Black Enterprise articles from February 2003

Black Enterprise archives from February 2003

Career guide. (Web Features).
February 1, 2003... After reading our careers issue, visit black enterprise.com to find valuable information that will guide you through various stages of your career. We'll provide tools to jump-start your career, including links to job search engines, tips on...

Tax time is approaching. (Web Features).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... As we begin the new year, one thing's for sure. If you haven't received a copy of your W-2, you soon will. Whether you're an individual or small business struggling to get your taxes in order, our tax center will provide the advice you need to...

Franchise solutions. (Web Tools).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Have you been looking for the right business opportunities to fulfill those entrepreneurial dreams? Blackenter prise.com can help you find the industry that suits your talents. By using our free Franchise Finder, you can locate business...

Resource line. (Web Columns).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Whatever your professional or entrepreneurial needs, you can find advice at black enterprise.com. Interactive Media Editor Lewis' column provides useful resources for business owners, corporate executives, and budding...

Read the fine print. (Web Columns).(blackenterprise.com)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Want to know what's going on with the black business community? Business Editor Hughes tracks the progress of the BE 100s and gives insight into issues affecting African Americans on Capitol Hill. hughesa@blackenterprise.com

ShareBuilder by Netstock. (Web Tools).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... ShareBuilder and blackenterprise.com are offering investors a unique and innovative way to invest for the long-term. Through blackenterprise.com's ShareBuilder, you can set up an online account to build your portfolio through automatic,...

What empowerment requires. (Publisher's Page).
February 1, 2003... Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will." These words, spoken by Frederick Douglass more than 150 years ago, are of critical relevance to us in the aftermath of the November 2002 elections. Thanks to a...

About this issue.
February 1, 2003... In Chinese the symbol for danger also represents the character for opportunity. Today, professionals face a similar dichotomy. We must deal with a sluggish economy and one of the toughest job markets in more than a decade. The workplace...

Handling conflict. (Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... THANK YOU FOR THE NOVEMBER 2002 article [in Powerplay], "Has Your Workplace Become A Battlefield?" There are problems with my boss (a white male) and project manager (a white female). I had to take them aside and talk to them. They are out...

Ready for change. (Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... YOUR NOVEMBER 2002 ISSUE REALLY GAVE me hope for my future as a 23-year-old African American entrepreneur. (See "What It Takes to Win.") I have never been more interested and serious about voting than now. I sense that African Americans...

Lifeline. (Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... THANK YOU FOR EXISTING. I HAVE BEEN A subscriber to BE for about 10 months, and I must say it has been my lifeline. After three years with Lucent Technologies and one with its spin-off, Avaya Communications, I was part of a major layoff that...

True fan.(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... I HAVE BEEN A SUBSCRIBER TO BE FOR SIX months now. I became a true fan of the magazine after reading it at my brother's house. I came across an article in the November 2002 issue that sounded as if someone knew me, wrote [my life] down, and...

The right track. (Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... THANKS SO MUCH! EVER SINCE I SUBSCRIBED to your magazine, I have become much wiser about business, finance, and investing. Your articles are so helpful. I have a personal scrapbook with clippings of articles from your magazine, as well as from...

Temp help. (Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... IN RESPONSE TO YOUR ADVICE TO THE frustrated temporary employee ["Great Expectations," Motivation, October 2002] I would like to offer additional advice. First, as a temp, don't trust the managers, co-workers, and the other temps. They do...

Phat profits. (Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... I READ YOUR COVER STORY ON RUSSELL Simmons and his businesses ["Phat Profits," BE Company of the Year, June 2002], and he has come a long way. Your article has encouraged me to pursue my dreams. Some day, I want to open my own clothing store...

Useful info. (Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... FOR THE LAST YEAR THAT MY FIANCE HAS been receiving his subscription to BE, I only glanced at it long enough to add it to his pile of mail that came to the apartment. However, for the last three months, as I have been formulating plans to start...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2003... Our cover story on the Top 50 Black Power Brokers in Entertainment (December 2002) incorrectly identified Stephanie Allain's current position. The former president of production of Jim Henson Pictures and former producer for 3Arts Entertainment...

A new game for Johnson: BET founder looking to acquire baseball franchise. (Business News).(Robert L. Johnson )
February 1, 2003... BET founder and CEO Robert L. Johnson is making a play to become the first African American majority owner of a Major League Baseball franchise. He plans to acquire a majority stake in the Montreal Expos and move the team to Washington,...

New Urban Entertainment shuts doors: Black-oriented cable TV station fails to land critical funding. (Business News).
February 1, 2003... New Urban Entertainment TV (NUE-TV), the fledgling African American-focused cable network, will cease operations permanently now that the cash-strapped venture failed to land critical financing. The cable network, which offered programming...

