Creating Invoices That Get Paid - 12/13/2007

How to Avoid Working for Free

Creating a Home Office with Minimum Distractions - 12/13/2007

How to work at home and still get the job done

Product Positioning - 07/09/2007

How to Position Your Product to Sell

Finding Store Displays and Fixtures - 12/13/2007

Great resources to optimally display your merchandise

Doing Business in Second Life - 12/26/2007

How to make real money in a virtual world

Marketing Your Business in Second Life: The Beginning of the 3D Web - 12/29/2007

How to increase your profits, extend your brand and gain top of mind awareness through virtual worlds

Writing an Effective Customer Newsletter - 12/13/2007

How to increase loyalty, top of mind awareness and brand recognition through customer newsletters

Second Life Real Estate: Buying and Selling Land in Second Life - 12/13/2007

How to make real life money starting a Second Life real estate business

Press Release Wire Services - 03/02/2008

I love the innovative approach of this guide - the comments of the seasoned veteran and the new associate. There is a lot of information in this guide that helps to demystify the major services for those not in the business. This is a keeper I will forward to some small business owners I know.

Home-Based Jobs - 02/29/2008

One of the most successful ways to work from home is to contract services you are already doing rather than be an employee. Obviously, this won't work for everyone, but for many knowledge workers, it does. Of course that means also selling your services or product, which is a whole other skill set. If you don't have those marketing and sales skills and are not ready to invest the time to build them, it may pay to hire a commission sales person that can be drumming up business while you produce the end product/service.

Buying an RV, which one fits your family - 02/29/2008

I'm having a hard time seeing what this has to do with business, dense copy or not.

Twitter for Business - 02/28/2008

This guide does a wonderful job of shining the light on some of the possibilities of Twitter for business. Most businesses today are not even aware of micro-blogging, much less using it effectively. It's not a tool for every business, but for some it can do a lot to raise visibility and trust. There are many tools and plug-ins out there, but I'd like to mention the utility of plug-ins like Twitterfeed that enable you to feed the first 140 characters of your blog posts to Twitter. Other tools, like Twitter Tools, a plug-in for Wordpress, enable you to do that AND feed your tweets to your blog. I've used Twitter Tools; it takes moments to install and works very well. Whether or not you will want to feed your tweets to your blog is a matter of the purpose of your blog and your style; I use it for some blogs and not others.

Finding Time to Blog (When It's Not Your Day Job) - 02/27/2008

Great ideas. I'm going to put them into practice... soon as I get past this current work deadline! Seriously, I found this guide very helpful, particularly your points about creating regular features and mastering the art of half-writing.

Managing Email Overload - 02/27/2008

In addition to the other good advice, thanks for advising people to "Avoid forwarding emails and “urban legends" that specifically ask you to forward the message to other people." Someone I knew used to do this to me constantly, and I've since filtered out her messages.

Office Chair Mats - 02/27/2008

I was actually going to go out tomorrow and pick up a new chair pad, but now will all these resources, I think I'll just order one. Thanks!

Backing up Your Computer Files - 02/27/2008

I'm so bad about this I need to make it as simple as possible. I've been waiting for Apple to ship Time Capsule, a wireless router with a drive to which I can automatically back up my laptop. I like two-in-one equipment; less to clutter up my office. Anyway, if back-up isn't set up to be automatic, most people just don't do it enough.

Creating a Business Slogan - 02/27/2008

Great guide, helpful and to the point. In the beginning stages of developing a slogan (or doing any brainstorming) , I think one of the most important advice is not to censor yourself. Just get it all out and write it down. Then start whittling if the slogan doesn't arrive full-blown in a burst of inspiration (and it probably won't).

Checking Job References - 02/27/2008

Some employers are now using professional networks like LinkedIn to find people who were at a company at the same time as the candidate and contact them. I'm a bit ambivalent about this. On the one hand, I would assume most people could produce a few good references even if they were not all that competent. So it might be helpful to the employer to widen the conversation. On the other hand, it seems very intrusive. For example, candidates may not want a lot of people in their industry knowing where they are applying for jobs, particularly if they are afraid of it getting back to their current employer.

Overcoming Burnout - 02/27/2008

Entrepreneurs who work for themselves could particularly benefit from your advice to take some time out and some days off. Sometimes it's really necessary to recharge, and people who work for themselves are often the ones who neglect this the most.

Evaluating Competing Vendors - 02/27/2008

I have to agree with you that word of mouth is the place to start to compile a list of vendors you can screen and interview. And in this day of online social and business networking, business contacts you have made online and trust can be another source. If your immediate advisers don't have enough advice, you might consider LinkedIn Answers or throwing the question out to appropriate Facebook connections in your industry.

Finding and Using Essential Small Business Forms - 02/27/2008

Nice overview of something we all need!

Becoming a Film Editor - 02/27/2008

What I really love about your guides, Laurie, is the very practical advice that demonstrates you have been in the industry and speak from experience. Little things like "Editors are overworked and sleep-deprived and editing rooms are often small. Keep this in mind when in the cutting room. Don't demand too much of the busy editor's time or talk too much." Another valuable guide.

Self-Storage Companies - 02/27/2008

I'm glad to see your number 1 point was about the security. I made the mistake of storing where I thought the security was good, but wasn't. I lost a lot of valuables. Learn from my mistake and do your due diligence.

Holiday Gift Baskets - 02/27/2008

Being from San Francisco, I also would like to suggest you can order online from Ghirardelli Chocolate. But don't just look at the link to Corporate Gifts. Check out the links to other gift categories too, most of which your clients would love to receive. Darn, now I'm really craving a chocolate covered caramel...

Breaking Into Animation - 02/27/2008

This is an extremely helpful guide, from the advice to keep working even if it's for free to a source that explains producing a demo reel. You have covered more bases than I would have thought possible in one short guide. Your guides are always interesting, Laurie.

JetBlue Reservations - 02/27/2008

I am wondering why making a JetBlue reservation is any different than making a reservation at another airline. I would think one of the first steps in making a reservation would be to compare prices of flights among various carriers.

Cleaning Service Franchise Opportunities. - 02/27/2008

Is the main thing you are buying with a cleaning franchise the name? I'm wondering what kinds of services, training and processes most provide and if they also provide people with standardized equipment of some kind.

Starting a Construction Company - 02/27/2008

With the still existing overhang in housing inventory due to overbuilding in the boom of 2005 and 2006, how is that affecting those who want to start a construction company today? Current figures show it's still a buyer's market. Do you think we're looking for a shift in that sooner rather than later?

