Search

  - All Sections -Content Search Advanced Search

1. The next 15 trends in social networking

There is no hotter trend in the internet, marketing and media space than social networking. What started out as a way for ‘cool kids’ to talk to each other has now become essential part of every company’s marketing strategy.  ...

2. RSS Feeds

  What is RSS? RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication" and is an easy and free way to track updates to the SmartCompany website. You can subscribe free to one or more "feeds" which send you the headline and a short summary of articles that have been recently added or updated on the website. To subscribe to an RSS feed, you will need a News Reader or...

3. Entrepreneurs reveal their cashflow commandments

Senior account director at debt collection agency eCollect Lou McLeish has been on the phone chasing up a string of overdue bills for her clients, one for as little as $368, another for $7,000 that is 90 days overdue. "There really is a big debt problem," she says. "Collecting money is everybody's least fa...

4. 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...

5. SmartCompany Crown Lager Business Start Up Awards 2009

SmartCompany is proud to present the winners of the SmartCompany Crown Lager Business Start Up Awards for 2009. These awards recognise Australia's fastest growing start up ...

6. Should you buy an iPad 2? The pros and cons

The wait is over. Two weeks after American tech-heads got their hands on Apple's latest device, it's now Australia's turn. The iPad 2 will launch at 5pm this afternoon, at Apple stores and various resellers across the country. By all accounts this launch has gone much more smoothly than last year's, which saw tech fans wait several weeks to get their hands on an iPad after demand in the US outstripped supply. But while the Australian launch has run on schedule, supply is ...

7. Internet pioneer on new web trends

Lloyd Ernst had an early start on the web, and has learnt how to achieve growth the hard way. He talks to AMANDA GOME about future web directions and what’s in the pipeline. By Amanda Gome

8. The ATO’s new Super Guarantee rules explained

The ATO recently released a very important ruling - Superannuation Guarantee Ruling SGR 2009/2 - that explains the tax commissioner's view on the meaning of Ordinary Time Earnings and ‘salary or wages' as defined in the superannuation law. It is a lengthy ruling and quite technical, but important for employers to be aware of in meeting ...

9. Top 10 online retailers

In November 2008, Gerry Harvey issued SmartCompany with a challenge - find 10 Australian online retailers who are making "real money". Harvey was convinced the world has been conned by online retailing, claiming the co...

10. First impressions count in retaining SME staff... Servant-CE

First impressions count even more for new SME employees New employees decide to leave an SME in a much shorter time frame compared to those at larger organisations, with more than half deciding in the first month, according to new research by consulting firm Chandler Macleod. In fact, 8% of SME employees decide on the first day of their new job, compared to just 1% of employees from larger organ...

11. Apple cleared in Buzzle collapse, launches iPad-ready versio

Tech giant Apple has finally been cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to the collapse of the Apple reseller group Buzzle, following nearly a decade in legal battles and hearings to determine whether the group acted as a shadow director. The New South Wales Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Apple, and its finance director James Likidis, were not shadow directors of Buzzle, and that there was no basis in the $57 million claim brought against both parties by Buzzle's liquidator. ...

12. 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...

13. 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...

14. How do I get a branded YouTube channel?

With more ‘searches' conducted at YouTube than on Yahoo and MSN, it's obvious that Youtube is a major force in the online space. The fact there were six billion videos viewed in May is simply astounding. If your business doesn't have a presence or channel at YouTube, it's probably time it did. Remember, when you si...

15. 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 ...

16. 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

17. eBook Library

Welcome to the SmartCompany eBook Library. You can access all the eBooks here and keep an eye out for new titles. Now that you are a SmartCompany member you can join in on the conversation by participating in forums, commenting on articles and networking with other like-minded Australians who want to build bigger better businesses.    

18. Why your company needs core values

The very phrase “company values” is enough to make some business owners – and many employees - groan and roll their eyes. For many businesses, corporate value statements are little more than vague motherhood statements that sound nice but bear little relation to way business is done. But that’s not that case in every business. For a n...

19. 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.   

20. How to build a loyalty program

It’s estimated that there are around 200,000 loyalty programs operating in Australia, which makes it extremely difficult for a business to stand out from the crowd. But there are ways to ensure your program stacks up against the rest – as long as you’re prepared to put in some hard yards during the set-up phase. There’...

21. 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 ...

22. 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...

23. 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...

