Rikvin Outlines Role of Business Plan in Singapore EntrePass Application - PRWeb

(PRWEB) June 18, 2012

According to a recent news report, the Singapore manpower agency may soon further tighten the criteria for issuing Singapore work visas in order to mitigate the influx of its foreign workforce and ensure that Singaporeans have good career prospects.

In light of this announcement, Rikvin, a Singapore company registration specialist, recommends foreign entrepreneurs and investors to choose Singapore as a viable company formation location, and in turn, play their role in supporting Singapore’s vision to create better career opportunities for the core Singaporean workforce.

“As SMEs hire more than 60% of Singapore’s workforce, it is vital to ensure that the Republic continues to maintain an open door policy to businesses and investments. This would thereby entice entrepreneurs, local or foreign, with promising business concepts to set up shop in the Republic and in turn generate interesting employment opportunities,” said Mr. Satish Bakhda, Rikvin’s Head of Operations.

Analysis by Rikvin shows that in support of the national vision to encourage entrepreneurial individuals to open companies, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has designed the Singapore EntrePass program. The entrepreneur visa program aims to facilitate the entry and stay of entrepreneurs who are ready to start a new business and be actively involved in the company operations of a in Singapore. The EntrePass, which has an initial validity period of one year, also allows the immediate family members to relocate to Singapore while the business develops.

However, securing an EntrePass is no easy feat. One of the key requirements for the application of an EntrePass is the submission of a 10-page comprehensive business plan that outlines the goals and objectives of the proposed business venture.

WHY A BUSINESS PLAN IS VITAL TO THE ENTREPASS APPLICATION PROCESS
Writing a good business plan is the crucial first step to achieving tangible business goals. A well-written, meticulously laid out business plan can win substantial investments, attract key personnel or even generate new clientele. More importantly, it demonstrates the entrepreneur's ability to present a clear roadmap to running a sustainable business and foresight in mitigating possible costly roadblocks.

According to MOM, to form a Singapore company, an entrepreneur must present a sound business plan that clearly conveys the firm’s goals and strategies, potential problems and possible resolutions, organizational structures and management duties, as well as the amount of capital injected and projected profits.

Mr. Bakhda added that form and content are fundamental components. “At Rikvin, we first determine a company’s operational objectives, financial goals and business potential. Once we’ve ascertained these factors, we then work with the client to develop a compelling business plan, which usually consists of an executive summary, business description, market strategies, competitive analysis, a development plan, a management plan, and then finally, financial projections,” said Mr. Bakhda.

Rikvin has been helping numerous local and foreign entrepreneurs develop successful business plans for nearly 15 years.

“When done right, a sound business plan can be a very powerful tool for starting or expanding a business in Singapore. It can bridge the gap between initial concept to actual reality. Rikvin is committed to helping first-time entrepreneurs start their business on the right foot,” he concluded.

###END###

ABOUT RIKVIN:
Established in 1998, Rikvin has since partnered with thousands of investors, entrepreneurs and professionals in their pursuit to access business opportunities overseas. Rikvin’s areas of expertise include Singapore company incorporation, offshore company setup, accounting, taxation and other related corporate services. Rikvin also provides Singapore work visa and immigration services for foreign professionals who wish to relocate to Singapore.

20 Cecil Street, #14-01, Equity Plaza, Singapore 049705
(65) 6320 1888
http://www.rikvin.com/

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Microsoft and Nokia to Invest Up to 18 Million Euros in Mobile Application Development Program at Aalto University

HELSINKI, Finland, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- To drive innovation and business opportunities in Finland's mobile ecosystem and beyond, Microsoft Corp. and Nokia will each invest up to 9 million euros into a newly established mobile application development program at Aalto University during the next three years. The AppCampus program has been set up to foster the creation of innovative mobile applications for the Windows Phone ecosystem, and in addition Nokia platforms, including Symbian and Series 40, to create a new generation of self-sustaining mobile startups.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

Kicking off in May 2012, the Finland-based program will be led and managed by Aalto University, which has a growing reputation as a hotbed of new startup companies. AppCampus is intended to attract thousands of application proposals from students and entrepreneurs from all over the world. Aalto University will make a significant contribution to the project by providing premises, coaching services, and access to both academic and business networks for budding app developers.

Within the AppCampus program, mobile entrepreneurs can benefit from comprehensive support, training in mobile technology, design and usability, and funding to create innovative new mobile apps and services. Windows Phone Marketplace and Nokia Store offer local and global business opportunities to program participants via distribution to consumers around the world.

Mentored by veterans in the mobile industry, program participants will be given insights and business coaching to help them commercialize their ideas while retaining the full intellectual property rights for their innovations.

