inc.com LLC


Dialing for Dollars

Nov 19, 2001

To provide guidance on the mission-critical subject of cold calling, we turned to Inc.com's Sales mentor, Pat Cavanaugh. In response to our users' questio...  Read story

Crisis Management Guide

By Jennifer A. Redmond |  Oct 31, 2001

Is your business prepared for the worst? Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we set out to provide entrepreneurs with information to he...  Read story

Bootstrapping Tips You Can Use Today

By Carole Matthews |  Oct 16, 2001

The reality of a recession has prompted many business owners to devise strategies to weather the economic downturn. Stretching business cash, cutting cost...  Read story

How would you address a small sales staff's concern regarding the impact of the economic downturn?

Nov 19, 2001

Sales mentor Pat Cavanaugh reponds to the following question from an Inc.com user: Do you perceive the recent economic downturn ...  Read story

Do you have any tips on developing cold-calling skills?

Nov 19, 2001

Sales mentor Pat Cavanaugh reponds to the following question from an Inc.com user: My company gets most of its clients through w...  Read story

Setting Up a Small-Business Network

Oct 24, 2000

Small businesses have come a long way since the days of the "sneaker net," when a tired floppy disk served as the only means for sharing files among employee...  Read story

What advice do you have for a cold caller who sells services?

Nov 19, 2001

Sales mentor Pat Cavanaugh reponds to the following question from an Inc.com user: I'm 24 years old and in my second sales job. ...  Read story

How should I decide where to advertise?

By Rogers, Martha, Kasanoff, Bruce |  Oct 2, 2000

Marketing & Advertising mentor Lisa H. Buksbaum responds: Your choices about where to advertise should logically follow where your c...  Read story

Research Your Industry through Trade Associations

By Carole Matthews |  Feb 15, 2001

Finding detailed industry information isn't as difficult as it might seem. For starters, find a trade association specific to your business. It can be a g...  Read story

3 Steps to a Better Relationship with Your Banker

By Jan Gardner |  Oct 22, 2001

Your relationship with your banker is never more important than when times get tough. Unfortunately, some business owners tend to steer clear of their ban...  Read story

How do I shop for a management consultant?

Nov 30, 2000

Leadership & Strategy mentor Keith Lamb responds: Naturally, you'd want a credible consultant who offers short- and long-term soluti...  Read story

How do we propose an owner financing plan to a business owner?

Oct 24, 2000

An inc.com user asks: We're a young couple, and there's a business we're interested in buying. We've secured some family loans,...  Read story

What do you think the most important trend affecting small business will be?

May 16, 2001

Human Resources mentor Rudy Karsan responds to the following questions: What do you think the most important trend affecting s...  Read story

What do you think the most important trend affecting small business will be?

May 16, 2001

Human Resources mentor Robert Hoffman responds to the following questions: What do you think the most important trend affectin...  Read story

Should I ask venture capitalists for more money than I need to create a cushion?

Dec 19, 2000

Finance & Capital mentor Guy Kawasaki responds: When raising venture funding, start-ups should generally aim to raise enough money t...  Read story

A Quick Look at the Estate-Tax Laws

Dec 1, 2000

The most recent measure to reform the estate tax laws -- or the "death tax" -- would have phased out the federal estate and gift taxes by the year 2010. A...  Read story

10 Great Ideas for Growing Business Now

By Jan Gardner |  Oct 29, 2001

Learn from the CEOs, marketers and other folks contributing to the success of many of the nation's fastest-growing companies. They were among the speakers...  Read story

Should I use a business broker?

Oct 4, 2000

Inc.com's Buying a Business mentor Tom West responds: I'm a business broker, so I can't be 100% objective about this question. But,...  Read story

One-to-One Management Pitfalls

By Lisa Chadderdon |  Oct 15, 2001

One-to-one management can be great for employee satisfaction and retention, as Leigh Buchanan points out in the October 2001 Inc magazine piece "...  Read story

How can I be sure that a venture capital firm will be a good fit with my company and our goals?

