Ernst & Young Names Top U.S. Entrepreneurs of 2003
Whole Foods' John Mackey was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® as both the overall national winner and the winner in the retail and consumer category. Winners in ten other industry categories were also honored at the 17th annual event. 10 Under $20
Whether you're starting a side business while still employed elsewhere, a student or homemaker looking for extra income, or unemployed and trying to figure out what to do, there are plenty of opportunities for you to start up a side business inexpensively. It's unlikely any of these will make you a living in the first few months, but they all have the potential to grow into full-time careers. We'll take a look at 10 such opportunities and, most importantly, tell you what to do with the $20! Business Startup Idea: Home Caregiver
Home Caregivers are number 7 on the US Labor Department's list of fastest growing jobs from 2000 to 2010 and the only non-computer related job in the top 10 on that list. According to analysis by SeniorMag.com, this should peak at about 2007 and still continue to grow in large numbers through 2015. Caregivers supply personal needs to seniors in their homes including help with bathing and dressing, light housework, some cooking, transportation needs to doctors, stores, church and more. The Innovator's Dilemma
That great idea that you based your business on has been incredibly successful, but is also starting to
become mainstream. You know you need something new to maintain the competitive edge, but your company's
branding and even your personal identity are tied up in that first innovation. So what do you do? Welcome
to the innovator's dilemma. What's So Small About Your Small Business?
When asked the inevitable question “So, what do you do?” more times than not, a small business owner will reply “I run a small design company” or “I own a small business”. Yet, there is nothing small about running a small business. Usually it takes a bigger effort than the large businesses. You have to act as Accountant, President, Sales and Marketing. What’s so small about that? How does it help your business when you refer to it as small? This Was Not Addressed In The Workplace…
So you’re working at home now! No more of those annoying workplace issues that have filled several volumes of professional journals. They’re all behind you, a faint, unpleasant memory. Of course, working at home has no such…challenges? 4 Simple Fresh Approaches to Triple Web Site Profits
One of the most ignored factors after a sale is having a strategy to retain the customer and to maintain sustained customer satisfaction. Sustained customer satisfaction becomes important in every business, but even more so on the Internet. Technology Levels the Playing Field for Minority-Owned Businesses
Almost 15 percent of America's small business owners are minorities—and the trend of minority ownership is accelerating. More than three million minority-owned small businesses are providing job opportunities for millions of Americans in thousands of communities. In addition, the rate of growth for black-owned businesses is 25 percent compared to the 7 percent growth rate for business overall. Keeping Up With Technology
If you want to compete in today’s business world, then, it’s important to keep up with technology in order to get the most out of the technology you have, to keep abreast of emerging new technology, and to find the information that will help you make the right buying decisions. Speak to the World Without Saying a Word
We speak to the world without saying a word through non-verbal communication. Almost every facet of our personality is revealed through our appearance, body language, gestures, facials expressions, demeanor, posture and movements. Your First Time
Most people do it for the first time in college. Some in high school. But you? You have remained sheltered and untouched. Until now. Interview with Romanus Wolter, The Kick Start Guy
There is a huge gap between a "dream" and a "business plan". No one can predict the future, and a business plan forces us to do that. So instead of really trying to see what works, we begin to make things up. What you want to do is begin with your passion - really defining what you want to create. Then create an action plan that works in your life to discover what will work in your business. Presentation Tip: Making Statistics Understandable
The use of statistics in a presentation is a double-edged sword. When used appropriately, statistics can make a presentation more credible, more persuasive and more authoritative. Used inappropriately, they can make the presentation less interesting, less effective and less audience-centered. Here are some tips on how to make statistics work for you rather than against you. Presentation Tip: Stop the Verbal Spam
We’ve all seen it. A speaker thoroughly familiar with his or her product gives a presentation filled with information about the history of the product, the development of the product, how it is used, and a list of ten nifty features. But at the end of the presentation, we’re left wondering what the point was.
That describes “infodumping.” It’s the verbal equivalent of email spam. The Seven Deadly Sins of Powerpoint Presentations
It’s not surprising Powerpoint© slideshows have become the norm for visuals in most business presentations. They are quick to produce, easy to update and effective to inject visual interest into the presentation. However, they can also spell disaster even for experienced presenters. The key to success is to make certain your slide show is a visual aid and not a visual distraction. "Big Vision Small Business" Essay Winner
Eileen Parzek, the winner of our "Big Vision, Small Business" essay contest, shares her vision of her business and its relationship to other virtual professionals. Virtual Volunteering
One of the best places to network is in volunteer organizations. Besides putting your skills to good use at a cause you believe in, you demonstrate your expertise and commitment to other like-minded individuals, who may become, or refer you to, prospective clients, partners, or employers for you. Small Business Guru Launches Global Initiative for Entrepreneurship
Steven Van Yoder, small business guru and author of Get Slightly Famous, is on a mission to bring the message of entrepreneurship to the developing world, beginning with India and Bali. Houston Entrepreneur Calendar
Local Houston events for entrepreneurs. Houston Entrepreneur & Small Business Center
Local Houston news, resources, and events for entrepreneurs, including profiles of local Houston entrepreneurs. "Big Vision, Small Business" Contest
Tell the story of your big-vision small business, get exposure for your company, and win a free autographed hardback copy of the book. Alternatives to Hiring Full-Time Employees
One big question facing many business owners is when to hire full-time staff members and when to consider other options, such as part-time employees, independent contractors or partnering with other small businesses. The answer depends on the business itself. The ability to be creative and flexible is an advantage of a smaller, independent enterprise. Want Some Good PR?
Looking for an easy way to rack up PR points for yourself? With a letter to the editor, in only a few words, you can establish yourself an expert in the subject covered in the related story. Why Business Plans Don't Get Funded
Your business plan is very often the first impression potential investors get about your venture. But even if you have a great product, team, and customers, it could also be the last impression the investor gets if you make any of these avoidable mistakes. 4 Elements of a Successful, Profitable Website
By capturing your visitors’ names, growing your list of email addresses and sending relevant, responsible email to your customers and prospects, you are building a relationship with them. In any business, the relationship is the intangible, powerful force that creates loyal, repeat customers. | 