Anthill Magazine

Many businesses fail despite having customers lined up around the block. The reason? They grow too fast. If you have a long cycle time between order and payment, chances are you’re used to cashflow crises. It’s time to reduce your cycle time.

Are your sales declining, fewer prospects or more competitors in the marketplace? Maybe it’s time for a business “makeover”.

A report released this week by business analyst IBISWorld points to what it predicts will be the top 10 best and five worst growth industries for the coming year.

Bucking the trend of customer inconvenience, some savvy entrepreneurs have carved out a lucrative niche for themselves in the online food industry by reinstating consumer convenience as King.

With business and consumer confidence languishing, it would be logical to think that investor confidence would be similarly depressed. However, according to a recent survey of 4,169 Australian investors conducted by Wholesale Investor, investor sentiment is buoyant.

Repetition is the enemy of creativity. How often have you begun the day with a grand vision for progress and change, only to end it with the nagging feeling that you’ve done much but achieved little? Time to get inspired.

Just being a facilitator won’t satisfy or even make sense to many corporate marketers. I’m not suggesting that you put your head in the sand, but recognise social networks for what they are, and what they are not.

Interestingly, the Swiss - probably the world's most introverted nation - have come up with an innovative way for citizens to answer the call of nature: a public toilet as transparent as a phone booth.

It's about spending money, other people's money, to deliver technology solutions. It's also about getting that spend down to 1% of gross revenues and still delivering what the business needs.

The new version of Firefox (3.5) is scheduled for release next week, and apart from speed improvements it promises to handle video in an entirely new and innovative way. How? Check out this demo Mike Beltzner, director of Firefox, gave TechCrunch.

Are you sick of waiting for the future to deliver on its promises? We let the boffins get away with announcing stuff, taking our money and then hiding. Our generation X and Y attention spans mean we forget to hold them accountable. Oh look over there, something shiny...

Actors training salespeople how to mesmorise their targets with stage techniques. Not as crazy as it sounds. In fact, what a great idea! Now we're on the hunt for any other unusual sales training techniques or initiatives you've come across. If you know of any, let us know below.

Navigating the complex and highly regulated maze of state-run occupational health and safety jurisdictions in Australia can be onerous. However, if you decide it’s all too hard, you could find yourself personally liable in the event of a workplace accident.

You are the sum average of the five people you spend the most time with. Assess who these people are and the influence they have on you. Surround yourself with people that nurture your psyche. Make subtle changes to this circle of influence.

The aim of the Venture Capital SA Investment Attraction Course program is to prepare 10-12 companies that are looking to raise private equity/venture capital in the next 6-12 months.

I was thinking about business and at what point it becomes possible to believe you have a good chance of winning. I came to the conclusion that four elements pave the way to start-up success.

Scientific research conducted over recent years by the University of London has examined the effect of bamboo-like behaviour on innovation at work. After studying a group of people from a large media organisation over a period of many months, the researchers found some enlightening results.

Let's hope your business card never finds its way into this guy's hands.

Us Now is a fascinating documentary film examining the astonishing pace of change that society is currently undergoing, led by the growth of the internet, technology and the new tribalism they are enabling.

An issue close to the heart (and start) of any creative venture is how to protect your valuable idea or concept if you need to disclose it to others. A common way is via a confidentiality agreement.