Start a Business Smart with Small Business News & Advice

Editor's Note

Are you convinced your start-up will enjoy booming sales from day one? If so, you need to read Marc Peskett's top tips on staying realistic.

Top 10 crowdfunded start-ups

Pricing a product or service can be tricky, especially if it's new to the market. But as Calvin Ng and John Kolenda from 1300 Home Loan found out, you can’t afford to get it wrong. BY MICHELLE HAMMOND.

Beware of start-up hockey stick expectations

Start-ups typically think their idea will be a great commercial success. Here are three key steps to ensure you don't become dangerously optimistic. BY MARC PESKETT.

Fives sales disasters you need to avoid

Even the best salespeople have endured disasters. We spoke to five of Australia’s leading sales gurus to hear their tales of woe, and the lessons they learned. BY OLIVER MILMAN AND MICHELLE HAMMOND.

How good is your business knowledge?

Tax rates. Employment law. Funding help. And plenty more. There are countless pieces of knowledge that you have to absorb when starting up. So, how do you rate? Take our quiz to find out. BY OLIVER MILMAN.

A GFC-exposed skills crunch

Are your new hires up to the job? Entrepreneur Rob Davidson discovered that he had little idea of an internal skills shortage until disaster struck. BY MICHELLE HAMMOND.

Web Strategy

Social media is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration

It’s easy to take the plunge into social media. Then reality sets in, and you realise it can be hard work staying on the social media treadmill. BY ADAM FRANKLIN.

More Web Strategy >

Start-up Profiles

Brand Creative

Being based in the NSW regional centre of Broken Hill hasn’t prevented entrepreneurs Josh Cowdrey and Steven Johansson from dreaming big.

More Start-up Profiles >

Start-up Idea

“Intelligent” pills tagged with edible sensors

“Intelligent” pills, tagged with edible sensors, will be sold at chemists in the United Kingdom to help patients and doctors track medications.

More Start-up ideas >

News

Australian Society of Entrepreneurs launches Sydney chapter

The Australian Society of Entrepreneurs has expanded its network with the launch of a Sydney chapter, designed to assist aspiring entrepreneurs with the stresses of running a business.

Small Business Minister Mark Arbib says rents, payroll tax worrisome

Newly-appointed Small Business Minister Mark Arbib has downplayed the level of concern among small businesses over the carbon tax, identifying rents and payroll tax as more important.

Mobile malware evolving “frighteningly” fast: Report

Malware targeting mobile devices is evolving “frighteningly” fast and has the potential to be even more destructive than ever before, according to a worrying new report.

Ireland the latest nation to cast net for foreign entrepreneurs

Ireland is the latest nation to appeal to foreign entrepreneurs to do business in the region, in a desperate bid to boost employment, following similar initiatives in the United States and Britain.

Small firms put on notice as late bills hit 12-month high

Businesses are being urged to prioritise trade payments as they stare down the barrel of another challenging year, with data showing severely delinquent bills are at a 12-month high, jumping 28% over the Christmas period.

More News >

Taskmaster

Reduce your role in the hiring process

Consider removing yourself from the interviewing process when searching for new recruits. It’ll stop you trying to “sell” your business to the interviewee.

More Taskmaster >

Tech Tricks

Encrypt your data using Chrome

Google Chrome is a wonderful browser to use, especially because it’s so clean. But many users don’t realise it also gives them an option to encrypt their passwords, providing even more security.

More Tech Tricks >

Mentors

More Mentors >

Nicole Kersh

How do you wake customers from their January slumber?

This time of year is tricky because a lot of people are still on leave, while those who are back at work are still recovering from Christmas.

Graeme McCormack
Is a bad franchisee the sign of a bad franchisor?
Franchisee unrest should never be treated as the sole measure of a franchisor's competence.
Philip Alexander
Is it hard to borrow money from the banks?
Generally, major banks do not lend to early stage businesses, but there are other options.
Scott Robinson
How do I choose the right web developer?
Whether you’re in a regional area or the city, finding the right web designer can be a daunting process.

Community

All the Community >

latest members

Most Active groups

Will it fly?

Need advice and feedback on your business idea, marketing strategy or growth plans?
83 Members
Marketing

Covers everything from advertising and social media to email marketing and sales.
86 Members
Technology

Gadgets, IT systems, e-Commerce and tech trends - it's all here
67 Members
Home-based business

Discussion on everything to do with running a business from home.
45 Members
Feedback

Got an idea for StartupSmart? Let us know here.
27 Members
General Discussion

General discussions about SMEs and start-ups.
9 Members

Latest discussions

Company to take concept to product?
by Brian 1 reply.
Data Centre Storage Array From Failed Venture
by Brian 1 reply.
Women in Small Business
by Sally Smith 3 replies.
Arbib, Federal Labor and Small Business.
by aussielibertarian 3 replies.
Word Economy and SMEs in 2012
by Mr Amish 3 replies.

Startup TV

watch and learn

Bill Gates reflects on the death of Steve Jobs

Although the duo were portrayed as bitter entrepreneurial rivals, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were also friends and collaborators. Here, Gates recalls his final interaction with Jobs, as well as reflecting upon the late Apple founder’s legacy.

Previously

Bill Gates reflects on the death of Steve Jobs

Events

Hooked On Phonics Online
Hooked On Phonics Online - Award winning website teaches children to read with phonics. Fun, interactive phonics activities for Preschool, kindergarten, ...
Networking - Servcorp Business Shorts
Business Networking Melbourne - Servcorp Business Shorts If you’re up for a FREE night of learning, networking, canapés & drinks then you’ll love t...
2012 Young Entrepreneurs Mentoring Program
This mentoring program is ONLY for entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35 years with a passion and ambition for entrepreneurship who have been working in their...
Tony Hsieh workshop in Sydney - Business Chicks
Tony Hsieh, serial entrepreneur whose revolutionary approach to building businesses has led him to be hailed a global guru, is our first workshop guest of...
Business Diary Note: National Angel Conference 2012
The National Angel Conference 2012 provides an opportunity to meet experienced national and international Angel Investors and entrepreneurs and hear about...