Wanted: stimulus: report says GOP is not doing all it can for small business. (Washington Report).
February 1, 2003... When President George W. Bush sets a goal he pulls out all the stops until it has been accomplished. But when it comes to providing assistance and relief to the nation's small business owners, Democrats who sit on the House Small Business...

NAACP denies report. (Newsbytes).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... * Kweisi Mfume, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), denies a report published in The Washington Times about the NAACP planning to open an office in Cuba. "We had no discussions with Cuban...

Hugh B. Price, president and CEO of the National Urban League, recently announced that he plans to leave the 93-year-old organization by April 3, 2003. (Newsbytes).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... * Hugh B. Price, president and CEO of the National Urban League, recently announced that he plans to leave the 93-year-old organization by April 3, 2003. Price, who has been the Urban League's president and CEO since July 1, 1994, says he...

The Supreme Court announced that it will decide whether universities may favor minorities in their admissions process. (Newsbytes).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... * The Supreme Court announced that it will decide whether universities may favor minorities in their admissions process. The court agreed to hear two cases that challenge the University of Michigan's affirmative-action system, which favors...

Job insecurity: blackenterprise.com readers are pessimistic about employment picture. (Facts & Figures).
February 1, 2003... While the nation continues to wait for the smoke to clear from the recession of 2001, blackenterprise.com subscribers remain bearish on the employment outlook for the new year--a key economic indicator. The recession--generally defined as...

Risky business: the Circle of Wealth Investment Club has made a high-stakes investment in a pre-IPO firm. (Investment Clubhouse).
February 1, 2003... The Circle of Wealth Investment Club celebrated its second anniversary this past September, and the risk takers, most of whom are New York City postal employees, have had to manage their investment portfolio in an environment that included a...

A precious portfolio: funds that focus on gold may still have some luster in 2003. (Mutual Fund Focus).
February 1, 2003... Historically, gold has been a safe, solid shelter for investors the world over. During times of war when inflation roars out of control, or anytime stock markets are shaken to their core, investors typically turn to the shiny metal. The reason?...

The linchpin for growth: Union Heritage's Derek Batts relies on return on equity for portfolio performance. (Private Screening).
February 1, 2003... Over the last two years, the growth economy of the `90s has been replaced by a bear market that has gnashed its way through stocks and left investors reeling. Enthusiasm for the equity markets has slowed and company profits are sluggish at...

The value of discounting: Harold Singleton's discount strategy offset market volatility. (Stock Update).
February 1, 2003... Harold Singleton was right last year when he proclaimed that there is value in any market if you know where to look. The senior vice president of Metropolitan West Capital Management in Newport Beach, California, explained that his firm is...

Pay as you go education: Upromise uses your spending dollars to save for your child's college education. (One For Your Money).
February 1, 2003... The rising cost of college tuition has almost everyone wondering how they ever afford a higher education. The College Board estimates the annual cost of tuition, room and board, and fees at a four-year private college will cost $26,094 in 2003;...

What are S.H.I.P. Funds? (Ask B.E.).(State Housing Initiatives Partnership programs,)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Q I am a single mother of four, and I was told that there is such a thing as S.H.I.P Funds for purchasing a home. Can you explain what they are and how they work?--S. Thompson Via the Internet A S.H.I.P. Funds refer to State Housing...

Delivering the goods: this business gains ground in the air. (Making It).
February 1, 2003... Ricardo Reyes, a sales manager for a parcel shipping firm, was returning from his honeymoon when he learned that one of his company's major accounts had been lost to what he felt was mismanagement. So the newly married executive decided to make...

Incorporating facts: picking the right business structure is one of the first keys to success. (Management Advice).( )
February 1, 2003... Selecting a corporate structure is one of the most important startup decisions that a business owner makes. But choosing the wrong one is a common mistake. According to Jerome Katz, professor of management at Saint Louis University, small...

Back to basics: it's the ABCs of entrepreneurship that attract venture capital. (Capital Matters).
February 1, 2003... The downturn in the U.S. economy and the aftermath of the Internet gold rush have venture capitalists (VCs) thinking twice before investing in entrepreneurial ventures. This means that entrepreneurs must be extra savvy when seeking capital. ...

Her job's a party: Juli Wyatt proves sports entertainment isn't just a man's game. (Making It).
February 1, 2003... As a law review student at the District of Columbia School of Law, turning a lifelong interest in sports into a profitable business seemed like just another classroom daydream to Juli Wyatt. But with her venture now in its sixth year, Wyatt has...

