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Startup Challenge: Importance of MVP
Kreston Menon
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) helps a startup team begin to learn the process of learning as quickly as possible. MVP should not be confused with the smallest imaginable product. MVP allows you to test an idea by exposing an early version of your product to the target users and customers,to collect the relevant data, and to learn from it. Contrary to traditional product development, which involves throwing tons of money on building a product to perfection, the goal of MVP is to come up with the ultimate product. MVP unlike a pilot project is designed not to just test the product design or feature but to test the fundamental business postulate.
Eric Ries in his book ‘The Lean Startup’ came up with the BuildMeasure-Learn feedback loop. The core of the startup models can be fitted into this Lean Startup model outlined by Eric Ries. In startups, an idea is turned into a product. As customers use the product, the feedback and data generated becomes useful learning for the product developer to further refine the product in the least possible time.
Startup face immense challenge in identifying features that are not essential when rolling out the MVP considering that the goal is to come with version of the product that enables a full turn of the Build- Measure-Learn loop with minimum effort and least amount of development time. The product development team should be able to ensure that customers do not face any issues when using the minimum features of the product.Simply stated,the product may not necessarily have all the features in the first release but the features provided should work without any issues and be able to achieve the intended usage of the customer. The product team should not fall into the trap of rolling out their best product idea or best designed product. The focus of the product team should be to launch the first version of the product without any bugs in the least possible time, get feedback of the users and incorporate the key learnings into the product in the subsequent release. The product team should realize that the MVP launched for customers may deliberately lack many advanced features that may be useful at a later stage, for an expert user of the product.
Startups need to realize that despite the merits of MVP, there is certain amount of risk in adopting the MVP strategy. The risk is especially from those customers who use the product after paying and find that it does not meet even their basic requirements or it has bugs that are irritating for them to use the product. In such cases the users may not return to buy the subsequent release of the productor even may not use the product even when the subsequent version of the product is given free.
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The concept of MVP can be sacrilege for many entrepreneurs and quality professionals who believe in perfection of end product when rolled out to customers. Their expectation about their product is very high, state-of-the art and that catches attention of the users. They will spend huge effort and resource in developing a product which would meet their expectation but may struggle to get customer validation. Such a scenario is a sure disaster for a startup that plans to launch a successful product. To quote Eric Ries: “If we do not know who the customer is, we do not know what quality is.” Many early stage startups in the beginning of 2000 startup boom suffered because of the entrepreneurs trying to come with a perfect product spending huge effort and time without trying to get early customer feedback and validation, thereby becoming financially unviable.
There is no readymade formula that can help to decide essential features for a MVP. Deciding how complex a MVP should be requires judgment which many a times, the startup entrepreneurs may lack. The best way to arrive at MVP is to simplify as much as possible and have only those features that are essential to validate initial assumptions and that can be quickly built into the product.
How many features the product should have to appeal to early adopters is a tough but critical question which will need a good understanding of the domain for which the product will cater. Every extra feature that is provided in the product which is not useful for early user of the product is a wasted effort which would inflate the product development cost. The important lesson of MVP is that any additional work of the product development to add features beyond what is required to learn customer requirements is a waste, no matter how important it may seem to the product development team.
Also Read : DIGITAL MARKETING FOR BETTER DEMAND GENERATION
The focus of the product development team needs to be creating the MVP that helps them to test and get answers about few assumptions of theirs from their target customer. Eric Ries illustrates the example of Zappos, the biggest online retailer on how they went with a small scale experiment to validate their assumption about target customers. The founder of Zappos, Nick Swinmurn felt that there was no online store where one could get great selection of shoes. He began his experiment not by creating huge inventory of shoes and investing in an e-commerce backend. Instead, he went to local shoe shops asked shop owner’s permission to take photos of shoes and put them online. Once the orders were received from retail customers, he went to the shop, bought the pair that was ordered, shipped it, handled payments, returns… all of it himself. Obviously it was not a scalable business model, but it was an experiment designed to answer one question: is there already sufficient demand for a superior online shopping experience for shoes? Nick was able to validate most of his assumptions with a very little investment in shortest possible time.
For startups that need to be successful and grow, the MVP model can be very effective to avoid getting into the trap of being satisfied with limited set of customers. MVP model allows startups to bring out successive versions of the product at minimum development cost and release product in minimum time. If one studies the pattern followed by successful product companies, many of them admit that their initial mistake was to develop the product with too many features. Successful ones soon realized that they can’t be everything to everybody. Startups should not confuse less-features product with lowquality product. When MVPs are perceived as low-quality product by customers it becomes an opportunity for startup to learn about attributes that customers care about. Such an approach to product development would be much better than merely speculating about customer needs and will provide a solid basis to build future products that are successful in the real world.
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Capital Raising – A Key Challenge for Business
Kreston Menon
For any typical business, access to appropriate funding is a major challenge. Many businesses struggle due to cash flow, lack of access to working capital, or probably due to wrong funding solution not suited to the nature or cash flow profile of the business. Many businesses struggle to grow beyond a threshold due to sub-optimal funding strategy.
