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Inc.com SlideShow

Inc.com SlideShows showcase some of the business strategies and ideas from related Inc. articles. These interactive packages are filled with images and information that bring Inc. editorial to life in an easy-to-digest format. SlideShows will be added to this page as they are developed by the Inc.com team -- be sure to check back often for the latest one.

Cashing In on the Super Bowl

Cashing In on the Super Bowl

Football's biggest game has become big business in a wide range of industries from T-shirts to concierge services. Meet 8 smart entrepreneurs who are looking to win big this weekend.

4 Mistakes Young Salespeople Make

4 Mistakes Young Salespeople Make

Experts talk about some common mistakes that Generation-Y salespeople make—and how to avoid them.

5 Entrepreneurs in the New Congress

5 Entrepreneurs in the New Congress

Business owners from Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania take seats in the 111th Congress.

How to Make $10 Million from Home in 4 Easy Steps

How to Make $10 Million from Home in 4 Easy Steps

Plenty of Fish founder Markus Frind runs a company that makes $10 million a year—from home. Here's how.

Inside the Issue: January/February 2009

Inside the Issue: January/February 2009

A preview of some of the top stories and photos from the latest issue of Inc.

11 Businesses You Can Start In Your Pajamas in 2009

11 Businesses You Can Start In Your Pajamas in 2009

Make millions in your living room? The Web and a vareity of other resources have made it easier than ever to start a business from home. A look at the hottest-home-based industries, and some of the entrepreneurs who are cashing in.

The Worst Company Names of All Time

The Worst Company Names of All Time

From bad wordplay to unfortunate associations, our panel of experts weighs in on the worst corporate monikers they've heard of.

The Best Company Names of All Time

The Best Company Names of All Time

What makes a great company name? As you may have guessed, everyone's got an opinion. We asked a group of veteran naming consultants to help us select some of the best corporate monikers they've ever come across.

How We Did It: Lessons From America’s Smartest Entrepreneurs

How We Did It: Lessons From America’s Smartest Entrepreneurs

From Boston Chicken founder George Naddaff to restaurateur Barbara Lynch, some of the nation's top entrepreneurs share their formulas for success.

The Best Computer Gear

The Best Computer Gear

PC makers have really upped the ante this year when it comes to style. So it only makes sense that the gear you plug into your computer should get an overhaul, too. A look at the coolest peripherals.

The Smartest Products of 2008

The Smartest Products of 2008

From a staple-free stapler to a wallet that protects your identity, a look at some of the cleverest products we saw on store shelves this year.

The Dumbest Products of 2008

The Dumbest Products of 2008

Self-destructing DVDs? A dual-purpose golf club urinal? They must have seemed like great ideas at the time. And who knows, maybe there really is a market for blankets with sleeves and fake television sets. You'll find all these and more on our annual list of the year's dumbest products.

8 Ways to Boost Morale During Tough Times

8 Ways to Boost Morale During Tough Times

Many cash-strapped employers are putting a freeze on pay raises, bonuses, and holiday parties this year. But while the economy is down, staff morale doesn't need to follow. Here are some tips on how to keep employees happy.

The 11 Greatest Pinball Machines of All Time* *according to one die-hard fan

The 11 Greatest Pinball Machines of All Time* *according to one die-hard fan

Kevin Martin, founder of Pair Networks, has been playing pinball his whole life. A look at some of his collection of pinball machines, which happens to be one of the biggest in the world.

The Entrepreneurial Year in Review

The Entrepreneurial Year in Review

Which companies had a big year? A look at the entrepreneurial highs -- and lows -- of 2008.

7 Good Office Gifts for a Bad Economy

7 Good Office Gifts for a Bad Economy

This holiday season, don't expect that private jet you've always wanted. But even in lean times, it's possible to find that perfect workplace stocking stuffer. Here are some gift ideas that just might bring cheer amid the economic gloom.

7 Gadgets That Help You Do More With Less

7 Gadgets That Help You Do More With Less

Smart business owners these days are cutting costs by boosting the efficiency of day-to-day workplace processes, tools and systems. Here's a list of seven indispensable gadgets to help you do more with less.

Inside the Issue: December 2008

Inside the Issue: December 2008

A preview of some of the top stories and photos from the latest issue of Inc.

America's Coolest Drive-Ins

America's Coolest Drive-Ins

The drive-in movie theater, now celebrating its 75th anniversary, may occupy a diminishing segment of the American cultural landscape. But nearly 400 of these theaters still cater to customers across the country. While some put an artistic twist on a retro concept, others remain popular by offering their communities a relative rarity: an affordable family outing.

5 Ways to Go Green on Your Next Business Trip

5 Ways to Go Green on Your Next Business Trip

Let’s face it -- traveling can be dirty. So if you want to help shrink your carbon footprint while on the road, here are some easy-to-find, eco-friendly products to pack before your head out on your next excursion.

Step Inside the Audi R8

Step Inside the Audi R8

The Audi R8, which hits 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 187 miles per hour, is not a disappointment. It is a thrill to drive, even on gravel roads -- but especially on open swaths of pavement.

Inside the Issue: November 2008

Inside the Issue: November 2008

A preview of some of the top stories and photos from the latest issue of Inc.

The Next Big IPOs?

The Next Big IPOs?

Despite a stagnant market, venture capitalists are always on the lookout for an interesting deal. Our panel weighs on in which Inc. 500 companies tempt them the most.

How to Become an Internet Mogul in 4 Easy Steps

How to Become an Internet Mogul in 4 Easy Steps

In just three years, Kevin Rose has taken the media world by storm. He's the founder of the online newspaper Digg, the online TV network Revision3, and the online messaging service Pownce.

The Best Online Video Tools

The Best Online Video Tools

If you're not using online video in your marketing efforts, you are woefully behind. Fortunately, a new array of equipment and editing tools allows even the most neophyte users to channel their inner Steven Speilbergs.

The Dos and Don’ts of Business Travel Expenses

The Dos and Don’ts of Business Travel Expenses

Understanding what can and can't be written off on a business trip is essential for any business owner -- the difference between saving some hard-earned cash and winding up in the crosshairs of an IRS auditor. Here are a few tips to keep you on the straight and narrow, while still keeping your budget under control.

4 Ways to Clean Up Your Credit

4 Ways to Clean Up Your Credit

Credit cards are getting harder to find and more expensive to use. But even in a bad economy, there are tips for lowering your interest rate and improving your credit score.

5 Ways to Find Cash in a Bad Economy

5 Ways to Find Cash in a Bad Economy

Having trouble finding funds amid the credit crunch? Banks may be cutting back, but capital is still available for worthy companies that know where to look.

7 Recession Stress-Busters

7 Recession Stress-Busters

Crisis on Wall Street! Tighter credit! Soaring health-care costs! Sky-high energy prices! Running a business is stressful enough without a daily barrage of bad news. How to stay focused during frantic times.

What Else Could You Buy with $700 Billion?

What Else Could You Buy with $700 Billion?

Whether you think it's a bailout for Wall Street fat cats or a rescue plan to save the American economy, there's no denying that $700 billion is a lot of money. Which got us thinking… how far could you stretch the money?

5 Ways to Save Money in a Bad Economy

5 Ways to Save Money in a Bad Economy

When times are tough, businesses need to find every possible way to cut costs -- while, ideally, avoiding morale-busters like layoffs. Here are a few ways to do just that.

What You Can Expect From an Obama Presidency

What You Can Expect From an Obama Presidency

From taxes to health care to immigration, entrepreneurs and the people they employ are facing a wide range of challenges today. So what is Barack Obama's plan? An in-depth look at his stance on the key issues.

What You Can Expect From a McCain Presidency

What You Can Expect From a McCain Presidency

From taxes to health care to immigration, entrepreneurs and the people they employ are facing a wide range of challenges today. So what is John McCain's plan? An in-depth look at his stance on the key issues.

The Best E-Commerce Tools

The Best E-Commerce Tools

Selling online can be lucrative, but setting up an e-commerce operation is often a frustrating exercise. Whether you have a team of programmers or are trying to do it yourself, these affordable tools can help you get an online store up and running.

10 Things Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

10 Things Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

In his three decades as an entrepreneur, Inc. columnist Norm Brodsky, co-author of The Knack, has learned that there are no guarantees when it comes to running a business. But there are some guidelines that every entrepreneur should follow.

We Want to Go Public

We Want to Go Public

These Inc. 5000 companies have filed an IPO. Will they be successful?

We Went Public

We Went Public

Check out the 2008 Inc. 5000 companies that have filed successful IPOs.

8 Secrets to Running a Gold Medal Business

8 Secrets to Running a Gold Medal Business

What can the Olympics teach you about running a successful company? As it turns out, a lot.

What Does That Do?

What Does That Do?

Check out six of the more mysterious products created by Inc. 500 CEOs.

30 Under 30: America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs

30 Under 30: America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs

From installing solar panels to renting Lamborghinis, these rising business stars are transforming old industries and blazing trails with new ones. Meet America's coolest young entrepreneurs.

