The best and worst of 2011

Nerds lost their leader, a sexy Spaniard entered Australian retail, Qantas chose to ground its planes and banks and Gerry Harvey finally caught up with the rest of the world.

Corporate Australia hasn’t disappointed this year.

Yes, it’s time for SmartCompany’s annual awards for the greatest achievements and biggest brouhahas. If you think we’ve missed something, let us know in the comments below.

The Last One on the Bandwagon Award: Gerry Harvey

It was three years ago that Harvey Norman chief Gerry Harvey told SmartCompany online retailing was a “dead end.” But in those three years a lot has transpired, and online retailing is transforming the way Australians shop.

Harvey had no choice but to open an online store himself. To the company’s credit, it’s an impressive effort. But the fact the company has even released an online store is a testament to how ecommerce has changed the way Australians shop.

The Sexy Spaniard Award: Zara

Zara’s arrival had those risk-averse consumers ought in droves. Topshop was next. The big guns of cheap-ish and cheerful have arrived.

Another One Bites the Dust Award: Colorado

Meanwhile, the private-equity owned clothing and footwear giant Colorado delivered one of the most spectacular collapses of 2011. The collapse was attributed to the company’s “directionless journey,” its $400 million-plus debt load and underperformance over a seven-year period. But there was a silver lining, with Fusion Retail emerging from its ashes – a leaner, and we hope more profitable, business.

The Standing Outside in the Cold Award: iPad2

Last year brought the iPad, but it wasn’t enough for some people. 2011 brought them an answer, with the release of the iPad 2. Demand was huge. When Australia actually received the gadget on time at a reasonable price, the lines outside Apple stores and other retailers were impressive.

This year has brought Apple a lot of competition but as the iPad 2 release shows, it still knows how to create some hype.

The Great Marketer in the Sky Award: Steve Jobs

Apple founder Steve Jobs has been on leave since the beginning of the year, but as the months wore on it became clearer that his health had deteriorated. In October, he finally succumbed to cancer.

Jobs will be remembered as many things, including the inventor of the iconic iPod, but he will foremost be remembered as a brilliant marketer. While his engineering skills were never quite up to the highest standards, his ability to market products and create a cohesive brand was unmatched in the industry.

The Not Quite What We Wanted Award: iPhone 4S

It’s hardly fair to call the iPhone 4S a real disappointment considering it’s heading to become the highest selling smartphone of all time. But earlier rumours had suggested the iPhone 5 would make an appearance this year – and then it didn’t.

iPhones are usually launched in July, but this launch was delayed until October. It’s still the best Apple has ever done, but Apple fans who wanted to see a complete redesign quickly realised they’d have to wait another year.

The My Way or the Highway Award: Alan Joyce

Amanda Vanstone nominated him for Australian of the year; columnist Andrew Bolt described him as a “tough, cool union-buster” who challenges the “notion of gays as effete, flight and soft.”

Love or loathe Joyce, it’s undeniable that Qantas and its chief put the workings of the Fair Work Act on the national agenda by halting all flights in a bid to get the industrial empire to intervene.

The Shocking Timing Award: Qantas

After its great industrial spat, the brainiacs at Qantas unveiled a social media campaign that even attracted its own ‘Downfall’ spoof.

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In it, Joyce is informed that a new social media campaign – asking people for their definition of “Qantas Luxury”, all for the chance of winning a pair of pyjamas – had gone pear-shaped.

“Who the hell thought of this insanity?” Joyce screams. “Qantas luxury? Twitter hashtags?”

“We stranded 80,000 of them around the world and you want to give them pyjamas!”

They reply: “They’re very nice pyjamas, Egyptian cotton. Nine hundred thread count.”