START IT UP  

Jessica Stillman


Rare New Form of Procrastination Identified

So you don't consciously put off tasks for later. That doesn't mean you're not procrastinating, according to one management consultant.  Read story

Is Formality Toxic?

Sure, many tech companies have swapped hoodies for suits, but is there really no good use for formality in business?  Read story

Entrepreneurship Education for the Jobless

A nonprofit is helping transform the unemployed into entrepreneurs through simple but effective training. File that under both 'good deeds' and 'smart econom...  Read story

Best Place in the World to Start a Company

A Yale professor offers a new argument about geography and the success of a start-up.  Read story

Richard Branson's Advice to a (Very) Young Entrepreneur

The Virgin Group founder offers advice to a kid, and it's advice that could help entrepreneurs of all ages.  Read story

Obama Loves Small Business. The Feeling Isn't Mutual

A new poll shows the president's approval rating among entrepreneurs has fallen to a new low.  Read story

Under-Appreciated Business Tool: Dreams

Spending time pondering your dreams isn't just for philosophers. It's actually a hard-nosed business necessity for entrepreneurs, argues one business school ...  Read story

Employees Doing Personal Chores at Work? Let Them!

Research shows business owners are increasingly relaxed about employees doing personal tasks during the workday. Here's why that's the right approach.  Read story

Surprising Way Female Entrepreneurs Are Left Out

A pair of number-crunching economists claim that women-owned small businesses are missing out on the revenue-boosting effects of shops clustering together.  Read story

Shifting Opinion Indicator: Companies Backing Gay Marriage

Why are so many companies coming out against DOMA? History suggests some answers--including a seismic shift in national opinion on gay marriage. Small busine...  Read story

Success: You're Measuring It Wrong

Able and ambitious companies drive themselves to ruin through a focus on short-term measures of success, and so do individuals, argues Harvard Business Schoo...  Read story

Look Mom, No Managers!

A Norwegian company engages in a radical experiment in flat structure, while researchers tag along to study the surprising effects. (Hint: It stinks.)  Read story

Start Your Company While You're in College

Entrepreneurial students once faced a choice between sticking with school and starting a fast-growing business. Today, some British universities are making i...  Read story

The Reason You Should Fly Only First Class

A co-founder of TheKnot.com relates how he went from a life of layovers and red-eye flights to flying only first class. Here's the debate over whether you sh...  Read story

Your Desk Is Making You Stupid

Sitting around all day isn't just making you unhealthy. It might also be making you dumber.  Read story

Pay Your Employees to Work Less. Huh?

One company gives its team hefty bonuses...for getting away from the office and unplugging. How did we ever reach this point?  Read story

Summer: To Chill Out or Work Harder?

You might feel tempted to mellow the pace at work in the summer. Should you resist the urge or follow your instincts?  Read story

How to Get Your Parents to Support Your Start-Up Dreams

You're going to be an entrepreneur? Now you just have to convince your parents. Here's how to break the news.  Read story

Selfish Mistake That's Hurting Your Team

The exact words you choose when talking about your company may seem insignificant, but they can have a huge effect on employee motivation, says Brad Feld.  Read story

Run a Successful & Productive Remote Team

A pair of successful entrepreneurs argues that remote workers and early-stage companies can mix--assuming you follow a few basic principles.  Read story

'Zombies' Are Costing Your Business

A staffing firm adds up the cost of "zombie hires" and comes up with a number that's nearly as terrifying as the walking dead. Luckily, it also offers three ...  Read story

3 Neat Tricks for Overcoming Social Anxiety

If you think you'd be a better entrepreneur if you were less shy, try these simple methods from the pros. (Hey, it worked for Will Ferrell!)  Read story

Why Mark Zuckerberg Is a Terrible Role Model

According to a new analysis, if you want to run a tech company, you shouldn't drop out of college.  Read story

America's Schools: Innovation Killers?

In a fast-changing world, the next generation of entrepreneurs needs to be able to innovate, but are America's schools extinguishing this ability?  Read story

In Inbox Hell? Time to Admit You're an Email Sinner

A SaneBox executive outlines the seven deadly sins of email. Are you guilty?  Read story

How to Be a Better Manager: Do Nothing

A new book preaches the gospel of management minimalism.  Read story

Immigrants' Big Role in Small Business

Immigrants are over-represented among small business owners and account for 30% of all small business growth, a new report concludes.  Read story

Get the Most From an Unhappy Customer

Your impulse to immediately placate unhappy customers is understandable. But may actually be a missed opportunity.  Read story

Stressed? Don't Take a Vacation

Getting away may seem like the perfect solution to chronic stress, but the author of a new book says the counterintuitive truth is you're better off staying ...  Read story

Best Way for Young Entrepreneurs to Live?

A small-but-fascinating new movement is upon us, and this isn't your parents' commune.  Read story

Hit Your Anxiety Sweet Spot

Too much stress can cause you to choke, but just the right amount of anxiety can actually help you reach peak performance.  Read story

Why Americans Admire Small Business

A new survey reveals that in tough economic times small business owners made impressive sacrifices to keep their businesses afloat and their employees paid.  Read story

Learn Your Greatest Strength to Find Your Weakness

The personal qualities that help you excel as an entrepreneur also present serious pitfalls that need to be managed, writes a pair of business school profess...  Read story

This Company Discloses All Employees' Salaries

Boulder, Colorado-based Namasté Solar takes an unusual, full disclosure approach to compensation.  Read story

Selling Your Company Won't Make You Happy

A veteran of two acquisitions offers a reality check for fellow founders, reminding them they shouldn't be in the start-up game just for the payout.  Read story

Metrics Are More Motivating Than Bonuses

A founder and CEO explains why he thinks a well run metrics program beats cash bonuses for motivating employees.  Read story

Survey: Online Hiring Boosts Business

A new survey suggests businesses finding contractors online are highly satisfied--and say they have a leg up on the competition without being hitched to loca...  Read story

U.K. Founders: Don't Call Me 'Entrepreneur'

A new survey finds that British business owners would rather be known as "self-employed," or, simply, "business owner." Is "entrepreneur" still a dirty word?  Read story

Go Ahead, Daydream

Eureka! New scientific research reveals the mind-opening benefits of letting your thoughts wander.  Read story

Diversity: It's About Improving Your Business, Not Checking Boxes

Kashoo improved its business by hiring way outside its comfort zone, and an expert explains why the company has the right approach to diversity.  Read story