Start-up Secrets: Tips from America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs

Start-up Secrets: Tips from America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs

What are the secrets to success? We asked our 30 Under 30 honorees to share their best advice -- something they wish they had known when they embarked on their own entrepreneurial paths.

The Next Big Ideas: Cool Products from America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs

The Next Big Ideas: Cool Products from America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs

Lobster trap timeshares, portable breathalyzers, the anti-Victoria's Secret bra -- what will they think of next? A look at the coolest innovations from our 30 Under 30 honorees.

The Coolest Industries: Where to Start a Business Now

The Coolest Industries: Where to Start a Business Now

Sure, experience counts for a lot. But there are a handful of emerging industries where being young -- and the perspective that comes with it -- plays an even more important role.

Fountain of Youth: The Under 30 Hall of Fame

Fountain of Youth: The Under 30 Hall of Fame

Some of the biggest names in business got their start before their 30th birthday.

10 Tips Toward Healthier Employees

10 Tips Toward Healthier Employees

Here's some nag-free ways to whip your workers into shape.

Five Trends Affecting Female-Run Business

Five Trends Affecting Female-Run Business

The percentage of female-run businesses doubled to 42.3 percent in the last decade. Find out what trends are driving this growth.

10 Companies at War

10 Companies at War

These Inc. 5000 enterprises support American troops in more ways than one.

Five Reasons to Hire Retirees

Five Reasons to Hire Retirees

Companies, to keep their competitive edge, will need to make use of the aggregate skills of returning workers.

Dorm Room CEOs

Dorm Room CEOs

While their university classmates were partying, these ingenious entrepreneurs were inking their million-dollar business plans.

My (Other) Love

My (Other) Love

Here's five Inc. 500 execs with lives outside of the office...

Are You ‘Green’ with Envy?

Are You ‘Green’ with Envy?

These Inc. 5000 companies make sustainability look easy.

International Superstar CEOS

International Superstar CEOS

These Inc. 5000 entrepreneurs braved an intercontinental trek to business success.

Top 10 Minority-Run Companies

Top 10 Minority-Run Companies

These entrepreneurs lead the fastest growing minority-run businesses in the country.

Top 10 Woman-Run Companies

Top 10 Woman-Run Companies

These entrepreneurs lead the fastest growing female run businesses in the country.

Inc. 5000: Top 25 Companies by Revenue

Inc. 5000: Top 25 Companies by Revenue

The top 25 companies on the Inc. 5000 that are really raking it in.

Top 25 Companies by Growth

Top 25 Companies by Growth

These 25 companies are pursuing the American Dream at a very quick pace.

What Does That Do?

What Does That Do?

Check out six of the more mysterious products created by Inc. 500 CEOs.

7 New Technology Marvels

7 New Technology Marvels

The future is now: These Inc. 5000 products bring tomorrow's innovations into today.

Adrenaline Junkies

Adrenaline Junkies

Forget drinking scotch and smoking foreign cigars. These Inc. 5000 CEOs savor their success with speed and sweat.

Top 25 Oldest Companies

Top 25 Oldest Companies

These Inc. 5000 enterprises date as far back as U.S. President George Washington.

Top 25 Largest Employers

Top 25 Largest Employers

These Inc. 5000 companies employ the population of a small city.

2008 Best Lemonade Stands in America

2008 Best Lemonade Stands in America

From Alaska to Maine, kids of all ages turned out this summer to participate in Inc.com’s Best Lemonade Stand in America Contest and share their stories about running lemonade stands. Here's a look at this year's winners and honorable mentions.

The Best Outlook Add-Ons

The Best Outlook Add-Ons

Microsoft Outlook may be the most widely used e-mail tool on the planet, but it's hardly perfect, which is why enterprising programmers have created a cottage industry in the design of extra features for it./p>

The 10 Best Slogans of All Time

The 10 Best Slogans of All Time

Great slogans can extend beyond a company's branding efforts and seep into popular culture, often outliving the products or services they once promoted. While there's no statistical way to measure a slogan's success, here are 10 that grew beyond mere ad campaigns and made their way into public consciousness -- considered by many advertising watchers to be the best.

The Biggest Tech Disasters (and How to Avoid Them)

The Biggest Tech Disasters (and How to Avoid Them)

No one comes to work expecting an IT crisis, but heart-stopping technical meltdowns happen every day -- important files get wiped out, or thieves get hold of sensitive data. How to protect yourself.

4 Essential Tools for Business Travelers

4 Essential Tools for Business Travelers

These small devices help business travelers keep up with e-mail, make clearer phone calls, translate foreign languages, and get things done even when there's no electrical outlet in sight. Plus, they won't hog space in a carryon.

Step Inside the 2008 Lexus IS F

Step Inside the 2008 Lexus IS F

How fast is the fastest Lexus? Try 168 miles per hour in eighth gear.

An Insider's Guide to the Democratic National Convention

An Insider's Guide to the Democratic National Convention

Heading to Denver to see the Democrats anoint Barack Obama? Here's a look at some of the local businesses worth checking out in the Mile High City.

An Insider's Guide to the Republican National Convention

An Insider's Guide to the Republican National Convention

Heading to Minneapolis and St. Paul to see the Republicans anoint John McCain? Here's a look at some of the local businesses worth checking out in the Twin Cities.

The Top 20 Recession-Proof Jobs

The Top 20 Recession-Proof Jobs

Despite the souring economy and weaker job market, some professions remain in high demand. According to Jobfox, a Washington D.C.-based online employment firm, that's because these jobs are driven by broader social forces that are immune to cyclical ups and downs in the economy. Here's a look at the top 20 recession-proof jobs.

Energy Crisis: Who Are the Big Losers?

Energy Crisis: Who Are the Big Losers?

For most cities, it's hard to tell what the long-term effect of high energy costs might be. But there are some fairly safe bets. So which cities will be hurt the most by record prices?

Energy Crisis: Who Are the Big Winners?

Energy Crisis: Who Are the Big Winners?

For most cities, it's hard to tell what the long-term effect of high energy costs might be. But there are some fairly safe bets. So which cities will benefit from record prices?

America's Most Exclusive Networking Groups

America's Most Exclusive Networking Groups

With networking groups, the more you pay, the more personal the service usually is. But are they really worth the price? A look at how some of the best business groups stack up.

11 Blackjack Tips the Casinos Don't Want You to Know

11 Blackjack Tips the Casinos Don't Want You to Know

Bill Kaplan, co-founder of the MIT blackjack team that took Vegas for millions, has a few tricks up his sleeve. You may not bring down the house, but here are 11 of his tips that will give amateur gamblers an extra edge.

Gold Medal Millionaires

Gold Medal Millionaires

From Bruce Jenner to Venus Williams, many Olympic athletes eventually trade the world stage for the business world. Meet the past and present Olympians who have found successful second careers as entrepreneurs.

6 Ways to Cut Your Commuting Costs

6 Ways to Cut Your Commuting Costs

With gas prices at record highs nationwide, getting to work has never been more expensive. As a result, a growing number of companies are taking steps to make life easier for their employees.

6 Ways to Sell Like the Pros

6 Ways to Sell Like the Pros

What is the secret to selling? HSN's top marketers open up their bag of tricks.

The Best Project Management Tools

The Best Project Management Tools

Do most projects at your company quickly turn to chaos? Thanks to the Web, keeping your employees on track has never been easier.

The Top 10 Large Cities for Doing Business

The Top 10 Large Cities for Doing Business

As part of our annual report, Inc.com analyzed job growth data on 335 metropolitan statistical areas across the nation. So what are the best large cities for entrepreneurs?

The Top 10 Midsize Cities for Doing Business

The Top 10 Midsize Cities for Doing Business

As part of our annual report, Inc.com analyzed job growth data on 335 metropolitan statistical areas across the nation. So what are the best midsize cities for entrepreneurs?

The Top 10 Small Cities for Doing Business

The Top 10 Small Cities for Doing Business

As part of our annual report, Inc.com analyzed job growth data on 335 metropolitan statistical areas across the nation. So what are the best small cities for entrepreneurs?

20 Ways to Make Your Employees Love You

20 Ways to Make Your Employees Love You

You can pay workers a bundle to buy their loyalty. Or you can offer them an enjoyable, fun workplace filled with small perks. Here are 20 ways to earn employee love.

4 Ways to Trim Your IT Budget

4 Ways to Trim Your IT Budget

Companies in a variety of industries are spending more than ever on technology. But with recession looming, many are looking to cut back. So which functions should you outsource?

The Dessert Entrepreneurs

The Dessert Entrepreneurs

While most consumers are tightening their belts these days, they're still leaving room for dessert. Even in lean times, the American appetite for cookies, cake, pastries, ice cream and other sugar-coated treats is feeding a multibillion-dollar industry where small businesses are finding sweet success.

6 Ways to Turn Your Office Green

6 Ways to Turn Your Office Green

As paper and energy costs go up, more and more companies are looking for green alternatives. The good news is that more eco-friendly office wares are hitting the market. From energy-efficient laptops to power-saving light bulbs, here's a look at the best.

