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1. 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...

2. 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...

3. Australia’s top 10 online retailers 2011

The past 12 months have seen a revolution in the online retailing sector.  Emerging players such as DealsDirect, Catch of the Day and OzSale dominate Australia’s top 10 online retailers and the past year has seen Australia’s big retailers finally start to take online selling seriously. Major department stores Myer and David Jones have ...

4. Research and development business Permo-Drive on the market

Research and development business Permo-Drive was listed for sale this week by administrators PKF Chartered Accountants. Permo-Drive was established in 2000 and has developed an intellectual property that hydraulically captures kinetic energy in heavy vehicles to reduce operating costs. The technology converts energy from braking into kinetic energy that saves on fuel, but it was never commercialised and Permo-Drive has never made a profit. Permo-Drive is a public ...

5. 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.  

6. 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 ...

7. Make-up keeps looking good

Cosmetics and toiletries are based on a solid foundation, and the segment's trend looks set to stay in fashion. By JASON BAKER of IBISWorld. Cosmetics and toiletries are based on a solid foundation, and the segment's trend looks ...

8. How Costco Australia will change Australian retail

There are just two things standing in the way of a potential revolution in Australia's retail sector: Melbourne's notoriously fickle weather, and a roof.   For Costco Australia managing director Patrick Noone, whether the warehouse shopping giant opens its Melbou...

9. The art of setting KPIs

The mantra behind key performance indicators (KPIs) is imprinted on the brain of every executive in the world: "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it". The trouble is many companies don't know what to measure. The result: bad management, mixed messages, confusion and employees focusing on the wrong thing. KPIs need to be handled ...

10. Redundancy: A step-by-step guide

As the downturn continues to cut a swathe through the Australian business community, more and more entrepreneurs and managers are facing up to one of the toughest questions of all - is it time to make some staff members redundant?    It can be a...

11. Australia's sweet tooth resilient

IBISWorld estimates that the chocolate and confectionery manufacturing industry will grow by 1.1% in the five years to 2009-10. This industry has had to endure a recessive economy, falling disposable incomes, volatile commodity prices and increasing import competition. Despite these challenges, the industry has remained resilient, adapting to changing con...

12. Anzac Day 2009 public holiday - a definitive guide to tradin

Retailers across the country are becoming more confused over this year's Anzac Day trading laws, as the holiday is falling on a Saturday for the first time in 11 years. SmartCompany has been inundated with emails and comments from frustrated business owners, asking what day their state observes the Anzac Day holiday and whether they need to pay workers penalty rates. Most states are observing the public holiday on the Saturday and not the following Monday, and Anzac Day tra...

13. Four great business ideas

People often ask me, “What is the next big thing?” Occasionally one gets an insight into what the world might be like. Here are some things we know: There is an anti-‘stuff’ movement – not only can we not store everything we own (we live in smaller spaces in cities – and self-storage is one of the fastest growing industries) but we are increasingly concerned about the cost to the planet of manufacturing, transporting, ...

14. 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...

15. How I managed a crisis that hit 1,000 of my customers

The solar hot water industry has boomed over the past few years, and New South Wales-based Apricus has been taking advantage of the trend. Chief executive Chris Taylor has grown the business from turnover of $4 million during 2007-08 to $20.4 million in 2009-10, with thousands of units installed. But the company had a near-...

16. The hottest gadgets for 2010

There's nothing better than a hot new gadget, and 2009 had plenty of them. A plethora of smartphones, laptops, netbooks and software have given technology fans enough to keep them satisfied over the past year. With new features and services released every month, it's becoming harder and harder to keep up with the industry's innovation.

17. A lifetime of business lessons from Stefan Kazakis

Name: Stefan Kazakis Company: Board of Directors 12 Location: Doncaster, Victoria Stefan Kazakis will be your coach, but not your friend (at least when it comes to business). ...

18. 2012's Hot 30 Under 30

They are young, smart and hungry for success. Meet SmartCompany's Hot 30 Under 30 class of 2012 – a group of entrepreneurs aged 30 years and younger, drawn from 30 of Australia's fastest-growing SMEs. These 30 young people are well on their way to becoming Australia’s next generation of top entrepreneurs.

19. Australia's top female entrepreneurs for 2011

There’s a strong argument that the past year has been a landmark one for Australia’s female leaders.  There’s a woman (Julia Gillard) in the Prime Minister’s office. A woman (Gina Rinehart) has become Australia’s richest person. Two women (Kristina Keneally and Lara Giddings) have become State Premiers, a ...

20. 10 collapses and the lessons learnt

It’s tough out there right now. This year it seems that every week another business goes under, from big companies like trucking firm 1st Fleet to small businesses like the football and athletic shoe importer Azumah. From tourism industry troubles to construction company collapses and the ongoing downturn in ...

