Features

Full-length feature articles from America’s Best.

In This Issue

Previous Articles
Survivor Innovation Island
Survivor Innovation Island
Small businesses that want to have a chance at surviving the recession have to make innovation an integral part of their business strategies.
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May/June 2009 by Lynn Celmer

Affordable Healthcare Alternative
Affordable Healthcare Alternative
Members of America’s Best Companies now have access to Careington International Corporation – a leading provider of medical, health, and prescription discount plans.
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May/June 2009 by Lynn Celmer

Smooth Sailing
Smooth Sailing
A cash flow crunch could cause a wave of problems for your business. Making finances a top priority will help to ensure that you don’t capsize. By Lynn Celmer
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May/June 2009 by Lynn Celmer

Stretching Your Travel $
Stretching Your Travel $
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, you can go away without going broke. By Meghan McClure
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May/June 2009 by Megan McClure

Women in Small Business
Women in Small Business
These five exceptional women serve as an example for all women as they followed their passions and created their own successful companies.
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March/April 2009 by Cheryl Sowa

Tax Changes on The Way
Tax Changes on The Way
Don’t be confused this tax-filing season. We’ve got all the proposed tax changes that could affect your business.
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March/April 2009 by Charles M. Cooper

Tweet Talk
Tweet Talk
The lowdown on the Twitter Phenomenon and how it can work wonders for your business.
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March/April 2009 by Kim Fenolio

Goals! Goals! Goals!
Goals! Goals! Goals!
One of the most important things that any business regardless of size needs to do is to set goals.
Increase business success by setting goals. »

March/April 2009 by James J. Tracy

What Lies Ahead for Small Business?
What Lies Ahead for Small Business?
Unemployment, healthcare, and taxes are just some of the issues facing small business owners. Entrepreneurs across the country hope to receive their fair share of economic stimulus.
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March/April 2009 by Charles M. Cooper

Reduce Stress
Reduce Stress

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Jan/Feb 2009 by Cheryl Sowa

Bring Balance and Fun to Your Life
Bring Balance and Fun to Your Life

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Jan/Feb 2009 by Lynn Celmer

Define your Success
Define your Success

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Jan/Feb 2009 by Charles M. Cooper

Make Business Planning a Priority
Make Business Planning a Priority

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Jan/Feb 2009 by Lynn Celmer

Upgrade your Technology
Upgrade your Technology

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Jan/Feb 2009 by Matthew Frisch

The Giving Plan
The Giving Plan
Preparing for charitable donations ahead of time can ensure you're not giving away the farm.
How much you can afford to give away? »

Jan/Feb 2009 by Margaret Kaner

Home Field Advantage
Home Field Advantage
The NFL’s Emerging Business Program helps bring economic success to minority- and woman-owned small businesses in Super Bowl host cities.
Minority and women-owned businesses offered huge opportunity »

Jan/Feb 2009 by Lynn Celmer

Constantly Promoting your Business
Constantly Promoting your Business

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Jan/Feb 2009 by Cheryl Sowa

A Dozen Easy Ways to Increase Business
A Dozen Easy Ways to Increase Business
To help curb the effects of the downturning economy, here’s a helpful list of cash generating ideas for your small business.
Steps you can take today »

Jan/Feb 2009 by James J. Tracy

Get a Grip on Finances
Get a Grip on Finances

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Jan/Feb 2009 by Vinai Shreenivas

Become a Mentor
Become a Mentor

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Jan/Feb 2009 by Lynn Celmer

My Generation
My Generation
Knowing the demographics, influences, and ways to reach each generation within your target market could prove beneficial to your bottom line.
Multi-generational marketing could help your business »

Jan/Feb 2009 by Janelle Mascarenas

Think Strategically - Get Creative
Think Strategically - Get Creative

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Jan/Feb 2009 by Charles M. Cooper

Focus on what Works
Focus on what Works

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Jan/Feb 2009 by Charles M. Cooper

365 Ways to Improve 2009
365 Ways to Improve 2009
The end of the year is a time of rejuvenation and a time to make small adjustments to improve both your business and personal life. Here are 365 ideas to set you in the right direction to make 2009 the best year ever!
Start the year off right »

Nov/Dec 2008

Show Me The Money
Show Me The Money
Guard against counterfeiters by knowing how to spot phony currency.
Know your money »

Nov/Dec 2008 by Charles M. Cooper

Ensuring Success
Ensuring Success
Fourth quarter publicity equals first quarter prosperity. By Todd Brabender
Get the results you need »

