E-Business
Begho, Atul Charge Startups to Prioritize Building a Brand
Young Startups have been tasked to focus on building reputable brands and creating value in business rather than striving to make money as their priority.
With the general mindset of making money being the current major focus of most up and coming entrepreneurs, speakers at the CFA’s Startups Hangout for the March Edition are of the opinion that creating value and building brands remains the critical factors for achieving sustainable business growth.
Addressing entrepreneurs at the event, Nkemdilim Begho, CEO, Future Resources Software Limited, stressed that creation of value in a business, as well focusing on how to build the brand should be the primary objective for Startups.
Begho said money should never be the primary objective when starting a business, as this would not provide the ingredients to building a sustainable business in the long run.
“Whenever, I ask up and coming entrepreneurs why they want to venture into business, if they tell me money, I tell them it doesn’t work that way. I always tell them to focus on creating value and building a brand, which has helped me till this moment”, she said.
“When I started my own business, it was never easy. I didn’t pay myself salary for over five years let alone thinking of hiring any employee. In spite of all the challenges, I kept on going”, she added.
The Future Resources Limited boss, however, charged the Startups to be strategic with pricing whenever a client shows interest in their services.
Begho explained that most times, clients do not know exactly what they want and the inability to explain in detail to them in a simple language they understand makes this become an issue.
“Some clients don’t even want to pay for your services. Some will under-price your services. You, however, need to be strategic and charge exactly what will work for you. If you charge less than the real cost, you will never grow your business.
“On the other hand, you need to understand what value you are offering to your client and be able to explain in simple terms the ‘what, when and how’, before implementing a clients project”, she opined.
“When you communicate these things at the initial stage, it becomes easy to avert hurdles in the process of implementation”, she said.
Continuing: She charged all the entrepreneurs to always develop skills at every point in their career and make it a responsibility to grow day after day.
“The only way I get impressed with my employees is when they grow on their job, develop skills and learn fast from me. This way, I get impressed with their performance and that is what all entrepreneurs should be doing”, she concluded.
In his words, Atul Kshetry, a successful business mentor who has led IDM Services Plc through a fast track diversification process, said focus and patience would go a long in way in the entrepreneurial journey.
He explained that Startups have the wrong focus on business, which is commonly driven by money, at the same time jeopardizing integrity.
“When you start a business, be rest assured that the minimum years of getting returns is five, sometimes seven or even ten years and that means, patience. When you don’t have patience, then, it becomes a problem.
He, however, tasked entrepreneurs to make their employees shareholders in their businesses and by so doing, some level of integrity will be injected into the business.
On hiring staff, Atul’s maxims are “sincerity without ability is useless; ability without sincerity is injurious; but ability with sincerity is priceless”, so, go for staff with ability and sincerity when hiring.
“I have always made sure that integrity rules in every busines that I get involved with, meanwhile, making employees shareholders in the company triggers a sense of belonging and responsibility”, he concluded.
CFA’s Startups Hangout is a monthly program sponsored by CFAtech.ng, an online technology media, where entrepreneurs meet, learn, and network.
The Next edition of the CFA’s Startups Hangout holds on the 21st of April, 2017 at Adna Hotel, GRA, Ikeja.
For more information visit: http://startups.cfatech.ng
It is holiday season in many parts of the world. These days though, going on holiday does not always mean turning your back on office life – hybrid work cuts both ways.
Today’s widespread connectivity—available at airports, train stations, restaurants, hotels, and most indoor public spaces—makes staying connected easier than ever, with free Wi-Fi in many locations and reliable 4G or 5G coverage elsewhere, helping to facilitate a seamless blend of work and leisure even while on holiday.
This increase in connectivity among travellers has not gone unnoticed by cyber criminals. Kaspersky experts analysed nearly 25,000 free Wi-Fi spots in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The analysis revealed that almost 25% of these networks had weak or no encryption, making users vulnerable to personal and banking data theft.
Travellers often have their guard down. The unfamiliar surroundings of a new location or a different language can throw up a useful smokescreen for a cyberattack, meaning additional care needs to be taken when logging on. Fortunately, a few smart tools and habits can help you stay protected while enjoying the flexibility of remote work.
Use a VPN for secure connections
A VPN is one of the most effective ways to safeguard users’ online activity, especially when working from unfamiliar locations. By encrypting Internet traffic, a VPN ensures that hackers can’t intercept sensitive data like login credentials or financial details. This is particularly important when accessing work emails or company files on public Wi-Fi, where cybercriminals often lurk.
Switch to an eSIM for reliable, secure mobile data
Another useful digital tool that provides a seamless way to stay connected using local mobile networks with no physical SIM card required is the eSIM. This is a game-changer for international travellers who want to avoid sky-high roaming charges or the hassle of hunting down temporary SIM cards in foreign countries.
