More secrets of small business

Find opportunities — and win them.

What feeds success? How do you manage rapid growth? Where are the business opportunities? Here are the answers to these and other questions.

Building corporate infrastructure Delivering and exceeding expectations Empowering managers Flexibility Luck Lucrative incentives to keep good people People Processes to improve and assure quality Right business models Technical skills Corporate governance Grow infrastructure to keep up with revenue Internal communications Know when is the right time to invest in your infrastructure Learn how to move employees into new roles and responsibilities Learn how to say "no" to customers Maintain corporate culture Recruit and keep good people Standardize business processes Building a business development structure Capitalization and managing cash flow Financial management Getting the right people into the company and the right jobs, getting the wrong people out Hiring good senior managers Managing change Overcoming small-business stereotypes Preparing for full and open competition Surviving the loss of a key employee Teaching leadership skills as the company grows; different skills are needed at different levels Transition from entrepreneur to CEO Creating a good work environment Finding people, especially with security clearances Finding teaming opportunities with larger contractors Managing customers with tight budgets More competition Transition from small to midsize Business intelligence Business process outsourcing Collaboration and integrated communications Content management Defense Department Enterprise performance measurement Enterprise systems management and help desk Health care Homeland Security Department IT security Knowledge management solutions Logistics Managing agencies infrastructure National intelligence agencies Procurement support Project management support Web-based applicationsBased on an e-mail survey of companies on the .

2006 Small Business Report

Small-business programs offer hope, but companies still struggle to find the best contracts, navigate procurement rules and break down barriers.


In this Special Report

  • In small-business IT contracting, the challenge is distinguishing which agencies have the dollars and a willingness to assist

  • Fast 50 execs share how they've risen to the top.

  • Making the team: What you need

  • Buy Lines: Narrow policy matters trip up small-business program
  • 2006 Top 25 8(a) Contractors

  • 2006 Fast 50 Government Contractors

  • Online forum featuring small business expert Guy Timberlake
  • What feeds success?

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    How do you manage rapid growth?

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    What is the biggest challenge?

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    What are the biggest challenges you face today?

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    Where are the business opportunities?

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    2006 Fast 50 list

    NEXT STORY: Intel IT is coming together