Share:

News / Blog: #risiko

Why you shouldn't start your own agency in 2024 (and what you can do instead)

10/31/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

It is always a risk to start your own agency. It is not only a financial investment, but also an investment in time and energy. If you don't have the necessary experience and skills, or if your budget is limited, it might be difficult to start a successful agency.

Instead, you might consider purchasing a franchise or taking over an existing agency. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. A franchise can give you a proven business model and a strong brand, but it may also require a large investment. If you take over an existing agency, you already get a client base and some experience, but it can also be difficult to align the agency with your vision.

However, if you want to start your own agency, there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of success. First, you should learn about the business and create a good strategy. Then, you should familiarize yourself with the relevant laws and regulations. You should also familiarize yourself with marketing and advertising so that you can effectively promote your business and attract customers. Finally, you should network and exchange ideas with other entrepreneurs to benefit from their experiences.

Whether you start your own agency or take over an existing one, you will need to invest a lot of time, energy and commitment to succeed. Therefore, you should think carefully about whether starting your own agency is really right for you.

Like (0)
Comment

What is development effort?

10/30/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

The term "development expenditure" usually refers to the costs and expenses incurred by a company for the development of new products, services or technologies. It is a specific category of expenses related to innovation and research activities. Development expenses can occur in a variety of business sectors and industries, including technology, pharmaceuticals, automotive and many others.

Here are some important points that characterise development expenses:

Research and development (R&D): Development effort is often a part of a company's R&D activities. These activities aim to design, develop, test and improve new products or services in order to increase competitiveness or take advantage of new market opportunities.

Development expenditure: R&D expenditure is often a part of a company's R&D activities.

Cost types: Development expenses can include various types of costs, including personnel costs for developers and researchers, costs for materials and equipment, costs for external services or licences, as well as indirect costs such as administration and overhead.

Accounting: In accounting and financial reporting, development expenses are often recorded in special accounts to distinguish expenses for research and development activities from other operating costs. These expenses may be capitalised over time and allocated through depreciation.

Risk and uncertainty: The development of new products or technologies often involves risk and uncertainty. There is no guarantee of success, and it can be expensive before a marketable product or service emerges.

Competitive advantage: Companies invest in development efforts to gain competitive advantage. New products or services can create a unique position in the market or improve existing products.

Accounting requirements: The accounting and reporting of development expenses is subject to specific accounting rules in many countries, such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the US. These rules determine how development costs are recognised, capitalised and amortised.

Development expenditure is an essential component of many businesses, especially those that rely heavily on innovation and product development. Effective management of development spend is critical to ensure that resources are used efficiently and that the development of products and services meets the strategic objectives of the business.

Like (0)
Comment

What is a Frugalist? The art of frugal living and financial freedom

10/25/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

In recent years, the term "frugalist" has increasingly come into focus. But what exactly is behind this concept and how does it differ from other lifestyles? In this article, we take a look at the world of frugalists and their pursuit of financial freedom through frugality.

What is a Frugalist?

A Frugalist is a person who chooses to live a frugal lifestyle in order to achieve financial independence and freedom. At its core, it is about consciously and purposefully saving money in order to no longer be dependent on a fixed income in the future. A frugalist pursues the goal of building up enough savings and investments to retire earlier, work less or change careers.

The principles of frugalism:

Save and invest: Frugalists place great emphasis on saving and investing money. They focus on long-term growth of their wealth by minimising their spending and allocating most of their income to investments.

Minimalism: Frugalists tend to live in a minimalist way and only spend money on things that are really important to them. They avoid superfluous consumption and unnecessary spending.

Budgeting: Frugalists tend to live minimally and only spend money on things that are really important to them.

Budgeting: Creating and sticking to a budget is a fundamental principle of frugalism. It helps control spending and ensure that money is saved for long-term goals.

Financial education: Frugalists educate themselves on financial matters and develop a deep understanding of investing, taxes and personal finances.

Quality of life: Although frugality plays an important role, Frugalists are not just about hoarding money. They strive for a higher quality of life by achieving financial freedom and independence.

How do you achieve frugalist goals?

Achieving frugalist goals requires discipline and dedication. Here are some steps that can be helpful on the path to financial independence:

Create a budget: Start by breaking down your income and expenses and creating a budget. Identify areas where you can save money.

Reduce debt: Reduce your debts, especially high-interest debts, to free up more money for saving and investing.

Set savings goals: Set clear goals for your savings and investments. This can include buying a home, retirement or other financial goals.