Global financial uncertainty continues to cause anxiety amongst issuers and providers of capital. Corporates fear that future funding needs may not be met, while providers of finance worry about their capital positions and are not confident about funding corporates in fast changing business environment.
We have seen recently in UAE number of trading business houses “running away” leaving behind significant amount of bad loans for the banks. Bankers, Financial Institutions and Investors are becoming more and more cautious thereby choking flow of funds to even genuine business houses. Broadly speaking, capital needs for a typical business can be categorised into Debt and Equity Capital with each of them having their merits and demerits. I will outline a few guidelines that can help to prepare your business for efficient capital raising (Debt / Equity) and tapping diversified pool of liquidity:
A.Think BIG -> Plan your funding roadmap: Relying purely on Private Sources for capital needs limits the business growth. Many successful large business houses could not have grown to their present size without being able to raise capital through multiple and large liquidity pockets i.e. Financial Institutions (Banks / NBFCs) and further through Capital Markets (Debt and/or Equity)
FUNDING ROADMAP to fuel your Business Growth
B. Clearly Define your Funding Strategy: While developing and defining a Funding Strategy for a business, Management must deliberate on following major factors:
What is the most appropriate Capital Structure for the business?
What is the optimum level of leveraging / gearing for the business?
Rely purely on debt solution or expand through diluting equity stake?
What sort of debt instrument or combination of debt instruments is best suited for the business?
How much of working capital is required?
CAPEX Funding v/s Working Capital Funding
Cash flow Management – debt profile or maturity is in sync with operating cash flow generation of the business?
C. Identifying right level of debt for the business : Both Under leveraged Balance sheet and Over Leveraged Balance sheet are not considered good for the business
The degree to which a business is utilizing borrowed money is defined as Financial Leverage. Companies that are highly leveraged may be at risk of bankruptcy if they are unable to make payments on their debt; they may also be unable to find new lenders in the future. Financial leverage is not always bad, however; it can increase the shareholders’ return on investment and often there is tax advantages associated with borrowing. Generally business owners with very low risk mind-set ends up in an underleveraged business. A Behavioural argument suggests that a business may also become inefficient due to under leveraging, as the lenders may also help and create appropriate checks and balance for the business and bring financial discipline which is very important for the continued growth of the business.
D. Identification of Right Funding Solution / Instruments
Many businesses fail due to implementation of poor funding strategy / solution. For e.g. an Infrastructure project with a payback profile of say 10 years should not ideally be funded with a Term loan with three years of maturity. Cash flow profile of the business should be matched with the debt maturity profile. We have seen number of countries / businesses getting into financial crisis due to wrong funding solution. Also, optimum cost of funding can be achieved by applying the right funding solution. For e.g. an equipment purchase may be cost efficient if financed through lease financing compared to business loan. Similarly procurement of a Capital Asset with ECA backed financing can be more cost efficient compared to normal business term loan.
E. Continuous Planning and Financial Discipline:
Ability to raise capital (debt or Equity) to fuel business growth is a virtue. This requires years of planning and financial discipline. It cannot be an overnight solution. Careful planning and preparation is critical for successful capital raising initiative. Companies have to plan well in advance and put in place dedicated resources and advisors to work in focused manner. This includes but not limited to following key considerations and preparations:
Implementation of Corporate Governance Mechanism
Documentation of policies and procedures
Transparency – Keeping Investors / Potential Investors Informed
Audited Financial Statements
Clean Audit Reports; Working with right set of Auditors and Advisors
Clean Financial History of the company as well as promoters; Management Profiles
Banking Relationships
Management Accounts and reports
Public Profiling of the company
Risk Management framework, Internal Controls
Market Timing: Keep yourself ready and approach the market when the market is right for you
F.Clear demonstration of the usage of the Capital :
When a company issues new Debt or Equity, the borrower/ Issuer should be able to clearly articulate the specific purpose of the required new capital. The most common purposes of new debt include the following:
To Fund CAPEX;
To Fund OPEX / Working Capital;
To Fund Growth / Expansion;
To Acquire New Asset;
To REFINANCE existing loan with a relatively cost efficient loan;
To REFINANCE existing Debt with a better structured debt more suited to the cash flow profile or capital structure;
Be Transparent and Truthful: The financial markets are becoming more and more intelligent to see through any “Smart Accounting” or “Window Dressing”
Audited financial statements are subject to series of judgement. Bankers, Investors or Analysts rely on Audited Books of Account, along with other due diligence which they generally perform. For those reason – bankers, financial institutions and Analysts are more and more willing to accept reports from reputed Audit Firms and Advisors only.
