News

Security experts are warning businesses against the current trend of employee BYOD or ‘Bring Your Own Device’ to work, as it leaves them exposed to malware attacks and other cyber crime.

Danielle MacInnis blogs about businesses that refuse to focus on what their customers need.

“If you don’t engage they will by-pass you. It’s so easy for them to ignore – they can turn off the tv, delete the email and fast forward the podcast.”

The Australian online group buying market is continuing on its rapid growth trajectory; growing from $71.8 million in Q1 to $123.9 million in Q2 ‐ a 72 percent quarter on quarter rise.

The Federal Government has granted additional funding to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), to assist it in cracking down on businesses that gouge customers by making misleading carbon claims.

With just a few days left to cast votes in the 2011 City of Sydney Business Awards, organisers have noted a rise in the number of nominated businesses running innovative social media campaigns.

BOQ Finance and Lenovo have joined forces to create Lenovo Financial Services; designed to offer a range of financial services and solutions to new and existing Lenovo customers.

Rick Mapperson delivers a timely reminder about securing important records and documents in your business.

“The solution is to switch to electronic record keeping. It is the safest, easiest and most efficient way of maintaining the necessary records for your business.”

Many Australians are being impacted by their unrealistic expectations of themselves; with a leading Australian psychologist suggesting “unhealthy perfectionism” is resulting in mental health issues.

Video is set to be technology’s next frontier, according to Cisco’s Chief Technology Officer Kevin Bloch, who believes it’s likely to revolutionise the business world.

Following on from the natural disasters that struck Queensland earlier this year, over 50 percent of businesses now plan to review their OHS and risk management policies.

Arndria Seymour blogs about how the carbon tax is raising questions about corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

“Integration of sustainability and ‘green’ strategies should now be viewed as a business critical mission if you work for a socially responsible organisation. Going green requires mind and behaviour shifts at all levels of the organisation.”

More clarity is needed around the Government’s carbon price policy, according to the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), especially around the impact it will have on the 2 million Australian SMEs.

Scoopon is offering Australia’s first ever group buying deal on airfares, giving consumers the opportunity to buy a flexible, direct return flight from Melbourne to Phuket with Strategic Airlines at close to 75 percent off.

Stuart Hunter has been appointed to take up Voyager’s newly created Chief Operations Officer role; a position designed to ensure growth for the independent travel management company.

The Gillard Government has promised its Clean Energy Future program will support Australian jobs by assisting businesses to survive and prosper in a low carbon economy.

Rohan Gamble weighs up Australian business bank packages with their UK counterparts.

“You’d like to think a more robust economy that isn’t teetering on a gut-wrenching debt precipice would fare pretty well in the financial services stakes – especially now that the taxpayer is guaranteeing savings and all that.”

Brad Callaughan blogs about the benefits to small business of using Self-Managed Super Funds to purchase commercial properties.

“You can have a tax effective asset that is held safely in a SMSF, with no recourse from the bank, and pay no tax when you sell it.”

Business owners are being invited to weigh in on how the R&D Tax Credit will be administered, with the tax now open for public consultation.

Business owners concerned about registering an already trademarked business name are being given Government assistance, with the launch of TM Check.

The next free seminar in Optus’ cloud for SMBs roadshow kicks off in Sydney next Tuesday 19 July, with keynote speakers from Google, Optus and Red Balloon to deliver insights about connecting to the cloud.