July/August 2011
COVER STORY
14 Tales of Unexpected Success
Fourteen company builders talk about their successes, their failures, and the lessons they learned along the way.
FEATURES
Meet This Year's Top Young Entrepreneurs
They’re among the most intriguing young business owners in America—and they’ve barely gotten started.
Meet the Best-Connected 21-Year-Old in the World
Ankur Jain is the founder of the Kairos Society, a network of college business owners dedicated to changing the world.
Inc.'s 2011 Compensation Guide
How much are Americans being paid in 2011? Here's a look at executive pay nationally, by city, and by industry.
Case Study: Firing the Best Friend
With business on the rocks, Susan Southerland was cutting back on everything. Could she really fire her best pal?
COLUMNS
Street Smarts | Norm Brodsky
Divvying Up the Business
Columnist Norm Brodsky talks about the importance of making sure you have a good ownership agreement.
Street Smarts | Norm Brodsky
How to Avoid the Price-War Trap
"Street Smarts" columnist Norm Brodsky offers his advice on dealing with low-priced competitors.
Street Smarts | Norm Brodsky
Growing Up as a CEO
Norm Brodsky says that you've got to take responsibility for the messes you get your company into, and grow up as CEO.
Get Real | Jason Fried
How to Get Creative: Stop Trying
According to columnist Jason Fried, creativity can come out of nowhere. The trick is to sense it—and ride it to the end.
Balancing Acts | Meg Cadoux Hirshberg
When the Business Fails
It’s a fact: More companies fail than succeed. So when that happens, can the marriage survive?
THE GOODS
4 Innovative Keyboards
We sampled four newfangled keyboards to see if they actually made us more productive. Here are the results.
3 Mobile Cash Registers
A look at three Web-based point-of-sale systems that work on laptops and tablets
Review: The HP Veer Smartphone
A look at the Veer, a phone that runs on Palm’s updated webOS2 platform
My Favorite Tool for Organizing Meetings
Entrepreneur Parag Shah explains how he uses MeetingMix to plan meetings and keep track of minutes.
Can You Make Your Own App?
Tech Trends columnist John Brandon gave two DIY app building tools a whirl. Here are the results.
Big Idea: A Computer for Seniors
The story behind the Telikin, a touchscreen computer pre-loaded with easy-to-use software for holding video chats, checking e-mail, and more.
3 Rugged Digital Cameras
We put three rugged cameras through the paces. Here are the results.
Tangle-Free Laptop Speakers
Here’s the skinny on Altec Lansing’s new Orbit USB stereo speakers, which are designed for travel.
3 Apps for the Great Outdoors
A look at mobile applications that help you perfect your golf game, score deals, and find parks to suit your needs.
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STRATEGY
Turning Customers Into Salespeople
How companies like Roku boost sales with referral marketing
How Would You Market Art for Rent?
Four entrepreneurs offer Artsicle their marketing ideas and help the start-up craft a following.
Elevator Pitch: FanGo
FanGo makes a sports app that lets fans order food from the concession stand using their phones. Can it raise $435,000?
Mastering Last-Minute Orders
How Mimeo and other companies have turned rush jobs into a science
Rethinking Employee Awards
I Love Rewards and other businesses find ways to bring meaning to corporate award ceremonies.
The Way I Work: Alison Pincus of One Kings Lane
"I am a connector by nature," says Alison Pincus, who needs multiple calendars to keep her busy life in check.
BEHIND THE SCENES
The Business of a Marathon
Here's a look at the companies providing the essentials at the 14th annual Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati.
LAUNCH
The Truth About Summer Jobs
Think that summer job was a waste of time? Not so. Here's why every aspiring entrepreneur needs one.
Avril Lavigne's New Business
The rock celebrity launches a new retailing business, called AbbeyDawn.com.
Crunching the Numbers
How many employees say they learn more about their jobs from their co-workers than their bosses? Read on for these and other statistics.
Book Review: Good Strategy/Bad Strategy
Author Richard P. Rumelt offers three simple steps to developing a strategy for your business.
The Founder of Zipcar Retools in France
Robin Chase, founder of Zipcar, recently launched a new car-sharing service in France, called Buzzcar.
Why the Wrong Entrepreneurs Take Big Risks
A study finds that companies best positioned to benefit from ambitious goals rarely pursue them.
Top 3 Priorities of the Best CFOs
Get the most out of your CFO: Encourage him or her to explore beyond the bean counting to identify profit growth opportunities for the business.
LEGACY
Obituary: Jess Stonestreet Jackson, 1930-2011
From dilettante winemaker to a giant in the field
VIEWS & OPINIONS
Editor's Letter: Where Stories Come From
A press release will never beat a good conversation.
Helping Sluggish Businesses Find Success
Bar and nightlife consultant Jon Taffer talks about helping businesses be profitable and hosting a new reality show on Spike TV.
Reader Mail: July/August 2011
Readers respond to our stories about the battle for national cupcake dominance and social entrepreneurship, among others. Plus: an update on Groupon’s global expansion strategy.
Inc. 5000 Update: Auction Systems Auctioneers & Appraisers
Auctioneering, not prostitution, is the oldest profession known to man.







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