9 Investing Secrets for Entrepreneurs

9 Investing Secrets for Entrepreneurs

Business owners have very different needs than other investors. Here are nine ways to boost your own bottom line.

8 Steps to Owning Your Own Vineyard

8 Steps to Owning Your Own Vineyard

Few investment ideas beat the opportunity to sit in a balmy breeze with a glass of Pinot Noir in hand and gaze over your very own rows of ripening grapes. But whether your vision is a backyard vineyard, a wine-producing estate, or simply a grape-growing endeavor, countless details go into sufficient vineyard maintenance. Consult these basic tips to get you started.

5 Tips for Finding Your Dream Office

5 Tips for Finding Your Dream Office

Joel Spolsky, the founder of Fog Creek Software, is spending big bucks to build a new office -- complete with a library (for napping) and a marble shower. It wasn't an easy decision. So what should you keep in mind when finding a new home for your company?

The Wine Entrepreneurs

The Wine Entrepreneurs

Forget stomping grapes. Many entrepreneurs have transformed their passion for wine into successful businesses. From corkscrew makers to label designers, a look at some of the most creative wine companies out there.

4 Ways to Survive a Hiring Freeze

4 Ways to Survive a Hiring Freeze

If you've been binging on new hires in the past few years, now may be the time for a hiring freeze -- the HR equivalent of a postholiday diet. Freezes don't have to send dire warnings of imminent despair. In fact, they can be a way for business owners to take a break and retrench, even when times are good. If CEOs stay calm and communicate with their employees, they can make it through freezes with minimal disruption to business or morale. Here are four tips for CEOs who are planning to keep some desks empty for a while.

5 Ways to Generate Crazy Amounts of PR

5 Ways to Generate Crazy Amounts of PR

Tom Szaky, the 20-something founder of TerraCycle, has become something of a media darling over the past few years. In addition to gracing the cover of Inc. and being named to the top spot on Inc.com's 30 Under 30 list, his green consumer products company has appeared in more than 1,000 stories. So what's the trick? Here, Szaky reveals five simple tips that make up his secret PR formula.

17 Recession Success Stories

17 Recession Success Stories

From IBM to Toys "R" Us, some of America's most iconic companies took flight in gloomy times. A timeline of unlikely success.

The Best Free Tech Tools

The Best Free Tech Tools

Technology often comes with a hefty price tag, but there are many programs and services your office can use gratis. A few of these services are supported by advertising, some are open source, and others are giveaways offered by companies that charge for more robust, premium versions of the same products. Just beware that free sometimes has a price: Installing and using some of the open-source programs requires the services of a skilled IT staff.

Step Inside the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe

Step Inside the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe

How will you know the world's most expensive convertible? It's the one with a cloth top lined with cashmere.

12 Ways to Live Like Indiana Jones

12 Ways to Live Like Indiana Jones

He's only a fictional character, but Indiana Jones has the kind of existence many of us envy. As Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull hits theaters this month, we've put together a list of our favorite escapades from the first three installments and explained how you can live out your own Indiana Jones fantasies. Like Indy, you can plunge into a pit of snakes, cruise around on elephants, hitch a ride in a zeppelin, and even hunt for the Holy Grail.

6 Companies That Will Profit from the Housing Bust

6 Companies That Will Profit from the Housing Bust

The housing market crash continues to send ripples across the U.S. economy, hitting Main Street and Wall Street alike. But a few well-positioned entrepreneurs are finding an upside to the downturn.

The Best Temporary Staffing Solutions

The Best Temporary Staffing Solutions

With recession fears looming, more and more cost-conscious companies are turning to staffing firms to fill empty positions. Here are a handful of companies that are competing to send temps to your door.

10 Events Worth Sponsoring

10 Events Worth Sponsoring

Looking for a little ROI among the RSVPs? Here's what sponsors pay (and the benefits they receive) at events of all sizes.

6 Success Stories for the Ages

6 Success Stories for the Ages

Most family businesses die out with their founders. But a few keep rolling along from one generation to the next. Here are six families that have beaten the odds. Their secret? They make great stuff, love what they do, and are open to change in good times and bad.

The Ultimate Bootstrapper

The Ultimate Bootstrapper

Meet Phal An, a rice wine maker in the village of Damnak Sankae in Cambodia. She's one of several entrepreneurs in developing nations that received small loans from Kiva.org that were funded in part by Mansueto Ventures, the parent company of Inc.com. Here's a step-by-step look at her winemaking process -- and how she's using the money.

On Canal Street: A Tour Through the Counterfeit Economy

On Canal Street: A Tour Through the Counterfeit Economy

Inc.com recently took a close look at Canal Street, the famous stretch of sidewalk in New York's Chinatown where piles of cheap imitation handbags, watches, and other faux luxury goods have made it an international tourist destination. A private investigator and a lawyer took time off from raiding unlawful merchants to serve as our tour guides.

Is That Really a Louis Vuitton?

Is That Really a Louis Vuitton?

Luxury brands big and small are fighting an ongoing battle with counterfeiters, who make millions by making imitation handbags, watches, and other products. For consumers, paying $27 for a Chanel, instead of $995 can be pretty tempting -- especially since the bootlegs are often manufactured in the same factory as their real counterparts.

The Top 10 Export Markets

The Top 10 Export Markets

Based on increase in dollars, which nations saw the biggest gains in export activity in 2007? A look at the top markets, according to the Office of Trade and Industry Information and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Getting Going: Five Steps to Opening an Office in China

Getting Going: Five Steps to Opening an Office in China

Opening an office overseas can be cumbersome. Here are five steps to open an office in China.

America's Biggest Customers

America's Biggest Customers

Which nations across the globe are our top trading partners? A look at 2007 U.S. export data, according to the Office of Trade and Industry Information and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Into the Wild

Into the Wild

In 2002, four city slickers set out to build their dream business in the Panamanian rainforest. Jim and Renee Kimball and Jay and Stefania Viola had no construction experience, no modern equipment, no electricity and no skilled labor. What they did have was mud, heat, and plenty of crocodiles.

The Best Translation Services

The Best Translation Services

You speaka da English? Phrases like that don't cut it when your company is doing business abroad. No wonder the $10 billion market for translation services is expected to grow 25 percent by 2011. Here are some services, tech-based and human, that will translate just about anything.

The Best Digital Photo Gear

The Best Digital Photo Gear

Whether you take a cruise, go sightseeing, or just lounge on the beach, these new cameras and other devices will help you document your downtime.

6 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Kids

6 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Kids

In a tough economy, talking about money and investing can be a more important than a primer on the birds and the bees. Here are six simple lessons you should be sharing with your kids.

5 Ways to Get Your Product on TV-- for Free!

5 Ways to Get Your Product on TV -- for Free!

How companies can make a splash in the big-money world of TV product placement -- without spending a dime.

The Best Email Marketing Tools

The Best E-mail Marketing Tools

Whether you want to trumpet a new product, spread the word about a sale, or simply say, "Hey [first name], you are important to us," email marketing is a great way to interact with customers. Here's our pick of services that let you manage subscriber lists, comply with spam regulations, monitor bouncebacks and obsessively track who opened and clicked on what.

The 10 Most Expensive Businesses in America

The 10 Most Expensive Businesses in America

In which industries do businesses fetch the highest sales prices? For the fifth straight year, Inc. has partnered with Business Valuation Resources, a leading provider of data about private company transactions. The following rankings are sorted by median sales price, based on 3,838 transactions completed from Jan. 1, 2004, to Dec. 31, 2007. Essentially, if you wanted to buy a business in one of these industries, this is how much you'd have to pay.

The 10 Cheapest Businesses in America

The 10 Cheapest Businesses in America

In which industries do businesses fetch the lowest sales prices? For the fifth straight year, Inc. has partnered with Business Valuation Resources, a leading provider of data about private company transactions. The following rankings are sorted by median sales price, based on 3,838 transactions completed from Jan. 1, 2004, to Dec. 31, 2007. Essentially, if you wanted to buy a business in one of these industries, this is how much you'd have to pay.

The Google Millionaires

The Google Millionaires

Google's appetite for online startups and new technology has put dozens of entrepreneurs in the millionaires' club in recent years. Here's a look at eight companies that discovered "search engine optimization" could also be a lucrative exit strategy.

5 Ways to Outsource Your HR Department

5 Ways to Outsource Your HR Department

More than half of companies now outsource their human resources department, thanks to a growing number of firms that specialize in payroll, benefits, and other services. Which is the best one for your company? Here are five options.

6 Bush-Bashing Businesses

6 Bush-Bashing Businesses

The practice of mocking U.S. political leaders is as old as George Washington's wooden teeth. But George W. Bush's slide in popularity has taken president bashing to new highs (or lows, depending on your point of view), driving a cottage industry of anti-Dubya T-shirts, bumper stickers, and even dog biscuits. Here's a look at six of the most colorful.