Bubble, crisis, contraction and recovery are stages of the business cycle that keep repeating. Capital flow is closely linked to economic cycle. In stricter market conditions, a robust business model, strong balance sheet, readiness to embrace greater investor scrutiny and accepting higher financing costs might be required. You can certainly achieve your objective with thorough planning and careful execution. Better get this right the first time, it becomes more difficult after one failed attempt. “Timing is Key” – Pitch it carefully. Keep your financial history clean and make it a competitive process by networking with right set of bankers, financial institutions, and investors.
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Catch-22 for Brick & Mortar Retailer’s – e-retail or not ?
Kreston Menon
In India, e-tailers like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal in recent years have not only made the youngsters below 30 their ardent buyer from their online platform but also have of late been able to net the people in the age group of 30 to 50 as their customers.In the case of below 30 customers, the e-tailers lure them through latest imported offerings under fashion accessories and electronics which the brick & mortar players do not provide with so many optionsFor above 30 customers the value proposition that the e-tailers bring in is not only limited to convenience of buying but also the price discounts compared to physical stores. More and more niche e-tailers entering the consumer segment coupled with increasing penetration of cheaper internet services penetrating to new areas is further giving fillip to the e-retail business gaining more traction from the masses leading to share of online purchase increasing at the cost of physical stores.
Why the Brick & Mortar Players adopted an “Ostrich like attitude” to the e-tailers when the war began between them and e-tailers? Did they really believe that the buying habits of people are hard to change? Did they believe that people used to buying from physical stores would not buckle to the emerging trend purchasing online?Did they believe that the e-tailers do not have a robust business model that can last long? Did they believe more highly about their physical stores model compared to shopping online model? Was it the legacy management style of the Brick& Mortar Players refusing to foresee the technological revolution happening propelled by internet?
In my opinion there is a combination of above factors besides others that led to growth of e-tailers and physical retailers slowly losing market share to e-tailers.
The most notable change that has led to growth in market share of e-tailers is the fast changing technology in the hardware, software and data connectivity options that become widely available and the price of the mobile and data services falling drastically in the last five years. A new breed tech-savvy young entrepreneur began to create software and online marketplace with easy interface between small and medium retailers and buyers in the market place making online transactions a child’s play. The secured payment gateways offered by banks and credit card companies with additional security options by sending PIN for each transaction has also increased the customers confidence to shop online.
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The management of big physical retailers in many cases were often myopic, not to notice the software and communication revolution happening and impact on their sector. If only the top bosses at retail companies had realised that the first victim of the technological and communication revolution were the traditional banking and insurance sector and next would be retail, they could have better prepared themselves to face the onslaught of the e-tailers.
The information technology and internet totally changed the way banking is done today compared to the late 90’s and the early 2000. In the late 90’s it was the India-based new private banks such as HDFC and ICICI besides Citi and HSBC which started the ATMs, online banking in a big way when the traditional government banks scoffed at them.
The traditional banks also patted themselves when online frauds happened at the nascent stages of the e-banking. During the initial years a majority of the customers of the banks also initially were reluctant to deal with their banks through online platform, fearing online fraud. As technological advances made online banking safe, more customers began to bank online and today online banking has sizable share in terms of number of transactions and in terms of value it has surpassed traditional banking at counters.
Banks that avoided automation have now aggressively migrated to online platforms and in many cases such as State-owned State Bank of India has even outgrown the private players in terms of automation and online offering of features and service for its customers.
The management of many Brick & Mortar retailers with more than two to three decades of experience initially ignored the e-tailers and looked at e-tailers with contempt as many of the e-tailers had their CXO’s in early 20’s. The physical retailers had full faith in their ability to brainwash their customer base through print and electronic media about perceived failings of the e-tailers and celebrated the failures of the e-tailers as their success. They totally underestimated the capability and capacity of the e-tailers to bounce back after each failure with greater success and more offerings for the online shoppers.
In many cases the Brick & Mortar stores created failure stories about online players offering inferior product through their platform or lack of after sales support, though the physical stores themselves were never good in providing after sales support. Rather the online players like Amazon and Flipkart with their free 30 days return policy where offering the customers something that the physical stores had never offered to customers in many Asian markets including India for decades
Today the online players are gaining more customers at the expense of physical stores. The primary reasons are the cheaper price of buying same/ similar product compared to physical stores, getting same or net day delivery at home, ability to see the product with three-dimensional view, multiple payment options like debit card, credit card and cash on delivery, wide choice of goods to compare and in some cases like mobile phones exclusive launches of new phones only through online platform.In families where both spouse work, due to high commute time to place of work, shopping online has become a convenient option. With more and more e-tailers offering goods online, almost everything which was exclusively available at physical stores can be now bought via mobile handset.
Also Read : Digital Marketing For Better Demand Generation
For most Brick &Mortar retailers, the shift in the retail ecosystem has negatively impacted revenues. Show-rooming has become a reality— the shopper uses the information provided by the staff at the store but eventually makes the purchase online, sometimes even while he/she is in the premises of the store. Many physical retailers are beginning to understand the power of e-platform and pervasive use of mobile technology by people of all age group which is leading to people experimenting with online purchase and many finally converting to online shopping as their primary mode for many categories such as books, shoes, mobile phones, consumer electronics, gifts, fashion accessories and apparel.
