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Small Business, February 2011

Married to the Job (and Each Other)
While some sweethearts can handle the pressure of building a relationship and a company, many others warn it's a difficult path. The constant interaction, the strain of juggling work and personal life, and the trials of entrepreneurship can take a toll. The secret to making it work? Have a good marriage in the first place.
- Two's Company: Well-Known Companies From Husband-and-Wife Teams
- Read the full report.

Next: Retirement Planning

A Retiree Turns to Stand-Up
Did you hear the one about the retired real-estate agent? He became a comedian—and has never been happier
- Late to the Spotlight | Full report.
Finding Your Inner Artist
Leaving the workplace behind can help spark new talents—and new careers. Here are the stories of several people who started over in second careers or retirement as fledgling artists—including as a songwriter, painter and printmaker.
- Read the October report.
Encore
Ten Great Trips
As the economy shows signs of life, more people are returning to the road. From biking in Norway to going behind the scenes at a film festival, we found 10 great trips that, ideally, you've never heard of.
- See the May report.
When Siblings Step Up
Sisters and brothers are finding new ways to circumvent old conflicts as they take on one of the toughest roles in their lives: caregiver.
- See the March report.
Finding Our Way Home
Technology is helping more of us return to the places where we grew up. But when you arrive, will it measure up to your memories?
- See the February report.
Can These Retirements Be Saved?
We invited readers to tell us about the cracks in their nest eggs. Here's a look at several who asked for 'retirement makeovers' -- and what the experts recommend.
- See the December report.
Have You Learned Your Lessons?
The financial crisis supposedly has been a painful, but valuable, education about finances in later life. Let's see how much you've really taken away from the past year.
- See the November report
Test-Driving Retirement Plans
More companies are rolling out detailed and affordable services to help get your finances in shape. We tell you what's good about them—and what's not so good.
- See the October report.
Quarterly Markets Review
Governments Help Markets Score Big in 2010
Financial markets of just about every stripe pushed higher in 2010, thanks in large part to government efforts to keep the recovery moving. Now, the question is, can the Fed and others exit neatly?
- Read the Year-End Review report.
Dow Surges Even as Small Investors Exit
Economic and political uncertainty dominated financial markets during the third quarter, fueling a continued exodus of small investors from U.S. stocks and a buying binge of bonds and gold.
- See the complete Quarterly Markets Review.
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Dow Slides 10% in the Second Quarter
Volatility returned to global financial markets with a vengeance in the second quarter, sending investors fleeing from stocks world-wide and driving them into defensive investments, especially U.S. Treasurys and gold.
- See the second-quarter 2010 report.
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Bull Market Muscles Through Tumult
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose during the first quarter, overcoming a bout of volatility amid global economic and political uncertainty.
- See the first-quarter 2010 report.
Best Quarter Since '98 for Dow
The stock market continued to confound the skeptics in the third quarter, ending near its highs for the year, with many of the riskiest stocks leading the charge.
- See the third-quarter 2009 report.
Global Markets Going Their Own Ways
There was a wide divergence in markets' performance in first three months of 2009, with results ranging from poor to middling to stellar.
- See the first-quarter 2009 report.
Dow Rose 838.08 in Quarter
The Dow industrials closed the second quarter at 8447.00, up 11%, or 838.08 points, for the last three months but down 3.8% for the year.
- See the second-quarter 2009 report.
Executive M.B.A. Rankings
Best Executive M.B.A. Programs 2010
Wharton and Olin come out on top as more students look to change careers, not just get a promotion.
- Sortable chart: The Top 25 Programs
- Slideshow: Alums Who Break the Mold
- Video: Making Executives Out of Boarders
- Columbia Offering E.M.B.A. Saturday Program
- How to Get Support for an E.M.B.A. Degree
- Complete Coverage: Executive M.B.A.
Top M.B.A. Programs if You're in a Hurry
Many workers in these tough times are turning to M.B.A. programs that let them earn a degree in half the time, often at a fraction of the cost. (See the full report)
Energy & Environment
How to Change the Global Energy Conversation
Forcing countries to agree to emissions caps will never work, argue Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger. Instead, they say, the focus should be on technology innovations.