Nov/Dec 2008 by Todd Brabender

He Means Business
He Means Business
Bill Rancic is no stranger to the world of entrepreneurs, the challenges they face and what it takes to make it in business. Before winning the first season of The Apprentice, Rancic launched a successful online cigar company and started his own small business to help pay for college. He talks about his new gig, hosting A&E’s “’We Mean Business” and what he thinks it takes to be successful.
Bill Rancic gets personal »

Nov/Dec 2008 by Lynn Celmer

If You Build It, They Will Come
If You Build It, They Will Come
For most businesses, the Internet is a place to communicate with customers, advertise with banner or text ads, and a place to sell products and services. With the rise of Web 2.0 and the growth of social media, however, many companies are discovering whole new ways of taking advantage of what the Internet has to offer. One strategy is to use online communities to maximize the Web’s potential benefit for your business.
Advantages of an online community »

Nov/Dec 2008 by Charles M. Cooper

Eye of the Tiger
Eye of the Tiger
Owners of seasonal small businesses must rise up to the challenges and go the distance if they want a chance at survival.
Surviving a seasonal business »

Nov/Dec 2008 by Cheryl Sowa

The Psychology of Customer Service
The Psychology of Customer Service
The more you understand how your customers’ minds work, the easier it will be to achieve your business goals.
Confidently handle any situation »

Sep/Oct 2008 by Lynn Celmer

Going Above and Beyond
Going Above and Beyond
Good customer service involves more than just setting high standards and being friendly with customers.
Create legendary customer experiences »

Sep/Oct 2008 by Cheryl Sowa

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
There are ways to turn even your most difficult customers into raving fans.
Dealing with difficult customers »

Sep/Oct 2008 by Lynn Celmer

Delivering an Experience
Delivering an Experience
For many businesses, the only way to stand out is by creating a unique experience for their customers.
Pay attention to the little things »

Sep/Oct 2008 by Charles M. Cooper

Small Budget Big Results
Small Budget Big Results
You don’t have to break the bank to make your business stand out from the competition.
Ways to bypass expensive advertising »

July/August 2008 by Lynn Celmer

Commercial Success
Commercial Success
The Super Bowl isn’t the only time of year to catch unforgettable commercials—some of the most memorable moments in television advertising come from small business commercials aired in local markets every day. Learn how these ad campaigns led to a major boost in business and name recognition for these companies.
Memorable local television commercials »

July/August 2008 by Lisa Doyle

Branding Your Business
Branding Your Business
It’s not enough to just have a name and logo for your business—you need to create a brand that incorporates your whole identity. Our experts share how to establish your business as a successful, brand-name company.
Make your small business a big name »

July/August 2008 by Lynn Celmer

Business in the Wilderness
Business in the Wilderness
Entrepreneurs in early America set the stage for business models of today.
Learn about entrepreneurs of the past »

July/August 2008 by Charles M. Cooper

Build Up The Buzz
Build Up The Buzz
The top small—and almost free—ways to leave a big impact on your customers.
Leave your mark »

July/August 2008 by Cheryl Sowa

Hot List 2008
Hot List 2008
Some new, some tried-and-true—here’s our list of the best tips, trends and tomes for the year.
Our list of the best tips, trends and tomes for the year »

June 2008

Finding Your Funding
Finding Your Funding
Launching a new business usually requires borrowing the money needed for start-up costs. Here's how to find the right amount of money from the right lenders.
How to find the best small business financing »

June 2008 by Charles M. Cooper

Setting a Strategy
Setting a Strategy
Need to write a business plan? We offer comprehensive guidelines to creating a plan that will organize your company and convince potential lenders.
How to organize your business plan on the path to success »

June 2008 by Charles M. Cooper

Small Businesses Around the World
Small Businesses Around the World
Around the country and around the globe, find out what small businesses share in common and how they differ.
Take a tour around the world. »

April 2008 by Lynn Celmer

Reel Business
Reel Business
Lights, camera, startup! From used record shops to ghost exterminators, we bring you the best of small business on the silver screen.
We give our picks for best small biz flicks. »

April 2008 by Jeremiah Leif Johnson

Women in Small Business
Women in Small Business
Who says it’s a man’s world? Today’s female entrepreneurs are shaking up the small business scene like never before.
Make way for these female entrepreneurs. »

