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1. 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...

2. 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.    

3. 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 ...

4. Costco hits Sydney location – here are five secrets to its

American big-box retailer Costco will open its second Australian location today in the Sydney suburb of Auburn, with thousands already having lined up early this morning to get their first glimpse at the long-anticipated store. The company is also preparing to replicate its success in Canberra, where a new location is set to open near the city's airport. The success of the chain has been one of the glimmers of hope for the retail industry, which is continuing to suffer low consum...

5. Revealed: Australia’s most affordable and unaffordable pla

The Gold Coast, Sydney and the Sunshine Coast are Australia’s most unaffordable housing markets, while the Latrobe Valley and Mildura are the most affordable, according to a new survey.The Gold Coast, Sydney and the Sunshine Coast are Australia’s most unaffordable housing markets, while the Latrobe Valley and Mildura are the most affordable, according to a new survey.The research from the Residential Developer’s Council and RPData used data on median house pr...

6. Vodafone secures Google Nexus One – but still no release d

While internet giant Google may have disappointed users by only releasing the Nexus One "superphone" within the US for now, new comments suggest the gadget could be reaching Australian shores earlier than expected. The anticipation of an Australian release may prompt users to wait who were planning to buy the phone overseas and use it on Australian networks, which may or may not have operated correctly with the device. The Nexus One handset will be launched on US network's T-Mob...

7. Commonwealth Bank attacked after posting $6.1 billion profit

The Commonwealth Bank recorded a 42% increase in full-year cash profit to $6.1 billion this morning, and said it remains cautious about prospects for the next year as economic conditions remain uncertain. But the bank, and the financial industry altogether, has been accused of being run by a group of "greedy thieves" by Family First senator Steve Fielding, who says the Government and Opposition should be questioning the size of the banking sector's profit. Commonwealth Bank said i...

8. Global IP protection online

Safeguarding intellectual property used to be a labourious, expensive task. PCT Filer founder Justin Simpson tells AMANDA GOME how he has simplified the whole process. Justin Simpson was a young lawyer when he spotted an opportunity to automate some o...

9. ATO reveals targets for FY2012 – the wealthy, contractors

The Australian Taxation Office has revealed its targets for the 2011-2012 financial year, with small business benchmarks, wealthy individuals, sham contracting, work-related expenses and employer obligations for SMEs in the tax man’s sights. Releasing its compliance program, the Tax Office says fields as diverse as real estate, hospitality, carpentry, medicine, football and aviation will be in focus for the year to June 30, 2012. Here are some of the key targets the ATO ha...

10. The 12 sales trends for 2011

It's been another challenging year for Australia's sales professionals. While most sectors have now weathered the storm of the GFC, markets remain tough, buyers remain reluctant to spend and sales people continue to be tested. And while economic conditions are expected to improve in the coming 12 months, 2011 looks set to throw up a new set ...

11. Receivers appointed to property empire owned by WOW Sight an

Two directors of retail electronics chain Wow Sight and Sound are caught up in a property sale worth hundreds of millions, after several banks recently appointed receivers to the assets controlled by the two men. The two WOW directors, Sam Savvas and Suds Sotiris, also serve as directors of SSI, which owns a portfolio of Queensland-based companies. These companies, which include The Zone Australia and Aristocon, own the properties that have been placed in receivership, althoug...

12. Westfield Sydney among country’s most expensive shopping c

Westfield Sydney is now the company's most expensive shopping centre in Australia and one of the priciest in the country, according to a new analysis conducted by research firm Leasing Information Services. The figures show average base rent is set at $2,915 per square metre for the 145 registered leases in stage one, excluding ATMs, with three retailers paying above $2 million per year in total. These figures don't include any other incenti...

13. What is down-selling?

Down-selling is the art of narrowing a customer's expectations and matching them more effectively with a solution that best fulfils their needs or desires. Too often I see salespeople praying on their customer's ignorance and up-selling even though there is no extra value being created for the customer. In this instance the salesperson is simply meeting their own agenda and getting the customer to pay for it. Recently my company was in the market for a new office. I dealt with a ...

14. Why the rich are buying commercial property

Australia's richest investors might be battered and bruised after a very difficult year, but there are tentative signs they are slowly coming out of their shells once again. And for the super rich, commercial property has become one of the prime hunting grounds for bargains. A recent survey conducted by Retail Financial Intelligence for the Australian Priv...

15. Dorry Kordahi

It's been a big few months for Dorry Kordahi, the 35-year-old founder of merchandising and marketing company DKM. Just eight years after founding his business, which now turns over more than $10 million, Kordhai joined the Young Rich list with a fortune estimated at $19 million. He's also followed in the footsteps on one of his favourite...

16. The top 10 gadgets for 2011 – and 10 more for next year

There’s nothing better than a well-designed, useful gadget. And there’s more than ever before. With more manufacturers jumping on board with smartphones, advanced televisions and a boom in consumer electronics, gadget lovers have a smorgasbord of goodies to keep their technical habit going.

