![The Big Idea](http://web.archive.org./web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/p/9/6/x/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x0.png)
Every business needs big ideas about how to increase profits and keep one step ahead of the competition.
We look at what works and what doesn't in business, exploring the minutiae of the every day, because ultimately, that's what really counts if you want to be successful.
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Dairy with a difference
Alexandra Cain How has this farm managed to avoid the current milk price crisis?
"I worked 44 hours straight"
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.govf4r.png/1463447108383.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Under-resourced and understaffed, too many businesses are exploiting their best asset.
Poaching staff: five facts
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.goobgh.png/1462911388708.jpg)
Alexandra Cain If you want a gun team you can have one - but there may be consequences.
How NOT to run a business
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gocifo.png/1461309150378.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Is it really OK for personal trainers to compromise the safety of their clients?
Kings Cross: don't believe the hype
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go9x17.png/1461203488571.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Despite the scare campaign, 71 businesses have opened there since 2014.
Freelancers are people too
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.go41vu.png/1460447664522.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Why do people think they can skip basic courtesies when dealing with contractors?
You want to work here
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnyjd7.png/1460074899345.jpg)
Alexandra Cain A new breed of club-like work spaces is piquing the interest of Australia's best and brightest.
How to make a world-class game
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnsy7y.png/1459382945302.jpg)
Alexandra Cain This homegrown entrepreneur has found the secret to app store success.
Why aren't we developing Gen Y?
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnj1cy.png/1458018137683.jpg)
Alexandra Cain They're not lazy, they are smart and talented and they deserve a break.
Beware the Google fraudsters
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gndk9g.png/1457469264218.jpg)
Alexandra Cain An email promising to get you to the top of search engine results is a scam.
How to work zero hours a week
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gn71ik.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain This entrepreneur wanted to work just four hours a week. She was able to do a lot better than that and is earning millions.
The problem with proper nouns: Why good grammar is good for business
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmul4u.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Why is it that so few people know the difference between upper and lower case?
Ten tips to declutter your digital life
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmp2p7.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain There are many steps you can take to inject elegant simplicity into the way you use technology.
How I quit procrastinating
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmjn4m.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain We all do it and it's wasting our time and energy. Here's how to break the habit.
Are tattoos at work still taboo?
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gmehc7.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Certain businesses that hire staff with visible ink are taking a substantial risk.
How to be an Uber driver
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm8w7l.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain There are a few secrets you need to know to make your car ride business a success.
Five tips for surviving hump day
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm45mw.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Wednesdays are tough at the start of the year. Here's how to breeze through them.
How business can boom on New Year's Eve
![Sydney's spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks display is the work of small family business Foti Fireworks.](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/m/p/t/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gluidg.png/1451529369832.jpg)
Kate Jones For the small business behind Sydney's New Year's fireworks spectacular and other hardworking small business New Year's Eve is one of the busiest times of year.
Five tips to present like a TED pro
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glt8lw.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Anyone can address an audience like an expert orator with these easy lessons.
Terrified to take time off?
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnwxj.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain If you're burnt out and in desperate need of down time but can't bear to go on holiday, chances are you're suffering from FOTAL.
Is your agent dumb and dodgy?
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gliay8.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Real estate agents can run, but they can't hide thanks to new technology that rates their performance.
Why are junior staff so stupid?
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glchss.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Their stunning sense of self-importance is inversely proportionate to their value. Who's at fault?
Death of the evening work cult
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl0tmw.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Is it still acceptable to expect staff to keep slogging into the wee hours?
Meet the Australian woman advising world leaders
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkv0ch.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain She co-founded an investment bank and now she's taking New York.
How to survive the silly season
![Alexandra Cain](/web/20160608002842im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/n/z/o/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkp8ps.png/1456881820217.jpg)
Alexandra Cain The day after Melbourne Cup is hideous. Don't let it ruin the run-up to Christmas.