The 8 Ways People Really Waste Time at Work

The 8 Ways People Really Waste Time at Work

Employees waste about 1.7 hours of a typical 8.5 hour workday, according to a survey by Salary.com. And that's just among the 63 percent of people that actually admit it. So how are they killing all that time?

The Iraq War by the Numbers

The Iraq War by the Numbers

Five years after the start of the Iraq war, entrepreneurs reflect on how it has changed their lives.

The Web's Biggest Time-Wasters

The Web's Biggest Time-Wasters

On a regular workday U.S. employees spend hours on Google, Facebook, eBay and other sites, costing employers billions of dollars a year in downtime. So what's everyone doing instead of working? Here are seven of the worst online productivity killers based on statistics by Nielsen, comScore, and other industry watchers.

How to Create an Incentive Program

How to Create an Incentive Program

A well-structured incentive program can dramatically boost productivity and provide workers with a sense of shared responsibility. A haphazardly designed program can make a bad problem even worse. Here are seven of the best ways to motivate employees beyond a bigger paycheck.

America's Coolest Internships

America's Coolest Internships

Forget fetching coffee. Innovative companies are giving college students real assignments -- and the real-life perks that come with them -- all in an attempt to woo top talent at an early age.

The Coolest Internship Perks

The Coolest Internship Perks

Rooftop barbecues? Whitewater rafting? A free trip to Disney World? To land the best young talent, more and more companies are giving their interns a little taste of the good life.

The Best Mobile Office Tools

The Best Mobile Office Tools

How to work anywhere.

The Next Generation Home Theater

The Next Generation Home Theater

With this Web-ready home theater equipment, you can download tearjerkers and action flicks to watch from the comfort of your sofa.

11 Ways to Improve Your Website

11 Ways to Improve Your Website

By now most companies have a website. But not all of them are making the most of it. The good news is you don't have to be a technologist to make sure your site is more than merely adequate. Here are 11 easy ways to improve your site today.

Famous Workplace Romances

Famous Office Romances

From Hollywood A-listers to Washington power couples, a look at some of the most notable on-the-job romances.

CEO Politicos

CEO Politicos

From Mike Bloomberg to Mitt Romney, there's no shortage of business types who have traded the corner office for the campaign trail. A look at the most notable.

Super Bowl Ads: What Else You Could Buy for $2.7 Million

Super Bowl Ads: What Else You Could Buy for $2.7 Million

Thirty seconds of precious airtime during football's biggest game now runs $2.7 million. But is it really worth it? From private jets to celebrity apartments, a look at how far you could stretch the money.

7 Signs That You're a Bad Boss

7 Signs That You're a Bad Boss

There's a reason Dilbert, The Office, and their ilk are so popular. Satire gets old fast, but the appeal of realism endures. And the real world, sadly, is full of lousy bosses. Are you one of them?

Step Inside the Bugatti Veyron 16.4

Step Inside the Bugatti Veyron 16.4

Driving Bugatti's Veyron -- top speed 253 miles per hour -- is like getting shot out of a cannon.

America's Sexiest Businesses

America's Sexiest Businesses

From porn to party games, it doesn't take an MBA to know sex sells. But it does take a shrewd entrepreneur to turn an X-rated business model into a profitable venture. Here's seven with their mojos working.

The Best Corporate Travel Services

The Best Corporate Travel Services

Guidelines on finding a company travel service for every budget.

6 Secrets of Breakthrough Companies

6 Secrets of Breakthrough Companies

Author Keith McFarland, a former Inc. 500 CEO, has spent years researching thousands of private companies and interviewing their leaders -- in an attempt to identify the secrets of "breaking through." Here are six of his most surprising findings.

Best Dashboards

The Best Dashboards

Dashboards help make sense of your numbers by taking raw data and transforming them into dynamic visuals: bar charts that rise and fall to mirror sales or gauges that plunge into the red when shipments are late. Here are six of the best.

How to Work with Your Spouse--and Not Kill Each Other!

How to Work with Your Spouse--and Not Kill Each Other!

What happens when your business partner is also your partner in life? Couples who double as entrepreneurial teams offer tips on how to build a successful business -- and still stay together.

IPO Disasters

IPO Disasters

Going public is a lucrative milestone for some fast-growing businesses. For others it's a tombstone. Last year, for example, more than a dozen companies saw their share prices cut in half within months of an IPO. Before hitting the open market, consider these cautionary tales.

10 Businesses You Can Start in Your Pajamas in 2008

10 Businesses You Can Start in Your Pajamas in 2008

From medical billing to graphic design, a look at the hottest industries for home-based businesses.

Dumbest Products of 2007

The Dumbest Products of 2007

This was the year of lead paint, choking hazards, and toys that turned into the date rape drug. A look back at some of the worst -- and wackiest -- products we found on store shelves this year.

7 Easy Ways to Get Fired

7 Easy Ways to Get Fired

It may be true that bosses are more lenient these days. But there are still a few workplace ethical breaches that are simply inexcusable. Here are seven to avoid -- unless you're looking for a sudden career change.

Ultimate Champagne Buyer's Guide

The Ultimate Champagne Buyer's Guide

We asked entrepreneurs in the wine industry for their favorite bubblies. Here are their suggestions -- along with information on where you can buy them.

How We Did It: Lessons from America's Smartest Entrepreneurs

How We Did It: Lessons from America's Smartest Entrepreneurs

From makeup mogul Bobbi Brown to Second Life creator Philip Rosedale, entrepreneurs weigh in with tips on what made them successful in business.

30 Under 30 Night on the Town

30 Under 30 Night on the Town

Our past and present 30 Under 30 honorees, along with members of the entrepreneurial community and the media, gathered in December at 7 World Trade Center, the New York headquarters of Mansueto Ventures, Inc.com's parent company.

6 Free Ways to Make Money with Your Website

6 Free Ways to Make Money with Your Website

Sure, your company's website brings in business, but it can also become a revenue generator in its own right. Using these free services, you paste a little code into your website and pick up revenue when people stop by. Here are six tools that could pad your profit margins -- or at least subsidize your Web hosting fees.

In Memoriam: Entrepreneurs We Lost in 2007

In Memoriam: Entrepreneurs We Lost in 2007

The notable entrepreneurs who died in 2007 helped to shape some of the major trends in business in the past 50 years, from the rise of socially responsible business to the advent of quality manufacturing.

6 Ways to Outsource Your Life

6 Ways to Outsource Your Life

For business owners, time is an especially precious commodity. That's why some are choosing not to spend those precious moments on the less rewarding details of daily life, like picking up after pooches, dropping off the dry cleaning, or toiling in the kitchen. Here's a guide on how to staff up in your own home and what it will cost you.

Step Inside the 2007 Buick Enclave CX

Step Inside the 2007 Buick Enclave CX

Buick's new Enclave CX has room for a gaggle of visiting clients.

2007 Entrepreneur of the Year: Reader Favorites

2007 Entrepreneur of the Year: Reader Favorites

Over the past year, we've received nominations from across the nation for our annual Entrepreneur of the Year contest. Find out who you, our readers, rated as the best and brightest.

The Best Business Presentation Tools

The Best Business Presentation Tools

Snooze-inducing business slide shows aren't going away; in fact, emerging ways to share presentations online may make them even more pervasive. But thanks to some flashy new tools, many of them running on the Web, presentations are getting easier to sit through and less onerous to create. Here are six ways to give your bullet points impact.

Smart Questions: How to Get a Better Deal on Health Care

Smart Questions: How to Get a Better Deal on Health Care

Another year, another hike in health care costs. Before you re-sign with your current insurer, here are some questions you can ask your broker or insurance carrier to make sure you're getting the right coverage at the right price.

The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide

The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: What to Get Your Accountant

Like well-wrapped presents, employees don't all fit in the same tidy packages. A gift that's right for one might send another to the returns counter. To help out, we've broken down this year's gift guide by job title. Here we present gifts for your company's resident number-cruncher.

What to Get Your Office Assistant

What to Get Your Office Assistant

To help you this season, we've broken down this year's gift guide by job title. Here we present gifts for your go-to guy or gal.

What to Get Your Sales Rep

What to Get Your Sales Rep

To help you this season, we've broken down this year's gift guide by job title. Here we present gifts for the firm's smooth talkers.

What to Get Your Senior Manager

What to Get Your Senior Manager

To help you this season, we've broken down this year's gift guide by job title. Here we present gifts for higher-ups.

What to Get Your IT Staff

What to Get Your IT Staff

To help you this season, we've broken down this year's gift guide by job title. Here we present gifts for a company's techies.

7 Ways to Smash the Glass Ceiling

7 Ways to Smash the Glass Ceiling

What does it take to succeed as a woman in industries traditionally dominated by men? The women behind some of America's fastest-growing private companies share their tips.

Green Myths Revealed

Green Myths Revealed

The whole world seems to be going green, but not all conventional wisdom may be true. Here's a look at the facts behind some green myths.

