http://www.themillionairefastlane.com/

Don’t let the flashy title and lambo on the book cover fool you. This book is the real deal. @MJDeMarco is the real deal.

Leave a Comment

http://makeawesomeshit.com

Fun little project I’m working on… A FREE No-BS Course on how to build a successful Product Creation Business Online.

Leave a Comment

As some of you may know, this blog had some serious issues last week. It was maliciously hacked 2 times over a period of 10 days, and yesterday the database just completely failed out of nowhere. I seriously considered just dropping it all together, but I was hit with some inspiration last night to look at the issues as a good thing and use it as an opportunity to shake things up a bit.

First of all, I realized the blogging was important to me in more ways than I realized. Generally, I am not a ‘blogger’, and I particularly am not a fan of writing, but I love to help and provide resources to aid in the journey of up and coming vCEO’s. I also want an outlet to advocate the role of being a ‘Product Creator’ as a business model.

There will be 2 major changes at the vCEO. First, I have changed the base format of the blog to be more like a tumble blog, which will give me an opportunity to post shorter, more focused material, and to post more often. The second change is something I have been wanting to get into more often, Podcasting.

The Podcast’s will be focused around building businesses and products, insight into what I do to grow and enhance my business, and maybe a sprinkling of what others are doing through interviews and guests. That’s the theory for now at least.

Leave a Comment

Are You a Traveling or Lifestyle Business Entrepreneur?

Want to Protect Your Business and Your Hard Earned Money?

We all know about the potential of setting up offshore businesses, but there are most likely 2 things stopping you from biting the bullet…

• Where? Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines. or… ?
• How? Navigating Bureaucracy is a hassle.

Unless you have a ton of money, local partners, and want to pack up and permanently move to Hong Kong, Singapore, or the Philippines, you need to forget those places. They are great for some businesses, but have a ton of drawbacks such as minimal capital requirements, residency requirements, ect.

I have a little secret.

There is a little known Malaysian island off the coast of Borneo called Labuan. It is developed, safe, and secure.

Some of the cool facts about setting up your business in Labuan:

• It is really easy to set up and takes less than a week.
• You can have a local bank account in a day.
• Non-Trading Business have 0% tax.
• No minimum capital requirements.
• Trading businesses get to choose – 3% tax on earnings or a 1 time fee of MYR20,000 (US$5.650).
• Americans don’t need a visa.
• The Labuan government is all about privacy. Your business finances and even your name are not open to the public, including the US IRS.
• Never want to actually go to Labuan? No Problem.
• You want to set up shop there? No Problem.
• You want to bring in Foreign employees? Easy.

And that’s just getting started.

I am giving away a free ebook called Labuan: the vCEO’s Guide to South East Asia’s Most Promising Business Hub.

Just enter your name and email below

Note: Don’t worry, I hate spam too. I will not pimp products to your email address. At most, I will send occasional emails for upcoming FREE ebooks (Singapore and Hong Kong coming soon), Updates to this ebook, and relevant blog posts.

Comments Off

Making your sales pages is not just mere promoting your company, products or services. These web copies are written to help you engage customers, excite visitors, motivate prospects and convince potential buyers to check on your website, contact you, buy your products or hire you. In short, writing your sales pages is a big deal so never do it carelessly.

You hire a copywriter because you want him or her to write compelling copy that converts into sales – to bring in more sales. In order to create converting sales pages, you have to make them snappy, persuasive and action-oriented. Make sure to use custom-branded language that perfectly reflects your company or the products and services that you offer.

Here are the qualities that your sales pages must possess:

Attention-grabbing headlines – You know that this part is what hooks your readers and potential buyers.

Persuasive and influential tone – Your sales copies must excite readers and even existing customers. It should stimulate the “buy now” instinct of your target market.

Powerful calls to action – Your sales pages must be written in a way that it encourages readers and potential buyers to take action or do the next step.

Flawless marketing message that gives you 110% confidence – The overall message of you sales pages must highlight the advantages and how you can address the needs of your market.

An effective sales page can make a huge impact on your business as it will boost your sales and rev up your profits. This is the very reason why you should not take copywriting lightly. Besides, copywriting is one of the most important elements of successful marketing.

Good copywriting techniques involve both arts and science. This implicates that your sales pages are not merely marketing tools but results of strategic and systematic arrangement of ideas, products, businesses, people and opinions – all with the ultimate goal of motivating readers and customers to take action.

