Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail
Check out the best stories of the week of Feb. 27 from Report on Small Business, the Globe's home for entrepreneurs. Read our columnists, view archives of discussions, and connect through social media on the Report on Small Business homepage.
Ten reasons not to give up on Blackberry. The smartphone has a lot going for it, even in the face of shiny new competition.
How can trendspotting help retailers innovate? Tim Warmels, director of Trend Hunter Pro, explains how his company uses signals from the 'fringe' of culture that speak to what will be popular in the future, and how retailers can leverage this information to attract consumers and innovate.
Cash infusion brings 'the enthusiasm back.' Challenge contest winner Sandberg Labs' efficiency has skyrocketed after using winnings to update equipment and redesign their operation. Also, check out how the Quintons rebuilt a 'dinosaur', our video on the agricultural testing lab's $100,000 makeover and our discussion with the winners.
'You have 30 seconds' for reality-TV pitches. The most common mistake people make on shows such as Dragons' Den or Shark Tank is a long-winded delivery. Also, four techniques to improve your pitch.
Sisters shake up tired 1950s bowling alley. Inside Jobs: With no background in bowling and little mechanical experiece, sisters Branka and Ljuba Nikolovski set out to restore a rundown art deco bowling alley from the 1950s. All Star Interactive, an upscale entertainment venue in Toronto, now hosts everything from parties to team-building and corporate events.
Your bland website needs a redesign. How do you know when your online property is ready for an overhaul? There are two key indicators.
Selling out to an employee: an insider experience. The McLaren brothers recently sold their majority ownership in Vancouver's Allied Shipbuilders to the company's vice-president of operations. Here's how and why, and what can be learned from their experience.
Ten steps to take before hiring a lawyer. Whether you're incorporating your business, figuring out basic zoning compliance or seeking advice on trademark or copyright, lawyers can be invaluable. Here's some advice to help the search along.
Ancient web forums hang on to their cred. They are especially popular as community hubs: places where customers and aficionados gather to trade stories and swap tips.
'Walking the talk' and going green pays off. Oxfam Canada is the latest to find advantage in being kind to the environment.
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