Cover Story
Dot Dot DotStart a dot.com . . . twiddle your thumbs . . . the money rolls in--there's a hell of a lot left out of
that story.
Features
Bank On ItYou haven't seen a bank teller since you got your first ATM card? Now virtual banks are eliminating reason after reason for us to go to physical banks at all.
Bring It OnThere's nothing wrong with a little healthy competition. In fact, it's what some entrepreneurs live for.
Poor HealthIf you're waiting on the government or anyone else to do something about the rising costs of health benefits, face facts: If you want costs cut right, you have to cut them yourself.
Soul SearchingLooking for a better business? Start inside.
Quick Guide To Business TravelStretch your travel dollars further than the other guy with the latest business innovations & our annual Business Travel Awards.
Columns
Bright IdeasPowerful PartnersWhy do it yourself when you can have someone else market your invention?
Star SearchHere's your chance to score big with your big idea.
BuzzTrendspottingFeelin' the groove with the latest trends in 2000
GlobalEast Meets WorldScaling The Great Wall
PulseBay Of GigsWatch out, San Francisco! The Internet is upon you.
Under PressureEvery time the phone rings, it's a stressed-out employee calling in sick. What can you do?
The Fall GuysCashing in on an accident-without litigation
Book 'EmThe Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business as Usual
Make The Best Of ItOptimizer (noun): an entrepreneur who knows how to take care of No. 1
So Close, Yet...It may seem like the Internet is everyone's formula for success, but are minorities being left out of the equation?
Turning The PageCatalog maven John Peterman deals with a new chapter . . . Chapter 11.
TravelHardware HardshipsGadgets need TLC, too.
Road NotesDeals from Continental Airlines, Alamo Rent A Car and 1travel.com
WomenPower ShoppingWomen are doing it; new data indicates just how much.
Good NewsWomen Business Centers gain additional funding
FYI
Beating The Odds. . . And In HealthDespite an industry upheaval and two gravely ill sons, this health-care entrepreneur discovered the prescription for perseverance.
Bulletin BoardDisabilitiesLeading the disabled from unemployment to self-employment
MinneapolisUse this incubator to hatch your business in 90 days or less.
SoutheastNew CD-ROM is a starting point for Web neophytes.
Federal ContractsPartner with the government's contractors.
CaliforniaFind the courses you need online.
Trade ShowsTrade ShowsMark your calendar
Management
Capitol IssuesThe Parent TrapLet parents stay home to care for a newborn-and pay them for it? The debate rages on over employee rights.
Cutting EdgeChange Of FaceEntrepreneurial shapeshifters may be in one business today and something entirely different tomorrow. The key is knowing when it's time to change focus.
Family BusinessBusiness After DivorcePromise to love, honor and cherish your business--even if you share it with your ex-spouse.
InsuranceDamage ControlIf you've got shareholders, you better get D and O liability insurance.
LegalPlaying FairYou promote fairly at your company-but you'll have to prove it when the EEOC comes calling.
Management SmartsDesperate Times...do not call for desperate measures--pick employees carefully.
Warp . . . Uh . . . Web SpeedSurvey regarding people's attitudes about the Net
Staff SmartsWho Knows?Employees come and go, but how do you get their knowledge to stick around?
Your BusinessLawful Wedded EmployeesBusinesses are saying 'I do' to nepotism.
Final ChapterChapter 7, Chapter 11-your customer's gone bankrupt? Here's what to do.
Speak English?Get your workers English-proficient and the benefits are legion.
Marketing
Advertising WorkshopMake A SplashA name like the Toilet-Seat Light can have Thomas Edison rolling in his grave, but it can't sell a product on its own.
Fast PitchTeam EffortCutting your marketing costs through cross-promotion
Marketing SmartsExtra CreditWant to boost your sales? Go back to school.
A Clip In Time . . .Have a clipping service do your media sleuthing for you.
FlashDissatisfied customers; influencing customers
Real DealCracking WiseNegotiations going badly? Yuk it up.
Sales SuccessSaid the SpiderLearn sales from our eight-legged friend's greatest architectural accomplishment.
Money
FundsMedia MadnessCatching it can pay off.
Tax TalkYour Favorite Bureaucracy Goes DigitalPrivacy experts reel as the IRS rolls out a pilot program to transmit tax information via e-mail.
Take It From the Top
Biz 10121 Quick Startup FixesStarting to think Murphy's Law was written just for you? Don't worry--these practical solutions should get you back on track fast.
First StepsAuction FeverIs there really gold in government auctions?
Don't Write That CheckCreative ways to compensate professionals for their services
Audit AlertKeeping good records from the start is the key to surviving an IRS audit.
Cooking Up BusinessIs starting a restaurant your entrepreneurial dream?
Roommate WantedSharing space can conserve your start-up cash.
Franchise FocusRecruit-A-BossManagement Recruiters International puts people in their place.
OpportunitiesTurbines To TuxedosThis former aerospace owner takes dressing for success seriously.
Automatic TransitionAAMCO Transmissions gears a program toward a second generation of owners.
Knowledge Is PowerGo back to school to learn everything you need to know about franchising.
Cutting EdgeHer child's bad experience inspires one woman's booming business.
What's CookingTwo brothers give customers a great environment to relax and just hang out in.
1-800 EZ MarketingCan one number hold the key to sure-fire franchise success?
What's Your Problem?Service To A TeeHow can I wear my expertise on my sleeve?
Make It ClearHelp! Everybody misunderstands what I do.
Tech
Buyer's GuideFlat is Where It's At...but flat-screen monitors are too expensive, right? Check out the latest CRTs for a pleasant surprise.
ConnectionsHigh ReturnHere are a few tips from the experts to make sure your calls get returned.
Web SiteArea code decoder
Hot DisksTo Serve And ProtectIf you're worried about viruses or hackers wreaking havoc on your system, take some precautionary measures-and breathe a little easier.
Wise BuysReviews of Smart Online's Smart Attorney and Smart Business; eServices for Microsoft Office; Clickbook 2000; Proj Clock; and MailTracker's Postage $aver
Net ProfitsCrash And BurnYour Web site will go down, but the right hosting company can keep disaster from being an everyday occurrence.
Wise BuysReviews of e-Citi's Bizzed.com, Virtual Media Technologies' DefendNet, and OpenOrders' OpenWeb Connect software
Cash.ComResults of compensation survey of dot.com executives
ToolsTo The MaxAqcess Technologies' Altus Qbe Personal Computing Tablet
Get ConnectedXircom CreditCard Modem 56-GlobalACCESS
The SkinnySharp's Actius PC-A800 Super Slim Notebook
Small WonderSony's VAIO PCV-L630 Slimtop LCD Computer
Copy ThatEpson America's Expression 1600 Pro Scanner
WebNo Pain, All GainStill don't have a Web site? That doesn't mean you can't join the digital economy.
Nothing But The TruthTreasure trove site of statistics
Don't Get ScammedWho to contact if you've been Web-conned
Fast FactsA quick look at the results of numerous e-commerce surveys
Seeing RedOnline tool for tracking and sorting billable hours and expenses
City SearchTracking your e-mail
Words To The WiseOnline dictionary
Track ItTracking your e-mail