American Greetings, the 101-year-old cardmaker, uses social-networking widgets and instant messaging to reach the younger audience it desperately needs.

Duncan Watts's research tells advertising execs precisely what they don't want to hear: All their clever (and lucrative!) targeted viral campaigning may ultimately be less effective than good old mass marketing.

A Chatter parable about the value of estimates, the setting of expectations, and the wisdom of saying a bit too much, too soon.

Chapter 55: Excused Absences

Talk is cheap? Think again.

We all hate suck-ups. So why do we surround ourselves with them?

Greed, rivalry, and other delights of the bonus season; thawing out a fear of cold calling.

Chapter 12: Holiday Festivities

The stories that we tell about ourselves can turn into traps.

Chapter 27: Conference Calls