Black Enterprise articles from March 2002

Black Enterprise archives from March 2002

Web features. (blackenterprise.com: this month on the virtual desktop for African Americans).
March 1, 2002... A PERSONAL BRAND ACTION PLAN To coincide with this month's cover story, "Brand Yourself," blackenterprise.com interviews corporate executives, and business owners that get the recognition they need to call their own shots. Visit every...

Web tools. (blackenterprise.com: this month on the virtual desktop for African Americans).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Franchise solutions Have you been looking for the right business opportunities to fulfill those entrepreneurial dreams? We at blackenterprise.com can help you find the industry that suits your talents perfectly. By using our free Franchise...

Web columns. (blackenterprise.com: this month on on the virtual desktop for African Americans).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... RESOURCE LINE Whatever your professional or entrepreneurial needs, you can find them on blackenterprise.com. Senior Editor Spruell's column provides useful resources for business owners, corporate executives, and budding investors. ...

Black coaches: qualified and overlooked. (Publisher's Page).(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 1, 2002... When 2001-2002 National Football League season began there were only three black head coaches among the league's 31 teams. The resignation of Minnesota Vikings head coach Dennis Green and the firing of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Tony...

About this issue.
March 1, 2002... Over the past 18 months, we have witnessed the implosion of dot-bombs as well as the short-circuiting major tech companies. Recent developments may have sparked the notion among a few people that technology offers nothing more than a black hole...

Conquering debt. (Letters).
March 1, 2002... AS A YOUNG PERSON GROWING UP, AND throughout my first few years of college, I never thought that being in debt was so hard to overcome. After being blessed to be able to read issue after issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE, the knowledge I have gained...

Camera ready. (Letters).
March 1, 2002... YOUR ARTICLE, "REACHING THE SILVER Screen," in the December 2001 issue of BE truly opened my eyes and mind to a future as an African American filmmaker. I am 42 years old, and have finally decided to explore my artistic desires after a...

New understanding. (Letters).
March 1, 2002... YOU HAVE MOTIVATED ME TO A TOTALLY different level of understanding of the barriers to my financial freedom. The information in BE has ignited my thinking and given me insight on how I can get over these barriers. Keep up the excellent...

Behind the hype: can the economic stimulus plan push the right buttons? (Washington Report).
March 1, 2002... After months of bickering and finger pointing by both the Democratic and Republican parties over the sputtering economic stimulus package, economists and business leaders alike are pondering whether any action from Washington, D.C., will...

Bullish on minority business: MBDA director sees better days ahead. (Newsmakers).(Minority Business Development Agency director Ronald N. Langston)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... There may be an economic recession, but Ronald N. Langston, national director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), is quick to point to the bright side. "Many minority businesses across the board have been expanding and...

Looking ahead: with the death of its co-founder, what's next for Glory Foods? (Business News).(William F. Williams)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... With the death of Glory Foods Inc.'s co-founder and president William F. Williams, the prepackaged soul food distributor and BLACK ENTERPRISE's 1996 Emerging Company of the Year (see "1996 Small Business Entrepreneurs of the Year," November...

Early warning: Pacific Bell CEO says dotcom meltdown signaled a slowdown in business. (Newsmakers).(Ray Wilkins of SBC Pacific Bell and SBC Nevada Bell)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Not many can find positive things to say signaled last year's dotcom meltdown. But Ray Wilkins is one of them. The president and CEO of SBC Pacific Bell and SBC Nevada Bell says the dotcom meltdown alerted management to the need to realign...

He's got gaming: Barden enters gambling's largest market with casino purchase. (B.E. 100S).(Don H. Barden purchases three casinos)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Don H. Barden is not afraid to let it ride. Having recently acquired three Fitzgeralds casinos for $149 million--one of them in Las Vegas--Barden touts himself as the first African American to wholly own a casino in gambling's capital. The deal...

Licenses & retirements. (Newsbytes).(Chick-fil-A franchise)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... * The 1,000th Chick-fil-A franchise landed in the hands of Anthony Royal (pictured above, fourth from left), an African American franchisee based in Lithonia, Georgia. With a location near the new Stonecrest Mall, an Atlanta-based shopping...

Better luck next year? Blackenterprise.com readers see economic recovery after fourth quarter 2002. (Facts & Figures).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... It's no secret that the United States is in a recession--a period marked by a decline in business activity, generally identified as two or three consecutive quarters of falling gross domestic product or GDP. In other words, goods and services...

Taking a leap of faith: after pooling $100,000 to invest, the People of Faith investment group is surviving a turbulent market. (Investment Clubhouse).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The People of Faith L.L.C. in Atlanta began as an initiative of the St. Philip African Methodist Episcopal Church. At a men's retreat in 2000, several members of the congregation came up with the idea of forming an investment group. In July of...

