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View > Cashing in on communities
Wednesday, 16 July 2008 Find out how young entrepreneur, Clay Cook, changed his 80 hour working week to three hours a month leaving him free to develop new online businesses. By AMANDA GOME
View > Seven ways media is changing
Wednesday, 9 July 2008 Ross Dawson, who runs Future Exploration Network, a global events company that looks at how business is changing, headlined a recent SmartCompany webinar on the seven driving forces changing the media. He talks to AMANDA GOME.
View > Young fast starter wedges into a market of giants
Wednesday, 2 July 2008 Mia Klitsas, 25, knew that the tampon market had an image problem. Her solution was to change the image. She tells AMANDA GOME how style has let her change the niche and build her company, Millie & More. She also answers readers questions....
View > Steps to building a two-man band into a $26 million consultancy
Wednesday, 18 June 2008 Scott Keck is the founder of strategic property consultancy Charter Keck Cramer. He tells AMANDA GOME how he built a two man suburban consultancy focused on property valuations into a large consultancy with 200 employees and revenue of $26 million.
View > Growing by baby steps
Wednesday, 11 June 2008 As online communities grow, people are trying to figure out how to monetise them and what they are worth. AMANDA GOME talks to Brad Lauder, co-founder of parenting site The Bub Hub, about he is tackling this challenge.
View > The brave one
Wednesday, 4 June 2008 John Ford’s branding business The One Centre has some big-name clients, including McDonald’s, Telstra and Audi. But, as he explains to AMANDA GOME, the factors that have made him successful almost sent him under when he sacked a $5 million client.
View > Sweet smell of success
Wednesday, 21 May 2008 John van Roemburg survived the collapse of his furniture business in the 1990s to create a business around the concept of scent marketing. He explains to AMANDA GOME how he is running a global business from Australia.
View > CafeScreen’s win with technology
Thursday, 15 May 2008 If you’ve logged on to free WiFi in a cafe recently or passed the time watching a TV screen, chances are you can thank CafeScreen’s entrepreneur Ruwan Weerasooriya. He tells AMANDA GOME how he turned a good idea into a business.
View > Websalad’s recipe for conversion
Wednesday, 7 May 2008 Traffic, number of clicks, and search rankings are not enough anymore. Jason West’s company Websalad specialises in two hot areas in online marketing – conversion and reputation management. He tells AMANDA GOME his secrets.
View > One out of the box
Tuesday, 29 April 2008 Telcoinabox sprang into life financed in part by founder Damian Kay’s credit cards. He tells AMANDA GOME the lessons he learnt on the way to making his business a multi-million dollar success.
View > Sitepoint: Ideas = exchange = business
Tuesday, 22 April 2008 Web 2.0 pioneer Mark Harbottle, 35, is changing direction, and has has started another business, 99designs.com, from an idea that grew out of his forums. By AMANDA GOME
View > Intrepid Travel’s big adventure
Tuesday, 15 April 2008 It was tough times that spurred Darrell Wade to change the strategy of Intrepid Travel. The result? $120 million growth in a decade. He tells AMANDA GOME how he did it, plus reveals bold new plans.
View > Bluestone’s second wind
Monday, 7 April 2008 The fate of capital markets has forced low doc lender Bluestone Group’s Alistair Jeffery’s hand. He tells AMANDA GOME how he is effectively starting again with new ownership and a new business model.
View > Jim’s Mowing is a growing concern
Tuesday, 1 April 2008 Jim’s Group founder Jim Penman says the secret to successful franchising is good recruiting, tough leadership, developing a strong brand and keeping franchisees happy. He tells JACQUI WALKER how he does it.
View > Diving into business the Funky way
Tuesday, 25 March 2008 Swimwear firm Way Funky Company founder Duncan McLean says he didn’t mean to be an entrepreneur, but that hasn’t stopped plans to grow a large international business. By AMANDA GOME.
View > Marking territory? Can doo!
Tuesday, 18 March 2008 Pup-Pee Solutions co-founder Tobi Skovron has taken the classic ‘why didn’t someone think of this before’ idea and made a successful global business. He tells AMANDA GOME the story.
View > Low-cost, fast-track, global real estate
Tuesday, 11 March 2008 When Simon Baker took over the CEO chair at online real estate classifieds company RealEstate.com.au in 2001, he reckons it was weeks from collapse. He tells AMANDA GOME how he then spent the next seven years digging the business out of a hole and building a global company.
View > Salad chain sprouts legs
Tuesday, 4 March 2008 Sumo Salad is set for a growth spurt, with tendrils spread in several directions. Founder Luke Baylis talks to JACQUI WALKER about regaining control of the brand and recruiting franchisees in a tough market.
View > Web 2.0: Our winning ways
Tuesday, 26 February 2008 Future Exploration Network’s Ross Dawson tells AMANDA GOME the good news about Australia and web 2.0 – how businesses will benefit, the major trends, and the risks.
