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Every New Year, under the spell of the fireworks and with a glass of champagne in hand, millions of Australians express their need to start anew. But what is the real impact of the New Year resolutions? IBISWorld answers this question, one resolution at the time.

As 2011 draws to a close, end of year festivities are coming into full swing and Australian businesses are celebrating a year of success. Despite the current economic conditions, Australian businesses have performed well overall in 2011, with the economy growing 1.8 per cent despite natural disasters such as the Queensland floods. Meanwhile, the OECD is also predicting strong relative growth for our economy through 2012 and 2013.

What do you know about Google AdWords? This hub was developed to answer the questions you already have, and those you haven't thought yet to ask.

If you thought equipment leasing was just for computers, server systems or high tech IT equipment – think again. For many start-ups and small business owners, signing up to lease technology is a great way to get their businesses off the ground. Leasing a computer meant you could spread out the cost of the equipment over a longer period of time and you could conserve your precious capital for other uses as marketing or getting the word out.

Over 100 high-profile entrepreneurs are coming together for The Entourage Harbour Cruise. Mix, mingle and cause mischief with some of Australia's most impressive business names under 40.

On Thursday, eight Anthillians were given a pitching opportunity like no other -- access to two prominent Australian investors in a hot-air balloon, while floating over Victoria's Yarra Valley. Some might call it, Australia's most elevated elevator pitch! Seven entrepreneurs (and Anthill founder James Tuckerman) earned the opportunity to 'hang' with AngelCube's Adrian Stone and Adventure Capital's Darcy Naunton... some 2,000 feet in the air.

Here's a cheerful thought: Every minute, three Facebook users worldwide go bung. Pop their clogs. Put on a pine overcoat. And what happens then to those Facebook accounts? Indeed, what happens to all of those accounts for social engagement, email, online dating and online gaming?

You may have experimented with AdWords. AdWords might already be core to your strategy. Perhaps you're an online newbie with a desire to dip your toes into the AdWords estuary, with ambitions to make your big splash as a Big Kahuna on the waves of the interwebs! Whether you're a master farmer in the fields of online marketing or an AdWords apprentice, we suspect it's safe to assume one thing. You are not using Search Engine Marketing as well as you could.

This year's overall Cool Company winner, iiNet, was recognised for its use of innovative technologies, clever marketing and for challenging some of Australia's biggest brands. "This company sells itself as solid like a big telco but has managed to sustain the spunky attitude of a startup," said Anthill founder James Tuckerman, at the Sixth Annual Cool Company Award in Melbourne on Thursday.

According to the 2011 edition of the Country Brand Index, Australia is the fifth most powerful country brand in the world, following Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand and Japan and ranking above countries such as the United States, France and Italy. The report also shows that the general opinion is that Australia is good for business, ranking 4th on the list of the countries with the best investment climate.

Key People enjoy a special status in their chosen field because they are well connected, well known, well regarded and highly valued.

The 2011 Telstra Australian Business Women’s Awards distinguished NSW Deputy Commissioner for Corporate Services Catherine Burn with the Business Woman of the Year award.

A professional sales person communicates with all different types of people. The information you relay to a client and customer should be tailored for your audience. The best way to listen to a customer or client is to ask questions and listen to the answers. So, what are the values your clients hold dear?

In an interview with Anthill’s Cynthia Karena, Schebesta talks about the challenges he faces – using social media to sell financial products, learning to build a business outside of search engine marketing, learning to hire the right candidates and combining fun with work.

AusIndustry is a specialist program delivery division within the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

Darren Rowse is a global professional blogging phenomenon. In 2002, he 'stumbled across a book on blogging. Within five years, his ProBlogger blog was listed as number two on Technorati's most favorited blogs list and number 40 on its most linked to list. His blogs generate around 85,000-100,000 page views... wait for it... a day!

In an interview with Anthill’s Cynthia Karena, the duo says entrepreneurship should be all about building value, not selling out. Early in Spreets’ life, McEvoy realised the importance of this when a friend declined to put a deal opportunity on his Facebook page. That is when the penny dropped, he says, and Spreets began to focus on quality deals and the user experience, rather than focusing only on discounts.

In an interview with Anthill’s Cynthia Karena, Bullock talks about how his resolve never to accept no for an answer landed him his first big client – St. George Bank. Entrepreneurship also means creating a win-win situation and scaling from small to medium, and probably to large, because of the huge potential that still exists, he adds.

At the Start-up Weekend Melbourne, Australian entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas before a panel of venture capitalists and incubators which are looking for the next big thing. The winning startup idea will win $5,000, mentoring support and a chance to enter a $15,000, three-month incubator program.

Contrary to popular understanding, people have been making money out of electric vehicles for over 110 years. Unfortunately there have also been bankruptcies in the electric vehicle business in most of those years.