Entrepreneur Business: Gerry Harvey backs away from GST fight, Australian domain name sells for $100,000, LinkedIn tipped to float in months, Facebook set for IPO in 2012

Dear SmartCompany reader,

Today on SmartCompany we look at why Gerry Harvey is backing away from the GST exemption fight, examine the sale of an Australian domain name for $100,000 and look at reports LinkedIn could float in the next few months, followed by Facebook next year. And in Entrepreneur Watch, James Thomson looks into the lessons from some mysterious cases of industrial espionage.

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

News

Exit Strategies
Build a platform for growth Business owners can substantially increase the value of their businesses - just build the platform for growth. BY TOM MCKASKILL.

How I
How I turned two iPhone apps into $2 million Halfbrick's Shaniel Deo says every business needs to think more about marketing and how they can create more buzz around their products. BY PATRICK STAFFORD.

Aunty B
How to cut our costs when we have no fat? Lean and mean with your words as well... you don't say why you have to cut costs.

Trends

Online sales
Chris Thomas Bing continues to consolidate: Goodbye Yahoo Search This week, Microsoft announced it’s started the rollout of Bing search results to replace the results from Yahoo. So be prepared.

The Futurist
Colin Benjamin Happy (and prosperous) New Year For the first time since the financial crisis, there are good signs for smart companies this year.

Gen-Y Millionaire
Kirsty Dunphey Don't stay in the stink How long have you stayed in the stink at work with an employee that you knew wasn't right for your office culture?

Female Entrepreneur
Naomi Simson Setting yourself up for a gracious New Year I encourage you to put generosity at the heart of your workplace this year. Notice people, love them, value their contribution and make them heroes.

Entrepreneur Watch
James Thomson Spy games A mysterious case of industrial espionage in France should get all entrepreneurs thinking about how they safeguard secrets.

Have a great weekend,

Amanda Gome
Founder / Publisher
SmartCompany.com.au

Building a platform for growth means putting in place the capability to produce additional revenue and profit in the near future, it does not necessitate that the products, processes, rights and activities be fully implemented, only that they can be with a high degree of probable success.

While building such capability might incur current costs, the future potential might provide significant returns on such an investment.

Tom McKaskill, serial entrepreneur

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