Opinion

Daily workplace conversations are a valuable resource, but effective workplace communication requires a more formalised setting.

The power of observation on the sales call will lead to the right question, the right dialogue … and big sales.

The $1.4 billion joint bid by Baosteel and Aurizon for control of Perth-based Aquila Resources marks a new wave of Chinese investment interest in WA’s iron ore.

There’s no doubt that cyclists and car drivers could do more to improve relations.

In this week's edition of Business News Background, head of content Mark Pownall and news editor Mark Beyer discuss the state budget and its implications for business, plus the upcoming federal budget, Aquila Resources and Esperance Port.

Savvy union leaders know they’re in a strong position to negotiate for their members when an election’s around the corner.

Two major events last week highlighted the private sector’s desire to deliver new port infrastructure, and it’s a trend the Barnett government could take even further.

Just as Western Australia’s nickel miners pop champagne corks to celebrate the remarkable 40 per cent rise in the nickel price over the past five months, signs have started to emerge that the party might soon be over

A new book on climate change paints a grim view of the future, but not for the reasons you may think.

A target to aim for and a system for monitoring progress is a great start if you want to improve the results in your business.

Classic writers offer timeless and peerless advice we should all heed to be successful.

How does a visit by the mayor of US oil capital Houston link to Western Australia’s local council amalgamations?

Increasingly generous staff share issues in the US threaten the rights of existing shareholders.

Perth’s sister city Houston has some interesting insights on public transport, economic diversification and other challenges faced by both cities.

In this week's edition of Business News Background, head of content Mark Pownall and news editor Mark Beyer discuss the future of Western Australia’s tertiary education sector, Nigel Satterley’s critical assessment of the apartment market, the latest data on Perth’s expensive land prices, and what we can learn from Houston, the Commission of Audit, the latest instalment in the Padbury Mining saga, and the opening of Perth’s first Rolls Royce showroom.

The NSW and WA governments should follow through on commitments to make lobbyists fully accountable.

Geoff Gallop says Labor got sucked into the political view only the Liberals could be trusted with the economy.

If prices for iron ore, coal, oil and gold are falling, which they are, how long before the Australian dollar follows?

The overall support and encouragement a company gives its salespeople are the main ingredients to making the sale.

The Future of Financial Advice legislation, which came into effect in July 2013, is undergoing more changes.

History shows that only time will tell whether an asset's price was optimal.

Oakajee is being rejuvenated not so much as a mining project but more as an infrastructure play.

In this week’s edition of Business News Background, head of content Mark Pownall, news editor Mark Beyer and host James Lush discuss WA’s infrastructure strategy, or lack thereof, the contractors winning work on big projects, WA’s economic prospects and the Padbury Mining saga.

The battered party could start on the long road back by taking advice from Joe Bullock and its 1980s’ team of MPs.

Taking a methodical approach to infrastructure planning helps build strong foundations.

The WA and federal budgets will test the political resolve of the governments to make the hard decisions.

Masked by the delay in plans to merge Barrick Gold and Newmont Mining to create a $33 billion global gold mining giant is another sign that Western Australia’s resources industry is losing its international investment appeal.

The reform agenda mapped out last week by the Economic Regulation Authority should become former treasurer Troy Buswell’s greatest legacy to the state.

Nostalgia is no longer a valid reason to stop the modernisation of Rotto.

UBS has dug up hot numbers on the WA iron ore project that could propel the billionaire to world’s richest person.

Big-spending Clive Palmer can go on to play a much bigger role in political outcomes.

Finally, after decades of dithering and empty promises there is hope the ambitious Oakajee port and rail plan in the Mid West will move beyond the drawing board, not that there will be a ground-breaking ceremony for a few more years.