Growth & Export

As the rest of Australia contemplates a Startup strategy like Start-Up America, Tasmania has quietly been running its own show since 2009. “Tasmanian companies have the great advantage in the nimbleness of the size of the state. Competitors are more often friends and collaborators, State and Commonwealth agencies are open and accessible, and angels are often only a couple of degrees of separation away,” says co-organiser of Startup Tasmania Dr Polly McGee.

Navigating China’s many social networks can be as challenging and frustrating as mastering Mandarin. However, when building a social media plan, there are a few basics you can apply. Here are four must-dos when attempting to to connect with -- and ultimately sell your brand to -- the Chinese.

Brisbane-based vino enthusiast Tyson Stelzer discovered first hand that there are no sour grapes when it comes to supporting flood victims. Three hundred vineyards and wineries -- some of whom have lost entire crops -- have donated more than $240,000 in exclusive wine, memberships, books and travel packages to the Australian Wine Trade Flood Relief Raffle, so that you can win ridrunkulous prizes.

Despite a lower number of businesses offered for sale, private business values were relatively stable in the final quarter of 2010, according to the latest BizExchange Index.

Australia’s self-appointed online retail antagonist Ruslan Kogan -- while possibly enjoying a slow day at the office -- has crunched his online traffic numbers to reveal that the most popular names of 2010 online shoppers on the Kogan site were John, Peter, David, Michael and Paul (in addition to some information that you might actually one day use, on how and why Australians shop online).

Online outsourcing marketplace (and Anthill Cool Company Award winner) Freelancer.com has released the results of its 2010 Freelancer Fast 50 index, an analysis of 320,000 online job postings, revealing the most (and least) popular technologies desired for freelance jobs in 2010, providing a barometer of technology trends.

Whether they were affected directly or indirectly, businesses everywhere are grappling with how the floods will influence their operations in the long run. Some are teetering with optimism, others are wretched with horror. How would you keep things ticking in times of disaster? Here are five top tips.

Offer Me, one of Australia's early adopters of the group-buying model, released a media statement on Friday alerting the media that it is on the "verge of" receiving "substantial" venture funding from overseas investors. But being on the 'verge' of a big deal is, indeed, not a big deal (and possibly not even news). So, why would someone produce a media release and court the media's attention about a deal not done?

On the eve of Australia Day, 26 January, business information analysts IBISWorld has released a report on what it means to be Australian – both today and in the future. Is it all beaches, barbies and beers?

On the presentation of the first Annual Growth Survey the European Commission advised the member states not to cut on research and develpment nor education. It also set priorities and proposed ten actions to encourage economic growth.

Business information analysts IBISWorld released a list of which Australian industries and sectors will rise and fall in the year of 2011. The organic farming industry is expected to be the number one growthe industry, while wired communications carriers are expected to make the biggest fall.

Dun & Bradstreet's survey of business expectations says Australia's economy is leaning heavily on business-to-business trade and to commerce with the emerging Asian markets to shore up the domestic market, which still is waiting for consumers to start spending again.

Historically, the US tends to set up for a long period of growth after a major downturn. While the rebound from what Americans call the Great Recession has been slow, there are indicators suggesting that the US economy could be setting for a multi-year bull run. The time is now to put US expansion plans on the front burner.

Although market confidence jumped towards the end of 2010, the September quarter revealed business values holding steady, according to the latest survey from the BizExchange Index, which measures private business value. The group expects the Australian economy to stay relatively flat for the next 6-12 months, continuing its general forecast.

In this podcast, Leon and Garry talk about Treasurer Wayne Swan’s raft of bank reforms while the Senate economics committee has hearings into the banking business, Australia’s super system is to be manipulated, new figures show that despite the mining boom, the real economy is struggling with vehicle sales down, personal credit shrinking, dwelling commencements falling, low business confidence and more businesses expected to call in corporate undertakers and consumer confidence edges up.

Over the past fifteen years, outsourcing has been an increasingly common practice allowing businesses to reduce costs and therefore pour resources into growth. However, with the upheaval of the last eighteen months, business as usual has seen its foundations shaken and reshaped. Is outsourcing still the best option, or should businesses be trying to claim more of the value chain for themselves? Should they still be offshoring, or will nearshoring bring greater profits in the future?

In this podcast, RMIT economist Sinclair Davidson talks about the welcoming news from the latest unemployment and mortgage figures. He also looks at the interesting case of the reduction in domestic wine production, but believes that this signals a change for the better in the wine market.

Talking Business is a podcast review of the Australian economy, presented by seasoned business journalists Leon Gettler and Garry Barker, produced in association with the RMIT College of Business. In this podcast, RMIT economist Sinclair Davidson talks about retail and current account figures and explains why shopping figures are down for the Christmas season. He also gives his forecast on the resolution of Europe's economic mess following the bailout of Ireland.

A 'who's who' of leading Australian entrepreneurs and business builders gathered last night at Melbourne's 24 Moons Bar in AC/DC Lane to celebrate Anthill Magazine's 2010 Cool Company Awards. Winners were presented with as Australia's biggest award in business -- a 1.2 metre personally branded trophy bean-bag. In addition to the formal accolades, attendees were treated to party games for entrepreneurs, such as 'Pin the Idea on the Venture Capitalist'.

Freelancer.com has a long, long reach. Headquartered in Sydney, the web-based company connects business and individuals who need a task done with those who have the talent do it. Freelancer.com has more than 2 million users. The company describes itself as a marketplace of talent -- an eBay of people, if you will. The company so impressed our august panel of Anthill Cool Company Awards judges that it took top honors in two categories: Global Growth and Online Business.