Rebecca Spicer
Successfully managing an event
Almost all businesses owners will need to take a stab at event management at some stage, whether it’s an intimate lunch with clients, a product launch, or large-scale charity event. Rebecca Spicer asks experts what makes the difference between wow and woe factor in event management and planning. No matter how big the event you’re […]
Develop a product distribution strategy
From standard business mail to bulk freight, businesses are distributing products every day, adding costs to the bottom line. Rebecca Spicer explores product distribution options and how to develop a cost-effective distribution strategy to meet individual needs. Whether you’re sending letters, confidential documents, products or supplies, most businesses have some kind of distribution needs. You […]
Online marketing, affordably increasing sales
Online marketing can be less expensive and more effective and accountable than traditional marketing methods. Rebecca Spicer explores the benefits for SMEs, and the myriad options for getting the best results from your online marketing campaigns. Perhaps the most telling comment that came from research for this article was, “No-one can afford to brochure drop […]
Developing a foreign exchange strategy
Exchange rate risk is a reality for exporters. And with so many products on offer to help reduce your exposure, a foreign exchange management strategy is ideal for exporters who want to stay one step ahead of foreign currency deals. All exporters, whether they like it or not, have to deal in the foreign exchange […]
Facts about Exporting Fashion
In the cutthroat world of fashion exports, innovative design and strong branding are driving global markets, and Australian designers are leading the way. Here’s what you need to know about fashion exports. The international fashion industry is tough—competitive and constantly evolving—but Aussie success stories such as Collette Dinnigan, Sass & Bide, Zimmerman and Akira, as well […]
Improve Your Business with Benchmarking and Market Research
Increasing productivity and performance growth within your business is a slow and steady process. However, it’s worth noting benchmarking and market research are vital tools to capitalise on opportunities and adopt best practice techniques. In this ‘infotronics’ age-driven by information and electronics-organisations need to realise the benefits benchmarking and market research have in understanding the […]
Create an export marketing strategy
Small Australian businesses will be relatively unknown overseas, so marketing your business, brand, product or service strategically will help increase your exports. Find out how you can create an export marketing strategy. So you’ve landed your first export deal, perhaps through an online inquiry or contact through a colleague or by visiting an overseas trade […]
Managing a business crisis
Every business needs a crisis management plan to survive. Crisis management plans should be in place for generic and specific industry risks, as well as unexpected business disasters such as floods, terrorist attacks, and computer hacking issues. Imagine that you don’t have a crisis management plan. Instead, you’ve been building a successful business for seven years […]
What it takes to become an entrepreneur
What is an entrepreneur? There’s no definite answer, but there is one thing we know—it’s more than just running a business. So we’ve turned to the experts, who say innovation is a requirement in becoming an entrepreneur and growing your business. When the title ‘entrepreneur’ is thrown around it can cover anyone from the business […]
Export case study: Vern Bastian on MetroCount
Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingredient to making it to the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right. MetroCount Exporting since: 1997 Key markets: US, UK. MetroCount attended its first overseas trade fair in […]
Export case study: Toby Sovran on Pup-Pee Solutions
Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingredient to making it to the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right. Toby Sovran on Pup-Pee Solutions Exporting since: 2007 Key markets: US, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Canada. […]
Export case study: Vicki Beard on Adventure Tours Australia
Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingredient to making it to the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right. Vicki Beard on Adventure Tours Australia Exporting since: 1993 Key markets: UK, Europe, Asia, Benelux, North […]
Export case study: Tim Possingham on Pfitzner Performance Gearboxes
Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingredient to making it on the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right. Tim Possingham on Pfitzner Performance Gearboxes Exporting since: 2003 Key markets: US, Europe, New Zealand, China, Japan, […]
Export case study: Woodhead
Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingredient to making it on the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right. Woodhead Exporting since: 1986 Key markets: China, Singapore, India, Thailand, Middle East, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Maldives. […]
Export case study: Matthew Kennedy on Extreme Machining
Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingredient to making it on the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right. Matthew Kennedy on Extreme Machining Exporting since: 2004 Key markets: UK, Middle East, SE Asia. Founded in […]
Export case study: Ed Roberts on Australian Scientific Instruments
Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingredient to making it to the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right. Ed Roberts on Australian Scientific Instruments Exporting since: 1995 Key markets: Asia, Europe, North and South […]
Export case study: Clonakilla
Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingredient to making it to the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right. Clonakilla Key markets: the US, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, Japan, Ireland, New Zealand. Established in […]
Export case study: Lyndal Thorburn on Innovation Dynamics
Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingrediebt to making it to the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right. Lyndal Thorburn on Innovation Dynamics Exporting since: 2005 Key markets: the US, Chile, Ireland, New Zealand, […]
Shane Yeend: How Imagination Entertainment survived
Shane Yeend’s idea of a fun game is creating and building a new enterprise. The sort that is worth millions on a poor day, and millions more on a typical day. Enter Imagination Entertainment. If you play board games, watch TV or play games on your mobile phone or PC, chances are you’ve come across […]
Export case study: Rod Sandison on Sentinel
Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingredient to making it on the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right. Rod Sandison on Sentinel Exporting since: 2000 Key markets: Tanzania, Senegal, Zambia, Mali, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, […]
Tobi Skovron and Simone Iglicki turn mess into success with Pup-Pee Solutions
The pet supplies market is vast, but until recently the issue of dealing with dog ‘business’ in city dwellings had hardly been addressed. We talk to Tobi Skovron, the entrepreneur behind Pup-Pee Solutions, a product that has many scratching their heads asking, why didn’t I think of that? Pup-Pee Solutions is just over 12 months old, but the […]
How to find a franchise
Buying into a franchise can be a rewarding business decision – but with so many franchise systems out there, how do you go about choosing the best one for you, and then funding it? Rebecca Spicer investigates From dog washing and home maintenance to juice bars and fitness gyms, the list of franchise models in […]
Stephen Meurs, Peter Pausewang and their Smiggle Smarts
Stationery is more than just an essential item for offices and school bags. These days, Smiggle is making it a much-desired fashion item. So read on to learn about Smiggle, the small company taking on the stationery big boys with its bright-coloured and funky range. Smiggle – it’s interesting name and gets people wondering about the product behind it. This is […]
Employee Share Ownership
Employee share ownership plans are no longer reserved just for large, publicly listed companies. As Rebecca Spicer discovers, they can be a useful tool for any business wanting to attract, retain and motivate staff. It’s no secret that the skills shortage is crippling many industries. And so, tools and strategies that attract and keep key […]