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iiNet buys Internode for $105 million as telco consolidation continues ahead of NBN

2011-12-22T14:00:00Z

iiNet has purchased Internode in a $105 million deal as consolidation continues among the nation's biggest internet service providers ahead of the construction of the National Broadband Network.

Kathmandu shares plummet 23% on profit downgrade: Midday roundup

2011-12-22T01:14:39Z

Outdoor clothing and equipment retailer Kathmandu has suffered a 23% plummet in its share price to $1.27, after the company announced a profit downgrade due to poor Christmas sales.

Another state small business commissioner appointment strengthens hopes for federal position

2011-12-21T23:37:24Z

The surge in small business commissioners across the country has strengthened hopes the Federal Government will announce a federal position early next year.

Property expert dismisses housing shortage report as "spin"

2011-12-21T23:40:18Z

Property market analyst Michael Matusik has dismissed government forecasts that Australia is heading for a massive undersupply of housing over the next two decades, arguing that politics and “vested interests” are at play.

DesignCrowd acquires US company Brandstack, launches BrandCrowd

2011-12-21T22:52:16Z

Online crowdsourcing start-up DesignCrowd has acquired Texan company Brandstack for an undisclosed sum, combining the service with its existing community to launch BrandCrowd.

Property advisory firm The Investors Club set for court battle with former clients

2011-12-21T22:45:51Z

The legal dispute between Queensland-based advisory group The Investors Club and WA couple Marilee Coombs and Hugh Wilson will be heard in a Perth court next year after two attempts at a mediated resolution failed.

Gasp “apology” slammed as insincere and opportunistic

2011-12-21T23:08:06Z

Melbourne retailer Gasp has seemingly apologised for the way a customer was treated by one of its store representatives, but the sincerity of the move has been called into question after the company also revealed the initial controversy helped sales by 50%.

Retail rents set to fall in mid-tier centres but top malls will try to hold steady: Experts

2011-12-22T00:23:10Z

Retail rents likely won’t tumble next year, experts say, but rents are already falling in certain centres and some retail categories such as clothing, footwear, gaming, books, magazines and recreation products are more vulnerable to difficult economic conditions.

Gerry Harvey buys $1 million shares, hints at further online expansion

2011-12-22T01:01:17Z

Retail king Gerry Harvey has poured more than $1 million of his own cash into 550,000 more Harvey Norman shares, showing the veteran still has confidence is his company’s ability to ride out the current retail storm.

Bureaucrats disciplined over work-related comments on Facebook made on home computers

2011-12-22T01:06:13Z

Four federal bureaucrats have been disciplined over the inappropriate use social media over the year to June, leading to pay cuts and sanctions for making work-related comments on Facebook and from their private computers.

Samsung Galaxy Tab hits big Australian retailers – can it challenge the iPad?

2011-12-22T00:16:03Z

The Samsung Galaxy Tab will finally reach the mainstream Australian market today as Optus begins selling the gadget through its outlets and Harvey Norman stores, after months of fierce court battles against iPad maker Apple.

ACTU push for national public holidays highlights Christmas chaos

2011-12-22T00:09:03Z

A push from the Australian Council of Trade Unions to make public holidays uniform across Australia has highlighted the chaos surrounding this year’s Christmas season, with Christmas falling on a weekend this year.

Shareholders put their faith in Kerry Stokes, back Seven-WesTrac merger

2010-04-21T00:19:49Z

Seven Network shareholders have overwhelmingly put their faith in billionaire Kerry Stokes by backing his plan to merge the Seven media business with his privately-held heavy equipment business WesTrac.

SmartCompany Awards 2009 Criteria

2009-06-30T03:09:21Z

CRITERIA

What do I need to enter? To be ranked as a fast growing SmartCompany your company must: Report the last three fiscal years of revenue. Each year must show revenue growth. Be Australian (not a subsidiary of a multinational). Revenue must not exceed $200 million. Revenue must not be below $500,000. Your company will also be considered for all major awards relevant to your business. By entering the awards, you agree to have your revenue details published on SmartCompany.com.au.