Best Printing Online of Catalogs, Brochures, Presentation Folders, Postcards, Digital or Offset. - 01/31/2008

This appears to be a guide to using your company only. Can you give us some general advice with some objective links? As it stands, this looks like a page on your web site.

Making a Great First Impression with Your Customers - 01/31/2008

It's true that many companies that spend a fortune on their branding and marketing neglect the fact that their customer service representatives are an important face of the company. An unhelpful customer service agent can do more to damage the brand in 7 seconds than most would believe possible.

Getting an FEIN (aka Tax ID) for your business. - 01/31/2008

This is really simple and easy to do. I think it took me all of five minutes.

Limousines and Shuttles - 01/31/2008

If getting on the plane in time is make or break on a business deal, you may want to tell a shuttle service (I am talking about shared shuttle services now, not limo services) that you are leaving earlier than you actually are. I have had repeated problems with shuttles arriving late and picking up more passengers than they indicated on the phone. One in particular, but i won't mention it here. So if I just have to use a shuttle service to the airport, I always tell them I'm leaving a half hour earlier than I am.

17 Essential Questions Merchant's Must Ask Before Choosing a Payment Processing Provider - Par-62100 - 01/31/2008

There is certainly more to this topic than many would think. It would be great to see some online examples of the specific ranges given.

Getting Your Screenplay Produced - 01/31/2008

I'm looking forward to your guides more and more, Laurie. As always, well thought out and insightful.

How to Shred? - 01/31/2008

I'd like to see some specifics on shredders for the home office. A consultant friend of mine had to take back the first two she got before finally getting one powerful enough. Can you give us some specifics regarding motor or ability to take a certain number of pages at once?

Wills, Trusts and Estates - 01/26/2008

It's great to use the various resources to educate yourself, but if you have assets that amount to much or if there is any possibility the will or trust you set up might be challenged, get a lawyer. And if you have assets that amount to much and more than one person who could possibly legally make a claim on your estate, then there is a chance there will be litigation.

Protecting Your Intellectual Property Outside the U.S. - 01/26/2008

This is a hard one. There are a lot of big record and movie companies who have huge problems enforcing copyrights outside the States. If you're doing business internationally, get a good lawyer and follow her advice to the letter.

Applying for a Patent - 01/26/2008

This is soooo important. I can think of two people off the top of my head that I know personally who would be cruising the Mediterranean in their yachts right now had they immediately patented their inventions. Don't wait.

Protecting a Business Name - 01/26/2008

Even though the courts do hold up first use of a name in copyright cases, it can sometimes be a gray area. Who used the name first? Did this situation count as actual business use of the name? Cross your t's and dot your i's when it comes to protecting your brand and your intellectual property - file for appropriate trademark and copyright protections.

Working at Home - 01/26/2008

Along the thread of cutting down on paper yet feeling secure my data is backed up, I've decided that in addition to backing up to an external hard drive, I'm going to start backing up online at www. carbonite.com or similar.

Marketing an Interior Design Business for less than $1000 - 01/26/2008

I really like the fact this guide gives specific prices for those who want to practice a little guerilla marketing.

Getting a Talent Agent - 01/26/2008

Great guide that covers a lot of areas. Kind of along the same line as Shara's question, Laurie, do you have any specific advice for locating a talent agent for children? Do these agents generally specialize? And is there anything to watch out for even with reputable agents who represent kids?

Using Typefaces - 01/26/2008

Fonts are important to your branding - to presenting your image to your audience. The fonts you use say something about you - but is it what you want to say? And I say fonts with an "s" because you may want to use a serif font for a heading and a sans serif font for the body - or vice versa rather than just sticking to one font. If you want to project a cutting edge image, you may want to think twice before using a common and conservative looking font like Times New Roman. Of course, choosing fonts for a web site is different from print as Scott says. For one thing, you need to use fonts that most people will have. If someone doesn't have the font you are using, they will not see your content in your chosen font.

Marketing: Top 10 Small Business Marketing Mistakes - 01/26/2008

I'd have to agree that #5 is extremely important, and it goes hand in hand with #9. Most companies forget to take the viewpoint of benefits to their customers, and instead talk about how great they and their products are. This has always been a fatal mistake; good marketing is always externally focused, not internally focused. . And especially now, when your customers in the form of blogs and social media are talking to each other in louder and faster voices. Get in the conversation, because whether you are there or not, the conversation will go on without you.

Self Employed Health Insurance - 01/26/2008

I'd love to see some comparative reviews of health insurance companies. I'd also like to see reviews of specific plans that actually break it down into English. Are there such objective comparisons on the Web?

Low-Budget Internet Based Brand Monitoring - 01/26/2008

Good advice any company can do easily and should. If you don't monitor, you may get blind-sided.

Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders - 01/26/2008

It's so true a good broker can make all the difference. I was once bringing in a container for the Christmas selling season, and my broker forgot to fill out a simple, standard one page form for the FDA for a very small quantity of gift soaps. It held up my whole container at a time when every day counted.

Breaking Into the Film and Television Industries - 01/11/2008

Breaking into the entertainment industry seems daunting to most, and this is a very interesting and helpful guide from someone who has worked in the industry in various capacities. They say luck is when opportunity meets preparation, and Laurie's advice to be well-prepared is great advice for every walk of life.

Buying Office Supplies - 12/29/2007

Timichele, do you own the online discount office supply place you are recommending? I notice you have commented on it in several guides. Or are you a disinterested party and it's really just that good?

Internet Software - 12/29/2007

Wow, this guide really covers the gamut. Interesting links, and I'll look into some of them. Thanks, Judy!

Multimedia Design - 12/29/2007

My only comment would be to think out what you want to accomplish with video and other multi-media. These can be wonderful tools to engage the prospect or annoying distractions. As in any engagement with customers, let their needs drive you.

Optimize your eCommerce Site for Search Engines - 12/29/2007

I love the easy-to-read 20 tip format. It's succinct and gives people a starting point for delving deeper into each item. Nice guide, Justin.

Wholesale Jewelry - 12/29/2007

Hi, Paul. I wouldn't particularly expect people outside the industry to know about the Tucson shows. But I can't imagine a jeweler who wouldn't. In the trade pubs there is always a lot of coverage about events, trends and styles coming out of the Tucson shows. There is always also a lot of talk among jewelers (both nationally and internationally) about whether they are going "this year."

