August 2015 Issue 107

The commercialisation of intellectual property (IP) in technology (eg copyright in source code, inventions in patents and any branding in trade marks) is generally achieved through licensing. 1. Licensing of IP Licensing is a flexible and powerful tool and is a central feature of most effective IP commercialisation strategies. Licensing allows the IP owner to retain control of the IP...

Maloney's property are approaching 20 years in business in 2016. An exciting milestone. Over this period the business has not only grown but now includes many complimentary parts. Sue and Peter Maloney have refreshed their brand and now offer something that will bring peace of mind to any property owner: a guarantee. "We are so confident that we have the...

Divorce rates are on the rise. These days, couples are bringing more to the table than ever before. They stay at home with their parents for longer, marry later and start families later. Nowadays, people are more attuned to the idea of having a choice about how their financial affairs will be dealt with, in the event of a relationship...

Attending interviews for Senior Management or Director level roles can be extremely challenging. As you progress up the ladder fewer and fewer opportunities will present themselves, meaning when the right opportunity does come up, you really do need to ensure that you're on top form to secure the role. The challenge with these senior level interviews is that you will...

Barack Obama has said that rising levels of income inequality are "the defining challenge of our time". While he may not have specifically been referring to income inequality between men and women, the glass ceiling is a major contributor to income inequality. Despite sex discrimination legislation, the glass ceiling remains a real issue in many businesses and in many professions...

"A ship in the harbour is safe, but that's not what ships are built for", a quote attributed to John A Shedd, is translated in the context of this column to "doing what is easy is safe - it takes courage to do what is hard". That could often be said of insolvency practitioners and business turnaround engagements. Why? Insolvency...

While this column has regularly promoted the need for better governance, and well governed organisations are seen in a positive light, the direct correlation between governance and performance has been challenging. The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) website recently published an article regarding some research into this topic. In late 2014, the Australian Institute of Company Directors commissioned Dr...

Gone are the days when you could simply rely on advertisement campaigns alone to generate sales. The sales process has become much more complex now and your website plays a critical role in it. In the old times, you would come up with a package deal, run a TV, radio or print ad and generate traffic to the website and...

In early June, I delivered the 2015/16 ACT Budget for Canberra. This Budget will ensure Canberra remains the world's most liveable city and remains a place all Canberrans can be proud of, with an economy in which we can all feel confidence. The budget aims to ensure we maintain our core values - by continuing to invest in health and...

Anyone who has spent time interviewing potential employees over a number of years has likely encountered 'the Promoter'. They are the kind of person that always presents very well, they are easy to get to know, likeable, communicate readily and leave a good first impression. Promoters LOVE: * Talking about themselves, they are big on positive personal narratives * Describing...

Many Australians are turning to assisted reproduction technologies to conceive but have they considered what will happen to any stored genetic material in the event of their death? This question was considered by the ACT Supreme Court in a recent case (Roblin v The Public Trustee for the Australian Capital Territory & Anor ACTSC 100). Following a diagnosis of...

The building approval and certification process can be both confusing and frustrating. It's a complex field of stringent rules and regulations that requires expert and professional advice to ensure a project is fully compliant and avoids costly delays. BCA Certifier's are a Canberra based team of industry experts who go 'above and beyond' in assisting clients to obtain building approvals....

As a business owner, without profit you won't be able to guarantee the long-term survival of your business. It provides the vital funds needed for reinvestment and growth, and is the lifeblood of the organisation. Increased profit generally comes from two strategies: * cost reduction and efficiency * changing the business model Using both of these strategies cohesively will mean...