Field Research


Recent Field Research Articles

4 Steps to Innovate the P&G Way

By Erik Sherman |  Apr 30, 2012

Don't have the $2 billion R&D budget of P&G? Not to worry. CTO Bruce Brown says any company can master this process.  Read more


Friday Fail: Customers Who Won't Pay

By Jeff Haden |  Apr 27, 2012

Tired of success stories? Every Friday on Inc.com we bring you epic tales of failure and shame. This week: worst excuses from delinquent customers.  Read more


Become an Entrepreneur--No Idea Required

By Christina DesMarais |  Apr 26, 2012

You get a salary, equity, mentors, and more. An inside look at how a San Francisco 'foundry' plans to build the next killer start-up.  Read more


How to Land That All-Important First Customer

By Minda Zetlin |  Apr 23, 2012

No track record? No problem. Here's how one fledgling start-up signed up 40 Fortune 500 companies as customers.  Read more


Box: Can It Stop a Goliath Named Google?

By John Brandon |  Apr 23, 2012

If the rumors are true, Google will launch a cloud service that aims squarely at Box. Does the start-up have what it takes to survive?  Read more


Is Your Business Going Through Puberty?

By Chris Mittelstaedt |  Apr 23, 2012

You know those awkward growing pains? They happen to companies, too. Prepare for the inevitable changes with these tips.  Read more


Simplest Way to Get Smarter

By Jeff Haden |  Apr 19, 2012

Forget the puzzles, games, and mental exercises. There's an easier way to boost your brain power.  Read more


Get Maximum Customer Info for Minimum Cost: 5 Tips

By Jon Burgstone and Bill Murphy, Jr. |  Apr 17, 2012

In a start-up’s early days, your most important task is to sort out the good ideas from the bad--without spending a ton of money. Here’s how.  Read more


The Secret to Keeping Your Company Alive

By Clayton M. Christensen and Hal Gregersen |  Apr 16, 2012

Clayton Christensen and Hal Gregersen, co-authors of The Innovator's DNA , on what makes the most innovative companies in the world tick.  Read more


The Dangers of Marketing Half-Baked Products

By Christina DesMarais |  Apr 12, 2012

Should you show the world your technology before it's fully baked? Google did with Project Glass--but that doesn't mean you should.  Read more


How to Make Smarter Decisions on the Fly

By Jeff Haden |  Apr 10, 2012

A better process to think through your choices when the stakes are high.  Read more


Women: More Honest and Hardworking?

By Jeff Haden |  Apr 5, 2012

What's the workplace really like? A new survey claims women are working their tails off... and men are more likely to play hooky.  Read more


How Not to Crash & Burn in Business

By Chris Mittelstaedt |  Apr 4, 2012

Running a business is like flying a plane: Lots of decisions to make and zero time to analyze them. Improve your gut instincts with these tips.  Read more


5 Smart Moves to Steal from the Tech Industry

By Scott Steinberg |  Mar 30, 2012

Strategies every start-up and small business can take from Apple, Facebook, Google, and other leaders in high tech.  Read more


6 Major Tech Innovations for 2012

By John Brandon |  Mar 29, 2012

These trends could make for huge opportunities--or huge disruptions to your business. Either way, they are ones to watch.  Read more


Why the Best Product Doesn't Always Win

By Erik Sherman |  Mar 28, 2012

Entrepreneurs often think only the best product will let them succeed. But sometimes 'best' isn't what your customers really want.  Read more


Why 'Idea' Should Be a Verb

By Jeff Haden |  Mar 27, 2012

Ideas without action aren't ideas--they're regrets.  Read more


4 Ways Big Data Can Trick You

By Erik Sherman |  Mar 26, 2012

Analyzing heaps of data can give you an edge... or make you fall flat on your face. It all depends on how you use the results.  Read more


How to Build a Great Team With Imperfect People

By Jeff Haden |  Mar 22, 2012

Your goal isn’t to ensure every employee is great; it's to ensure that collectively they'll be great. (There’s a big difference.)  Read more


Why Premature Hype Kills Start-ups

By Tara Hunt |  Mar 21, 2012

If your beta product isn't ready for prime time, the last thing you need is attention from the media.  Read more


Reid Hoffman Wants You to Invest His Money

By Jeff Haden |  Mar 20, 2012

The LinkedIn co-founder is lending $1 million to struggling entrepreneurs around the world and you can help decide who gets it.  Read more


You're Not as 'Green' as You Think

By Michelle Greenwald |  Mar 19, 2012

Chances are, your company is just a lightweight when it comes to being eco-friendly. Want to go hardcore? Here's what it takes.  Read more


Will Clean Tech Be Bigger Than Web 2.0?

By Christina DesMarais |  Mar 13, 2012

Why the start-up community remains bullish on the industry--despite its Solyndra-sized failures.  Read more


Before You Launch Your Business Idea

By Scott Gerber |  Mar 7, 2012

How do you get a company started? Take these tips from Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council, and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, founder of Gilt ...  Watch video


4 Launch Day Survival Tips

By John Brandon |  Mar 1, 2012

Expect zero sleep, testy employees, and tech glitches you never could have anticipated. Here's how GetHired.com made it through.  Read more