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Features

Fast Forward 2005

The future is something to get excited about again. Here`s our look at the surprising people, ideas, and trends that will change how we work and live in 2005. David Lidsky

Fast Take: Things you need to know

...about management, strategy, branding and marketing, and technology.

Living in Dell Time

For most businesses, warehouses full of stuff are a kind of security blanket. But Dell has replaced inventory with information, and that has helped turn it into one of the fastest, most hyperefficient organizations on the planet. Bill Breen

Fast Take: The Need For Speed

Dell`s ultimate competitive weapon is speed, which gives the tech giant`s bottom line a real boost. Here`s a five-point plan for building a really fast company -- direct from Dell.

The Wal-Mart of High Tech?

In this candid Q&A, Dell CEO Kevin Rollins discusses the company's supply chain strategy, approach to setting goals, and contrarian nature.

Trade Secrets

Equal Exchange`s fair-trade coffee isn`t just virtuous. Because of the company`s innovative and collaborative ways of dealing with growers, it gets better beans. That makes for a darn good cup o` joe -- and caffeinated growth for Equal Exchange. Do companies that thrive by twisting their suppliers` arms have something to learn? Lucas Conley

Fast Take: A Different Way to Deal With Suppliers

Instead of leaning on its vendors, Equal Exchange collaborates with coffee growers to make sure it gets the best beans.

Was Built To Last Built To Last?

It`s one of the most influential business books of our era, and it helped turn coauthor Jim Collins into a management rock star. But how well have the companies it lionized and the principles it espoused stood the test of time? Jennifer Reingold and Ryan Underwood

Fast Take: A Field Guide to the Gurus

Sometimes a book is more than just a book. In the guru business, a block-buster title is the ticket to hefty lecture fees and consulting gigs till you`re dead. Here`s how some of the biz-book heavyweights stack up against one another. Ryan Underwood

Fast Take: How to Read a Business Book

Three ways to get the most out of business tomes -- without resorting to just the executive summary. Jennifer Reingold

Built to Last: The True Test of Timeless Companies

Jim Collins on why Built to Last is not about business performance, why the list doesn`t matter, and why the laws of physics will never change. Ryan Underwood

Built to Last: Vision Exam

Built to Last co-author Jerry Porras on the limitations of leaders -- and the importance of creative corporate cultures. Ryan Underwood

IBM`s Management Makeover

As its world changes, IBM is studying its top-performing leaders. What do they do differently, and can everyone do it? Linda Tischler

What I Know Now

What lessons has Len Schlesinger learned since he went from professor at Harvard B-school to COO of Limited Brands? Paul B. Brown

Fast Talk: Search Them

You`ve got a great new search technology. Now how do you go up against Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft? And why would you even try? These upstarts have answers for every David thinking of taking on an industry Goliath. Lucas Conley

Next

Brand That I Love

As global affection for American brands wanes, can business do what government can`t: make Brand U.S.A. cool again? Linda Tischler

Chatter: Stormy Weather

An evocative expression, a fad-prone media, and George Clooney: It`s the perfect storm for language overuse. Chuck Salter

" This Is Your Captain Speaking"

How well did CEO Gerald Grinstein ride the turbulence when he announced his plan to bring Delta Air Lines in for a soft landing? Lucas Conley

iPod Roadie

Shifting into (MP) 3rd gear. Paul Lukas

How to Fix Coca-Cola

What to do when a brand goes flat. Maxine Clayton

What`s Your Carbon Worth? Ask Richard Sandor

Financial-futures pioneer Richard Sandor thinks he can make carbon-emission rights as tradable as pork bellies and frozen OJ. Alec Appelbaum

Road Rules

An ad-agency team hits the road in an RV to get up close and personal with consumers. Linda Tischler

Mind Games

What exec hasn`t had to sell consumers on the superiority of a brand, or employees on a goal, or clients on a strategy? Cheryl Della Pietra

Boiling the Ocean

What this bit of management buzz-speak would really entail, courtesy of our Consultant Debunking Unit. Martin Kihn

60 Seconds on Small talk

Appetizers for relationships, comforting conversation, and why icebreakers work. Maxine Clayton

Insurgent for President!

It`s election season, when voters turn into consumers and campaigns become vast marketing operations. What can we learn? Michael Aneiro

Their Way

Two Swedish business gurus contend that copy cat companies will shut down when the music stops. Magnus Hoij

The Ad Agency on Your Hard Drive

How Web software called "adware" is taking advertising to a new, effective, and extremely annoying level. Alan Deutschman

It`s a Pen! It`s a High-lighter! It`s Sorta Cool!

A pen in your hand is worth two in your bag. Magnus Hoij

One Heart at a Time

Problem: How to bridge profound cultural differences in warring regions. Solution: A for-profit food company that unites both sides in commerce. Jessica Steinberg

Office Handbook

The proper time and place to use your BlackBerry. Ryan Underwood

The Corporate Shrink

When should you go with your gut? Dr. Kerry J. Sulkowicz

Playbook

Personality Tests: Back With a Vengeance

Are you an INTJ or an ESFP? Why employers love personality tests more than ever, and what you need to know before you pick up a pencil. Alison Overholt

Toxic Cleanup: How to Deal With a Dangerous Leader

Do you work for a toxic leader? What you can do to clean up the ooze. Melissa Korn

Heal Thyself

Recruiter Cheryl Buxton helps us navigate the meritocratic, objective health-care job market. Danielle Sacks

Go For Launch

Learn the deep-dish secrets of new product development in Chicago. Fiona Haley

Readers' Choice

The Highest Goal helps you find the intersection between doing what you love and earning a living.

Nice Guys Can Finish First

Your people skills become more important the higher you go -- so behave yourself! Marshall Goldsmith

Ranking Ourselves to Death

The link between control and contentment. Shoshana Zuboff

ReaderSpeak: Everyone Loves Their Own Ideas

How to lead change initiatives from the rear. Mark Northern

More Great Stuff

The Brand Called Us

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

Between The Lines

The stories behind this issue`s stories. Fast Company

Feedback

Letters. Updates. Advice. Fast Company

A Slow, Patient Pace

Report From The Past. Scott Kirsner

Balancing Act

Exchanging words about work-life. Heath Row