Business 2.0 January/February 2005 Issue Highlights

Business Wire, Jan 31, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO -- COVER STORY: "The Smart List" by Business 2.0 staff, page 45

Business 2.0 unveils its inaugural list of 25 companies that outfoxed the competition in 2004 with bold thinkers, brilliant ideas, and clever strategies, including Toyota, McDonald's, Procter & Gamble, Apple, and more.

OTHER FEATURE ARTICLES

"The World According to eBay," by Erick Schonfeld, page 76

Ebay's Chief Executive, Meg Whitman offers a glimpse into the online auction giant's master plan for continued growth - on a global scale.

"Screen Test," by John Battelle, page 87

Business 2.0 explores Reuters CEO Tom Glocer's uphill battle to build an online broadcast network that can compete against heavyweights like Fox and CNN.

"7-Eleven Gets Sophisticated," by Elizabeth Esfahni, page 92

With reams of research, a team of chefs, and technological prowess that rivals Wal-Mart, 7-Eleven is looking to oust the "big gulp" in favor of chilled Chardonay and baguettes. Will the legendary retailer be able to reinvent the concept of convenience?

Plus:
       Hit Parade, page 98
       From coffee-stain removers to prepaid cell phones, Business 2.0
       takes a look at how 7-Eleven has learned to cash in on the
       latest trends

"The 101 Dumbest Moments in Business," by Adam Horowitz, Mark Athitakis, Mark Laswell and Owen Thomas, page 103

The worst of the corporate world's goofs, gaffes and groaners in 2004, as executed by Barbie, Coca-Cola, Dan Rather, Dan River, Donald Trump, Fox, Kryptonite, Michael Eisner, Microsoft, Nextel, R. Kelly, Swatch, Taco Bell, Wonder Bread, and more.

COLUMNS

The Big Picture, by Jonathan Weber, page 36

Want to play the global oil game? With the Middle East in turmoil, the action has moved to Russia, Asia, and Latin America. Business 2.0 investigates which state-controlled oil companies in these emerging markets might be good bets for investors hoping to strike a gusher.

Face Time, by John Heilemann, page 40

Ram Shriram, one of the hottest angel investors in Silicon Valley, likes to feign innocence, but with a stake in Google that is nearing $1 billion, the act is proving increasingly tough. Business 2.0 Columnist John Heilmann talks to Shriram about how he became an Internet power player, and explores his latest challenges with start-up ventures Friendster and Plaxo.

The Human Factor, by Jeffrey Pfeffer, page 74

According to Stanford University Graduate School of Business Professor and Business 2.0 Columnist Jeffrey Pfeffer, companies are a lot like children - precious few are born smart. Pfeffer's recommendation? Listen to employees and give them opportunities to learn.

PLUS

What's Next:

Venture Capital, page 29: For many funds, it's use-it-or-lose-it time. And that means a bonanza for startups.

Labor, page 32: Indian tech firms put a surprising new spin on the outsourcing trend - hiring Europeans.

Media, page 34: Could Podcasting be the technology that could do for audio what TiVo did for TV?

Food, page 34: How California startup Sambazon discovered a burgeoning market for healthy (and tasty) acai berries.

What's Cool:

Workplace, page 115: A look at the magic bus that whisks Googlers to the office in a cocoon of wireless Internet access.

Gear, page 116: After spending a month with the do-it-all Treo 650 smartphone, Business 2.0's reviewer finds a few baffling flaws - but plenty more to recommend. Also, a sneak peek at new gadgets coming on the market, including Eton's portable XM radio, a Fossil wrist PDA, a lightweight mobile printer, and more.

Travel, page 118: A guide to five hotels in five major markets which offer large suites, with room to spare, that can still come in under budget.

Wheels, page 120: Under the hood of the virtually indestructible 2005 Lincoln Town Car BPS.

Hits & Misses, page 186: Frothy sales at Starbucks, NetZero's winning spoofs of AOL ads, Old Navy's fashion-backwards misstep, CBS nabs coveted viewers, Aflac's advertising results are nothing to quack about, and Siemens wins a $1 billion contract to upgrade Cingular's network.

The January/February 2005 issue is available on newsstands January 31, 2005. For more information, or to schedule an interview with a Business 2.0 writer or editor, contact Kurt Patat (212-725-2295 x 17, kurtp@tryloncommunications.com) Laura Goldberg (212-725-2295 x 25, Laurago@tryloncommunications.com).