17. Retail Leasing Tips

Tips on getting the best possible retail lease Do your homework: Spend serious time and money researching the location for your business. It needs to be near the people who will be your customers, have the necessary level of traffic and not be choc-a-bloc with competitors. “Retailers often want to lease a place because they live round the corner – but just because it’s con...

18. Nintex

Brian Cook

19. Top 10 start-up opportunities

Despite the prevailing economic climate, there is still money to be made and niche markets to corner for those willing to establish a new business during a global recession. IBISWorld analysts have identified the ‘Top 10' start-up opportunities for 2009, and beyond. The Top 10 list features opportunities from two dis...

20. Whether to buy-in or start-up

Should I buy a franchise or an established business?     Buying a franchise Many people get a business loan or other type of business finance and rush into buying franchises, believing it is a quick way to get independence and an income. But remember; a franchise is not a business, but a way of do...

21. The multi-billion dollar industries of the future

As part of SmartCompany’s Developing an Entrepreneurial Australia Roundtable, we asked IBISWorld general manager ROB BRYANT to nominate the 10 multi-billion dollar industries of the future

22. How Twitter will change your business

Ever wondered how to advertise, communicate directly with customers and keep abreast of your competition, all at the same time? Social networking website Twitter could be the answer. PATRICK STAFFORD reveals the tips and traps of this hot new online tool.By Patrick Stafford

23. New internet millionaire shares his secrets

What works online? Ask David Eedle. He just sold his young internet site for more than $3 million. He made plenty of mistakes building the site and learnt from all of them. By AMANDA GOME. David Eedle of Arts Hub tells Amanda Gome about his strategy, his exit, and why all companies should use the internet to improve communications with customers. Listen to the

24. Beware of GST traps when selling second-hand goods

The GST law contains provisions that allow second-hand dealers to effectively claim input tax credits in respect of second-hand goods they acquire from unregistered sellers (ie. private individuals). Second-hand goods means what the name says, but specifically excludes (for GST purposes) precious metals (gold, silver, platinum)...

25. Meet the Smart50 of 2008

Welcome to the Smart50 for 2008. This special bunch of companies are fast growing and innovative. They are web-savvy, both Gen-Ys and baby boomers. They don't need your money, and they are setting trends for the future.

26. Fitting Out the Office

Startup businesses will require significant purchases of office equipment and hardware. There are many items that you will need to consider, including: Computers. Phones. Copiers. Faxes. Scanners. Any other equipment that is specific to your chosen business.  

27. Point Project Management

Brendan Bilston

28. The pros and cons of a SMSF

Do you think you could have beaten the negative returns that the vast majority of heavyweight super funds recorded over the past year? If your answer is a resounding “yes”, you are far from alone.   Recep Peker, a senior analyst with specialist researcher Investment Trends, says his firm’s research shows that when mar...

29. Strategy in a downturn – 10 lessons from the last recessio

The economy is slowing, but don’t panic – you can still grow in a downturn. JAMES THOMSON reveals 10 tips from companies who sailed through the last recession. By James ThomsonThe econo...

30. The power of mobile marketing

Australian businesses can be frustratingly slow when it comes to adopting new technology, and mobile marketing is one area where few companies have dared to tread. But with the growth of smartphone use, the adoption of location-based services like Foursquare, the growth of platforms like Android, new advertising markets like the iAd and ...

31. Five ways the Apple iPad will change business

Early this morning Apple chief executive Steve Jobs finally announced the company's worst-kept secret – a tablet device called the iPad. The device features everything analysts could have hoped for, including the ability to use iPhone apps, a new range of dedicated iPad apps such as the iWorks office suite, a new iBooks store and a constant 3G connection....

32. Regulations that matter

The top 19 things you must do!   The following list is general, but needs to be completed before starting most businesses, although of course each business will have its own requirements.   Business premises   Know the business address. Sounds obvious, but if it is to be leased, negotiate the

33. Recession’s rich pickings

This might not seem like the best time to start building a fortune, but a surprising number of businesses were born during the early 1990s recession. We've found 10 wealthy entrepreneurs who started making...

34. 10 marketing lessons from the Royal Wedding

The big day is almost upon us. Tomorrow, billions of televisions around the world will be tuned into the wedding of the future King of England, Price William of Wales, to his fiancée Kate Middleton. Regardless of what you think of the Royals (or marriage for that matter) there is no mistaking that this is likely to be one of the biggest events of the year. And big events with big audiences mean big opportunities for smart marketers. With this in mind, here are 10 marketing l...

35. Just Cuts in India: Running with scissors

Australia’s biggest franchised hairdressing chain is expanding to India. Founder Denis McFadden tells Jacqui Walker how 250 salons will open within four years.Denis McFadden has just signed a master franchising deal for India that will see 250...

36. The best government grants of 2012: Free money for your busi

Everyone’s heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”. That may be true, but we’ve been busy researching something even better than a free lunch – free money. Yesterday we brought you the best Federal Gover...