- See the full Journal report.
The Secret to Turning Consumers Green
Researchers are learning how to harness peer pressure to nudge us to do the little things that help conserve energy and reduce waste and pollution.
- Is It Worth Changing Behavior?
- Podcast: The True Motivator
- Read the full report.
Power Investing
There's a lot of money to be made -- and lost -- in the energy markets. Watch these signposts to help tap potential winners.
- Video: A New Strategy for Power Investing
- Read the complete Energy report
Shale Gas Will Rock the World
Huge discoveries of natural gas promise to shake up the energy markets and geopolitics.
- Topics: Shale Gas
- See the May report.
- Shale Boom Reshapes Gas Markets
A New Shade of Green
William Ruckelshaus, the first EPA administrator, says today's environmental challenges are far different from those of 40 years ago. And so the solutions must change as well.
- See the April report
Creating Environmental Capital
The Wall Street Journal's third annual ECO:nomics conference highlights how much uncertainty has crept into the business of the environment.
- See the March ECO:nomics report.
Long Road to an Alternative-Energy Future
Blame it on technology, infrastructure or policy. But it's going to take many years for new technologies to make much of a dent in our current energy mix.
- See the February report.
Innovations in Delivering Health Care
In this report, we discuss innovations in health-care delivery that touch on a variety of areas—public policy and high technology, hospital procedures and market competition. But all of them in some way revisit the most important relationship in care—the one between doctor and patient. (see the full report)
Five Technologies That Could Change It All
As the world tries to wean itself from dependence on fossil fuels, technological breakthroughs in these five areas could be a huge help.
- See the October report.
Cutting CO2 Without Hurting Growth?
There's little doubt: Cutting greenhouse gases will be costly. But that leads to two big questions. First, how costly? And second, can nations afford it?
- See the September report.
The New Nukes
The new generation of nuclear reactors is on its way, and supporters say they will be safer, cheaper and more efficient than current plants. Here's a look at what's coming -- and when.
- See the September report
WSJ Executive Adviser
The Case Against Corporate Social Responsibility
The idea that companies have a duty to address social ills is not just flawed, argues Aneel Karnani. It also makes it more likely that we'll ignore the real solutions to these problems.
- Podcast: Why the Concept Is Flawed
- Read the full report.
When Mentoring Goes Bad
A good relationship can have immeasurable benefits for both sides. Here's how relationships between mentors and protégés can go awry—and how to avoid that.
- Video: Cultivating a Health Mentor Relationship
- See the May report.
Business Insight Reports
Why Diversity Can Backfire on Boards
When it comes to corporate boards and diversity, the conventional wisdom is simple: Diversity is good. But to unlock the benefits, boards must learn to work with colleagues who were selected not because they fit in, but because they don't.
- Podcast: Preventing Board Conflicts
- Podcast: Benefits of Outsourcing
No Executive Bonuses!
When you look at the way bonuses are paid to executives, the problem isn't that they are poorly designed. The problem is that they exist. (See the full report)
Too Big to Manage?
Ability to cope with complexity has never been more important. Before another corporate giant further tests the notion of "too big to fail," here's how to manage complexity more effectively. (See the full report)
The New, Faster Face of Innovation
Technology is transforming innovation at its core, allowing companies to test new ideas at speeds and prices that were unimaginable even a decade ago. (See the full report)
Why Business Plans Don't Deliver
Successful business plans that impress investors are seldom written on the back of a napkin. Here's how to write a plan that won't end up in the trash. (See the full report)
Surviving the Downturn: Lessons From Emerging Markets
For some companies, a volatile economy is business as usual. What have they learned? No. 1: Take the offensive. (See the full report)
Country Reports
The Miracle Is Over. Now What?
South Korea boomed by turning a rural economy into an industrial power. To keep growing, it's going to have to make some fundamental—and difficult—changes.
- South Korea by the Numbers: A Snapshot
- Read the full report.
Medvedev Increases the Tempo of Change
Will the Kremlin return to its pre-crisis complacency or continue to pursue the president's new agenda?
- Read the full report.
