Category Archives: Start-ups

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 →

Business Strategy, Start-ups, Venture Capital

Using the “Elevator Pitch” to Raise Capital and to Grow Revenue

Every entrepreneur has heard they need to have an “elevator pitch”. So what is that? What does that really mean? Most entrepreneurs want to drone on for 30 minutes talking about their business opportunities almost in the hopes that a VC or group of investors will say…..”OK, OK…I give. I’ll invest if you will just shut up!”.

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Business Strategy, Start-ups, Venture Capital

Could Angel Investor Capital Be the Drug That Kills Your Business?

Entrepreneurs struggle with the idea of seeking outside capital and for good reason. An entrepreneur must weigh the risk vs. reward for taking on investment capital. There are 2 types of companies: Market Participants and Market Makers. Market Participants are those entrepreneurs that want to buy a franchise, open a restaurant…you get the idea. Continue reading →

Business Strategy, Start-ups, Venture Capital

When is an Angel Investor Like a Bank, Only Better?

Bringing on debt at the start of a business is difficult and risky. It can put an undue burden on the cash flow of the business and impact the balance sheet in how the investors view the whether or not their investment will go to grow the business or relieve the debt. Continue reading →

Jobs & Careers, MyOrbit Blogs, Start-ups, Training

Review Your Goals Every 6 Months?

There was a time when five-year plans were all the rage. But that was when workers can still count on signing up with a company for life. In the warp-speed world of technology, five years is an eternity. So how is one supposed to map out one`s career when the business landscape is always changing?

Firstly, a plan is useless but planning is still essential. Instead of a five-year plan, try formulating a five-year vision. In that way, workers can chart a course they would like to follow. For example, today I am on the team; in two years, I would like to be managing it; in three years, I would like to be relocated to build a new team in a new market; and in five years, I would like to be coordinating a group of international teams. Just keep in mind that the course will almost certainly change.

Secondly, workers should not confine their career projections within the framework of their current companies as they did previously. Instead, they should understand that while it is beneficial to set a goal of being a supervisor in five years, you might need to move to another company in another country to achieve it. Construct a portfolio of your achievements and market yourself by including your personal goals along with your career goals. It is important to include financial planning, as one cannot rely on employers` plans to manage one`s money. Continue reading →