How Can I Enhance Quality from Our Outsourced Call Center Partner? - 12/29/2007

I agree with Akwasi that it's critical advice to monitor your call center. This is so important to your business, you can't just farm it out and forget it. I would also suggest continuing, regular training on your message, your product and the attitudes toward customers.

Work.com Guide: How To Green Your Business - 12/29/2007

I'm working with a client setting up a green business certification program, and I've learned that doing small things can make a big difference. For example, check for leaks. A small leak from a faucet can waste 50 gallons of water a day and a leaky toilet can waste 260 gallons a day.

Hiring Temporary Executive Help - 12/27/2007

Great guide, Irwin. However, this being the Internet, when I went to the links on "Announce the Hire to Your Staff" they were no longer there. I would love to see something comparable if anyone has similar links.

Best Web Sites for Business Travel - 12/27/2007

Thanks for the resources, Betty. I now particularly plan to check out Mobissimo!

Getting Clear on Why Your Business Isn't Growing - 12/27/2007

I don't have to read any further than point #1 to say you are so right. So many business owners spend their time working in the business on tasks they could delegate without setting aside time to work on the business. How can they save on costs? How can they expand? How can they better set themselves apart from the competition? How can they serve customers better? How can they deliver better products? These are just a few of the many questions that often never get addressed by business owners who think they have no time for them.

Setting Freelance Writing Fees - 12/27/2007

Another wonderful guide filled with practical advice, Jennifer. I really enjoy your guides and your blogs.

Using LinkedIn to Fill Out a Business Trip - 12/27/2007

Stellar idea, Scott. I've interviewed executives who have told me how helpful LinkedIn connections have been in going out of their way to give referrals. This is going the next logical step to building an even stronger and more dynamic network. High five on this suggestion!

Understanding the Difference Between Advertising, Marketing and Sales - 12/27/2007

Advertising is one of many marketing tools. It is not separate from marketing. Perhaps you are referring to direct marketing?

Merchant Rates - 12/27/2007

Helpful guide, Ty. I'm going to check my rates right now!

Wholesale Jewelry - 12/27/2007

I'm surprised there is no mention of the jewelry show everybody in the jewelry trade follows - the multi-show Tucson event every February. (This year it starts the end of January.) This is actually many shows all held at the same time. Hotels are often booked a year in advance, so start planning for '09. Colored Stone lists the specifics. In addition to the Tucson shows, also see George Little Management and Western Exhibitors for gift shows that feature a lot of jewelry. In addition to the larger vendors, you will also find smaller vendors with more unique merchandise. You need something to set yourself apart in the jewelry trade, so you want some merchandise that is different from your competitors. If you are only ordering from a catalog or online from the big vendors, you will never have those unique offerings.

Marketing Your Business in Second Life: The Beginning of the 3D Web - 12/27/2007

Regarding marketing a real estate agency in Second Life, it depends what you are trying to accomplish. If you are talking about a national or international company that would like to achieve top of mind awareness and convey a cutting edge image, then it makes a great deal of sense. But remember the inhabitants of Second Life are from all over the world. At this point, marketing in Second Life is usually not going to drive a lot of local business right to your door. With that said, it is possible to set up a marketing presence in Second Life cheaply. So if there is a sim representing where you live or that targets your market, it may make a lot of sense for you to be there. But no marketing effort should work in isolation. If you establish a Second Life presence, it should be in conjunction with other marketing efforts such as ongoing PR campaigns, ad campaigns or educational outreach. These days, don't expect to get a lot of PR from the mere fact you are in Second Life unless you are doing something noteworthy. Those days are over.

Selecting The Right Call Center Agency - 12/27/2007

Also check into how the call center is being paid. Are they being paid per call regardless of success or are they being rewarded for successful calls? Are they being paid by the hour? Is there strong incentive for them to do the job well? And ask for referrals. Call center quality varies greatly, and your best bet is to get some solid referrals from businesses that have had great results.

Planning Your Web Site Content - 12/27/2007

I agree with all of this, and I have to add that most of this advice can be applied to most media as Marketing 101: 1.Know your target market. 2. Address your message from their perspective rather than your own, and tell them about value and benefits to them rather than why you are so great. 3. Make it easy for them. Don't put hurdles in their path. 4. Make some kind of an offer. 5. Give them something if you can (a white paper, etc.) 6. Measure results. 7. Test, test, test! 8. Build rapport and listen to your customers.

Professional Organizing for Productivity and Profitability - 12/27/2007

Good ideas in this guide. As for managing time, as the author mentions, most people create to do lists that are too long to accomplish in a day. We teach that for your daily list, write down no more than six things, determine how much time to allocate to each, then schedule the time when you will work on each. If you get called away and get off schedule, just go back to your schedule as best you can. Be realistic when scheduling if you are likely to have fires to put out that REALLY can't wait (as opposed to those things that can wait and be scheduled). Of course, it is necessary to keep a running list of the other things you need to accomplish at a later date, as the author says.

How to Write a Press Release - 12/01/2007

This is a very helpful guide for the small business owner who can't afford professional PR help. It explains the structure of a press release and advises to concentrate on relaying news rather than producing a press release that is really only an advertisement. I would also like to recommend a book I ran across called Complete Publicity Plans by Sandra Beckwith. It's written in easy-to-understand language and is filled with practical examples and step-by-step instructions. I have recommended this book before on work.com for that reason - many of the PR books out there are very theoretical and of little practical use to a small business owner who has no PR background. This book is an exception.

Starting a Pool Hall - 11/25/2007

This guide gives advice that all businesses would do well to follow (write a business plan, choose a memorable name) but also explores the details of setting up a successful pool hall. These kinds of guides on setting up very specific businesses are very helpful.

Avoiding Jet Lag - 11/25/2007

I'm willing to try anything to combat jet lag, so thanks for the advice. I've tried No-Jet-Lag tablets, and I am not sure if they work or not.. maybe my jet lag would be worse if I didn't take them? So I usually do. I'm definitely going to try the jet lag diet. I've never even heard of Jet Skin. I would love to hear comments from someone who has tried that on a long flight.

Firefox Extensions for Productivity - 11/25/2007

Very helpful guide, Greg! I'd also like to add that FireFox is less susceptible to spyware than Internet Explorer.

Cutting Your Overhead Costs - 11/25/2007

So true that overhead costs can kill a business. For businesses that carry inventory, it can be a real challenge to manage it. Does anyone have additional suggestions regarding software to manage inventory?

Online Networking - 11/25/2007

I have had more than one business coaching client tell me how helpful BNI has been in driving business. Thanks for the helpful guide.

