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Features

Balance is Bunk!

It`s the central myth of the modern workplace: With a few compromises, you can have it all. But it`s all wrong, and it`s making us crazy. Here`s how to have a life anyway. Keith H. Hammonds

Fast Take: How to Live an Unbalanced Life

Trying to balance work and life is a losing proposition. Here`s a smarter way to think about sanity for the long term.

Fast Take: Survival Tactics

Most high achievers don`t pretend to have balanced lives. But some are able to accommodate their workaholic ways.

The Gonzo Way of Branding

Billionaire Richard Branson has thrived by breaking the rules. Now he`s tackling his greatest challenge, setting his sights on the United States and a new airline. He`s testing himself and the limits of the Virgin brand. Alan Deutschman

Fast Take: Branding the Branson Way

Marketing methods from Virgin`s founder.

Fast Take: Business the Branson Way

Leadership lessons to live by.

2004 Customers First Awards

You`d think more companies would have gotten it by now. Unfortunately, organizations that put customers at the center of what they do are rare -- so rare that we`re celebrating them. Meet the best customer-focused outfits, and learn from them. Jena McGregor

Mutual Benefit

Let employees design their own headquarters? Here`s how a biotech company nurtures people with imaginative benefits, keeping them happy, loyal -- and productive. Fiona Haley

Fast Take: Suggestion Box

Genencor has sought its workers` input in these areas and in return has received remarkable loyalty and commitment.

The Man Behind the Curtain

Michael Sheehan is the go-to guy for ambitious politicians and nervous CEOs who want to become great communicators. So what are his secrets? Jennifer Reingold

Fast Take: Staying on Message

Michael Sheehan`s Tip Sheet.

Ford`s Escape Route

The new Escape Hybrid was the most complex project in Ford`s history -- and maybe its most important product since the Model T. To pull it off, the company had to act in some very un-Ford-like ways. Chuck Salter

Fast Take: Driving Lessons

Here are the unconventional strategies Ford used to get its unconventional hybrid on the road.

How to Sell a Hybrid

Hand-raisers, Mother Jones, and test drives.

Fast Talk: The Business of Politics

What skills do business leaders most rely on when they make a switch to public service? And what have these five businesspeople turned politicians learned? Michael A. Prospero

A Day in the Life of Work: King of the Ring

Think you put it on the line at work? Try sticking your head in a lion`s mouth and hoping he`s in a good mood. One plus, at least: Camels have worse breath. Ryan Underwood

Next

Amateur Revolution

From astronomy to computing, networks of amateurs are displacing the pros and spawning some of the greatest innovations. Charles Leadbeater

Chatter

Low-Carb Carnage.

CEO See-Ya! Anniversary Special!

How are five bosses faring a year after we said they should get the boot? Jennifer Reingold

Bar-Coding: Claude Fenstermaker

One of the UPC`s earliest implementers celebrates the pricing symbol`s 30th anniversary. Paul Lukas

Face-Off

Who`s got the stiffer upper lip when contemplating the pokey, Ken Lay or Martha Stewart? Jena McGregor

Conducting the Future

Innovation: Conductive plastics; Available: Now. Lucas Conley

Be a Publicity Glutton! (Film at 11)

Two brothers are building bulging bellies into a burgeoning brand. David Lidsky

We Have Met the Enemy...

Sometimes, to get your point across, you need to play the role of devil's advocate. The creator of the Society for Leadership of Change did more than that; he created an entire professional association of devil's advocates. Melissa Korn

Offshoring in Reverse

When many leaders think about offshoring, what comes to mind is Indian call centers, the loss of American jobs, and Indian workers replacing laid-off Americans. Meanwhile, more American executives are taking leadership posts in Indian -- and other overseas -- companies. Will it balance out? Shasha Dai

Fast Take: Long-Distance Leadership

What challenges do American leaders face while managing multicultural teams? Leaders bridging two continents share what they've learned about working across time zones and navigating different corporate -- and country -- culture.

In Search Of Dwarfs

Our Consultant Debunking Unit shows, with the help of the Seven Dwarfs, why three of the most popular management books are really just hi-ho-hum. Martin Kihn

60 Seconds with Mira Nair

The director of Vanity Fair and Monsoon Wedding looks at why stories resonate, the challenges of managing a large team, and the role of a leader. Alec Appelbaum

Listen Like a Rock Star

Custom-made, personalized ear phones make listening to music a life-altering experience. Melissa Korn

The Battery Bust

A laptop that runs forever on a single quick charge? Not anytime soon. Here are some tips for making the current crop of batteries keep going and going and going.... Alison Overholt

Tricks for Treats

The McKeesport Candy Co.`s tips for taking pixie sticks from bricks to clicks. Fiona Haley

The Check-Clearing Quagmire

Soon, it won`t take a week to clear a check. Alan Deutschman

Office Handbook

Chapter 29: Work-Life Balance. Ryan Underwood

The Corporate Shrink

Your type is... the type who uses personality tests in business. Dr. Kerry J. Sulkowicz

Playbook

Winning the Relationship Game

Some ace relationship builders tell us why it`s vital to turn business acquaintances into trusted partners and friends -- and how to do it. David Lidsky

Don`t Analyze This

Take a deep breath. What you think you know about visualization is all wrong. Paul B. Brown

All the Right Moves

Headhunter Peter Crist on when and how to make your next move. And, yes, Churchill. Danielle Sacks

Beyond Multitasking

As it continues to be important to do more with less, business people don't just need to multitask -- they need to multiproject. Here's what you need to know to better manage multiple projects -- with multiple requirements, deadlines, and stakeholders. Shasha Dai

Peek in the Mirror

The Center for Creative Leadership guides you through the looking glass. Fiona Haley

Readers' Choice

Claiming Your Place at the Fire isn't about s'mores and ghost stories. It's about defining and shaping the second half of your life.

It`s Not About the Coach

The best leaders are the ones least noticed. Marshall Goldsmith

Only the Brave Surrender

Don`t be ashamed of what you don`t know. Shoshana Zuboff

More Great Stuff

Lessons From Our Customer Champions

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

Between The Lines

The stories behind this issue`s stories.

Feedback

Letters. Updates. Advice.

Feedback: The Soundtrack of Success

Fast Company listens to its readers -- and what its readers listen to.

Ideas From Smart Friends

An online discussion led by Indian business school students revisits a Fast Company feature from last year -- and yields some new ideas and insights. Heath Row

The Net/Net

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