The Case Against Vacation Policy

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July 11, 2008
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NEWS  THIS WEEK'S TOP STORY The Case Against Vacation Policy IT consulting firm Bluewolf lets employees take as much vacation as they want, whenever they want—as long as they meet their goals

Inside: This Week in SmallBiz Is there a business case for rethinking your company's vacation policy? For 200-person IT consulting firm Bluewolf, the answer is yes. Check out our feature story and video to see how the company makes its unconventional approach work. Then be sure to visit our new staff blog, The New Entrepreneur. The small business team will be posting regularly on news, trends, and ideas that matter to business owners. We're also kicking off a new feature called Fresh Entrepreneurs, with the goal of profiling promising startups from around the country. And our fourth annual Best Entrepreneurs 25 and Under roundup continues. --Nick Leiber SEND FEEDBACK  |  E-MAIL A FRIEND  |  GET RSS  |  NEWSLETTERS

MORE SMALLBIZ NEWS SMART ANSWERS Rising Health-Care Costs Hurt Small Biz A survey of some 4,000 self-employed individuals and business owners with 10 or fewer employees finds most can't afford to offer health insurance to employees GETTING STARTED Fresh Entrepreneurs Welcome to our ongoing series profiling startups from across the country. We'll be asking for your suggestions and adding profiles on a regular basis SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING The Lowdown on Strategic Investments This kind of cash infusion can be a boon to your small business, but beware: There can be complications INFO TECH Mom-and-Pop Multinationals Improved software and services allow the smallest businesses to outsource work around the globe THE NEW ENTREPRENEUR Does Wal-Mart Really Hurt Small Business? It's conventional wisdom that when it comes to small companies, Wal-Mart is bad news. But is it true?   SMALLBIZ SLIDE SHOWS SMALL BIZ Slide Show: Fresh Entrepreneurs Welcome to our ongoing series profiling startups from across the country. We'll be asking for your suggestions and adding profiles on a regular basis   SMALLBIZ PODCASTS Using Charisma to Persuade Small business consultant and author Greg Hartley talks about how small business owners can learn and practice charisma in his latest book, "Get People to Do What You Want"   SMALLBIZ SPECIAL REPORTS Branding Franchising Raising Capital The ABCs of Business Plans Best U.S. Entrepreneurs 25 and Under   SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION CENTER Getting Started Business Plans Buying/Selling a Business Researching Your Target Market Incorporate a Business -- In 10 Minutes Franchising Request Franchise Information Find Franchises for Sale by Industry Directory of Franchises Franchises That Let You Work at Home Raising Capital Finance & Accounting How to Raise Money for Your Business Loans Funding Your Startup with Credit Cards Legal Legal Advice Choosing a Business Structure Protecting Your Intellectual Property Contracts Operations Build a Better Company -- In One Month How to Buy Smart for Your Business Consulting Keep Your Books in Order Management & HR Hiring Advice A Guide to 401(k) Plans Employment Guide Consulting Sales, Marketing, & Customer Service How to Jump-Start Your Sales Sales & Marketing 101 Research Crafting an Effective Marketing Plan Doing Business Online How to Start an Online Business 21 Ways to Boost Your Online Presence Internet & E-Commerce Technology Home-Based Businesses Legally Establishing a Home-Based Business Financing Tips 10 Ways to Grow Home-Based Business Basics Technology Internet & E-Commerce Research Sales & Marketing Hardware, Software & More Material provided by: AllBusiness.com | Buyer Zone | Entrepreneur.com | Franchise Solutions | Salary.com | Smart Online SMALLBIZ  BUSINESS DIRECTORY Need Help? Find experts in your area in: Accounting Advertising and Marketing E-Mail Marketing Legal Services Public Relations Search Engine Marketing Web Design Web Marketing Web Hosting  BW MALL   SPONSORED LINKS Applicant Tracking System  Software for Recruiting, Applicant Tracking, Onboarding, Succession Planning, Performance Management PCRecruiter - HR Software that fits your practices  PCRecruiter HR software is used by nearly 3000 organizations worldwide. Discover why right now Drive Bottom-Line Results With Strategic HR  Learn how your HR organization can become a key driver of corporate revenue and profits. FREE eGuide Unlock Your Employees' Performance Potential  Discover 4 proven ways to tap into and manage the full potential of every employee. FREE eGuide. AccuQuote - Free Term Life Insurance Quotes!  Save up to 70% by Comparing Top Rated Life Insurance Companies. Protect Your Family Today! Buy a link now! This newsletter is a FREE service provided by BusinessWeek.com. To sign up for other newsletters, cancel delivery, change delivery options or change your e-mail address, please go to our Newsletter Preferences page. If you need other assistance, please contact Customer Service or contact: Wanda Cooper BusinessWeek Customer Rights Communications Data Services 1995 G Avenue Red Oak, IA 51566 Phone: 1-800-635-1200 View our corporate privacy policy here. To learn more about how BusinessWeek.com applies this policy, you can contact our Marketing Department. Copyright 2008, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Notice

