Many startup founders seek autonomy through entrepreneurship, using their skills and talents to have greater control over their destinies. One of the biggest differences between employees and entrepreneurs is the need for autonomy.

The right people – and the relationships between them – will make or break a startup. So if you are starting a new business how do you find and build a great team?

Ideas for startup businesses are everywhere. Here are six ways to find your big idea and make it happen. You can tap into your experience, build networks and respond to customer and market opportunities.

Building and tapping into an effective network is essential in starting and growing a successful business. Networking is about establishing and building positive relationships with potential clients, peers and partners to help you and your business advance.

Start with the end in mind: build a business with strategic value. Whether the business is just an idea, a startup or 20 years down the track, it’s always a good idea to think about the day when you will no longer run your business and to take practical steps to be ready for an exit.

Two new innovation workshops for small businesses to run at The Generator, Gympie. The first focuses on Developing an Innovation Mindset and the second is on From Concept to Commercialisation. Both are aimed at owner-managers of small to mid-sized businesses from all industry sectors.

Highlights from a presentation on how to step back from day to day business and focus on building strategic value in your business, tapping into new types of innovation and building the business with an exit in mind.

A new performance-based funding model for universities in Australia will take into account graduate employment outcomes - there are many opportunities to boost graduate employment in regional areas.

Free but limited places now available for the Making Innovation Happen workshops to be held at the Peregian Beach Digital Hib on 3 July and the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs on 9 July. Aimed at owner managers of small to mid sized businesses from all sectors.

What skills do we need for today and the future? Aspirations, talent and technology are creating a wide range of career opportunities. More of us will work as free agents, independent workers, work in small businesses or our own business than will work as employees in large companies.