Trend Watcher

June 2011

COVER STORY

Core Values of the Top Small Company Workplaces

The crucial element in well-run companies? Leaders who know what they believe in.


FEATURES

A Constant Feeling of Crisis

Think the U.S. economy feels shaky? Try doing business in Argentina, where inflation is rampant.

How We Did It: Superfly Presents

The brains behind Bonnaroo talk about their early days in New Orleans, and how they continue to love their jobs.

Giving Himself Room to Roam

Paul Budnitz, founder of Kidrobot, is finding there’s nothing quite as liberating as being all over the place.

Case Study: How Timing Is Everything

Eric Heinbockel and Fabian Kaempfer struggled with slow sales. So why did they hesitate to fill a large order?

COLUMNS

Street Smarts |  Norm Brodsky

How to Take On a Bully

Columnist Norm Brodsky offers his advice on how to deal with a large competitor that intimidates your customers.

Street Smarts |  Norm Brodsky

How to Adapt Your Business Model for Hard Times

Norm Brodsky suggests getting a second opinion on big decisions.

Street Smarts |  Norm Brodsky

How to Prepare Your Business for Inflation

Norm Brodsky warns that a period of high inflation is coming and offers tips on what you need to do now.

Get Real |  Jason Fried

Don't Exaggerate Your Size

Nearly every entrepreneur exaggerates his or her company's size to impress clients. Jason Fried says that's silly.

Trend Watcher |  John Gerzema

The Geeks Are Graying

Columnist John Gerzema explains why businesses shouldn't treat technology as a young person's game.

THE GOODS

Cool New Summer Gear

We hunted down the coolest new summertime gadgets and accessories. Here are our top picks.

3 DIY Facebook Design Services

Here's a look at three tools for designing custom tabs without breaking your marketing budget.

3 Handy Browser Plug-Ins

These add-ons to manage bookmarking and surfing could make your online time more productive.

Things I Can't Live Without: Andy Dunn of Bonobos

Dunn's favorite things include The New Yorker and an American Apparel hoody.

My Favorite Tool for Prioritizing E-mail

Entrepreneur Patrick Rhone explains how he uses AwayFind to keep up with urgent e-mail messages on the go.

A New Way to Search for Lodging Online

Want to know exactly what to expect? Room 77 lets you see the view from a room before booking it.

A Better Way to Meet Online

Tech Trends columnist John Brandon recently tried out iMeet, the new Web-conferencing service that all the tech blogs are raving about. Here’s what he found.

Big Idea: A Journal That Turns Inside Out

While developing a book about the space-time continuum, Ellen Dudley was inspired to create an innovative book binding technique.

PASSIONS

CEO Passions: Gymnastics

Twice a day, skin care entrepreneur Ole Henriksen heads to his backyard to swing, roll, and twist on gymnastic equipment.

INNOVATION

Innovation: Silicon-Based LED Chips

Bridgelux says it has developed a cheaper way to produce LED bulbs.