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Australian Stories

Business strategy stories

Aussie small firms blend AI speed with human branding
Marketing Technologies

Aussie small firms blend AI speed with human branding

Australian small firms race to use AI in design, but research shows most still insist on human hands to shape trusted, distinctive brands.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Wed, 4th Feb 2026
Amazon threat pushes Australian retailers to speed up
Digital Transformation

Amazon threat pushes Australian retailers to speed up

Amazon, Temu and Shein are forcing Australian retailers to speed up delivery, fix fulfilment bottlenecks and rethink toughened returns.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Wed, 4th Feb 2026

Global Stories

Business strategy stories

AI agents reshape sales teams across Australia, NZ
Customer Relationship Management

AI agents reshape sales teams across Australia, NZ

AI agents are rapidly transforming sales teams in Australia and New Zealand, slashing grunt work and reshaping how sellers prospect and close deals.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Wed, 11th Feb 2026
Marketers: Get ready to AI-proof your careers
DevOps

Marketers: Get ready to AI-proof your careers

As AI reshapes marketing, leaders say careers will depend less on tactics and more on systems thinking, judgement and commercial clarity.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 6 min read • Wed, 11th Feb 2026
Aerospike embeds default data masking in Database 8
Data Protection

Aerospike embeds default data masking in Database 8

Aerospike Database 8 now embeds default dynamic data masking, tightening PII protection while easing compliance and operational overhead.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Wed, 11th Feb 2026
CFOs boost tech, sales & AI as headcount growth slows
Manufacturing

CFOs boost tech, sales & AI as headcount growth slows

CFOs are funnelling 2026 budgets into tech, AI and sales, while easing back on hiring, HR spending and rapid pay growth.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Wed, 11th Feb 2026
AI has raised the stakes: Why strategic communications remains human-led in 2026
Digital Transformation

AI has raised the stakes: Why strategic communications remains human-led in 2026

AI is reshaping PR, but leaders warn the winners in 2026 will be those who keep strategic communications firmly human-led.

By Dan Gamble • 4 min read • Sat, 7th Feb 2026
Avanade names Chris Howarth CEO as Caserta joins Microsoft
Data Analytics

Avanade names Chris Howarth CEO as Caserta joins Microsoft

Avanade has appointed Chris Howarth as CEO, succeeding Rodrigo Caserta, who departs after 11 years to lead SME and channel for Microsoft.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Wed, 4th Feb 2026
Zendesk names Craig Flower COO to drive AI first shift
Software-as-a-Service

Zendesk names Craig Flower COO to drive AI first shift

Zendesk promotes Craig Flower to chief operating officer, tasking him with accelerating its AI-first customer service and operations strategy.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Wed, 4th Feb 2026
AI, cyber & inflation top concerns for Australasian CEOs
Distributed Denial of Service

AI, cyber & inflation top concerns for Australasian CEOs

AI disruption, cyber threats and inflation now rank as top concerns for Australasian CEOs, even as most still plan to expand in 2026.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Tue, 3rd Feb 2026
AI to transform qualitative research into measurable data
Data Analytics

AI to transform qualitative research into measurable data

Mercury Analytics says AI will turn open-ended feedback into measurable insight by 2026, reshaping how organisations use qualitative data.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Mon, 2nd Feb 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Business strategy stories

Electric Twin raises USD $14m to scale AI audiences
Data Analytics

Electric Twin raises USD $14m to scale AI audiences

London AI start-up Electric Twin raises USD $14m to grow its synthetic audience tech, pitched as a faster alternative to market research.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Fri, 13th Feb 2026
Most firms fail to measure real financial returns on AI
Data Analytics

Most firms fail to measure real financial returns on AI

Most organisations still cannot show pounds-and-pence returns on AI, with only 15% tracking its financial impact, a new report warns.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Fri, 13th Feb 2026
AI misalignment costs UK firms billions in lost gains
Digital Transformation

AI misalignment costs UK firms billions in lost gains

Misaligned expectations over workplace AI risk costing UK employers up to GBP £60 billion a year in lost productivity and savings.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Fri, 13th Feb 2026
Why AI search is reshaping how Kiwis see businesses
Marketing Technologies

Why AI search is reshaping how Kiwis see businesses

As Kiwis increasingly 'ask AI' before buying, leaders must learn to shape algorithm answers or risk losing control of their brand story.

By Jack Wheeler • 4 min read • Wed, 11th Feb 2026
AI drives UK retail as shoppers embrace eCommerce tools
Data Protection

AI drives UK retail as shoppers embrace eCommerce tools

AI-powered tools are rapidly reshaping UK retail as most shoppers embrace chat-based assistants and retailers ramp up investment for 2026.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Thu, 5th Feb 2026
AI boosts engagement but 'shadow AI' risk grows in UK
Data Protection

AI boosts engagement but 'shadow AI' risk grows in UK

AI rollouts are lifting UK staff engagement, but new research warns unapproved 'shadow AI' use is outpacing employers' controls.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Thu, 5th Feb 2026