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Sunday 20 July 2008

Australia's online magazine for entrepreneurs & SMEs

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View > Top 10 search-and-sale tools and how to get on top of them
Thursday, 17 July 2008 The web is constantly changing. CHRIS THOMAS runs through the top 10 new search tools to help you get found and sell more
View > Online reputation: 6 steps to manage a crisis
Tuesday, 15 July 2008 No business can eliminate negative buzz, especially on the web, but you can manage and minimise the impact. By JASON WEST and AMANDA GOME
View > 10 tips to break the cash-flow drought
Thursday, 10 July 2008 When economic hard-times hit, one measure more than any other separates the business survivors from those that fall by the way – cash-flow. MIKE PRESTON lists 10 tips to boost your cash-flow
View > 7 secret problems with “off-the-shelf’ web solutions
Tuesday, 8 July 2008 Web designers often reach for ready-made products to solve business problems rather than building customised solutions. But in doing so they may be servicing their own needs more than yours. By CRAIG REARDON
View > Downturn: Exporters rug-up for the global chill
Thursday, 3 July 2008 Tough overseas markets and a robust currency are not helping Australian exporters. To cope – and survive – successful export firms are changing. Here’s how. By AMITA TANDUKAR
View > Top 10 secrets of successful digital entrepreneurs
Tuesday, 1 July 2008 The champions of the digital technology stakes have common aces up their sleeves. BRAD HOWARTH reveals their top 10 tips for success
View > Time to rethink your travel budget
Thursday, 26 June 2008 Fare hikes, higher taxes, the oil crisis, flight cancellations and industrial action are creating havoc for business travellers. We ask Australian business travel experts how your business can handle the turbulence. BY EMILY ROSS
View > Make it free, and make money
Tuesday, 24 June 2008 In an increasingly tough economic climate, so many companies are using technology and ideas to create free products and services that it is changing business models and the economy. It even has its own name: Freeconomics. EMILY ROSS explains
View > Labor’s plans for small business
Thursday, 19 June 2008 Federal Small Business Minister Craig Emerson has faced a baptism of fire in his first half year, with business confidence in sharp decline and small business support for Labor at low levels. He explains to SmartCompany his small business vision
View > 20 tax tips from the experts
Tuesday, 17 June 2008 The 2008-09 tax season is almost upon us and entrepreneurs can expect to get some extra scrutiny this year. MIKE PRESTON and JAMES THOMSON ask a panel of tax experts for their best tips and the best action you can take now to minimise your tax bill
View > How to retain staff – without breaking the bank
Thursday, 12 June 2008 It’s getting harder to afford financial incentives and bonus payments for staff, but this is not the time to lose your high performers. As LEON GETTLER explains, there are ways to motivate and retain staff without spending a fortune.
View > Bullet-proof planning: How to get your business ready for the next financial year
Thursday, 5 June 2008 Putting together a business plan is an annual ritual many business owners dread, but this year economic uncertainty means the task could be tougher than it has been in a decade. By MIKE PRESTON
View > Solving Australia’s innovation crisis
Tuesday, 3 June 2008 SmartCompany's roundtable brought together 17 entrepreneurs and experts to to identify the next 10 multi-billion dollar industries – and create an action plan for developing an entrepreneurial Australia.
View > The $18 billion timebomb – how to deal with employee fraud
Thursday, 29 May 2008 Employee fraud costs Australian businesses $18 billion a year and no business can afford to ignore the risks. EMILY ROSS asks the experts how businesses can safeguard against white-collar crime.
View > 10 ways to foster innovation in your company
Tuesday, 27 May 2008 The economy might be slowing, but now is not the time to stop innovating and let your competitors gain the upper hand. KOSMAS SMYRNIOS and AMANDA GOME explain how you can foster a culture of innovation in your business.
View > 10 tips to get people management right in a downturn
Thursday, 22 May 2008 As the economy slows, getting staffing right will make or break your business. MIKE PRESTON explains how to lower staff costs, get rid of the underperformers and protect your stars.
View > 30 hot entrepreneurs aged 30 and under
Tuesday, 20 May 2008 They are young, smart and come from industries as diverse as IT, fashion and agriculture. BRAD HOWARTH profiles 30 hot young entrepreneurs aged 30 years and under.
