Join #Aussie channel in Jaiku

Hi everyone. I just created an #Aussie channel in Jaiku. I hope you can join.

As a way to promote each other, I encourage you to post the badge in your blog, and will add your blog feed in the stream afterwards. This way, we are also cross promoting each other's post in the process.

I hope you'll join. Cheers!

14 Lessons from Australia E-Business Entrepreneurs

Emily Ross and Angus Holland puts the spotlight on 14 Australia e-business entrepreneurs in their book 50 Great E-Businesses and the Minds Behind Them. Truly inspiring as the authors gave a view on the realities of running an e-commerce endeavor through the personal sharing experience of various owners. The book also has e-business stories of those based in the US.

Here are some of the insights I gained from the various Aussie entrepreneurs featured.

1. Challenge why and how you are doing something. How can you make things smarter? Every little thing is an improvement. (Graeme Wood of Wotif.com)

2. Offer equity to main clients and as a result, they'll also bring more business to the company. (Greg Roebuck of CarSales.com.au)

3. Never underestimate work required to keep a company afloat. (Karl Sabljak and Marty Howell of RealEstate.com.au)

4. Look for every possible way to reach critical mass. (Andrew and Paul Bassat of Seek.com.au)

5. Do something that doesn't that doesn't look or act like everything else out there. (Garth Franklin of DarkHorizons.com)

6, Use as many channels online to market the brand. There's no shame in seeking attention for the brand. (Sean Ashby of AussieBum.com.au)

7. Invest in the functionality of the site. (Brett Clark of ePharmacy.com.au)

8. More listings means more sales. (Philip Leahy of EntertainmentHouse.net)

9. Focus on the people who will deliver inventory to the site. (Rob and Audrey Hunt, Chris Sharkey of Stayz.com.au)

10. Take criticism on the chin (Fiona Boyd and David Eedle of Artshub.com.au)

11. Inspire members to tell their friends about the site. (Kylie Little and Deirdre Walker of EssentialBaby.com.au)

12. If you feel you can't do something, take it down to manageable bits and get it done one by one. (David Clarke of Webjet.com.au)

13. Constantly invest new ways of to generate income from the site where customers will not feel ripped off. (Stephen Mulcahy of RSVP.com.au)

14. Be open to take on new leaders who can take the company to the next level. (observation on Stephen Mayne of Crikey.com.au story)

If you need an inspiration to your e-commerce business, this book is worth investing in.

Australia Top 100 Blogs by Blog Juice (as of March 2008)

Here's the 3rd update of the Australia Top 100 Blogs by Blog Juice list.

The ranking of blogs listed here was based on blog juice. Its rating is based on Bloglines subscription (40%), Alexa ranking (15%), Technorati ranking (30%), and inbound links as per Technorati (15%). This is what I found as of March 31, 2008.

I highlighted those who are new, gained an increase from the last update to this one, and those who got their highest score to date.

1. http://www.problogger.net/ - 8.7
2. http://www.lifehack.org/ - 8.4
3. http://freelanceswitch.com/ - 7.8 (highest since July 2007 update)
4. http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/ - 7.7
   http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/ - 7.7
5. http://scienceblogs.com/deltoid/ - 7.3
   http://infosthetics.com/ - 7.3
6. http://www.istartedsomething.com/ - 7.1 (highest since July 2007 update)
   
7. http://bibliodyssey.blogspot.com/ - 7
   http://www.skelliewag.org/ - 7 (gain)
8. http://northxeast.com/ - 6.4
   
9. http://timblair.net/ - 6.3
10. http://www.bannerblog.com.au/ - 6.2
    http://thewrongadvices.com/ - 6.2 (highest since July 2007 update)
11. http://www.psdtuts.com/ - 6.1
12. http://www.themaninblue.com/ - 6
13. http://www.incsub.org/blog/ - 5.9
    http://galadarling.com/ - 5.9 (highest since July 2007 update)
    
