The Business Pre‑Nup vs. The Business Divorce In our previous article, we discussed the importance of a shareholders’ agreement as the “business pre-nup” i.e., setting ground rules for managing a business together as co-owners. But what happens when someone decides to leave the partnership? Every business partnership has two chapters: coming together and parting ways. The Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) governs the second. If the shareholders' agreement is the "pre-nup", then the SPA is the divorce agreement drafted before the wedding. One party exits and the SPA decides who keeps what, how the price is paid, and who bears responsibility if any surprises come up later. For example, Party A and Party B have been business partners for years.…
Rooted Beginnings: It Started With a Feeling The truth about starting your own business is there is no "perfect time" nor a "secret formula" to unlock. Most meaningful businesses often begin with something more intuitive: an intrinsic feeling, a deep-seated knowing, or a sense of misalignment that signals a need for change. For many, it is simply having the courage to lean into that instinct and build from where they are. This article delves into the journey of one such individual who listened to her intuition, illustrating that the most powerful moment in any entrepreneurial journey is daring to take the first step. Trading a conventional career path for an entrepreneurial venture, Ash Mendelsohn established a business embedded with creativity,…
Why Trying to Do It All Could Be Holding You Back Many businesses opt to manage their operations in-house, motivated by the belief that it offers greater control and cost transparency. However, handling everything internally can drain valuable time, energy, and resources. Retaining every function does not always lead to the best performance, especially in roles with low engagement or high staff turnover. Trying to manage everything internally can waste talent and limit your company’s ability to focus on what truly drives innovation. At its core, outsourcing is a decision about resource allocation: whether to develop and manage a function internally or partner with an external provider who can deliver it more effectively. Though this dilemma is not new for…
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…
Navigating Generational Shifts: 5 Key Takeaways to Leverage the Strengths of Gen Z and Millennials With Gen Z and Millennials entering and dominating the workforce, many business leaders are faced with the timeless challenge of managing generational differences and effectively engaging the younger generation. Each generation has its own set of values, priorities, and perspectives toward work, which can often lead to misalignment and misunderstandings between older and younger employees. Where Baby Boomers and Gen X often emphasize loyalty, stability, and traditional career paths, Gen Z and Millennials are driven by a different set of values and career priorities. They seek purpose-driven work, flexibility, and autonomy, and they place high importance on mental health and well-being. Understanding these shifts, which…
