps.

Buyer's Guide
Local Color
Brighten up your documents with a versatile, vivid color printer.

Connections
Gaga for Google?
Find out if Google's marriage of IM and VoIP is worthy of raves.

Digital Edge
It's a Small World
Keep all your essential data in the palm of your hand with today's breed of flash sticks and teeny, tiny hard drives.

Editor's Picks
Editor's Pick 12/05
Our favorite tech gadgets and software to keep your business running smoothly

Gear
Gear 12/05
This new iPod Nano sets the bar for MP3 players.

Net Profits
Got Their Goat?
Your website might be annoying customers. Here's how to change that.

Get Your Clicks
Learn how to combat click fraud before it drains your ad budget.

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 12/05
Barter's back, new home networks and more

Tech Snapshot
Save the Date
An online calendar service is the next crusade for one serial software entrepreneur.

Wireless
The Coast is Clear
Security software lets you know who's on the network.