Google Reader - 11/25/2007

Nice step-by-step guide, Shara. And in an age when one out of three Americans do not read a daily newspaper, it's important to get the word out about keeping up to date with targeted information chosen by the individual..

Hot Franchise Opportunities - 11/25/2007

Franchises seem to be booming, and a number of my marketing and coaching clients are either running the entire franchise or are franchisees. When thinking about buying a franchise, look carefully at the amount and quality of marketing help you will get from headquarters. Also find out how much autonomy you will have. Some franchisees find their headquarters will not permit them to develop any marketing materials or programs on their own, yet their headquarters do not provide them with good marketing support. Other franchisees find their headquarters provide tremendous marketing support and traffic-driving programs. These franchisees often like the structure of having professional marketing support on an ongoing basis. Find out what kinds of variations you can make without headquarters' approval in marketing, sales and operations, then make your own decision if the opportunity is right for you.

Learning Search Engine Optimization - 11/25/2007

Wonderful guide, filled with practical resources.

Business Buy-Sell Agreements - 11/25/2007

It's fine to look at Nolo to educate yourself in this area, but for something this important that can impact your future, do get good legal advice from a business attorney. When I practiced law, I saw so many people who found themselves virtually unprotected because they had decided to draw up their business contracts themselves. Take some time asking respected business contacts for the names of attorneys they use. You should establish a relationship with a business attorney anyway, so you will know who to call should you need legal advice in a hurry.

Accessing Money When Traveling Internationally - 11/25/2007

I call my my credit and debit card companies/banks when I travel to Asia, but at least one of them always freezes the account anyway when they see charges coming from there. This can take a day to sort out. Therefore, I highly recommend that you have a back-up funding source and not rely on one card. I agree it's not good to carry large bundles of cash, but I have learned to take some cash and traveler's checks as well as cards. Regarding where to change money, I have found it's often much more expensive to change money in the States than when I arrive in a foreign country even at airport rates. (I realize this may vary, but I haven't personally ever experienced it to be cheaper changing money at home. I should add that most of my travel is to Asia, however.) Changing money before I leave home would not only be much more expensive, but it would require an extra trip downtown when I have a million things to do getting ready for a trip. I usually change about $100 when I arrive at the foreign destination airport, then find a place with a better rate to change more money the next day after I've had a good night's sleep. Of course, if you never travel, are completely unused to dealing with foreign currency, and feel intimidated by changing money, then it may be a good idea to change a LITTLE bit before leaving home when you are in a more familiar environment and not exhausted from your trip. But change the bulk after you have arrived and can find a place with a good rate.

Spyware Removal - 11/25/2007

I have to agree with Scott about the effectiveness of AVG. A Dutch IT professional who runs a successful email hosting company recommended it to me. His advice is always good, and this was no exception. You can get the free versions and the upgraded versions of AVG Anti-Spyware here and the free and upgraded versions of AVG Anti-Virus here.

Buying a Computer Monitor - 11/25/2007

In buying a new laptop I am vacillating among monitor choices. I understand that some of the very high resolution monitors can make things appear very small on the screen. Certainly I want high resolutions, but I also want things big enough to see clearly. Also, do you have a recommendation on whether or not to get a glossy screen which can make colors look richer but have the disadvantage of being susceptible to glare? Thanks for advice!

How to Become a Successful Writer - 11/24/2007

Good advice, Connie. If people are looking for a writing group, one way to find one is through meetup.com.

Travel Insurance - 11/24/2007

Thanks for the guide on travel insurance. I would like to stress though that of anything you can buy, get the medical evacuation insurance. While I was living for a short while in an Asian country not well known for its medical care, I was horrified to learn that one of the local expats had died because he did not have this insurance. By the time his relatives were contacted and wired the very large sum of money necessary to fly him out of the country to get the needed care, it was too late. If he had had evacuation insurance, there would not have been such a long delay.

Interior Design - 11/24/2007

Your office should reflect your branding. Ideally, when you are developing your company branding, you will develop your office space, furnishings and colors at the same time. If your company's image is edgy and forward-thinking, your office should reflect that. If on the other hand, your company image is very traditional, you will want to be consistent with your image in your furnishings.

60+ Free Web Development Tools & Resources for Entrepreneurs - 11/24/2007

Wow, this is one of the most helpful and comprehensive lists I've seen. Thanks for the resources!

Employee Incentives - 11/24/2007

Cash rewards can begin to be seen as part of the employee's compensation. If you take cash rewards away, it will be perceived that the employee has lost income. An alternative, if you want to do something beyond saying thanks (and expressing appreciation can go a long way!) consider rewarding your employees with name brand products, especially if you are able to get them at wholesale prices. The perceived value will be the retail not the wholesale value of the item. There is also the trophy value and the buzz that is created around the office when the winning salesperson (or other rewarded person) shows off their gift to other employees.

Resources for Starting a Business - 11/22/2007

The start-up capital recommendation of $50,000 is very general, and certainly can be a lot more according to industry. The best thing you can do for your business is create a solid business plan that takes all financial factors into account. Make sure you have enough to carry you through and succeed rather than just open the doors. Also, the advice about training is good, but carry it over to your people. The only way for a business to be scalable is if you create procedures and processes, document them, and train your people on them.

Getting a Business Line of Credit - 11/22/2007

When selecting a bank for yourself and your business, consider who you will want to go to when it comes time to ask for a line of credit, a loan or the like. It pays to build a relationship with a bank that will help you when you need it.

Avoiding Business Lawsuits - 10/30/2007

It's good advice to address the problem as soon as possible. Many lawsuits can prevented long before a lawyer is consulted by putting systems in place to forestall the problem. But just putting something in writing is not enough. For example, though employee manuals are important, an employee manual that is never read will do little to prevent harassment. Training on non-harassment policies that clearly defines harassment and conveys zero tolerance should also be part of a company's procedures. Even with the best systems in place, customer issues may arise. The best way to keep these from escalating is to respond immediately and thoroughly to the injured party and bend over backward (within reason) to make things right.

Overcoming your Fears of Launching a Business - 10/30/2007

I like the focus this guide puts on overcoming your fears. We can only be really excellent when we are passionate about what we are doing. But in addition to overcoming fears, it is critical to plan completely and well. A recent study tells us that 78% of businesses failures are due to lack of a well-developed business plan. With a lot of detailed planning, hard work, vision and surrounding yourself with the right advice, you can avoid being among them.

