Image by rudall30 via Shutterstock 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…
Image provided by Adriana Calderon, Co-founder and Director of Transfer Pricing Solutions Asia 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…
Young business woman working at the computer in cafe on the rock. Young girl downshifter working at a laptop at sunset or sunrise on the top of the mountain to the sea, working day. Let’s face it – Companies these days are waking up to a whole new workforce reality. It feels like we have only just settled into adapting to the presence of millennials, and now we find ourselves needing to brace for the impact of Generation Z. Welcome to the era of Gen Z, the "True Gen," "iGen," or simply the "zoomers" (born from 1997 to 2012), who are now striding into the workplace like a breath of fresh air. And let's set the record straight – they're…
Image by Lightspring via Shutterstock_Resized Startup culture is a term that encapsulates the attitudes, values, and behaviors that differentiate startup companies from their more well-established counterparts. It's the secret sauce, the mojo, the lifeblood that gives a startup the power to innovate and outperform even the largest of competitors. This lively and dynamic environment, typically marked by open communication, flexibility, and a passionate commitment to the mission, plays a pivotal role in shaping the startup's future. Let's be real, people are your cherished treasure, and when we talk about people, their collective approach shapes your company culture. Your startup culture, when cultivated thoughtfully and intentionally, can be the catalyst for extraordinary growth and success. Ignored or mishandled, however, it can…
The Emptiness After the Big Win As the year comes to an end, this is the time when we reflect and take stock of everything we’ve accomplished. Yet, for many of us, we've certainly done a lot of work, but the outcome feels insignificant. It stirs a quiet unease: the sense that, despite the projects delivered, the milestones ticked off, we have this feeling that we still haven’t done enough. This is the arrival fallacy at work, the belief that once we reach a certain goal, we’ll finally feel complete. We chase goals believing they hold the feeling we’re missing, only to discover the feeling never stays. We continually chase more success, more recognition, more wealth, believing that the next…