Having made huge investment in real estate by leasing or building physical retail stores the Brick & Mortar players are in a real dilemma. They cannot totally junk their business model and put their business and that of their lenders at risk. At the same time ignoring the e-tailers and not adopting a hybrid model whereby they have their own online shopping platform for their customers is a proposition they can no longer ignore. By having both physical stores and online platform they would end up competing against their own online format of stores, besides competing with other e-tailers. A very complex scenario of business model, where their online formats of stores would have to set a pricing for product that is lower than physical stores to match their competitors online. Such an approach would require them to revisit their physical stores business model and growth strategy and would definitely require junking some of their existing business plan and more importantly their earlier mind-set about online retail format.
The Brick & Mortar players also need to play to their strength when adopting a hybrid model of physical and online retail formats. In case certain category of purchases (e.g. home appliances and white goods and groceries) the shoppers like to touch and feel the product before they commit purchase online. In such scenarios the physical retailers can definitely have more loyalty from their customers by offering them touch and feel option besides attractive pricing.
e-retail is here to stay and Brick & Mortar players can no longer pretend to ignore the e-tailers. They need to revisit their business model that is built on physical stores expansion and identify product categories where they need to offer online platform for customers to shop. They may also need to take the hard decisions of closing many of their physical stores or stop certain products from being offered at physical stores. Brick & Mortar retailers will have to bring in below 30 tech savvy entrepreneurs into their management to successfully leverage the fast changing technology in the online retail space.
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Dubai Airport Freezone Services
Kreston Menon
Seventeen years ago, Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA) was established as part of Dubai Government’s strategic plan to move the emirate towards an investment driven economy. Today, it accommodates over 1,600 international companies in various activities and industries including aviation, pharmaceutical products, logistics, cargo & freight, jewellery, electronics and electrical materials.
Dubai Airport Freezone Provides a Service-centric Dateway to the Middle East
Dubai Airport Freezone’s steadfast ambition is to be a premier provider of business services for demanding international customers. Its mission is to be the region’s ultimate free zone destination by adding value to the UAE economy and providing integrated business solutions to attract regional and international investors through service excellence in a customer centric business environment.
In 2013, DAFZA witnessed a 42 per cent increase in revenue compared to 2012. The Freezone saw the percentage of Asian tenants operating out of the Freezone increase by almost one fifth (17 per cent). This figure stems from Dubai Airport Freezone’s business seminars in the region, focused on growing bilateral relations between countries in the Far East and the UAE. DAFZA plays a vital role in facilitating commercial ties between international trade partners and the UAE by developing investment opportunities and foreign ownership policies.
Dubai Airport Freezone has worked to create a unique opportunities for business setup in UAE. Located next door to Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports, tenants have access to 24-hour logistics and customs procedures and an international gateway on their doorstep. All of DAFZA’s unique series and facilities have brought about unprecedented growth, and 2013 was one that saw a significant interest from international organisations looking to invest in the Middle East.
Dubai Airport Freezone Services : International Influence
DAFZA issued 196 licenses for global organisations to operate from the Freezone in 2013, and has consistently supported international investors.
The Freezone companies cover a diverse spectrum of industries that meet the needs of international investors looking to access the Middle Eastern and African markets. This alignment will in turn lead to on-going business integration and boost economic relationships between the UAE and other countries worldwide. Tenants have always been an integral focus in DAFZA’s mission and vision since its foundation. The Freezone has worked hard to ensure that the facilities, infrastructure and services available to tenants meet international standards, and provide a productive environment from which companies can grow their business.
The Freezone works hard to support its tenants and work in alignment with their business objectives, as well as providing a variety of services on site that make business run more efficiently across the board, including immigration, medical services, and banking. DAFZA strives to provide access to as many logistical and operational requirements as possible.
Tenants can effectively set up their operations at DAFZA within two weeks, provided all paper work is submitted accordingly. There are fully functional office spaces that companies can move into and begin work from the minute they have the key. Telecommunications and internet services are installed, furniture and décor are in place and licenses and visas are processed.
Dubai Airport Freezone Services Focus on Core Business
In addition to the location and services, DAFZA’s infrastructure has added significant value to tenants’ day-to-day business activities. With ease of access in and out of the Freezone, and to some of Dubai’s main business hubs, the Freezone constantly works to ensure that its clients can work safe in the knowledge that any non-core-business related activities can be taken care of by DAFZA, including maintenance, conference facilities, etc.
DAFZA is also committed to adding value to the UAE economy, by providing integrated business solutions, capitalising on the opportunities offered by this region and the ever increasing interest from both Eastern and Western markets.