View > Turning text messages into $M$
Tuesday, 19 February 2008 Impact Data has harnessed a straightforward service – text messaging – and made a successful business from it. Co-founder Lachlan Opray tells AMANDA GOME how the simple concept took off, and what has prompted its sale.
View > Entrepreneur start-up: From disaster to profit
Tuesday, 5 February 2008 For Lisa Messenger, turning around her fortunes required radical strategic changes. But with lessons learnt, her new business Messenger Publishing is now able to take full advantage of the evolving marketplace. By AMANDA GOME.
View > Cosmetic entrepreneur’s cancer plan
Tuesday, 29 January 2008 Gillian Franklin took her company Heat Group to revenue of $75 million in just seven years – but her recent diagnosis with cancer could present her biggest challenge. She talks about how she will manage her business and her illness to AMANDA GOME.
View > Tough times: The innovation solution
Tuesday, 22 January 2008 The economy is looking dicey. So now is the time to get an edge through innovation. Nudie founder Tim Pethick tells you how and why companies get it wrong. By AMANDA GOME.
View > How to make a profit – it’s easier than you think
Tuesday, 15 January 2008 Bevan Slattery and Stephen Baxter started telco infrastructure company PIPE Networks on a limited budget, but have been solidly profitable from day one. AMANDA GOME details the PIPE profit plan.
View > How to build a global business in a year
Tuesday, 8 January 2008 A simple concept – a drinking straw that flavours the liquid as it passes through it – propelled Martin Chimes back into the hectic passion that a start-up business brings. He tells AMANDA GOME how he ended up with a global concern just one year later.
View > Data master
Tuesday, 18 December 2007 Phil Ruthven, chairman of online business data company IBISWorld, tells AMANDA GOME about how to expand internationally, and what the future holds. He also answers reader inquiries...
View > How to create a big national business
Tuesday, 11 December 2007 Computer reseller ComputerCorp has gone Australia-wide, and should end up seeing revenue jump from $50 million to $300 million over three years. Chairman Domenic Martino tells AMANDA GOME how he took a state-based enterprise to national big-business status.
View > Career by design
Tuesday, 4 December 2007 The founder of kikki.K wanted to bring a sense of fashion and design to the everyday, and took her business from its start-up $3000 outlay 10 years ago to revenue now of more than $20 million. Kristina Karlsson talks to AMANDA GOME. Two readers have already asked Kristina a question. See inside.
View > Going to the next level
Tuesday, 20 November 2007 Callidan Instruments founder and chief executive Garry France talks to AMANDA GOME about his success in taking a niche technology from start-up to the next level.
View > Good health, and getting better
Tuesday, 6 November 2007 Aspen Medical provides doctors on demand. It has grown fast since it was founded in 2003, and co-founder Glenn Keys shares what he has learnt about managing cash flow and building loyal relationships with suppliers with AMANDA GOME.
View > How to build online communities
Tuesday, 30 October 2007 When Alfred Milgrom started Zazz.com.au, he came at the concept armed with an arsenal of experience in building a business online. He tells AMANDA GOME about the next essential element in his success – his community.
View > Real estate entrepreneur
Thursday, 11 October 2007 Anthony McDonald, 45, helped build one successful business that made the owners a fortune. Second time around he was determined to make a fortune for himself.
View > Urbis maps out its future
Tuesday, 2 October 2007 Michael Barlow from planning consultancy Urbis talks to JACQUI WALKER about his company’s huge new contract in Dubai, how Urbis got there, and its solid plans for future growth.
View > Just Cuts in India: Running with scissors
Tuesday, 25 September 2007 Australia’s biggest franchised hairdressing chain is expanding to India. Founder Denis McFadden tells Jacqui Walker how 250 salons will open within four years.
View > Fine tuning the online marketplace
Tuesday, 11 September 2007 iFocus founder Greg Muller saw a gap in the online market that he thought he could service, which six short years later has him looking at $6 million revenue. He tells AMANDA GOME the iFocus strategy.
View > How to build a global business in a year
Tuesday, 4 September 2007 A simple concept – a drinking straw that flavours the liquid as it passes through it – propelled Martin Chimes back into the hectic passion that a start-up business brings. He tells AMANDA GOME how he ended up with a global concern just one year later.
View > Marketing intelligence
Tuesday, 28 August 2007 Devnet specialises in email marketing – using customer information gathered by companies to tailor messages that will cut through the 'noise'. By AMANDA GOME.
View > Piece of mind
Tuesday, 21 August 2007 PsyCare founders Peter Stebbins and Danielle Lees understood that many workplace health and safety cases stem from psychological, rather than purely physiological, causes. They tell AMANDA GOME their story, and are ready for readers' questions.
View > White hot
Tuesday, 14 August 2007 Even when the dust was still settling on the tech wreck, Craig Galvin and Elizabeth Joyce saw the potential of online marketing. They recently sold 49% of the white agency to STW. By AMANDA GOME.
