Entrepreneur Magazine: April 2003

In Case of Emergency
A smoke alarm or a life preserver may save your life, but they won't save your business. You need a real disaster plan now. Your business's survival depends on it.

Help Needed?
Does Uncle Sam owe entrepreneurs a helping hand, or should the government just get out of small business's way? Two experts face off.

The Winner's Circle
Times may be tough, but our 10th Annual Business Travel Award winners still make travel a pleasure.



Be Your Own Boss Features
Best of the Best
The 116 companies ranked the best in their categories in our 2003 Franchise 500 listing

Fun Money
Whether your passion is pottery, painting or playing video games, there's money to be made from your hobby.

Biz 101
Trading Spaces
From start to finish, these "booth basics" will help you make the most of that first trip to the trade show floor.

A Room of One's Own
Finding office space on a budget just got a whole lot easier.

Innovations
Lights, Camera, Action
Airtime on home shopping networks gives your product a big boost.

Opportunities
A Model Occupation
Who says you can't turn business into play? It's all in a day's work for these successful franchisee partners.

Got Junk?
Clean up by taking trash to a whole new level.

Franchise at First Sight
Entrepreneur meets his match in a dating service franchise

What's New 04/03
A franchise that can change a car into a moving billboard

Real Life
Going on Location
Despite a long, frustrating wait, Jack and Diane find the light at the end of the tunnel--the perfect franchise site.

Smart Ideas
We'll Drink to That!
Inspired by a popular diet, this team of health-conscious entrepreneurs are mixing up the cocktail world.

What's Your Problem?
It's in the Mail
How do you find the best mail order catalog for your product—and get it in the door?

Almost Famous
Mechanically Inclined
These entrepreneurial robophiles take their business where no man has gone before.

Editor's Note
Take Charge


Creative Zone
Ideas on Demand
You don't have to wait for inspiration.

Insurance
Change of Plans?
Then tell your employees about it.

Legal
Witness Protection
What will a new whistle-blower clause mean to you and the way you do business?

Management Buzz
Management Buzz 04/03
Energy consulting services; hiring your parents

Real Deal
Mad Skills
Rage can be a powerful negotiating tool, but only if you practice a little anger management first.

Smart Moves
Get Your Fix
Had enough of auctions? Fixed pricing could be just the thing your business craves.

Staff Smarts
Survival Mode
Job-seekers are taking "good for now" positions, but is it good enough for those who hire them?

A+ Ads
Legends for Hire
Using a famous face to attract prospects to your advertising campaign may not be a budget-busting proposition after all. You just need to find the right fit.

Breakthrough
Homespun Wisdom
A designer's down-home hospitality pays off.

Marketing Buzz
Marketing Buzz 04/03
Promoting your toy store to singles; your outdoor advertising options

Net Sales
They Clicked, They Left
Why aren't your Web site visitors buying?

Sales Force
Go Major League
Score a success for your business by implementing team-selling tactics.

Sales Success
In High Spirits
How to get yourself and your business fired up from the inside out

Tactics
Shock Treatment
Shock value may grab attention, but it can put your company's image at risk. Science has a better way.

Dollar Signs
Chief Concern
It's time to make an executive decision about whether your company needs a CFO.

Funds
Sizing Up
Find big-time rewards in ultra-small-cap stocks.

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 04/03
Long-term care insurance; why your state might not be included in the federal estate tax repeal

Personal Finance
Shell Shock?
Surprise: Putting your nest egg in bonds may no longer be safe.

Raising Money
The Burden of Borrowing
Your growing company could be hindered by hidden loan costs if you don't look ahead.

Tax Talk
Hire Purpose
Bringing disadvantaged employees aboard has never been so rewarding--and we're not just talking about the tax credits you'll get.

Biz Travel
Fraction Action
Can't afford an entire jet? Try winging it with a piece of one.

Books
Leading Ladies
Women rule the marketplace, says one author. So why aren't ad-makers catching on?

Capitol Issues
Package Deal
Take time to examine what the economic stimulus package might mean for your business.

Flash
Flash 4/03
The drinks people are drinking

Hot Seat
Comic Belief
Is leadership really a crock? The creator of the comic strip Dilbert thinks so.

It Figures
It Figures 04/03
How many people are using the Internet, customer service calls and more

Smarts Features
Fat Chance
The skinny on marketing bad-for-you foods

No Escape?
Even the Internet may not be able to avoid taxes.

Second Wind
Entrepreneurs are giving their old computers new life with budget-friendly extras.

Singing the Blues?
Then this band aid may be just what your lagging work force needs.

Playing Favorites
Just what type of company is the apple of a venture capitalist's eye?

Identity Crisis
Make no mistake--business identity theft can happen to you if you're not careful.

Squeezed Out?
Is there any room left for small businesses in federal contracting?

Snapshot
Bette LaPlante & Diane Cuvelier
49, 43, co-founders of Doughmakers LLC in Terre Haute, Indiana

Tech Toy
Mouse Magic
No more wrist pain for you!

Wheels
Posh Picks
Drive down luxury lane with one of these swanky sedans.

Women
Take It From Me . . .
A struggling entrepreneur gets growth advice from someone who's been there.

Buyer's Guide
Calling All Buyers
Here's your chance to get up to speed on the latest features in mobile-phone technology.

Cool Clicks
Cool Clicks 04/03
Getting to the next level in the game of entrepreneurship; business tips from the BBB

Digital Edge
Go Retro!
Budget tight? What about a late-model PC that's only been driven around the block a few times?

Gear
Gear 04/03
A high-speed hub; a camcorder for the palm of your hand

Hot Disks
Hot Disks 04/03
Securing e-mail attachments, how your Palm can be your financial planner and more

Net Profits
Spring Cleaning
It's time to clear away the cobwebs and find out if your Web site is in good working order.

Solutions
Double Duty
A multifunction printer could be just what your business needs to save space and money.

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 04/03
The new Intel Pentium 4; updates on the fight against spam

Wireless
A Universal Truth
USB isn't just for desktops anymore.

Data to Go
Grab your files-anywhere, anytime.