Despite its continual growth and expansion, DAFZA has worked hard to ensure that its development doesn’t come at the cost of the environment. In compliance with Dubai’s vision to be a role model to the world in energy security and efficiency, DAFZA has successfully obtained an international standard for energy management (ISO 50001:2009).
DAFZA treats sustainable energy very seriously, and is very keen to adopt the best international practices. Saving energy is one of DAFZA’s strategic objectives, and it has adopted the latest technologies and equipment to help reduce energy consumption in all its facilities. Two years ago, DAFZA successfully implemented the green building technology initiative and it constantly encourages its tenants to implement standards for environment protection by assigning a reward for the best company in preserving the environment.
DAFZA’s commitment to delivering excellent services is derived from its leadership vision, dedicated team work and the competency of the people working at the Freezone. This is recognized by the many international certificates and awards DAFZA received over the years, which continues maintaining its competitive edge and leading position.
Dubai Airport Freezone Authority believes in the continuous development and growth of its services and facilities and ensures the needs of each tenant are met, holding its position as the premier business destination in the Middle East. Every three years, the Freezone works on developing a solid strategic plan with the purpose of working towards its vision, to be the region’s ultimate free zone destination.
Meeting tenants needs
In working to meet its tenants’ needs through its customer-centric philosophy, DAFZA is transforming into a wireless smart city, becoming the first free zone in the region to integrate free WiFi connectivity and smart services in its territory. The wireless development process is done in collaboration with GOWEX, Leader Company in creating Wireless Smart Cities®.
Additionally, in 2014, Dubai Airport Freezone Authority built facilities and services to meet its tenants’ day-to-day needs. As part of a larger multi-purpose centre for its tenants, DAFZA plans on opening a new food court and expects the larger project to be completed by Q1 2015, inclusive of 20 new food outlets, 11 shops, a gym and business centre. Additionally, the Freezone will add 1,192 new parking spaces.
Looking forward, in line with the Dubai government’s strategic direction, DAFZA will continue to contribute to the welfare and betterment of the community, observing international standards in all its practices. The Freezone plans to do this by enhancing its profitability through new value-added products and services, seeking opportunities for diversification. DAFZA expects to maintain and expand its market share through attracting investors from primary and secondary markets.
DAFZA was recognized with seven international awards. These awards included the world’s premier business awards, the Stevie Awards, in three different categories: new services and products award, best IT department award and the best marketing department award. In addition to American Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award, the number one Free Zone in the World by Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) magazine, the Quality and Distinctive Performance Award, the Comprehensive Quality in Client Satisfaction Award, DAFZA also obtained the ISO:50001 certificate in energy management as it managed to reduce energy consumption by eight per cent; and ISO:28000 for its effective security management.
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Converging Organization’s Governance,Risk & Compliances
Kreston Menon
The common problem which organizations are facing globally, while implementing robust GRC standards, is of Risk Silos. Risk Silos arises when each of the oversight function (individually) gathers information from business divisions to identify potential risks. This leads to duplication of efforts (Risk Silos) among various oversight functions (including Risk Management especially Operational Risk, Compliance, Corporate Governance and Internal Audit) which increases inefficiency within the organization. It also leads to disinclination of business managers to engage with oversight functions more proactively.
This article intend to discuss and deliberate the strategy for bringing synergy to the work flow and process of organization’s oversight functions (three lines of defense) to maximize the coverage of risk within the organization.
Current State Vs Future State
Organization must look to assess their existing GRC infrastructure and framework so as to identify the key challenges and address the same through implementation of sound convergence framework, thereby achieving the “Future State”
Risk Register – Integrated Assessment Process
In order to effectively manage the key risk areas of the organization, a common repository of risk is desirable. The same can be achieved with the implementation of a Common Risk Register among the various oversight functions of the organization
A Risk Register is a risk management tool which acts as a central repository for all the risk identified under the risk universe of the organization. Risk Register covers the rating of likelihood and impact for each key risk and their subsequent action plans.
Implementing a Risk Register would enable the organization to remove Risk Silos as it acts like a common platform for the communication of the key risk areas to the key stakeholders (including the various oversight functions discussed above) within the organization. Risk Register also facilitates the development of common risk language and methodology for assessment of identified risks among the various oversight functions, thereby reducing the duplication of efforts at assessment level. Finally, a common approach to mitigate the risk would enable the organization to strengthen its preventive/ contingency/ recovery actions.
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Convergence Framework
Organizations can develop a sound convergence framework that shall act as the guiding principle for the oversight functions to avoid duplication of efforts. The guiding principles should ensure that the roles and responsibilities of the oversight functions are not curtailed and that the independence of internal audit always remains. The framework shall also entail all the areas, where the overlap is prevalent, including, but not limited to:
- Identification Process for Risk Issues (RCSA/Audit);
- Control Based Rating vis-à-vis Management Awareness Based Rating methodology – to ensure the assurance approach is consistent;
- Common rating methodology
- Reporting of the issues to Board Committees & Stakeholders;
- Integrated Assurance Approach – Risk Register;
- Follow up on open risk/audit issues;
- Closing of the issues; and
- Review calendar of oversight functions and align visits to divisions.
