Entrepreneur Magazine: December 2004

Hit the Road
Itching to throw your business into high gear? We have everything you need to get your business fleet up to speed in our 2005 guide to commercial vehicles



Be Your Own Boss Features
Out With the Old
Get 2005 off to a fresh start with one of these new franchises.

Turning the Tables
You worked for them, and now you want them to "work" for you. Find out what you need to know to land your former employer as your startup's first client.

Biz 101
Try Again
Business fell flat? No use whining about it. Here's how you can bounce back.

The Write Stuff
What does it take to launch a brand-new product?

Lease Lessons
Follow these 6 tips when negotiating your first commercial lease.

Magic Markets
The experts use marketing mojo on our tech makeover winner.

Biz U
Big Biz on Campus
Class is now in session for college entrepreneurs. Are you ready to enroll?

Innovations
Taking License
It pays to do your homework before signing a licensing agreement.

Opportunities
Groom to Grow
Animal grooming is more than a pet project for a former HR executive.

No Place Like Home
One couple makes it their business to care for homebound clients.

What's New 12/04
Stretch your limits

Smart Ideas
Smart Ideas 12/04
No slip headbands, online used-car sales and more

Success Coach
Survival of the Fittest
As your business grows, so do the challenges. Meet them with confidence.

What's Your Problem?
Full Disclosure?
When to tell customers you work from your home

Almost Famous
Java Enabled
For this former film student, the road to Hollywood--and business success--is paved with coffee beans.

Editor's Note
Leaving Their Mark


Feedback
Feedback 12/04


Resources
Resources 12/04
Websites, organizations, events and more to grow your business

Legal
Good Libations?
Not if you give employees too much to drink at the company holiday party. Consider these sobering facts.

Management Buzz
Management Buzz 12/04
Rewarding top-rung employees, the work/life balance and more

Real Deal
Say What?
Decipher common contract legalese.

Smart Moves
This Is a Test
Don't be tempted to use ROI analyses the wrong way, or you risk creating a formula for disaster.

Staff Smarts
By Degrees
You can show highly educated employees the corporate ropes--but you'd better do it step by step.

A+ Ads
Twin Picks
Dare your audience to compare, and your product is sure to get a lot of attention. Here's how to pull off a great side-by-side comparison ad.

Ask the Expert
Patriot Acts
Should you play up the "Made in the USA" angle?

Marketing Buzz
Marketing Buzz 12/04
Mints for Santa, net service at Sam's Club and more

Net Sales
Hot on Their Trail
How to use the net to track offline customers

Retail Register
What's It Worth?
Get your prices right, or it'll cost you.

Sales Force
Remote Control
Allowing sales reps to work off-site definitely has its perks, but before you try it, be sure telecommuting makes sense for your business.

Sales Success
Reaching Out
Finding good leads takes more than just making a few phone calls. Use a creative prospecting strategy to get yourself out there.

Tactics
What's the Plan?
Need a marketing plan? Here are strategies to fit penny pinchers, big spenders and everyone in between.

Dollar Signs
A Class Act
Whether in an MBA program or an online course, hitting the books can help you stay on top.

Funds
Black Gold
Oil is key to the success of this Russian fund.

Insurance
Live Long and Prosper
New life insurance policies offer refunds.

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 12/04
Informal investments, independent investment research and more

Personal Finance
Wrap It Up Right
Like your holiday packages, year-end finances are all about presentation--and planning.

Raising Money
Coming Up Short
Short-term financing could help your company overcome temporary setbacks or cash-flow issues.

Tax Talk
Think Fast
Take advantage of faster depreciation.

Biz Travel
Keep In Touch
. . . even in the air. These new tech features are ready for takeoff.

Books
A Work of Art
Creating a business masterpiece takes a palette of different ideas.

Capitol Issues
What's Cookin'?
The FTC is serving up a new and improved franchise rule, but is it what small-business owners ordered?

It Figures
It Figures 12/04
Teenage business ambitions, working at home and more

Smarts Features
Shell Shock?
New rules are driving small firms into shells, where they could get a nasty surprise.

Not Lost in Translation
Marketing tactics from abroad can work just as well here, too.

Working It
A surge in part-time workers can pay off for your business.

Bar None
You'd better get in compliance with the new bar code rules before time runs out.

Make a List, Check It Twice
Ever wonder what's on other entrepreneurs' to-do lists?

Bald Ambition
Hell-bent on getting attention? Try a zany marketing stunt.

Crisis Mode
A personal crisis needn't spell disaster for your business--not if you prepare for it.

Blogger's Block
Sick of blogging? Here's how to deal with business blog burnout.

Snapshot
Snapshot 12/04
Michael and Meredith Wickliffe, 40 and 38, founders of Wick's Pizza Parlor and Pub in Louisville, Kentucky

Tech Toy
Here Comes the Sun
Stay on time with this self-calibrating watch

Wheels
Extra Special
Why settle for the ordinary when you've got these special-edition vehicles to choose from?

Women
Going Global
International business tips make a world of difference.

Buyer's Guide
Feel the Burn
If you've been making do without a DVD burner, now's the time to take advantage of recent advancements and upgrade your hardware.

Connections
Tall Order
Cellular carriers have been busy improving call quality, but will it last?

Digital Edge
Color-Blind?
They're practically giving away color laser printers, but watch out for those toner prices.

Gear
Gear 12/04
Wireless networks for travelers and big VoIP functions for small companies

Hot Disks
Hot Disks 12/04
Password protection, publishing made easy and more

Net Profits
All Systems Go
Sure, integrating your front- and back-end systems might be a headache--but it's well-worth the effort.

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 12/04
Linux for laptops, news gathering services and more

Wireless
What's Next?
Harware that can straddle wireless LANs and cellular networks

Cut the Cord
Presentations don't have to be a hassle.