General
Despite media focus on doom and gloom, and the very real problems of drought, tough competition, and economic pressures, Rebecca Spicer finds Australian agribusiness is one the most innovative and robust industries in the country. And, in various ways, it is gearing up to tackle both new challenges and perennial problems with new methods. Agriculture […]
As the working year winds down with the annual Christmas party, managers need to prepare before the celebrations begin to protect employees from sexual harassment. Charisse Gray outlines the reasonable steps managers are expected to take to ensure the workplace is safe: before, during and after the party. The office Christmas party is a traditional […]
The benefits of technology to any small business can be huge, if you make the right choices at the start. Wrong choices are expensive, frustrating, and time wasting. Helen Bradley outlines the right approach to planning a system that will fit the bill now, and grow as the company does. Starting a new business is […]
A passion for rural industry, working systems and keeping staff happy has led to award-winning success for a business that blossomed in a backyard. Cameron Bayley finds there is a bigger picture behind this carefully detailed operation than just making money. Wendy Erhart describes herself as a systems person. Perhaps it’s her background in psychiatric […]
A passion for rural industry, working systems and keeping staff happy has led to award-winning success for a business that blossomed in a backyard. Cameron Bayley finds there is a bigger picture behind this carefully detailed operation than just making money. Wendy Erhart describes herself as a systems person. Perhaps it’s her background in psychiatric […]
For both beginner and veteran exporters, accessing new overseas markets can be daunting and costly – Rebecca Spicer finds that trade missions, market visits, and international trade shows can be a cost effective way of breaking down barriers to make those key first contacts. So your products or services are export ready, and research tells you there […]
The export awards season recognises the hard work and commitment Australians have to this industry, and casts the spotlight on some lesser-known export stars. Writes Ian Murray. November is always a good time of the year to be involved in export because it’s the export awards season. All states and territories in Australia go through […]
When DSB was looking for the right person to speak to about maintaining work-life balance, we needed to look no further than Clare Loewenthal, publisher of DSB for the last 12 years. As a business owner herself, she knows all the right and wrong way to keep the balance between work and home life. I’m […]
We explore the latest in DIY website building and maintenance products. 1) Promoting Your Website Search engines are an easy way to advertise your business to potential customers but if you have to manually submit your site to multiple engines you could be sitting in front of the computer for a very long time. That’s […]
Divorce statistics that read like an epidemic have encouraged a growing services industry to cater for it. Rebecca Spicer talks to a woman who’s taken advantage of this trend and, with some clever marketing, is making a success of her online business. While many of us dream of the day when we say ‘I do’, […]
When DSB was looking for the right person to speak to about maintaining work-life balance, we needed to look no further than Clare Loewenthal, publisher of DSB for the last 12 years. As a business owner herself, she knows all the right and wrong ways to keep the balance between work and home life. I […]
They used to say two things were certain in life. Now you can add increased fuel prices. Liz Swanton investigates ways of easing the pain for businesses on the road. When the Beatles sang "Baby, you can drive my car" all those years ago, it was a popular suggestion. But not any more, especially if it […]
They used to say two things were certain in life. Now you can add increased fuel prices. Liz Swanton investigates ways of easing the pain for businesses on the road. Years ago the Beatles’ suggestion of "Baby, you can drive my car" would have been greeted with delight, but not any more. And certainly not […]
When you put on a few kilos you let out your belt to accommodate. When your business booms, your computer systems should adapt as easily. Helen Bradley explains how to establish a system that will grow or shrink as required in the future. Any IT vendor will tell you, one of the key issues to […]
New Zealand is Australia’s closest neighbour and Australian companies are the largest investors in New Zealand. Australia and New Zealand have a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) along with increasingly harmonised financial and regulatory systems, and similar consumer markets. This makes New Zealand a highly attractive market for Australian companies wishing to export their products […]
Building kayaks came easy to Paul Hewitson, but building an export business seemed so daunting he decided not to do it – After a sea change, he found it wasn’t so difficult, and he has learned a lot along the way about tackling problems. In the early 90s, Paul Hewitson combined a passion for kayaking with skills […]
How many weeks left to Christmas? If this figure isn’t at your fingertips, your plan for this prime trading time is probably nowhere near the drawing board either. Marilyn Stephens looks at the crucial planning steps for maximising festive trade. Christmas is the busiest and potentially the most profitable trading period in the retailer’s calendar. […]
As the nine-to-five workday becomes a thing of the past and the ability to balance our work lives with all other commitments grows increasingly difficult, DSB introduces a regular column with tools to help you achieve a sense of balance. Tempting as it is to continually work in, and on, your business, it’s important to […]
A business begins with you, but it doesn’t have to end with you. Steve Brown considers options that allow an owner to bow out gracefully and ensure that the business has the best chance of a long and fruitful future. A business can have a much longer life than the human cycle of birth, maturity, […]
Lasting success comes from a series of well-planned steps, not a flash of inspiration – Judy Hartcher examines the necessary building blocks for creating solid business foundations. Many people dream of starting their own business but they don’t always plan ahead before taking the plunge. Planning is a key element in establishing a successful business and […]
