As the economy roars along, and many businesses enjoy great revenues, a business large or small may become sloppy, or fail to deal with problems because the pressure isn't strong to act. The seeds of future problems may well be planted during a time of great prosperity. Follow six basic rules to maintain success. Effective business owners and business managers observe good management practices during god times as well as periods of downturns. Keep several key rules in place that will help you be effective today, and be prepared for any economic downturns.

If Dickens were to have written *A Tale of Two E-Mails,* he might have concluded that "it was the best of communication- it was the worst of communication." Electronic mail is cheap, quick, and easy, but it may also be perceived as impersonal and its ease of use may lead to sloppiness, lack of discretion, and inappropriate expressions of anger. What often spells the difference is a person's willingness to observe some basic rules for e-mail usage.

Recruiting and hiring good employees is an ongoing challenge for every business, whether large or small. Keeping your best employees can be even more difficult in today's competitive marketplace. Although some turnover is inevitable, you can create a business environment that will build employee loyalty and make your best employees want to stay, by following these five basic rules:

Dane Nealon believes he is great window cleaner. He has a window cleaning system that is fast and effective. He wants to know what it would take to franchise or otherwise expand his successful Green Valley business, Mr. Windo. To gain some perspective, he recently met with Steve Marr, small business consultant and owner of Business Proverbs.