SmartCompany Awards 2009 Categories

2009-06-30T03:09:21Z

CATEGORIES

The Smart50: The Smart50 list is based on revenue growth over the last three financial years. The fastest growing companies will be ranked in order. All companies who enter the SmartCompany Awards and meet the criteria will be considered for the Smart50.
Other major awards: There are five other major awards to be won. These are: The Top Website Award The Top Exporter Award The Top Franchise Award The Fastest Growth Award Most Outstanding Entrepreneur Award All companies who enter the SmartCompany Awards 2009 and meet the criteria will be considered for all major awards that are relevant to their business. These awards are decided by a panel of experts who will judge the innovation of each company's product or service.

SmartCompany Awards 2009 Sponsor

2009-06-30T03:09:21Z

SPONSOR

The SmartCompany Awards 2009 are proudly sponsored by Westpac As Australia's first bank, Westpac has been supporting the Australian community for over 192 years. We are proud to further support the Australian Business Community through the sponsorship of SmartCompany and their 2009 awards. Here are some other ways Westpac aims to support Australian Businesses. Investing locally: More face-to-face support - Westpac is currently hiring Business Bankers in local areas making face-to-face business banking expertise available at your doorstep. We currently have 56 specialist Business Banking Centres around the country, and will continuously increase this presence (with five to open in 2009). We're backing your business by putting more Business Bankers in local branches and business banking centres. So when you want to talk business, you'll get the personal service you deserve. And the local expertise your business needs. Our growth plans also extend to branches, where we will be putting in place 380 Local Business Bankers specifically trained to deal with the needs of SME businesses in their local community. Advice and Education: Practical knowledge - our interactive workshops cover a range of concepts in an easy-to-follow, practical format. Since 2001, Westpac has provided financial education and advice to over 30,000 workshop participants throughout Australia. Financial education expertise - Westpac is the only Australian bank with an in-house team of Financial Education professionals. Lectern Rock - inspiration for your business. Lectern Rock is a ground-breaking new business seminar that re-focuses and re-ignites passion for your business. Mixing the music of great rock artists with the genius of this generation's leading business thinkers, Lectern Rock teaches business people about the power of building unique brands. Convenient and valuable banking solutions All the expertise you need - we know that each business is unique with different banking needs, so through your business banker, you can access a team of experts to provide relevant and personalised advice on key areas like cash flow, transactional banking and international trade. Extended hours - to make banking more convenient, our branches are open for business on Saturdays, providing the opportunity face-to-face banking on weekends. Largest ATM footprint - our network of 1755 ATMs (plus a further 1100 St George/Bank SA ATMs Visit www.westpac.com.au/business for more information on how Westpac can help your business become more successful.

Understanding the new Fair Work industrial relations laws

2009-06-28T23:57:51Z

Get ready for some big changes to Australia’s workplace laws from July 1, when the Rudd Government’s Fair Work industrial relations regime comes into effect.

The new IR laws mean big changes for every employer and particularly small and medium businesses. For example, protection against unfair dismissal claims that SMEs enjoyed under WorkChoices is gone and while there are some protection for companies with 15 employees or less, there are still traps these small employers need to dodge.

In order to help entrepreneurs and managers understand their rights and obligations under the Fair Work regime, SmartCompany has put together a page of articles, including a number of pieces by workplace lawyers Peter Vitale and Andrew Douglas guiding you through key aspects of the new laws.

Five reasons employers need to worry about the Fair Work IR regime

Two days. That's all the time that is left before the Rudd Government's new Fair Work industrial relations regime starts, but many workplace lawyers say Australian employers simply haven't spent enough time understanding what the new rules mean for their business.

Are you ready for the new IR laws?