Marketing for Professionals - 10/30/2007

This is a wonderful guide, and I agree with everything in it. Focus your message, get their attention, position yourself as an expert, offer something valuable and get out there! I would also very heavily stress trying to put yourself in the shoes of your target market. Focus your message on the benefits to them, not internally on yourself.

Effectively using PR tactics - 10/28/2007

This is a really valuable guide for small business owners who are doing their public relations themselves. Another book I ran across that is often helpful to small business owners is Complete Publicity Plans by Sandra Beckwith. It explains a number of public relations options and gives examples. And great advice Maggie, that the "greatest sin in the public relations realm is the sin of doing absolutely nothing."

Free Internet Access - 10/28/2007

Free Internet access might make sense for the casual web surfer, but for a business that needs to communicate reliably with customers, partners and vendors, is this a real option?

SEO 101, Part One - 10/28/2007

Thanks for a well-organized guide on SEO, critical for the success of most businesses today. Taking keywords into account when writing content is vital, but beware of sacrificing quality in the effort to stuff as many keywords as possible into every sentence. There is a happy medium so the reader does not even realize the site is SEO optimized - just that it is offering compelling, valuable information.

Safety for the elderly who are living alone, the Guardian 911, with NO monthly fee. - 10/28/2007

What does this have to do with business?

Improving Your Sales Performance - 10/28/2007

It's important for your company's success that all the communications to your customers are oriented toward them and how you can solve their problems or provide them with benefits. Many companies make the mistake of sending their market internally focused messages extolling the virtues of the company and its products rather than focusing on customer needs. Thanks for underlining this.

SEO for Small Business Websites - 10/28/2007

This is a simple step by step guide that should help any small business owner. Thanks for an easy to read guide that minimizes the SEO jargon.

Law Schools - 10/28/2007

As someone who went to law school and practiced for some years before turning to marketing, I found, certainly with some exceptions, that most people who end up working in other fields often do not plan it that way. I don't include politicians in this, because of course law school can be very helpful for politicians who make the law, and that has always been true. Law school is all-consuming, and I've seen more than one marriage break up under the pressure. It's not something to do on a whim. Goes without saying you should go only to an accredited law school, and law school rankings are all important - many firms (the best and highest paying) will ONLY hire from very high ranking schools. As for online schools - don't expect to practice in any good firm with an online degree. Law is a conservative profession, and the live interaction of students and professor is a vital part of the experience that teaches you to "think like a lawyer". But if you just want some understanding of the law for your business career, it might be an option. But if that's the case, you might be better off just getting an MBA and hiring corporate counsel when you open your entrepreneurial venture.

Blogging for a Jewelry Business - 10/28/2007

Blogging is a great way to offer fashion tips on a jewelry site whether you are selling retail or wholesale. Fashion advice is one way to get people coming back. If people can see how to wear your jewelry and with what, they can envision themselves (or their customers) making a great entrance in it. Also, if you can get stories and photos of your customers in your jewelry, the enthusiasm will spill over into new sales.

Online Advertising - 10/07/2007

This is a good primer for companies looking to get into Internet advertising. It will be extremely helpful to many just starting out because it is succinct, easy-to-read, describes many options and provides a number of helpful links. Thanks for the guide, Matt.

Business Ethics Training - 10/07/2007

This is such good advice. If more companies instituted ethics training from the start, a lot of the headaches I see as a business consultant could be avoided. I look forward to seeing more guides from you, Gwen.

Resources for Starting a Business - 10/07/2007

A critical function to business is sales, and the good news is that if you offer high commissions and properly explain the upside, you can hire commission-paid sales stars and have them out selling for you next week. I have never seen any better guidance than that offered by Chet Holmes at hiring sales people, training them and setting up sales structures that enable top sales production. Check out his book The Ultimate Sales Machine, which is currently the best selling sales and marketing book on Amazon. He also has a lot of good business, marketing and sales advice on his web site www.chetholmes.com . Particularly check out this article on How to Hire the Ultimate Sales Manager. I've seen these techniques work first hand, or I wouldn't be recommending these methods so highly.

Hiring and Using Interns - 10/07/2007

I can't agree more that the key to intern success is training. Many companies don't have adequate training programs for their employees, much less their interns. However, I am aware that some smaller, cash-strapped businesses hire interns to fill needed skill sets missing at those companies - often this is a public relations function. Dan or some of the commenters, could you give your opinions on the wisdom of a business owner who lacks a skill bringing in an intern to fill it when he really cannot afford to hire a professional? Is it an exercise in frustration, or do you feel there can be some benefits to both parties?

Job Listings - 10/07/2007

This is a good primer to finding candidates on the Internet. However, top talent, particularly at the director, vice president and C-executive levels are usually passive candidates. Often these people are not actively looking. They will rarely come to you through job boards; you will usually have to find them. Perfect for this are the growing professional and even social networking sites. You can reach out to LinkedIn members through "Inmail", which arrives in their inboxes as email. When members receive LinkedIn InMail, they are likely to open that email and read it, because they see it is from a trusted source they use for networking. It is not perceived as spam. If the person is not interested, they are still highly likely to refer other candidates, because they know the job is real. It is also possible to send job postings to the individual log-in pages of top prospective applicants, who are then even more likely to look at the LinkedIn job postings page. Of course, for some activities you will need an upgraded membership to LinkedIn. Another way to seek possible candidates is through groups on Facebook. We saw in Brian Brown's recent guide that Facebook is fast becoming a great resource for business. If you are in Facebook groups relevant to your industry, the people you meet in these groups can be wonderful referral sources.

3 "Must Do's" to Retain Your Precious Employees - 10/01/2007

The stress you put on saying "Thank you" to employees is so correct, Betsy. I saw some statistics from a Maritz poll that 49% of Americans say the relationship between management and labor at their companies is "lukewarm" or "negative," and only 9% say the relationship is "extremely positive." People don't stay where they aren't happy if they have options.

Two Simple Steps for a Great Reference Check - 10/01/2007

I'd like point out in some companies, managers are not even allowed to give references, so I would not hold it against the candidate if you are routed to HR. Also, some are now checking LinkedIn for people who worked at a company at the same time as a candidate and contacting that person. Because, of course candidates will only give good references. There are, of course, both pros and cons to doing this. But in certain industries, you may even find someone you know.

Using Email Effectively - 09/30/2007

It's so true that responding to emails every time one pops into your inbox is a sure way to fail in accomplishing your goals for the day. Whether you close your email or turn off the alerts like Scott does, effective time management requires you don't have that constant beeping every time an email arrives. Also, if you reply to an old email but you are addressing a new topic, change the subject line to the relevant topic so you can both find the email later if need be. Penelope Trunk gives some great time management tips, including some relating to email.