View > Wagging the long tail
Tuesday, 13 May 2008 Think your website is too small or niche to generate advertising revenue? Think again. Here are 10 tips to monetise your online platform. By DENISE SHRIVELL
View > Budget overview: What it means to your business
Tuesday, 13 May 2008 There is nothing for business in Swan’s safe budget. The cuts, including the abolition of the Commercial Ready program, are savage. Why is there nothing for small business? JAMES THOMSON
View > The power of Google
Thursday, 8 May 2008 Whatever you do, don’t mess with the $200 billion giant. As LUCINDA SCHMIDT reports, using dirty SEO tricks to try to improve your ranking on Google always ends in disaster.
View > Entrepreneurs on the outer
Tuesday, 6 May 2008 As the economy slows, boards and investors are shunning entrepreneurs with aggressive growth plans in favour of managers with more conservative strategies. JAMES THOMSON explains how entrepreneurs need to adjust.
View > Strategy in a downturn – 10 lessons from the last recession
Thursday, 1 May 2008 The economy is slowing, but don’t panic – you can still grow in a downturn. JAMES THOMSON reveals 10 tips from companies who sailed through the last recession.
View > Video – the hot new way to get noticed on the web
Tuesday, 29 April 2008 Videos are cheap, easy to make and a brilliant web marketing tool. BRAD HOWARTH explains how you can cash in on the popularity of sites such as YouTube and use video to promote your business.
View > Surviving the new business investment drought
Thursday, 24 April 2008 Raising capital to grow has become a bigger ask. MIKE PRESTON runs through the options that are left, plus gives five tips for your business to adapt and survive the funding famine.
View > 10 Aussie digital entrepreneurs with stars and stripes in their eyes
Tuesday, 22 April 2008 Some of our best home-grown digital entrepreneurs are global players. BRAD HOWARTH runs through 10 stand-outs.
View > 10 biggest SEO mistakes
Thursday, 17 April 2008 Google AdWords is losing its power as ads get more expensive. Search engine optimisation, which aims to get better natural search rankings, can be a more reliable strategy. But watch out because there are traps. By CHRIS THOMAS
View > 11 tips for handling a PR crisis
Tuesday, 15 April 2008 SmartCompany’s nuts and bolts guide to handling a PR crisis (with help from a CEO who has survived the worst-case scenario). By EMILY ROSS
View > How to fast track growth in the US – despite the downturn
Thursday, 10 April 2008 Despite what you’ve heard about the US economy, there are opportunities if you target the right sector or niche for growth. MIKE PRESTON runs through the tips and traps.
View > 10 tips on green marketing (and how to stay out of trouble)
Tuesday, 8 April 2008 Marketers are desperately trying to give every brand a green makeover, but AMITA TANDUKAR warns that being passionate about the environment is no defence against breaking the law.
View > 10 tips for marketing in a downturn
Thursday, 3 April 2008 Marketing is often the first thing to go when tough economic times put the squeeze on cash flow, but experts say those who maintain spending often emerge the strongest when things pick up. BY MIKE PRESTON
View > 10 ways to lose your business in a downturn
Tuesday, 1 April 2008 As the economy slows, more and more entrepreneurs are finding themselves in trouble. Watch out for these 10 ways you could lose your business. By JAMES THOMSON
View > 10 ways to maximise returns on email marketing
Thursday, 27 March 2008 As marketing budgets shrink in the slowdown, it is a good time to revisit the tried and true strategies like email marketing. By BRAD HOWARTH
View > 7 secrets web creatives don't want you to know
Tuesday, 25 March 2008 In Part 2 of his Web Secrets, CRAIG REARDON tells you 7 things web designers don't want you to know.
View > 6 dirt-cheap strategies to make a little brand big
Thursday, 20 March 2008 As the economy slows great marketing at a low cost will be even more critical to your success. By EMILY ROSS.
View > Defamation law and the internet
Tuesday, 18 March 2008 If you or your business are slandered online (or if your website, even inadvertently, puts up something libellous) what are your legal options? LUCINDA SCHMIDT
View > Internet fraud could cost you thousands: Are you protected?
Thursday, 13 March 2008 There are new, and growing, online security threats to your business. MIKE PRESTON runs through how to avoid them.
View > 30 sales and marketing mistakes
Tuesday, 11 March 2008 As the economy slows, it's tempting to cut the sales and marketing budget. A better idea is to reassess the strategy. AMANDA GOME warns against 30 common sales and marketing blunders.
View > 7 secrets the web industry doesn't want you to know
Thursday, 6 March 2008 What web developers won’t tell you – but you need to know – when you want to develop your online presence. By CRAIG REARDON.
View > Boost your retail sales
Tuesday, 4 March 2008 The outlook for retailers is uncertain as interest rates rise and consumers begin to close their wallets. It's time to