Inc. 5000


Recent Inc. 5000 Articles

Can Your Business Be Sold?

By Mike Handelsman |  Mar 14, 2012

Your business is your livelihood. But, there comes a time to move on. The first step is simply evaluating how ready your business is for sale. These checklis...  Read more

How Robust Is Your Customer Pipeline?

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Mar 13, 2012

A formulaic approach to building a prospect list will help you decide quickly whether a new business has enough potential for growth.  Read more

8 Steps to Acquiring a Business

By Glen Blickenstaff |  Mar 13, 2012

How to apply Sun Tzu strategies to business acquisition.  Read more

8 Steps to Squash a Customer's Complaint

By Matthew Swyers |  Mar 13, 2012

Before you rush to defend yourself or fight back remember to put yourself in your customer's shoes.  Read more

Think Your Business Is Big Enough? Think Again

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Mar 12, 2012

We struggle every day with the ever-present need to get bigger, then get bigger again, in order to meet our objectives and create a sustainable business.  Read more

Why Evolution is Important in Business

By Curt Richardson |  Mar 9, 2012

Change is never easy, but it's often essential. OtterBox founder and CEO Curt Richardson, found this out the hard way on several early endeavors.  Read more

Your Business Can Be More Than Just a Job

By Michael E. Gerber |  Mar 9, 2012

Did you fantasize about the lifestyle you would have as an entrepreneur? Surprised it hasn't turned out that way? It's not too late to turn things around.  Read more

Want to Start a New Line of Business? Next Steps

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Mar 9, 2012

Determining the right path for a new business or market begins with a precise examination and prioritization of the target customer.  Read more

3 Fundamentals of Building a Great Business

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Mar 8, 2012

Whether you’re launching a start-up or looking to grow a mature business, you won’t get very far unless you stick to these basics.  Read more

10 Steps to a Powerful Climate

By Glen Blickenstaff |  Mar 8, 2012

These techniques will help you to recharge your organization's culture climate.  Read more

5 Cues You're Pursuing A Bad Business Idea 

By Scott Gerber |  Mar 8, 2012

How to determine you're on a dead-end business path. Tips from Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council, and Marc Barros, CEO of Contour hands...  Watch video

6 Outstanding 'Unofficial' Business Partners

By Jay Love |  Mar 7, 2012

Are you using informal contacts to drive your business? Here are six relationships that are worth nurturing.  Read more

4-Step Entrepreneur Screening Test

By Matthew Swyers |  Mar 7, 2012

Do you think like an entrepreneur? Test yourself against these four simple points.  Read more

Fast Growth for Healthy Snacks

By Caitlin Berens |  Mar 6, 2012

Inc. 5000 applicant Snikiddy, founded by Mary Schulman and her mother, is finding success in the health food market with its snacks.  Read more

7 Free Apps That Will Make Life Better

By Janine Popick |  Mar 6, 2012

These free (or next to free) apps promise to make your life easier.  Read more

How Much Are Your Employees Worth?

By Glen Blickenstaff |  Mar 6, 2012

Compensation can be a real positive in influencing the performance of a company, or it can create real problems.  Read more

In Search of Sustainable Growth

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Mar 6, 2012

Previous growth is no indicator of continued success. So Karl heads to Inc.’s GrowCo conference looking for new ideas.  Read more

9 Things You Must Do to Be a Market Leader

By Ilya Pozin |  Mar 6, 2012

A good product is only the cost of entry. If you're going to thrive, you'll need more than that.  Read more

Mr. President, Help Us Bring Back the Spirit of Innovation

By Naveen Jain |  Mar 6, 2012

Entrepreneur and innovator Naveen Jain calls for the President to implement several suggestions that promise to spur innovation and entrepreneurship in America.  Read more

The Case for Humor

By Kevin Daum |  Mar 5, 2012

Here are three powerful reasons why using humor attracts customers and helps communication.  Read more

Why You’ve Got to Stay Thirsty for Growth

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Mar 5, 2012

Why we all need to satisfy the thirst to growth, and you should never allow that thirst to be quenched.  Read more

7 Last Minute Ideas for National Employee Appreciation Day

By Matthew Swyers |  Mar 1, 2012

Forgot about National Employee Appreciation Day? Bet your employees didn't. Here are a few quick tips to keep you out of the doghouse.  Read more

Stop Contractors from Stealing Your Customers

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Feb 29, 2012

Companies that provide most of their value through independent contractors are always at risk. Here’s how to create a model that's win-win for the business...  Read more

3 Most Innovative Social Sites Right Now

By Aaron Aders |  Feb 29, 2012

A shortlist of the top three most useful, innovative and interesting social platforms today.  Read more

Caution: Your Business Is Not Irreplaceable

By Matthew Swyers |  Feb 29, 2012

It is easier than ever for your customers to find your competitors. Make sure they do not need to.  Read more

What to Do When Relationships Sour

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Feb 28, 2012

Business relationships can sometimes turn bad. Here’s how to protect your business from a bad breakup.  Read more

Get Your Focus Back: 7 Tips

By Ilya Pozin |  Feb 28, 2012

You're in an epic battle against distractions--and most of the time you're on the losing side. Here's how to fight back.  Read more

Gourmet Dog Food Takes Off

By Darren Dahl |  Feb 28, 2012

Marie Moody's love for her adopted mutts inspired her to launch Stella & Chewy's, a Milwaukee-based pet-food maker.  Read more

5 Ways You Are Turning Your Customers Away

By Janine Popick |  Feb 27, 2012

Are you losing customers without even knowing it? Make sure your business and employees aren't suffering from these easy setbacks.  Read more

How to Choose Your Battles More Wisely

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Feb 27, 2012

Compete where you have an advantage and can win, and don’t be tempted by the siren song of business models you don’t know how to execute.  Read more

Stockpiling Tech Stars: Drupal Connect

By Abigail Tracy |  Feb 27, 2012

Drupal Connect's founder John Florez drives the fast growth of his company by stacking his team with top tier talent, making his Drupal development company e...  Read more

How Attractive Are You to Potential Suitors?

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Feb 24, 2012

When showcasing your capabilities for a prospective business partner, three key elements could help you close the deal.  Read more

How to Make the Toughest Decision

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Feb 23, 2012

If your business model has run out of steam, you can’t afford to wait. Here are six steps to help you make difficult strategic decisions more quickly.  Read more

Outsmart Your Competitors Every Time

By Karl Stark and Bill Stewart |  Feb 22, 2012

How to leveraged a low-cost structure into a strategic growth plan focused on low-risk, low-cost acquisitions.  Read more

The Customer Is Not Always Right

By Janine Popick |  Feb 22, 2012

In some rare cases it may become necessary to fire a customer that disrespects your team. In those cases, show your team that you have their backs.  Read more