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 by Hitesh Choudharya via Unsplash 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…
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…
It's Time to Challenge the Status Quo How often have you sent an invoice, only to find out later that it was lost in a cluttered inbox or ended up in spam? How many times have you had to chase your clients or suppliers to confirm they received your invoice? Have you encountered issues with missing or incorrect invoice details after manually entering information into your system? Have you faced delays in payments because of slow processing and approval times? If these issues sound familiar, it’s time to reconsider how you handle invoicing. While PDF invoices have been the norm, they come with inefficiencies that slow down your operations, delay payments, and increase the risk of human errors. PDF invoices…
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…