37. Secrets of the richest ANZAC

ANZAC Day provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the complex relationship between Australia and New Zealand. On the field of battle, the two nations are fierce allies. In every other field – particularly sporting ones – we are almost always rivals. Australians also have a knack for stealing their most famous and claiming ...

38. Mark Forsyth

Mortgage and financial services distribution company Firstfolio is one of the fastest-growing players in the Australian mortgage market. The back-end service provider has grown its managed mortgages from $1 billion to more about $20 million in the last three years through a series of acquisitions and developed a strong distribution network. It also owns leadin...

39. Finding the opportunities in 10 recession-hit sectors

Despite the prevailing negative news about the economy, IBISWorld believes there are a few key tactics that smart companies in some of the worst-hit industries can employ to accelerate their recovery from the current crisis.  

40. Apple unveils iPhone 4S, set to launch in Australia on Octob

Apple launched its new iPhone 4S at its press event in San Francisco this morning, and introduced a new, powerful voice recognition technology, but stopped short of releasing an improved iPhone 5 with an all-new design. Apple also confirmed the new iOS 5 software will be available from October 13 in Australia, but also revealed one disappointment – local users will miss out on the cloud-based iTunes Match service for now. Despite rumours of a brand new iPhone 5 c...

41. How to make your business innovative

Innovation is an essential activity for any fast-growth company. The question is in how exactly that should be done. Many companies turn to their staff, customers and the market in general to determine where to direct their efforts. That generally results in two outcomes - developing innovation internally, or buying it thr...

42. Telstra’s NBN cash cow: Kohler

Telstra's deal with the National Broadband Network Company is effectively a sale and leaseback in which it knows what it's getting for the sale but doesn't know what it's paying in the "lease". The 30-year "sale" agreement is for a total of $47 billion – not $9 billion, as announced. That figure is a lesson in spin-doctoring: it is the net present value of a stream of cash payments using an absurdly high discount rate (10% after tax). The $35.9 billion capital cost of the NBN, mea...

43. Brewing up a storm

The beer and malt manufacturing industry is highly concentrated, with Foster's Group and Kirin Brewery owned Lion Nathan National Foods dominating the industry. Despite volume growth being flat, double-digit growth in premium and low-carbohydrate beer sales drove revenue growth over the past five years. While the big two have seen sales of th...

44. Solomon Lew’s retail empire to close 50 stores, flags onli

Premier Investments, the owner of brands including Jacqui E, Just Jeans, Portmans and Jay Jays, says it will close 50 stores in its Just Group retail division and expand its online business to combat "challenging" retail conditions. Highlighting the difficulties confronting bricks and mortar retailers as they battle weak consumer sentiment and online competitors, Premier says the recent school holiday period did not go as well as it hoped and has downgraded its guidance. "Our busi...

45. Get the best return on investment from your assets

Every business, large or small, has assets that help them perform their work, or deliver the services they provide, to their clients. These physical assets represent a significant monetary investment for even the smaller business. Curbing operating costs and maximising asset productivity - asset management - is vital to achieve a greater return on your investment in assets. Tracking assets Having an accessible record of the details of individual assets is a nec...

46. Turning around a troubled start-up

Online development and marketing firm Ansearch was a mess when David Burden became chief executive in February 2008. But a clear focus and help from investors such as the founders of Hitwise have turned the business around. David Burden is the chief executive of small listed online development and marketing, Ansearch. The company was clocking up big losses until Adrian Giles and Andrew Barlow, the founders of global technolo...

47. WBP Property gets in position

Expansion is the last thing on the minds of most entrepreneurs in Australia's property services sector, but Greville Pabst (right), chief executive of Melbourne-based firm WBP Property Group, hasn't given up on growth just yet. On 2 February, WBP formally opened its first office in Perth, following a merger with local pro...

48. Expert warns accounting standard change means all leases wil

An upcoming change to international accounting standards that would force companies to put all operating and financial leases on their balance sheet could set firms on a collision course with their nervous bankers, an expert has warned. And while the change is aimed at listed companies around the world, Australia's refusal to adopt international accounting standards for SMEs could mean that smaller firms are also forced to adopt the change. Keith Reilly, head of professional serv...

49. Door opens on DIY super borrowing

Investing in property within a DIY super fund is now a lot easier, if you don’t mind gearing and buying packaged products. Note that I used the word “easier” rather than “simpler”. In September 2007, new laws came into effect that permit DIY funds (or self-managed super funds, SMSFs) to invest in an instalment warrant issued over any asset that an SMSF can invest in directly. For example, a product provider may offer an instalment warrant over property, Australian shares...

50. The three retail models changing the way consumers shop

Have you clicked and collected recently? Or shopped at a kiosk? Or popped into a pop-up shop? If you have, you’ve experienced one of the new retail models which are changing the way consumers shop. Innovative retailers are turning to these new models to fight back in the face of low consumer confidence and