Banking reforms welcomed – but not enough focus on business, End-of-year rich list rankings, Bevan Slattery’s NextDC in strong ASX debut

home | contact us | advertise Dear SmartCompany reader, Today on SmartCompany we examine the Government’s banking reform package with a special Q&A, plus we get all the reaction and look at what business owners should be doing in Entrepreneur Watch. We’ve also got the latest on the outlook for the property and retail sectors, plus we look at the ASX debut of Bevan Slattery’s latest venture, NextDC. And don’t miss James Thomson’s special end-of-year rich list rankings. For all this and more, head to our home page. News Industry groups say Government’s banking reform package is a good start, but more work needed Will Wayne Swan’s banking package help SMEs? A SmartCompany Q&A Bevan Slattery's venture NextDC soars on ASX debut Private company accounts of James Packer, Stan Perron and Jack Cowin show billionaires have enjoyed a good year Flood of property listings will put downward price pressure in early 2011 Household goods, imports tipped to benefit from retail recovery in 2011: Access Economics Woolworths to launch Dan Murphy’s online retail site Housing finance up 2.8% in October, Company at centre of NZ coal mine disaster collapses: Economy Roundup THE BIG PICTURE: How the weather became a crucial economic forecasting tool How the banks goaded the Government and got badly stung: Gottliebsen Rich Secrets Australia's 10 richest people As 2010 draws to a close, it's time to take a final look at how Australia's rich rankings are shaping up with a special end-of-year rich top 10. BY JAMES THOMSON. Property Volatility returning to the premium housing markets Prestige property markets are proving to be the weakest sector after recording the highest gains during 2009 and early 2010. BY TIM LAWLESS. Aunty B How do we grow in the next few years? I would like to clone you. And may I tell you why? Well, I will anyway. You are so focused on growth! Trends Microsoft to release wave of patches Google claims over 300,000 Androids activated per day NASA sold computers with sensitive data, report finds Selling Sue Barrett The yin and yang of selling I suggest that we encourage more yin and yang to assist us on our sales journey and encourage more success. Authentic Leadership Dennis Roberts What’s on the gender agenda? In the quest to appoint women into positions of power and leadership, might we ask the question, are we playing the right game? Retail trends Kevin Moore Whose category will creep next? In Australia we have Coles, Woolies, IGA and Aldi offering us food. I wonder if we might see Big W, Target and Kmart moving into this space as time goes by? Entrepreneur Watch James Thomson Time to act on banks The Government is set to launch a new campaign to help consumers understand their banking rights and options. SMEs should do the same. Coming Up Our annual look at the top gadgets for business owners. Best wishes, Amanda Gome Founder / Publisher SmartCompany.com.au Selling must be balanced with the ability to genuinely listen and respond to the subtleties of more complex relationships which involves patience, nurturing, and dealing with ambiguity. Think of the types of conversations you now need to have with your prospective customers where listening, questioning, resolving problems, collaboration, empathy and understanding are encouraged. Sue Barrett, BARRETT Click here for more. FOLLOW US OUR PARTNERS UPCOMING EVENTS

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SMEs in rush to float before end of 2010, How Guy King pulled off one of the biggest tech deals of the year, Zuckerberg to give half of fortune away

home | contact us | advertise Dear SmartCompany reader, Today on SmartCompany we look at what is behind the rush of small and mid-cap companies trying to float before the end of 2010, examine Apple’s official lists of top apps, and look at Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to give at least half of his fortune away. And in Entrepreneur Watch, James Thomson examines the wider warning from The Reject Shop’s shock profit downgrade. For all this and more, head to our home page. News Small and mid-cap companies rush to float on the ASX before end of the year Australian-made iPhone app named on Apple’s official list of top apps The Reject Shop blames profit warning on interest rates, but experts warn more pain to come Baker’s Delight wants 100 Gen Y franchisees by 2011 despite franchisee recruitment struggles Mark Zuckerberg joins Warren Buffett and Bill Gates in pledging to give away big chuck of wealth Conroy confirms developers won’t have to pay to connect homes to NBN Australia’s big retailers should stop whinging about the net and start competing: Carosa Singapore Exchange chief defends ASX merger, AFP investigates WikiLeaks: Economy Roundup Australia’s innovation rate bounces back Wikileaks has sparked the first internet war: Bernard Keane THE LIGHTER SIDE: Exactly who is running the country? How I How I pulled off one of the biggest tech sales of the year Guy King co-founded Stateless Systems in the hope of creating some interesting web apps for everyday users, but has ended up making millions in the process. BY PATRICK STAFFORD. Exit Strategies Leveraging the valuation To achieve the highest price on sale, you first need to understand what you can do to influence the outcome. BY TOM MCKASKILL. Aunty B Should I turn the clock back? I am disappointing people! You are going to come through this. You ARE! So get on with it. Trends iPhone App of the Week: Australia Post Mobile iiNet looking for Australia’s top geek Fake credit card ring busted by police Online sales Chris Thomas An A/B split test case study: How to double your conversion rate Sometimes it's a lot easier (and cheaper) to improve website conversion rates than it is to spend more in AdWords (or SEO) to achieve exactly the same result. Selling strategies Trent Leyshan 'Tis the season to celebrate! When the bell sounds for your final knock-off for the year, just take a moment to reflect on your achievements. What mistakes did you make and what did you learn? The Futurist Colin Benjamin Go where the money is… Smart companies will adjust their business and marketing plans, segmenting their customers into those who have a lot versus those who want a lot more. Female Entrepreneur Naomi Simson Look after your suppliers Clearly no business can operate without its supply community. Our fabulous suppliers who deliver on our brand promise everyday are critical to our success. Entrepreneur Watch James Thomson Rate shocks roll on A profit warning from The Reject Shop is a sign that the consumer spending slump it hitting every level of the sector. Best wishes, Amanda Gome Founder / Publisher SmartCompany.com.au I think one of the most important things I’ve heard, and know, is that you shouldn’t be selling unless someone is willing to buy. If the business isn’t interesting enough for people to be actively approaching us then it would be a much larger slog. So I think the key thing there is to keep growing the business and focusing on that until you have someone knocking on your door. Guy King, Stateless Systems Click here for more. FOLLOW US OUR PARTNERS UPCOMING EVENTS

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