You have to remember that before you can sell a product, drive traffic to your site, earn quality backlinks, you need to tell a compelling story – a captivating sales page. Your sales copies can be your biggest and most powerful tool to maintain customers. In fact, a well-written sales page is the reason why there are customers who keep on coming back to you or who constantly buy from you, and those readers who never even pay your site a second look.

Aside from knowing the elements of an excellent sales page, you must also know these three truths.

Your persuasive message must direct your readers.

This means that it is not enough to inform them about your ideas, your company or your products. You must also motivate them to follow what you want them to do. You must tell them how to do it and do it at that very moment.

Be specific on what you write about.

This is actually self-explanatory – or maybe not because there are still some copywriters who neglect the fact that they are writing sales pages that will be published in a very diverse medium. This implicates that your sales copies must contain very specific or detailed information. Never leave your readers guessing of what you are offering. If you want to hit your target then tell them exactly what is in store for them.

For instance, instead of saying – “If you want a jacket, click here!” you should make it detailed like this “If you want a personalized blue jacket for only $10, click here now.” It may seem too awkward to be this detailed, but in the view of Internet users, the second statement provides clear picture of what you offer, how to order and how much it would cost him. All these create a solid understanding between you and your customers.

Your readers are not dumb, they are pre-occupied.

This is closely related to being specific on your message. No matter how long and how detailed your sales copy is, your readers may not be able to grasp what you want to tell them. Even if you packed it with reports, data and statistics, again, your readers may not understand it. Why? Well, Internet users are often overwhelmed with the numerous links, websites and pop-ups that display in front of them. So, if you want to get their attention and motivate them to take action, you have to tell them what to do.

Avoid using a simple “click here” to refer your readers to a link because most readers do not actually understand what they are clicking. You need to tell them exactly what they are getting themselves into.

Copywriting is challenge because the success of your sales pages relies on how well they are written. If you want see results then you should combine all the essential elements and present them in simple, detailed and persuasive approach.

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

Emergency written by Neil Strauss was first published during the early part of year 2009. The book is full of compelling twists.

Emergency can be broken down into 5 main categories which were divided into 69 chapters

• The Orientation
• The 5 Steps
• The Escape
• The Survival
• The Rescue

Every part of the book speaks of Neil’s experience and his research on the survivalist subculture, to stocking, prepping, bush craft, shooting and rescue training. But what makes it different from other books on survival is his use of non-traditional approach to asset protection, dual citizenship, second passports and world travel.

Taking the content in real life situations, Emergency might really save your life. It can help you survive dog attack, use your credit card as a knife and killing a goat. These are just few of the survivalist topics that are described in the book. These scenarios simply teach you on how to be prepared or ready for anything – mindset of a typical financially-minded person who is concerned of his personal security.

Two notable subjects he tackled were how to overcome your paranoia and learn to face the future. Despite growing in a metropolitan community wherein he only learned a skill – that is to make good music criticism, he was able to accomplihs some survival skills like how to make his own water, how to escape from handcuffs and how to identify more than 700 tracks on the ground.

Aside from these achievements, he also learned how bring along and conceal weapons, ride a motorbike and was able to finish the Red Cross training. As he continues his journey in achieving preparedness he learned how to kill and cook his own goat and how to get a dual citizenship. As you go along the story, you will find out that it is mandated that U.S. citizens are required to pay U.S. taxes even if they have officially emigrated and moved overseas and acquired a new citizenship for up to the next 10 years.

Neil also discussed through the confession of a Czech national who moved to the U. S. because of the opportunities and not the freedom because USA lacks many freedoms. In fact, Neil also learned that America is just in the 53^rd rank when it comes to freedom in world press and media. Another amazing discovery that he shared was the fact that Swiss banks no longer serve U.S citizens because the laws urge Swiss banks to report all the deposits made by American citizens to a U.S. intermediary group.

Overall, this book is a good find and worth reading. It is not about being afraid of the future but rather become proactive and bold to take on the initiative to conquer your fears and improve from it.

Leave a Comment

After my last post ‘Three Best Asian Countries to Start Your Business‘, I received several requests for more info on Singapore. So here it is!

There is a whole world for you to explore when it comes to business ventures in abroad. Characterized as one of the most industrialized countries in Asia, this country now hosts most of the successful businesses in the region. But, before you can do business here, you have to comply with certain requirements.

These are the things you need to understand and furnish before you can start a business in Singapore.

1.   How to Get the Appropriate Visa

Before you can do business and even enter Singapore, you have to secure a visa. Although Singapore has opened its doors to the public which makes it easy for anyone to look for a business opportunity, you still have to visit the ICA or Immigration & Checkpoints Authority to secure a visa.

