Pub group collapses, Government considers flood recovery levy, Receivers grab more of rich list developer’s assets, Did Yahoo!7 overpay for Spreets?

home | contact us | advertise Dear SmartCompany reader, Today on SmartCompany we look at the latest collapse in the pub sector, examine the Government’s plans for a levy to help pay for flood recovery costs and examine the outlook for the commercial property sector. We also try to answer the question of whether Yahoo!7 overpaid for group buying site Spreets and in Entrepreneur Watch, James Thomson tries to sort out why companies are collapsing at the same time that asset prices are rising. And don’t forget to download our new FREE eBook, Seven more great Victorian businesses. You’ll find Q&As with some of the state’s top entrepreneurs, including David Haymes, Philip Wienman and Shannon Trueman. For all this and more, head to our home page. News Pub group Icon Hospitality collapses into receivership Government considers special flood levy to pay damages bill Tribunal decision raises questions as to whether taxpayers can rely on accountants advice Receivers move in on more assets of rich list developer Luke Saraceni Did Yahoo!7 pay too much for group buying site Spreets? LivingSocial breaks group-buying record, earns $US13 million in one day with Amazon gift cards Air New Zealand buys stake in Virgin Blue, Business sales flat in December: Economy Roundup Commercial property investment to grow 7% during 2011 as funds target non-CBD assets THE LIGHTER SIDE: When do you call your overseas clients? Global inflation fears are spreading: Maley How I How I marketed myself out of a $150,000 black hole When Rob Nixon found his bookkeeper had been misstating key figures, he moved into action, marketing himself out of the problem. Here's how he did it. BY PATRICK STAFFORD. Exit Strategies Threats and opportunities Know how to identify which assets and processes are appropriate for strategic value exits. BY TOM MCKASKILL. Aunty B I’m ready to sell, but it's only been three months. What should I do? Look, you are shell-shocked. Honestly. Starting a business feels like you have been lowered into a war zone without a gun. Trends Microsoft releases vulnerability analysis tool iPhone App of the Week: Bubble Ball New rumours of a buttonless iPhone Selling strategies Trent Leyshan Your profit centre If you hire someone responsible for taking inbound enquires, make sure they're equipped with the right skills and support. The Futurist Colin Benjamin Take the country road As we head into the recovery and adjust to the possibility of a levy to pay for the flood infrastructure restoration work, smart companies need to prepare for a slow and steady return to growth. Female Entrepreneur Naomi Simson It's all about time How would you feel if 21 hours was the new norm for the working week? Entrepreneur Watch James Thomson Stuck between stations In some sectors, asset prices are climbing. In others, the collapses keep coming. Entrepreneurs need to be careful. Have a great weekend, Amanda Gome Founder / Publisher SmartCompany.com.au Many businesses get into trouble during their lifecycles, and I’ve had my fair share of them. But I think if you have marketing and sales skills within the business, and some creativity there, you have the ability to market and sell yourself out of any problem. The very first thing you’ve got to say is, “Let’s trade our way out of this”. But whatever you do, it has to be in line with your current products. Rob Nixon, Nixon Advantage Click here for more. FOLLOW US OUR PARTNERS UPCOMING EVENTS

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Yahoo!7 buys group buying site Spreets for $40m, Defending your online reputation, Car classified site collapses, Small caps drive IPO market

home | contact us | advertise Dear SmartCompany reader, Today on SmartCompany we talk to all the players involved in Yahoo!7’s surprise $40 million takeover of group-buying website Spreets, we look at the collapse of a car classifieds website and ask why none of Australia’s $1.23 trillion superannuation pool is being directed towards venture capital. Plus in Entrepreneur Watch, James Thomson looks at the patent boom in the United States and says it should spur Australia’s innovation efforts. For all this and more, head to our home page. News Australia’s leading group-buying Spreets site bought by Yahoo!7 for $40 million Car classifieds website in administration Superannuation pool hits $1.23 trillion – but where is the cash for venture capital? Refurbishing stores, expanding inventory key to Kathmandu defying retail slowdown SMEs warned of oil prices but economists say strong labour market will ensure consumers handle the cost Small companies set to drive IPO market again in 2011 Assistance for Victorian farmers expanded as floods continue to ravage state Construction work falls 2.4% in September quarter, Shares fall: Economy Roundup Will China’s massive appetite for US debt start to wane? Maley Top Story How to defend your online reputation Protecting your online reputation requires vigilance, planning and a willingness to engage with your detractors. BY BRAD HOWARTH. Top Story New inquiry targets sham contracting SMEs who use contractors need to carefully watch a new inquiry into so-called sham contracting. BY TERRY HAYES. Aunty B My employee keeps asking for a payrise. Should I pay up? Heavens!! Where to start! The first point to make is that your sales have dropped 30% since 2009! And you are worried about paying a few thousand more in salary?? Trends US government approves Comcast’s NBC Universal takeover Starbucks introduces mobile payments Pair charged over iPad hacking Facebook Know-how Lara Solomon Which state are the people who like my Facebook page coming from? Tracking the cities that the people who like your Facebook page come from will help you build a better connection with them. Franchise tips and trends Jason Gehrke Reconnecting the flooded and unflooded worlds Franchisors that support flood-hit franchisees will earn the respect of their industry and great loyalty from their franchisees. Gen-Y Millionaire Kirsty Dunphy Buy an ad or build a relationship? Marketing is great, but nothing beats the power of a genuine referral. Entrepreneur Watch James Thomson Innovation explosion US patent applications surged last year. Can Australia's innovation efforts keep pace? Coming Up How one entrepreneur marketed themselves out of a $150,000 black hole. Best wishes, Amanda Gome Founder / Publisher SmartCompany.com.au With social media, traditional news sources have changed so that everyone can create news, content and conversation. With news coming from so many different sources, managing online reputation and real-time communication should be at the top of your agenda. Sharon Williams, Taurus Marketing Click here for more. FOLLOW US OUR PARTNERS UPCOMING EVENTS

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SmartCompany Webinar: Facebook Strategy for Your Business

CONTACT US Complimentary Webinar: Wednesday February 2nd at 12pm                       Facebook Strategy for Your Business               Click here to Register Free               Social media tools like Facebook are redefining how your customers and stakeholders interact online. But leveraging this powerful platform isn't easy. In this interactive SmartCompany webinar, you’ll get practical steps on how to develop and implement a Facebook strategy for your business - including what NOT to do. Attend this one-hour webinar to learn: Five ways to a quick-fire Facebook strategy How to build and engage your Facebook community Real-life examples of how businesses of all sizes use Facebook to build their brands Facebook traps to avoid                                                                       Sponsored by:                                                 Wednesday February 2nd at 12:00pm AEST                       Simply click on the REGISTER NOW link. You'll receive a confirmation email after registering with a link to join the SmartCompany Webinar. If you don't receive the email, check your junk and spam folders.                     Speakers Brian Giesen is the Regional Director with Ogilvy PR’s 360 Digital Influence Group in Sydney. Brian has over ten years experience developing, managing and executing a range of digital marketing and social media campaigns for brands such as Lenovo, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever and the Lance Armstrong Foundation Copyright © 2009 SmartCompany.com.au P/L All rights reserved

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