Betting on biotechnology: biotech funds may have a bright future ahead in spite of a down 2001. (Mutual Fund Focus).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... If you're looking over mutual funds that focus on biotechnology stocks, you may find yourself in a quandary. On the one hand, the industry is loaded with potential, having dazzled the stock market in 2000. On the other hand, biotech stocks had...

The search for faster growth: Larry Jones of NCM Capital Management prefers stocks with earnings that outpace industry peers. (Private Screening).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In the stock market, change is not to be feared. After four years with The Kenwood Group Inc. in Chicago, last year, Larry Jones moved over to NCM Capital Management Group Inc., ranked No. 1 on the 2001 BE ASSET MANAGERS list with $6 billion in...

Sell--and buy back: market conditions caused Peggy Woodford Forbes to adjust her strategy to avoid losses. (Stock Update).(Woodford Capitl Management L.L.C., Los Altos, California)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Learning to cut your losses is one of the most valuable lessons a growth manager on Wall Street must embrace to become successful. Peggy Woodford Forbes, founder and chairwoman of Woodford Capital Management L.L.C., in Los Altos, California,...

Retiring in style: maintaining retirement income requires smart planning. (Investment Strategies).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... When Baltimore transplant Charlotte H. Brown retired from her job at the Bank of New York three years ago, she was a 57-year-old divorcee with no regrets. With an IRA rollover valued at $350,000, which generates income of about $35,000...

Searching for the futures. (Ask B.E.).
March 1, 2002... Q I'm interested in any information or books that will show rue how to invest in futures. Where do I look? --K. Settle Milan, Michigan A Futures are contractual agreements to buy or sell specific amounts of interest...

Avoid litigation: business owners can protect themselves from lawsuits. (Legal Matters).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... For Small businesses, lawsuits can be a death knell. Already strapped for time, money, and resources, entrepreneurs simply can't afford the financial and emotional stress that comes with legal wrangling. And while any business is...

Handing it over: businesses need a plan for passing the torch. (Management Advice).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Here's a test for the sole proprietors out there. Look over your business plan. Analyze the business model, mission plan, company profile, and revenue streams. When finished, ask this question: "If I were to pass on, how can my survivors...

Answering the call: security firm is expanding as demand increases. (Making It).(Protection Corporations of America)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... There's a call out for increased security in U.S. that MarkAnthony L. Guyton hopes to answer. The owner of Protection Corporations of America, a security firm with 54 employees and operations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently...

Credit hassles. (Savvy Solutions).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Q I own a small business that provides mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical engineering services in Atlanta. I am in need of operating capital but find it very difficult to obtain a business loan due to my lack of years in...

Life after Napster: new file-sharing method keeps record labels happy. (Black Digerati).(BayView Systems Duolizer)(Evaluation)
March 1, 2002... Amid the furor over Napster, Gnutella, and the like, one startup says it has the solution to keep record companies and their artists happy. San Francisco's BayView Systems launched Duolizer, a digital audio and video control system designed to...

Very fine printing. (B.E. Reviews).(S500 Color Bubble Jet Printer by Canon)(Evaluation)
March 1, 2002... If you expect crisp, bright images from your color printer, look no further than the Canon S500 Color Bubble Jet Printer with the company's Microfine Droplet technology. The $149 printer spits out eight pages per minute (ppm) in color, and...

So happy together? (B.E. Reviews).(Motorola Timeport 270c, cell phone)(Evaluation)
March 1, 2002... Try. Try again. That was our mantra while testing the Motorola Timeport 270c with the Motorola Bluetooth Connectivity Kit. It took us a while, but finally, after several attempts, we got the devices to communicate. Well, sort of. On our...

Ahead of the curve.(iPod MP3 by Apple)(Evaluation)
March 1, 2002... Apple has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to innovative design. With the new iPod MP3 player, the company sets another benchmark. The 6.5-ounce MP3 player features a 5GB hard disk, which lets you store up to 1,000 songs or 100 CDs...

It's on fire.(Wacom Graphire2 Cordless Graphics Tablet for artists)(Evaluation)
March 1, 2002... If you're a digital artist who doesn't have a large, creative work space, consider the Wacom Graphire2 Cordless Graphics Tablet. The tablet provides a 4-inch by 6-inch work space, and features a pressure-sensitive pen and a cordless,...

B.E. Digerati sells company for $147 million: news from the Valley to the Alley--and all points in between. (Tech Buzz).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Tech pays off. While other tech companies were floundering, Donna Auguste's Freshwater Software was experiencing consecutive quarters of profitability. And while start-ups were burning through investment dollars, Auguste was building her firm...