Get ready for some big changes in the workplace on July 1. If Howard's Work Choices sent the pendulum swinging in one direction, Rudd's Fair Work Act is swinging it back.

Workplace law changes for small business: The essentials explained

Yesterday we finally got the detail of the Federal Government’s new workplace relations laws including collective bargaining, unfair dismissal and arbitration.

Five new Fair Work traps

After hearing it said more than a little since the election of the Rudd Government, WorkChoices is now, officially, dead.

Will the Fair Work act re-write your work contracts?

The new Fair Work act comes into operation on 1 July 2009. OK, most employers know that, but why would they want to worry about it before then?

Inside the new Fair Work bill

It was always expected that Labor would change the IR landscape, and aspects of its workplace changes have been previewed – but there are still some surprises, and every employer will need to know them.

The swinging pendulum of workplace relations

From a position that many saw as too far to the right, IR can now be accused of having too far a left wing bias. There is an important lesson here for employers, says ANDREW DOUGLAS, about managing the physics-like machinations of workplace law.

Is your business ‘family friendly’?

A growing legislative onus to accommodate staff with caring responsibilities won't always mesh with your business as it stands. You need to prepare now for the changes that are coming.

The new IR world

Will there be a recession that compares to, or is worse than, the Great Depression of 1930? Maybe there will not be 25% unemployment like 1930, but current employment is more skilled, more highly paid and less flexible in a difficult employment market.

How performance reviews can protect you from unfair dismissal claims

For a little over three years many businesses who wanted to dismiss employees have not really had to give a second thought to unfair dismissal rules. All of that changes on 1 July with the commencement of the Fair Work Act.

Get ready now to avoid unfair dismissal claims

Companies should review the performance of existing staff and determine whether disciplinary action needs to be taken before the changes to unfair dismissal laws come into affect on 1 July.

Read more on:

Obama pumps cash into electric cars

2009-06-25T14:00:00Z

The Obama Administration's Energy Secretary, Steven Chu, has announced electric car company Tesla will be lent $US456 million to develop an electric sedan and the accompanying battery packs.

US Government bans Sharp LCD imports

2009-06-25T14:00:00Z

The US International Trade Commission has decided that Sharp will not be allowed to import its LCD panels and televisions, due to a patent violation of its rival company, Samsung.

Meet the emotional robot

2009-06-25T14:00:00Z

Kobian, a robot that can display seven different emotions, has been unveiled at Waseda University in Japan.

home

iiNet buys Internode for $105 million as telco consolidation continues ahead of NBN

Kathmandu shares plummet 23% on profit downgrade: Midday roundup

Another state small business commissioner appointment strengthens hopes for federal position

Property expert dismisses housing shortage report as "spin"

DesignCrowd acquires US company Brandstack, launches BrandCrowd

Property advisory firm The Investors Club set for court battle with former clients

Gasp “apology” slammed as insincere and opportunistic

Retail rents set to fall in mid-tier centres but top malls will try to hold steady: Experts

Gerry Harvey buys $1 million shares, hints at further online expansion

Bureaucrats disciplined over work-related comments on Facebook made on home computers

Samsung Galaxy Tab hits big Australian retailers – can it challenge the iPad?

ACTU push for national public holidays highlights Christmas chaos

Shareholders put their faith in Kerry Stokes, back Seven-WesTrac merger

SmartCompany Awards 2009 Criteria

CRITERIA

What do I need to enter?

SmartCompany Awards 2009 Categories

CATEGORIES

The Smart50:

Other major awards:

SmartCompany Awards 2009 Sponsor

SPONSOR

The SmartCompany Awards 2009 are proudly sponsored by Westpac

Here are some other ways Westpac aims to support Australian Businesses.

Investing locally:

Advice and Education:

Convenient and valuable banking solutions

Understanding the new Fair Work industrial relations laws

Obama pumps cash into electric cars

US Government bans Sharp LCD imports

Meet the emotional robot