Opinion

The social costs of Perth’s sprawling new suburbs is there for all to see, but little is being done to address the problems.

Governments the world over seem to think they have some skin in the game when it comes to the business of business.

Weak performance in emerging economies is causing a world economic slowdown this year, but the advanced economies should step it up next year.

John Hughes has convinced a lot of people to buy his cars over the years, but will investors be similarly enthused about his plan to float the business?

While many business owners understand the importance of customer loyalty, not all know how to get it.

If managed effectively, businesses can emerge from a downturn stronger for the experience.

A global business executive provided a good perspective this week on two perennial issues – dealing with change and coping with high costs.

Karl Simich and his team at Sandfire Resources could be calling for the Dom Perignon in a few days if the local copper mining favourite achieves the once unthinkable and overtakes the stock market value of its potential predator, OZ Minerals.

Being essentially nerdy, I have always loved those lateral thinking puzzles, whose answers seem obvious when explained, but frustratingly hard otherwise.

Faced with a financial test partly of its own making, the Barnett government may deliver tough medicine now in the hope of a quick fix.

Our society must take care of its most vulnerable, but political motives have shifted the pendulum on ‘need’ and developed a sense of entitlement.

Investors are betting the experts have got it wrong when it comes to forecasts for the price of iron ore.

With the RBA hinting at sub-trend growth, there’s little chance of a change in interest rates in the near term.

What was done decades ago as common business practice is increasingly fraught these days.

Targeted preparation is the only way you can be confident you’ll make the sale.

The health of the hospitality sector is a good barometer of the state of the overall economy.

Nothing beats real-life examples to illustrate the costly and debilitating effect of the bureaucratic process.

It's hard to imagine anyone being unhappy with Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s remarkably generous $65 million donation to establish a system of educational scholarships to rival that created by Cecil Rhodes more than 100 years ago.

Transport Alternatives director Paul Steely White gives cycling a push as car-commute congestion in Perth becomes increasingly noticeable.

The Barnett government is struggling to take the public with it in terms of proposed cuts to spending.

Obviously I'm missing something, because it's clear my idea of what constitutes 'the news' is far removed from the views of many of my fellow Australians.

Colin Barnett will surely take a consultative approach when it comes to a review of state mining royalties.

Recent discussion of the transition from mining investment to mining harvest in Australia led me to revisit some work I did two years ago on the nature of the economic shock to the Australian econo

Does Rottnest offer a realistic interpretation of a carless society?

As you may know, I'm a regular flyer. I take about 200 flights a year.

Setting measurable goals is a positive first step in getting your business on the growth pathway.

The search for growth industries beyond mining is a perennial topic of debate in Australia.

When bank deposit rates are less than 3 per cent it’s hard to resist the siren call of an investment opportunity being spruiked at 20 per cent, which is why investors are rushing into residential property – and why many of them will get badly burned.

CHINA'S economy is perking up. The latest data suggest growth has bottomed after hitting a trough of 7.5 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of the year.

The house of review needs a review of its own, but getting bipartisan agreement on the best way forward will be difficult.

Having children changes your life forever – in most ways significantly for the better. There are, however, a couple of things I've refused to surrender to family.

Low interest rates and banks’ enthusiasm to lend money are two factors driving the heating housing market.