Sep 12, 2000

Finance & Capital mentor Guy Kawasaki responds: Before working with any investor or venture capital firm, you should research the f...  Read story

Start-Up Classics: 10 Resources for Start-ups

By Karen Carney |  Dec 20, 2000

For decades, Inc. magazine has been tracking the successes and failures of entreprene...  Read story

What are the top marketing magazines and databases?

Jun 14, 2001

Marketing & Advertising mentor Lisa H. Buksbaum responds: The top marketing magazines and databases include: Read story

How can I establish the creditworthiness of a company that's a prospective customer?

Oct 4, 2000

Offices & Operations mentor Charles J. Bodenstab responds: A credit report on the potential customer is a good starting point, but I...  Read story

How should I select and compensate a board of directors for my high-growth start-up?

Oct 12, 2000

Finance & Capital mentor Guy Kawasaki responds: Board members can help enhance the expertise, experience, and network of the manager...  Read story

How should I evaluate potential suppliers?

By Charles J. Bodenstab |  Jun 19, 2000

Offices & Operations mentor Charles J. Bodenstab responds: I suggest your first step be the firm establishment of the key parameters...  Read story

How do I formulate an effective marketing plan?

Jun 14, 2001

Marketing & Advertising mentor Lisa H. Buksbaum responds: An effective marketing plan consists of a strong and distinctive brand ide...  Read story

Should I track weekly sales data or will monthly data be enough?

By Charles J. Bodenstab |  Nov 2, 2000

Offices & Operations mentor Charles Bodenstab responds: The answer to this question is directly related to the nature of your busine...  Read story

How can I get the best options when leasing office equipment?

Feb 16, 2001

Office & Operations mentor Mie-Yun Lee responds: Before signing any lease, you'll want to think carefully about which type of lease ...  Read story

How do I find a business partner?

By Paul Edwards and Sarah Edwards |  Apr 4, 2001

Running a One-Person Business mentors Paul and Sarah Edwards Respond: A partnership is like a marriage in important ways, like req...  Read story

Can I avoid all the hassle of getting a bank loan by financing my small business with credit cards?

By Mie-Yun Lee |  Aug 9, 2001

Offices & Operations mentor Mie-Yun Lee responds: With the state of the economy, banks and venture capitalists aren't as willing to...  Read story

How does the business valuation process work?

Sep 19, 2000

Buying a Business mentor Tom West responds to the above question from an inc.com user: Here's the deal: If you're considering buyin...  Read story

How do I sell my professional service firm?

Nov 6, 2000

Buying a Business or Franchise mentor Tom West responds to the following question from an inc.com user: I own a law firm, and I ...  Read story

Survival Tactics: Sales Strategies

By Jennifer A. Redmond |  Oct 29, 2001

In a turbulent economy, marketing and sales strategies must be altered. Here' s a sampling of the new approaches companies in a variety of industries are ...  Read story

Terminating Pregnant Employees

By Robert Hoffman |  Nov 1, 2000

Can you terminate an employee who is pregnant during her probation period?  Read story

How can I find an affordable market research service?

May 23, 2001

Offices & Operations mentor Mie Yun-Lee responds to the following question from an inc.com user: I know my business will benefit...  Read story

Helping Employees Cope

By Emily Barker |  Oct 1, 2001

When a terrorist attack destroyed the World Trade Center and part of the Pentagon on September 11, business--and the employees who conduct it--stopped sho...  Read story

Red Flags in Choosing a Business Broker

By Carole Matthews |  Oct 23, 2001

When selecting a broker to sell your business, be suspicious if: The broker wants a significant or total fee paid upfront. Many b...  Read story

Should I offer equity in my new corporation to a partner?

Oct 26, 2000

We posed the following question from an inc.com user to several inc.com mentors: I'm starting a corporation. I have the technica...  Read story

Writing a Business Plan: Selected Resources

By Rogers, Martha, Kasanoff, Bruce |  Oct 2, 2001

If " The Bulletproof Business Plan ," makes you nervous about getting funding for your new com...  Read story

How do I value my Internet start-up?

Sep 26, 2000

Finance & Capital mentor Guy Kawasaki responds: Valuation of young companies -- especially Internet start-ups -- can be tricky. In f...  Read story