Inc. 5000


Recent Inc. 5000 Articles

Start-up Fundraising Tips from the Front Lines

By Aaron Aders |  Jun 12, 2013

Successful tech entrepreneur MaryAnn Bekkedahl shares valuable lessons learned when raising investment capital for her organization.  Read more

Make Your Customer Service Memorable

By Peter Gasca |  Jun 12, 2013

If you want to differentiate your customer service, stop trying to be perfect and simply be memorable.  Read more

Balance Your Work and Personal Life Like a Pro

By Kevin Daum |  Jun 11, 2013

The ideal combination of work, family, and social can be difficult to arrive at. Take control of your life with these simple tips.  Read more

Are You a Leader or a Manager? There's a Difference

By Curt Richardson |  Jun 10, 2013

The terms leadership and management are often used interchangeably, but there is a huge difference between a leader and a manager.  Read more

Test the Performance of Your Homepage: 3 Tips

By Janine Popick |  Jun 10, 2013

Your homepage may be the hardest working page on your website, so make sure you know what's working and what's not.  Read more

4 Great Leadership Lessons from the Arts

By Kevin Daum |  Jun 7, 2013

Math and science are noble endeavors, but real leadership is taught in the arts. Here are four powerful lessons taught best by artists.  Read more

Why Employees Stay (and Why They Go)

By Janine Popick |  Jun 7, 2013

What makes employees stay for the long haul when they can get higher pay by jumping around? The answer may surprise you.  Read more

Marketing Through Awards: 3 Simple Tips

By Matthew Swyers |  Jun 6, 2013

Awards can be a powerful marketing tool. Here's how to apply for them, win and tell the world.  Read more

Growing a High-Touch Business

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Jun 6, 2013

Are you trying to grow a business that requires a high level of trust between the customer and an individual at your company? Here are some of the challenges...  Read more

Google's Penguin 2.0 Update: What You Need to Know

By Aaron Aders |  Jun 5, 2013

How to align with, rather than battle against, Google's latest algorithm update.  Read more

Independent Business or Franchise? How to Decide

By Curtis Kroeker |  Jun 5, 2013

It's a question every business buyer faces. Here are five major differences between buying an independent business versus a franchise.  Read more

Building a High-Touch Business

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Jun 4, 2013

Are you creating a business built on hands-on customer relationships? If so, here are a few things to keep in mind.  Read more

6 Things Really Happy People Do

By Kevin Daum |  Jun 4, 2013

Are you tired of settling for just being content? Here is how really happy people stay that way.  Read more

F@#%! Is Swearing in the Office Okay?

By Janine Popick |  Jun 3, 2013

Use these three tips to determine when swearing in the workplace is okay and when it is a no way.  Read more

Paid Search and E-commerce: 4 Things You Should Know

By Jon Morris |  Jun 3, 2013

If you have a paid search program or plan to launch one soon, use these four tips to optimize your campaigns.  Read more

Alex and Ani CEO: 'My Job Was to Discourage People'

By Judith Ohikuare |  May 31, 2013

Inc. editor-at-large Leigh Buchanan interviews the unlikely pair who lead the fast-growing oft-hiring designer-jewelry maker.  Read more

8 Ways to Be Re-inspired At Work

By Kevin Daum |  May 31, 2013

After a while, some people get complacent or dissatisfied with their company. Here are eight ways to find that magic again.  Read more

Do You Make It Too Hard to Get a Job At Your Company?

By Janine Popick |  May 31, 2013

Your job application process may be scaring excellent candidates away.  Read more

Stay Nimble, Be Quick: 3 Tips

By Matthew Swyers |  May 30, 2013

Is your business nimble enough to survive the next shift in the global online marketplace?  Read more

5 Tips to Keep Your Brand Relevant

By Michael A. Olguin |  May 30, 2013

Use these tips to help your brand gain new-found relevancy. The alternative is death.  Read more

5 Pitfalls to Avoid When Preparing to Sell Your Business

By Curtis Kroeker |  May 29, 2013

There's a lot at stake when you decide to sell your company. To make sure it goes well, you'll want to avoid these common pre-sale mistakes.  Read more

Cheat Sheet for New Google Plus Features

By Aaron Aders |  May 29, 2013

Here are all of the new and classic features of Google Plus all in one cheat sheet.  Read more

12 Non-caffeinated Ways to Wake Up at Work

By Kevin Daum |  May 28, 2013

Whether you are sleep deprived or just bored, sometimes caffeine just isn't the way to go.  Read more

These Guys Turned Coolers Into a Luxury Item

By Judith Ohikuare |  Apr 30, 2013

The young founders behind Yeti Coolers will change the way you think about coolers.  Read more

How Your Energy Affects Your Team

By Janine Popick |  May 24, 2013

When you're the boss, there are going to many times when you've gotta put on your "game face" because your energy affects everyone and everything.  Read more

How to Give (and Receive) Positive Criticism

By Kevin Daum |  May 24, 2013

Criticism hurts for most, but given right, it can inspire both the critic and the critiqued. Here are five tips to make your critique a positive experience.  Read more

Don't Let Mistakes Mushroom

By Peter Gasca |  May 24, 2013

Let's face it, shiitake happens. Here are three ways to make the most of your mistakes.  Read more

Should You Build or Buy Your Way to Growth?

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  May 23, 2013

If you have an opportunity to build a big business, you first need to consider whether to grow organically or through acquisition.  Read more

Build Trust and Authority in Google Search

By Aaron Aders |  May 22, 2013

Here's what you need to know about Google's Hilltop algorithm and how to use it to your advantage.  Read more

5 Best Resources for Small Business Buyers

By Curtis Kroeker |  May 22, 2013

Although buying a small business is a big step, it isn't a step that you have to take alone. Here are several resources that can help you close on the busine...  Read more

Be More Productive In an Open Work Space

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  May 21, 2013

Readers weigh in on the challenges of balancing collaboration and getting "real" work done.  Read more

Living the 7 Entrepreneurial Virtues

By Kevin Daum |  May 21, 2013

We all strive to be our best. Here are seven traits to make your entrepreneurial journey heavenly.  Read more

The Sun Jump-started This $33 Million Business

By Julie Strickland |  May 20, 2013

For Goal Zero, what began as a humanitarian effort to provide solar power to the Congo grew to a $33 million business.  Read more

3 Reasons I Lead From the Weeds

By Janine Popick |  May 20, 2013

You can still keep your company moving forward while keeping your feet firmly planted in the day-to-day details. Here are three reasons to do so.  Read more

Tech Company Tableau Software Goes Public

By Julie Strickland |  May 17, 2013

The fast-growing data visualization software company puts Seattle back on the IPO map.  Read more