WireLeigh Buchanan Small Business Week Is Here. These Are America's Most Intriguing Hot Spots for EntrepreneursSome small companies absorb the flavor of their environments. For Small Business Week, we visit a few of these distinctive 'character clusters.'
WireLeigh Buchanan 'They Dropped Me Off in a Jungle for Nine Months.' Now This Green Beret and Others Are Starting Companies Back HomeIn the towns around Fort Bragg, North Carolina, retired Special Forces soldiers apply to their companies what they learned in combat.
Family BusinessLeigh Buchanan How a 126-Year-Old Philadelphia Market Beloved By Locals Brings in $60 Million From Tourists Every YearReading Terminal Market has undergone many changes in its long history, but its merchants have never strayed from its mission as a one-stop shop for locals' and tourists' every food craving.
WireLeigh Buchanan Why Small-Business Owners Flocked to Orlando for This Year's 'Spring Break for the Construction Industry'At Ritchie Bros.' Orlando auction, small contractors buy and sell very big equipment.
WireLeigh Buchanan Even the Rich and Famous of Beverly Hills Need to Buy Hardware and Produce. Here's Where They ShopIn the shadows of Beverly Hills' glamorous global giants, Edelweiss Chocolates, Arturo's Shoe Fixx, and other mom-and-pops provide their versions of luxury service.
WireLeigh Buchanan Are These the Best Main Street Businesses in America? Their Customers Sure Think SoSmall Business Week offers an opportunity to shine a light on Main Street companies that don't make a lot of headlines, but remain beloved by their clientele year after year.
Wire 4 Tiny Companies That Have Mastered Customer Service in a Way the Giants Can'tThey have made an art form of hands-on care and meticulous attention to the needs of their clientele.
WireLeigh Buchanan How Can Local, Small Businesses Compete with Big Chains? These 4 Gems All Use This 1 StrategyCustomers flock to these businesses for unusual products from unicorn pinatas to rare Perry Como albums.
WireLeigh Buchanan How to Turn Your Quirks Into Your Business's Competitive AdvantageEstablishing a distinctive personality can take a company far.
WireLeigh Buchanan 41 Years, 53 Years, 109 Years: These Local Businesses Know What It Takes to Last for DecadesMost Main Street companies fade away over time, but the great ones hang on to become beloved local institutions.
WireLeigh Buchanan Here's the Secret Sauce for Turning Your Business Into a Beloved Community FixtureThrough participation in local events and other savvy engagement efforts, these companies have managed to weave themselves into the fabric of their home cities.
LeadJustin Bariso Emotionally Intelligent People Embrace the 'Law of Strength and Weakness'Are you more like Mark or Jen? The answer can help you leverage your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses.
LeadBill Murphy Jr. 12 Brilliant Questions That Will Make People Remember You and Like You More in 2021Did you like 'networking' before the pandemic? Imagine what it's going to be like now.
HR/BenefitsRebecca Deczynski The Great Resignation Is Going to be a Shock--Hitting Some Industries Harder Than OthersAs the Great Resignation continues, 15 percent of the workforce is estimated to quit their jobs. These industries are likely to see the biggest turnover.
Taking CareBrit Morse Meet the New Workplace Benefit Inspired by the Strictest Abortion Law in the CountryA look at how companies are helping their employees evade the state of Texas.
LeadBill Murphy Jr. Here's the Amazing Truth Behind Norm Macdonald's 'Moth Goes Into a Podiatrist's Office' JokeI can't do it justice. But I won't forget it soon. Rest in peace, Norm Macdonald.
Female FoundersGabrielle Bienasz Jennifer Lopez on Authenticity and Her Biggest MotivationsThe entertainer and founder discussed the factors that fueled her success during an event to celebrate Small Business Week and Hispanic Heritage month.
MoneyGabrielle Bienasz 3 Ways You Could Benefit From Biden's $25 Billion Small-Business Assistance PlanThrough the Build Back Better Act, government programs that provide loans and other forms of startup capital could get a boost.
Taking CareBrit Morse What the End of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Means for Your Hiring PlansThe recent expiration of federal unemployment benefits likely won't ease the hiring crunch. It could make it worse.
Small Business WeekGabrielle Bienasz Mark Cuban: The 4 Things Every Entrepreneur Must Do to Thrive During the PandemicThe billionaire 'Shark Tank' star identified a handful of vital tactics at the Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week virtual event.