Fountain of Youth: How to Stay Young in Business and Life

Fountain of Youth: How to Stay Young in Business and Life

The members of our inaugural 8 Over 80 list share their secrets to longevity.

Around the World in 80 Years

Around the World in 80 Years

What's been the business world's biggest change in the past 80 years? Where are things headed over the next 80 years? The members of our inaugural 8 Over 80 list offer their insights.

8 Over 80: America's Coolest Octogenarian (and Then Some!) Entrepreneurs

8 Over 80: America's Coolest Octogenarian (and Then Some!) Entrepreneurs

Forget shuffleboard and croquet. With Americans living longer, a growing number of people are embarking on entrepreneurial second careers -- well into their 80s. Here's a look at some of the nation's best.

Step Inside the 2007 Range Rover HSE

Step Inside the 2007 Range Rover HSE

It handles mud, rocks, grass, and red carpet galas. Here's a look at the 2007 Range Rover HSE.

The Biggest CEO Blunders

The Biggest CEO Blunders

Sometimes, even CEOs have to say they're sorry. Here's a look at some of the most public -- and most outlandish -- corporate gaffes in recent years.

The 9 Types of Bosses You'll Encounter in Life

The 9 Types of Bosses You'll Encounter in Life

Anyone who's worked more than a handful of jobs in their lifetime knows that bosses come in all shapes and sizes. Here's a look at the most common offenders, along with advice on how best to handle them.

5 Ways to Save Netflix

5 Ways to Save Netflix

How should Netflix fight back against Blockbuster? Can the onetime matinee idol find its way back into the limelight? We asked some entrepreneurs what they would do if they ran Netflix.

Toxic Toys

Toxic Toys

In recent months, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued massive recalls of toys, many of which were manufactured in China. The presence of lead paint, loose magnets, and other dangers have prompted concerns among toymakers big and small as they seek ways to address the issue. Here's a look at some of the recalled toys.

Go-Go Gadgets

Go-Go Gadgets

Got a lot of get up and go? When you're out and about, these fun, powerful, and easy-to-use devices will keep you connected and entrtained.

Best Lemonade Stands in America

The Best Lemonade Stands in America

Meet Inc.com's three winners from its 2007 Best Lemonade Stand in America Contest, and a handful of honorable mentions who also wowed our editors and audience with inspiring lemonade stands.

Inc. 5,000 Entrepreneurs

Inc. 5,000: How We Did It

Meet some of the entrepreneurs behind America's fastest-growing private companies.

Web Polling Tools

The Best Web Polling Tools

There was a time when you practically had to hire a scientist to research the market for a product or service. These days, you can choose among dozens of online tools for polling customers, employees, and complete strangers.

Football Leadership

10 Business Lessons from the Gridiron

USC football coach Pete Carroll wins 9 times out of 10 -- and has two national championships under his belt already. Here are 10 of his best leadership tips.

Projectors

The Best Big-Screen Projectors

Fancy flat-panel TVs seem to be hanging in every office and corner tavern. But for a really big picture, a projector is the state of the art. A look at some of the best on the market.

Ad Agency

Smart Questions: What To Look for In an Ad Agency

Some 42 percent of small businesses say that increasing advertising is a high priority for 2007. Businesses choosing to tap an outside agency can use these questions to help choose an agency.

Promotional Gifts

15 Promotional Gifts Worth Giving

Companies spent almost $19 billion on promotional swag last year. How can you ensure that your branded freebies won't end up in the garbage? Here are 15 enticing gifts to consider.

Video Resumes

The Dos and Don'ts of Video Resumes

New technology has made it easier than ever to shoot a video resume. But with the wrong presentation, you could end up sinking your career. Here's what you need to know.

Inc. 5,000 Products

Hot Products of the 2007 Inc. 500

Here are some of the products that caught our eye from the companies on our list of America's fastest growing private companies.

Inc. 5,000 Employers

25 Oldest Employers of the 2007 Inc. 5,000

A look at companies in operation in the longest from our list of America's fastest growing private companies.

Inc. 5,000 Employers

25 Largest Employers of the 2007 Inc. 5,000

A look at companies with the most employees from our list of America's fastest growing private companies.

Inc. 5,000 CEOs

2007 Inc 5,000 CEOs Under 30

A look at the youngest CEO running the companies from our list of America's fastest growing private companies.

Inc. 5,000 Growth

2007 Inc 5,000 Top 25 Companies by Growth

A look at those from our list of America's fastest growing private companies with the most growth from 2003 to 2006.

Inc. 5,000 Revenue

2007 Inc 5,000 Top 25 Companies by Revenue

A look at those from our list of America's fastest growing private companies with the most revenue in 2006.

B2B

Top Tips for Connecting With Other Businesses

Jeff Landers, Inc.com's Running a One-Person Business columnist, gleaned these top five tips on maximizing relationships from his clients based on their experiences.

Barbeque Grill

The Ultimate Grill Guide

From grills to BBQ sauce, here is everything you need for the perfect backyard barbecue.

BMW 335i Convertible

Step Inside the BMW 335i Convertible

Want wind in your hair? Push the button and wait 22 seconds. Here's a look at BMW's latest convertible.

Social Networking

The Best Social Networks for Business

Online social networks have the potential to connect you to a vast world of people and resources, and they've gone from fad to fact of business life. Here are six services worth knowing.

Shipping Costs

Smart Questions: How to save on shipping costs

Your fee statement for shipping is probably as complex as your cell phone bill. Many carriers have dozens of separate fees. Here's what to ask when you're shopping for shipping.

Cool Products

The Next Big Ideas: Cool Products from America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs

From cookies to iPod accessories, here are some of the things the 30 Under 30 are making.

Start-Up Secrets

Start-Up Secrets: Tips from America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs

Our list of 30 under 30 have successfully founded companies -- and now you can learn from their start-up experience.

30 Under 30: America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs

30 Under 30: America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs

The rising business stars named to our annual 30 Under 30 list are transforming existing industries and blazing trails with new ones.

Google

5 Ways to Stand Out on Google

These tips will help you perform basic search engine optimization (SEO), increasing your company's all-important page ranking on Google's search results.

Porsche Cayenne

Step Inside the Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne, perfect for the rebel with a cause. Here is a walkthrough of the safe and comfortable SUV.

Coolest Vacation

The World's Coolest Vacation Spots

If you really want to chill out on your summer vacation, skip the three S's -- sand, surf, and sweltering temperatures -- and head to one of these delightfully cool destinations instead.

Pink-Slip Millionaires

Pink-Slip Millionaires

Some of today's most successful entrepreneurs were once fired, laid off, or otherwise sent packing by a former employer. Instead of finding a new job, they launched successful businesses. Here are a few of our favorites.

Spam Fighters

The Best Spam Fighters

Checked your e-mail lately? If so, you probably had to sift through a nasty pile of spam. The epidemic has spawned a swarm of antispam products. Here are six products that will help ease your spam burdens.

Printers

6 Printers That Can Do It All

Printers, as we once knew them, are dull. Today's new color laser printers are making professional-quality output more affordable and common. And specialized devices are even rendering objects in three dimensions.

Selling Your Business

5 Survival Tips for Selling Your Business

Norm Brodsky says what he knows about business came from making mistakes. Recently, he spent seven months and half a million dollars on the aborted sale of his company. Here are five lessons he learned along the way.

market research

Smart Questions: Data you can bank on

Good market research can send a company in a new and more profitable direction. Here are some questions you can ask to help you find the best research firm for your company.

Ultimate Ears

Ultimate Ears -- Celebrity Headphones

Today's rock stars don't even think of bringing the thunder without their in-ear monitors from a little company called Ultimate Ears. And the big names like to customize theirs. Here's a look at some of the best.

Trade Show

6 Ways to Survive a Trade Show

Conferences can be a harrowing ordeal. These tips will help get through to the end -- and get some leads.

Public Speaking

A Public Speaking Survival Guide

Every entrepreneurs has to speak before large groups, whether it is delivering a pitch to angel investor or talking before the local chamber. Here are some tips on hot to do it right.

Flowers

How to Give Flowers -- Without Destroying Your Career

The right flowers at the right time can make a lasting impression. No matter the business occasion, there are some basics to keep in mind. Here's a situation-by-situation guide to giving flowers at the office.

Harry Potter

7 Ways to Save Harry Potter

Harry Potter has become a children's lit classic -- and a multibillion-dollar industry. As the book series comes to a close, how would you keep the brand going? We posed that question to some experts.

iPhone

5 iPhone Accessories Worth Buying Right Now

Companies who sell accessories are already preparing for the launch of Apple's iPhone. Here are a handful of products you can buy now.

Work-Life Balance

7 Ways to Find Work-Life Balance

With these tips an entrepreneur can manage their work day and get a life.

Internship

The World's Greatest Internship?

Joel Spolsky, CEO of Fog Creek Software, has found a way to hire the nation's top talent at his firm. Spolsky auditions his potential employees during a paid summer internship, wooing them with generous perks and pay.