14. http://blogs.msdn.com/frankarr/ - 5.8
    http://www.hawkwings.net/ - 5.8
15. http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/ - 5.7
    http://ilovemilkandcookies.blogspot.com/ - 5.7 (highest since July 2007 update)
16. http://thepodcastnetwork.com/ - 5.6
    http://faith-theology.blogspot.com/ - 5.6
17. http://www.disambiguity.com/ - 5.5
    http://www.itnews.com.au/ - 5.5
    http://larvatusprodeo.net/ - 5.5 (highest since July 2007 update)
    http://www.karencheng.com.au/ - 5.5
18. http://www.rossdawsonblog.com/ - 5.4
    http://www.iwillchangeyourlife.com/ - 5.4 (gain)
    http://kiddley.com/ - 5.4
19. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/ - 5.2
    http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/ - 5.2
    http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/ - 5.2 (highest since July 2007 update)
    http://www.lostateminor.com/ - 5.2 (highest since July 2007 update)
    http://www.urbanmonk.net/ - 5.2 (gain)
20. http://www.steptwo.com.au/columntwo/ - 5.1
21. http://blogs.msdn.com/charles_sterling/ - 5
    http://www.ozpolitics.info/blog/ - 5 (highest since July 2007 update)
    http://www.secretgeek.net/ - 5
    http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com/ - 5 (highest since July 2007 update)
22. http://www.livingroom.org.au/blog/ - 4.9
    http://www.duncans.tv/ - 4.9
    http://libraryclips.blogsome.com/ - 4.9
23. http://blogpond.com.au/ - 4.8
    http://craigharper.com.au/ - 4.8
    http://leehopkins.net/ - 4.8
24. http://cookingismypassion.blogspot.com/ - 4.7 (highest since July 2007 update)
    http://www.justinelarbalestier.com/blog/ - 4.7
25. http://www.anecdote.com.au/ - 4.6
    http://laketrees.blogspot.com/ - 4.6 (gain)
    http://grabyourfork.blogspot.com/ - 4.6
    
26. http://www.justmakemoneyonline.com/ - 4.5
    http://ashleybambaland.blogspot.com/ - 4.5 (gain)
    
27. http://www.dailyreckoning.com.au/ - 4.4
28. http://www.snoskred.org/ - 4.3
    http://gdayworld.thepodcastnetwork.com/ - 4.3
    http://www.defamer.com.au/ - 4.3 (gain)
29. http://www.sauer-thompson.com/ - 4.2
    http://alistercameron.com/ - 4.2
    http://blogs.technet.com/mkleef/ - 4.2
    http://www.scottwesterfeld.com/blog/ - 4.2
    http://www.thomassinfield.com/ - 4.2 (gain)
    http://duncanriley.com/ - 4.2
    http://nyssajbrown.net/ - 4.2 (gain)
30. http://www.allaboutolive.com.au/ - 4.1
    http://www.artnewsblog.com/ - 4.1
    http://www.sueblimely.com/ - 4.1 (new)
    
31. http://www.blogcharm.com/sweets/ - 4
    http://servantofchaos.typepad.com/soc/ - 4
    http://youngie.prblogs.org/ - 4
    http://www.tvtonight.com.au/ - 4 (gain)
32. http://www.inthemix.com.au/ - 3.9
    http://www.designsojourn.com/ - 3.9
    http://www.allforwomen.com.au/ - 3.9
    http://aussielicious.blogspot.com/ - 3.9
    http://www.foodpast.com/ - 3.9
    http://librariansmatter.com/blog - 3.9 (gain)
33. http://cookalmostanything.blogspot.com/ - 3.8
    http://www.gizmodo.com.au/ - 3.8
    http://mykoreankitchen.com/ - 3.8 (gain)
    http://www.freedomtodiffer.com/ - 3.8 (gain)
    http://hobartdaily.com/ - 3.8 (new)
34. http://www.thinkinghomebusiness.com/ - 3.7
    http://www.boudist.com/ - 3.7
    http://trevorcook.typepad.com/weblog/ - 3.7
35. http://moviecritic.com.au/ - 3.6 (gain)
    http://www.shaicoggins.com/ - 3.6
    http://www.thefoodpornographer.com/ - 3.6
    http://www.kotaku.com.au/ - 3.6 (gain)
    http://sydneynearlydailyphot.blogspot.com/ - 3.6
    http://www.aussiebloggers.com.au/ - 3.6 (new)
    
