SmartCompany News

Businesses urged to take advantage of nine million Australians using social media

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:23:06 GMT

Australian businesses must begin marketing through social media in order to reach the nine million Australians now interacting through online networks, a new Nielsen report has revealed.

House lending falls 5% in January, Henry tax review to be released before May: Economy Roundup

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:19:16 GMT

The total value of owner occupied housing commitments, excluding alterations and additions, decreased by a seasonally adjusted 5% in January, according to the latest figures from the Australian...

Government to change R&D tax credit plan after discussion with industry groups

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:53:06 GMT

The Government will introduce changes to its draft legislation outlining the changes to the R&D tax credit within the next few weeks, with the goal of introducing the final legislation into...

Baby wear company Bay Bee Cino collapses

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:47:01 GMT

A Sydney-based baby wear company Bay Bee Cino has been placed in administration, just three years after undertaking a capital raising and unveiling plans to grow aggressively through franchising.

Financial services and consumer goods sectors tipped as prime targets for mergers and ...

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:32:11 GMT

Private businesses in the resources, financial services and consumer goods industries are the most likely targets of acquisitions in the next 12 months as the economy recovers and companies seek out...

Strong demand and weak supply stoke auction markets – but there’s no quick-fix to supply ...

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:28:08 GMT

The housing industry will continue to suffer from extensive supply issues and price pressures even if reforms are put into place immediately, property experts have warned.

Coalition will oppose Do Not Call Register for business numbers

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:55 GMT

The Opposition has formally moved to block the Government's controversial plan to extend the Do Not Call Register to cover business numbers, claiming the change would hurt small business.

Refund Home Loans boss slammed for making false statements to franchisees

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:31:32 GMT

The founder of Refund Home Loans, Wayne Ormond, has been slammed by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Graeme Samuels after Ormond admitted that statements made to franchisees...

THE WEEK AHEAD: The savings conundrum

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:35:34 GMT

Change sometimes has a habit of creeping up on you. That certainly seems to be a case with consumer spending and financing trends. Most of us probably still work on the assumption that consumers put...

Why China’s double-dip recession warning is especially bad for Australia: Gottliebsen

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:14:16 GMT

Over the weekend, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao not only warned the world of a possible return to recession, but was subject to impassioned pleas by steel makers over the enormous price rises looming in...

ACCC delays AXA, NAB deal decision: Economy Roundup

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:08:34 GMT

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has delayed its decision on two proposed bids for AXA Asia Pacific Holdings by National Australia Bank.

DIY super experts back changes to borrowing rules

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:58:37 GMT

Two experts on self-manger super funds have supported changes to rules around the use of instalment warrants in DIY super funds, saying the Government's proposals will provide more certainty to the...

Small business furious as RBA reports suggest banks have gouged customers

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:51:51 GMT

The National Independent Retailers Association has called for a six month moratorium on bank fees after a RBA report suggested the big banks have raised interest rates well above the increases in the...

Apple loses trademark case against Sydney SME

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:47:40 GMT

A small business has won the right to apply for a trademark containing the letter "i" as part of its product line despite protests from tech manufacturing giant Apple.

Bing’s market share keeps growing but SEO experts split on how much businesses should care

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:23:09 GMT

Microsoft's Bing search engine is on the rise after the company struck a deal with handset manufacturer Motorola to make it the default search engine on its mobiles, and new analytics data in the US...

Report claims 40% of first home owners in mortgage stress

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:04:47 GMT

About 40% of first home owners are currently experiencing some type of mortgage stress, with that number set to rise to 50% by the end of the year, the latest Fujitsu Australia Mortgage Stress Report...

iiNet in takeover talks with Netspace

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:19:57 GMT

Perth-based ISP iiNet has confirmed it is currently in discussions with competitor Netspace regarding a possible acquisition, following a trading halt yesterday.

Australia’s secret billionaire adds $US500 million to her fortune in 12 months

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:05:30 GMT

She might not be a household name in Australia's business community, but NSW resident Blair Parry-Okeden has retained her title of the richest person in Australia by boosting her fortune by $US500...

THE LIGHTER SIDE: The death of newspapers

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:41:58 GMT

The death knell of print journalism has more dire repercussions than some might realise, as this clip from The Onion shows.

Why the electric car could kill Australian manufacturing: Kohler

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:27:44 GMT

Yesterday's announcement of an electric car trial by the WA government means that at least some politicians in Australia are at last taking seriously what is shaping up as the next great industrial...

Unemployment increases to 5.3%, but expert says underemployment still a problem

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:22:44 GMT

The unemployment rate has increased by a seasonally adjusted 0.1% to 5.3% following a decrease in January of 0.2%, the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics have revealed.

Myer profit jumps 38% in first half: Economy Roundup

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:02:47 GMT

Department store giant Myer has said it expects to meet its full-year earnings guidance after recording a 38% increase in first-half net profit.

Mexican entrepreneur Carlos Slim beats Bill Gates and Warren Buffet for title of world’s ...

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:57:28 GMT

Mexican telecommunications entrepreneur Carlos Slim has narrowly captured the title of the world's richest person, after Forbes magazine found his wealth climbed an amazing $US18.5 billion in 12...

Structured finance company collapses

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:36:34 GMT

Sydney-based structured finance and investment company Securities International Limited has been placed in voluntary administration after collapsing with debts of $2-3 million.

Google opens Apps Marketplace, third party programs available for businesses

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:33:51 GMT

Internet giant Google has opened the Apps Marketplace to sell third party business applications and programs, in the company's latest push towards the corporate market.

Data shows small business could swing Federal Election in key marginal seats

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:15:06 GMT

The National Independent Retailers Association will contact thousands of business in marginal Federal seats ahead of this year's election, after producing new research showing SME owners could decide...

Older Australians will lead Australia’s retail spending surge: Research

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:52:51 GMT

Retail businesses should focus on older, cashed-up demographics in order to take advantage of the forecast increases in discretionary spending over the next few years, two new reports have suggested.

Senate inquiry to investigate failed green loans scheme as Greens called for green SMEs to be ...

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:20:04 GMT

A senate inquiry will be conducted into the Government's green loans scheme, with the Opposition saying the entire project has wasted taxpayer and business dollars.

Government backs union gender pay test case for 200,000 female workers

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:52:54 GMT

Federal Workplace Relations Minster Julia Gillard has thrown her support behind a union test case that will push for $100 a week pay rise for 200,000 female workers in the community sector.

Is the China boom an illusion? Gottliebsen

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:46:00 GMT

In just over two months, the government will set out its budgets for 2010-11 and subsequent years. Companies all around Australia are now completing similar tasks. Australian households who have...