Entrepreneur Watch

SmartCompany editor James Thomson brings you the latest news, trends and gossip from the world of entrepreneurs. As well as looking at the business news of the day, James will look at who is making money, who is losing money and where the next wealthy entrepreneurs are coming from.

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Retail’s electronic boogaloo

8 March 2012

You can imagine there are currently a few very pained expressions on the faces of the investment bankers and advisers that Woolworths has charged with the job of selling its Dick Smith chain.

A super boost for R&D?

7 March 2012

After watching Treasurer Wayne Swan attempt to tear down what is left of the Government’s relationship with business for the last few days, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and senior ministers Bill Shorten (he’s in charge of workplace relations and superannuation) and Chris Evans (science) have emerged to try and re-engage.

Back to work, Wayne

6 March 2012

We’re now into day four of Wayne Swan versus The Billionaires.

Labor’s Cabinet congrats

5 March 2012

Labor has finally done it. Ever since Kevin Rudd swept to power in 2007, the Opposition has constantly badgered Labor to put the small business portfolio in Cabinet and thus recognise the importance of the SME community to the nation.

Swan's billionaire blast

2 March 2012

Apparently being named as the World’s Greatest Treasurer has had a transformative effect on Wayne Swan, who has gone from mild-mannered bean counter to edgy Labor enforcer with a poison pen in the space of a few months.

Clive, Frank and the love of the game

1 March 2012

Does Frank Lowy know what he’s getting himself into?

Merchant makes a stand at Billabong

29 February 2012

Gordon Merchant, the founder and largest shareholder of surfwear giant Billabong, has made it very clear where he stands on the takeover bid for the struggling company lobbed by private equity firm TPG – he won’t be selling out unless the money is much, much higher.

Give us a small business minister who cares

28 February 2012

It is still not clear to me why Small Business Minister Mark Arbib has stepped down as a government minister and will now leave the Senate.

Labor’s pain is just starting

27 February 2012

And so it all went pretty much as expected. Prime Minister Julia Gillard emerged from the Labor leadership ballot this morning with a emphatic win, 71 votes to 31.