A Kingdom Connects
Casting a light on one of the world's most secretive and interesting economies.
- Journal Report: Gulf Region
For Brazil, It's Finally Tomorrow
Brazil is now a nation with the heft, ambition and economic fundamentals to become a world power. But there are enormous challenges it must overcome before it can fully live up to its potential.
- Video: Sustaining Growth in Brazil
- See the full report.
Friends in Need
When Abu Dhabi bailed out Dubai it brought the two largest emirates in the U.A.E. closer together. Time will tell whether the entente is lasting or merely opportunistic.
- See the full Gulf-U.A.E. report.

Technology Reports

2010 Technology Innovation Awards
Among the winners: computer screens that can bend, adjustable eyeglasses, a low-cost genetic test, an online marketplace for receivables and a new way to battle malware.
- The Winners, Category by Category
- Read the full report | Video
All Things Digital
At the eighth D conference, the theme was change. A selection of edited interview excerpts shows a fundamental shift in how we all relate to computing.
- D8 Conference: Watch all of the video
Why Can't We Choose Our Office Technology?
Companies typically tell us what technology we can—and can't—use. It's time to end those policies.
- See the November report.
Email Reign Is Over
Email no longer dominates communications. And this shift promises to rewrite the way we communicate -- in ways we can only begin to imagine. ()
- See the October report.
The 2009 Technology Innovation Awards
This year's winners include: a tool to identify new disease strains, an artificial hand, a solar-powered base station for mobile phones and paper-thin flexible speakers.
- See the September report.
Here Comes the E-Book
Author Steven Johnson outlines a future with more books, more distractions -- and the end of reading alone. (See the full report)
Smart Roads. Smart Bridges. Smart Grids.
A look at the technologies that could take America's decades-old infrastructure to new levels of intelligence. (See the full report)
Mutual Funds Report
Index Funds Get a Makeover
Here's how the new approaches work—and tips on the market environments when they make more sense than the traditional capitalization-weighted index funds.
- Read the full report.
The Incredible Shrinking Fee
A price war is driving down expenses on exchange-traded funds—and the fight is still in the early rounds. Further cuts are likely not only among popular broad-market ETFs and funds, but also for products in niche areas such as emerging markets and industry sectors.
- Video: Fund Firms Fight to Cut ETF Fees
- Read the full report.
Retiring in 10 Years? Uh-Oh.
Many people five or 10 years from retirement age have nest eggs that are too small to safely retire on. Investment professionals have some important advice about what to do.
- Read the full report..
How to Play Emerging Markets
Investors pouring money into emerging-markets funds, take note: Financial research shows that strong economic growth doesn't always translate into strong market returns.
- Read the November report.
Inflation...or Deflation?
Rising prices typically call for investing in certain types of stocks, while falling prices suggest a very different portfolio. The trick is finding stocks and funds that work in either scenario.
- Video: Dividend-Paying Stocks' Income Appeal
- Read the October report.
Bruised Quant Funds Seek a Human Touch
Computer-driven mutual funds, chastened by poor results and a wave of redemptions, are striving to become a little more like people in their investment decisions.
- Read the September report.
Time to Quit Your Old 401(k)s?
When changing employers, many workers leave money in the company retirement plan. But moving the dollars to your new firm or an IRA might be a better deal. Here's how to decide.
- Read the August report.
Don't Be Complacent in Bonds
Fixed-income funds have been much steadier performers than stock funds lately. But particularly with interest rates at such low levels, these funds are vulnerable to both rising interest rates and inflation.
- Read the second-quarter report.
Don't Give Up on Europe
Amid worries about the tumbling euro, here are seven reasons not to dump foreign-stock funds.
- See the June report
The Unseen Figures of Your Funds
Portfolio managers get the spotlight, but fund directors are ultimately responsible for seeing that investors are well served. Some critics say they aren't doing their job.
- See the May report.
Scared of Stocks? Try These Funds
"Allocation" funds, by blending equities with other, less volatile investments, offer an alternative for anxious investors.
- See the April report.
