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1. MARKETING STRATEGIES: Organisational buyer behaviour

Organisational buying is very similar to individual buyer behaviour with some contextual differences. Organisations buy in furtherance of organisational objectives, such as to manufacture and deliver goods and services to members, customers or the community.   Purchases are ing...

2. 25 corporate collapses – and the lessons learnt

There have been some high-profile corporate failures over the past year, and the evidence suggests that the bloodbath isn’t over. We take a look at 25 more prominent cases to draw salient lessons for every business. It’s getting ugly out there. Credit agency Dun & Bradstreet believes one in nine compa...

3. 7 ways to get rich before age 40

The trend, when making multiple millions before you hit 40, seems to be to find your niche and stick to it. JAMES THOMSON reports on how this year’s Gen-Next have changed the way they found their fortunes.By James ThomsonThis story first appeared 29 September 2008

4. Choose the best superannuation fund

Here are nine strategies to help you choose the best super fund for you and to protect your interests if rolling your super into a new fund: 1. Look at the funds that the experts use Bresnahan says among the funds selected by his employees – “that I have seen” – industry funds are most favoured. And several other superannuation consultancies confidentially reveal that some of their employees hold their super in industry funds.

5. The Tax Forum: 10 ways to build a better tax system

The supposedly dry world of tax has been at the centre of two of the biggest political bunfights in as many years: the carbon tax and the mining tax. Throw in the controversy over the Government largely ignoring a lengthy review of the system led by former Treasury head Ken Henry and it’s clear bean-counting can be a taxing topic for our political leaders. When the Govern...

6. Australia’s best super funds

Is your super fund underperforming? It could be time to change. Here are 18 tips to help you chose the best superannuation fund in uncertain times. By MICHAEL LAURENCEBy Michael Laurence

7. Top 10 jobs of 2010 and beyond

With IBISWorld predicting 2010 will be a boom year for Australian business, and that the next five years will see significant economic growth, opportunities for university graduates are set to grow as companies seek to invest in talented staff. The fact that December 2009 saw the number of jobless people fall by 13,300 is a sure sign tha...

8. How industries are created

Australia has, officially, 465 classes of industry that generate our GDP, which this fiscal year is expected to be around $1.38 trillion in output of goods and services. IBISWorld creates a number of "themed" industries, such as tourism, and singles out some major product groups within industry classes, bringing the number of reports closer to 500; b...

9. Australia’s top 20 online retailers

What a year it’s been in online retail. This time last year the retail industry was up in arms over the “unlevel playing field” supposedly caused by the GST-free import threshold. Now, that argument has been diluted by concerns over wages, penalty rates, and workplace relations. And online sales have continued to climb. According t...

10. Zara to open doors in Australia, but how should local retail

The popular Zara clothing brand will finally open its doors to eager Australian shoppers in 2011, after its Spanish-based parent, retail giant Indetix, announced it will open stores in the local market and South Africa next year. And despite a sluggish retail market, analysts say the company will establish itself well due to its high-quality brand positioning and low prices, but local fashion retailers will need to prepare themselves for the new competition. Pablo Isla, deputy ch...

11. 30 government grants to grow your business

It's tough to get money at the moment. The venture capital funds have shut up shop, the sharemarket is shying away from IPOs, the banks have backed away and the angel investors have had their wings clipped.  

12. 20 tax tips from the experts

The 2008-09 tax season is almost upon us and entrepreneurs can expect to get some extra scrutiny this year. MIKE PRESTON and JAMES THOMSON ask a panel of tax experts for their best tips and the best action you can take now to minimise your tax billBy James Thomson and Mike Preston

13. Australia’s best business blogs

Blogging is a great way to engage with your customers, build your brand and stand out on Google. BRAD HOWARTH explains why entrepreneurs often write the best blogs – and lists Australia’s top 15 business blogs. By Brad Howarth  

14. Australia’s best super funds

Choose the best super fund for you, and protect your interests if rolling your super into a new fund, by following SmartCompany’s guide to finding Australia’s top super fund. By MICHAEL LAURENCE.By Michael Laurence Choose the best super fund for you, and protect your interests if rolling your super into a new fund, by following SmartCompany’s guide to finding Australia’s top super fund.  

15. 20 sales and marketing problems solved

The recession has thrown the sales and marketing strategies of entrepreneurs into disarray. Customers have become more hesitant to buy, sales teams are struggling to get deals over the line, and the marketing budget isn't looking as healthy as it used to.   

16. Our top female entrepreneurs

Meet Australia's top female entrepreneurs – they are smart, focused and generate more than $3.6 billion in sales. In a special feature to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, SmartCompany has compiled a comprehensive list of 48 of Australia's best business women (see ...

17. Australia’s 25 top business blogs

While Facebook and Twitter might hog the social media headlines, the humble blog remains a much-loved communication tool for many Australian business people. Around the country, and throughout many different industries, there are thousands of Australian consultants, contractors and entrepreneurs running lively, informative and at times, very persona...