Invest: Explore different investment options that fit your risk profile and start investing to build your wealth.

Reconsider critical spending: Review your spending regularly and ask yourself if it is really necessary. Find ways to reduce spending without sacrificing quality of life.

Conclusion: Frugalism as a path to financial freedom

Frugalism is more than just frugality; it is a lifestyle that strives for financial freedom and independence through conscious money management. Frugalists rely on long-term saving and investing to achieve their goals. Although this lifestyle is not for everyone, it shows that it is possible to achieve financial goals and live a fulfilled life without being trapped in a hamster wheel of consumption and debt.

Like (0)
Comment

How do you start up as a student?

10/24/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

Starting a business as a student can be an exciting challenge, but it requires careful planning and proper time management. Here are some steps that can help you to start a business as a student:

Develop business idea: Identify a business idea or project that you can implement as a student. This should be something that fits with your skills, interests and resources:

Market research: Conduct thorough market research to find out if there is a demand for your product or service. Understand your target audience and the competition.

Create a business plan: Create a business plan that includes your goals, target audience, marketing strategies, financial projections and timeline for implementation.

Time management: Plan your schedule so that you can effectively balance your studies and your business. Prioritise and create clear windows of opportunity for your business.

Organise resources: Consider what resources you will need to start and run your business. These can be financial resources, technical equipment, software or physical space.

Finance: Think about how you can finance your business. This can be through personal savings, scholarships, grants, loans or crowdfunding.

Legal requirements: Find out about the legal requirements and regulations for your business, including registration, licenses, and taxes.

Look for support: Look for support from your university or college, such as business incubators, mentors or business competitions.

Start small: Start your business on a small scale to minimise risk. This will allow you to gain experience and validate your business model.

Build an online presence: Create a professional online presence for your business, such as a website or social media profiles, to market your business and attract customers.

Customer acquisition and marketing: Develop customer acquisition and marketing strategies to promote your business and attract customers.

Networking: Build your professional network to find potential clients, partners and resources. Use your contacts at university.

Continuous education: Keep up to date with developments in your industry and continue your education.

Flexibility and adaptability: Be prepared to adjust your business plan as requirements change or new opportunities arise.

Patience and perseverance: Starting a business as a student can be stressful. Be patient and motivated to achieve your goals.

It is important to maintain a balanced schedule between your studies and your business and ensure that your studies are not neglected. You could also consider bringing in partners or team members to share the workload. As a student, you have access to many resources and support at your university that can help you start and grow your business.

Like (0)
Comment

What are the most pressing problems faced by founders?

10/23/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

Founders often face a variety of challenges that can vary by industry, business model and location. However, here are some of the most pressing issues that founders often face:

Missing capital: Funding is often one of the biggest hurdles for founders. It can be difficult to raise enough capital to launch the business and sustain it through the early stages before it becomes profitable.

Market Validation: It is critical to ensure that there is demand for the product or service the business is offering. Validating the market and identifying potential customers are important steps to ensure that the business can succeed.

Team Building: Assembling a competent and dedicated team can be a challenge. Finding the right team that shares the founder's vision and brings the necessary skills to move the business forward is critical.

Competition: in most industries, there are already established competitors. Founders need to find a way to stand out from the competition and create a unique offering to attract customers.

Scaling: After a business is launched, the question of scaling arises. How can the business grow without compromising quality and overstretching resources?

Legal and regulatory challenges: Founders must deal with legal and regulatory requirements that can vary by industry and location. This can range from business formation to intellectual property protection to regulatory compliance.

Marketing and Customer Acquisition: Attracting customers is often a major challenge, especially in an increasingly competitive business environment. Effective marketing strategies and sales channels are essential to drive growth.

Time Management: Founders often wear many hats and have numerous responsibilities. Effectively managing one's time and priorities is critical to avoid getting into undue stress.

Lack of experience: many founders operate in areas where they may not have extensive experience, such as accounting, law, human resources management, etc. Overcoming the lack of experience in key business areas can be challenging.

Insecurity and Risk: A founder's journey is often one of uncertainty and risk. There is no guarantee of success, and the ability to manage uncertainty and take risks is critical.

These challenges can vary depending on individual circumstances, but they are some of the most common issues founders face. Thorough planning, flexible approaches and a willingness to learn from mistakes can help overcome these challenges.

Like (0)
Comment

Our offer to you:

Media & PR Database 2024

Only for a short time at a special price: The media and PR database with 2024 with information on more than 21,000 newspaper, magazine and radio editorial offices and much more.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the latest news & information on promotions: