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05/01/2002

Small Business's Best Magazine

A lovely review of my book in Inc.com raises a good question: Where do you get your information about small business? To me, the best source remains Inc. magazine (for disclosure’s sake, a former employee of mine.) More than any other publication, this magazine preaches the soul of the small business, the intimate connection between the folks who run the business and the way in which the business lives or dies. There are two good examples in the current issue. The first instance can be found in Editor George Gendron’s column, in which he discusses his seven-year-old son’s stab at a (virtual) business. Most reporters get cloying or cute when talking about their kids; and most journalists miss the spirit of entrepreneurship when practiced by a kid. This piece nicely avoids both traps. And Mike Hofman’s nice article on creating an emotional brand for your company underscores a crucial point. At a time when technology enables skilled companies to knock off products and services quicker than ever, the biggest source of competitive advantage for good small companies is personal. That is, the more that you animate and differentiate your company with your identity, the greater your chances will be of thriving.

HOME

THE BOOK

Read or print the Intro and Chapter 1 .

Read some book reviews at Inc, 1-800-CEO-READ, and the Miami Herald.

Read the publisher's press release.

Visit the companies that Tom discusses in the book

Hear a recent lecture by Tom on the Startup Garden

STARTUP RESOURCES

Read about other books and web sites about starting your own business.

TOM'S WRITING

Just Managing – articles that Tom wrote for The Industry Standard and some Business Articles written for Inc., Fortune Small Business, Harvard Management Update, and other places.

ABOUT TOM/CONTACT

BUY THE BOOK

To buy directly from me, simply go to Paypal and send 15 bucks to Tom@startupgarden.com. I'll take care of the rest. If you have any questions, email me at that address.