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Boss Lady

Time to get aggressive
The next six months are a crucial time to be aggressively attacking the marketplace. You need to start now to get those order books filled up for 2009/10.

Saturday 04 July 2009

News

Pub group admits fallout from Tom Hedley’s collapse
James Thomson Despite being in the throws of receivership, Tom Hedley may be trying to restructure and keep control of his private pub business.

Victor Smorgon dies, aged 96
James Thomson The Ukrainian immigrant who grew a diversified family fortune from a kosher butchery has died.

SMEs expect revenue to grow 7% in 2009-10
James Thomson Surveyed SMEs expect growth over the next year, despite two thirds believing it will be worse than 2008/9.

Gordon Ramsay burnt by global downturn but dodges administration
David Stone-Resneck Chef Gordon Ramsay has good reason to swear, with his restaurant empire nearly collapsing from falling profit and high debt.

Terry White buys back chemist franchise
Patrick Stafford Terry White and seven pharmacists have bought back the entire Terry White franchise chain.

Shares slump after US unemployment hits 26-year-high: Economy roundup
Patrick Stafford The services sector improves at home while Obama says today’s shocking unemployment figures are still better than seen in Q1.

Mining billionaire Clive Palmer buys nickel refinery from BHP
James Thomson Despite losing out on a Gladstone nickel refinery deal, Clive Palmer has bought another one in Yabulu.

Iconic Esky brand sold to US outdoor equipment maker
Patrick Stafford Australia’s Esky brand will have a new lease of life overseas, while manufacturing will remain at home.

Another $300 million for training will boost education sector
Patrick Stafford The Government has added $300 million to offer free training for the unemployed.

Unemployment will stall global recovery: Kohler
Alan Kohler Morphed from the credit crisis, latest world figures show unemployment is now the global economy's key long-term problem.

Trends & Ideas

Google warns of increase in spamming
Spammers are fast filling the void left by a major culprit taken off line last year.Read More

Facebook amends privacy settings
Facebook is trialing relaxed privacy settings to encourage more openness with members.Read More

Landmarks added to Whereis directions
Landmarks, considered easier to locate, are now included on map site, Whereis.Read More

How to make your product compelling

If you want to drive high growth, you need to offer something which customers have to have. Here's how to do it. By TOM McKASKILL

How the iPhone rescued me

The extraordinary popularity of iPhone Apps has helped protect Melbourne game developer Firemint from the worst of the downturn. By PATRICK STAFFORD

How will your sector fare in 2009-10?

We reveal the 10 fastest growing industries for 2009-10 and examine how the big sectors will fare in the new financial year. By JAMES THOMSON

Welcome to the new tax year

There are big changes involving super, depreciation and travel allowances under new tax laws that came into effect on July 1. By TERRY HAYES

25 new ways to cut costs

With the new financial year upon us, there is no better time to have a look at your cost base and try to put a bit more bounce in your bottom line. BY JAMES THOMSON

Australia's 10 richest celebrities

Turning fame into a fortune is never easy, but a rare breed of Australian stars have combined business with celebrity. By JAMES THOMSON

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/sales/20090703-how-to-make-your-product-compelling.html

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/leisure-and-gaming/20090703-firing-up-the-gaming-industry.html

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/economy/20090702-how-will-your-sector-fare-in-2009-10.html

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/tax/20090702-welcome-to-the-new-tax-year.html

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/cashflow/20090630-25-new-ways-to-cut-costs.html

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/wealth/20090629-the-10-richest-aussie-faces.html

Ask the Experts

Online sales

Why has my site’s Google rank dropped from 1st to 2nd ?
Chris Thomas By checking a competitor's back-link strategy you'll soon get an idea if they are using any dirty SEO tricks. (comments 1)

Executive Coach

Should a manager go into the personal issues of an employee?
Tim Sharp Bosses can learn to diplomatically and compassionately broach personal issues, ensuring staff get help when needed. (comments 0)

Smart Blogs

The Futurist

Go the extra mile for your customers
Colin Benjamin Expect to be asked for smaller orders, delayed orders, faster response times and requests to carry more costs to end customers. (comments 0)

Get Out Of My Way

10 Questions to test your scruples
Naomi Simson Here are 10 questions to test how scrupulous you are or if there are grey areas. (comments 0)

The Fair Work Act

Implications for your business on the new workplace relations changes.

SmartCompany Newsletter

Joomla Professional Work

Our Partners

Entrepreneur Zone

How the iPhone rescued me The extraordinary popularity of iPhone Apps has helped protect Melbourne game developer Firemint from the worst of the downturn.	Keeping fit to grow Fernwood founder Diana Williams explains how she has survived the downturn by carefully managing her brand and working with franchisees.	Maverick goes mainstream Crikey founder Stephen Mayne’s talks about the future of online media and explains how his new website doubles as a marketing tool.
Going green for growth Improving customer service is one key strategy that green publisher Katie Patrick is using to navigate the downturn.	The optimising optimist IBISWorld’s Phil Ruthven believes Australia will soon enter a golden age. He talks about succesion, customer loyalty and starting new busi...	Stretching for a big goal Tristan White has built The Physio Co into an impressive business, but people problems still keep him up at night.
Villa & Hut's tipping point Founder Franz Madlener explains why he sold his business and the challenges he faced taking it from a small to medium sized business.	Striking the right idea How the founders of mobile accessories company Strike Group went from failed inventors to focussed entrepreneurs.

Recently

Media

Going green for growth

Improving customer service is one key strategy that green publisher Katie Patrick is using to navigate the downturn.

Economy

The optimising optimist

IBISWorld’s Phil Ruthven believes Australia will soon enter a golden age. He talks about succesion, customer loyalty and starting new businesses.

Health and Pharmaceuticals

Stretching for a big goal

Tristan White has built The Physio Co into an impressive business, but people problems still keep him up at night.

Feedback

Look to peers for IT
Walter Adamson Unless you’re a pioneer, take the best ideas from similar businesses regarding the best IT solutions (2 July).

iPhone's ease of use
Walter Adamson All we need now are realistic flat-rate data plans, as Japan's carriers introduced six years ago (2 July).

In under administration
Brendan Lewis Customers and suppliers are terrified of administration and staff productivity drops to zero (2 July).

Be found
Mark Bubner Make your business easy for customers to find (2 July).

Forums

Events Diary

Jul 07 : Australia-China Business Week 2009
Jul 15 : Start-Up: The First 100 Days
Aug 18 : Online Retailer Exhibition & Conference...
Aug 20 : Business Week 2009
Sep 15 : Go For Growth 2009 - Melbourne

The Archives

The SmartCompany archives is one of the richest resources SMEs can access.

Editor's Picks

The best, and worst, downturn property deals

This is a highly-treacherous residential property market for unwary buyers. Yet the same market holds some of the best knock-out bargains in years for cashed-up and highly informed buyers.Read More

22 online marketing tips that won't cost you a cent

Here are 22 things you can do to improve your online marketing right now - and all they will cost you is time. Read More

20 sales and marketing problems solved

SmartCompany has identified 20 major sales and marketing problems facing business owners, and found 20 solutions from experts and entrepreneurs.Read More

Franchising under pressure

Franchising has felt the brunt of the recession, and many have cast doubt on its future, but some deft re-modelling could see it not only survive but recover strongly.Read More