The credit crunch is forcing many companies to find new ways of doing things on the cheap, and they are plugging into a vast people power resource via the web.

Government data shows the US economy exited recession in the third quarter to post its strongest growth in two years.

Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to John Noonan, senior foreign exchange analyst with Thomson Reuters, about the surprise growth in US GDP figures.

Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to Andrew Thompson, senior partner in Resources and Energy with Minter Ellison, about the impact hold-ups at the Foreign Investment Review Board are having on international interest in Australia.

A plan to turn a sleepy tourist town in Papua New Guinea into a tuna processing hub has met with local opposition.

The chief executive of Australian telecommunications giant Telstra is threatening to oppose Australian government reforms to the sector if they undervalue its asset base.

The Australian Reserve Bank is expected to increase interest rates after a jump in CPI inflation figures.

Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to technology strategist and futurist Ross Dawson about the growing use of social media in building business relationships.

Japanese car maker Honda has raised its annual profit forecast almost threefold, but most japanese companies have not done as well.

The Australian government insists its talks with Telstra have not been compromised, after commercially sensitive documents were accidentally tabled in Parliament.

Australia's organic food industry has adopted a new certification standard, so shoppers have a clearer idea what they are paying for.

Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to Jonathan Barratt, Managing Director at Commodity Broking Services, for a look at the broad trends in energy prices.

Despite producing quality wines for export Australian producers are facing a number of hurdles in overseas markets.

Two of Australia's major banks report their full year earnings this week, with the numbers forecast to show they have tightened their grip on the local market.

Japan and Australia have proposed opening up trade across Asia at the annual ASEAN summit held in Thailand.

Computer and gaming consoles are big business in Australia, but the video game industry is battling tax concessions, classifications and piracy.

There has been nearly a 50 per cent appreciation in the Australian dollar against the greenback over the past year, but is it a cyclical blip or something more permanent?

Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to independent analyst Roger Montgomery, for a look at US corporate earnings and what to expect going forward.

The latest economic reports out of China show continued growth - and that has some concerned about the future of the country's multi-billion dollar stimulus package.

A poor monsoon season in India has put pressure on Indian farmers - as the heavy rains are critical to a good harvest.

Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to Richard Grace, Commonwealth Bank's chief currency strategist, about how major currencies are faring.

Australian beverage giant Foster's has told shareholders at its annual general meeting that the company is determined to achieve cost savings of $100 million.

Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy at AMP Capital Investments about China's expected release of economic data.

Qantas shareholders are demanding explanations over executive salary deals and millions paid out to its former CEO.

Australian miner BHP Billiton has announced its Olympic dam mine - a leading uranium producer - will operate at one-quarter capacity until early next year.

Alicia Barry reports Australian businesses large and small are making the social networking site Twitter part of their marketing strategies.

Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to Bob McMullan, Australian Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, about how Pacific island nations have been affected by the global recession.

Rod Moorehouse, Australia's senior trade commissioner to ASEAN, talks to Business Today about an upcoming meeting in Thailand.

A weak US dollar is contributing to rising oil prices, but some say the surge won't last. Whitney Fitsimmons talks to Peter McGuire of Commodity Warrants Australia about the future of oil prices.

Australia's Oil Search has revealed a surprising jump in costs for its PNG gas project.

An Australian biotech company has plans to commercialise Nobel Laureate Elizabeth Blackburn's award-winning work.

A new survey finds most Australians fared the Global Financial Crisis relatively well, and the wealthy were the hardest hit.

The Governor of Australia's Reserve Bank says Australia's economy is past the worst phase, barring another international setback.

India's Prime Minister says on the whole India fared well during the Global Financial Crisis, while conceding some businesses did not survive.

Alicia Barry speaks to Richard Grace, chief currency strategist at CBA, about the slumping American dollar.

Economists say a rising dollar and drop in petrol prices are two of the many reasons behind a slight increase in Australian consumer confidence.

The Bombay Stock Exchange - Asia's oldest - is trying to update itself, with a 36-year-old CEO at the helm.

An unexpected increase in steel prices is largely being attributed to increased demand from China.

Alicia Barry speaks to Paterson's economist Tony Farnham about the outlook from Australian economic indicators.

Board members of Australia's Fairfax Media appear to have agreed on a new chairman, Roger Corbett.

Australia's Government has promised several billion dollars more to purchase residential mortgage-backed securities from financial institutions.

Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to commodities expert Jonathan Barratt about China's interest in gold investments.

Scott Bevan reports on a Russia's renowned Gzhel pottery factory, which is seeing a decline in demand for its wares.

Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to Brian Thornton of Xanadu Mines about Mongolia's recent mining deal with Rio Tinto and Ivanhoe Mines.

As the Australian dollar nears parity with the US dollar, John Noonan, senior Forex strategist at Thomson Reuters, discusses the latest currency movements and predictions.

Phillip Guest, CEO of Michale Page International in Australia, looks beyond the headline unemployment figure to see whether more people are gaining full-time employment.

An unexpected drop in unemployment has seen Australia's rate sitting at 5.7 per cent, boosting predictions of interest rate rises amid a strengthening economy.

Richard Martin from IMA Asia discusses the possibility of Asian central banks following Australia's lead and raising interest rates.

The Australian dollar continues its bumpy ride after Australia's Reserve Bank raises interest rates - leading to concerns from manufacturers and exporters.

Gold has hit record highs of over $1,000 an ounce, with investors spooked by the weakening US dollar and concerns of the return of inflation.

Australian car maker Holden hopes to shore up profits with a new high-performance concept car aimed at America's police force.

Australia has become the first OECD country to raise interest rates since the global financial crisis began to ease, with the Reserve Bank's cash rate at 3.25 per cent.

Gary Tsang, industry analyst for telecommunications research company Telsyte, discusses the future of landline communication in an increasingly mobile society.

A major Australian investment fund has urged Telstra shareholders to pressure the government over plans to split the telecommunications provider.

Australian companies are preparing for a busy period, with 70 per cent of listed businesses due to hold their Annual General Meetings over the next two months.

Glenn Levine, regional analyst with IMA Asia, says the key challenge for Japan's new government will be reviving the nation's flagging economy.

Professor Peter Swan, from the Australian Business School, tells Whitney Fitzsimmons executive salary law proposals will not change business process but could impact shareholders.

As China celebrates 60 years of communist rule, the latest economic statistics show the country's embrace of capitalism is paying off.

Demand for Australian resources, riskier trading and relatively higher interest rates is pushing the Australian dollar towards parity with the US dollar. But that's not good news for all.

Whitney Fitzsimmons speaks to Huw McKay from Westpac Bank about the latest Tankan consumables survey from Japan.

Jim Vrondas, from OzForex, tells Whitney Fitzsimmons the strengthening of the Australian dollar will continue and forecasts a rise to 90 cents US by the end of the year.

Australian retail sales are up, but consumer confidence in the housing sector is still weak, clouding an official interest rate decision.

Many in the business community are happy with the Australian Productivity Commission's 'measured approach' to executive salaries in the wake of the global financial downturn.