A Conversation with KISS' Gene Simmons

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September 10, 2008
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NEWS  THIS WEEK'S TOP STORY A Conversation with KISS' Gene Simmons The legendary rock star shares his business philosophy, explains why flying economy is OK, and urges aspiring entrepreneurs to become 'voracious readers'

Inside: This Week in SmallBiz Known for both his music and his success as a marketer, KISS' Gene Simmons is shaking up business as usual. In a recent interview, the legendary rock star shared his business philosophy, explained why flying economy is O.K., and urged aspiring entrepreneurs to become 'voracious readers.' Be sure to check it out. Next, flip through a slide show to see smart, inexpensive strategies six companies are employing to energize their employees. Then tune in to a podcast about organizational strategies for overworked business owners. Finally, visit our staff blog for news, trends, and ideas that could impact your company. --Nick Leiber SEND FEEDBACK  |  E-MAIL A FRIEND  |  GET RSS  |  NEWSLETTERS

MORE SMALLBIZ NEWS SMALL BIZ Why You Need to Energize Your Team There are good business reasons to create a high-energy environment where self-motivation and performance are rewarded BWSMALLBIZ -- FRONTLINE Price Increases Hurt Entrepreneurs Runaway commodity costs are hitting entrepreneurs especially hard, as consumers tighten their purse strings SHIPPING UPS: Making Loans to Small Biz With the launch of Cargo Finance, UPS hopes to keep its customers' shipments moving—and make a few bucks BWSMALLBIZ -- DIGITAL MANAGER Should You Lease or Buy Your Computers? The Economic Stimulus Act provides an incentive to buy your equipment sooner rather than later BWSMALLBIZ -- PEOPLE How Glen and Howard Tullman Became Entrepreneurs How two brothers founded more than a dozen companies and made hundreds of millions along the way   SMALLBIZ SLIDE SHOWS SMALL BIZ How Six Companies Energized Their Employees Employees who are enthusiastic and know their contributions are valued are more likely to be self-motivated and to propose innovative ideas. We take a look at six companies that put strategies in place to get the most out of their employees SMALL BIZ Slide Show: Fresh Entrepreneurs Welcome to our ongoing series profiling startups from across the country. We'll be asking for your suggestions and adding profiles on a regular basis   SMALLBIZ PODCASTS Help for Overworked Business Owners Entrepreneurs often hope to gain free time by starting their own businesses, but most find themselves working longer hours than ever. Financial guru Louis Barajas says simple organizational systems can help business owners regain balance in their lives   SMALLBIZ SPECIAL REPORTS Home- Based Business Branding Franchising Raising Capital The ABCs of Business Plans Best U.S. Entrepreneurs 25 and Under SMALLBIZ  BUSINESS DIRECTORY Need Help? Find experts in your area in: Accounting Advertising and Marketing E-Mail Marketing Legal Services Public Relations Search Engine Marketing Web Design Web Marketing Web Hosting  BW MALL   SPONSORED LINKS Effectively Manage Your Employee Time  Software & hardware allow you to integrate time tracking & payroll. View a 5-min demonstration here. Refine Your Plan For A Business Disruption Event.  Make sure your mobile infrastructure is able to handle increased demands and maintain security. Hosted BlackBerry® services from Apptix  Helps your business be more productive - affordably, securely, effectively. Eliminate HR Management Headaches with TriNet  TriNet offers complete integration of payroll and benefits on a single platform. Affordable, scalable and convenient. Buy Foreclosures & Use Our Money.  Split Big Profits! You Find it & We Fund it! Co-Own Or Cash Out! Get Free Info Now! Buy a link now! This newsletter is a FREE service provided by BusinessWeek.com. To sign up for other newsletters, cancel delivery, change delivery options or change your e-mail address, please go to our Newsletter Preferences page. If you need other assistance, please contact Customer Service or contact: Wanda Cooper BusinessWeek Customer Rights Communications Data Services 1995 G Avenue Red Oak, IA 51566 Phone: 1-800-635-1200 View our corporate privacy policy here. To learn more about how BusinessWeek.com applies this policy, you can contact our Marketing Department. Copyright 2008, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Notice

BLOG The New Entrepreneur >> Small business owners are more willing to default on their home mortgages than on their business debts, according to research just out from credit bureau Experian. Some 312,000 business owners were at least 90 days late on a mortgage payment at some point between April 2007 and April 2008. That's 2 percent of all business owners with mortgages, a lower rate than the broader population of homeowners (almost 4 percent)... -- John Tozzi Visit Our Other Blogs Auto Beat Bangalore Tigers Blogspotting Brand New Day Byte of the Apple Economics Unbound European Insight Fine On Media Games, Inc. GreenBiz Hot Property Investing Insights Management IQ New Technology in Asia NEXT: Innovation Tools & Trends NussbaumOnDesign Tech Beat Working Parents POST YOUR OWN COMMENTS ADVERTISEMENT Get Options Trading Ideas for Major Currencies Get currency options trading ideas with Trading Central's free FX Options Trade Alert. See opportunities as they arise, based on technical analysis. SMART ANSWERS KAREN E. KLEIN >> Setting Up a Dress Code in the Workplace To put more formality in "business casual," start with a memo—and follow up a week later with the worst offenders SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO KAREN >   VIEWPOINT CARMINE GALLO >> Five Magic Words to Boost Morale Companies like Ritz-Carlton and Starbucks find "I would like your opinion" can go far by staying in touch with staff and customers MORE CARMINE GALLO COLUMNS >>   Advertisement   Reader Poll: Special Issue Trouble at the office? In surveys, blogs, polls, and social media, BusinessWeek collaborated with readers to identify problems at work. Together we found answers.   Today's Tip Leadership Nature has had more than 3.8 billion years to perfect its survival strategy. Today, innovators and engineers are applying biomimicry practices to design products and solve engineering problems. For example, carpet manufacturer Interface created its nonglue carpet tiles by studying lizards' feet. Here are some tips to help drive your sustainable innovation initiatives... --James Todhunter, Chief Technology Officer, Invention Machine READ MORE >   IN YOUR FACE: AMERICAN SAVERS DRAW SHORT STRAW Reader Doug Renner Writes:: "Trade those incredible shrinking dollars for something with lasting value. You're likely better off with a portfolio of gold and silver bullion, equities and real estate (now is a great time to buy)." Tell Us: Do You Feel Penalized for Saving? >   BusinessWeek has teamed with J.D. Power and Associates to let you compare customer satisfaction and product quality ratings. Automobiles Cable/Satellite Providers Consumer Electronics Copiers Digital Cameras TVs Insurance Auto Insurance Collision Repair (Auto Insurance) Home Insurance Financial Services Full-Service Investing Mortage Service Online Trading Telephone/Wireless All-Distance Phone Providers Wireless Service Internet Service Providers   Advertisement   VIDEO VIEWS >> Couch Surfing A new way to travel for the budget-minded involves a network of couch givers and like-minded adventurers. Couchsurfing.com screens and connects those with wanderlust but not a lot of cash     SUBSCRIBE TO BUSINESSWEEK SmallBiz Print Table of Contents Get SmallBiz Free With Your Subscription To BusinessWeek Subscribe Now Customer Service SMALLBIZ FREE ONLINE COURSES Instructor-led classes on the latest topics for registered BusinessWeek users. Sign up now • The Wireless Mobile Office • Designing and Equipping Your Home Office • Setting Up a Wireless Home Network • Start-Up Basics for the First-Time Entrepreneur • Writing a High-Impact Business Plan • Raising Capital for Your Small Business