April 2008

Save Your Business Money
Save Your Business Money
Employing a few simple practices can often make the difference of several thousands of dollars per year. Are you spending more money than you need to?
Simple tips for saving your thousands of dollars per year. »

February 2008 by Jorge Cordova

Take a Vacation
Take a Vacation
Are you hurting both yourself and your business by not taking some time off? Taking a vacation could be one of the healthiest activities you do this year.
Don't hurt yourself or your business, take a vacation. »

February 2008 by James J. Tracy

Give Your Business a Makeover
Give Your Business a Makeover
Toss out those old signs and 1970s decor. With a few simple touches, you could completely reinvent your business in 2008.
Easy tips to reinvent your business in 2008. »

February 2008 by Dave Cosper

Take Control of Your Credit
Take Control of Your Credit
Good credit can help your business when you need it the most. Learn how to keep your business's credit as credible as possible.
Keep your business's credit as credible as possible. »

February 2008 by Dave Cosper

Motivate Your Employees
Motivate Your Employees
Creating a dedicated and motivated workplace isn't just about giving raises. Learn how the best employers bring the best out of their employees.
Motivation comes down to one work, respect. »

February 2008 by Vinai Shreenivas

Stay in Shape at Work
Stay in Shape at Work
It's not difficult to stay in shape at your business. Learn how the editor of America's Best dropped some pounds without visiting the gym.
It's not difficult to stay in shape at your business. »

February 2008 by Jeremiah Leif Johnson

Market Your Business on the Web
Market Your Business on the Web
Web marketing isn't just about buying ads anymore. Learn how social networking and blogging can bring the world to your doorstep.
Social networking and blogging can bring the world to you. »

February 2008 by Lynn Celmer

Learn Something New
Learn Something New
Whatever you do, your business's industry is constantly changing and evolving. By learning something new about your field, you can stay ahead of your competition.
The world is constantly changing, stay on top of things. »

February 2008 by Mickey Hendrickson

Go Green at Work
Go Green at Work
If you use our simple tips for making your office greener, saving the world can be a reasonable resolution
Go green, save money, and save the world this year. »

February 2008 by Dale Dambek

Get Involved in a Charity
Get Involved in a Charity
Your community is the foundation of your small business. Giving back to it can be rewarding for both your spirit and your community.
Give back to the community, the foundation of small business »

February 2008 by Lynn Celmer

PayPal: Using the Web's Best Billfold
PayPal: Using the Web's Best Billfold
Of the masses of eBay sellers and budding online entrepreneurs, there is one factor that many of them have in common. They all accept PayPal.
The ins and outs on the world's best online wallet. »

Fall 2007 by James J. Tracy

10 Ways to Protect your Business from Credit Card Fraud
10 Ways to Protect your Business from Credit Card Fraud
The vice president of national credit card processor National Translink Corporation on credit card fraud.
Don't put yourself at risk. »

Fall 2007 by David Borosak

Three Little Letters That Can Protect Your Business
Three Little Letters That Can Protect Your Business
Climbing your way to success often isn't easy. Learn how incorporating your business can help minimize your risk.
Small Business, Inc. »

Fall 2007 by Lynn Celmer

eBay Made Easy
eBay Made Easy
America's worst computer user proves that anyone can become an elite seller on eBay.
Step-by-step Guide to eBay »

Fall 2007 by James J. Tracy

Success Runs in the Family for these Entrepreneurs
Success Runs in the Family for these Entrepreneurs
Some members of America's Best Companies show that the most fruitful ventures seldom fall far from the family tree.
We interview six families who work, play, and live together. »

Fall 2007 by Dave Cosper

10 Ways to Make More Money
10 Ways to Make More Money
Easy strategies for improving sales.
Easy strategies for improving sales. »

Summer 2007 by James J. Tracy

Choosing the Right Logo Can Give Your Business a Jumpstart
Choosing the Right Logo Can Give Your Business a Jumpstart
By having a professional logo, your company can make that all-important first impression.
Taking your company's logo seriously. »

Summer 2007 by Noelle Bates

The Rossi Family Shares Their Business Secrets
The Rossi Family Shares Their Business Secrets
Dominic Rossi on surviving the influx of big box furniture companies.
Business secrets of the Rossi family. »

Summer 2007 by Jeremiah Leif Johnson

Putting Your Business on the Internet can be as Easy as 1...2...3
Putting Your Business on the Internet can be as Easy as 1...2...3
Create a Website in 15 minutes or less.
An introduction to myABCspace.com »

Summer 2007 by Dave Cosper

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