Research

Podcast: Money and strategy — campaign finance 2008

Since 1980, at least one candidate in every presidential election has been an incumbent president or vice president. This year's race has broken the pattern of incumbent candidacy, but that's not its only first.

Lessons from the helm: Women heads of state on leadership

Less than a week after Hillary Clinton announced that she was suspending her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, Laura Liswood tossed one of the central issues of Clinton's campaign out to an audience of women business owners: What does it take to make a world leader?

It's not about you: Navigating cultures in the global market

It's important to understand the differences between cultures in order to succeed when doing business across cultural lines, said diversity and inclusion expert Christine French, speaking at the annual meeting of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).

Employees first: Strategies for service

The customer is king, an old service mantra says. But today a few industry leaders argue the employee, not the customer, is most important.

Building loyalty through customer experience

While most companies agree on the importance of a loyal customer base, it remains an elusive goal. Many companies that track customer satisfaction quickly become frustrated and sometimes abandon loyalty efforts, according to Dr.

Enjoy the ride: Harley Davidson's user community

User communities, usually associated with technology products, help customers connect with each other and the brand. User communities are not just for computer products, however. An exceptional example of developing and sustaining an active, dynamic user community is Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.

Ushering In China's service revolution

China is no stranger to revolution, so it's hardly surprising that the country's business leaders and academics are talking about an approaching service revolution that will transform the manufacturing behemoth into a leading global services provider.

Failure is an option: How learning from setbacks can lead to success

The inspiring expression, "failure is not an option" reportedly evolved from a statement by Jerry C. Bostick, a flight controller who helped bring the space-stranded astronauts of Apollo 13 safely back to earth.

Exit strategy: Preparing for the sale of your business

Small-business owners say they love the freedom, flexibility and earning potential of working for themselves. But Joel Martin, the former owner of a $20 million New York-based advertising agency, said no one should go into business without an exit plan.

Video: Women entrepreneurs discuss challenges and opportunities

Women who become entrepreneurs don't miss the corporate glass ceiling, but while some women business owners say that they do not encounter gender bias in the business world, others complain that they have to demonstrate an extra level of excellence and competence to men and women alike.