Digital Library > Defining and Serving a Market > Sales, general “Surplus Salesforce Triggers Explosive Growth” On the surface, it may sound crazy: PSS/World Medical, a leading distributor of medical supplies, hires more salespeople than it needs — 5% to be exact. Yet having people in reserve who can join the front lines at a moment’s notice has been key…
Digital Library > Operations and Technology > Suppliers “When Good Deeds Run Afoul” Ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry’s has a reputation for being a socially responsible business. But it learned — the hard way — to proceed with caution when combining benevolence with business. For example, co-founder Ben Cohen learned of a bakery that hired the homeless and used…
Digital Library > Defining and Serving a Market > Product development “Cutting-Edge R&D at Your Fingertips” Like a peek at emerging technologies? The National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) has created a database that tracks and monitors federally funded R&D activity at universities around the country. Entrepreneurs can tap this one-of-a-kind database for high-tech information on computer manufacturing and biotech concerns,…
Business owners can deduct 60% of medical insurance premiums.
Digital Library > Defining and Serving a Market > Telemarketing “What to Look for in a Telemarketing Firm” Consider letting someone else’s fingers do the dialing for your next telemarketing effort. Outsourcing allows you to: Save money. No need to hire new staff or train existing staff. Reach your goals faster. One of the biggest advantages of outsourcing telemarketing is…
It’s not always ‘resume’ qualities that make the best employees.
Digital Library > Human Resources Management > Health care “Focus on Fitness for a Better Bottom Line” Want a healthier bottom line? Invest in your workers’ health. Corporations are doing a lackluster job of managing employees’ health, say 40% of human resource executives in top companies surveyed by Towers Perrin. Heart disease, stress and depression will have increasing impact on…
When I invented Kitty Litter in 1947, being an overbearing boss was the last thing on my mind. Quite simply, there was nobody to boss around. Employees weren’t even a pipe dream back then — I was often using the proceeds of a sale during the day to pay for my hotel room that night. From bagging the clay to changing countless litter boxes at pet shows to demonstrate my product’s prowess, I did it all myself. It would have been great to have help — especially for the litter boxes!
Digital Library > Defining and Serving a Market > Public relations “Digital Business Cards” Stand out from your competition with innovative marketing tools. The 3D-CD is a digital business card that holds up to 39 megabytes and fits into the inner circle of a CD-ROM. Combining CD-ROM technology and the Internet, you can create a five-minute "commercial" that links to…
Digital Library > Building and Inspiring an Organization > Risk management “Disaster Recovery” If flooding, fire, earthquake or another natural disaster struck your business, how would you bounce back? Check out "How to Survive a Catastrophe," a free guide on how to develop a catastrophe recovery plan. Send your request with a SASE to Insurance Information Institute, 110 William Street,…