How Accounting Opened Doors to a Remarkable Stockbroker Career
Blockchain Accounting: An Answer to Financial Fraud?
Many have touted the arrival of blockchain technology as the next frontier in business operations, a pioneering breakthrough that possesses the potential to transform conventional procedures across industries. Often associated primarily with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the application of blockchain goes far beyond this investment phenomenon. To understand blockchain technology's potential impact, we must first examine the fundamentals of this groundbreaking approach. At its core, blockchain is a decentralized system where all transactions or digital events get consolidated into 'blocks' and distributed across a network of computers, referred to as 'nodes'. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data. The unique attribute of this system is its ability for self-audit - a quality that ascertains data integrity and provides unparalleled…
Mastering Entrepreneurship: Your Ultimate Guide to Starting Strong
Now, who pops into your head when we utter the word 'entrepreneur'? Does your mind race through names like Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, or Mark Zuckerberg? These are the experts who didn't just pique the world's interest, they reinvented the whole playbook of business. Indeed, they've reshaped entire industries and won us over with their ingenuity, giving us a fresh perspective on how we live, work, and connect. Let's ponder on this: How would you define an entrepreneur? Venturing into the thrilling world of business, entrepreneurs are often a sight to behold. Some believe this intriguing breed is born, crafted with an inherent drive that continues to burn brightly. Yet, there’s a different school of thought that credits the…
Technology for good: Keeping truck drivers safe and deterring human trafficking
Haulage companies face huge losses daily due to theft, damage to their loads, and hefty fines arising from undetected illegal stowaways entering the rear of their vehicles. Under the new revision of the UK’s Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme from 13 February 2024, fines for lorry drivers found with illegal immigrants hiding in their vehicles increased fivefold from £2,000 (approx. €2,250) per stowaway to potentially £10,000 (>€11,000). Considering that independent owner/drivers earn an average of around €200 per day, the added potential penalties and financial risks make crossing the UK border an unacceptable risk. The World Road Transport Organization(IRU) says the scheme puts supply chains at risk, stating that the measures previously in place had already cost haulage firms over…
Doing M&A the Japanese way: How Nihon M&A Center connects SMEs with Japanese investors for long term success
Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Singapore start off as family-run businesses that are built with blood, sweat, and tears. After about 20 years of steady growth, owners are either looking for succession or to sell the company for retirement. But how does one even start to navigate the complicated M&A landscape, and more importantly, how can one ensure that the legacy lives on even after the company is sold? This is where Mr Masahiro Nishii comes in. As the Managing Director of Nihon M&A Center Singapore, he and his team connect SME owners in Singapore with Japanese investors looking for opportunities in the region. Nihon M&A Center is Japan’s largest M&A firm. Founded in 1991, the firm offers…
Business Innovation With Disruptive Technologies: A Comprehensive Guide
If you've ever wondered how technologies can significantly disrupt existing business models, you're in the right place! In our constantly evolving world, businesses need to stay updated and innovative. The beauty of disruption lies not in the turbulence it creates, but in the novel opportunities it provides for businesses to grow and prosper. This article aims to examine disruptive technologies and their role in fostering business innovation. Before we dive deep, let’s start with an overview of the concept of disruptive technology. "Disruptive Technology", a term coined by Harvard Business School professor Clayton M. Christensen in the late 1990s, refers to an innovation that significantly alters the way that consumers, industries, or businesses operate. These technologies introduce significant upheaval, but they…
How Accounting Opened Doors to a Remarkable Stockbroker Career
Although he started his career as an accountant, Mr Loh Hoon Sun could never have foreseen that it would lead him into the dynamic world of stockbroking, where he would spend nearly 33 years with his current company. This reality unfolds for the Senior Advisor (formerly Managing Director) of Phillip Securities, a renowned financial institution spanning 15 countries worldwide. The 85-year-old finance expert, born in Fujian, China, shared some insights on how the path of accounting can unlock incredible opportunities and diverse career experiences. His remarkable journey serves as a testament to the boundless prospects that the field of accounting can offer. Humble Beginnings Even though Mr Loh was born in Fujian, he moved to Penang, Malaysia at the age…
All About Unicorns, Decacorns and Hectocorns
Remember back in 2013, when venture capitalist and founder of Cowboy Ventures, Aileen Lee, coined a specific term to represent a distinctive class of start-ups that were breaking the norms and catching the eye of investors worldwide? That's right, the label 'unicorn' was born. In the world of business, a unicorn isn't a mythical creature fresh out of a fantasy novel. Rather, it is an exceptional title granted to private companies or startups valued over a whopping $1 billion. Just as elusive and awe-inspiring as their fictional namesakes, these companies embark on the adventurous journey from mere concepts to billion-dollar businesses. But the unicorn landscape has dramatically changed. Seeing a startup reach unicorn status is no longer a rare achievement. CBInsights reported that as…
Mastering Entrepreneurship: Your Ultimate Guide to Starting Strong
Now, who pops into your head when we utter the word 'entrepreneur'? Does your mind race through names like Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, or Mark Zuckerberg? These are the experts who didn't just pique the world's interest, they reinvented the whole playbook of business. Indeed, they've reshaped entire industries and won us over with their ingenuity, giving us a fresh perspective on how we live, work, and connect. Let's ponder on this: How would you define an entrepreneur? Venturing into the thrilling world of business, entrepreneurs are often a sight to behold. Some believe this intriguing breed is born, crafted with an inherent drive that continues to burn brightly. Yet, there’s a different school of thought that credits the…
Why Accounting Matters for Your Startup
Ever heard the phrase, 'Accounting is the language of business'? Well, that nugget of wisdom originates from none other than business magnate, Warren Buffett. Consider this: accounting is like a puzzle within the business realm. But Buffett's thoughts in 2014 went beyond this simple comparison. He drew a parallel between accounting and learning a foreign language – and he was serious. Just as deciphering a foreign language as a native English speaker, diving into accounting terms can be like wading through a dictionary with no end in mind. Fixed assets, retained earnings, accounts receivable – they might as well be coded messages! But don't worry; you don't need to become an accounting expert overnight to do business. One key takeaway…
Unlock Profit Potential with a Transfer Pricing Specialist
Transfer pricing is like a game of chess, where every move has a financial impact. It's not just about strategy, but also about protecting your kingdom. - John Smith If you do not have the slightest clue on Transfer Pricing... You might be driving your business in a really bad direction. The next time you're at a gathering, and someone mentions 'Transfer Pricing', you might initially think it's just accountant jargon. However, despite its possible lack of humour, its importance in business profitability and your overall earnings can't be undermined. What is Transfer Pricing? Now, imagine trying to communicate a fair price for goods or services within a multinational company, where each part plays at being a separate entity. This…
Blockchain Accounting: An Answer to Financial Fraud?
Many have touted the arrival of blockchain technology as the next frontier in business operations, a pioneering breakthrough that possesses the potential to transform conventional procedures across industries. Often associated primarily with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the application of blockchain goes far beyond this investment phenomenon. To understand blockchain technology's potential impact, we must first examine the fundamentals of this groundbreaking approach. At its core, blockchain is a decentralized system where all transactions or digital events get consolidated into 'blocks' and distributed across a network of computers, referred to as 'nodes'. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data. The unique attribute of this system is its ability for self-audit - a quality that ascertains data integrity and provides unparalleled…