The requirements for this are the following:

• Duly accomplished Form 14 signed by the Applicant and the Local Sponsor (Take note: the Local Sponsor must be either a Singapore Citizen(SC) or a Singapore Permanent Resident(SPR)

• Duly accomplished Form V39I signed by the local sponsor

• You must have a letter of support from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)

• You must also present your travel documents. For example: your passport which has at least 6 months of validity left. Also, you will need to submit a copy of the travel documents to ICA

• You should present your Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) card with a valid Visit Pass granted on entry into Singapore

• You must have the Local Sponsor’s Identity Card (a copy of the NRIC must be submitted to ICA immediately)

• You also need one recent passport-sized colour photograph ( this should be pasted on the top right-hand corner of Form 14) But, this must meet the following requirements:

a.   The image must have be taken within the last 3 months

b.   The photograph should be in color and must be taken against a white background with a matte or semi-matte finish.

c.   The image should show the full face and without any headgear (any headgear worn for religious compliance is accepted, provided that the full features of the face will still be shown.

2.   How to prepare the requirements

Now that you know how to apply for a visa, it is now time to make a checklist on the things that need to be done before actually starting your business in Singapore.

• Meet the eligibility requirements, see www.business.gov.sg.

• Check if the business name that you like is still available.

• Look for the SSIC code for your business.

• Search for a place to actually use for your business.

• Get the necessary licenses and permits.

3.   How you should register your business

After securing a visa and completing the checklist, it is now time to actually register the business. This is where you have to determine what kind of business you want to set up. Are you putting up a branch office, representative office or a totally new company?

• Branch of a foreign company – Branch office must be registered with the Accounting & Corporate Regulator Authority before it can do business. Also, you have to hire a professional firm to register in your behalf.

• Representative Office for banking and insurance – You need to register this with the Monetary Authority of Singapore and meet all their requirements.

• Representative Office for other industries – Here you need to register with the International Enterprise Singapore. Also, this is limited to only a few activities namely:

a.   Market research
b.   Feasibility studies
c.   Liason tasks for the mother company

• New Company – You can incorporate a new company in Singapore. But, you must apply for an Employment Pass from the Ministry of Manpower.

Taxation in Singapore

Now that you have a glimpse on how to actually apply for a visa and register a business, it is now time to deal with taxation in Singapore. You see, like all other countries, Singapore has its own tax rates. But, you will be pleased to know that this country has excellent tax benefits for small to medium sized companies, provided that it was set up there in the first place.

For businesses that have earning of SN$300,000.00 the tax rate is only 17%.  Also, if your company is just starting up, you can enjoy a tax exemption of 100% of SN$100,000.00 and 50% of SN$200,000.00. For more information on this, you can take a look at the chart in www.business.gov.sg. As for the capital gains tax, it is a surprising 0%.

Housing – How to find cost-efficient accommodation?

For foreigners who want to establish their businesses in Singapore, JTC Corporation and Contact Singapore are the recommended agencies. These agencies offer assistance in finding reasonable accommodation such as houses, apartments, and even office space for your business. These two organizations also provide assistance to all foreign students wanting to study in Singapore. They can also help you in terms of travel and cultural details.

Who to Ask for Assistance

If you still feel clueless about starting a business in Singapore, you can seek help from these two channels – Enterprise Development Centres (EDCs) and the Overseas Chambers of Commerce. The former, Enterprise Development Centres, is supported by the government of Singapore. It seeks to provide help for all foreigners who want to start their business in the country. This agency gives business updates and advisories.

The Overseas Chambers of Commerce, on the other hand aims to foster good economic relations among foreign investors. This agency encourages other countries to establish and promote their businesses in Singapore.

If you are in the lookout for a good business hub, Singapore is definitely a good choice. The government is supportive, plus the technology in terms of information, telecommunication and computing is one of the best in the world. After spending over a year here in Asia, I can vouch this is by far the easiest place to legally get your business set up.

Leave a Comment

There is a world of opportunities out there, especially for people who want to set up their own businesses. Long ago, only a handful of countries are considered as power nations when it comes to economic matters. The business industry is only limited to those who have enough finances. But now, the playing field has leveled and Asian countries are slowly becoming power houses when it comes to business matters.

While news of economic slowdowns is constantly on the mainstream, businesses and consumers are still out in force. Forbes Magazine has identified several countries in Asia where businesses thrive and continue to progress and develop which include Singapore, Hongkong, and Philippines. These three countries have posted steady and stable GDP growth. Moreover, the cost of living in these countries is relatively lower compared to their American and European counterparts.

