News
The confidence of small and medium business owners across Australia has slumped in the three months to March, with the most dramatic falls in Victoria and Tasmania. The Sensis Business Index for the quarter ending March showed business confidence down 9 percent to 46 percent, down from 55 percent December quarter. “We have seen a […]
Day to day life running your own business can seem overwhelming – you have vague memories of starting a business to have more control, freedom and flexibility in your life and work. But the reality is that you have never worked harder and seem to have less time than ever before. Days are filled with […]
The ACCC has issued scam warnings for both online shoppers and small businesses in conjunction with two new publications on the issue. “The internet is a great way to get things done, especially shopping. It can save you a lot of time and can be very convenient, but consumers need to be careful when online,” […]
Forbes listed online businesswoman, Clare Lancaster, has launched a website for Australian women in business and female entrepreneurs who want to use the internet to start a business without sacrificing flexibility. The site provides information on using social media, SEO and blogging including how to plan, launch and establish an online business. Womeninbusiness.com.au offers a […]
Ruslan Kogan of Kogan Technology has demonstrated a prototype tablet device to compete with Apple’s iPad that is expected to cost only $200. The tablet demonstrated was essentially an engineering sample of a product for Chinese market, the SmartQ V7, however the final product to be released by Kogan is expected to have improved specifications […]
Despite expectations that the Global Financial Crisis would produce significant savings for travellers, results from the fourth quarter 2009 American Express Business Travel Monitor indicate a mixed picture. The results reveal that year-on-year, published airfares increased one per cent overall in the Asia Pacific; and comparing the third to the fourth quarter of 2009, there […]
Devnet has launched the first Google Apps Store in Australia allowing users the opportunity to access third party applications for the Google Apps platform. The Devnet Google App Store currently allows customers to subscribe to Google Apps plus a range of value-added services like Postini mail security and archiving, domain names and Google Maps offerings. […]
After abandoning the Windows Mobile platform last month Skype has released a version of their software for Nokia mobile phones. Skype for Symbian will run on any Nokia smartphone using Symbian ^1, the latest version of the Symbian platform and is now available as a free download from the Ovi store. Skype for Symbian will […]
ASIC has reached a compensation agreement worth $13.5 million over failed property investment scheme run by Westpoint Group, the forth such settlement approved by the Federal Court. As a result of the settlement with trustee State Trustees of Melbourne approximately 525 investors in the failed property group will be able to to submit a proof […]
Australia’s services sector continues to struggle, contracting further in February with a fall in sales and further job losses. The Performance of Services Index by the Australian Industry Group and the Commonwealth Bank rose 0.9 points to 48.3 in February, with that still being below the key 50-point level separating growth and contraction. Finance and […]
Following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Board Meeting yesterday, National Australia Bank confirmed its variable home loan interest rates would increase by 0.25% per annum. NAB’s new standard variable rate will be 6.74% pa, effective Friday, 5 March 2010. Lisa Gray, Group Executive NAB Personal Banking, said: “In the last month we have seen a […]
Software AG has announced open beta availability for ARISalign, dubbed the ‘Facebook for enterprise’. ARISalign offers an open, global community for project participants dealing with business processes. The new solution is a platform where anyone with a stake in a business can participate in the process discovery phase to collaborate, gather information, share goals, and […]
Adult entertainment expo brand Sexpo is undertaking market research and exploring options to meet regulatory compliance before an initial public offering expected in November 2010. Sexpo has grown into a strong expo brand in Australian over the last 14 years. It is in the top 5 national shows alongside The Royal Show, Home Shows, Motor […]
The search for Australia’s leading entrepreneur is on again with nominations for the 10th anniversary Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year now open. Since 2001, nearly 900 businessmen and women across Australia have been recognised through the award, with 51 national category winners, and nine Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year winners flying the flag […]
Up to 2,000 jobs are under threat in South Australia and Victoria if a decision to lift anti-dumping duties on discounted toilet paper imported from Indonesia and China. In a letter to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, South Australian Premier Mike Rann has pleaded with the PM to reinstate anti-dumping duties that were lifted in January. […]
Retailer Kmart plans to withdraw its application to trade before 1pm on Anzac Day in NSW after the proposal sparked outrage across the country. Kmart managing director Guy Russo apologised for the companies decision to apply to trade during Anzac Day marches after receiving an overwhelming number of complaints and intense criticism from customers, politicians […]
War veterans have chastised an application by Kmart to open its stores before 1pm on Anzac Day, with some RSL’s threatening a boycott of the company. In an application to the State Government, Kmart, said there was “a desire within the community to see our stores open before 1pm on Anzac Day”. The company has […]
Australia has lifted its almost 10-year-ban on the importation of beef from countries that have experienced mad cow disease (or BSE, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy). Opening the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) Outlook 2010 conference in Canberra on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said Australia’s import policies must be based on the best […]
The Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia decided today to raise the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.0 per cent, effective tomorrow. The global economy is growing, and world GDP is expected to rise at close to trend pace in 2010 and 2011. The expansion is still hesitant in the major countries, due […]
Australia’s current account deficit came in worse than expected at a seasonally adjusted $17.46 billion in figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Most economists had expected a deficit of $17.1 billion for the December quarter. The ABS says this could subtract 1.3 percent from Australia’s economic growth figures for the quarter. With GDP figures […]
