Mark Pownall

I had the pleasure of chairing a panel session for our recent Success & Leadership event, The Modern Entrepreneur in WA. The event kicked off the 2006 WA Business News 40under40 Awards by bringing together four previous winners from the program to discuss

This week's edition of WA Business News carries two initiatives to help our readers do business – a weekly business issues case study and a monthly liftout for the business of travel.

The resignation from state cabinet of Bob Kucera may well provide a boost for young Liberal leader Matt Birney, but it signals just how difficult we make it for our politicians to be normal these days.

John Howard is one of the canniest politicians in the business and his proposed reform of industrial relations has his textbook approach written all over it.

Matt Birney's Liberal Party manifesto announced at the weekend marks a key point in his fledging leadership.While publicity about his plan was largely overwhelmed by the news of new bombings in Bali, there were several initiatives of interest to business

I don't normally pick up on issues raised by politicians campaigning for their slice of the funding pie, but I was intrigued by the efforts of Greenough MLA Grant Woodhams who raised the vision of the Indian Ocean Drive in State Parliament last week.

Investors in Western Australian-listed stocks have enjoyed an extraordinary year of growth, with the Deloitte WA Index showing a performance of almost double the Australian Stock Exchange's All Ordinaries Index.

Western Australian employers are the most confident in the country, with more than 40 per cent planning to increase permanent staffing levels in the next quarter.

One thing I am not an expert on is technology. I struggle with any new piece of equipment and probably only ever use 10 per cent of the capabilities of the gizmos that I own.

The planned visit by the Rainbow Warrior to Fremantle at the weekend did little to stir passions that I could note – having not been in the port city or caught the news – but it did get me thinking about where the environmental debate was heading.

The neck and neck battle between talkback hosts Paul Murray and Liam Bartlett remains tight as Perth's radio ratings season approaches the home stretch.

Four Western Australian wine producers have appeared in a new book about the development of ‘new world' wines.

TELSTRA is the classic example of why business and government don't mix. The current furore over the telco's new and outspoken leadership team is all politically driven, despite criticism of some management for talking down the price of the stock.

Intangible assets they may be, but there's no doubting the value brands bring to those who operate in the commercial world.

While I would be the last person to agree to the construction of a nuclear power plant in my backyard, I can understand that this form of energy may play a vital role in our future.

A couple of weeks ago I discussed my belief in the importance of holidays and, while open to the need for choice, my concerns about the practice of cashing in leave.

I am glad to see the debate about liquor regulation start up again.

It's probably a good time to weigh into the debate about annual leave provision with a few thoughts about holidays, which I believe are an integral part of work.

I'm always fascinated how the pendulum finds its natural balance in politics.

The sale details of high-profile Albany sandalwood oil and cosmetics company Mt Romance Australia Pty Ltd have emerged after weeks of legal process around the settlement – with an Australian company committing an estimated $20 million for the purchase.

Superannuation choice is upon us, and there is a lot of talk of the cost to business in this change.

Donaldson and Warn Architects won a design competition to build a memorial to victims of the 2002 Bali bombing on a site chosen by the victims' families.

It's a tough life at the top of business at the best of times. It's even tougher when things aren't going well and pesky journalists keep asking well-informed questions.

I was reading an obituary this week about Jack ‘River' Murray, a legendary Fremantle footballer from the 1940s and 1950s.

WA Business News' reporting and production values have again been recognised with awards from the Alliance of Area Business Publications.

Last week I was going to air my personal views on the Schapelle Corby case following her conviction for drug trafficking in Bali.

There has been much reference to the promised tax cuts in this year's Federal Budget, with the Labor opposition damning its “unfairness” while supporters have emailed around the famous restaurant analogy we published on this page last year.

Just in case anyone missed me, I have had the great pleasure of visiting the State's vast North West with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual tour.

I attended an Institute of Management Consultants function this week, where the organisation welcomed several fellowships and introduced a new certificate program to try to provide some form of solid footing to the profession here.

Bill Clough is a rare specimen when it comes to looking at dynastic Western Australians.

Examining the thinking of Perth's council candidates has provided some interesting fodder for thought, especially with regard to issues confronting our central city and its role as our capital.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan's proposal for a light rail or tram line running through the east-west axis of the Central Business District would be welcomed by several candidates seeking election to the City of Perth's council th