To join or not to join. (Savvy Solutions).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Q I know that networking is essential to getting my company's name and services to the public. How do you determine which associations are worth joining?--Z Cakes Via the lnternet A As you already know, networking is one of the main reasons...

Secrets of his success: after 26 years at IBM, Robert Blackwell took a gamble that paid off. (Black Digerati).
February 1, 2003... In today's volatile economy, stories of small business success are few and far between. Tales of dotcom and other startup failures have left many entrepreneurs wary of venturing out on their own. Chicago-based Blackwell Consulting Services,...

A plan of action: business plan software: does it make the grade? (B.E. Reviews).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Whether you're starting or expanding a business you have to be aware of every scenario that could wreck your venture. A solid business plan can be just the map you need to avoid potential minefields. And if you're looking for funding, investors...

Business Plan Pro 2003 Version 6.07: Palo Alto Software.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2003... Business Plan Pro 2003 comes with a great book, Hurdle: The Book On Business Planning, and the software has an appealing and efficient interface with well-written instructions. We liked the ability to switch between the Wizard Task view and...

Automate Your Business Plan Version 10: out of your mind and into the marketplace.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2003... We were skeptical of Automate Your Business Plan when we saw its plain-Jane appearance upon opening the application, but the moment you hit the menu you access the most supportive screens of all the programs tested. The information in Automate...

Business Plan Writer Deluxe 2003 Version 6: Nova Development Corporation.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2003... Nova's program is the most attractive, with nice icons for categories such as `financials' and `milestones' displayed down the left side of the screen and a toolbar across the top of the screen, under the menu bar. The remaining workspace...

Ultimate Business Planner Version 1.0: ABS (Atlas Business Solutions Inc.).(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2003... One product that we also tested was Ultimate Business Planner. The software package is a Version 1.0 product, so we were a bit skeptical about its ability to deliver as solid a performance as the other packages. In Ultimate Business Planner,...

How they compare. (Techwatch).(business plan software)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 1, 2003... How They Compare Company OM-IM Palo Alto (Out of Your Mind & Software Into the Marketplace) Price $95 $99.95 Web Address:...

More room to store. (B.E. Reviews).(Iomega's Zip 750MB USB 2.0 drive for information storage)(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2003... As the amount of information we consume increases, so does our need for backup and storage. Word files, digital media, presentations, and spreadsheets can put a major dent in your hard disk space, but Iomega's Zip 750MB USB 2.0 drive should fit...

Protect yourself. (Cyberwise).(identity theft)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... QA I've heard that identity theft is on the rise. Is this true and how can I protect myself? I'm on the Internet a lot and I'm really worried about my information getting into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, identity theft is one of the...

An official stamp? The deal on M.B.A. certification. (Career News).(International Certification Institute, a North Carolina-based company)
February 1, 2003... When 112,000 newly-minted M.B.A. graduates seek employment this year, they will face the fiercest competition in a decade. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, job placement rates for M.B.A. graduates are down 21% from 2001....

Connecting the dots: artist on point with business. (Career At A Glance).(Kyle S. Lane)
February 1, 2003... An artist, Kyle S. Lane has often been rejected: a prestigious art institution didn't find him talented enough, galleries professed that black-and-white images wouldn't sell, and novice art enthusiasts believed he hadn't yet paid his dues as an...

Going global: international projects give your resume added value. (Making Connections).
February 1, 2003... Clark Broughton, an account executive for the government division of Federal Express, is a regular business traveler to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. He's also developing valuable career experience as a global expert for his company. ...

New direction. (Since You Asked ...).
February 1, 2003... I am a 57-year-old African American who has been downsized from my last three positions. I had no problem finding work until I was laid off last year. To make up for the lost income I have been consulting. I have more than 25 years...

Raytheon Company. (On The Move).(Philip D, Rawlins joins Raytheon Company's Integrated Defense Systems )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Philip D, Rawlins has joined Raytheon Company's Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, as a strategic sourcing manager. He is responsible for the company's relationships with small, disadvantaged suppliers and will manage some...

NCR Corp. (On The Move).(Sheila Rankin appointed director of external reporting and policies, controller's group)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Sheila Rankin has been appointed director of external reporting and policies, controller's group, at NCR Corp. in Dayton, Ohio. NCR is a leader in providing worldwide relationship technology solutions in retail, financial, manufacturing, and...

A&E Television Networks. (On The Move).(Walter Oden promoted to vice president of business development, affiliate sales and marketing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Walter Oden has been promoted to vice president of business development, affiliate sales and marketing, for A&E Television Networks. His duties include continuing to spearhead the development of AETN's Video On Demand business, overseeing the...