"The ICT industry and knowledge base in Finland is one of the most competitive in the world, particularly in the mobile technology field," said Jyrki Katainen, Finnish prime minister, at the launch event for the AppCampus program in Helsinki. "Finland is an early-adopter market, and the significance of national education and technology innovation is deeply rooted in our culture. As a result, there is a growing appetite for entrepreneurship among the younger generation at Aalto University and beyond. The partnership between Microsoft and Nokia is a critical investment in this growing ecosystem and represents an exciting opportunity and access to global markets for our local startup community."

"AppCampus offers an unprecedented opportunity for entrepreneurs to put their ideas into practice and create world-class mobile products," said Klaus Holse, president, Microsoft Western Europe. "We want to turn a new leaf in the mobile industry and foster Finland's role as a center of excellence for mobile technology. Such investment into early-stage concepts has rarely been seen in this sector, and this demonstrates how highly both Nokia and Microsoft value Finnish mobile expertise."

"We are proud to announce this new program, which will enable new and existing developers to create next-generation mobile apps and unique user experiences," said Kai Oistamo, executive vice president, Nokia Corp. "The partnership will allow developers to ideate and monetize business opportunities globally, via both Windows Phone Marketplace and Nokia Store."

"An essential part of Aalto University's mission is to strengthen Finland's competitiveness," said Tuula Teeri, president of Aalto University. "We are pleased to host this initiative, which concretely boosts utilization of new knowledge and skills in creation of new entrepreneurial ventures."

"Through our technology transfer and Aalto Venture Garage activities, the Aalto University community has been able to help catalyze the creation and growth of more than 30 companies during the past two years, with a number of them having mobile applications," said Will Cardwell, head of the Aalto University Center for Entrepreneurship, which will be charged with managing the program. "The people and ideas we work with hail from all corners of the world, and our partnership with Microsoft and Nokia will further strengthen our global network. This program will provide a unique opportunity to turn application ideas into real business with the support of world-class partners and coaches."

"Within our student community, we have a strong mission to boost entrepreneurship and to create more startups," said Teemu Tapanila, a board member of the Aalto Entrepreneurship Society and leader of the Windows Phone Aalto community. "We warmly welcome the opportunities and networks brought by this cooperation."

On the AppCampus Program

Mobile entrepreneurs can apply for grants within the AppCampus program beginning in May 2012. More information can be found at http://appcampus.aalto.fi.

About Nokia

Nokia is a global leader in mobile communications whose products have become an integral part of the lives of people around the world. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people use their Nokia to capture and share experiences, access information, find their way or simply to speak to one another. Nokia's technological and design innovations have made its brand one of the most recognized in the world. For more information, visit http://www.nokia.com/about-nokia.

About the Aalto University Center for Entrepreneurship

The Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) at Aalto University, Finland, offers innovation, commercialization, and start-up services for Aalto University researchers, students and other stakeholders. In addition, we facilitate innovation and growth entrepreneurship by co-creating research and education of these areas across all the Aalto schools. ACE partially funds and participates in the award-winning Aalto Venture Garage and Startup Sauna open source seed accelerator. For more information, visit www.aalto.fi and http://ace.aalto.fi.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT - News) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.

About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft employs more than 16,000 people in over 64 subsidiaries, delivering products and services in more than 139 countries and territories.

This material is for informational purposes only. Microsoft Corp disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material for other purposes. Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting any kind of warranty.

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Microsoft and Nokia to Invest Up to 18 Million Euros in Mobile Application Development Program at Aalto University - Microsoft Presspass

HELSINKI, Finland — March 26, 2012 — To drive innovation and business opportunities in Finland’s mobile ecosystem and beyond, Microsoft Corp. and Nokia will each invest up to 9 million euros into a newly established mobile application development program at Aalto University during the next three years. The AppCampus program has been set up to foster the creation of innovative mobile applications for the Windows Phone ecosystem and in addition, Nokia platforms, including Symbian and Series 40, to create a new generation of self-sustaining mobile startups.

Kicking off in May 2012, the Finland-based program will be led and managed by Aalto University, which has a growing reputation as a hotbed of new startup companies. AppCampus is intended to attract thousands of application proposals from students and entrepreneurs from all over the world. Aalto University will make a significant contribution to the project by providing premises, coaching services, and access to both academic and business networks for budding app developers.

Within the AppCampus program, mobile entrepreneurs can benefit from comprehensive support, training in mobile technology, design and usability, and funding to create innovative new mobile apps and services. Windows Phone Marketplace and Nokia Store offer local and global business opportunities to program participants via distribution to consumers around the world.

Mentored by veterans in the mobile industry, program participants will be given insights and business coaching to help them commercialize their ideas while retaining the full intellectual property rights for their innovations.

“The ICT industry and knowledge base in Finland is one of the most competitive in the world, particularly in the mobile technology field,” said Jyrki Katainen, Finnish prime minister, at the launch event for the AppCampus program in Helsinki. “Finland is an early-adopter market, and the significance of national education and technology innovation is deeply rooted in our culture. As a result, there is a growing appetite for entrepreneurship among the younger generation at Aalto University and beyond. The partnership between Microsoft and Nokia is a critical investment in this growing ecosystem and represents an exciting opportunity and access to global markets for our local startup community.”