Managing an S-Corporation - 09/30/2007

Before forming your S Corporation, weigh all options, such as forming a more traditional C corporation or some other business entity entirely. There are pros and cons to all that you should discuss with both your attorney and your accountant even if you have a very small business. Take a look at this quick overview.

Anti-Harassment Laws - 09/30/2007

Whether or not employers are in states that require training aimed at preventing sexual harassment, it is the wise and forward thinking employer who holds such training. In addition to writing a company policy on the topic (with the help of legal counsel), make sure it is distributed and seen by employees. One place to start is your employee manual.

Keeping Up with Tax Law Changes - 09/30/2007

You will want to keep in touch with both your attorney and accountant to really stay on top of tax law changes. You may also want to subscribe to some blogs on the topic. One I came across that I found interesting is written by Joe Kristan, a CPA in Iowa.

Plastic Bags - 09/30/2007

This guide lists some nice resources for an every day, yet oh-so-necessary, product. If you are in retail, however, consider that even though logo plastic bags are much cheaper than paper, logo paper bags portray a much more upscale image. I'd also like to add my favorite bag source, BagsOnTheNet.

Bottled Water - 09/30/2007

This isn't normally something I would be commenting on, but I recently learned a quite bit about this topic due to a client. You may want to look into commercial water filtering systems to install in your office rather than having water delivered in bottles. According to research I've seen, it is often both cleaner and cheaper. I recommend looking into all options.

Jewelry Displays - 09/30/2007

This is a very useful list of jewelry displays. It's usually much cheaper to order directly from sources such as those listed here than to buy at a "wholesale" jewelry or gift mart, even if you have one nearby. I'd like to add a couple more suggestions. First, when choosing your displays, consider your product and your image. If you are selling even somewhat high end products, you will likely want to display featured products with space around them, highlighting them almost like you would see in a museum. Don't jumble them up with a lot of other merchandise in an attempt to optimize limited space. And for heaven's sake, don't hang anything remotely expensive on a card. You will merely cheapen your products. Carefully plan the display colors you choose to match your overall branding and to highlight your products without stealing the show from your jewelry. Second, consider WHERE you are displaying. If you are showing at art shows, for example, you need displays that are portable, yet heavy enough that they won't blow away with the next breeze. Also, make sure they will not nick or break easily when packed and unpacked multiple times .

Applying for an Export License - 09/30/2007

Great guide for preliminary research on the how-to's. I just want to mention the obvious of also having someone on the ground where you are thinking about exporting who can make sure all your bases are covered in researching local laws, customs, culture and, of course, the market. If you have never exported to this country before, after you do your homework, you may want to very seriously consider hiring a savvy consultant with years of experience marketing to that country. There are pitfalls that you can't possibly plan for without this kind of experience.

International and Export Trade Shows - 09/30/2007

This is a guide that many will find useful. I can't emphasize the importance of closely examining the ROI though, which the guide author points out in the first Action Step. Exhibiting at shows is expensive. There are some shows you HAVE to be at if you want to be considered a major player in your market. For the others, make sure you have considered all expenses (some may not be obvious) and the return you expect to get immediately and over the long haul. It's critical to take a very, very close look at those numbers, particularly given the expense of showing internationally.

Preventing Employee Discrimination Claims - 09/28/2007

Laws and regulations prohibiting employee discrimination are many and complex. The advice in this guide that you should educate yourself in this area is very sound advice. Also, to protect yourself and to promote a fair and open workplace, you should plan your employment and training policies with your attorney. Some common questions and answers regarding Federal laws prohibiting discrimination may be found on this section of the EEOC site.

Small Business Blogs - 09/28/2007

Thanks for your tips on finding worthwhile business blogs, Shara. Very helpful. So many blogs are internally focused on the company rather than on what is of value to their customers and readers. It's the same old mistake companies have made for years with their newsletters. Give people something of value that is fresh, and they will keep coming back. Yeah, I know that's obvious, so why are there so many transgressors?

Establishing an Employee Internet Policy - 09/28/2007

Employers may want to consider what kind of businesses they are in, how to gain loyalty from their employees and who they want working for them. Your top talent may not take kindly to being spied on; don't expect their trust if you don't trust them. I just read that 50% of workers are being blocked from Facebook. Yet, once primarily social networks like FaceBook are increasingly being used for business purposes. What you think is Internet play may be your top sales producer schmoozing a multi-million dollar contact. So before you go Big Brother, consider the impact both on morale and your business. Bottom line: if your professional (and other!) employees are producing, trust their judgment. If they aren't, boot them out the door. See the Guide to Facebook Basics for your business.

Firing a Family Member - 09/28/2007

This is a very touchy topic recently faced by one of my clients. What they finally did was "promote" the family member to an area where they could no longer cause damage and actually perform a valuable function. I also liked the advice of bringing in third parties, such as a board, to be the heavy.

Exit Interviews - 09/28/2007

Hiring an outside expert to conduct employee exit interviews as suggested here has its merits. Sometimes the person who is interviewing the employee is the very reason the employee decided to change jobs! Of course that is a worse case scenario, but still there may be relationship or personal issues that can color the interview when conducted by someone on staff.

Properly Firing an Employee - 09/28/2007

If you are not firing an employee for a single catastrophic event but rather for continued behavior or incompetence, in addition to documentation, you will likely want to give them warnings so they have an opportunity to correct their behavior, and you have more legal standing. Your employee handbook should lay out behaviors that are cause for termination as well as your warning and termination system. You will, of course, want to discuss these with your attorney before you hire your first employee. See the Work.com Guide to Creating an Employee Manual

Bringing a Product To Market - 09/28/2007

This guide is a good, broad overview of bringing a product to market for those who have a glimmer of a creative idea they would like to make a reality. Good starting resource links, also, such as the U.S. Patent and Trademark office link.

Reducing Stress at Work - 09/28/2007

Relieving physical stress can go a long way to helping reduce mental stress. We sit at desks for long periods performing repetitive tasks, often causing repetitive strain injury and carpal tunnel. I very, very highly recommend the book Dr. Pascarelli's Complete Guide to Repetitive Strain Injury: What You Need to Know About RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome . Also see this web site on computer-related competitive strain injury.