Stop, thief. (Cyberwise).
March 1, 2002... Q I recently purchased a new computer that was pre--loaded with Windows XP. I downloaded PowerPoint and Excel files on disc from my hard drive al work (Windows 98) to transfer to my new PC, but now I'm having trouble reading and opening...

The case against disorganization: how to arrest this time bandit. (Inbox).(Interview)
March 1, 2002... If you were to visit career consultant Peggy Duncan online (www.peggyduncan.com), you would find her sitting cross-legged upon an oversized clock. Her point? You can conquer time. Well, you can at least become more efficient with the precious...

No small change. (Career At A Glance).(Joyce Harris, web page designer)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... There have been many casualties from the crash and burn of dotcoms, but Joyce Harris, division chief for the U.S. Mint's Website (www.usmint.gov), sits securely counting her coins. During her first month on the job, which is the equivalent to...

Find what works--and pays. (Since You Asked ...).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Q I am searching for a new career and feel really stuck. I'm thinking about switching careers, from being a senior, financial analyst for an IT outsourcing company to a teacher. But that would mean a serious pay cut and does not suit my...

Magicsoft Corp.(Reggie Smith III, vicepresident)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Reggie Smith III has become vice president of operations at Magicsoft Corp. in Chantilly, Virginia. He's responsible for all aspects of the operation as well as technical and operations consulting for customers. Smith previously served as...

Birmingham Water Works and Sewer Board.(Anthony L. Barnes, new chairman)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Anthony L. Barnes has been named Alabama's first African American chairman of the Birmingham Water Works and Sewer Board, overseeing the facility rated one of the nation's top five. He is also owner of Barnes & Associates, P.C. Realtors.

Sharon Hall has been appointed managing director and partner of the Atlanta office of Spencer Stuart.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Sharon Hall has been appointed managing director and partner of the Atlanta office of Spencer Stuart, a privately held executive search firm in Georgia. As the first African American woman to run a major search firm, Halt is responsible for all...

Key Corp.(Margot Copeland named director of Civic Affairs and Corporate Diversity)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Margot Copeland has been named KeyCorp's director of Civic Affairs and Corporate Diversity, and executive vice president of KeyBank in Cleveland. The former president and CEO of Greater Cleveland Roundtable will manage Key's $20 million...

Myron Terry has been named by South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges as deputy chief of staff for Legislative Affairs.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Myron Terry has been named by South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges as deputy chief of staff for Legislative Affairs, where he will develop legislative state policy. He formerly served as the governor's director of economic development policy.

[Convention calendar]. (powerplay).
March 1, 2002... * Impact Marketing Retreat (IMR) hosts its conference on March 6-8 in Miami at the Roney Palace Beach Resort & Spa. Call 877-7TRAVEL. * National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) holds its 18th Annual Communications...

Know your true net worth: finding out how much you're worth is a major step toward building wealth. (Black Wealth Initiative).
March 1, 2002... WHEN KIMBERLY SUGGS' RETAIL COMPANY, RIGHT ON Casual, announced that it would be ending its 401(k) plan in early 2001, Suggs knew her life was in store for some changes. Right On had a large number of longtime, high-ranking employees, and the...

Planning for matrimony: Stephanie Blackman is willing to make the necessary financial adjustments as she gets ready for marriage. (Family Finances).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... PREPARING TO WALK DOWN THE AISLE IS A MONUmental process for 26-year-old desktop support specialist Stephanie Blackman. Not only is the Chicago native feeling pre-marital jitters but she also has the challenge of financing the wedding ceremony....

Brand yourself: whether you work for a corporation, run your own business, or freelance, use your name to gain significant power and influence. (Career Management).
March 1, 2002... LITTLE DID TAVIS SMILEY KNOW that being fired, after five years, as the host and executive producer of Black Entertainment Television's (BET) BET Tonight With Tavis Smiley, would turn out to be a major career transition. In fact, it was the...

One size does not fit all: just because a technology solution works for one company, doesn't mean it's best for yours. the key is tailoring the tools to fit your needs. (Business Technology).
March 1, 2002... WHETHER YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT IN BUSINESS OR need to upgrade your equipment to accommodate growth, it is imperative to have the tools and resources necessary to get the job done--and get it done well. Manufacturers, retailers, and...

Technology makes a comeback: fizzling dotcoms were last year's news. Now, technology gets back to basics. B.E.'s experts discuss how you can find the capital to fund your venture. (Tech Forum).
March 1, 2002... LAST YEAR, DOTCOM IMPLOSIONS, SCARCE VENTURE FINANCING, and the Internet bust were the buzzwords in the technology industry. Now, the roller coaster ride is winding down, as entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley to the Alley get back to business...