21. Boost your retail sales

The outlook for retailers is uncertain as interest rates rise and consumers begin to close their wallets. It's time to re-focus on marketing and selling strategies. Successful retailers tell EMILY ROSS how they do it.By Emily Ross

22. 2011's Hot 30 Under 30

Meet SmartCompany's Hot 30 Under 30 class of 2011 – a group of entrepreneurs aged up to 30 years, drawn from 30 of Australia's fastest-growing SMEs. While many of the entrepreneurs here have leveraged technology to grow their businesses, this group of business owners prove that IT isn't the only avenue to q...

23. Which industries will sink & soar in 2010?

While 2009 proved a tough year, characterised by rising unemployment and economic doom and gloom, it seems the New Year bears good tidings for Australian business, with GDP growth of 2.2% projected for 2010. The information analysts IBISWorld have compiled a list revealing the top sectors set to both sink and swim in the year to come - and it feat...

24. Alcohol industry in better spirits

Australia imports most of the spirits it consumes. Domestic manufacturing represents a relatively small proportion of the estimated $5.2 billion retail value of spirits consumed in Australia. For many products, some degree of transformation occurs domestically, particularly in the case of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. The main spi...

25. Confusion over Anzac day opening hours

There is widespread confusion over business opening hours for the Anzac day public holiday with the different states and territories all regulating trading hours in different ways. Traditionally on Anzac Day retailers are restricted from opening until about 1pm in order to show respect for the dawn services occurring across the country. However, the information from government departments is unclear with departments giving little information for businesses regarding when the...

26. Career by design

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 tells AMANDA GOME the kikki.K story.

27. How the rich made their money

It's the question that has plagued young people and would-be entrepreneurs for years: how do you figure out your path in life when you are not sure what you want to do? In order to find to try to find the answer, who better to ask than Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, who sat down ...

28. How will your sector perform in 2009?

The threat of recession hangs heavy over the business landscape, but not every company is bracing for bad news. In a sector-by-sector breakdown, SmartCompany reveals the industries of likely refuge in the maelstrom ahead. By Patrick Stafford and James Thomson

29. Drinks entrepreneur Peter Brooks toasts $364 million payday

Former Coca-Cola executive Peter Brooks has roared into rich list contention after selling his drinks company P&N Beverages Australia to Japanese beverages giant Asahi Breweries for $364 million. P&N Beverages is Australia's third-biggest beverage maker by volume, and the fourth biggest by value. The company best known as the company behind soft drinks brands Pub Squash and LA Ice Cola, water brand Frantelle and mineral water brand Waterfords, also supplies a number of gro...

30. Your sector-by-sector guide to 2012

The only certainty is uncertainty: chances are the Australian economy is headed for another topsy-turvy year. But for the nation's small- and medium-sized enterprises, there are good sectors to operate in, and not so good. We've taken the pulse of 15 key industries. Here's SmartCompany's guide to 2012, ...

31. Shouldering the drive and passion

Amanda Briskin is a true innovator. She started Mimco 11 years ago with $5000 and a design for two handbags and just sold the company for $45 million. She bucked the norm many times while building her handbag and accessories company and now tells Amanda G

32. Solar industry in chaos as pioneer Solar Shop placed into re

The downturn in the solar industry has now reached one of the country's most recognisable brands, with Adelaide-based Solar Shop being put into the hands of receivers as the industry continues to suffer under volatile changes to subsidies and benefits. The shock announcement comes as the solar industry continues to suffer, especially in New South Wales and Victoria where new Liberal Governments have reduced feed-in tariff rates for consumers who operate solar panels and feed power back i...

33. Mistakes of the young rich

If you are young, rich and self-made, you are walking a tightrope. What drives your success can also cause your failure. By JAMES THOMSON. By James Thomson   If you are young, rich and self-made, you are walking...

34. CARBON TAX: A sector by sector guide

The Government’s carbon tax has finally been released to the public and millions of businesses are struggling to find out how they will be hit, with many warning that they will need to pass on extra costs to consumers. Here’s SmartCompany’s sector-by-sector guide to the impact of the new carbon tax: Agriculture Agriculture has escaped the tax, with the Government making the industry exempt. The industry is set to receive some benefits, with the Carbon Farming...

35. Cleaning up

Enjo's founder Barb De Corti tells AMANDA GOME how the plan to expand her $100 million cleaning products business to the US lost her a lot of money, how her marriage broke up and what she plans to do next. Austrian-born Barb de Corti moved to Australia when sh...

36. Abigail Forsyth

Melbourne-based business KeepCup, founded by brother and sister team Abigail Forsyth and Jamie Forsyth launched its re-usable coffee cup just over 12 months ago and has already sold more than 300,000 units, which retail from $12. The pair, who also own a chain of trendy inner city take-away food stores called BlueBag, took the bold step into the world of design and manu...