Doing business in Singapore

Overall, Singapore is one of the most industrialized and successful countries in Asia. Many businessman and entrepreneurs favor doing business in Singapore because of its highly urbanized setting. In 2009, Doing Business Project gave Singapore full ranks when it comes to the following: employing workers, ease of doing business, and trading across borders.

I.    Foreign Ownership

The country is top when it comes to doing business because of its high environment and also because the economy of Singapore is based on free enterprise. Meaning, there is no restrictions when it comes to foreign ownership of business.

II.    Taxation

When it comes to taxation, businesses in Singapore are friendly making it ideal for company development because one can easily file and pay taxes. Compared to other developed countries in the world, the country has low corporate tax rates. Thus, foreign investors will find it easy to manage and establish their own business in Singapore.

Moreover, the government of Singapore continues to promote its economy by giving tax incentives to companies who are always paying their dues on time. Another thing that makes businesses in Singapore thrive is that the country has 18 free trade agreements with some of the world’s leading nations, lowering the cost of doing business and at the same time eliminating tariffs.

III.    Labor And Social Security

In Singapore, all employers abide by the country’s Employment Act. it contains information about terms and conditions employment, maternity benefits, annual leave entitlement, maximum working hours and minimum notice periods.

The labor law is established to protect the employees of the country. An employee is defined as a “person who entered into works or under contract and earns a basic gross salary of not more than SS1, 600,” according to Singapore’s labor law.

IV.    Employment

Once an individual gets employed by a Singaporean employee, he/she is obliged to contribute to the Central Provident Fund (CPF). The employers too are required to pay. The CPF is compulsory for all employees. It is like a savings plan for Singaporean residents and citizens. When the employee reaches the age retirement, he/she will get money that can be used for healthcare, family protection, basic needs, and home ownership. Foreigners are no longer permitted to make voluntary assistance.

V.    Employee Safety

Employers are mandated by the Singaporean government and law to create a hazard free working environment for all its employees. The Factories Act clearly explains in detail all the necessary things and standards that employers must upheld in order to make their company safe. Employers are also mandated by law to provide health insurance as well as accident coverage under the Workers’ Compensation Act.

Establishing your company in Hong Kong

Coming in close to Singapore, Hong Kong is an emerging country too when it comes to doing businesses. As a matter of fact when the economic crisis hit the world, Hong Kong is one of the countries that recovered quickly from the effects of it. Factors such as political stability, business incentives, and low tax rates contributed to the recovering process of the government. Add to that their adaption of the free market environment.

When it comes to productivity of employees, people from Hong Kong are among some of the most skilled and professional workers. They have a very good attitude towards work, and the fact that they can speak English makes the country a good place to establish a business.

I.    Foreign Ownership

Hong Kong is one of the easiest places in the world for those who want to establish a business because of their independent trade policies. Business owners will enjoy the low start up cost that they need to jumpstart their business. As well as the low taxes asked by the government.

II.    Taxation

Hong Kong’s minimum corporate tax stands at 16.5 percent, with income tax at only 15 percent. This is because the country ranks third when it comes to having the lowest tax burden in the world. Another favorable thing for business owners is that there is no added tax on sales, capital gains, withholding tax, dividends tax, as well as individual estate task.

Moreover, there are no sales tax, no value added tax, and no capital gains tax in Hong Kong.

III.    Labor and Social Security

Employees in Hong Kong continue to enjoy improved working conditions since the enactment of the labor legislation program. About 42 different laws are now being followed in Hong Kong as they aim to apply international labor standards in all offices in the country.

IV.    Employment

Businesses are strictly forbidden from not following the code of employment. The Hong Kong government sees to it that the rules surrounding payment of wages, operation of employment agencies, and termination of contracts are followed. There are also laws regarding severance pay for workers as well as long-service payment to employees who are dismissed from work.

There are also special enforcement teams that inspect whether the employers’ are complying with the state rules and regulations both for foreign and local workers and employers.

V.    Employee Safety

The Labor Department of Hong Kong promotes the well being of all the employees. Thus, when it comes to safety and reducing accidents, they have legislative control as well as safety education, training, and promotion.

The Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance 31 list down all the necessary standards that employers should abide to make sure that there will be no or at least lesser work related accidents.

