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Thinking INSIDE the box

Activities to foster innovation often focus on the sexy-subject of product innovation (including Anthill's SMART 100). According to Peter Bryant, innovation strategist and Senior Fellow of the Kellog Innovation Network, Australian businesses might be better off looking inward and using innovation as a tool to enhance operational efficiencies. It's time to think inside the box!

When the going gets tough, go online

Every cloud has a silver lining. Especially if the cloud is economic meltdown and the silver lining is delivered digitally. Robelen Bajar follows the rainbow.

Marketing wisely in an economic downturn

Historically, the marketing budget is the first to get cut back when companies feel the squeeze. As Darwinian principles take effect, the unprepared marketer...

Grant funding: the winners and losers from Federal Budget ’09

Today, our Government Grants specialist, Adrian Spencer, considers the post-Budget winners and losers. Looking for a Government Grant? Here's your cheat sheet.

Tapping the crowd

In past recessions, the tried and proven strategy has been for organisations to shed all non-core businesses and hunker down to the job of...

How to stay on top

Adobe didn't get to where it is today by playing defence. And, as Brad Howarth discovers, the company knows it must keep innovating to stay on top. It's a lesson for us all.

Federal Budget 09 brings hope for emerging companies, but time is still critical

Following on from his first report plotting the impact of the closure of Commercial Ready Grants on Australian innovation, Nick McNaughton provides his assessment of the 2009 Budget and looks specifically at the impact of the announcements relating to the improved R&D Tax Concession and the introduction of the Commonwealth Commercialisation Institute (CCI).

Are these the first signs of The Great Recovery?

So how did 'The Great Recession' on Monday become "The Great Recovery' by Friday? Well it didn't, but in between the beginning and end of the week, we did have a remarkable run of good data to boost our spirits (such evidence is now better known as 'green shoots' after US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke used the term to describe a positive run of data showing signs of a possible recovery).

Setting the wrong price can be costly

How do businesses determine their price to customers?

I see REDD, I see REDD, I see REDD

Okay, this is, for some people, going to be an uncomfortable column to read as I am going to seriously challenge what for many seems like an obvious 'conventional wisdom'. In many cases it is better for the planet if you offset your carbon emissions than if you reduce them via your own in-house efficiencies. The woman with the fully carbon offset Hummer is probably a better friend to the planet than the man in his non-offset Prius.

Tunnel Talk: Managing Hierarchies

Human beings are extremely sophisticated animals. But are we really that different from our tree-dwelling primate ancestors? With the global economy biting and organisations scrutinising their structures for inefficiencies, it’s worth considering the impact our biology has on leadership dynamics.

Getting paid

Sometimes the hardest thing in business is not finding customers; it is being paid for the product or service you provide. As Australia's economy slows, the average age of accounts receivable is stretching many smaller and emerging businesses to almost breaking point.

How social networks are transforming TV

Social networks are fundamentally reshaping the newspaper and TV industries worldwide. In an earlier article, "What the newspaper industry needs to do to survive", I explained the changing dynamics of the newspaper industry. In this article I look at where TV is headed.

6 tips for raising private capital in Australia

Although there is much investment capital available in Australia, raising it can be a tough road for entrepreneurs, particularly for early-stage or start-up companies....

Two for the Road – Close the Loop, Earth Systems Technologies

The path from start-up to success story can be a challenging journey. These two Victorian innovators are taking the path less travelled, turning good...

How to generate media attention for your startup

When aiming to generate media coverage for our start-up or business, we often get one thing wrong. It relates to our training as marketers. We are too targeted.

12 months on from Commercial Ready axing, Australian companies are hurting

Nearly 12 months after the Federal Government's surprise decision to axe the popular Commercial Ready Grant Scheme, Nick McNaughton embarked on a mission - to plot the impact of its closure on Australian innovation. In his first report, McNaughton heads to the coal-face, seeking feedback from those most affected by the cut - technology developers and members of the early-stage investment community.

What the newspaper industry needs to do to survive

Frankly, it sounds like newspapers are struggling to understand the opportunities and rules that govern the online world. There is a whole generation that has grown up with the concept of freemium economics. Try to charge them for something they have always had for free and you’ll lose them altogether. They need to remember that their main customers are advertisers.

Setting up an advisory board

Advisory boards can provide small businesses with an invaluable resource and support structure, and it doesn't have to be a daunting or expensive task. The...

10 Ways to pump up your profits in May

Your goal in these challenging times is to keep focusing on how you can generate more income for your business. Keep asking yourself: "Is this the best use of my time? Is this going to generate more money for my business?" If it is not, stop doing it, or outsource it.
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