Facebook Basics for Your Business - 09/28/2007

This is an extraordinarily comprehensive guide for such a limited space. This is a great introduction to FaceBook. Many of the FaceBook groups are very helpful when keeping up on the latest news in Internet marketing, and I am becoming personally more and more active on FaceBook. However, FaceBook still does not appear to have the professional reach of LinkedIn; while it is increasingly mandatory for business people to be LinkedIn members, FaceBook appears at this point to have a different demographic. While the community and social media professionals all seem to be on FaceBook, many other business, operations, sales, engineering and marketing professionals (particularly in the B2B space) are not as common, particularly at senior levels. My evidence, btw, is totally anecdotal and unscientific, so I welcome any challenges and corrections to that. But at this point, I think the most effective marketing on FaceBook would be consumer oriented rather than B2B except for some specific verticals. I'm looking forward to see how FaceBook evolves, because it is evolving quickly!

Buy A Small Business Successfully - 09/28/2007

When buying a company, be sure to do your due diligence on its legal situation. For example, are there any pending law suits? You can get legal due diligence checklist forms at LegalZoom.com and other providers, but this won't take the place of discussing issues with your lawyer.

Creating a Great Business Plan - 09/06/2007

Great comment you made, Scott ,about the naivety of people saying their companies have "no competition". I can't tell you how often I hear that. There is always competition for how dollars can be spent to allay "pain" or receive a benefit. However, regarding servicing a need, I would say that some of the most successful companies make tweaks that create a need rather than serving one that already exists. For example, before FedEx, no one thought anything had to "absolutely, positively be there overnight".

New Employee Orientation - 09/04/2007

Great guide, Frances. I agree it's so important to have a plan for new employees. But going beyond this, there should be documented procedures for most things employees do in the business - so they are not constantly recreating the wheel. Although it's nice to have a "buddy", it is impossible to scale an organization using the "tribal method" of learning.. "Just follow Betty around for a few days." To ensure consistency and the ability for an organization to expand, it is imperative to systematize where it is possible and implement a clearly laid out training program.

Manufacturing in Mexico - 08/30/2007

Hiring consultants to get moving fast is good advice. Assume there will be cultural and local issues you will simply not understand without spending a great deal of time in the location. Avoid unnecessary heartache and expense by hiring some expertise.

Starting a Food Business - 08/30/2007

Once you have perfected your recipe, you can also find commercial enterprises who will make the actual product for you, package it and deliver it. Two of my business coaching clients who are selling recipes they developed found this to be the most expedient and cost effective option. Expect a period of quality testing - if the company you select changes flour it will impact the final product, and consistency is non-negotiable. (This happened to one of my clients in the initial stages of perfecting the recipe.) Of course you will want to explore all options to determine what is right for you.

Starting a Consulting Business - 08/30/2007

A challenge for almost any new consulting business is to keep a steady stream of business coming in to avoid that roller coaster ride of being so busy you don't look for business then being without business when a project ends. There are a number of ways to avoid this, but one of these is to keep the referrals coming. A number of my business coaching clients who provide services swear by BNI, a global referral organization. Worth looking into.

Restaurant Management Software - 08/30/2007

Very useful and interesting guide. I've always wondered how restaurants can keep track of all the little details and balance perishable inventory items. My sister is about to open a restaurant and I'll definitely send her the link.

Increasing Your Online Visibility Using Work.com - 08/30/2007

I would just like to second Melissa Paxton's suggestion back in April since it has not yet been implemented - that is the suggestion that the link to the Community Blog be made more prominent on the home page. Right now it is buried at the bottom of the home page with little-read links to Privacy Policy and the like. The Community Blog is a wonderful tool for pointing readers to guides and raising issues to engage the community. It could also be an effective tool for engaging experts to write guides - if anyone could find it. I have pointed business clients to the blog for various reasons, and invariably, they can't find it unless I send them a link.

Marketing Your Business in Second Life: The Beginning of the 3D Web - 08/30/2007

Susan, you really cannot run Second Life effectively on dial-up; I'm surprised you were able to run it at all. The Second life web site clearly lists its systems requirements as requiring cable or DSL. As for its effectiveness, like the early Internet where people threw up brochure sites, did nothing more and wondered why their business didn't improve, marketers have to understand the medium to use it effectively. Like almost any kind of marketing, marketing in Second Life is not for every business, and I don't advocate it for every business. It has to make sense for a business's overall strategy and marketing mix. Marketing in Second Life just adds one more potential tool to a large tool chest. I don't follow the comment about Second Life taking a long time to learn; a lot of things take time to learn. Rules of football take time to learn, so I'm not going to watch the Super Bowl, but a lot of people do and if that's your market you may want to advertise there. I do agree that if you want to market in Second LIfe, it's critical to go to an expert. Obviously, marketing in Second Life does require that your audience be adults with relatively high end computer equipment as an entry level qualifier, for example. This is not all bad, because this demographic has spending power. Second Life is only the beginning, not the be-all, end-all. The 3D web is going to expand, and it's something to watch.

Creating an Elevator Pitch for Your Startup - 08/28/2007

This is a very useful guide, but I would add emphasis that it is absolutely critical to focus the elevator pitch on the customer's desires and needs rather than on the attributes of the company. It is imperative that your entire company sing the same song. If you and your employees can say what you stand for in the space of an elevator ride, how is anyone else to grasp it? Finally, you will need written versions of different lengths for use at the end of press releases, in trade show brochures and the like. You may need a 25 word, 50, 75, 100 and one that is longer, about 200 words.

Lecterns - 08/28/2007

I have to admit I am ignorant on this topic, and curious about what else we should know about lecterns. I am hoping supertank might write another guide on the topic.

Using video emails to revive your subscribers - 08/28/2007

Very helpful, topical guide. I agree that using "click to play" is the way to go. I never open attachments if I don't know the source personally and if an email started playing music or video as soon as I opened it I would race for the Delete key.The Zeop.com resource is also a good tip.

Work Hours and On-Call Regulations - 08/28/2007

The guide says, "If you ask workers on call to remain in one location, wear a uniform, or check-in frequently, you MIGHT need to compensate them for those hours." I think it's a pretty safe bet you WILL and should have to compensate them for that time.

Using a Logo and Trademark to Brand Your Business - 08/28/2007

Once you have taken the proper legal steps to protect your logo, company or product name, don't stop there. The more widely and commonly a word is used, the harder it is to protect. Be careful to use your protected words and symbols properly. That is why the Xerox company is horrified when someone says he will "xerox" a copy or make a "xerox" instead of "use the Xerox machine to make a photocopy".