The Hidden Costs of Mutual Funds
How much does it cost you to own a mutual fund? Probably a lot more than you think. Portfolio managers can rack up steep expenses buying and selling securities, but that burden isn't reflected in a fund's standard expense ratio.
- See the March report.
Pay Shift Has Benefits for Fund Investors
A big change in how financial advisers get paid has rippled through investors' mutual-fund portfolios—and the fund industry itself.
- See the complete February report.
How to Play the Foreign Angle
Last year was a great year for foreign-stock funds—especially those geared toward emerging markets. So do fund managers anticipate a repeat in 2010?
- See the January report.
Wealth Adviser
What Should We Do With the Estate Tax?
Does an inheritance tax on big estates help or hurt the economy? And is such a tax fair to heirs?
- It's Fair | It's Unfair
- What Do I Do Now? | Read the full report.
How to Think Smarter About Risk
Too many investors may be taking big chances with their money because they aren't considering the most important asset of all: themselves.
- Read the June report.
How to Fight the IRS
Brace yourself: The chances of being audited are rising. So if it happens to you, here's what to do—and what not to do.
- Video: What to Do When the IRS Comes Knocking
What Should You Do With Your Money in '10?
Financial advisers offer their advice—about stocks, bonds, insurance and more. (See the full report.)
Your Money Matters Reports
The Mistakes We Make—and Why We Make Them
How investors think often gets in the way of their investment success. Meir Statman looks into our heads and tells us what we're doing wrong. (See the full report)
The Best Online Tools for Personal Finance
Consumers are paying closer attention to what they buy, how much they save, and where they invest. These resources can be a huge help. Even better, most of them are free.
What Do I Do Now?
As we wade through these difficult times, how should you think about your own financial situation? (See the full report)
The Future for Home Prices
Americans still see real estate as their best shot at wealth. It may be wishful thinking. (See the full report)
WSJ Europe Reports
No Longer a Singles Game
The popular perception of singles tennis as the ultimate individual endeavor could not be further from the reality. Today's stars are surrounded by an ever growing entourage.
- Read the full report.
Breathing Life Into Business Ideas
Hatching a good idea for a company is the easy bit. Negotiating the legal and funding maze to bring it to life is the real challenge. Entrepreneurs need to keep in mind that for every angel investor there is also a vulture.
- Read the full report.
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Fossil Fuelled
Examining the various threats to the global motor industry and highlighting the steps that car makers are taking to overcome them.
Maintaining Brand Value
It's hard to define and difficult to manage. But companies play fast and loose with their reputations at their peril.
- Read the complete full report.
Pros and Cons of Passion Investments
Wealthy investors are increasingly including unconventional investments -- such as fine wine, art or vintage cars -- into their portfolio.
- Read the full report.
Tennis Becomes a Numbers Game
Hawk-Eye technology has revolutionized how the sport is umpired, analyzed and coached, and spawned a plethora of data with which to dissect the game.
- Read the full report.
Toxic Citizens?
American expatriates are fast becoming the world's financial refugees as onerous legislation from the U.S. government makes it too difficult – and too expensive – for banks to service U.S. citizens that live abroad.
- Read the full report.
Questions on Future of Air Travel Smolder
The closure of airspace amid a cloud of volcanic ash offered a painful reminder of the truths about jet travel: Modern society can't function without it, and the whole system is easily thrown into chaos.
- See the full report.
Maximum Impact
Top philanthropists and charity executives explain how they would spend $10 billion to best alleviate the world's problems.
- See the full report.
Hot Timepieces
The dominant trends at this year's Baselworld watch and jewelry show include ultra-thin watches and more restrained styles.
- So Many Watches, So Little Time
- Dos and Don'ts of Watch Buying | Glossary
- See the full Watches report.
Small Business
When Parents and Children Go Into Business
Call it the ultimate test of the parent-child relationship: starting a company together. A number of families are giving it a shot, and they often find that teaming up brings strong advantages.
- Today's Business Tip: Go See a Movie
- Legal Advice ... on a Budget
- Read the full report.
Start-Ups on a Shoestring
For many would-be entrepreneurs, money is the insurmountable hurdle. Here's a look at three entrepreneurs who launched companies for less than $150.
