Entrepreneur Magazine: November 2004

On the Road Again?
Then don't forget to pack these tech essentials. We take a look at the latest and greatest mobile gadgets that will keep you connected--and keep your business one step ahead.

To the Rescue
''Help! My office is obsolete!'' cried entrepreneurs across the land, but who needed the most help? Xerox and Entrepreneur found out with their office makeover contest--and turned a tragic office ''don't'' into a fabulous office ''do.''



Be Your Own Boss Features
Students of Enterprise
When they weren't studying, these students made the smart choice to pursue franchise ownership--and learned that a college education is about more than what goes on in the classroom.

Planning for Gold
At business plan competitions across the country, judges sift through talented teams of presenters to find out who deserves the precious prizes--cash, services and VC exposure. Could your startup be the next to strike it rich?

Biz 101
Hire Learning
You can't just throw new hires into the workplace and hope for the best. First, you've got to train them right.

Willing and Able
This incubator targets entrepreneurs with disabilities

Saving Accounts
Pick up a few money-saving tips from these entrepreneurs as they share their startup stories.

Go, Go Gadgets
The winner of our tech makeover contest makes the most of her new gizmos on the road.

Innovations
The Write Stuff
Entrepreneurs find success with a new take on a familiar product.

Opportunities
Leader of the Pack
A single mother from Belgium finds that good things come in packages of all sizes.

Smoothie Operator
With 4 successful stores, this juice enthusiast has all the right moves.

What's New 11/04
Profits on tap

Smart Ideas
Smart Ideas 11/04
Golf course advertising, air from paradise and more

Success Coach
A Labor of Love
Have you lost that lovin' feeling for your business? Learn how to get the spark back.

What's Your Problem?
Property Reassessment
Is the lease up on this apartment-based business?

Almost Famous
The Big Cheese
With his line of talking toys, this former street vendor brings new meaning to the phrase "Quiet as a mouse."

Editor's Note
Pearls of Wisdom


Feedback
Feedback 11/04
Letters from our readers

Resources
Resources 11/04
Websites, organizations, events and more to grow your business

Legal
Lease on Life?
Leasing workers can reduce your paperwork, but don't forget your legal obligations to those employees.

Management Buzz
Management Buzz 11/04
Ombudsmen programs, executive wishes and more

Real Deal
Just Zip It
A confidentiality agreement can give you the upper hand.

Smart Moves
A New Leaf
If you want to make changes to help your business soar, you've got to win people over first.

Staff Smarts
Intern Burn
Hired the ultimate intern from hell? Here's how to avoid making the same mistake twice.

A+ Ads
Take the Plunge
Contrary to popular belief, you use "bad news" to create a successful advertisement. Find out how it's done.

Ask the Expert
Direct Effect
Make the most of your direct-mail campaign

Marketing Buzz
Marketing Buzz 11/04
Getting answers, abandoned shopping carts and more

Net Sales
Listen Up!
If you're not advertising on internet radio, you could be missing out.

Retail Register
Local Motion
For a competitive edge, offer items made locally.

Sales Force
Share the Wealth
If you've got one superstar handling all your top accounts, it's time to redistribute the work--and the risk.

Sales Success
Bridging the Gap
Networking can be key to creating sales opportunities. Here's how to make the moves.

Tactics
Sock It to 'Em
Can a negative marketing campaign have positive results? Here's what to know before you strike the first blow.

Dollar Signs
A Loan Time
With small-business lending up across the board, now's a great time to get the capital you need.

Funds
Switch Gears
Flexibility is a key feature of convertible funds.

Insurance
Buy Now, Pay More Later
Paying premiums over time can cost you.

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 11/04
IPO options, retirement plans and more

Personal Finance
Recipe for Disaster?
Recent storms serve as reminders to review your homeowners policy--or regret it later.

Raising Money
Common Cents
Approaching investors who share your interests is the first step to getting the dollars you need.

Tax Talk
Electric Slide
Sign up for electronic filing, and you could get a tax-penalty refund.

Biz Travel
Extra Special
Booking sites offer more bang for your buck--and then some.

Books
In Strictest Confidence
How to instill faith in yourself--and in employees at the same time.

Capitol Issues
Let Them Eat Cake
When it comes to small business, a new tax-cut bill is half-baked.

It Figures
It Figures 11/04
Entrepreneurial concerns, wireless growth and more

Smarts Features
Call Forward
No question about it: The mobile phones of tomorrow have a lot in store for you.

Spinoff Doctors
VC firm frees and rehabilitates small tech firms languishing inside large companies.

Go West
Want a few business pointers? Mosey on over to Deadwood.

Club Meds
Could drug-buying clubs cure high prescription costs?

By Gum!
...it is possible to beat everyone--even big companies--to market, as this entrepreneur found out.

Point of Sale
Software giants focus on selling to small businesses.

Fast Times
These entrepreneurs learned unexpected lessons from their former fast-food jobs.

Pet Projects
Cats and dogs and babies, oh my! It's just another day at the office for these entrepreneurs.

Backward Thinking
Reverse auctions could help you get more contracts.

Let's Do Lunch
Giving new meaning to the term "power lunch"

Snapshot
Snapshot 11/04
Andy Hyman, 44, founder of Distant Replays in Atlanta

Tech Toy
Snap n' Print
Your own portable photo lab

Wheels
Be Reasonable
If you're buying company cars on a less-than-flexible budget, these midsize sedans are sensible choices.

Women
You Can Count on Me
A friend can make the best kind of business partner.

Buyer's Guide
Do You Copy?
If you've reached the point where you need to invest in a copier, we've got the rundown on choosing one to match your business and your budget.

Connections
Seeing Is Believing
Will VoIP technology finally make videoconferencing a reality?

Digital Edge
Broadband Wagon
Greater connectivity is coming to a neighborhood near you. What will it mean for businesses?

Gear
Gear 11/04
Workgroup printer and network-attached storage

Hot Disks
Hot Disks 11/04
Ridding yourself of unwanted e-mail, secure file transfers and more

Net Profits
In Search Of . . .
Can customers search your website--and actually find what they need? If not, you're losing dollars.

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 11/04
Browser options, storage devices and more

Wireless
The I's Have It
A more secure wireless standard is on its way.

Air Campaign
Think wireless devices and air travel don't mix? That could soon be changing.