36. http://roadtosurfdom.com/ - 3.5
    http://www.clubtroppo.com.au/ - 3.5
    http://www.nik.com.au/ - 3.5
    http://www.tailored.com.au/ - 3.5 (gain)
    http://www.fatplanet.com.au/blog/ - 3.5
    http://imaginif.com.au/~ima33724/blog - 3.5 (gain)
    http://notjustmama.net/ - 3.5 (new)
    http://originalmx5.net/ - 3.5 (new)
    http://thetallpoppy.blogspot.com/ - 3.5 (new)

If you have a blog and your blog juice is in the range of the ones listed above, please post a comment and will add you.

Medical requirements for Australia permanent resident visa processing

Skilled workers who are already in Australia have the option of getting a permanent resident status. If you are based in areas like Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Melbourne, and Perth, your path to permanent residence is by filing the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 121/856).

Skilled workers based in other areas, considered as regional or low population, can file the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 119/857).

Prior to filing, one needs to complete an x-ray and medical examination. The first that needs to be done is the chest x-ray. You need to fill up form 160 and bring it with you along with your passport and a passport-size photo.

You need to call any of the following HSA Group offices to make an appointment for your chest x-ray and medical consultation. In some cases, appointment is not necessary for chest x-ray. However, you need to call as the venue for chest x-ray is not necessarily in the same address listed below

Once you are finished with the chest x-ray, you can call again to arrange the date of your actual medical examination. You will need to fill-up form 26 and bring your passport. Always make sure to visit the HSA Group offices website to get updated information.

Areas under Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 121/856):

• Brisbane
  Level 7
  340 Adelaide St
  Brisbane QLD 4001
  telephone 07 3307 9444 and 07 3307 9440
  

• Melbourne
  Level 4
  501 Swanston St,
  Melbourne VIC 3000
  telephone 03 9224 8381
  

• Newcastle
  13 Darby St,
  NEWCASTLE NSW 2300
  telephone 02 4915 5400
  
  
• Perth
  Level 3,
  553 Hay Street
  Perth WA 6000
  telephone 08 9324 6444
  
  
• Sydney
  Level 5, 136 Chalmers St,
  SURRY HILLS NSW 2010
  telephone 02 8396 0600
  
  
• Wollongong
  Level 3, 43 Burelli St,
  WOLLONGONG, NSW 2500
  telephone 02 4253 6400
  

Areas under Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 119/857):

• Adelaide
  Level 8—West
  55 Currie Street
  Adelaide SA 5000
  telephone 08 8468 6084
  
  
• Canberra
  1st Floor,
  15 Bowes St,
  WODEN ACT 2606
  telephone 02 6269 2001
  
  
• Darwin
  Level 1, Cavanagh Centre
  43 Cavanagh Street
  Darwin NT 0800
  telephone 08 8981 7492
  
  
• Hobart
  200 Elizabeth Street
  Hobart TAS 7004
  telephone 03 6281 4000
  
  
• Labrador
  102 Imperial Parade
  Labrador QLD 4215
  telephone 07 5631 4800
  
  
• Parramatta
  Level 4, 2-10 WentworthSt,
  PARRAMATTA NSW 2124
  telephone 02 9806 7333
  
  
• Townsville
  Park Haven Medical Centre
  7 Bayswater Rd
  Hyde Park QLD 4812
  telephone 07 4795 7800
  

More information can be found at health requirements for visa applicants.