Welcome to Insight, the newsletter that delivers custom small business advice and technology information to help you succeed. Insight provides you with valuable business strategies and software tips, as well as advice from small business experts, free software downloads, premium templates, and exclusive special offers. Look for the plus sign  to identify Small Business+ exclusives. 
It’s exciting to see that your small business is expanding, but growth brings a new set of challenges. As your company headcount surges, communication and scheduling become particularly difficult. You can take two decisive steps to help manage the transition: 1) Create a business culture that is consistent with your company’s lifecycle, and 2) Give your employees the tools they need to succeed.
Your laptop makes it possible to do work outside the office, but your self-discipline makes it happen. Many business owners and executives associate an office environment with the will to work. They worry that they—or their employees—may be less diligent when working from home or from a hotel room. But being industrious away from the office is just a matter of thoughtful planning. Here are seven strategies for viewing anyplace as a workplace.
If you think initial public offerings are only for big businesses, think again. Depending on your short-term needs and long-term goals—and investor interest—an IPO can be a smart move for small and midsized companies. Of course, filing an IPO carries its own set of costs—in terms of financial outlay, time, effort, and accountability. But few strategies offer a quicker way to boost your company’s valuation.
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Media can be a key ally in your company’s publicity efforts
Strategic publicity can play a key role in improving your business prospects, and the media can play a big part. This course describes how to work with media outlets to generate positive publicity. You’ll also learn how you can plan, launch, and implement a successful publicity program for your company.
Good public relations firms can build name recognition, boost sales
PR agencies can do much more than manage media contacts or issue press releases, especially for small businesses that lack profile and reach. In fact, PR not only builds recognition but also can increase sales. Consider these five guideline to hire PR pros who can boost your business.
Built a budget? Stay on course, and reap the benefits.
If you've put in the work and created a business budget, follow it. If you don't, you'll lose the benefits that you planned for when you built it. Remember that your business budget is nothing more than a set of guidelines for your spending and saving habits. These guidelines will help you stay on course.
Mobile devices demand special consideration from e-mailers
An increasing number of e-mail messages are being received on small, wireless devices with limited screen space—devices such as Windows Mobile-based Smartphones. Sending e-mail to these devices demands special consideration for space and bandwidth limitations. Here are seven hints for making sure your messages play nice with portable devices.
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Create just the look you want with Microsoft Office Word 2003
Creating attractive, readable documents is easy with Microsoft Office Word 2003. This course describes how to: change the look of characters and paragraphs, create and modify lists, format text as you type, use styles to change the look of text, and use templates to change the design of documents.
Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 embraces global calendar-sharing standard
Internet Calendars are based on a global Internet standard that allows calendar information to be exchanged, viewed, and updated with an assortment of scheduling applications. Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 takes advantage of this standard to support static Calendar Snapshots or updatable Calendar Subscriptions.
Learn the basics of networking with Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows XP includes powerful networking features that help you share files, hardware devices, and Internet connections with other users. In this lesson, you will learn to map network drives, search for computers on a network, manage network connections, and access your desktop remotely.
Windows Vista Business simplifies working together
Whether you’ve got several employees or you’re a one-person shop, your success depends on effective collaboration. Every interaction with your vendors, clients, and staff has the potential to push projects forward or bog them down in miscommunication. That’s why Windows Vista Business delivers three tools to help you work together.
File sharing, security features make servers a smart investment
Some purchases can actually help save time and money. Such is the case when buying a specialized computer and software solution called a server. Servers pay off well over time, making file sharing easier, security tighter, and backups easier. Consider these points to see if a server is right for you.
Small Business Accounting helps you control cash flow
Microsoft Office Small Business Accounting can assist you with many of the tasks that relate to sales and purchases. This module concentrates on cash management. You will learn how to enter cash sales and cash purchases, and how to process payments and receipts. You will then learn about cash flow forecasting and reconciling bank accounts.
Discover message management in Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 helps you find and organize messages using the Find and Filter features, Search Folders, and other folders you create. In this lesson, you wlil learn to find and categorize messages, filter messages, use Search Folders, organize messages in folders, manage messages through rules, and save messages in other formats.
To-Do Bar helps you manage your day
Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 makes it easier to manage your priorities. The new To-Do Bar sits on the right side of the main Outlook window, giving you a consolidated view of your calendar, appointments, tasks, and flagged mail. The To-Do Bar is one of five reasons to upgrade.
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Try Microsoft Office OneNote 2007 for 60 days
Information overload has met its match with Microsoft Office OneNote 2007. Now it's easy to grab, gather, and organize text, pictures, digital handwriting, and notes—all in one spot that's easy to access and simple to share. Become more productive—with all your information in sight and in reach.
Explore the power and features of all-new Web design tool
Microsoft Expression Web is a professional design tool to create modern, standards-based sites that deliver superior quality on the Web. Reduce complexity and ease data integration by using powerful design tools and task panes to incorporate XML data quickly. Discover it for yourself with this fully functional, 60-day demo.
Download the ‘Vision’ design template for PowerPoint 2003
You've got a vision for where your business is going, and this PowerPoint template helps you convey that vision as part of a distinctive, professional presentation. A full range of slide layouts makes it easy. Use this template to create a new slide deck or to quickly change the design of an existing presentation.
* After mail-in rebate, S&H / Taxes apply. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Other restrictions apply.
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Get free accessories with your new PC
When you buy the 2007 Microsoft Office system or Windows Vista from your local PC builder, you're eligible for free accessories* from Epson, D-Link, Kingston, and Artec. Find a local PC builder near you. |
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Come to the place where startups start up
Starting a business? Chances are you’ve got a million things to do. Visit the Microsoft Startup Center and get advice and special offers to help you get your startup tasks done. Turn your business idea into a reality today.
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How Groove 2007 Can Help Small Businesses Share Information and Increase Productivity
Live webcast
Wednesday, September 26
11:00 AM Pacific
Attend this webcast to see how Microsoft Office Groove 2007 workspaces can help teams save time, increase productivity, and strengthen the quality of team deliverables.
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How Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Can Help Small Businesses Grow and Prosper
Live webcast
Wednesday, September 26
1:00 PM Pacific
Register for this webcast to learn how Small Business Server 2003 R2 can help small businesses enhance security, improve reliability and performance, and increase productivity.
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Microsoft Response Point
On-demand webcast
Learn about current phone system technologies and get an introduction to Response Point, a new telephony system built specifically for small businesses. Listen now.
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