LeadJustin Bariso Emotionally Intelligent Minds Know How to Bridge the Perspective GapHow can you negotiate effectively, persuade, and influence others? By connecting them to your feelings.
LeadBill Murphy Jr. Want to Be Smarter at Work? A New Harvard Study Says This Simple Change Pays Off Big Time"We have a huge body of research on the exposure to outdoor pollution, but we spend 90 percent of our time indoors.”
HiringGabrielle Bienasz Inequality Has Cost The Economy Nearly $23 Trillion Since 1990. It's Hurting Your Company, TooA new study published by The Brookings Institution puts a price tag on decades of racial and ethnic discrimination.
PoliticsBrit Morse Biden Tells Large Employers to Mandate the Vaccine. It'll Be CostlyThe President announced that the Department of Labor will require companies with more than 100 employees to mandate the vaccine. Expect a fight.
LeadJustin Bariso After His Comments on Obesity, the Internet Came for This CEO. His Response Is a Lesson in Emotional IntelligenceThe recent Sweetgreen incident provides a great case study in how emotional intelligence works in the real world.
Best WorkplacesJessica Stillman In the Middle of the Great Resignation, Employers Are Rejecting Millions of Qualified Workers, New Harvard Research Finds Problematic hiring software and bad job descriptions deserve a big chunk of the blame.
Best WorkplacesKevin J. Ryan Four Million Workers Quit in June. Here's What Businesses Are Doing to Get Better Career MatchesA new survey sheds some light on how unhappy American workers are becoming.
Taking CareBrit Morse Employees Are Getting Increasingly Nervous About the Delta VariantCovid-19 cases continue to rise, particularly in low-vax states, causing concern among workers who need do their jobs in person.
Taking CareDiana Ransom SBA Opens the Spigot Wider for EIDL Loans Up to $2 MillionIn its latest interim final rule, the SBA is trying to expand access to the program and widen eligible uses.
LeadJessica Stillman The Biggest Truth Most Leaders Misunderstand About 'the Great Resignation'Want your employees to stick around? Flexibility is just the minimum.
InnovateKevin J. Ryan Why Two of the World's Biggest Aerospace Companies Are Investing in This StartupSan Francisco-based Orbit Fab received investments from Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden 3 Nearly Effortless Ways to Remember and Recall More, Backed by NeuroscienceWant to almost instantly improve your short term memory and recall? Of course you do.
Business NextBrit Morse How to Hire With a Vaccine Mandate in PlaceAsking prospective employees about their vaccination status can be awkward--and possibly lead to legally sticky situations.
Business InsuranceAmrita Khalid How to Get Relief for Your Business After a Natural DisasterA range of government aid and corporate discount offers are available to small businesses affected by storms and wildfires.
LeadBill Murphy Jr. Delta Air Lines Just Made a Big Decision, and Its Flight Attendants Should Be Very HappyIs it still harder to become a Delta Air Lines flight attendant than it is to get into Harvard?
LeadJustin Bariso How Emotionally Intelligent People Use the 'Golden Question'Use the golden question to manage your emotions, make better decisions, and live life with fewer regrets.
LeadBill Murphy Jr. Amazon Made a Surprising Change in 2021. Yes, You Should Definitely Copy ItDoes the policy you came up with years ago still make sense? Or is it time to change?
LeadBill Murphy Jr. Elon Musk's 'Full-Time Job' Tweet Was Funny, But It Revealed a Brutal Truth Most People Don't AdmitIt's the worst possible system, except for all those others that have ever been tried.
Taking CareBrit Morse The Pandemic Led Many Women to Rethink Work. Here's What They Want Most From EmployersPaid time off has become less of a necessary benefit for women, but it's still in the top three.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden 5 Performance Evaluation Red Flags That Are Actually a Sign of an Exceptional EmployeeDo your performance appraisals penalize employees for displaying some of the qualities you actually need the most?
LeadJessica Stillman If the Prime Minister of Finland Can Take a 4-Week Vacation, You Can Fully Unplug From Work This Labor Day Weekend Sanna Marin's month-long holiday proves leaders can truly unplug, provided they set their organizations up right.
Economic OutlookKevin J. Ryan New Jobs Report Shows That Growth Slowed Significantly in AugustFriday's release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed far fewer job gains than in previous months.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden Why Science Says Emotionally Intelligent Leaders Embrace the Rule of Uncomfortable PraiseIf you feel uncomfortable giving praise and recognition, research shows you're not alone. And that your employees don't care.
