Emerging companies
Boost the bottom line
| Jessica Gardner
Harmonized payroll tax, simplified awards, and a public-owned bank are good ideas.
Why creativity should be taken seriously
| John Lyons
Lyons | If we think that creativity is an important resource, why don’t we take it seriously?
High on the payment hog
| Jeanne-Vida Douglas
Tim Howard and Rohan Lund have joined forces to create a social online payment mechanism called Pygg.
Micro-finance, mega-results
| Kath WaltersIn today’s connected world, angel investing is not only for the wealthy.
New York start for start-up specialist
| Jessica Gardner
An Australian entrepreneur is providing technical development and mentorship to start-ups in New York.
Let’s keep innovation alive
| Kath WaltersWithout new federal government support, local venture capital funds will collapse, and with it, the nation’s future.
Write your own cheque
| Jessica Gardner
The question of when to start drawing a regular salary and how much is a puzzling one for start-up founders.
Entrepreneurial pot on the boil
| Kath Walters
There’s a bonfire under entrepreneurial activity in Sydney and Melbourne at the moment, and the pot is bubbling.
Venture forth unto the web
| Jeanne-Vida Douglas
The 2011 BRW Entrepreneur of the Year, Matt Barrie, is passing his skills on to the next generation.
Matchmaking’s inherent conflict
| Kath WaltersEntrepreneurs want money; investors want deals. So we have matchmakers who try to smooth the path.
Brothers bring it together
| Jeanne-Vida Douglas
Keeping it in the family is a great way to build a business for some siblings.
The importance of self-importance
| John C Lyons
Lyons | One of the most powerful of the value drivers is self-importance – how a purchase will affect our self-perception.
Money with strings hangs on
| Kath WaltersInvestment in stages can be a trap, or an excellent way to build trust between investor and entrepreneur.
A whole new ball game
| Jeanne-Vida Douglas
The ability to find, keep and motivate key staff has become a defining characteristic of a good manager.
The fight gets down and flirty
| Jessica Gardner
A US-based operator is setting up as a challenger to Pash Parties.
Franchisors attack changes
| Jessica GardnerNew legislation in South Australia has upset franchisors operating in the state.
Lessons learned
| Nassim Khadem
A hunger to achieve has propelled the head of Tonkin Corporation three times into the Fast 100 list.
Angels return when house prices dip
| Kath Walters
As property prices fall, angel investment looks rosier.
Mix and match sales
| Jessica Gardner
Mixing and matching franchises means customers of Souvlakihut can buy an ice-cream with their kebab.
Get backers to follow the script
| Jeanne-Vida Douglas
A documentary-maker needs to move not only audiences, but backers and distributors as well.
In business, as in marriage
| Kath WaltersRelationships in business are often like those in wedlock and are worth entering into for reasons beyond the financial.
Make money by eliminating clutter
| John Lyons
Lyons | Business has much to learn from design greats such as Steve Jobs and Coco Chanel.
Build deep loyalty in ‘shallow’ media
| Mark Cameron
Social media is creating the opportunity to relate with customers at a deeper level.
When patents hinder progress
| Kath Walters
Patents protect ideas, but they can also slow things down.
Holiday haven
| Georgina Dent
BRW Fast Starter company, My Holiday Centre, is taking on market giants Flight Centre.
Exit this way
| Jessica Gardner
Starting a business with an end goal already in mind can prove lucrative.
No place for entrepreneurs to spark
| Kath WaltersLarge, risk-averse companies are struggling with a lack of innovation.
Going the fast way
| Anthony Sibillin
Richard Thame might never completely fill his predecessor’s shoes, but the fit now seems less awkward than it used to be.
Home sweet business
| Jessica Gardner
Starting an enterprise from home is common but it’s wise to think about moving to a ‘proper‘ office early.
Good ideas we’ll never know about
| Kath WaltersThe plentiful supply of opportunities stems from the desperate shortage of venture capital.