With an eSIM, a user can download a local data plan before you even arrive at your destination, ensuring instant connectivity the moment you land. This eliminates the need to rely on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots, significantly reducing your exposure to cyber threats.
Plus, many eSIM providers allow you to manage multiple profiles on a single device, making it easy to switch between work and personal data plans without juggling multiple phones.
Services like Kaspersky eSIM Store enables users to purchase and activate data plans in advance, track usage and top up as needed, all from a single app.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
When travelling, people often leave devices unattended. To protect against unwanted people logging in, travellers should ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled on all critical accounts and that passwords are used on all devices.
Final tips for a secure workation
Even with a VPN, eSIM and 2FA in place, your devices still need strong defenses against malware, phishing scams and ransomware. Cybercriminals often target remote workers who may let their guard down while travelling, making real-time protection essential.
Modern antivirus software does more than just scan for viruses, it actively blocks malicious downloads, warns you about phishing attempts and even secures your passwords and financial data.
For the most robust security, consider a solution like Kaspersky Premium, which combines antivirus protection, a VPN and password management into a single, easy-to-use package.
By combining a VPN, eSIM and strong antivirus, you can work from anywhere with confidence, whether you’re sending emails from a poolside or joining a video call from a festival tent.
E-Business
Zequence Digital Boss Calls for Strong IP Laws Enforcement, to Protect Nigeria’s Software Sector
Mr Adeoye Oludamilola, managing director, Zequence Digital, a digital agency, has said strong enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) laws , protection of Nigeria’s software industry against piracy will encourage innovation and investment.
Adeoye told reporters lately in Lagos that software piracy and the unauthorised use of proprietary technology are widespread in the country.
According to report Intellectual Property (IP) laws in software refers to the legal rights that protect the creations of the mind used in software development.
These rights, which include copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and trademarks, grant developers exclusive control over their software and related assets, preventing unauthorised use or reproduction.
Adeoye said that many startups do not protect their innovations, due to a lack of knowledge and the cumbersome legal processes involved.
“IP registration and litigation are expensive and time-consuming, which further discourages developers from protecting their work,” Adeoye said.
He added that the lack of awareness among developers about their IP rights contributed to the problem.
To address these challenges, Adeoye stressed the need for the formation of an IP Protection Consortium, comprising tech firms, legal experts, and regulators, to advocate for stronger IP enforcement.
He also suggested collaborating with legal tech startups to create simplified platforms for fast-tracked IP registration.
The managing director further called for joint initiatives between legal bodies and tech communities to launch IP rights education campaigns.
This, he said, would equip developers with the knowledge they needed to protect their innovations and grow their businesses.
Adeoye emphasised the need for the government and stakeholders to create an ecosystem for development and inclusivity by proactively engaging with regulators.
According to him, this will help ensure that policies are created with the input of concerned agencies and industry experts.
PalmPay, a leading fintech platform and full-stack digital neobank for emerging markets, has partnered with Nigeria’s biggest Health Insurance Company, AXA Mansard Health a member of the globally trusted AXA Group, to provide millions of Nigerians with affordable, accessible digital health insurance.
This strategic partnership enables PalmPay users to seamlessly access a range of health insurance packages from AXA Mansard directly within the PalmPay app. With plans starting as low as N500 per month, users can now choose from flexible insurance options tailored to fit their everyday needs.
The plans are designed to meet a wide range of needs; for example, the AXA Digital Health plan offers access to telemedicine consultations with doctors, N5,000 worth of medications, and up to N40,000 in surgical coverage. Users can also opt for the AXA Mansard MicroHealth plan at N1,000 per month, which provides unlimited diagnostic tests and funeral benefits. Additionally, the AXA Mansard Accident plan, available for N500 monthly, offers comprehensive death cover for both accidental and non-accidental cases.
Speaking on the partnership, Habib Kowontan, Head of Wealth Product at PalmPay, said: “Insurance is a key pillar of financial security, yet millions of Nigerians remain underserved. Our partnership with AXA Mansard Health breaks down long-standing barriers by placing reliable and affordable insurance solutions right at our users’ fingertips.”
In her remarks, Jumoke Odunlami, Chief Distribution Officer, AXA Mansard Insurance said that the partnership with Palmpay presents the AXA with another opportunity to improve health and productivity of Nigerians. “Through partnerships like this, we are covering over 1.8 million Nigerians and ensuring that healthcare is accessible, available and affordable.
“So we are excited about joining forces with a brand like Palmpay to compliment the range of financial possibilities they offer their customers with health plans. It fits well with our mission and our purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters, and we are looking forward to doing even more with Palmpay”, she explained.
This partnership reflects PalmPay’s broader mission to create a more inclusive digital financial ecosystem, one that empowers users to not only manage their money efficiently, but also secure their future.
This partnership reflects PalmPay’s broader mission to create a more inclusive digital financial ecosystem, one that empowers users to not only manage their money efficiently, but also secure their future.
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