Inner City Companies

America's 10 Fastest-Growing Inner City Companies

These businesses have thrived in urban areas that provide a challenge to most businesses. From a pool of 4000 nominations, here are the top ten.

Disaster-Proof

8 Secrets of Air Travel

With this knowledge at your disposal, you will be able to make your next business trip much smoother.

Disaster-Proof

7 Ways to Disaster-Proof Your Business

Some disasters are unavoidable, but by knowing what's likely to strike your business and preparing for it, you can minimize the damage.

SBA Venture Capital

An Insider's Guide: SBA Venture Capital

The SBA provides access to capital through a variety of programs. Here are the details on venture capital.

SBA Microloans

An Insider's Guide: SBA Microloans

The SBA provides access to capital through a variety of programs. Here are the details on microloans.

SBA 504 Loans

An Insider's Guide: SBA 504 Loans

The SBA provides access to capital through a variety of programs. Here are the details on 504 loans.

SBA 7(a) Loans

An Insider's Guide: SBA 7(a) Loans

The SBA provides access to capital through a variety of programs. Here are the details on 7(a) loans.

Google Killers

The Google Killers

Despite Google's steady dominance as the "king of search," there are now dozens of companies working to bring new search tools to the market. Here's a look at the competition.

Million-Dollar Moms

Million-Dollar Moms

These entrepreneurial mothers have keep it all in the family and run successful businesses with their children.

Unhappy Employee

9 Questions to Ask an Unhappy Employee

If you want to get to the root of the problem with an unsatisfied employee, try asking these questions from HR expert Timothy Augustine.

Gas Prices

It Could Be Worse: Gas Prices Around the Globe

Here's a look at what people around the world are currently paying for petrol -- and how cheap gas really is for the major oil-producing nations.

Board Member

Smart Questions: How to Vet a Board Member

There's talk these days about the lack of independent directors on corporate boards. There should be at least one outsider on your board, too. Here's what to ask to get the right person in the chair.

Boomtowns"

The Top 20 Small Cities for Doing Business

Inc. analyzed job-growth data on 393 metropolitan statistical areas across the nation. Which areas are best for business? Here is info on cities with an employment base of less than 150,000.

Boomtowns

The Top 20 Midsize Cities for Doing Business

Inc. analyzed job-growth data on 393 metropolitan statistical areas across the nation. Which areas are best for business? Here is info on cities with an employment base of 150,000-449,999.

Boomtowns

The Top 20 Large Cities for Doing Business

Inc. analyzed job-growth data on 393 metropolitan statistical areas across the nation. Which areas are best for business? Here is info on cities with an employment base of 450,000 or more.

Sleep

7 Products That'll Put You to Sleep

This stuff will help you catch some Zs, count some sheep, and get some rest for your work day.

Gadgets

5 Gadgets to Help You Escape

From a cell phone with TV reception to the ultimate in noise-canceling headphones, cool new ways to make the world go away.

Firing

The Dos and Don'ts of Firing

Before you go and fire another under-performer, read these helpful tips to prevent making a bad situation even worse.

Underachiever

Smart Questions: How to Help An Underachiever

Only 14 percent of senior executives say their companies do a good job dealing with poor performers. Here's what to ask a poor performer on your payroll.

Interview

9 Ways to Nail Your Next Job Interview

Learn how to make a good first impression when you meet potential employers.

Going Global

Going Global: 6 Questions You Should Be Asking

Overseas operations is one way for a company to grow. Here is what you need to know be for heading off to foreign lands.

Global Business Travel

6 Tips for Global Business Travelers

Pat McGovern is the CEO of IDG, a company with operations in 85 countries. For the past 40 years, he has spent an average of four months a year on the road. Here's a look at his best advice for business travelers.

Globalization Timeline

Globalization at a Glance

Today, globalism is a factor in every industry. This timeline shows how the world of business grew smaller, one event at a time.

Email Disasters

7 Ways to Avoid Email Disasters

E-mail has created a whole new breed of potential business disasters. Here's a few of the worst and how to avoid them.

Business Movies

The Best Business Movies

From Citizen Kane to Forrest Gump, we present the best-ever movies about running a company.

Business Scams

7 Business Scams (and How to Avoid Them)

These days, scammers are coming from all directions. Here's what is keeping entrepreneurs up at night.

Outdoor Ads

Beyond Billboards: 9 Outdoor Ads Worth Noticing

Outdoor campaigns are suddenly becoming hip again. Here are some that go beyond the Burma-Shave billboards.

Subway Commute

A Commuter's Journal

Americans now spend more than 100 hours per year commuting to and from work. Inc. photo editor Travis Ruse has passed that time by chronicling his daily trek on New York's subway. His photos offer a vivid look at the nation's largest city in transit.

Mozilla Firefox

7 Secrets to Mozilla's Success

How do you run an organization composed of thousands of volunteers scattered around the world? Here are seven principles that drive the thinking behind Mozilla.

Innovative States

The 10 Most Innovative States

As it turns out, geography is crucial when it comes to fostering innovative, entrepreneurial companies. A new report assesses the 50 states in 26 different areas related to innovation. Here's a look at the top 10 states.

Second Life

12 Things You Need to Know About Second Life

What is this virtual world that business are making real money in? Here are facts so you can decide if you want to open a business in Second Life.

Hiring Manager

Smart Questions For Your Hiring Manager

According to a recent survey more than half of all job seekers lie on their resumés. Here's how to determine whether you've really found the right person for the job.

Whiz Kids

Whiz Kids: America's Next Business Tycoons

These teens are building business and proving that they make the grade.

Office Bully

6 Signs You Might Be an Office Bully

Robert Sutton is author of the new book, "The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't." Here's a look at six of the most common actions committed by so-called assholes.

Home Theater

5 Gadgets to Keep You Connected

Here are a slew of new gadgets that can help you compete.

Valentine's Day Gifts

5 Tips from Staples' Founder

The co-founder of Staples, the office superstore, shares his advice for entrepreneurs. One tip? Stop worrying about your business plan.

Home Theater

The Ultimate Home Theater

These top-of-the-line devices will transform your living room into a movie theater.

Cute Pets

The Coolest (and Cutest) Pets Money Can Buy

From hedgehogs to kinkajous, exotic animals are increasingly being adopted as pets. But how big of a bite will they take out of your wallet?

Valentine's Day Gifts

Business of Love: Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Looking for something to get your significant other? These products will sure to put a smile on their face.

Workspace

10 Classic Super Bowl Ads

For some people, the commercials are the most important part of the Super Bowl. Here are some real winners from the past.

Workspace

One-Trick Towns

As America’s economy has shifted away from the Heartland, small towns like Punxatawny, Pa. -- home of the famous groundhog weatherman -- have become kitschy tourist destinations.

Workspace

A Workspace Makeover

Your desktop doesn't have to be drab. These gadgets can help you brighten your work day.

Technology Consultant

Smart Questions For Your Tech Consultant

Your IT system needs an overhaul and hordes of consultants would love to fix it for you. Find the one who'll get the work done by asking these questions.

Apple

8 Ways to Generate Buzz Like Apple

When Steve Jobs speaks, people listen. Try emulating Apple Inc. and your company's name can be on everyone's lips.

Promote Business

11 Ways to Land Media Coverage

For every company that wants free publicity--and who doesn't--these tips will help you make it happen.

Perfect Mess

Seven Ways Chaos Can Help Your Company

Chaos, clutter, and disorganization actually are good for your company--and for you.

Cars and Motorcycles

The Best American Cars and Motorcycles You've Never Heard Of

These motorcycles and sports cars from small businesses are a bright spot in the American auto industry.

Trends 2007

Six Trends to Watch in 2007

What will happen in 2007? Here we analyze six trends and how they may affect your business.

YouTube

Diary of a Brand Makeover

The experts told Dave Hirschkop, of Dave's Gourmet, that he needed help with his image and message. Here's six approaches that Deskey, an independent branding agency, came up with.

YouTube

YouTube's Greatest Hits

While YouTube began as a forum for user-generated content, more and more businesses are taking advantage of the exposure and using YouTube as a free marketing tool.

Pajamas

11 Businesses You Can Start in Your Pajamas

These home-based businesses may be your entry-point into entrepreneurship.

Las Vegas

An Insider's Guide to Las Vegas

The owners of Vegas companies tell you where to eat, imbibe, hit the tables, go 150 miles per hour, see the stars, and party all night.

Late Clients

Smart Questions For Late-Paying Clients

It's the end of the year and you want to close your books. But customers still owe you money. Here's how to ask them to cough up the cash.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Entrepreneur of the Year: Reader Favorites

Browse a gallery of entrepreneurs that you selected as this year’s standouts.

Holiday

10 Holiday Tips for a Stress-Free Office

The holiday season can be a time of great joy, but for most people, it's also a time of great stress. Many employers are finding new ways to make the season less stressful.

Tax Write-Offs

Five Tax Write-Offs You Shouldn't Overlook

You work hard for your money. So why hand it over to the Internal Revenue Service when you don't need to?