“AppCampus offers an unprecedented opportunity for entrepreneurs to put their ideas into practice and create world-class mobile products,” said Klaus Holse, president, Microsoft Western Europe. “We want to turn a new leaf in the mobile industry and foster Finland’s role as a center of excellence for mobile technology. Such investment into early-stage concepts has rarely been seen in this sector, and this demonstrates how highly both Nokia and Microsoft value Finnish mobile expertise.”

“We are proud to announce this new program, which will enable new and existing developers to create next-generation mobile apps and unique user experiences,” said Kai Öistämö, executive vice president, Nokia Corp. “The partnership will allow developers to ideate and monetize business opportunities globally, via both Windows Phone Marketplace and Nokia Store.”

“An essential part of Aalto University’s mission is to strengthen Finland’s competitiveness,” said Tuula Teeri, president of Aalto University. “We are pleased to host this initiative, which concretely boosts utilization of new knowledge and skills in creation of new entrepreneurial ventures.”

“Through our technology transfer and Aalto Venture Garage activities, the Aalto University community has been able to help catalyze the creation and growth of more than 30 companies during the past two years, with a number of them having mobile applications,” said Will Cardwell, head of the Aalto University Center for Entrepreneurship, which will be charged with managing the program. “The people and ideas we work with hail from all corners of the world, and our partnership with Microsoft and Nokia will further strengthen our global network. This program will provide a unique opportunity to turn application ideas into real business with the support of world-class partners and coaches.”

“Within our student community, we have a strong mission to boost entrepreneurship and to create more startups,” said Teemu Tapanila, a board member of the Aalto Entrepreneurship Society and leader of the Windows Phone Aalto community. “We warmly welcome the opportunities and networks brought by this cooperation.”

On the AppCampus Program

Mobile entrepreneurs can apply for grants within the AppCampus program beginning in May 2012. More information can be found at http://appcampus.aalto.fi.

About Nokia

Nokia is a global leader in mobile communications whose products have become an integral part of the lives of people around the world. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people use their Nokia to capture and share experiences, access information, find their way or simply to speak to one another. Nokia’s technological and design innovations have made its brand one of the most recognized in the world. For more information, visit http://www.nokia.com/about-nokia.

About the Aalto University Center for Entrepreneurship

The Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) at Aalto University, Finland, offers innovation, commercialization, and start-up services for Aalto University researchers, students and other stakeholders. In addition, we facilitate innovation and growth entrepreneurship by co-creating research and education of these areas across all the Aalto schools. ACE partially funds and participates in the award-winning Aalto Venture Garage and Startup Sauna open source seed accelerator. For more information, visit www.aalto.fi and http://ace.aalto.fi.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.

About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft employs more than 16,000 people in over 64 subsidiaries, delivering products and services in more than 139 countries and territories.

This material is for informational purposes only. Microsoft Corp disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material for other purposes. Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting any kind of warranty.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

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BUSINESS LAW: Application of policies may have discriminatory impacts - NWI.com

The federal discrimination laws, and the Equaly Employment Opportunity Commission in the enforcement of them, prohibit discrimination based on disparate treatment and disparate impact.

Disparate treatment discrimination is straight forward. An employment practice or policy may directly treat one class differently than another; for example, no women can be hired, no minorities will be promoted, etc.

Disparate impact is different. In this case, a policy or practice on its face may be neutral, seemingly not adversely affecting any class of employees. However, the application or enforcement of the policy may in fact, bring about this type of adverse, therefore discriminatory, impact.

The concept of disparate impact can occur in the hiring process. Now more than ever, employers need increased information about applicants before it makes the hiring decision. Can this quest for information include examining an applicant's arrest record?

The EEOC has taken the position that the use of arrest records as an absolute bar to employment has a disparate impact upon minorities. Accordingly, the use of arrest records alone cannot be used to routinely deny employment.

However, this prohibition is not absolute – at least in principle. A three-step process must be used. First, the conduct alleged in the arrest record must relate to the job at issue.

This is not enough. The employer must examine the circumstances surrounding the arrest, including giving the applicant an opportunity to provide his/her side of the story. If the applicant denies engaging in the conduct, the EEOC states the employer then must make follow–up inquiries to determine the credibility of the applicant.

This process is difficult, if not impossible, to complete. Basically, if the employer is to rely upon the arrest record to make the hiring decision, it must confirm the applicant actually engaged in the conduct for which the arrest occurred, and that this conduct was job-related. Since an employee may never be able to complete this type of analysis, arrest records are not used in the decision not to hire an applicant.

Opinions are solely the writer's. James Jorgensen practices law at Hoeppner Wagner & Evans in Valparaiso.

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