18. Cashing in on the 50% rebate - here's how to do it

Businesses with annual revenue of less than $2 million are being urged to take advantage of the Government's increased investment allowance announced in the federal budget.   Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan said that the allowance will be extended from 30% to 50% for assets purchased by eligible businesses - but second hand items are out of the question. ...

19. The 10 next social media trends

Social media still dominates headlines as the new direction for business marketing, but it seems many businesses are resisting the call. A recent survey by Optus found that only 28% of small businesses used social media to promote their business, while 56% had no near-term plans to start. It's an understandable response. Jus...

20. State Government Grants

Free money for growth There are many juicy free money opportunities out there, but before leaping in, business owners need to understand the cost and red tape that comes with the grants process. Here we look at state government grants and examine the costs involved and the obligations you’ll face. SmartCompany’s selection of grants from the state governments Click on the name to link t...

21. 10 must-haves for your marketing plan

As the list of ways to promote your business grows, working out the most effective way to spruik your business can be half the battle. That's why it's vital that small- and medium-sized businesses put a solid marketing strategy in place and make sure they don't deviate from the plan. Here are 10 things your plan mus...

22. Our top 10 online retailers

The battle for the title of Australia's top online retailer has come down to a fight between the two heavyweights of the local e-tail sector. Both sell discount goods, both are growing rapidly – and both claim they hold the top position. In SmartCompany's second annual list of the country's biggest online retailers, department store...

23. The 10 richest Australian celebrities

It's the great challenge of every celebrity supermodel, sportsperson, actor or performer - how do you get fame to translate into fortune? It's not easy, but there is a rare breed that has been able to combine their natural ability and star power with a happy knack for business. In Australia, golfer Greg Norman, model Elle Macpherson and s...

24. 10 secrets of the stinking rich

Short of the dream lottery win, breaking into the ranks of the mega-rich seems unattainable. But the stinking rich have betrayed clues to their success – consistent traits that we can learn from. Here are the top 10. By JAMES BENNETTBy James Bennett

25. Australia’s best super funds for 2010

The task of trying to select the best super funds is filled with traps for uninformed consumers. Take the potential minefield for anyone who focuses solely on trying to hunt down the best performance or extremely low fees but fails to compare premiums for fund-provided insurance. "The differential between the highest price insura...

26. Choose a business type

The most suitable structure Choose the structure that will best suit the needs of your business. Your decision will determine how you have to register your business and which laws you have to observe. It is vital that you understand the legal requirements of your business setup and seek legal advice

27. Mining company sues Hot Copper online investment forum for d

Copper mining and exploration company CuDeco is suing the controversial Hot Copper forum and two of its members for allegedly making misleading and defamatory remarks against the company, a statement revealed this morning. It isn’t the first time Hot Copper members have landed themselves in trouble, with one paying $30,000 earlier this year to security company DataMotion after being accused of defamation. CuDeco

28. Australia’s best super funds for 2011

An almost certain way to become highly depressed is to look at the returns of the big super funds' balanced portfolios over the five years to September. Almost all of the annual returns – even of the top 10 performers – failed to match inflation. The median annual return of the hundreds of funds surveyed by s...

29. Australia’s top web 2.0 entrepreneurs

The search for Australia’s best and brightest web 2.0 entrepreneurs reveals a tangled web of companies, individuals and technologies reports BRAD HOWARTH, tied together through an equally complex web of professional relationships and friendships. By Brad Howarth

30. Boost Juice founder Janine Allis sells 70% stake

The founders of juice bar chain Boost Juice, Janine and Jeff Allis, have sold a 70% stake in the company for between $65-70 million to a US private equity firm. The firm, The Riverside Company, only opened its first office in Australia in late April but appears to have wasted little time in picking up one of Australia's biggest food franchises. Boost Juice has 180 outlets in Australia and 50 overseas (mainly in Britain, Singapore and South Africa) and is expected to post revenue o...

31. The top 50 growth suburbs

The diverse nature of the nation's property market – and the impact of the resources boom – is reflected in the list of Australia’s top 50 growth suburbs for the year to 31 January (see table below).Two-thirds of the top performers are close to capital cities; the rest are in regions dominated by nearby mining operations.

32. Five questions to ask before making an offer on property

We all want to buy our house or investment at the lowest price possible, or at least get good value for our money. On the other hand the vendor wants the highest price he can get, yet you now know that the asking price quoted by the selling agent will usually be more than the owner is willing to take for their home. It's just part of the real estate game - vendors know the price will come down as part of the negotiation process. So ho...

33. Top 10 lessons of successful female entrepreneurs

What's keeping women entrepreneurs in the minority? Is it something they are doing wrong? It doesn't have to be this way. AMANDA GOME offers 10 steps to success.   By Amanda Gome    

34. The perfect performance review

Traditionally, performance appraisals have been regarded as critical for managing careers and keeping employees in line with business objectives. Now with the Government's unfair dismissal changes dismantling WorkChoices, the performance appraisal can also be a critical tool in protecting your business from unfair dismissal claims. For time-strapped managers and business owners, that means more work. But as Julian Lippi, director of the MBA at Swinburne's Australian Graduate School of En...