Disney Regional Entertainment. (On The Move).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Regynald G. Washington is the new vice president and general manager of Disney Regional Entertainment, based in Burbank, Calif. Washington is responsible for the strategy, direction, and growth of ESPN Zone, Disney's sports-themed restaurant...

Investment Company of America. (On The Move).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Leonard R. Fuller has been elected to the board of directors of the Investment Company of America, the oldest and largest mutual fund of the 29-fund American Funds family. The 14 boards on which Mr. Fullers serves have more than $100 billion in...

Convention calendar.(Calendar)
February 1, 2003... * Black Enterprise/ AXA Advisors Ski Challenge February 12-17, 2003 Vail, Colorado 800-209-7229 www.blackenterprise.com * The African American Student Union of the Harvard Business School 31st Annual H. Naylor Fitzhugh...

A lifetime of giving: Matel Dawson Jr. saved so that others could benefit. (Black Wealth Initiative).
February 1, 2003... MATEL (MAT) DAWSON JR. HAS LEFT A WONDERFUL legacy. The retired forklift operator, who worked at the Ford Motor Company's Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan, for more than 60 years, donated more than $1 million to educational institutions and...

Making more with less: James Parks and his family are adjusting to tougher economic times by cutting back. (Family Finances).
February 1, 2003... JAMES AND BEVERLY PARKS ARE COMING TO TERMS with a major life change and challenge--a decrease in their monthly household income and an increase in their household debt. James, 36. is a staff sergeant in the Army's food services division, which...

Tough times tough choices: in a hard economic climate, what are you willing to do to work? (Career Overview).
February 1, 2003... THE SLUGGISH ECONOMY TURNED STEVEN L. GREVIOUS' PROFESSIONAL LIFE UPSIDE DOWN. From the late 1990s until the middle of 2001, Grevious earned $150,000 a year as an independent contractor in the red-hot information technology sector. It wasn't...

The resume the pitch the close: what you need to know now about finding a job. (Career Management).
February 1, 2003... THE ECONOMY IS BAD. SCRATCH that--it's in the toilet. As of press date, unemployment was at 6%. with thousands of talented, credentialed people struggling to find work. Evelyn Rivera is one of them. In November 2001, Rivera was laid off from...

Evaluating your real compensation package: knowing what you're worth can help secure your family's financial future. (Career Management).
February 1, 2003... ONLY A SHORT TIME AGO, AMERICAN JOB HUNTERS SAT squarely in the driver's seat. Candidates often had the luxury of contemplating multiple top-dollar offers, and perks were plentiful. My, how things have changed. The sluggish economy has...

Is your career your calling? Reverend and former basketball star Paula McGee explains the difference between what you do and who you are meant to be. (Peak Performance).(Cover Story)
February 1, 2003... THE REV. PAULA McGEE FIRST CAME TO NATIONAL ATTENTION as a member of the University of Southern California's national championship basketball team. After she and twin sister Pamela led Flint, Michigan's Northern High School to a pair of state...

Winning on Wall Street: Carla Harris uses her prowess to make billion-dollar deals and uplift youth. (Take A Lesson).(Interview)
February 1, 2003... IF YOU WANT TO SEE CARLA HARRIS DO SOMETHING--anything--just tell her she can't, then stand back and watch her go. When Harris was a senior honors student at Bishop Kenney High School in Jacksonville, Florida, her guidance counselor advised her...

Website makeover: want to keep customers happy? Make it easy for them to order online. (Technology).
February 1, 2003... You may have a small or home-based business, but if your Website is top-notch, your customers will be none the wiser. That reasoning inspired Marcia Wood to enter Shades of Color (www.shadescalendar.com)in BLACK ENTERPRISE'S Website Makeover...

Don't let scam artists trap you: more victims have been snared by business opportunity schemes. Here's how you can avoid being taken. (Business Opportunities).
February 1, 2003... WHEN JOHN CUMMINGS DECIDED TO BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR LAST YEAR, HE HAD LITTLE IDEA HE'D lose money in an alleged scam. Like many unsuspecting proprietors, Cummings was bilked out of thousands of dollars when he became involved with Accent...

Cooking up success: starting your own restaurant takes a lot of hard work, dedication--and cash. (Dream Businesses).
February 1, 2003... WHILE OTHER CHILDREN WERE OUT PLAYING SPORTS OR raising a ruckus, 6-year-old Carl Redding could be found whipping up pastry batter in his mother's kitchen. Even then, he dreamed about working in the restaurant industry and owning his own...