Taking CareDiana Ransom Get This Key Employer Tax Credit Before Congress Takes It AwayThe employee retention tax credit could be shortchanged to fund the $1 trillion infrastructure deal. Many eligible businesses haven't made use of it, but there's still time.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden Why Strategic Thinkers Like Jeff Bezos Embrace the Rule of Things That Will Never ChangeBecause where success--in any endeavor--is concerned, long-term is always the best term.
StartupGabrielle Bienasz Survey: One-Third of People Who Quit Their Jobs Plan to Start BusinessesPeople are leaving their jobs at record rates. For a remarkable number of them, entrepreneurship could be the next step.
LeadJustin Bariso Nike Just Gave Some Employees an Amazing Gift. Every Company Can Learn From ItBy sending employees home for a week, Nike sends a clear message: Mental health is the best employee perk you can give.
MoneyKevin J. Ryan Thinking of Going Public? A New Option Might Beat Out the IPONew research from the University of Florida sheds light on the advantages of a direct listing.
SecuritySophie Downes Report: Companies Are Increasing Security Risks to Make WFH Possible The quick pivot to working from home and the resulting reliance on personal devices have led to widespread vulnerabilities, according to cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks.
ProductivityJustin Bariso Why Intelligent Minds Like Jeff Bezos Embrace the 'Rule of Writing'Take a page out of Jeff Bezos's book and follow the rule of writing. It'll make everyone better.
HR/BenefitsMinda Zetlin Why Google's Plan to Cut Remote Worker Pay Is a Bad IdeaLocation-based pay cuts will do the company more harm than good.
LeadBill Murphy Jr. Southwest Airlines Just Made a Big Change. Its Pilots and Flight Attendants Should Be Very Happy'Weary, exhausted, frustrated, and forgotten.'
Icons & InnovatorsBill Murphy Jr. Warren Buffett Explained the Secrets of His Success. Most People Just Ignore Them"It's not what you look at that matters. It's what you see."
Icons & InnovatorsBill Murphy Jr. With 17 Words, Steve Jobs Confirmed a Brutal Truth Most People Never Admit. It All Paid Off This Week'Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.'
Taking CareDiana Ransom SBA Launches Its Supplemental Shuttered Venue Grant ProgramThere's $7.2 billion in additional funding available for venues that have suffered big drops in revenue.
MarketingMinda Zetlin Amazon Just Announced a New Policy, and It's Pure GeniusAmazon took a liability weakness and turned it into a competitive advantage.
TechnologyKevin J. Ryan Wildfire Tech Companies See Newfound MomentumAs wildfires rage and governments embrace the need to combat climate change, more founders in the space are finally securing deals.
Work-Life BalanceGabrielle Bienasz Survey: Business Leaders Are Feeling Overworked and Disconnected From Their CompaniesNew data shows just how difficult a time small- and midsize business leaders and employees are having.
Surge CitiesSophie Downes These Are the Friendliest States for Small Businesses, According to a New ReportThree East Coast states ranked highest in a new survey of small-business owners conducted by Thumbtack, a platform for booking service professionals.
LeadJessica Stillman 2 Years Ago, 181 Top CEOs Vowed to Care About More Than Just the Bottom Line. A New Survey Shows Consumers Notice and Approve You're not just shouting into the void with your efforts to be a better corporate citizen.
SecurityLou Steinberg The 1 Legal Fix Biden's Cybersecurity Task Force Can Do Now to Throttle HackingRansomware attacks are a big deal, but ending them forever is less of a lift than you'd think.
The Future of WorkKevin J. Ryan CEOs Worry Prolonged Remote Work Might Hurt Their BusinessesMany big companies are pushing their returns to the office back to 2022.
LeadJessica Stillman EQ Is Far More Important for Entrepreneurial Success Than IQ, a Huge New Analysis of 65,000 Business Owners FoundGood news for aspiring entrepreneurs: Emotional intelligence is more important for success than IQ, and more trainable too.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden Why Emotionally Intelligent Leaders Refuse to Believe in Quality TimeAnd why Jerry Seinfeld believes in garbage time.
LeadJustin Bariso Steve Jobs Summed Up Apple's Entire Strategy Using Just 6 Bullet Points. Each One Teaches an Amazing LessonIn a recently published meeting agenda, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs teaches a master class in how to write a strategic plan.