24. Gap to enter Australia, first store in Melbourne by end of J

American retailer Gap has signed an agreement to bring its brand to Australian shores following years of speculation, in the latest sign US companies are flocking to the local market attracted by the strength of the franchising sector. But while there should be enough demand for the company's product, one retail expert wonders whether it will struggle to compete against Australia's fashion-conscious market. It comes as a number of other American retailers, including the NexCen bra...

25. 10 ways to foster innovation in your company

The economy might be slowing, but now is not the time to stop innovating and let your competitors gain the upper hand. KOSMAS SMYRNIOS and AMANDA GOME explain how you can foster a culture of innovation in your business.By Kosmas Smyrnios and Amanda Gome

26. Top 10 must-have gadgets for 2009

There is only one thing an entrepreneur loves more than closing a big deal or finding about a new tax break – discovering a hot new gadget. With this in mind – and with Christmas just around the corner – SmartCompany has compiled a list of 10 must-have ga By Patrick Stafford

27. 30 hot entrepreneurs aged 30 and under

They are young, smart and come from industries as diverse as IT, fashion and agriculture. BRAD HOWARTH profiles 30 hot young entrepreneurs aged 30 years and under. By Brad Howarth    

28. 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 ...

29. Five top business ideas that made millions

According to Paul Graham, investor and founder of Y Combinator, the best way to get a winning business idea is to not think of any. Instead, you should be looking at which problems you can solve. “The very best start-up ideas tend to have three things in common: they’re something the founders themselves want, that they themselve...

30. 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...

31. 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...

32. 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...

33. Five lessons from the collapse of Storm Financial

Storm Financial’s stumble into administrator’s hands wasn't just a result of the financial crisis – its strategy left it badly exposed and distracted. JAMES THOMSON picks over the remains and looks at the salient lessons for every entrepreneur. By James Thomson

34. 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...

35. Construction firms build on diverse foundations

The SmartCompany Dun & Bradstreet Industry Growth List for the construction sector reveals a fragmented broader industry that has shown strong growth in favoured parts but revenue that is sensitive to wide ranging influences. By MIKE PRESTON By Mike Preston  

36. What are the benefits of a CRM system in your business?

First of all what does CRM stand for? CRM = Customer Relationship Management. The concept of CRM has been around for a long time. The original form of CRM was a manual card system kept by a sales person that usually sat on the sales person's desk or alongside them in the car. These client card sets were very valuable to the sales person as this is where they kept important customer information such customer contact details, key contacts in the company, a running commentary on thei...

37. 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 ...

38. 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

39. The digital dozen – our next big things online

While Australia is yet to produce anything of the scale of Google, eBay and Amazon, there is always an interesting crop of up-and-comers threatening to burst on to the scene. We've compiled a list of 12 companies that demonstrate the spirit of innovation that exists among Australia's internet entrepreneurs, and which may go on to become the "next bi...

40. 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...

41. Android dominates Australian smartphone market, Apple crumbl

A divide has opened up between smartphone sales in the US and Australian markets during the 12 weeks ending November 25th, with Android dominating the Australian market and Apple dominating the US, according to new market research figures. The figures, compiled by Kantar ComTech, show that Apple's Australian smartphone marketshare during the quarter ending November 25 sunk to just 35.9%, down from 41.3%...

42. 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...

43. 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...

44. Short Course: Mid Year Sales and Marketing Makeover

{rsform 95}...

45. 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

46. Australian distributor of Power Balance wristbands collapses

The Australian distributor of the controversial Power Balance wristbands will be placed into receivership today, with the owner of the business saying that sales have "evaporated" since the business provided undertakings to the ACCC to stop claiming the wristbands could improve balance, strength and flexibility. Power Balance Australia owner Tom O'Dowd has exclusively told SmartCompany that while he had been "naive" in thinking that the business would not by subject to laws surr...

47. Free eBook: 10 quick sales and marketing wins

48. Sumo Salad finds a healthy model

These are tough times for food retailers, with rising unemployment and falling consumer sentiment leading to a sharp drop in customers.  But Luke Baylis and James Miller, founders of health fast-food franchise Sumo Salad, claim the main challenges for their business haven't come from the e...

49. 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.

50. 22 online marketing tips that won't cost you a cent

It's a classic Catch 22 situation - you're desperate to improve your online marketing efforts, but there is precious little money left in this year's marketing budget. Don't despair. Here are 22 things you can do to improve your online marketing right now - and all they will cost you is time.