Mr. Masahiro Nishii, Managing Director of Nihon M&A Center Singapore 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…
According to Exploding Topics (latest data in 2023), 90% of startups fail. Wait, let’s break it down. “Nine out of every ten startups crash and burn. But, hang on! Wasn't the dream to be the next, dare I say it, Elon Musk, or Jeff Bezos?” Surprised? But this is just the start of our harsh and enlightening ride. Think about it. You have your perfect product in mind, the dream team lined up, your business plan readied, investors ready to shower you with their money, and you even have the departmental desk color scheme sorted (we all know that's important). Yet despite all this, you are more likely to fail than to succeed – hard pill to swallow, right? Grit your…
The strategic value of accounting in business Accounting is often perceived as a back-office necessity— primarily to manage cash flow and for regulatory purposes. However, this limited view can be costly. Misconceptions about the role of accounting can lead business leaders to neglect financial oversight, increasing their risk of cash flow and compliance issues. Beyond simply transactional record-keeping, accounting can provide valuable insights to highlight operational inefficiencies, drive business growth and stabilise long-term financials. This article examines common misconceptions about accounting, challenging the belief that it is only relevant for large corporations or that profitable businesses can afford to deprioritise financial oversight. By tackling these five prevalent myths, we highlight how accounting is essential, regardless of the size, stage of…
OOm Founders Ian Cheow and Wyvan Xu For an SME, digital marketing can seem overwhelming. With so many options, tools, and jargon, where does one even begin? This is where Optimal Online Marketing (OOm) steps in. Founded in 2006, OOm is a one-stop digital marketing agency with 18 years of experience, dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals in all aspects of improving their online presence. The agency covers critical areas such as Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Social Media Management (SMM), content creation, and website design and development. As a Premier Google Partner and Meta Business Partner, OOm is recognised among the top 3% of Google Partners in Singapore. This highlights the agency’s proficiency in managing…
How a Triple-E Student Found His Place in AI and Computing? When Kelvin Kok, Founder & Chief Architect of Axrail enrolled at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to study Electronic and Electrical Engineering (EEE), the world of computer programming was not even on his radar. Like many young undergraduates, he had no clear idea of his long-term career path. A chance internship during his third year would change everything and set him on a trajectory that would eventually lead to founding one of Southeast Asia’s fast-growing AI companies. A Chance Encounter with the World of Code In Kelvin’s early NTU days, programming felt abstract, little more than writing scripts to print stars and shapes on a screen. “Back then, it made…
