Features

The Big Score

It was a $3 billion race that Hewlett-Packard simply couldn`t afford to lose. Winning would justify its grand strategy -- and prove that it could run with the big dogs. An inside look at an upset, and an upstart`s guide to competition. Bill Breen

2 Leaders, 2 Years Later

They lost colleagues and loved ones along with their headquarters at the World Trade Center. Now they reflect on the tragedy of September 11 and their return to business almost-as-usual. Lucas Conley

The Women of Enron

Four women, four experiences: before, during, and after the Enron debacle. Jennifer Reingold

The Women of Enron : The Best Revenge

Regrets? Hardly. For Sherron Watkins, life since Enron imploded has gotten a whole lot better. Jennifer Reingold

The Women of Enron : A Separate Peace

Once one of the most powerful women in business, Rebecca Mark now sits on a ranch with her Black Angus cattle and her thoughts. Carleen Hawn

The Women of Enron : Corporate Cassandra

Margaret Ceconi grew up believing that if you do bad things, you`ll burn in hell. Carleen Hawn

The Women of Enron : A New Calling

Deborah Perrotta was an executive assistant for 25 years. When Enron fell, she lost her job -- and found a new voice. Carleen Hawn

Driving in the Valley of the Shadow of Death

It`s the management problem from hell: How do you run a company whose customers and employees are being killed? Jessica Steinberg

5 Technologies That Will Change the World

It`s hard to believe in advances that are poised to change the world when everyone`s just trying to survive. But these tireless innovators are developing technologies that are making the future worth looking forward to again. Scott Kirsner

Chapter Two

A high-powered accounting executive turns her back on the profession to open a small-town bookstore. Defying the odds and retailing trends, Roxanne Coady has made R.J. Julia Booksellers one of the biggest independents in the country. Chuck Salter

Fast Talk: Turning the (conference) tables

Five top business-school deans grapple with questions from their own MBA application forms. Christine Canabou

Next

The Art of the Anti-Apology

Business has had a lot to apologize for. But is anyone actually owning up? We decipher executive remorse codes. Linda Tischler

What`s Up With Those Orange Batons?

One mystery explained. Alison Overholt

Needed: A Braver Soul

A review of CEO Bill Ford`s performance at the annual shareholders meeting. Charles Fishman

Unions? Not in this valley.

Why organizing white collar workers in Silicon Valley is hard slogging. Kim Girard

Four Tires, Free Beef

Les Schwab Tires has built a reputation on stellar customer service -- and free steaks. Cheryl Dahle

The In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger is giving McDonald`s a run for its money. Carleen Hawn

Here`s an Enron story nearly as intriguing as the saga of the company itself.

During the past year, the publishing world has anticipated a battle royal between competing accounts of Enron`s demise from journalists variously credited with unearthing the scandal. Now, one publisher has quietly jumped the gun. Andrew Moesel

90,000 DVDs. No Shelves.

A Netflix hub reveals a rhythmic flow of DVDs, bar codes, and Band-Aids. Lucas Conley

The Wal-Mart of Food Banks

How Michael Mulqueen is using smart logistics to deliver 42 million pounds of food to Chicago`s inner-city poor. Fara Warner

Larry`s Bad (Facial) Hair Day

What is it about Larry Ellison that makes him look so . . . sinister? Fast Company

Headache-Free Airport Parking

Driving around in circles will never be the same. Chuck Salter

60 Seconds With Alex Rodriguez

The Texas Rangers` slugger reflects on his idol, training regimen, and the American dream. Alan Schwarz

10 Things You Didn`t Know About Women

Ten things you didn`t know about women, and a review of Clay Christensen`s new book. Polly LaBarre

Media Convergence

Convergence, the long-promised Holy Grail of consumer electronics, has arrived. At least, that`s what the industry is telling us. Alison Overholt

Affirmative Action, Deciphered

On June 23, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on two related cases that, together, posed possibly the most important legal test of affirmative-action strategies since the Alan Bakke decision in 1978. Fast Company

Anchors Aweigh!

We rate TV`s business anchors. Ryan Underwood

Office Handbook

Chapter 32: Workplace swearing Ryan Underwood

The Corporate Shrink

In his debut column, Dr. Kerry J. Sulkowitz tackles your tough workplace issues. Dr. Kerry J. Sulkowicz

Stick Figure

Remember the excitement you felt when you got a new box of crayons? Try 12 million sticks a day, five days a week. Chuck Salter

Columns

Becoming a Soft-Side Accountant

To build a better organization, we must account for the soft-side values of the workplace. Marshall Goldsmith

Where Has All the Ambition Gone?

Where has all the ambition gone? There`s a growling bear in the marketplace of ideas. James Champy

Contempt of Consumer: It`s a Real Crime

Cutting corners through disrespectful marketing can cost you millions in long-term profits. Seth Godin

More Great Stuff

The Power of Renewal

This month`s letter from the editor. John A. Byrne

Between The Lines

The stories behind this issue`s stories. Fast Company

The Net/Net

A go-to guide of the products and services featured in this month`s issue. Fast Company