Business Plan

Top 10 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make When Writing a Business Plan

Writing a business plan isn't rocket science, but it isn't a walk in the park either. Here are most mistakes entrepreneurs make.

Memoriam

In Memoriam: Entrepreneurs We Lost in 2006

We remember the great entrepreneurs who died this year, from the founders of K2 skis and Land's End, to the woman who invented tortilla chips.

How I Did It

How We Did It: 21 Tales of Mega-Success

These entrepreneurs have found success. And their stories can help you find it too.

Holiday Gift Guide

Gifts to Wow (and Woo) Your Clients

Send a client a well-planned gift and you could kick off a whole year of good will. Here you'll find something to wow'em.

Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide for Road Warriors

These new pintsize electronics will help you get more done and just about anywhere.

Charity

10 Ways to Give Without Giving

Companies are making philanthropy part of their operations -- and luring in customers.

30 Under 30

30 Under 30: A Night on the Town

Inc.com toasted members of our inaugural 30 Under 30 list in October, with a cocktail reception at Brooks Brothers' downtown store in New York.

Cities That Pay the Least

Cities That Pay the Least

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released data on average salaries and wages across industries and metropolitan areas. These are the cities that pay their residents the least.

Cities That Pay the Most

Cities That Pay the Most

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released data on average salaries and wages across industries and metropolitan areas. These are the cities that pay their residents the most.

Smart Questions For Your Accountant

Smart Questions For Your Accountant

Forget holiday shopping. Now's the time to huddle with your CPA and make year-end tax moves that will shave Uncle Sam's bill. Here are a few questions to ask your number cruncher.

Green 50

The Green 50

Introducing the Green 50, entrepreneurial companies that are attacking environmental problems of our time--and making serious cash along the way.

Environment

23 Products That Will Save the Planet

From carpet to beer, companies are using green techniques and making green products.

Environment

10 Ways Companies Can Save the Environment

Going green doesn't necessarily require a radical makeover. A series of small steps can add up to a new way of doing business.

Trade Show

Smart Questions For Your Trade Show Organizer

A typical trade show loses nearly 40 percent of its exhibitors every year. Ask these questions to make sure you're not headed for a two-day waste of time.

Kitsch

Great Design? 11 Products Destined to be Kitschy

Companies are now placing heavier emphasis on design; but beware, today's cool may be tomorrow's kitsch.

Death

Six Businesses of Death

From cloning dead pets to sending ashes into space, here are some businesses to die for.

Gadgets for Road Warriors

Great Gadgets for Road Warriors

These new pintsize electronics will help you get more done and have more fun--and they're portable enough to take just about anywhere.

Sports Tickets

How to Score Last-Minute Tickets

Want to make it to the big game and can't get seats? Here are some ways to ensure you can be there to cheer your team on.

Disappearing Jobs

Disappearing Jobs: 15 Careers to Avoid

The Department of Labor routinely eliminates outmoded job titles from its database. Here are some careers that have been bounced recently.

Job Interview

Top Job Interview Questions

The most effective interview questions are open-ended and based on the candidate's experiences.

Office Perks

The Best Office Perks

The best way to lure good employees may be perks like mandatory paid vacations and free car-washes.

Credit Card

Smart Questions For Your Credit Card Company

Competition among business card issuers for new customers is fiercer than ever. Here's what to ask about the fine print so you get the best deal.

Inc. 500 CEO Alter Egos

Inc. 500 CEO Alter Egos

If you could be anyone else, who would it be? We helped eight uninhibited Inc. 500 CEOs act out their fantasies.

Entrepreneurial Class

Rise of the Entrepreneurial Class

Before they even graduated, these entrepreneurs-in-training launched innovative start-ups that earned top grades -- from teachers and customers alike.

Inc. 500 Revenue

2006 Inc. 500 Top 10 Companies By Revenue

Ten companies of the Inc. 500 were true money machines, including the two biggest ever to make the list.

Inc. 500 Top 25

2006 Inc. 500 Top 25 Companies

Who are America's fastest growing private companies? Here are the top 25 profiles of success.

Inc. 500 Products

Hot Products of the 2006 Inc. 500

From monitors for heart patients to stink-free socks, these creative products, devised by Inc. 500 companies, solve problems big and small.

Inc. 500 Famous Brands

25 Years of the Inc. 500: Famous Brands

For 25 years, the most exciting companies in America have been getting noticed here: Microsoft, Timberland, Jenny Craig and more.

Insurance Agent

Smart Questions For Your Insurance Agent

Are you protected if a catastrophe hits? More than half of small businesses don't have business-interruption insurance. Get on the case by asking these questions.

Lemonade Stands

Lemonade Stands Across America

See the photos submitted by kid-trepreneurs all over the country for our Best Lemonade Stand in America contest.

Recruit Employees

Top 10 Ways to Recruit Great Employees

Need advice on attracting and recruiting excellent employees? Here are some methods for finding your next great hire.

Golf Etiquette

The 10 Commandments of Golf Etiquette

For some companies, more deals are made on the golf course than in the boardroom. But the wrong behavior on the links can be a deal breaker.

Subway DeLuca

Five Tips from Subway's Founder

Fred DeLuca, cofounder and CEO of Subway, offers his tips to start your business.

camping gear

Essential Gear for Campers

Camping apparel and equipment industries have seen a boom by expanding to a wider range of consumers. Here are ten examples of camping gear.

Travel Agent

Smart Questions For Your Travel Agent

As companies grow, they hire travel management companies to help. Here's what to ask to make sure you end up with first-class treatment.

organic food

How To Tell It's Organic

The use of organic food is a growing trend, and a growing industry. Learn how to tell if a product fits the bill.

bargains

39 Great Business Bargains

In this slideshow, see how to get a deal on just about everything.

fireworks

Summer Gadget Guide

Before you fire up the barbecue or head to the beach this summer, here's a few gadgets we've rounded up from entrepreneurs and small businesses across the country -- guaranteed to keep the summertime rolling.

Lemonade Stand

10 Tips for Creating the Coolest Lemonade Stand Ever

Want to open a lemonade stand to enter our contest? Start here with the top 10 tips for running a cool lemonade stand.

Tax Tips

Six Sizzling Summer Tax Tips

Tax deductible parties and vacations? Read and find out how your business can have fun in the sun.

30 under 30

30 Under 30: America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs

Inc.com has been gathering nominations, to help find the America's coolest, most dynamic entrepreneurs under the age of 30. Who made the cut? Here you'll find the top 30.

TerraCycle

From Trash to Treasure

How does the coolest start-up in America make their fertilizer? Here is the step-by-step on how Tom Szaky's TerraCycle turns worm poop into money.

wine

A Wine Lover's Gadget Guide

Forget the mystique surrounding fine wine. From corkscrews to crystal -- it's all about the accessories and do-dads. Here's a look at the essentials for any wine lover.

fireworks

8 Most Explosive Fireworks

Put down that bottle rocket. This Fourth of July, strike a match to one of the high-powered, multi-shot explosives featured in this slideshow -- and run like hell.

famous interns

Famous Former Interns

You'd be surprised where some of today's celebrities got their start.

Best Cities

The Top 20 Small Cities for Doing Business

Which local economies are really booming? As part of our annual rankings, here's a look at the best business cities with an employment base less than 150,000.

Best Cities

The Top 20 Midsize Cities for Doing Business

Which local economies are really booming? As part of our annual rankings, here's a look at the best business cities with an employment base between 150,000 and 450,000.

Best Cities

The Top 20 Large Cities for Doing Business

Which local economies are really booming? As part of our annual rankings, here's a look at the best business cities with an employment base of 450,000 or more.

Boat Trips

Anchors Away: 10 Amazing Boat Trips Around the World

Looking to trade your BlackBerry for a pina colada on the high seas? Here's a look at some of the world's most exotic -- and most relaxing -- boating adventures.

Inner City 100

Street Smarts: America's Top 10 Inner-City Businesses

They're generating thousands of jobs and billions in revenue -- in some of the nation's most distressed (and promising) neighborhoods. Our annual ranking of the top inner-city businesses is a mosaic of entrepreneurial success stories.

Entrepreneur Mothers

The Mothers of Invention: Top Entrepreneurial Moms

Got time to run a multimillion dollar business and raise a family? These women did. Here's a salute to some of the nation's top entrepreneurial moms.

Gas Prices

It Could Be Worse: Gas Prices Around the World

Here's a look at what people around the world are paying at the pump -- and how cheap gas really is for the major oil-producing nations.

Hector Barreto

Chronology of a Turbulent Tenure

After five years at the helm of the SBA, Hector Barreto has stepped down. Here's a timeline of his actions as administrator.

Top Industries

Top Industries to Work In

Some industries are hot, and some are not, for finding jobs these days. Here's 10 of the hottest industries job seekers should keep their eyes on.

Risky Business

Risky Business: Five Ways Your Job Might Be Killing You -- and What You Can Do About It

Research shows a potential link between heart attacks and a strong economy, when personal health and time management can take a backseat. Here are some risk factors and ways employees and managers can take care of themselves and their staffs.

