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They are leaders in business. In the second of a two-part feature, Management Today quizzes two outstanding Australian entrepreneurs on the factors behind their remarkable rise. By Cameron Cooper Jim Zavos Founder of EzyDVD

Skills shortages, workers with new lifestyles and priorities, and a lost work ethic and loyalty factor mean that managers have to revise their hiring practices. Jane Cherrington reports.

It makes sense to put more effort into hiring when one in five employees turns out to be a bad hiring decision, according to a recent global study.

They are at the top of their game in business, turning small, backyard operations into world-class enterprises. What are their secrets? What drives them and their businesses? In the first of a two-part feature, Management Today talks to three outstanding Australian leaders and entrepreneurs. By Cameron Cooper

Anybody can advertise, but for a true "money-can't-buy" marketing experience, sponsorship is the way to go. Chris Sheedy reports.

Many leading companies are embracing the Six Sigma quality measurement system. But what is Six Sigma and how successful is it? By Gillian Bullock

A bid to extend the life of tyres at BHP-Billiton's Saraji Mine in Queensland has saved the mining giant $US350,000.

This project was just one of many undertaken as part of BHP-Billiton's Six Sigma program that goes under the name Operating Excellence.

Exceptional customer service has now become a leading component in the mission and vision statements of many organisations. It is an area in which every business needs to excel. Cameron Cooper reports.

Maxine Horne has made millions out of mobile phones over the past decade.

She knows them inside out. Like the average user, however, she gets no joy out of programming phone numbers, charging batteries or setting up message banks.

Sacked. Released. Fired. Dismissed. There is no way to make it sound good and, when it happens to you, it seems there's no way to make it feel good. But it is possible to turn it to your advantage and create very good results from a very bad day. Chris Sheedy reports. Prior to losing his job as a result of a voluntary redundancy in 1996, Steve Bowler had been a human resources manager with a federal government department.

Australia is an innovative nation and the number of programs available to foster ideas and talent is growing. Cameron Cooper reports. Coming from a physiotherapist, Mark Alexander's admission is somewhat surprising. "I don't want to be pushing on people's backs for the rest of my life," says Alexander, who in the past has kneaded the fatigued muscles of the London Broncos Rugby League team and Australian Olympic athletes such as Cathy Freeman.

As Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Pru Goward has the opportunity and responsibility to shape the way both business and individuals tackle gender issues - at home and in the office. Kate Kerrison talks to her about where the passion for equality came from.

"How can you not be influenced by the songs of your time. I was 18 years old when the women's movement began and was at the first meeting at Adelaide University . Your whole life is affected by it," Goward says.

By Helen Burns

Picture this: you are a team leader running a day-long workshop with a group of managers from across the organisation. The workshop is going well, everyone is contributing and you are making progress.

After the lunch break your senior manager arrives unannounced, stands in front of the group and says: "This isn't going well at all; I'm going to take over now."