Setting your career in motion: after several years of experience, mid-level professionals get ready for the next move. (Career Management Part 2 Of A Series).
March 1, 2002... YOU MIGHT SAY IT'S IN HER BLOOD. AMBER E. OKOYE'S BROTHER is a civil engineer, and her late father owned and operated a civil engineering firm for about 18 years. Okoye, 31, knew that would be her profession while still in high school when she...

Taking the `dis' out of disability: Carmen Jones triumphed over a crippling car accident to build a marketing firm serving disabled consumers. (Guts & Glory).(Solutions Marketing Group)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In 1986, Carmen Jones, then a junior at Hampton University in Virginia, was returning to campus after Thanksgiving break when a horrible car accident changed her life forever Jones would never walk again, despite six months of hospitalization...

Boost your `EQ'. (Bottom Line).(execution quotient)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Don't overestimate the importance of networking... don't expect a network of strangers or acquaintances to lay the path to your success. Execution--performance--is the bottom line measure for everything we attempt to do. To be successful, our...

Wake-up call. (Help Yourself).(Embattled Father Group)(Questions and Answers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Q I started a nonprofit organization called the Embattled Fathers Group in 1997 to advocate for parents having difficulties with their custodial/visitation rights after a divorce or end of a relationship. I work four, 10-hour days a week,...

Disconnecting the telemarketer: how to permanently hang up on telephone sales. (Consumer Life).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Agnes Mason, a longtime city dweller, moved to the serene state of West Virginia to get away from crowded cities and noisy streets. She enjoys the quiet of her new surroundings. If only she could escape the constant ring of her phone with...

Got you covered: why you need travel insurance. (Travel Wise).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... September 11 marked the end of Los Angeles resident Leisha D. Smith's two-week European vacation. On her return home, Smith had her purse stolen at the airport in Barcelona, Spain, and her plane was diverted to Nova Scotia, Canada. With no cash...

An action guide: help for the proactive consumer. (Priceless Resources).
March 1, 2002... Got a complaint? Want purchasing tips? Need legal advice? Get The Consumer Action Handbook, 2002 edition. Published by the Federal Consumer Information Center (FCIC), it provides information on a variety of industries and areas of consumer...

Good offer or bad deal? (Ask Your Advocate).(car financing)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Q I've been seeing and hearing a lot about 0% financing. I've also noticed that it's not just cars even though that was my initial interest. I'm a skeptic and a firm believer that if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. So what's...

No easy rider: Sharon Cancel burns rubber. (Personal Passions).(motorcycle riding)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Sharon Cancel is determined, aggressive, and passionate about motorcycling. She has the bad habit of being intimidating. But her skills as Lady Ninja--her riding handle--have earned this Brooklyn, New York, native recent membership into the...

Posh paper mate. (Extras).(Jorg Hysek pens)
March 1, 2002... Sign off with Passion Red, or initial with Pacific Blue. Jorg Hysek's writing instruments--also in Lemon Yellow and Apple Green ribbed lacquer with matching leather holders--are vibrant accessories to any portfolio. Ink comes in black, blue,...

Pilot package. (Extras).(ZERO Halliburton Palm V case)
March 1, 2002... You'd be lost without your palm, right? So protect it with the Palm V Case by ZERO Halliburton. It's a sleek, sexy, pocket-sized package with an aluminum shell and a shock-absorbent silicon rubber interior. Other details of this palm protector...

New scent-sation. (Extras).(Dunhill's X-CENTRIC fragrance)
March 1, 2002... Its top notes include grapefruit, cinnamon, and nutmeg, solidified in a base of sandalwood, musk, cedarwood, and other warm ingredients. They yield Dunhill's X-CENTRIC, a spicy, woody, masculine fragrance that's also light and clean. The...

What's happening. (Lifestyle: your entree to new and exciting possibilities).(exhibitions/ entertainment)
March 1, 2002... The recently unveiled Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Broad and Spruce streets on the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia; 215-893-1999; www.kimmelcenter.org) opens to the musical sounds of Jazz. Look for Keith Jarrett with Gary Peacock...

One in a million: be this year's new face at our 7th Annual B.E. Entrepreneurs Conference. (Entrepreneurship).(Black Enterprise)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Remember Sandra C. Rozier (see "New Places, New Faces," November 2001)? She had attended the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference for the first time in 1999. At the time, she was a 13-year veteran director of corporate marketing at a...

Ready for prime time: television's financial wizards premiere. (Next Month).
March 1, 2002... Have you ever wished you could turn to the expert financial gurus you see on television for personal advice? If so, check out our April issue. It contains our annual investment roundtable, which features many of the money managers and financial...