Entrepreneur Magazine: January 2004

Staying Alive
How your business can survive the killer costs of workers' compensation

About Face
The face of entrepreneurship has evolved over the years, and today, it's dramatically different. But what will the entrepreneur of the future look like?

Promised Land
More and more American entrepreneurs are embarking on the road to China—and many have already found their fortunes.



Franchise 500®
25th Annual Franchise 500®
Our comprehensive listing of the best the franchise world has to offer

From Zero to Hero
Even the best franchisor has to start somewhere. Subway king Fred DeLuca reflects on 25 years of franchise success.

A Long Way
Reflections on 25 years of franchising from Entrepreneur's Editorial Director Rieva Lesonsky

The Big Bang
How franchising became an economic powerhouse the world over

Good as Gold
Wondering what the hottest franchising trends are for 2004? Wonder no more.

Hey, Get a Clue!
Find out why the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular has been a franchisee's best friend for 25 years.

Where the Money Is
The path to financing a franchise may not be easy. But if you know what lenders are looking for, you'll be well on your way.

Cloning Around
You've read about the companies in our Franchise 500. Now find out how to join them by franchising your own business.

Neck and Neck
Being No. 1 in the franchise race has its advantages, but there will always be others nipping at your heels.

Almost Famous
Face Value
A cosmetics entrepreneur aims to give customers what they need--a clear complexion at an affordable price.

Editor's Note
Going Places


Feedback
Feedback 1/04
Letters from our readers

Resources
Resources 01/04
Web sites, organizations, events and more to grow your business

Insurance
Who Ya Gonna Call?
Learn what to do if your insurance carrier goes bankrupt.

Legal
Against Your Will
Drowning in debt? If so, you should know about a legal maneuver creditors can use to force bankruptcy.

Management Buzz
Management Buzz 1/04
The current state of employee salaries, why camera phones might be a danger to your business, and more

Real Deal
Making Peace
If you haven't yet considered mediation as a way to resolve business disputes, here's why you should.

Smart Moves
The Payoff
If handling payroll by yourself has become a hassle, maybe it's time to go with an outside service.

Staff Smarts
Testing the Waters
Want to get an idea of how prospective employees may perform on the job? Use a situational interview, and take them on a test run.

A+ Ads
Claim to Fame
Is your product or service claim as provocative as it could be? Find out how to make yours unforgettable.

Ask the Expert
Keep in Touch
Be sure to reconnect with your key clients.

Marketing Buzz
Marketing Buzz 12/03
Get what you pay for with pay-for-placement PR.

Net Sales
Sweet Reward
Web awards give your site a huge boost.

Retail Register
Top Dollar
The lure of the "less than a buck" stores

Sales Force
Give 'Em Space
A well-designed work space, that is. After all, it could make a huge difference in the way your sales team performs.

Sales Success
Back to Basics
Want to create a strong sales foundation? Then keep these building blocks in mind.

Tactics
Turn It Up
Learn what your radio ads need to succeed, and get ready to make some noise.

Dollar Signs
Fair Share?
Venture fund operators cry foul over the SBA's bid to get a greater share of their investment profits.

Funds
World Class
Diversity pays off for this global fund.

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 1/04
Investing for a good cause, informal investments and more

Personal Finance
Under Fire
Is it still possible to invest without getting burned?

Raising Money
License to Profit
Could licensing your intellectual property provide the extra capital you've been looking for?

Tax Talk
What's Your Type?
Buying business real estate? The legal entity you choose could make a big difference in your tax bill.

Biz Travel
Book It!
Using an online travel site has its advantages for small companies.

Books
The Extra Mile
Going above and beyond may be your winning business strategy.

Capitol Issues
What Goes Up
Now there's a new way to track small business's ups and downs.

Hot Seat
Fax Attack
This entrepreneur's fighting mad about junk faxes.

It Figures
It Figures 1/04
Entrepreneurial stress, Web surfing and more

Smarts Features
At Risk
Are entrepreneurial traits a recipe for addiction?

Waiting in the Wings
Is the IPO market poised for a better performance in the coming year?

Out With the Old . . . ?
Chambers of commerce will have to rethink their programs—or risk losing Gen X entrepreneurs.

Military Detail
Can your business tap in to the huge market of armed forces members and their families?

Six Degrees
Can who your employees know make a difference in your sales?

Bad Rap
Has your industry got an image problem? Here's how to cope.

It's History
How the spirit of innovation has shaped the nation

Top-Heavy
Is it time to thin out your management pool?

Change of Address
There's a new Internet protocol in town. Is it time to upgrade?

Snapshot
Snapshot 01/04
Timothy Askew, 54, founder and CEO of Corporate Rain Inc. (CRI) in New Rochelle, New York

Tech Toy
I Want My WTV
Keeping up with current events without leaving your office

What's the Point?
Growing Pains
Aggressive growth could mean bigger profits—and unhappy employees.

Wheels
Have a Seat
Getting to the office bent out of shape? Your car seat could be why.

Women
Yes, You Can!
How entrepreneurs stuck to the New Year's resolutions they made for their companies

Buyer's Guide
Need Space?
If your server is filled to the brim with data, a network-attached storage device can help make some room.

Digital Edge
Power House
New, powerful office technologies are moving into your home to make work a little easier.

Gear
Gear 1/04
A printer/copier that knows how to network

Hot Disks
Hot Disks 1/04
The next best thing to Outlook, CRM gets bigger and better, and more

Net Profits
Happy Returns
Retaining your customers is a lot less expensive than getting new ones. So how do you keep them coming back for more?

Solutions
Hold the Fort
Safeguard your networks and PCs from invasions by worms, viruses and other dangerous agents.

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 1/04
Versatile mice for your employees; the next generation of portable display devices

Wireless
Wish List
What do people want most in a cell phone?

I Spy With My Little Wi-Fi
Wireless video cams can mean more security.