Spring 2005

Departments

Keeping the Books – Taking a Banking Partner

People Power – A Family-Friendly Workplace

Customer Care – Listen Up!

Marketing 101 – From the Mouths of Customers

Features

Getting the Goods on e-Commerce
Setting up shop on the Web requires a fair amount of legwork to build traffic.

Shifting Gears
Branching out is a must-have growth strategy, but experts caution to steer toward territory you know.

From the Pages of Inc.

Instant Messaging Displacing E-mail at Work
America Online released a study showing that across the country the use of Instant Messaging (IM) platforms has increased dramatically, especially at work.
By: Allen Robert

Self-Employment Up for Women and Ethnic Groups
Between 1979 and 2003, the number of self-employed women, blacks, and Latinos has risen sharply, according to a report released late last year by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
By: Carole Matthews

Employers Shifting away from Traditional Sick-Day Policies
With recent statistics showing unscheduled employee absenteeism at a five-year high, employers are increasingly turning to alternative methods in hopes of curbing this trend, which can contribute not only to lower morale, but also to increased costs.
By: Michael Aneiro

Are You Paying Yourself Enough?
You’re getting by on a paltry salary because that’s what’s best for your company. Or is it? An owner’s low pay can send the wrong message—to investors and employees. Here’s how to pick the magic number. Plus: What other CEOs take home.
Inc. Magazine, November 2004
By: Alison Stein Wellner

The Freelance Conundrum
Contract workers can save you cash. But an office full of temps contains all manner of other, hidden costs.
Inc. Magazine, December 2004
By: Mike Brewster

VoIP: Is It Ready for Prime Time?
Internet telephony is garnering much attention for its cost-saving benefits. Here’s a primer on what it is and how you can take advantage of it.
Inc.com, November 2004
By: Derek Johnson and Luke Slymen

Learn to Love Your Lawyer
When it comes to attorneys, even the smartest business owners screw up. It doesn’t have to be that way—if you follow Inc.’s plan for managing your lawyer.
Inc. Magazine, December 2004
By: Mark Obbie

Warming Up to Cold Calls
Why it’s time to rethink one of the most derided marketing tactics.
Inc. Magazine, November 2004
By: Nicole Gull

Happy Together
Many business partnerships end in disaster. Yours doesn’t have to.
Inc. Magazine, November 2004
By: Dimitra Kessenides

The Secrets of Open-Source Managing
Start treating your customers like employees.
Inc. Magazine, December 2004
By: David H. Freedman