News

Scoopon has boosted its presence in the travel and hospitality market by launching Scoopon Travel, a new dedicated site delivering deals on flights, accommodation and travel packages.

LinkedIn data has found a fifth of hiring managers have employed a candidate due to their volunteer work experience, leading the site to add a “Volunteer Experience & Causes” field to users’ profiles.

Brad Callaughan has some tips for business owners looking to turn their hand to property investment.

“For property investors, there’s always an element of risk about what might happen. To take full advantages of the opportunities property investment offers, you really need to overcome that fear.”

PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has taken out the Best Employer Organisation award at the inaugural Australian Workplace Giving Awards.

Hamish Anderson blogs about the security risk our touch screen devices pose.

“Whilst it is fantastic being able to be anywhere, accessing information and keeping in touch, the lack of a mouse on these portable devices makes you that little bit more attractive to Phishers and their scams.”

The Victorian Government has detailed plans to fund a $6 million strategy to better prepare the state for natural disasters.

Closing the gap remains on the agenda of some businesses, as the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced its new Indigenous Employment Program in partnership with Mission Australia.

Housing, food and transport now account for half of Australian’s household spending, according to a six yearly survey released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Julian Smith blogs about the importance of face-to-face networking in the business world.

“Glancing around the convention… it reminded me of the one downside of the rise of the online revolution. The loss of face-to-face interaction. We’re getting better at tweeting and worse at networking.”

Andrew Boyd reviews the American Express Velocity card, and looks at what benefits it delivers to businesses.

Mobile data theft and viruses can now be easily combated, thanks to the recent launch of Optus OfficeApps Mobile Security which allows business owners and staff to safeguard important personal and business data as well as lock, wipe and reset the password of any device in their business.

Michelle Gamble blogs about getting your online form right and converting visitors to leads or sales.

“A bad online form can kill an otherwise great website. You need to balance the need to get more people to actually fill it out and build your database, with the need to get more insights about your potential customers.”

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced it will leave the cash rate unchanged at 4.75 percent for the tenth consecutive month.

New South Wales Treasurer Mike Baird has unveiled his first budget, delivering a deficit of $718 million in 2011/12 and promising to return the budget to surplus in 2012/13. But what does it hold for businesses?

The Damelian Group and its nine vehicle franchises in Sydney have been placed into receivership, with $80 million owing to the National Australia Bank.

The Australian Innovation Challenge is now open to submissions, with the aim of driving some of the country’s best ideas to commercialisation or adoption.

Luke McLeod blogs about creating harmony between the sales and marketing departments for the benefit of your small business.

“Listen to all of your staff and their queries. If the marketing team feels they need a bigger budget, hear them out and make sure you ask them to clarify their reasons why. The same goes for your sales team.”

Looksmart Alterations has reported its Jeans for Genes fundraising efforts were a resounding success, with over $15,000 raised for the Children’s Medical Research Institute.

Fans of Scoopon’s daily deals can now access them on the Google Android platform, thanks to the release of its new smartphone app.

Danielle MacInnis blogs about locating your customer touch points to build your brand.

“The way your customers experience their journey with you, especially in a service based business, is such a powerful way to build brand loyalty and devotion – but so many businesses stuff it up.”