The Convergence Framework should also entail the frequency of the meetings for these oversight functions to discuss and achieve Convergence of GRC. The same can be recommended based on the size and complexity of the organization.
Also Read : Startup Challenge: Importance of MVP
To conclude, Alignment & Convergence of the Organization’s GRC functions and processes can help reduce duplication of efforts and help provide increased confidence in, and transparency of, information but without compromising the independence required in the audit function, thereby minimizing Risk Silos and facilitating the sharing of risk information across the organization.
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Offshore Company Formation in Dubai
Kreston Menon
It’s no revelation when one hears many an industry leaders pronounce they will be putting their money in innovation. The real revelation probably could be why such investments are not delivering returns. Conventional ethos of most organizations has a nursery that not only provides a below par environment for customer-centric innovation, but also totally dampen innovative thinking. One thing we often come across at super markets, shopping malls, conferences and seminars is how customers are not concerned about the company but are more concerned about the product they wish to buy. Customers don’t go about their daily lives with labels on their minds, irrespective of how great the company is. Customers interact and engage with a particular brand only when it is suitable for them, based on capabilities the product allows them to do and the emotional satisfaction they get from engaging.
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Summary of M&A in Healthcare and Pharma Sector(1st January, 2016 to 30th June, 2016)
Kreston Menon
Reported Deal Count and Value
The total number of reported deals across all regions was 180 covering nine sectors. The total reported deal value as on 30-Jun-2016 was approximately US$ 142 billion.
M&A report
Sector Split of Deals
Number of M&A Deals
M & A Report
Deal Values Across Sectors
DEal Value M&A
Note:
The summary report on M&A in the Healthcare and Pharma Sector including service providers to the sector has been collated from published information from sources such as company press release, quarterly reports and Reuters. All effort has been taken to ensure that the data is as accurate as provided by the original source document. I’m so embarrassed about my skin condition that I try to minimize any contact with the surrounding world. Someone says it’s stupid, but at least I can avoid people staring at me. Now, I go through the therapy of cystic acne with Accutane.
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DEMYSTIFYING VAT Series 1 – VAT Basics
Kreston Menon
By now most of you must be aware that the government will be implementing VAT in UAE (value added tax) from Jan-2018. The rate of VAT would be about 5%. Amongst the GCC member countries, UAE is not alone to go ahead with implementation of VAT.Other GCC members have also agreed to implement the VAT around the same time as UAE. I plan to share with our readers through our quarterly newsletter about various aspects of VAT rollout in the UAE as it unfolds.
In this Series, I begin with basic outline of VAT and in subsequent issues will be covering the regulatory and procedural aspects of VAT, similarities and differences between the VAT that is implemented in EU versus what is being unfolded in the GCC and the UAE, impact of VAT on certain categories of business, notably the gold business in the UAE and lastly a VAT primer which will help our clients to transition to VAT regime with ease.
VAT in simple terms is:
A tax that applies, in principle, to all commercial activities involving the production and distribution of goods and the provision of services
A consumption tax because it is borne ultimately by the final consumer
Charged as a percentage of price (in UAE it will be 5%), which means that the actual tax burden is visible at each stage in the production and distribution chain
Collected fractionally, via a system of partial payments whereby taxable persons ( VAT-registered businesses) deduct from the VAT they have collected the amount of tax they have paid to other taxable persons on purchases for their business activities. This mechanism ensures that the tax is neutral regardless of how many transactions are involved
Paid to the revenue collection agency of the government by the seller of the goods, who is the “taxable person”, but it is actually paid by the buyer to the seller as part of the price. It is thus an indirect tax
As of now, the GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain do not have VAT or sales tax as part of their indirect tax kitty. The indirect taxes currently levied by these countries include customs duty (GCC), excise duty (GCC) and in some cases tourist/ hotel tax and few other indirect taxes. In the UAE only customs duty is levied on CIF value of import of goods which varies based on the nature of goods imported and averages to about 5%. One of the key reason for the GCC countries to implement VAT is to converge with the international tax regime on indirect taxes and be in line with the suggestions of the IMF.
The other key motivations for the GCC countries to implement VAT is to help improve revenue side of the respective countries’ budget, provide cushion against volatile hydrocarbon pricing and as a consequence bring stability to non-oil revenue. For the UAE government the revenue from VAT is expected to about AED10 billion to AED12 billion in 2018, according to the Ministry of Finance. The introduction of VAT can also be expected to improve the ratio of non-oil to oil revenue from the present ratio of 1:2.