37. Former Billabong chief Matthew Perrin declared bankrupt

Matthew Perrin, the former chief executive of surfwear giant Billabong, has declared personal bankruptcy after failed investments in China left him with debts of around $28 million.   Graham Starkey of chartered accountants PA Lucas & Co was appointed as Perrin's trustee-in-bankruptcy. He has said Perrin's assets are "negligible" and the bulk of Perrin's debts are owed to banks and Chinese investors. Perrin and his wife Nicole were valued at $150 million by BRW

38. 10 rules for successful property investing

There’s little doubt that 2012 will be a year of economic crises around the world. But what is certain in these times of uncertainty is that a group of successful property investors will be quietly growing their wealth by taking advantage of the opportunity the market is presenting them . While many Australians will sit on the sidelines waiting for someone to ring the bell heralding the property market has bottomed, savvy investors will be out looking for and buying invest...

39. 10 ways Australian businesses are using the iPad

The iPad has completely changed the personal computing world. But alongside the hundreds of thousands of apps offered in Apple's flagship market, Australian SMEs are now designing their own ways of integrating the iPad into the workplace. Property valuation tools, ordering and inventory fac...

40. iPhone 4 on sale in Australia July 30 with free case to fix

Apple's iPhone 4 will hit Australian shelves next Friday, July 30, but the high-end handset will come with a free case in order to fix the faulty antenna issue that has plagued the company for the past month. The free hand-out was announced by chief executive Steve Jobs on Saturday at a hastily-convened press conference on the weekend, at which he said all iPhone 4 owners are entitled to a free case until September 30, or a refund if they choose. The decision comes after the comp...

41. Five industries set to fly in 2010-2011

With the new financial year upon us, we look at the Australian industries set to fly and fall in the next 12 months. Organic farming will be the biggest winner in 2010-2011 as Australians consider the health benefits and environmental impacts of their food choices, while insulation services will be the bigg...

42. Life of a bum

Aussie Bum, which is a men’s swimming and underwear company that has gone worldwide very quickly. It started in 2001 and it’s already turning over $20 million. Founder Sean Ashby talks to AMANDA GOME. Sean Ashby is 40, and is famous for...

43. Bouncing back

John Randel's first rubber manufacturing factory went up in smoke, but he clawed his way back, and has made a great success of his second enterprise, A1 Rubber. He tells his secrets to JACQUI WALKER. John Randel, the founder and chief executive of recycled ru...

44. Juice toasts a bright future

Consumers’ increasing preference for fresh juice is good news for the industry, which has struggled with poor crops and wild weather. By Jason Baker of IBISWorldThe $927.1 million fruit juice drink manufacturing in...

45. iPad 3 may be delayed until 2012

A new report from DigiTimes has claimed the iPad 3 may be delayed until 2012 due to manufacturing issues with the gadget's high resolution display. The rumour comes after separate reports had indicated that Apple was looking to launch the iPad 3 alongside a new version of the iPhone in either September or October. The new report claims that Apple has cancelled its supply schedule for the rest of the year, and that this has impacted the launch of rival tablets. ...

46. Dyesol’s electric blue sky

Technology that allows iron roofing or glass windows to generate electricity – it sounds like futuristic pipe dreams, but Dyesol’s power-generating innovation is turning the dream into revenue-generating reality. Founders Sylvia and Gavin Tulloch talk to By Brad Howarth

47. Claiming tax losses – be warned! The taxman is watching

The tax office is examining businesses that persistently report losses, and the SME sector has a high proportion of businesses that operate with on-going losses. By TERRY HAYES of Thomson Legal & RegulatoryBy TERRY HAYES of Thomson Legal & Regulatory

48. Disgraced Melbourne Storm official Brian Waldron, AFL heavyw

Disgraced sports administrator Brian Waldron, the man at the centre of the Melbourne Storm salary cap breaches that cost the club two premierships, has been dragged into the collapse of a clothing company that makes uniforms for grass-roots sports clubs. A week after telling staff at the collapsed clothing firm Kombat Pty Ltd that the firm was unable to pay their wages or entitlements, Waldron is leading a new company called Kombat Teamwork, which hopes to buy the assets of Kombat P...

49. Aussie’s strong growth plan

John Symond’s Aussie Home Loans has continued to grow despite ructions in the mortgage market. His advice? Don’t be a victim, especially as circumstances change and customer needs evolve. He tells AMANDA GOME how he positioned Aussie as an organisation th By Amanda Gome

50. Which sectors will win and lose in the downturn?

Are your sales efforts aimed at the right sectors? As the Australian economy hurtles towards recession, veteran business watcher and IBISWorld founder PHIL RUTHVEN nominates the industries that will be hardest hit – and the sectors that should hold up.   As bad...