Taking CareBrit Morse The FDA Grants Full Approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine. Expect a Flurry of Employer MandatesThe vote of confidence is expected to give employers greater legal and moral runway to require vaccinations.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden Charlie Watts Was a Remarkably Talented Drummer, but His Legacy Can Actually Be Summed Up With 3 WordsFifty years ago, Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts said 3 words that still resonate -- at least with me -- today.
E-commerceGabrielle Bienasz Your Business May Soon Be Able to Make In-App Sales on TikTok A pilot program, reportedly set for expansion in the fall, will allow Shopify sellers to sell directly on the social media platform.
Working From HomeSophie Downes New Survey: 61 Percent of Americans Would Take a Pay Cut to Keep Working RemotelyCompanies that mandate in-office work could risk losing talent and alienating job applicants, according to a survey from background-check company GoodHire.
Startup LifeSophie Downes In Online Dating, Being an Entrepreneur Is an Advantage--for One Group, at LeastMore and more OkCupid users are identifying themselves as business owners. The results are mixed.
Taking CareDiana Ransom Biden's Secret Weapon for Passing the $3.5 Trillion Budget Resolution: Small BusinessThe president just recast his entire Build Back Better plan through the lens of the small-business person. Why that matters for his economic agenda.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden The Type of Will That Separates Those Who Achieve From Those Who Only DreamWhy success starts with the desire to develop mastery and expertise.
5G RevolutionBill Murphy Jr. Elon Musk Just Introduced a Life-Changing Idea. There's Only 1 Big Problem. (And Everyone Missed It)'Hopefully that doesn't ever happen. But you never know.'
LeadBill Murphy Jr. A New Study of 100,000 Workers Says Having a Tough Job Leads to This Surprising Health BenefitMaybe think of this before you quit or opt for early retirement.
HR/BenefitsMinda Zetlin Amazon Wants to Be the World's Best Employer. A Former Warehouse Employee Has Some AdviceGisela Hausmann was an Amazon author before working as a stower in its distribution center.
LeadBill Murphy Jr. Netflix Made 9 Big Changes, and Most Subscribers Now Have No IdeaMaybe you know these stories? Most subscribers don't. Here's why that's excellent for Netflix.
Business NextBrit Morse Is It Time to Ditch the Plastic Barriers?The partitions business owners erected to separate customers or staff may actually make things worse.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden Why Science Says Emotionally Intelligent People Follow the Rule of No ComplaintsWhen something bad happens, venting can actually make you feel worse--for days.
The Future of WorkSophie Downes PwC Survey: Employers Struggling to Keep Up With Changing Employee ExpectationsThe survey asked executives and 1,007 employees about the forces that are shaping the future of work.
Taking CareSophie Downes New Survey: 70 Percent of Workers Would Quit If Another Employer Offered Better Policies to Reduce BurnoutEighty-nine percent of employees have experienced burnout in the past year, and vacations aren't the solution, according to a report from workforce analytics company Visier.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden How the Rule of 'Here's Why Not' Can Help You Maintain Great Relationships and Be More ProductiveSaying no can damage relationships and create a lack of trust. Unless, as research shows, you say no the right way.
InnovateJustin Bariso Amazon Just Dethroned Walmart, and It's the End of the (Retail) World As We Know ItAmazon just displaced Walmart as the world's largest retailer outside of China. Here's how Amazon did it--and what you can learn from its achievement.
PeopleSophie Downes Maki Kaji, Founder Who Popularized Sudoku, Dies at 69Kaji didn't invent Sudoku, but he gave it new branding and led the company that turned it into a global phenomenon.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden Need Superstar Employees on Your Team? Depending on the Situation, Science Says Don't Hire Too ManyWhen a task requires collaboration and teamwork, too many star players can actually decrease team performance.
ProductivityJustin Bariso Her Customer Said She Wasn't Responding to Messages Quickly Enough. Her Response Was PerfectRefuse to set boundaries, and others will set them for you.
LeadJustin Bariso Emotionally Intelligent People Use This 4-Word Question Every Day to Build Stronger RelationshipsWhen you help others, you increase your impact for good.
LeadBill Murphy Jr. Want to Raise Successful Kids? Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett Say This Simple Rule Improves the OddsIt's about balancing passion and interests with economic realities.
HR/BenefitsSophie Downes Why Your Employees With Children Might Be About to Quit, According to a New SurveyImproved flexibility and child care benefits could be key to retention, according to a survey of 1,529 parents conducted by parenting-benefits startup Cleo.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden Why Do So Many People Struggle to Accept Compliments? Science Shows It Takes a Small Dose of Courage and Emotional IntelligenceUnfortunately, two-thirds of us deflect the praise and recognition we receive.