Today's Tip Leadership While many companies are hunkering down during the current economic storm, smart companies understand that it is critical to drive the market, instead of being driven down by it. CEOs have to be committed to sustainable innovation, and management... --James Todhunter, Chief Technology Officer, Invention Machine READ MORE >   Seeking Nominations Wanted: America's Best Entrepreneurs 25 and Under Between now and July 21, tell us who should be considered in 2008. This fall, you can vote for the finalist whose business shows the most promise   ADVERTISEMENT Get Options Trading Ideas for Major Currencies Get currency options trading ideas with Trading Central's free FX Options Trade Alert. See opportunities as they arise, based on technical analysis.   FIND SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES Getting Started Want to get your business off the ground? Here are the steps you need to take before you take the plunge   Find More Small Business Resources to help you build and strengthen your business. Pick a category below: • More Small Business Resources • Design Resources • Financing • Human Resources & Benefits • Legal & Insurance • Marketing & Sales • Office Operations • Tech & Telecom SMART ANSWERS KAREN E. KLEIN >> No Federal Grant for Disabled Entrepreneurs The SBA offers a variety of loan guarantee programs, and your startup might be a candidate for government contracting work SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO KAREN >   VIEWPOINT CARMINE GALLO >> Making Your Point Through Numbers It takes skill to use numbers without losing your customers' attention. Here's how IBM, Apple, and others put them in context MORE CARMINE GALLO COLUMNS >>   Advertisement   What's Your Problem? We all have workplace problems. Share with us, and your fellow readers, the hurdles you've faced—and how you've tried to clear them     IN YOUR FACE: IS FAIR TRADE BECOMING 'FAIR TRADE LITE'? Reader Wayne Writes: "In 1950, a box of cereal was $0.50 and grain cost a nickel. In a year or so, the cost of grain may go down to a dime but the cost of a box of cereal will continue to go up. What's wrong with this picture?" Tell Us: Is Fair Trade Certification Too Easy? >   BusinessWeek has teamed with J.D. Power and Associates to let you compare customer satisfaction and product quality ratings. Automobiles Cable/Satellite Providers Consumer Electronics Copiers Digital Cameras TVs Insurance Auto Insurance Collision Repair (Auto Insurance) Home Insurance Financial Services Full-Service Investing Mortage Service Online Trading Telephone/Wireless All-Distance Phone Providers Wireless Service Internet Service Providers   Advertisement   VIDEO VIEWS >> Unique Vacation Policy IT consulting firm Bluewolf doesn't restrict the vacation time of employees. We spoke with workers in the New York office about how they take advantage of this policy     SUBSCRIBE TO BUSINESSWEEK SmallBiz Print Table of Contents Get SmallBiz Free With Your Subscription To BusinessWeek Subscribe Now Customer Service SMALLBIZ FREE ONLINE COURSES Instructor-led classes on the latest topics for registered BusinessWeek users. Sign up now • The Wireless Mobile Office • Designing and Equipping Your Home Office • Setting Up a Wireless Home Network • Start-Up Basics for the First-Time Entrepreneur • Writing a High-Impact Business Plan • Raising Capital for Your Small Business