Successful diversity management begins at the top. (Special Advertising Section).
February 1, 2003... The 2000 Census data was a wake-up call for many corporations that believed diversity was a do-good, soft human-resources effort that didn't impact their core business or long-term financial success. However, many of those companies are being...

Top executives: speak out. (Special Advertising Section).
February 1, 2003... Careers and Diversity at Kodak More than half of Kodak's sales come from outside the U.S.-outside its home culture. To win worldwide, Kodak needs to employ people who appreciate that buying habits differ and who solicit the best ideas from...

Executive program. (Special Advertising Section).
February 1, 2003... The Duke MBA-Weekend Executive program equips professionals with a competitive edge essential in today's rapidly changing global business environment--without interrupting careers. Ranked No. 3 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in...

Guarding against the stress of success: recognize the early signs of burnout--and take proactive steps to prevent it. (Peak Performance).
February 1, 2003... Lifestyle coach Cheryl Richardson has noticed a recent phenomenon. Whenever she leads her Life Makeover seminars and lists the classic signs of burnout, the audience lets out an audible gasp. Some people raise their hands, while others actually...

Free your mind ... (Help Yourself).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... QA I am a very determined, energetic, smart African American woman. I really want to own my own business and I've been developing the vision since I re-entered college to finally acquire a bachelor's degree. I am 25. I don't own anything. I'm...

Protect your identity: prevent bad things from happening to your good name--and credit line. (Consumer Life).
February 1, 2003... It was not uncommon for Janice Jackson to receive her neighbor's mail. When her mail carrier was ill, his replacement, who was still learning the route, often put mail delivered to Jackson's Staten Island, New York, address in her neighbor's...

Finding the gap. (Ask Your Advocate).(gap insurance)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... QA What is gap insurance? I've read that you can get gap insurance when you lease a car, in case you have an accident. From what I understand, many insurance companies will only cover the market value of a car, not what is owed, and gap...

It's not just the skiing: off the slopes, it's about food, ambience, and a great place to stay. (Travel Talk).
February 1, 2003... While the powder, the bowls, and the crosscountry trails may be exceptional, a number of amenities are required for a complete ski vacation. Here is a listing of American resorts that deliver the goods. Whether you're traveling with the family,...

Downhill pursuits: getting your performance gear in order. (In Style).
February 1, 2003... Successfully navigating the slopes, at any takes confidence, skill, and the gear. Fortunately, today's clothing options are versatile and functional, on and off the mountain. They are also stylish, funky, and sexy: even snow-boarders are...

What you've always expected: this year's itinerary is better than ever. (B.E./Microsoft Entrepreneurs Conference).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The program for our upcoming Black Enterprise/Microsoft Entrepreneurs Conference is timely. This year, we've prepared a series of workshops and sessions to help you navigate today's challenging business landscape. Join us this May 14-18, 2003,...

Look out for B.E. Teenpreneur. (Extra Options).
February 1, 2003... Look for the spring edition of BLACK ENTERPRISE'S Teenpreneur in our March 2003 issue. This insert is specifically designed to inspire young people to view entrepreneurship as an exciting option, to develop a basic understanding of budgetary...

Black Enterprise Unlimited. (Unlimited options: your inside source for events, products, and services of B.E. Unlimited).
February 1, 2003... Black Enterprise Unlimited is a division of Earl G. Graves Ltd. dedicated to the creation of products and services designed to meet your business needs. We can be contacted at B.E. Unlimited, 130 Fifth Ave., New York, New York 10011-4399; fax:...

Blackenterprise.com. (Unlimited options: your inside source for events, products, and services of B.E. Unlimited).
February 1, 2003... Check out the latest features and ]inks at the new and improved www.blackenterprise.com. Not only can you track your portfolio but you can also customize your Web page by clicking onto MyBlackEnterprise.com.

Black Enterprise/AXA Advisors Ski Challenge. (Unlimited options: your inside source for events, products, and services of B.E. Unlimited).
February 1, 2003... To inquire about the Fifth Annual Ski Challenge, Feb. 12-17, 2003, at Vail Cascade Resort & Spa in Vail, Colorado, call 800-209-7229 or visit our Website.

Black Enterprise/Microsoft Entrepreneurs Conference. (Unlimited options: your inside source for events, products, and services of B.E. Unlimited).
February 1, 2003... For information on the Black Enterprise/ Microsoft Entrepreneurs Conference, May 14-18, 2003, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, call 800-543-6786 or visit our Website.

A brand new game. (Our Next Order Of Business).
February 1, 2003... What happens to athletes after the cheering stops? In some cases, they become sports anchor or pitchmen for products ranging from underwear to deodorant. And let's not overlook the tragic stories of former players who wind up incapacitated or...