Marketing on a Shoestring Budget

Marketing on a Shoestring Budget

Marketing your product or service doesn't need to cost a fortune. Here are some companies that leveraged some low-cost strategies to make a big impact with their customers.

CEO Business Books

CEO Bookshelf: The Best Business Books

Here's our list of essential page-turners written by both famous and not-so-famous entrepreneurs, these books offer unique perspectives on the business world.

Gambling

Best Bets: Sports Gambling's Biggest Pay Days

The total Las Vegas sports book came in at $2.26 billion in 2005 -- and that's just the legal bets. So where is the heaviest action in Sin City? Here's a look at the top draws.

Small Giants

Small Giants

Here, from Bo Burlingham's book Small Giants, are 14 companies that choose to be great instead of big.

Tax Tips

The Tax Man Cometh: 10 Tips for Your Business

As you prepare your taxes this year, here's a checklist to run through, to ensure that you're maximizing your company's deductions -- and minimizing your stress level.

> Resume Liars

Catching Resume Liars

We asked the experts to weigh in with their best advice for combating what many describe as a growing problem of job candidates taking creative license with their credentials.

Washington

Your Best Friends in Washington

Most people in and around the government are beholden to Corporate America and don't pay attention to the needs of entrepreneurs. Here's a look at the Beltway movers and shakers who are trying to change that.

Chocolate

Real-Life Willy Wonkas

Willy Wonka holds a revered spot in our collective imagination. Who wouldn't want to run a chocolate factory? For Valentine's Day, here's a look at eight entrepreneurs (and their delicacies) who chased their sweet dreams.

Groundbreakers

The Groundbreakers

These 10 have left indelible marks on their markets and industries. They have also changed how we live and the way we do business.

NFL

The NFL's Top Entrepreneurs

From Joe Montana to Simeon Rice, many football players have become competitive in the business world. Here's some of the biggest success stories off the field.

Office Resolutions

Office Resolutions for 2006

Here are 12 resolutions the experts say you should make if you want to improve your office life.

Self-Made Entrepreneurs

Self-Made Entrepreneurs

See 10 entrepreneurs who faced incredible odds and rose from humble beginnings to start their businesses.

Entrepreneur Presidents

Entrepreneurial Presidents

Discover past presidents who exhibited great entrepreneurial acumen to rise to their positions as leaders of this nation.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Entrepreneur of the Year: Reader Favorites

We collected nominations for Inc.'s annual Entrepreneur of the Year search, and then sent them back to you, our readers, to vote for your favorites. Here's the 10 entrepreneurs you selected.

Office Party

How to Avoid Office Party Disasters

Worried about making a fool of yourself in front of your co-workers? Read this handy guide or risk humiliation.

Holiday Gift Guide

2005 Holiday Gift Guide

Still shopping for your family and friends? Find out what Inc.com editors think are the coolest gifts around.

Turkey Business Ideas

Top Ten Turkey Business Ideas

For this Thanksgiving holiday, we took a look at some of the worst business ideas of all time in this interactive slideshow.

Inc. 500 All-Stars

Inc. 500 All-Stars

Some of today's best-known companies have graced past Inc. 500 lists. See 12 founders and CEOs of companies that have become household names.

Inc. 500 Top Ten

Inc. 500: Top Ten Companies by Revenue

These are the ten that ranked above all others in Inc. Magazine's 2005 list of fastest growing privately-owned small businesses.

Inc. 500 Faces

Faces of the Inc. 500

These are the companies and people who stood out from the pack. Read about what made them unique.

Inc. 500 Innovation

Innovations of the 2005 Inc. 500

These are the inventions and innovations that the Inc. 500 brought about in the year 2005. Maybe one of these will help your small business.

Workplace Horror Stories

Workplace Horror Stories

They are chilling tales not often told at Halloween: The gun-slinging CEO who throws chairs, or the ad man who took a stapler to the head. Forget the gothic crypt - for sheer terror, it's hard to beat the office.

75 Reasons to be an Entrepreneur

75 Reasons to be an Entrepreneur Right Now

Here's Part 1 of our tally of the many ways the culture, the economy, and entrepreneurship's own history are making this the best time to be building a business.
Plus: Examine Part 2 and Part 3 of the slideshow.

Email

Five Things You Didn't Know About Email

It has become an essential part of business. Examine these informative tidbits that might change how you think about email.

PDA

The Coolest PDAs and Who Needs Them

The reason that cell phones, BlackBerrys, and other hand-helds have taken over the world is not that they're convenient or useful business devices. It's because they're cool. Read about the latest ones.

Good Night Sleep

How to Get a Good Night's Sleep

The rules are simple: No sugar, no caffeine, and don't bring work into bed! Click here for our slideshow of the Best Good-Sleep Gadgets.

Future Advertising

The Future of Advertising

It's not easy getting anyone's attention these days. In this slideshow, see where some advertisers went to extremes.

Bill Strickland

Can One Entrepreneur Save the World?

Bill Strickland gets a standing O for his slideshow. Inc.com has pulled the best of his slides, with an audio track from the man himself. See why he has been inspiring others for 40 years.

Financial Security

10 Best Companies for Financial Security

Innovative planning enabled these small and mid-sized companies to maintain strong employee benefits despite rising costs.

Grill Recipes

Recipes from a Grill Master

A chef and entrepreneur, Steven Raichlen has been called the "Gladiator of Grilling" by Oprah and "the grill master" by Inc.. Click here for eight BBQ recipes he shared with Inc.

Brand Faces

The Faces Behind The Brands

Get to know the people behind the brands you love. "Faces Behind the Brands" reveals who they are.

Multimillionaire

How To Be a Multimillionaire

Paul Frank, Russell Simmons, Paul Newman, Betsey Johnson -- what do they all have in common? They all built multimillion-dollar companies. Cilck here to learn how they did it.

Angel Investor

Angels with Angles

Watch a slideshow of the 9 top angel investment groups featured in Inc.'s "Angels with Angles" feature and find out what they look for in investment targets.

Wine Online

Top 10 Wines Online

The whole of Don Zacharia's adult life has been devoted to changing the way Americans think about wine. Here, Zachy's, the wine retailer started by Zacharia's father in 1932, reveals the top 10 selling wines online.

Best Cities

2005 Top Cities for Doing Business

Inc.'s second annual list reveals the top 10 places in America for doing business.

Top Industries

Top 10 Industries to Start and Grow a Business

Inc.com chose 10 industries that are projected to have huge growth -- and opportunities.

Retail Hire

Top Questions to Ask Potential Retail Hires

Wondering what you should ask the nervous person across the desk from you? Here are some suggestions.

Inc. 500 Tuscon

Inc. 500 Conference, March 17-19, 2005 in Tucson, Ariz.

Missed the Inc. 500 Conference in Tucson this year? View our slideshow from the event to find out who was there and what went down. And join us next year!

Budget Vacation

Getaway, on a Budget

Save your sanity -- and some money -- by planning a getaway that treads lightly on your wallet.

Fascinating Entrepreneur

26 Most Fascinating Entrepreneurs

Read inspirational stories about 26 of the most fascinating entrepreneurs in America.

Car Reviews

Drives with Patrick Sauer

Each month Inc. Staff Writer Patrick Sauer shares his top picks for cars any entrepreneur can appreciate, from practical minivans to truly indulgent rides. Here we offer a glimpse of the Drives column.

Identity Theft

Defend Your Workplace Against Identity Theft

Discover strategies for reducing the risk of identity theft in your workplace.

Sales Interview

Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Next Sales Hire

Sales are the lifeblood of any business. Hiring experienced and committed professionals is the only way you can ensure the sales keep flowing.

Top Jobs

Top Jobs 2005

Do you feel your career is the greatest? See if it ranks in our list of the best jobs.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Entrepreneur of the Year

Inc. honors Burt Rutan as its Entrepreneur of the Year, as well as an eclectic mix of other entrepreneurs whose accomplishments warrant some praise.

Entrepreneurs Cash In

Cashing In

Here's what four entrepreneurs who sold their companies did with their earnings.

Celebrity Entrepreneur

Top 10 Celebrity Entrepreneurs

They're not fronts. These celebrities are building real businesses. Find out what makes them so successful.

Holiday Gift Guide

Gift Guide

Get a little help with your shopping list this season with a few gift suggestions from our annual Gift Guide.

Inc. 500 CEO

What Inc. 500 CEOs Make

Discover how much, and how little, Inc. 500 CEOs are paying themselves.

Inc. 500 Facts

Crunching the Numbers

Find interesting facts and stats on the CEOs whose companies made the 2004 Inc. 500 list.

How To

Inc.'s Ultimate How-To Guide

Discover 19 essential strategies every business owner should know in Inc.'s Ultimate How-To Guide.

Inc. 500 Top 25

Inc. 500 Top 25

Look at the stats and stories of the top 25 companies of the 2004 Inc. 500.

Interview

Controlling the Interview

Use these tips to take control of the interview process as soon as the prospective employee walks in the door.

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