Starting
In such a tough financial climate, many small businesses are suffering from the sales blues. With customers curbing their spending, businesses are resorting to cheesy sales techniques to close the deal. Nothing could be more repulsive or deter a client more, and as a result they will take their business elsewhere. All it takes to revive that bottom line is some simple but effective communication.
If there’s truth in the mantra that standing still can often mean you’re going backwards, the implication for SMEs yet to deploy SaaS may be that their SaaS-adopting competitors are running more effective and efficient operations. SaaS can benefit your business in a number of ways from email to accounting and customer relationship management (CRM).
Viral marketing is a relatively new medium and as such, many businesses will make mistakes when they first launch a viral campaign. Instead of growing your business’ brand value as intended, a poorly executed viral marketing campaign can actually damage your brand. Understanding what a viral campaign is, how it works, and the marketing basics […]
The franchising industry has been getting some good press recently as it’s been holding up relatively well in the current climate. It’s fair to say that franchising can be a safer business option when times are tough, but success is never guaranteed, and prospective franchisees shouldn’t expect to pick a system off the shelf and […]
As the internet continues to adapt, reaching more people in more ways than ever before, your website will play a bigger role in your overall success. As a small business owner, how can you be sure you’re making the most of your website? From website design, to promotion and everything in between, here is a […]
Online advertising is being hailed by many as the best way to promote your company, but beware, there are some nasty traps you can fall into. Here are six tactics to help you avoid wasting your hard earned cash. 1. Use reputable web designers The difference between web design companies is enormous – the industry […]
There’s more to South Australia than vines and mines. Find out how its frequent dry spells have led to a leading edge technology industry.
A passion for pets and a gap in the market saw young entrepreneurs Nicole George and Gareth O’Conner turn PetMedics into a profitable business. PetMedics came about when 24 year-old vet Niccole George was working the emergency shifts at North Shore Veterinary Specialist Hospital in Sydney. On any given shift she would receive a number […]
Despite the turbulence created by the global financial crisis, it remains smooth sailing for business growth across Australia. In 2008, there were 1668610 registered companies, according to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). That’s nearly 67000 more than at year’s end 2007. While there are plenty of reasons to start a company, there’s almost […]
Exporters who have done well in Australia will often believe that their domestic campaign will work just as well overseas. But international markets are markedly different and exporters need to be aware of certain purchasing triggers and cultural factors before beginning their international assault. “Many SMEs think if they are successful domestically, they will be […]
Thousands of trade shows happen around the world every year; here’s how to find the right one for your business and make it worth your while. Trade shows remain a popular way to reach international markets, offering qualified foot traffic in a three-dimensional space. Businesses can also provide experiences for all five senses and interact […]
These days everyone seems to have a blog, from the intrepid traveler to the solo business owner on zero dollar marketing. So why should you blog and how can it help your business? A blog is a type of journal published on the web which allows readers to comment, give feedback (good or bad) and […]
With a store sign that reads: “Everything at Mag Nation can be touched, felt and browsed except for our staff,” it’s no wonder that this specialist magazine retailer is making its mark in Melbourne. Melissa Yen chats to Mag Nation co-founder Sahil Merchant’s to find the secret behind his success. Known for its range of […]
Your overseas partner can make or break your export business. Finding the right partner starts with looking in the right place. There’s no real art to finding the right overseas partner, just the logic of pairing two businesses with common goals—and, of course, due diligence. But if you’re stuck for places to look, you’re probably […]
More than just a website, e-commerce ensures your business is always open for trade in the global marketplace. Find out how it can benefit new and existing exporters alike.
In business, as in real life, first impressions are everything. Creating the right personal image is crucial not only for individual success but for the longevity of your business. Your image can be as deep or as superficial as you choose, but it will affect how you’re received by people. On a corporate level, brand […]
First in a series on ‘The True Cost of Exporting’, Gavan Ord explores how to become export ready, along with the costs incurred along the way. There are potentially tens of thousands of small businesses with a product or service capable of export that are not exporting and should consider exporting. In reviewing whether your […]
As a relation to Australia’s first female entrepreneur Mary Reibey, it could be said Jodie Fried’s entrepreneurial spirit was inborn. However, it took a natural disaster to kickstart Bholu, her high quality homewares business in India. Working in Bollywood as a costume designer, Jodie Fried stopped what she was doing to help rebuild villages struck […]
Your brand is the way the world perceives your business, products and services. With thousands of new brands being developed every day, it has never been more important to develop a strong brand that differentiates itself from the competition. Top tips for successful branding: 1. Stand back and observe Take an objective look at your […]
Australia’s marketing magician, Mark Bouris, shares the story of Wizard Home Loans; a small mortgage lending business which now earns of hundreds of millions of dollars. What did Mark Bouris need to get Wizard Home Loans off the ground? Some marketing savvy, seven years in a chartered accountants firm and seven years in a law […]