The history of VAT began in Europe in the 50’s. VAT was first adopted by France in 1954. By the 1990’s VAT had been adopted throughout the European Union and in many countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. At present, over 150 countries have included VAT as part of their indirect tax collection. About 70 countries in Africa and Asia have implemented VAT. However, one may note that two notable exceptions are the USA and Canada which have not implemented VAT. VAT as stated earlier is a consumption tax, as it is a tax on commodities purchased, ultimately for consumption, rather than on the income of an individual or corporate entity.
The idea behind the VAT is that each step in the production chain pays a tax on how much value it added to the product. It is a levy on the amount a business adds to the price of goods during the stages of production and distribution. The tax is levied on the value added to the product at each stage of its manufacturing cycle as well as the price paid by the final consumer. Commonly, the seller at each stage subtracts the sum of taxes paid on items purchased from the sum of taxes collected on items sold; the net tax liability due to VAT is the difference between tax collected and tax paid.
VAT is collected by the tax credit method; each firm applies the tax rate to its taxable sales, but is given a credit for VAT paid on its purchases of goods and services for business use, including the tax paid on purchases of capital equipment under a consumption-type VAT. As a result, the only tax for which no credit would be allowed would be that collected on sales made to you and me as individuals, rather than to business.
Let me illustrate the mechanism of VAT with a simplified transaction involving production, processing and sale of Dates to end consumer. I have chosen VAT rate of 10% (UAE VAT would be 5%)
Many economists believe that VAT is a regressive tax and impacts the lower income people harshly. Countries that have implemented VAT have learnt from their experience and have come up with improvements that lighten the burden on lower income people. As a consequence in many countries, necessities are often taxed at a lower rate than luxury items. Advocates of the VAT contend that it is an efficient method of raising revenue. In the UAE the proposed VAT rate of 5% from 2018 would exempt education, healthcare and about 94 common consumption food items.
I believe that the competitiveness of the UAE as preferred destination for global business entities would not be affected by the implementation of VAT. However, in the case of few businesses such as gold trade in the UAE, there may be a marginal impact on trade volumes though this may need further analysis. I shall be covering such select aspects subsequently in my series of writings on “Demystifying VAT.”
This article was originally published in Kreston Menon April- June 2016 Newsletter.
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Capitalizing from Internal Audits
Kreston Menon
Large and mid-size corporates consider internal audit as an adjuvant enzyme for improving an organization’s risk management, control and governance processes. Internal audits cater certain values to the governing bodies of an organization as an even-handed source of advices and suggestions. Majority of them have a system in particular to ensure that periodical audits are conducted as per company schedules.However, a keen observation is mandatory to conclude how many of them are capable of capitalizing from internal audits.
Scrutinizing through our prior experience in accomplishing internal and statutory audits across various organizations, we came across certain common attributes at the organization as well as auditor levels, which have assisted successful organizations in aiding maximum benefits from their internal audit process.
Let’s figure out those common traits that have endowed few organizations with legions of benefits from their audit process.
Perfect internal audits are born when it has applicable support from the top management and a robust commitment from auditor in protracting entire conscience from the audits. It’s also mandatory for the auditor and auditee to stick to proper deadlines. Besides, it’s inevitable for the performing internal auditor to follow certain traits in order for an organization to maximize its benefits from an audit.
What are those traits to be followed by the performing internal auditor?
Let’s have an inquest on this query.
A performing internal auditor should be trustworthy, possessing enduring confidence about bringing up considerable progress in the organization. He/ She should be able to mould optimistic expectations from the audits, emboldening auditee to come out with suggestions and criticisms that can improve various aspects of the organization and establishing a caring demeanour towards auditee. Most of the successful internal audit professionals have invested gobs of hours building trust throughout the organization. Additionally, the auditor should not be unduly flustered, in cases when audits were to end without a proper cessation. Usually, underperforming or non-performing internal auditors are of calumniator types, who will be imperious, criticizing processes, and rely on exhibiting a superior behaviour during the audit. Such auditors will lead to estrange the tenacity of the auditee.
Extensive ambits of internal audits entreat the need for spotting out the finest way to strategize and organize audits. Most auditors bestow majority of the available audit time in rushing through enumerable reports to pinpoint the arenas of compliance or non-compliance rather than riveting their concentration on to the main audit concerns. An expert internal auditor can assure in the improvement of 80% issues that arises from proper observations and probing while 20% concerns from inspection of documents and records. Excellent internal audit reports can be derived by keeping their priorities up to date.
An efficient internal audit procedure will include communicating with employees of different levels from the primary strategic level to top levels (starting from process operators, technicians, middle managers and finally ending up with top management). Generally, it’s seen that the employees at the very first level or ground level shares why they are not pursuing a process in particular. Auditing the lower level employees in an organization is the best way to raise the self-esteem of such people by making them feel involved in the entire organizational setup, encouraging them to bring enhancements in the organization from their end.
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Skilled internal auditors can also applaud their auditee to improve the working environment by revamping their behaviours and spotting out their issues to the management. In most of the cases, internal audits assist employees to diagnose various concerns that prevail amidst them, before they are audited.
