Business 2.0 Magazine July 2004 Issue Highlights.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Business 2.0 Magazine

COVER STORY

"The New Land of Opportunity," by Om Malik, page 72

Americans are outraged over the trend of outsourcing jobs to India and other foreign countries. But according to this month's issue of Business 2.0, it's time to stop whining and to start looking at business opportunities abroad. Senior writer Om Malik returns to his hometown of New Delhi and examines India's new $420 billion middle class--and offers insights into how to grab a share of the action.

Plus: "A Beginner's Guide to Indian Marketing," page 77

Tips from foreign pioneers who are cashing in on the nation's progress.

And: "Betting on the Bombay Bourse," page 78

Investing in India is not a cinch. Here's how to do it--and how to reduce the risks.

OTHER FEATURE ARTICLES

"GE Sees the Light," by Erick Schonfeld, page 80

With his company's growth having slowed to a crawl, General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt is attempting a radical and risky reinvention of the 126-year-old flagship of American industry. How does he plan to move his $134 billion goliath forward? By convincing his managers to view GE not so much as a collection of huge, multibillion-dollar businesses, but as a vast network of entrepreneurial startups.

"Titans of Tech: The CTO in a GTO," by John Battelle, page 89

General Motors's Tony Scott has a lot to say about the tech industry--and with a $3 billion IT budget, enough clout to make sure his voice is heard. But there's more to it than mere spending power: Hot rods and high-tech are intimately entwined, with software and electronics accounting for a third of the cost of today's cars. So where's this marriage headed? In the future, Scott says, if you don't like your car ... well, you'll just download a new one.

"Best Buy's Selling Machine," by Michael V. Copeland, page 92

He's 26. He wears hoop earrings. He's a demon salesman. And the electronics chain he works for is booming, thanks to an army of folks just like him. But is that enough to save it from death-by-Wal-Mart?

"The Business 2.0 Dream Team," page 107

If you're hiring leaders today, you have to set the bar extremely high. So that's what Business 2.0 did in choosing its Executive Dream Team for 2004. Imagine what a company could do with these all-stars running the show.

COLUMNS

The Big Picture, by Daniel Altman, page 36

Iraq has squeezed economic policy out of the headlines, but one big item remains on the Bush administration's domestic agenda: making its tax cuts permanent. Currently, most of the cuts enacted since 2001 are scheduled to expire starting in 2008. Strictly on the economic merits, does it make sense for the cuts to be renewed?

Face Time, by John Heilemann, page 40

Former software entrepreneur Wes Boyd is rallying MoveOn.org's members with the promise of unseating Bush. What happens to the group if it succeeds?

The Human Factor, by Jeffrey Pfeffer, page 64

When companies run into money trouble, often the first thing they do is squeeze employees for pay cuts. But if you think hourly wages determine a company's competitive advantage, you couldn't be more wrong.

PLUS

In Front:

The Art of the Deal, page 27: Boeing has high hopes for its new 7E7 to get sales soaring again.

Strategy, page 30: UPS--yes, that UPS--enters the laptop repair business.

Current Research, page 32: Proof that bad moods are really bad for business.

Interview, page 34: Management by Baseball's Jeff Angus offers dugout wisdom for corporate warriors.

What Works:

Management, page 43: Intel's formula for creating leaders is downright revolutionary: It picks its next crop of executives years in advance, without drama or surprise.

How to ..., page 48: Dick Sittig, the brains (and voice) behind Jack in the Box's clown-as-CEO TV ads, on the art of keeping a beloved campaign fresh.

E-Commerce, page 62: Online CD retailer Insound.com thrives on hard-core fans who still buy music--lots of music--in the age of digital downloads.

What Doesn't Work, page 66: Why did Sears come down with a severe case of seasonal disorder? Because drastic cost cutting left the retail giant without enough experienced executives to make confident decisions.

Cheat Sheet:

Health Insurance With Less Pain, page 69: The price of providing health-care coverage has risen at an alarming pace--46 percent over the last three years. Business 2.0 offers a guide to minimizing the soaring expense of benefits for you and your employees.

Bonus:

Investing, page 117: Today investors can buy indexed mutual funds to act on any hunch they might have. Trouble is, that's the last thing index funds were created for. Plus, a hot Chinese stock that's worth a closer look.

Gizmos, page 120: Gadgets to take on the road this summer, including a handheld computer rugged enough for the outdoors, speakers that turn your iPod into a portable boom box, and a 3-ounce virtual keyboard for your PDA.

Careers, page 122: As the job market rebounds, many businesses are looking to rehire their former stars. Here are the pros and cons of becoming a "boomerang."

Hits & Misses, page 130: Microsoft unplugs its Wi-Fi business, Japanese cream puffs taste sweet U.S success, the NBA scores with advertainment, and more.

The July 2004 issue is available on newsstands June 28. For more information, or to schedule an interview with a Business 2.0 writer or editor, contact Laura Goldberg at 212-725-2295 or [e-mail].