35. New details on the 50% small business tax deduction

The bill implementing the new temporary investment allowance for businesses, especially SMEs, is now law.   It received Royal Assent on 22 May 2009. There is now some certainty for SMEs about claiming the new allowance - provided of course, they have ...

36. 10 secrets of successful B2B selling

Dealing with other businesses requires a different approach to the consumer market. It’s not an easy transition, but MIKE PRESTON has divined the secrets to success from Australia’s experts. By Mike Preston

37. OECD predicts Australian interest rates will soar, but econo

The organisation of economic coordination and development has forecast Australian interest rates will reach 5.7% within a year, pushing up variable mortgage rates and increasing pressure on financially-stressed home owners. If the predictions come to pass, it would mean Australia's interest rate would be one of the highest in the world at a time when more countries are keeping rates low as their economies recover from the global financial crisis. The OECD's Economic Outlook, rel...

38. Hot 30 under 30

They're smart, they're young, they're tech savvy - and they're not afraid of the downturn. Meet SmartCompany's Hot 30 under 30 - a group of 30 entrepreneurs aged 30 years and under who are on their way to becoming Australia's next generation of business leaders.  

39. Federal Government Grants

Free money for growth Government assistance is designed to help companies grow – it will not provide start-up capital, get you through a cashflow crisis or help you pay creditors. In fact in many cases grants are made in the form of a refund or credit for money already spent. There has never been a better time to get your hands on some government assistance. For starters, the slowing economy means business...

40. Economy 2009: 10 key forecasts

There are several key elements affecting the overall economy, and the stability or otherwise of each can be integral to your business’s viability for the year ahead. JAMES THOMSON surveys the likely scenarios. ...

41. Our property markets are down but not out

With so many mixed messages in the media about what's going to happen to property I thought I'd take a look at the latest property statistics to see what's going on and look for clues as to where market is headed. Recently Residex released its growth figures for our capital cities for the 12 months to May. As you can see from the table below, Melbourne was the outstanding performer over the last year:

42. How to make a profit – it’s easier than you think

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.

43. Witchery and Mimco push ahead

The economic crisis is nothing new for Witchery and Mimco chief executive Iain Nairn, who has weathered two downturns in the last three decades. While he predicts tougher times ahead, the retailer believes the fashion group has the strategy to survive andBy Emily Ross

44. Australia's eCommerce superstars

Australia's bricks and mortar retailers have been doing it tough of late. But then, it is getting hard to remember a time when they weren't. But while news reports are filled with stories of companies such as Borders, Blockbuster and Premier Retail closing stores, many of Australia's online retailers are going from strength to st...

45. Grill'd on the front burner

We'd never actually suggest that booze is a good way for an entrepreneur to get through this downturn, but for Simon Crowe, founder of healthy burger chain Grill'd, it has become an important part of his recession-busting strategy.   While fast-food...

46. Myer dresses down for a long, bleak winter: Bartholomeusz

Myer's third-quarter sales results, and its earnings downgrade, underscore how much the retail sector needed this month's 50 basis point cut to official interest rates and beg the question of why the Reserve Bank didn't move a little earlier. The faint hope for retailers being ground down by the anxiety of consumers is that the cut – most of which has flowed through to home loan rates despite the retention of some of the 50 basis points by the banks – is that it helps stem the c...

47. Krispy Kreme Australia in administration, directors will att

Donut retailer Krispy Kreme Australia has been placed in the hands of administrators after being hit by a combination of falling sales, high distributions costs, unsustainable rents and poor store locations. However, the directors of the company, who include chief executive and major shareholder John McGuigan, are likely to present a restructuring plan to the voluntary administrator in the coming weeks in an effort to make the company more "financially stable". McGuigan said...

48. Re-inventing a cottage industry

Serial entrepreneur Ryan Trainor, 35, has spent the last year turning a cottage industry into a national, scalable business called Franklyn Scholar.  It has attracted a high profile board and has revenue of $20 million. Amanda Gome talks to Trainor about how ...

49. Kleenmaid directors face insolvent trading and fraud charges

The directors of failed whitegoods company Kleenmaid have appeared in court over charges the business traded while insolvent, in one of the first major insolvency cases for a business that collapsed in the aftermath of the GFC. The case comes after years of controversy surrounding the company’s failure, which affected thousands of creditors and placed the future of franchisees up in the air. Directors Andrew Young, Bradley Young and Gary Armstrong have been accused of 20 c...

50. Can I get the 30% rebate off on my work car?

I have a lawn mowing franchise and recently bought a second hand work vehicle. I just found out about the 30% tax rebate but can't get a straight answer as to whether I can claim on this. I also want to put the ute on LPG, and since it is for work and I can't claim the $2000 rebate, can I get the 30% rebate on this instead? Dan