Category Archives: 5 Questions

5 Questions, FAQ, Innovation, Internet, MyOrbit Blogs, Online Marketing, Sales & Marketing, Start-ups

Online Payment Service Providers – Opportunities and Challenges

As the usage of Internet for business transactions increases, we now have dozens of online payment service providers, of which are specific to a country and some are global.  This wikipedia page has a comprehensive list:

PayPal is the undisputed leader in online payment service providers. Google has tried to build market share for its Google Checkout over the last two years but feedback from my customers and business partners is that Google Checkout is still not their preferred online payment mechanism.

Most other online payment service providers are limited in their appeal, and are used by specific niches of customers. For example, there are some payment providers for online pharmacy transactions and online betting transactions. These are large industries however as the legalities are not the same or favorable in all countries, therefore such payment providers are able to offer a solution that is needed by the companies in these industries. Continue reading →

5 Questions, Finance, Real Estate

5 Questions for Mortgage Broker

Buying a house is one the biggest investment you will ever make. Period. Hence by spending the time and effort to find the best mortgage rate is essential in keeping your costs down, but more importantly help you meet your monthly mortgage repayments, and stay within your budget. This is where a knowledgeable mortgage broker can really help you find the best mortgage that works best for you. But before you sign anything, below are 5 simple questions you need to ask any mortgage broker.

1. What is the best interest rate I can get?

A broker earns his living or commission from financial institutions he or she can successfully sign you up with. Hence, you want to ask what is the best rate (and the best package) for your circumstance. Of course, the lower the interest rate, the better off you will be. However, before you decide, make sure the mortgage does suit you day to day living. As well, you want to make sure he is in tune with the mortgage market and acting on the best interest on your behalf. A good broker will keep you updated on rates as they change. Continue reading →

5 Questions, Online Marketing, Sales & Marketing

Phillip Kotler shares the Mantra of Marketing

According to marketing guru, Phillip Kotler, the mantra of marketing is creating, communicating and delivering Value to the Target market at a Profit.

Creating value for the product or service is called product management. Product management is creating or innovating products or services. For example P&G decided to make some funny thing on each Pringle (a potato chip), the scientist could not find a solution internally until they discovered cookie maker in Italy who printed funny things at his cookies. This is called open innovation or open technology used for product management which means ideas are taken from where ever the companies can. Continue reading →

5 Questions, Innovation

Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Foods – Michael Pollan

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Being involved in farming ventures first hand (Big India Farms), we support what Michael Pollan is saying in this video.

“The real key to genetic engineering is control of intellectual property of the food crops that we depend on,” says Michael Pollan of companies like Monsanto. He advocates an open source Genetic Engineering (GE) mode, because today, you can’t publish your? research on Genetically Modified seeds by Monsanto otherwise they would bring a legal case against you.

Farming has become an occupation and cultural force of the past. Michael Pollan’s talk promoted the premise — and hope — that farming can become an occupation and force of the future. In the past century American farmers were given the assignment to produce lots of calories cheaply, and they did. They became the most productive humans on earth. A single farmer in Iowa could feed 150 of his neighbors. That is a true modern miracle.

5 Questions, Jobs & Careers, Leadership, People

Leadership Lessons from Jamie Dimon

Youtube video link: www.youtu.be/9T9Kp4NE5l4

James “Jamie” Dimon (MBA 1982), chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co., who has been listed by the Financial Times as one of the leaders most likely to lead the world out of the financial crisis, offered wide-ranging words of wisdom and advice to members of the Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2009 at Class Day exercises on the HBS campus. Also attending were family members, friends, and other guests of the almost 900 graduating students.

Focusing first on career management, Dimon reminded the class of the importance of lifelong learning and building a reputation-a personal brand-for hard work, integrity, and trust, among other qualities. In a sense, he said, a book is put together about each of us as we go through life, and “you can choose the way you want the book to be written.”

As leaders face the challenges and opportunities of life, he continued, emotional intelligence is as important as brain power. “IQ alone won’t get you through tough times.” A dose of toughness was also part of the prescription Dimon proposed. People in positions of responsibility are bound to take some heat along life’s way, he noted, quoting Theodore Roosevelt’s observation that players are the ones who are criticized, not the spectators in the stands. He also underscored the importance of maintaining work-life balance. When it comes to family, he said, there is no such thing as quality time without an equal amount of quantity. Continue reading →