As the economy roars along, many businesses are enjoying peak revenues and windfall profits. When times are good, it's easy for companies large and small to overlook little problems and ignore early signs of trouble, because...well, times are good and the pressure to act isn't strong. During periods of great prosperity, the seeds of future problems may well be sown, to bear bitter fruit when the economy cycles into a downturn.

Mary Ann, a top-flight computer programmer, was well regarded and appreciated by her employer. When a management position became available in her department, she was the leading candidate for the job. At first, Mary Ann was inclined to accept the promotion gladly, but then a shadow of doubt settled in. She wasn't sure she really wanted the job. When she thought about it, she realized that she enjoyed the challenge of writing code and making systems work, and she was reluctant to trade those duties for the responsibility of directing the work of others. After careful consideration, Mary Ann declined the promotion as graciously as she could and stayed in her present position.

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: