10 web trends to watch in 2011, Mining towns top list of property hotspots, GraysOnline sells stake for $35m, More overseas franchises heading to Oz

home | contact us | advertise Dear SmartCompany reader, Today on SmartCompany we look at the latest round of tech deals by big companies, including a private equity firm’s investment in GraysOnline and Salmat’s investment in a social networking start-up. We also look at predictions for property hotspots in 2011, examine two more international franchisors headed to Australia and in Entrepreneur Watch, James Thomson explains why Woolworths is fast becoming an online threat. For all this and more, head to our home page. News GraysOnline sells 25% stake to Caledonia Investments for $35m, will consider floating in near future Mining towns, inner Melbourne dominates list of property hotspot predictions – but national prices tipped to fall Salmat invests in location-based start-up Roamz Inflation rise lower than expected, rates to stay on hold: Economy Roundup Two more international franchises hunting for Australian opportunities Outsourcing of household tasks over next decade to drive start-ups: IBISWorld Richard Branson loses $17 million as Virgin Blue takes $40 million sales hit Woolworths makes complaint against Bunnings as hardware war heats up Twitter ad sales tipped to climb as FourSquare hits six million users Why a new technological revolution is great for business but bad for politicians: Kohler Top Story 10 web trends to watch in 2011 When it comes to web strategy, SMEs can't afford to fall behind. Here are 2011's top trends in web sales, social media, design, SEO and web content. BY PATRICK STAFFORD. Top Story The RBA's rates riddle Veteran entrepreneur Lou Coutts questions whether the RBA can really control the economy and inflation with interest rate rises. Aunty B Do we need a CEO? Of course you should have a CEO. You are a medium-sized business. You need a proper board with an independent director, a chairman and someone to run the place, ie. the CEO. Trends IBM employees rewarded with stock Website of retail chain Lush attacked by hackers Apple's hot new iPhone 4 update - screws People problems Eve Ash It’s so hard to get good help these days! Instead of throwing your hands up in the air and complaining about how hard it is to get good help these days, perhaps it's time to consider helping those that are there to help you. Business Tech Talk Paul Wallbank Tell them they're dreaming The renovation rescue model of starting a business can be lucrative for founders, but it isn't always great news for the economy. Brand Matters Michel Hogan New words, old actions Unless new words are accompanied by new actions they are nothing more than a sugar fix. Entrepreneur Watch James Thomson The big retailer making progress online A 75% increase in Woolworths' online sales shows not all big retailers are struggling to adapt. Coming Up A special Q&A on Australia’s housing. Best wishes, Amanda Gome Founder / Publisher SmartCompany.com.au People aren’t just shopping through search now. What we’re seeing is a combination of interaction with friends, along with looking on a website. So if you’re operating a website you really need to start thinking about your whole social experience. Martin Hosking, RedBubble Click here for more. FOLLOW US OUR PARTNERS UPCOMING EVENTS

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Melbourne and Sydney named among least affordable property markets in the world, Why the rich want to float, Australia’s cheapest oceanfront suburbs

home | contact us | advertise Dear SmartCompany reader, Today on SmartCompany we take a look at a controversial new report that says Sydney and Melbourne are among the least affordable housing markets in the world, examine why businesses are looking to top-up their paid parental leave schemes and ask whether Google is set to launch into the group-buying game. Plus in Entrepreneur Watch, James Thomson warns on the February cashflow crunch. For all this and more, head to our home page. News New report puts Sydney and Melbourne among world’s most unaffordable property markets but experts question methodology Leaked flyer suggest Google working on new group-buying platform for SMEs Lara Giddings becomes Tasmania’s first female premier SMEs urged to consider paid parental leave on top of government’s scheme to attract skilled workers Rental vacancy rates remain low as first home buyers return to renting, new research shows Woolworths downgrades earnings guidance due to floods: Economy roundup ACCC head Graeme Samuel faces more DFO fallout Facebook raises $US1.5 billion - but says it has nothing to spend it on right now Could Village Roadshow’s rich list duo finally take the company private? Bartholomeusz THE BIG PICTURE: A global view of the local sharemarket Rich Secrets Why the rich want to float An increase in rich list-related floats is on the cards for 2011, as investors put a premium on the skills of top entrepreneurs. BY JAMES THOMSON. Property Australia’s cheapest oceanfront suburbs Although our residential property market was robust during much of 2010, the coastal markets have continued to lag. Snap up a bargain. BY TIM LAWLESS. Aunty B My employee has to pay a big tax bill and it's my fault. Help! Whose fault is this? The flipping Labor Government who have never created a thing and they simply do not understand entrepreneurship. Trends Stolen credit card details, botnets up for sale Facebook ad expenditure to reach $US4 billion in 2010 Facebook releases new mobile app Selling Sue Barrett Different sales assessments and how to use them Different sales roles in different industries require different attributes for success. Which sales assessment should you use to find the right match? Retail trends Kevin Moore Look, buy and tell online Shoppers want to shop anywhere, anytime, on any device. And they prefer to shop with retailers that provide seamless, customised experiences. Authentic Leadership Dennis Roberts Talent – are you fighting an unwinnable war? Regardless of tenure, your challenge as a leader is how get your employee to bloom in the short time they are employed by you. Entrepreneur Watch James Thomson Fearing February It happens every year – the dreaded February cashflow drought. But a new report suggests it might be worse this time. Coming Up The 10 web trends you need to watch in 2011. Best wishes, Amanda Gome Founder / Publisher SmartCompany.com.au Forty years of empirical research in prospecting shows the hesitation to initiate first contact with prospective buyers on a consistent daily basis is responsible for the failure of more competent, motivated and capable sales people than any other single factor. The fear of prospecting can cost an average of 15 new units of business per month per sales person. Prospecting is not the most important skill in selling but it is the thing that has to happen before anything else. Sue Barrett Click here for more. FOLLOW US OUR PARTNERS UPCOMING EVENTS

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