Entrepreneur Business: Fast food franchise collapses, Mrs. Fields buys Cookie Man chain, Coupon giant RetailMeNot sold to US firm, Mine investors enjoy $500 million payday

Dear SmartCompany reader,

Today we examine the collapse of franchise food chain Souvlaki Hut, which apparently has a buyer waiting in the wings, and look at the sale of Australian web success story RetailMeNot, which is the biggest coupon site in the world. Plus, we examine a new report on the NBN’s potential benefits, and meet five rich listers who have turned a $1 million investment into $500 million in one year. And in Entrepreneur Watch, James Thomson looks at how technology and the GFC has retrained consumers. And don't miss our new blogger, Ms Manners.

For all this and more, head to our home page.

News

How I
How I recovered from a giant manufacturing mistake DAT Media founder Andrew Becker says a big mistake taught him the importance of ensuring all products are up to scratch before release. BY PATRICK STAFFORD.

Exit Strategies
Strategic vs financial exits Selling your business? Ensure the business development process and the exit preparation align with the appropriate exit. BY TOM MCKASKILL.

Aunty B
Will my demanding, grumpy, intolerant boss get promoted? People like her get promoted all the time! In fact, senior management is full of them. Why? These people are so focused on results, they often achieve them.

Trends

Online sales
Chris Thomas Google Quickview: Great design meets great SEO It's obvious that if your website looks crappy, you may be experiencing a decline in visits, regardless if you rank highly.

Selling strategies
Trent Leyshan A willingness to engage, most of the time For too many SME's it's not their value that is lacking, rather the process for engaging with customers and developing a consistent and successful way of operating.

The Futurist
Colin Benjamin Paying down the debt In the New Year smart companies will adopt a range of measures to expand their business while paying down their debt.

Female Entrepreneur
Naomi Simson What keeps me awake at night? I rely on all of those around me to be straight, authentic and to be able to challenge what we do.

Ms Manners
Danielle Di-Masi What do I do with unwanted food? Can you spit the food out? To where? Actually, I don't need to know the answer to that because the answer is still no!

Entrepreneur Watch
James Thomson Never pay full price again Group buying sites, discount coupons and bargain-hunting iPhone apps have all helped to retrain consumers – and make life harder for businesses.

Have a great weekend,

Amanda Gome
Founder / Publisher
SmartCompany.com.au

When you're starting out, you need to think of all the obstacles your product is going to encounter. They will be operating in environments not known to you, and that can cause problems. You need to think about what those will be, and then focus on them straight away, not go back and fix them later on.

Andrew Becker, DAT Media

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