https://www.scmp.com/rss/330949/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com [Sponsored Article] The word “start-up”, first used in 1976 to describe a new company, now refers to fast-growing businesses augmenting or disrupting existing markets with their innovative products and solutions.  In the past, they were seen only within the technology sector. But they have since expanded to other industries to meet the needs of consumers and enterprises. Today’s start-ups also have no single formula for evolution and expansion. They can scale through acquisitions, fundraising... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3042609/success-factors-scaling-start-global?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3042609/success-factors-scaling-start-global?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Dec 2019 07:41:36 +0000 [Sponsored Article] Platforms or “super apps” are nothing new to consumers. In the business to consumer (B2C) space, super apps such as WeChat in China and Grab in Southeast Asia have transformed our lives as we know it.  They empower us with the ability to arrange transport, send payments, order food and buy goods all through one app – from anywhere at any time. Similarly, smartphones can be considered platforms. These smart devices give us access to a vast app ecosystem, from which we can... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3042560/how-rise-super-app-platforms-has?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3042560/how-rise-super-app-platforms-has?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Dec 2019 07:39:33 +0000 [Sponsored Article] People’s increasing connection with the internet is driving the collection, use and analysis of huge amounts of personal, social and business digital data at ever faster speeds. The online flow of data, which grew from about 100 gigabytes (GB) per day in 1992 to more than 45,000GB per second in 2017, is expected to hit 150,700GB per second by 2022, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s Digital Economy Report 2019 predicts. The growth in internet use is... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3042545/what-will-2020-hold-small-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3042545/what-will-2020-hold-small-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Dec 2019 07:18:49 +0000 When Hong Kong’s billion-dollar start-up Tink Labs ended its business services in many of its markets this year, it provided a cautionary tale that even the most inspiring business could collapse if entrepreneurs make critical judgment mistakes. The company, which offers hotel guests free-to-use Handy smartphones, rose to fame in 2012 after becoming one of the few local companies with a “unicorn” valuation – a status for start-ups valued at more than US$1 billion. At one point, its devices were... https://www.scmp.com/native/business/banking-finance/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3041843/5-common-sme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/business/banking-finance/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3041843/5-common-sme?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:42:34 +0000 [Sponsored Article] Small businesses in Asia often delay switching to cloud accounting platforms or continue trying to do the job themselves because of cost constraints or the belief that it will involve a cumbersome migration process.  Excel remains today’s dominant tool for accounting departments at companies that have opted to go digital.  Yet those businesses that are still waiting to make the change often can become fixated on paper-based bookkeeping. Desktop and paper-based accounting... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/xero/article/3041310/what-can-hong-kongs-accounting-industry-expect-2020-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/xero/article/3041310/what-can-hong-kongs-accounting-industry-expect-2020-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Dec 2019 10:28:10 +0000 When Chilean Arturo Sims moved to Hong Kong, he set a five-year goal to start his own hospitality business that drew on his international experience as a chef in Michelin-starred restaurants. He is now managing director of Vantage Hospitality Consultants, which provides training, operations and guest experience services to hotels and fine dining restaurants. At the beginning, I said ‘I need to run my business in a way that doesn’t have any overhead expenses because I can't pay salaries right... https://www.scmp.com/native/business/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3023404/6-business-leaders-reveal-how?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/business/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3023404/6-business-leaders-reveal-how?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Aug 2019 07:57:52 +0000 [Sponsored Article] Access to working capital has long been one of the main challenges of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Asia.  Despite making up over 96 per cent of businesses in the continent, SMEs tend to face high obstacles when seeking out traditional forms of financing.  They may be perceived as a higher financial risk by banks, or may not have the standardised accounting practices and credit scores that traditional financial institutions require. As a result, many banks... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/xero/article/3023150/6-ways-smes-can-access-working-capital-through?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/xero/article/3023150/6-ways-smes-can-access-working-capital-through?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Aug 2019 02:13:13 +0000 [Sponsored Article] The United States-China trade war is continuing to intensify with drastic consequences.  The International Monetary Fund, for instance, has warned of a 0.5 per cent reduction in global output by 2020 because of tariffs between the two countries. This translates to a loss of about US$455 billion in gross domestic product, and both investors and consumers are likely to turn cautious as a result.  In Hong Kong, businesses can expect less spending from an anxious domestic... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/xero/article/3023142/economic-uncertainty-should-be-push-factor-smes-broaden?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/xero/article/3023142/economic-uncertainty-should-be-push-factor-smes-broaden?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Aug 2019 02:12:37 +0000 [Sponsored Article] Southeast Asia is a curious paradox – on the one hand, it is an underbanked region, with only 27 per cent of its 656-million-strong population having a bank account in 2016.  Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region complain about the lack of business financing, with less than 60 per cent having access to bank loans.  On the other hand, the region is home to the financial hubs of Hong Kong and Singapore – around 190 banks operate in Hong Kong and close to 200... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/xero/article/3023127/why-banking-innovation-can-change-game-small-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/xero/article/3023127/why-banking-innovation-can-change-game-small-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Aug 2019 02:11:59 +0000 [Sponsored Article] Unlike large enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often have to operate with a lean team, especially in their early years.  To make the best use of resources, tech-savvy business owners have found that they can drastically reduce man-hours spent on routine tasks by digitising their operations. By adopting digital solutions, such as cloud-based systems with automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, SMEs can equip themselves... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/xero/article/3023116/leveraging-app-ecosystem-achieve-fast-and-affordable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/xero/article/3023116/leveraging-app-ecosystem-achieve-fast-and-affordable?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Aug 2019 02:11:15 +0000 [Sponsored Article] The focus of the 2019 Hong Kong Budget on February 27 was on “supporting enterprises, safeguarding jobs, stabilising the economy and strengthening livelihoods”.  In his Budget speech, Financial Secretary Paul Chan emphasised that the budget was bracing Hong Kong for a volatile year ahead.  The wider economy has been – and will continue to be – impacted by uncertainties in global politics and rising Sino-US trade tensions.  The 2019 Hong Kong Budget stands at HK$58.7 billion... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3005598/what-are-significant-takeaways-smes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3005598/what-are-significant-takeaways-smes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:52:48 +0000 [Sponsored Article] The number of start-ups in Hong Kong continues to increase. A report by InvestHK shows that last year, Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem grew by 18 per cent, generating a 51 per cent surge in jobs created.   Much of the optimism surrounding start-ups in tech hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong lies in the business-friendly environment and access to a range of global investors and incubator programmes.  However, starting a business is one thing – making sure it grows in a... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3005557/8-things-consider-when-building?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3005557/8-things-consider-when-building?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:18:13 +0000 [Sponsored Article] Today’s business climate is an uncertain one. The trade war between the United States and China culminated in the rapid rise of inflation and an economic slowdown in many countries last year.  Neither Hong Kong nor Singapore remained unscathed. Hong Kong’s year-on-year (YoY) GDP growth in Q4 2018 was less than 1.5 per cent, compared to 2.9 per cent in Q3, while exports showed “almost zero growth”. Meanwhile, Singapore’s economy experienced a 2.2 per cent YoY growth in Q4... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3005572/how-digital-tools-can-help?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3005572/how-digital-tools-can-help?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:16:35 +0000 [Sponsored Article] Cash flow management is the process of tracking how much money is coming into and going out of your business. It is something every business owner must master, as it gives you insight into your company’s financial health. In a nutshell, you would want to earn more than you spend.  While checking how much money comes in and goes out might sound like a simple and straightforward affair, it can be easily neglected amid the day-to-day running of the business and fall behind... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3005565/digital-tools-make-it-easier-master?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3005565/digital-tools-make-it-easier-master?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:16:21 +0000 For every start-up that succeeds, nine fail. SMEs face a myriad of obstacles on the path to survival and success. What are the keys to beating the odds? What are useful tools for budding entrepreneurs in the digital era? Read more. https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3005155/sme-growth-guide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/3005155/sme-growth-guide?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:08:13 +0000 As a small-business owner, it can be hard to keep up with the pace of technology innovation. What should you be looking at? We break it down for you … Trend #1 Entrepreneurialism with balance: Cloud tools help small businesses manage work and life securely Maintaining a work-life balance can be a daunting task for entrepreneurs. But cloud tools – ranging from online storage to payment systems and web-based conferencing services – offer a flexible way of running your business on the move at any... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/start-ups/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/2187148/five-cloud-technology-trends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/start-ups/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/2187148/five-cloud-technology-trends?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Feb 2019 03:43:12 +0000 [Sponsored Article] Cloud computing is a massive global industry. Research company Gartner forecasts that the market will reach US$411 billion by 2020 – growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.31 per cent. In fact, 80 per cent of enterprises are experimenting with Amazon Web Services as their preferred cloud platform, with Microsoft Azure a not-too-distant second. With businesses moving a large portion of their data and processes onto the cloud, it is inevitable that those who have... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/2187107/6-cloud-computing-best-practices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/2187107/6-cloud-computing-best-practices?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Feb 2019 02:52:24 +0000 [Sponsored Article] Cloud platforms and applications have become an integral part of the IT infrastructure of enterprises around the world. A report by Oracle and Longitude Research shows that 72 per cent of IT leaders from 13 countries see moving their applications, DevOps, and workloads to the cloud as being vital to staying competitive. As new technologies develop and bring about the digital transformation of industries, we have witnessed how these can bring about greater revenue and... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/2187109/what-are-biggest-challenges-when-its?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/2187109/what-are-biggest-challenges-when-its?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Feb 2019 08:10:15 +0000 [Sponsored Article] Accounting is the backbone of all companies, both big and small. It allows the owners to keep track of their finances and business performance, and conduct analysis and financial forecasting to plan ahead. In a small business, though, accounting can easily take a backseat in favour of seemingly more urgent tasks such as sales and product development. After all, it takes a lot of time and patience to carry out administrative tasks, such as recording expenses and preparing... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/2187108/6-ways-cloud-accounting-can-help?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/2187108/6-ways-cloud-accounting-can-help?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Feb 2019 08:10:13 +0000 [Sponsored Article] From public to private and hybrid, cloud technology and its adoption have grown exponentially over the past decade and along with that comes a slew of technical jargon that promises to confuse even the industry professionals. As with a lot of technology products, they achieve their fullest potential only in the hands of the right people. So today, the purpose is to simplify cloud technology and explore how small businesses can capitalise on it to achieve success. Globally,... https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/2187106/how-cloud-computing-can-help-small?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/tech/topics/cloud-grow-your-business/article/2187106/how-cloud-computing-can-help-small?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Feb 2019 08:10:08 +0000