Small Business Labor and Employment Law Compliance - 08/28/2007

I very much agree with the advice of compiling your policies and procedures into an employee handbook before you hire your first employee. You may also want to include regulations employees should know, possibly copying the text of required employee posters into the handbook. (Of course, you must still post the posters.) Guy Kawasaki posts a sample employee handbook on his blog How to Change the World. For a more in depth discussion of employee handbooks, see this attorney's blog dedicated to the topic.

Mannequins - 08/28/2007

I once had a small seasonal store for a few months, and I bought some unique, handmade papier mache human forms from at artist. They attracted a lot of attention. Anything I put on those forms sold. So I think this is a really worthwhile guide - display is so critical to retailing. Now that I no longer have the store, I put my wall forms away, but about once a month I still change the sarong hanging on the stand-up form in my dining room!

Marketing Your Business in Second Life: The Beginning of the 3D Web - 08/28/2007

Like anything new that gets a lot of buzz, there is first the over-hype and then the backlash. Companies who think they can go into Second Life and have crowds beating a path to their door just because they are there are sorely mistaken. The article Donna cites says that a lot of these big builds by big companies are empty - the article is partly right. Why? Because those companies forgot Marketing 101: Who is my target market? What is my message? And MOST importantly - What benefits am I offering my customers? Go to Last Call or ETD or many other popular stores, and on some days you are lucky to be able to get in the door it is so crowded. It is not enough just to throw up a big impressive build and put up signs about how great your company is. You have to offer VALUE. If you do, you can gain top of mind awareness that translates into real life sales from a desirable demographic - people rich enough to have high end computers and broadband and the leisure time to spend their money. Also, the article you cite makes much of sex in Second Life, but that is by far the minority of what goes on in Second Life - though it does make for attention-grabbing press. Second Life is a human endeavor like other media - movies, tv, books, billboards and the web itself, so sex exists, but so does art, fashion, book clubs, discussions and a very, very booming economy. You can't argue with the increasing money exchanging hands - very close to $2 million dollars in just the last 24 hours.

Finding a Business Attorney or Legal Specialist - 08/28/2007

Regarding big v. small firms: Don't think using a big firm is necessarily better. For example, you don't need a John Hopkins surgical team to remove a hangnail. Keep focus on what your issue is, and what kinds of resources both in time and money it really requires for resolution. Also, Scott made a great comment about legal blogs. To start, check out the blogs featured at Lawcom's Inside Opinions: Legal Blogs.

Keeping Your Business Out of Court - 08/28/2007

It's very important to consult a lawyer when you start up a business for a variety of issues, such as drafting contracts, drafting partnership agreements and the like. Look at the resources at your disposal, but talk to as many business people as you can about what law firms they use and their experiences. Don't know anybody? Try putting up your questions on the new Answers section of LinkedIn to get advice from people in a similar situation as you.

Do-it-Yourself Legal Help - 08/28/2007

Check out a self-help legal site sponsored by the Council of California Law Librarians, called Your Public Law Library . The site covers California in depth, but it also has information for other states. It gives you guidance on how to research legal issues and where to go to do it.

Nondisclosure Agreements - 08/24/2007

Tailor your NDA to your own business; what's good for Microsoft may not fit you. Technology companies typically have a lot of language in their NDAs that are really targeted at preserving the rights to their software code. Any business that has any kind of information they don't want their competitors to get hold of needs an NDA. So there is a good chance that you do too. Bitlaw gives a good outline of the critical elements of an NDA for a technology company.

Employee Contracts - 08/24/2007

Most employment contracts these days contain an arbitration clause as a safeguard against pricey litigation. Also, this is an area where a jury may be more likely to favor the employee over the employer for emotional reasons, often making arbitration a better choice for the employer. See the Guide to Business Arbitration and Mediation.

Filing for Business Bankruptcy - 08/24/2007

If you think there is a chance you may have to file bankruptcy, go to an attorney NOW. They can advise you what assets can be protected, so you don't end up paying protected assets to creditors when you may end up going bankrupt anyway. You will need to preserve what you can in order to rebuild. For some basic information, get it straight from the horse's mouth at the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court web site. Specifically, see Bankruptcy Basics. You may also want to read about business bankruptcies on the many blogs that address the issues such as this one.

Prepaid Legal Services for Small Business - 08/24/2007

Although prepaid legal plans are not going to help you out much for something like complex litigation, they can be great when all you need to get movement is a strong letter from an attorney. Businesses, however, may want to consider putting a long firm on retainer to handle all their legal matters - as distinguished from a legal plan organization.

Do-it-Yourself Legal Help - 08/24/2007

This is a very useful guide, and all business owners would be well-advised to ground themselves in some basic business law. However, as a former practicing attorney, I cannot tell you the number of business owners who came to me with legal disasters that could so easily haven been avoided had they only consulted an attorney from the start. So in the end, because they did not have proper legal safeguards in place it cost them a lot more in time, damages, attorney's fees and heartache. For example, sometimes a contract may seem simple to write, but if a disagreement arises, it is imperative all the "T's" are crossed. Also, business owners should consider having an attorney draw up template contracts they will reuse, such as employment contracts and NDAs.

Doing Business in Second Life - 04/03/2007

Yes, Shara, I actually just published Guide to Marketing Your Company in Second Life: The Beginning of the 3-D Web. The focus of this guide is on creating marketing buzz and top of mind awareness for your real life company through Second Life.

Doing Business in Second Life - 03/04/2007

In answer to a couple hardware questions, let me first say my field is marketing, and I'm not a hardware expert. With that said, yes, it is necessary to have broadband a somewhat decent graphics card to run Second Life, and some laptops don't come with a good graphics card. What exactly is a "decent" graphics card? I can't say, but you can find the system requirements and recommendations at http://secondlife.com/corporate/sysreqs.php I use a nondescript desktop I picked up at a "Computers 'R Us" kind of place to run Second Life, and I have no problem. Regarding the Mac question, I know people who use Macs to run Second Life. I can't speak to how well it runs on Macs vs. PCs.

Understanding Guanxi to Maximize Your Business Potential in China - 10/11/2006

I found this introduction valuable, and I would love to see more guides on the cultural aspects of doing business abroad. Of course this is not something that can be learned overnight or from a book - I found that out from personal experience - but overviews like this are very helpful as a starting point when doing business in a different country.

Web 2.0 - 10/19/2006

Building an Online Community - 01/16/2007

Starting a Community Art Gallery - 10/05/2006