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It's on again. Over coming weeks, we'll be scouring the nation for Australia's coolest companies. It's the first stage in Australia's most innovative business awards program - The Nomination Phase.

A vigilant cybersecurity consultant in Sydney, a self-made-man success story out of Darwin, and a tiny but persistent teacher-recruiting outfit in suburban Adelaide are among this year's winners of the Telstra Business Awards.

The deadline for The Australian’s innovation awards – presented by the daily in partnership with Shell and the Commonwealth Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research – has been extended, apparently on growing popular demand. The awards recognise innovation for the public good as well as breakthroughs that have potential for commercial use. The winners of each category will receive a cash prize of $5,000. The overall winner will receive an additional $25,000. The Backyard Innovation award open to the general public has a $10,000 prize.

You might, from time to time, forget to give your kids money to pay for their lunch orders. Or perhaps your children have a habit of using the lunch money you give them to buy lollies instead of the alfalfa sandwiches for which it is intended. Either way, mHITs is hoping both parents and schools will sign up for Easy Canteen.

Of the 861 products nominated for our inaugural 'Smart 100' Index, some doozies are in our Top 100. While we can't announce the winners until 2 April 2009 (with the release of our Apr/May/Jun edition), we can bow to your prolific and very persuasive emails requesting a sneak peak at 'who has entered'.

The Parramatta Eels are all over this daily deals malarkey like footie shorts that have just gone through a very hot wash. In an NRL first, the team will offer fans “unprecedented access” to discounted local business services and activities via the brand-spanking new EelsDeals, a dedicated daily deals platform. Accessible via Facebook, email, Twitter, the Eels iPhone App and word of mouth, each day will see a local business deal promoted to Parramatta club fans.

Anyone in sales will tell you it’s a process -- and they are dead right. But what is that process? Enter the Sales Funnel, another of my favourite slides.

This week, Domenic Carosa's Future Capital Development Fund (FCDFL), Australia's only internet-focused Pooled Development Fund, announced its plans to raise a new round of capital in the lead up to an IPO. It's current portfolio consists of approximately 15 companies, including MP3.com.au, which he bought back from Destra last year.

According to the World Economic Forum, Australia is slipping as a 'networked' nation. The organisation's annual survey of 133 nations for its Global Information Technology Report (2009–2010) ranked Australia as the world's 16th most 'networked', falling from its 14th place held over the past two years.

If you're considering changing phone systems, or you're a new business wanting a system to grow with you, make sure that Fonality is part of your decision process.