- Podcast: Starting Your Endeavor on a Budget
- Read the full Small Business report.
The Credit Crunch That Won't Go Away
Forget the improving economy. Entrepreneurs still find it hard to get loans. Here's why we're in this mess—and how we may get out of it.
- Read the June report
What's Holding Back Women Entrepreneurs?
Women-owned businesses are a lot smaller than men-owned companies. Blame it partly on the women themselves—and partly on the people and institutions they deal with.
- Podcast: Female-Owned Companies
- See the May report.
How to Succeed in the Age of Going Solo
Anybody can become a consultant. But not everybody does it well. Here's what you need to know to thrive.
- See the February report.
Top Small Workplaces 2009
For many companies, tough times end up pushing the work environment to the back burner. But other companies commit to employees' well-being and development, which can pay off handsomely—both now and in the future.
- See the September report
Sick and Getting Sicker
For entrepreneurs trying to start or run a business, the obstacles are huge. But few loom as large as health care.
- See the July report
Starting Over—as an Entrepreneur
For laid-off workers, launching a business may seem the best path to survival. Here are the stories of five people who are taking that route and the lessons they’ve learned.
Economics Reports
Strategies for Survival
How do some companies get through tough economic times relatively unscathed -- or even better off -- while most of their competitors struggle to survive? (See the full report)
How to Choose a Financial Adviser
Having a professional on your side is crucial. But how can you guarantee that your expert is reliable? (See the full report)
Future of Finance Initiative
The Wall Street Journal assembled roughly 100 of the brightest minds in finance to discuss not just how to restart the global financial system, but how to reconstruct it. (See the full report)
More Reports
The Value of Closing the Book
Nothing says, "I am eating alone because I choose to," like a thick book in your hands.In a village in Kent, England, an American traveler learns to put the book down.
- Video: Hiking England's Public Footpaths
- Lonely Planet Trip Planner: Kent
- Read the full report.
How's It Going? A One-Year Report Card
A year into the Obama administration, we asked Americans how they're feeling about the president and politics. We found a lot of weariness, a few glimmers of optimism, and not much good news for Democrats.
10-Year Dose of Reality
The first decade of the 21st century turned out to be more like the reality-TV shows that proliferated during its span.
Fixing the Global Financial System
More than a year has passed since an unprecedented crisis pushed the world financial system to the brink. Yet plans to rebuild that system on more stable footing remain embryonic. (See the full report)
How to Rebuild Global Prosperity
At The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council, executives had plenty of advice—and plenty of concern that Washington isn't listening. (See the full report)
What's Wrong With Charitable Giving
It's hard to overstate the crisis facing charitable giving today. So what can foundations and others do to make a difference for the nonprofits and the people they are designed to help? (See the full report)

Technology

Pinning Down the Cloud
It's been likened to the Industrial Revolution in terms of its potential to change lives. But just what is cloud computing and how can companies turn it to their advantage?
- Read the full report.
Coping With Catastrophe
Globalization has given even the smallest businesses truly international supply chains. So when disaster strikes in any part of the globe, whether it be man-made or natural, the implications on business at home can be momentous.
- Read the full report.
Tis the Season to Be Stupid
With two million groups in the U.S. pushing for money this time of year, and most people focused on their day-to-day finances, it's easy to goof when giving to charity. How do you stay out of trouble?
- Video: Think Before You Give
- Read the full Wealth Adviser report.
How to Play the Gold Game
What's the best way to turn the yellow metal into green? Four prominent investors share their strategies, from investing in ETFs to buying and storing gold itself.
- Read the full Commodities report.
A Philanthropic Journey
Mikhail Gorbachev reveals the inspiration behind his charitable works and outlines the causes closest to his heart.
- Read the full report.
Emerging From the U.S.'s Shadow
Canada's strong economic performance has given it a long-sought place in the global spotlight. Now the question it faces: what to do with its new power?
- Read the full report.
Council Advises: More Trade, More Jobs
Members of The Wall Street Journal CEO Council responded to the call for "jobs, jobs, jobs" with a clear retort: If the U.S. wants sustainable job growth, it must strongly embrace global trade.
- Read the full report.