Entrepreneur Magazine: December 2006

Small-Business Answer Book
Get the answers to your crucial business questions in the last of our three-part series.

Ready to Roll
The latest commercial vehicles are green, mean and loaded with extras.



ALMOST FAMOUS
The Lush Life
This trendy beverage boutique attracts the youth market in droves.

BIZ TRAVEL
Paper or Plastic?
Using a corporate credit card has some material advantages.

BOOKS
True Story
Ever wonder what makes successful people tick? One book works it out.

EXPAND
Spin Cycle
Is it time to spin off part of your company?

FORWARD FEATURES
All Packed...
With the mobile web changing, sites are getting ready to go.

Tricks of the Trade
IPOs have gotten tougher, but entrepreneurs have some alternatives up their sleeves.

Driving Factor
Keep gas prices from pushing employees over the edge.

Best Practices
Your good habits can rub off on your business.

Missed Manners
Don’t let technology get the better of your behavior.

Up for the Count
Hiring may be down, but paychecks are still growing.

Penny Pinchers
The middle class is scaling back, but you need not pay the price.

Get the Message
Instant messaging is gaining favor as a business tool.

INSIGHTS
From Scratch
How one entrepreneur built something out of nothing

WHEELS
Best of Both Worlds
The latest luxury cars combine comfort and fuel efficiency.

BUZZ
Creative Clientele
How customers can help you get creative.

HOT TREND
Idea Mining
You could uncover your next big product using tech transfer.

SNAPSHOT
Good Genes
Banking on biotech, this innovator sees a cleaner future in enzymes.

WHATS NEXT
On a Roll
Flexible display technologies will change the way you do business.

Global Village
Rest Insured
Protect against losses with trade credit insurance.

LEAD BUZZ
Just Checking
Should you conduct ongoing background checks on your employees?

Legal
Separated At Work
Can you keep spouses from working together?

SMART MOVES
Me, Myself and I
Your employees are feeling more socially isolated. Should you help?

SNAPSHOT
Head for the Hills
Don’t let the peace and quiet of rural life fool you--it could make your business boom.

STAFF SMARTS
Well, Honestly!
Establishing ethics standards makes sense for your bottom line.

DOLLAR SIGNS
Taking Stock
Have stock options lost their sparkle? Maybe--but this compensation tool can still be useful if you know how to do it right.

FUNDS
It’s All the Talk
A fund tunes in to growing media & telecom industries.

INSURANCE
Assisted Giving
The right EAP is good for employees--and for you.

MONEY BUZZ
Stash That Cash
Adding cash to your investment portfolio.

Advise Advisory
Hiring fiduciary advisors for your employees.

Enrollment Fee
Pitfalls to avoid when setting up a college fund.

Personal Finance
Site Testing
Finding credible investment advice in the endless supply online can be a daunting task. Here’s how to get started.

Raising Money
Cutting Back
Even successful businesses have debt, but how much is too much? Learning how to manage debt is what can put you ahead.

Rich Returns
Back to Your Roots
Do your problems stem from a lost company mission?

SNAPSHOT
Truth Be Told
A new virtual marketplace takes the subjectivity out of valuing a business.

TAX TALK
Holiday Trimming
Lower your tax bill with last-minute adjustments.

REAL DEAL
Don't Dwell On It
So you made a bad deal. Learn from it, and move on.

RETAIL REGISTER
One By One
Grow your bottom line by pumping up individual sales.

SALES SUCCESS
Need a Light?
Everyone gets burned out at times, but you can take steps to recharge.

SELL BUZZ
The Gift of Giving
Ideas for holiday gift-giving.

SNAPSHOT
The Principle’s Office
A marketing agency taps into the selling power of businesses on their best behavior.

Tactics
Talk is Cheap...
And as a marketing method, it’s downright unbeatable. Get customers to spread the word about your business with 3 simple strategies.

BIZ 101
Diary of a Startup
Fundraising, marketing and location shopping are all in a day’s work.

Good Connections
Take your business where you want it by networking.

BIZ U
Real Smart
Your academic experience doesn’t have to be all about the grade.

EBAY ENTREPRENEUR
Gone Phishing
Use eBay’s security measures to avoid falling prey to online scams.

MONEY MATTERS
Extra Effort
Does your bank go above and beyond?

OPPORTUNITIES
All Hooked Up
A franchisee finds her calling selling cell phones.

Soup Frenzy
A TV show built nationwide buzz. Now these franchisees are serving it up in their local community.

SMART IDEAS
Rival Revival
Making money off university rivalries.

On Par
Keeping startup costs low put this golf aficionado in the green.

Cure Couture
To lessen the pain of a family tragedy, one woman dressed up her crutches and found a fashionable calling.

Startups Features
Making a Difference
If you have a passion for a cause, starting a nonprofit could be for you.

A New Chapter
Getting laid off may feel like an unhappy ending, but it could be where your franchise story begins.

SUCCESS COACH
Tap Your Talent
To help boost your business, focus on what you do best.

Buyers Guide
Make Your Way
No matter where your business travels take you, one of these GPS devices will help you find the best route to get there.

Connections
Juice It Up
Power solutions keep the gabbing going in out-of-the-way places.

DIGITAL EDGE
Gettin’ Hitched
Internet protocol and TV: a union that should only get better with time.

Editors Pick
Small But Mighty
Review of the hottest tech products.

NET PROFITS
Let’s Talk Shop
Other small businesses could be some of your site’s best customers.

Extreme Makeover
Upgrading your site is an investment, but it could pay off handsomely.

NET SALES
The Genuine Article
Draw in new business by writing a helpful, well-researched web article.

SNAPSHOT
The Shipping News
Thinking inside the box led this entrepreneur to develop a novel shipping system.

TECH BUZZ
Check Your Pulse
Tools to keep you on top of your company's reputation

What's the Word?
Keeping track of search engine marketing.

WIRELESS
Push the Envelope
Push e-mail is coming to a mobile device near you.