View > Her cup overflows
Tuesday, 7 August 2007 My Coffee Shop entrepreneur Carmelina Pascoe tells AMANDA GOME how a strategic change of thinking saved her enterprise. Sue Floate asks her for tips on how to unwind as well as which coffee machine to get, and Len Cameron asks about search engine marketing tips. See inside...
View > Software – hardwired!
Tuesday, 31 July 2007 Scott Farquhar tells how, with partner Mike Cannon-Brookes, he built the enterprise software house Atlassian to a global operation turning over $22 million. By JACQUI WALKER.
View > The right message
Tuesday, 24 July 2007 Tony Douglas, founder of strategic communications company Essential Media Communications and co-creator of the ACTU’s ‘Your Rights at Work’ ads, tells how he built his company to $5 million revenue by making two key strategic decisions and a big mistake. Reader C Butler asks if his next stage of growth will require a general manager. By AMANDA GOME.
View > People who need people
Tuesday, 17 July 2007 When PageUp's Karen Cariss developed her 'anywhere software' web-based interface for her clients, it was revolutionary. She tells AMANDA GOME how PageUp, and the rest of us, have taken the concept and run with it. Reader Bruce asks: Do you see a threat to the large portals from the empowerment of clients by software services such as yours?... and Karen responds.
View > Firmer footing
Tuesday, 10 July 2007 A unique radar system for monitoring rock wall stability in open cut mines has taken GroundProbe from start-up to the global stage at breakneck speed. Founder David Noon shares his story with AMANDA GOME.
View > Crazy like a fox
Tuesday, 3 July 2007 Entrepreneur John Ilhan, founder of Crazy John’s, is just 42 and worth $310 million according to the latest BRW Rich 200. How has he done it? Ilhan tells Amanda Gome there’s no rocket science involved.
View > Beyond dollars and cents
Tuesday, 26 June 2007 Mary Beth Bauer embarked on building a consultancy, Value Enhancement Management, to help companies improve their relations with investors. It proved so successful she sold half the company five years later for $350,000. Here she explains how she did it.
View > Sit, heel, turn over $20 million
Tuesday, 19 June 2007 With a staff of three and a couple of four-legged friends, Sylvia and Danny Wilson have made a $20-million a year business with franchisees all over the world. They are happy to share their experiences with SmartCompany readers.
View > It’s her online baby
Tuesday, 12 June 2007 Find A Babysitter has been such a runaway success that founder Delia Timms says the online model is suitable to many markets. Her online network of carers, which started out with baby steps, is now is driving her company along.
View > Web trends revealed
Tuesday, 5 June 2007 It's hard to keep up with the latest web trends, but harder still to plan for the future. Sitepoint's Mark Harbottle tells AMANDA GOME what he sees in the telescope. Several readers have posed intriguing questions. See inside for Mark's answers. Email your own questions.
View > A brand of creation
Monday, 28 May 2007 The power of brand is well recognised, but less so seems to be the role that the creative process has in developing the force of brand. CRE8IVE founder James Willson is changing all that.
View > Changing lanes
Tuesday, 22 May 2007 Changing your business path mid-stream may not always be conducive to long-term success, but when it works, it can work well. By AMANDA GOME
View > Outside the square
Tuesday, 15 May 2007 Kobus Neethling has written 87 books, and is held to be one of the top creative experts in the world. He shares his genius with SmartCompany and is open to any questions you may have for him – simply email feedback@smartcompany.com.au
View > Hard wired
Tuesday, 8 May 2007 John McVicker, founder of IT recruitment firm Best International Group, is this week's Entrepreneur Online. He is happy to share his knowledge and expertise, so if you have questions for John, email them through to us at feedback@smartcompany.com.au
View > Crunch time
Friday, 27 April 2007 Entrepreneur Online this week is Carolyn Creswell, founder of Carmen’s Fine Foods, which she started at the tender age of 18 by buying the business she worked for at the time. Carolyn is happy to share her experiences and advice, so read her story and email your questions to feedback@smartcompany.com.au. Reader Luise asks: What made your company catapult from a tiny small business into where you were making $5 million... Dianne asks: How do you obtain customer feedback... Mirta asks: I would like to grow my business, but have run out of ideas... See inside for the answers.
View > The source of web-savvy
Tuesday, 24 April 2007 Our Entrepreneur Online is David Trewern, founder of specialist web design firm DTDesign. He has made a successful business , career and life out of knowing and using the web. He is willing to share his secrets to success. Read on to hear his story, and send your questions to feedback@smartcompany.com.au. Reader L. Jasper asks: What search engine optimisation did you do... Luke Moulton asks: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received... and Thomas Zamanis says: I am involved in a new website that will link buyers and sellers... See inside for David's answers.
View > Carpenter nails a fortune
Monday, 23 April 2007 This week's Entrepreneur Online is Jay McAlister, who is happy to share his expertise, so grill him on advertising, fast growth, entrepreneurship, property development or any concerns you have about your own business. Email feedback@smartcompany.com.au. One reader asks: I am looking at starting a retail (new home) building company... And another says: We am contemplating buying a business in which we have no industry experience... See inside for Jay's answers.
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