Investing In Philippines

The Philippines is slowly becoming one of the best outsource service providers in the world. Many western based companies consider Philippines as a top choice when it comes to outsourcing primarily because of cheap labor and the work quality that Filipinos provide. In terms of technology and internet use, the Filipinos are at par with other developed nations.

Why is it good to invest in the Philippines? If you are a foreign investor, you will benefit with the expertise of the Filipinos when it comes to familiarity with the western culture. Moreover, their ability to understand and communicate fluently in English is a big plus.

I.    Foreign Ownership

For foreign investors who want to consider establishing their outsourcing business in the Philippines, you need to apply for business permit and complete all the necessary documents that you are required to do. Just like Singapore, the Philippines have an open and free enterprise with other countries, making it easy for foreign investors to come and start their business. The country’s GDP in 2008 is much higher than Singapore and Hong Kong with a growth of 5.7 percent from 5.4 percent in 2007.

Applying for business permits can be done through visiting Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industries. They handle all applications as well as the nationwide registry of businesses.

II.    Taxation

The cost of living in the Philippines is relatively low compared to other developing countries, thus the minimum wage in this country is cheaper too with the average of $9 a day. This is less than the rate in United States. Foreign companies can save by as much as 30 to 40 percent should they invest in the Philippines. Businesses are taxed by the country’s Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on a yearly basis depending on the earnings of the company for a particular fiscal year.

The country allows 100 percent foreign ownership in various businesses and sectors. Corporate companies may be charged from 5 to 30 percent overall tax depending on their location. There are also duty free importation of certain goods and materials.

III.    Labor and Social Security

Filipino employees are required to contribute to the Social Security System (SSS). This is just like the CPF of Singapore, where a portion of your salary should be deposited to your member fund. This will enable you to load money in case of emergency, disasters, as well as maternity benefits for expecting female employees. The Philippines has a strong labor code that provides for fair treatment of employees, likewise the government gives tremendous support to foreign shareholders and welcomes investments openly.

IV.    Employment

Minors are not allowed to work, without getting a working permit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Those who are hired must comply with the company’s requirements which include police clearance, medical certificate, transcript of records, and graduation diploma as well as a letter of recommendation from previous employers.
However, those who want to establish their own businesses must go through the same procedures mandated by the DTI.

V.    Employee Safety

Employers are encouraged to provide their workers with the basic healthcare insurance provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC). There are also some employers that give medical cards to their employees as part of their benefits.

These countries may not be the wealthiest nations in the world but they sure are some of the best and the easiest countries to kickoff your most aspired businesses.

Leave a Comment

Asian countries and more specific, South East Asia is favorable for entrepreneurs desiring to build and expand their businesses. There are varied reasons to move to any of these countries, either alone or together with your family to try new things specifically for future business expansion and growth at the least possible cost.

So why choose to do business in the Philippines or in other countries like Thailand and India? There’s a lot to discover and enjoy in these countries like low cost of living, food, great people, diverse culture, low manpower cost and proficiency in the English language.

Low Manpower Cost

Asian professionals in China, Philippines and India can be (with exception) self motivated, responsible and hard working employees.  Labor force from these nations is composed of well-trained and excellent young individuals who are willing to work and learn. These countries, particularly Philippines, have strong and solid educational infrastructures following the dynamic standards of teaching. This is the reason why BPO industry in countries like Philippines and India are booming. These two, particularly Philippines, are the most sought after outsourcing centers among Internet-based businesses such as online marketing, web design and development, SEO services and other information technology related business entities.

Good Food and Decent Accommodation

Asian countries such as Thailand, Philippines, China and India offer some of the world’s finest variation of delicacies at a fraction of cost. If you do business in the country, most likely you will a taste of everything in its fresh or raw state. Not to mention the most reasonable accommodation you can find nowhere in the world. A rental fee for condo unit or an apartment costs only 1/3 of your usual monthly mortgage in US or in Europe. Therefore if you want to combine business and pleasure at the lowest cash outlay go ahead and visit Philippines or any of the mentioned countries here and see if you can fit in to a new lifestyle.

Accommodating and Friendly People

Asian countries are naturally welcoming to their guests whether foreigners or locals. Even if it is your first time in these countries, especially in the Philippines, you won’t have problems roaming around because cab or taxi drivers also speak English. Transportation is cheap and accessible. Big towering malls and business centers are comparable to some of the world’s wealthy cities.

These things allow foreign entrepreneurs to become more comfortable to stay and do business in the Philippines, India, China and Thailand. The low cost in business operations, labor and standard of living are enough reasons to see the potential of these countries to be the next “home” for you and your business.

Leave a Comment