Content provided in partnership with

Business Services Industry

LETTERS

Entrepreneur, April, 2000

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Thanks for "On With The Show" ("Pulse," March). Geoff Williams is right that competition among entrepreneurs vying for their own TV shows is fierce.

That's why business owners should consider their local cable TV station's public access channel for inexpensive publicity. It costs about $25 to rent the camera equipment, and air time is free. I've seen many business people host their own weekly shows and become "stars" in their own communities. It's also a great way to practice your on-camera skills before you hit the big time.

Joan Stewart

The Publicity Hound newsletter Saukville, Wisconsin

Most Popular Articles in Business: Research and Markets : Tesco Plc - SWOT Framework Analysis; Do Us a Flavor - Ben & Jerry's Issues a Call for Euphoric New Flavors; eBay made easy: ready to start an eBay business? These 5 simple steps will ...; Katrina's lawsuit surge: a legal battle to force insurers to pay for flood ...; Wal-Mart's newest distribution center opened last month near the southwest ...; More »

www.publicityhound.com

I WANT MY IMAC!

I got my first "all-in-one" Mac back in the '80s. I was thrilled Entrepreneur featured the iMac DVSE ("Tools," February) and the review was somewhat favorable--until your writer said that it doesn't allow for much upgradability.

Its 128MB SDRAM is more than most users will ever need, since Mac OS works much cleaner than Microsoft Windows. And iMac is upgradable. It boasts two additional SDRAM slots, allowing for up to 512 MB SDRAM, and its built-in USB, FireWire and Ethernet ports hardly limit this machine. A less-expensive alternative would be one of the colored models, which are about half the price of the iMac DV SE.

You also chose to review the Gateway Astro, claiming it is "about half the price of an iMac." It should be noted that the Astro is only half the machine--with only 64MB SDRAM and a 4.3 GB hard drive (one third the storage of the iMac SE)! The Astro is the machine that is not upgradable.

Make a wise investment and go with an iMac. If you still need or want Windows, there are several Mac OS applications available. See CNET.com or MacMall.com for great deals. Shame on Gateway--its imitation isn't flattering.

P.S. I couldn't help but notice that Jim Blasingame ("Management," February) was sporting his Macintosh G3 laptop. There's a smart entrepreneur!

Nathan S. Wolf

President/CEO, N.S. Wolf & Associates

Charlotte, North Carolina

www.wolfmarketing.com

BOOKED OFF

What a sad commentary on the state of American economic education that your article "Everyone's Doing It" ("Pulse," January) describes a taxpayer-supported library as entrepreneurial because it provides space for a Starbucks cafe, gift shop and used book store.

I thought entrepreneurs used private capital and private property. They take the risks and reap the rewards. Using public funds and a public building to operate a business is a case of the government subsidizing a few firms to the detriment of competitors who must operate in the marketplace.

Let the public library in Portland, Oregon, operate in the private market, provided it's truly a private enterprise. Like all government-run monopolies, libraries and their patrons would benefit from such free-market competition.

Ralph Poore

ralphpoore@usa.net

DIGITAL DIVIDE

Thank you for the excellent article, "Take The Leads?" ("Global," January). I started an export/import business using your start-up guide, and it's great. While prospecting for trade leads online, I thought I was doing something wrong because the leads were so lousy. Now I know I'm not alone.

But my experience in marketing is that a response rate of three or four is good. With international trade leads, the response rate is more like one or two. Anyone with a computer, modem and an Internet connection thinks he or she will make quick money and ditch the business. I'm constantly guarding against the fly-by-nights and the quick-buck artists.

With help from another export entrepreneur, I've devised a method of weeding out the "buyers" from the "lookers." We ask for a letter of intent. If potential customers send one, they're usually serious. If not, we never hear from them again.

Thank you, Entrepreneur, for your great magazine. Keep up the good work.

Brian Napoli

shadigee-export@worldnet.att.net

Christopher D. Lancette's article (" Global," January) on the Web's lack of international trade leads could not have been more wrong. For a Web site specializing in international trade leads, try www.piers.com. Owned by the same company that owns The Economist, this site catalogs and cross references all U.S. inbound and outbound water shipments by commodity, supplier, country of origin and other important criteria. You can check on a competitor's overseas supplier (get address, name and telephone number) or check a commodity for a country and determine, in order of size, how many shipments each supplier is sending to America and to whom.

Thomas Nadeau

Pacific Palisades, California

NET ON IT

I'm joining up with a colleague, and we're going to design a Web page. Your article ("Net Profits," January) clarified a lot, and it was very well-written. Thank you. I look forward to reading more.

Stephanie Black

Business Services Industry

LETTERS

Entrepreneur, April, 2000

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Sports

Most Popular Articles in Business

Most Popular Publications in Business