The new employment laws you need to watch, Manufacturing company collapses, Apple profit soars 78%, Consumer confidence drops after floods

home | contact us | advertise Dear SmartCompany reader, Today on SmartCompany we look at the collapse of manufacturer Frigrite, which James Thomson says in Entrepreneur Watch shows the problems of becoming reliant on one or two customers. We also look at Apple’s stellar financial results and the growing calls for a succession plan in the wake of Steve Jobs’ new illness, and bring you up to date with Australia’s flood crisis. For all this and more, head to our home page. News Manufacturer enters administration after losing key contracts from Coles and Wooloworths Consumer confidence drops 5.7% in January due to floods: Economy roundup Victorian floods worsen as Gillard says disaster recovery costs won’t stop the budget returning to surplus in 2012-13 Apple profit up 78% in December quarter, but still no word on succession plan for Steve Jobs Retail Food Group earnings hit by floods, public holidays 44% of Australian SMEs not confident in internal data recovery and backup systems: Survey Board of Newcastle Knights rugby league club to meet on coal baron Nathan Tinkler’s $100 million takeover deal tonight Government reforms needed to increase land affordability, housing industry warns Why small is beautiful in private equity: Bartholomeusz Top Story New Year’s new laws for employers The New Year has brought a raft of workplace law changes that SMEs need to get on top of right away. BY PETER VITALE. Lunch with an Entrepreneur Tristan White Tristan's White is in a sweet spot of the economy, but he's chosen to focus on culture rather than super-fast growth. BY JAMES THOMSON. Aunty B I've just started my second year in business but I feel I'm losing direction. Help! The second year is often the hardest for a small business. Time to grit your teeth and get on with it. Trends Google to fight order to remove potentially defamatory links from search results New iPad, iPhone to feature powerful graphics chip Hackers targets University of Sydney Profitable growth Julia Bickerstaff Are your dealings with big companies taking way too long? If a big company is stalling on a potential deal, it's up to you to try to force them to make a decision. Internet secrets Craig Reardon Time for your annual web health check: Part 2 While social networking is all the rage, SMEs shouldn't forget about the importance of email marketing. Property Investor Michael Yardney Is 2011 the right time to invest in real estate? There are five good reasons to buy property in 2011 - provided you are careful. The Digital Bottom Line Brendan Lewis Low-tech solutions Technologists might love gadgets, but they should realise that the zip-lock bag and the cable tie are important low-tech accessories. Entrepreneur Watch James Thomson Beware the power of two The collapse of Frigrite’s operating business contains a valuable lesson for entrepreneurs. Coming Up The art of protecting your online reputation. Best wishes, Amanda Gome Founder / Publisher SmartCompany.com.au Culture is absolutely everything in terms of business as far as I’m concerned, but culture is in the detail. It really is the tiny little detail that separates your business from another business. We can all do the little things from time to time, but it’s the discipline to stick at them and do them day in and day out that really does make the difference. Tristan White Click here for more. FOLLOW US OUR PARTNERS UPCOMING EVENTS

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10 things managers must watch in 2011, Apple shares drop as Steve Jobs takes medical leave, New privacy problems for Facebook, Business partner tips

home | contact us | advertise Dear SmartCompany reader, Today on SmartCompany we look at the fallout from news Apple chief Steve Jobs is on sick leave again. In Entrepreneur Watch, James Thomson argues Apple must to a better job of detailing its longer-term succession plan. We also look at what you can learn from the Australian retailers with the most satisfied customers, and we examine fresh privacy problems for Facebook. For all this and more, head to our home page. News Apple share plummet as Steve Jobs takes another medical leave of absence Facebook users warned to remove phone numbers, addresses from profiles after social network gives more freedom to third-party apps What you can learn from the companies on top of the customer satisfaction ratings Ratings agencies predict mortgage shock for Queensland home owners as floods continue in Victoria NBN Co. awards over $1.6 billion in contracts in boost for local manufacturing sector Former Swiss bank executive hands names of alleged tax evaders to Wikileaks Webjet signs global expansion deal, 85% of Queensland coal mines still shut: Economy roundup How the culture clash between contractors and managers stifles innovation: Phillips Top Story 10 things managers must watch in 2011 Businesses should brace themselves for a very different world in 2011. Here's what to look out for in the year ahead. Top Story No holiday for tourism operators Intense competition in the global tourism sector means more tough times are ahead for Australian operators. Aunty B How do I get my staff excited about growth? Most staff by nature are happy to come to work and maintain the status quo. And why not? It is hard work just to keep sales where they are. Trends Android tipped to triple market share in 2011 iPad 2 tipped to feature high-resolution screen, SD slot Groupon to partner with Tencent People problems Eve Ash Showing empathy as a manager An employee's poor performance or lack of application to work is often put down to laziness. But there could be a deeper issue at play. Brand Matters Michel Hogan Do you "like" me now? It’s never okay to use a disaster as a marketing or sales opportunity. Why do so many businesses just get it wrong? Business Tech Talk Paul Wallbank Business partner secrets Facebook's ongoing legal problems show why choosing your business partner is like getting married. Entrepreneur Watch James Thomson Apple’s succession challenge After the initial panic caused by Steve Jobs' illness, Apple must show it can prosper without him. Coming Up Tristan White from The Physio Co. explains his obsession with culture. Best wishes, Amanda Gome Founder / Publisher SmartCompany.com.au Why does it take a terrible event like the floods for us to be more human, to show the empathy and leadership that we are all capable of? Perhaps it is timely to remind ourselves that there are many hardships and disasters that are experienced on more personal levels. It may be time to reconsider your assessment of an employee's recent poor performance or lack of application to work. There is often an assumption made that the employee has simply chosen not to work as hard. A true leader looks a little deeper. Eve Ash Click here for more. FOLLOW US OUR PARTNERS UPCOMING EVENTS

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