Articles

Home Articles Page 2
Business news, features for entrepreneurs and small business, comment, resources and reviews | Articles

What can training do for business? Surveys says: a whole lot!

Technical skills are essential to a job, be it IT-related or elsewhere. But, simply knowing how to perform a techie function is no longer the endgame for personal development in the modern world of business. The most effective people are the ones practicing sound management and excellent communication bolstered not only by experience, but by training as well.

Five things the government can do to help Australian startups

We're not asking for a revolution, but there are some really simple things that the government could do to rock the world of startups and entrepreneurs. These five simple things would make a world of difference.

Crowd funding – easy capital or legal nightmare?

Crowd funding has come a long way from its origins backing struggling rock bands. It has proven to be a highly successful vehicle to raise funds for disaster relief, philanthropic activities, supporting bloggers and website operators, political campaigns,software development, and scientific research. The next frontier is capital for start up companies.

Customer service is the new marketing

In a world where consumer and peer reviews are easily accessible via social media and the web, positive customer experiences become amplified and produce word-of-mouth referrals. On the flip side, negative customer experiences become amplified as well and can be kryptonite to even great companies.

MiniMoh mums on a mission to help other mums grow their small businesses

“We aim to connect designers, entrepreneurs and retailers directly with targeted consumers, providing both the retailers and the customers with a safe, convenient way to shop, all in one place,” says Stahmer, “It’s perfect for busy mums.”

How do the darlings of Silicon Valley make money? Or, do they make money...

I'm sure these are questions that you've asked yourself, while you've sat there pondering your idea, your business plan, and your bank balance. Now, there's...

Marketing 101: Don’t take things away from your customers

It’s not often that I think Virgin make mistakes. Normally, I think its customer service; advertising and general corporate behaviour makes it a company that should be followed. However, I don’t feel that way today. I think the company has made a blunder, one that will affect thousands of loyal airline customers.

ZMOT or, how to make friends and influence consumers

ZMOT - whether you’ve heard this or not, you’re probably thinking; not another term to add to the tedious marketing literature! Fond of acronyms or not, ZMOT stands to serve what is without argument, the most important change to marketing in the past decade.

How LeapFrog Retail is putting some ‘Moneyball” into the retail game

The launch of LeapFrog Retail comes after noticing a gap in the market and eight years of meticulous research, development and testing. Making the right decision requires the right information and LeapFrog Retail is making this possible with a scientific approach that reveals vital new insights for retailers to unlock their hidden sales, profit potential and productivity.

Apple an innovation icon? Of course. The ultimate role model? Maybe not

McKinsey’s central point is this: Apple is so unique – even among its technology peers – it is impossible, and, perhaps, foolish to try to emulate it in its entirety.

Six megatrends that will shape our future

Three years ago, the CSIRO, embarked on a "global foresight" project, not to enlighten the world at large but mainly to guide its own research. However, the CSIRO has identified six "megatrends" that indicate major shifts in environmental, social and economic conditions that will substantially change the way people live for the next two decades.

How Young Republic is bringing Aussie designers to the World

Sydney based Young Republic is setting their sights on becoming the go-to destination for designers and lovers of independent fashion all around the world with the launch of their new international online marketplace today.

Could your website’s terms and conditions turn into your one way ticket to jail?

The ACCC’s one day crack down on website T&Cs should just be a reminder to business owners that not protecting themselves against legal liability could bring heavy fines. Is your website in the cross hairs?

Collabradabra – The magic of collaborating with staff

Yes, it's true, it only takes one budding entrepreneur with a brilliant idea to start a business, but from that point on, it takes a collaboration of staff to turn that business into a success. The only thing more powerful than champion employees, are champion employees that know how to collaborate and work together.

Aussie Mum snags award for practical (and cute) sleeping bag

The Bamboo Bubby Bag has become a practical and popular choice among parents worldwide, minimising damage caused by scratching from eczema, dermatitis and even chicken pox as well as stopping thumb sucking and even helping babies who would wake from cold hands. Eczema is a particularly unpleasant condition that is quite common in infants, and can continue into adulthood. The condition, also called atopic dermatitis, can cause painful blisters, dry sky, redness, inflammation, and leather-like patches on the skin. Especially with the case of young children, eczema can be very frustrating for baby and mother alike.

Are mobile websites really that important?

There's no question that mobile devices have become a staple in everyday living around the world. Now more than ever it's important that websites be optimized for mobile devices. But, do you really need a website specifically for mobile cusomers?

CoDesign’s bid to rebuild ‘public spaces’ just got stronger

The Melbourne group was selected from a field of more than 40 applicant organisations. Among other things, the test included six months in an intensive business planning incubator program. The funding, and much more, will help CoDesign Studio attain business and other skills, and grow into a commercially viable social enterprise.

Digital disruption: 50% of Aussie economy on short fuse, 2/3rds face big bang

Digital disruption continues its inexorable march in many newer ways, and in many cases might even be gaining further pace. That, as much as the fact that most research has ducked estimating the “projected magnitude of disruption,” has led Deloitte to come up with a sweeping study (“Digital disruption – Short fuse, big bang?) of digital disruption on the Australian economy as a whole, not to mention individual sectors

How Ernst & Young is opening doors for new startups

Ernst & Young has announced the launch of its Global Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a new online platform that is designed to provide guidance to entrepreneurs and innovators on their ascent toward business growth, and of course, eventual success. The concept hinges on enabling fast-growing companies to connect to each other and share ideas proactively.

Schools and businesses are going on a first date. Who is behind it?

For an extremely reasonable fee, providers of goods and services can reap the many benefits of this brand new Australian wide service. By creating a profile that can be updated as required, service providers become discoverable to a wide network of independent and state schools.
Subscribe to the Newsletter Over 30K subscribers

FREE BUSINESS TOOLS

FREE BUSINESS TOOL

Three easy wins when using LinkedIn with David Hobson [FREE REPORT]

"If you’re pressed for time, I'm here to help." In this report, David Hobson will show you three quick wins - things you can do to pimp out your LinkedIn profile in 15 minutes or less.

INFOGRAPHICS

New Zealand’s Xero eyes US IPO, further disruption as subscribers increase...

Xero recently held its annual meeting in Wellington, during which the company revealed some interesting details about its future. As has been widely suspected, the...

OPINIONS & ADVICE