These also assist companies to remit felicitous corrective measures on time. Management has an important role in ensuring that the root cause of the issues is determined and proper improvement actions are scheduled in a timely manner. If this is not done, then audits are not worth carrying out.
Performing an internal audit for acquainting an improved working environment requires prerequisite commitment from the auditor. It’s an act of revelation and motivation. However, strategizing audits for detecting areas of con-compliance is like carrying on a game from a position of weakness.
Most management and Internal auditors might have moved through a quandary of whether to perform audits in all area spending huge span of time or to persuade audits in small area of activities yielding a higher quality audit. This is quite similar of asking a child whether he would prefer his father playing with him every week for two hours of scheduled cricket but not interacting with him during rest of the week or he would prefer his father to spend more time with him without any commitment on playing time, but knowing well that a quality time is spent!! But actually, the fact resides as median; auditor need to spend more time with the auditee resulting in improved quality audits offering more choices of benefits to the management undoubtedly. Cutting corners by reducing time and staff on audit is a sure recipe for disaster and is not a good practice for management to out vie.
Process objectives and metrics clasp of greater importance in internal audits. Auditors should fathom the individual process objectives, verifying if the same have been achieved using the metrics and output to make sure that their audits are worthwhile. Using metrics to validate process objective can lead to cogent audits, sending the fact of beacons that audit is not about reporting non-compliance but to judge whether the planned results are being achieved efficiently.
Internal audits should succor as a value addition tool to bring persistent improvement in the organizational working. It is also relevant that the results of audits are disclosed in timely manner without undue delay and proper correcting remedies are instantly undertaken. To cinch applicable suitability of the system, periodical internal audits are mandatory.
Finally, let’s culminate that, to continuously benefit from internal audit, organization needs to showcase the success achieved through internal audit which would spur both auditors and auditee in perceiving audits seriously and acquainting the maximum benefits in subsequent audits.
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Company Formation In DAFZA Makes Good Business Sense: Here’s Why
Kreston Menon
Dubai: The very name conjures up images of sand dunes, camels, locals rubbing shoulders with people from all over the world, extravagant malls, the Burj-al-Arab, lavish lifestyles – all in all, a thriving, futuristic desert city. With its cosmopolitan culture, open economic structure, strategic location and superlative infrastructure, it makes sense for company formation in DAFZA.
Dubai has been fortunate to have been ruled by a visionary and liberal Government that realized the value of inviting foreign investment. Almost since inception, this Emirate has encouraged foreigners for business setup in Dubai . With that objective in mind, they framed regulations for that specific purpose. Minimal paperwork, absence of taxation, provision of robust infrastructure, etc. are some of the reasons that make company setup DAFZA very attractive to foreigners.
The Government has also established several special economic zones called Free Zones for the express purpose of attracting foreign investment. Let’s check out one of the busiest and most popular free zones in Dubai, the DAFZA. It was established in 1996, adjacent to Dubai International Airport to help drive Dubai’s economy with foreign investment, DAFZA currently has over 1600 companies operating there in sectors as varied as aviation, IT, jewellery, pharmaceuticals and food and beverages, among others.
Company formation in DAFZA as one of the following – Free Zone Establishment, Free Zone Company, Local Company Branch, Foreign Company Branch, in any of the following industry segments: trading, light industry, assembling, services and logistics.
Company setup DAFZA is easy as 1-2-3.
Choose the licence best suited for your business
Choose which category your business falls into
Submit the requisite paperwork
Three types of licences are offered in DAFZA:
Trade Licence – for importing, exporting, distributing and storing specific products included in the approved list
Service Licence – the license should be for the same activity as the parent company’s license, dispensed by the Economic Department or Municipality of the appropriate Emirate in the UAE.
Light Industry – granted for the manufacture, processing, assembly and packaging of approved products. Hazardous products will not be given approval because of DAFZA’s closeness to Dubai Airport
Advantages of Company Setup in Dubai Airport Free Zone:
No restriction on foreign ownership
No restriction on repatriation of capital and profits
No taxation – corporate or on personal income – for up to 50 years; this can be extended
No import or re-export duties to pay
No restriction on employing foreign talent
No restriction on foreign exchange
Options to lease land and develop it as required for the business
Help with visa provided
On site customs, health and security services
Expedited processing of all paperwork and customs procedures
Top notch facilities like spacious offices, warehousing and other facilities
Provision of power and water connections at reasonable rates
Corollary services like banking, insurance, financing are easily available
Dedicated logistics and cargo handling facilities
Strategically located next to the airport which offers connectivity to 200+ cities
The only drawbacks are that once you’ve established your company in the DAFZA, then business setup Dubai is not possible – your operations and offices have to be confined to the free zone region.
But the advantages far outweigh this drawback – and that’s why it makes excellent business sense to your company formation in DAFZA.
Here is the infographic that accompanies the procedures for business setup Dubai:
(Click infographic to enlarge.)
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