HR/BenefitsAlicia Doniger Still Struggling to Find Workers? Queue the RobotsEven if workers return in the fall, when unemployment benefits run out, a structural shift may be taking place.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden In 2 Sentences, Kobe Bryant Gave LeBron James the Best Advice About Happiness You Will Hear TodayBusiness won't make you happy. Neither will professional success. But this can.
Startup LifeJessica Stillman 8 Research-Backed Ways to Stop Worrying and Calm Your MindA deep dive into recent research shows these are the most effective stress-busting techniques.
Taking CareDiana Ransom The Senate Passed a $1 Trillion Infrastructure Deal. What's in It for You?Among other things, count on access to valuable construction contracts, energy efficiency advice, and grant money for upgrades.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden The Great Resignation: Why Millions of People Are Quitting (and How Employers Can Earn Them Back)Four million people quit their jobs in April alone. Money had little to do with it, and has even less to do with earning the right to find the right people for your business.
InnovateSophie Downes Global Warming Will Intensify, But Humans Can Prevent the Worst, U.N. Scientists Say. These Startups Want to HelpThe U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change just released findings from a three-year analysis. The global warming business will only get bigger.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden Want to Develop Remarkable Persistence and Mental Toughness? Stop Working the ProblemYep: Where remarkable success is concerned, sometimes the obstacle really is the way.
LeadBill Murphy Jr. With Just 8 Short Words, Elon Musk Tweeted a Brutal Truth That Most People Don't UnderstandThere's probably no single person on the planet in a better position to understand this.
LeadBill Murphy Jr. United Airlines Just Made a Bold New Decision. Here's the Controversial ChangeLike the song says: "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."
Minorities in Business Gabrielle Bienasz After Decades, the Minority Business Development Agency Could Finally Become PermanentA bipartisan group of senators added an amendment to the infrastructure bill to codify the MBDA, which helps minority entrepreneurs get access to capital and government contracts.
HiringSophie Downes U.S. Unemployment Rate Dropped in July, With 943,000 Jobs AddedThe U.S. economy is on the upswing, but the labor market remains tight, and the Delta variant could complicate the recovery.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden Why Intelligent Minds Like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk Embrace the WTP Rule to Make Better DecisionsThe endowment effect is pervasive. Here's why, and how, successful people work hard to avoid it.
TechnologyAnna Meyer New MIT Study: CIOs Are Planning to Spend the Most Time and Money in These AreasOver 500 business leaders and CIOs shared with MIT their top priorities for investment, and the results will not surprise you.
Taking CareDiana Ransom To Pay for Its Infrastructure Deal, Congress Is Stealing $38 Billion in Small-Business Relief FundsFor businesses still needing aid, the infrastructure bill could be yet another blow.
Taking CareAlicia Doniger New York Is the First Big City to Require Vaccinations--but Likely Not the LastAre restaurants ready for the responsibility?
HiringGabrielle Bienasz In a Tight Labor Market, Consider Adding Salaries to Your Job ListingsBusinesses are increasing pay transparency to attract new employees.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden Want to Be Happier? Science Says Avoid the Effect of Relative Deprivation on Fulfillment and SatisfactionResearch shows comparing yourself with others can be the quickest path to dissatisfaction. But there are two comparisons that can make you happier, especially over the long term.
TechnologyTeresa Xie Square Enters 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Market for $29 Billion in Biggest Acquisition YetSquare's plan to buy Afterpay is the latest move by a tech company to enter the "buy now, pay later" market.
Owner's ManualJeff Haden Why Emotionally Intelligent Leaders Embrace the Ikea EffectThe Ikea Effect is often used to influence consumer spending. But there's an even better use for the self-worth that results from allowing people to do certain things themselves.
Taking CareDiana Ransom The SBA Gives a Break to Borrowers Who Are Appealing Their PPP Loan DecisionsBusiness owners appealing their PPP loan forgiveness decisions no longer have to start paying principal and interest fees during their loan's repayment period.
Venture CapitalSophie Downes Report: Startups Are Receiving Record Financing, Thanks to Nontraditional InvestorsDeep-pocketed funds are outpacing traditional venture capitalists on startup investment, and founders are reaping the benefits.
LeadBill Murphy Jr. Delta Air Lines Just Sent a Brilliant Message to Millions of Passengers. This 1 Word Mattered MostPay attention to the grammatical guardrails.