Research and Development


Recent Research and Development Articles

How to Ask Better Questions

By Erik Sherman |  May 16, 2012

You may have what sounds like the best idea in the world. But before you do anything else, try to poke as many holes in it as you can.  Read more


6 Habits of Truly Memorable People

By Jeff Haden |  May 16, 2012

How to stick out in the minds of your colleagues and customers--no gimmicks required.  Read more


The Best (and Hardest) Way to Start a Company

By Jeff Haden |  May 15, 2012

How to live the entrepreneurial dream while minimizing your risks and maximizing your success. (Warning: This ain't easy.)  Read more


9 Qualities of Remarkable Entrepreneurs

By Jeff Haden |  May 14, 2012

What separates the best from everyone else? (Hint: It's not about the money.)  Read more


Friday Fail: Worst Bosses

By Jeff Haden |  May 11, 2012

Tired of success stories? Every Friday on Inc.com we bring you epic tales of failure and embarrassment. This week: Your worst bosses.  Read more


How to Find Your Next Great Idea

By Erik Sherman |  May 10, 2012

Sometimes it's smarter to ditch the dream of finding something brand new. Try riding someone else's wave instead.  Read more


What's Wrong With the Lean Start-up

By Jon Burgstone |  May 10, 2012

It sounds like straightforward enough advice to build a better business, but the approach has serious flaws.  Read more


Great Bosses Don’t Go Undercover

By Jay Steinfeld |  May 9, 2012

If you need a disguise to learn the truth about your company, you're doing something wrong. Here's how to do it right.  Read more


5 Laws of Business You’ve Never Heard Of

By Jeff Haden |  May 9, 2012

If Isaac Newton had studied companies, he would have discovered these principles that govern how managers work.  Read more


New Social Media Strategy? 5 Questions to Ask First

By Jon Gelberg |  May 9, 2012

A fast and focused way to make sure you get the ROI you need.  Read more


4 Embarrassing Yahoo Mistakes to Avoid

By John Brandon |  May 9, 2012

A CEO with false credentials is only the latest blunder the company has made. Check out the others--and how to avoid them.  Read more


Best Online Marketing Trick? Go Offline

By Minda Zetlin |  May 8, 2012

An online dating service got more than 100,000 sign-ups using posters and fliers. Here's how they did it.  Read more


7 Deadly Management Sins

By Chris Mittelstaedt |  May 8, 2012

How to identify--and root out--your worst human instincts before they infect your team.  Read more


The Key to Start-up Success? Be Boring

By Erik Sherman |  May 7, 2012

You may not live for accounting or operations details. But ignoring them (ahem, Groupon) will put you in a world of hurt.  Read more


6 Books You Must Read

By Jeff Haden |  May 7, 2012

While most business books are interesting, most of them won't really change your professional or personal life. These can.  View slideshow


How to Road-Test Your Business Model

By Steve Blank and Bob Dorf |  May 3, 2012

Two steps that can save you precious time and resources in the early days of your start-up.  Read more


Customers Not Buying? 4 Smart Business Moves

By Minda Zetlin |  May 2, 2012

This entrepreneur launched his business 12 days before 9/11. He survived--and thrived--by adapting his plan on the fly.  Read more


Best Career Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

By Jon Burgstone |  May 2, 2012

Step No. 1: Forget the idea that great entrepreneurs drop out of school. (Some do, but most don't.) Then follow this simple plan.  Read more


5 Ways to Survive the Worst Days

By Tara Hunt |  May 1, 2012

One day you're on top, the next you couldn't feel lower. Entrepreneurs share their tips for getting through dark days.  Read more


Leverage Big Data in Your Small Business: 5 Tips

By Minda Zetlin |  Apr 30, 2012

Giant corporations use data analysis to fine-tune their marketing. So can you.  Read more


Are Your Prices Too Complicated?

By Minda Zetlin |  Apr 30, 2012

Maybe customers don't care exactly how much you're charging--they just want to know why.  Read more


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


Want to Build a Business to Last? Here’s the Secret

By Phil Simon |  Apr 27, 2012

Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook all know the strategy. Here's how you can make it work for your business.  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


Are You Still Using Spray and Pray Pricing?

By Erik Sherman |  Apr 26, 2012

Most retailers still advertise on price, without any data to back it up. That's a race to the bottom--and you're not likely to win.  Read more