Intrepid Data Systems - a homegrown IT design firm today announced the launch of its new real time online mobile money solution - iPay. The innovative and easy-to-use product incorporates the popular M-Pesa and Zap modes of money transfer to enable customers to buy and sell goods and services across Africa via their mobile phones.
iPay is designed and targeted to online merchants to enable them receive payments through an alternative means other than the traditional method of credit cards. While any business can use the product to receive payments, it’s the businesses that deliver their product in a digital format such as music stores, online book stored, publishers, video libraries, consultancies, donor-supported organisations, and premium content providers that will benefit the most from this new platform.
Speaking about the new product, Philip Nyamwaya, Business Development Manager at Intrepid said, “We designed iPay to offer our clientele a simple, easy-to-use online payment platform at a price that they can afford.”
Some of the advantages of using iPay include ability to track payments using existing shopping cart software (Joomla, Virtuemart), ease of account opening and order management, as well as creation of printable receipts and orders for better record keeping.
Managing Director of Intrepid, Mr. Steve Nyumba said, “Today, more than 15 million Kenyans who own mobile phones have instant access to mobile-based tools, our big idea was to package MPESA and ZAP – the two most popular money transfer systems into an online transaction processing system that would allow online merchants, service providers, not-for-profit organisations, branding agencies and consulting companies to receive real-time payments off a secure platform that serves this region and beyond.”
“With the advent of fibre optic technology in Kenya, and the reduction in Internet access bandwidth tariffs, we see greater awareness towards the power of the Internet to transform the way business is done in (and with) Kenya,” concluded Mr. Nyamwaya.
Intrepid Data Systems is a dynamic enterprise productivity and creative digital branding firm whose mission is to provide affordable, accessible, enterprise and web-based solutions to small, medium and large businesses across Africa and beyond. Intrepid’s key service areas include developing and reselling tried and tested systems, (for instance corporate Intranet platforms, business continuity planning, website development, web hosting, online marketing, and web site maintenance).
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Strange Review on Success
I am a huge fan of Malcom Gladwell and his style of writing. I found out about this book from one of my friends yesterday and the subject matter as explained to me had me captivated. The book is called outliers It is a study of the some of the most successful personalities from various sectors of life and a peak at the series of events that led them to where they are today. Most of us believe that we can replicate someone else's success to a formula. A lot more of us have even tried it.
For example this book looks at how a series of somewhat minute events led to the non accidental path taken by Bill Gates to be where he is today. For example, the purchase of a computer for his community and the fact the he lived near one of the only universities that had a computer lab.
If that picks your curiosity have a look inside the book on the link below. Buy it read it and share your thoughts!
For example this book looks at how a series of somewhat minute events led to the non accidental path taken by Bill Gates to be where he is today. For example, the purchase of a computer for his community and the fact the he lived near one of the only universities that had a computer lab.
If that picks your curiosity have a look inside the book on the link below. Buy it read it and share your thoughts!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Key Fundamentals for your Small Business
After you have handed in all the paper work and gathered your start up capital; what are the key things that you must ensure your business has to cushion failure/
1. Pay attention to Detail
Every entrepreneur needs t o commit themselves to utmost detail in every section of their business. People either willingly or by default will take advantage of you and any loopholes your business has. Keep track of your finances to the cent. Keep track of your production line and employee time to the letter. Ensure you understand what your business is capable of generating when operating at maximum capacity. Make sure all binding agreements and client documents are professionally done and capture all the important aspects. Make sure you understand all requirements for your business to run and that each is fulfilled. Don’t tempt fate in this area.
2. Build a healthy and positive Corporate Culture
The Head of an organization will generally set the tone for the organization. Don’t buy into the hallucination of going to play golf and then come to work three hours a day. Your attitude towards work and business in general as you start will cue the employees on how they too should act.
3. Assemble A dream Team
This is one of the most important functions you must pay attention to as a small business owner. You need to hire the right people, other wise you set yourself up to disappoint your clients. Sometimes it may seem as though you cannot afford the right people. But ask yourself what it will cost you to hire the wrong people. Be involved in training the employees in their first few weeks. Talk to them and motivate them to perform better. Monitor their performance to ensure that there are no gaps in your company process. Most importantly address all their issues promptly as they arise. Commit yourself to building a dream team.
4. Arm yourself with a Killer Business Plan
This is your road map to success. Otherwise you will have no idea how to prospect and utilize resources efficiently. Layout what the business is going to achieve and how it will go about doing that. Understand each function necessary to run the business and what it takes for you to achieve your overall long term goals. If you internalize this, then it gets easier to spot opportunities when they come knocking. Nothing prepares you like a good plan.
1. Pay attention to Detail
Every entrepreneur needs t o commit themselves to utmost detail in every section of their business. People either willingly or by default will take advantage of you and any loopholes your business has. Keep track of your finances to the cent. Keep track of your production line and employee time to the letter. Ensure you understand what your business is capable of generating when operating at maximum capacity. Make sure all binding agreements and client documents are professionally done and capture all the important aspects. Make sure you understand all requirements for your business to run and that each is fulfilled. Don’t tempt fate in this area.
2. Build a healthy and positive Corporate Culture
The Head of an organization will generally set the tone for the organization. Don’t buy into the hallucination of going to play golf and then come to work three hours a day. Your attitude towards work and business in general as you start will cue the employees on how they too should act.
3. Assemble A dream Team
This is one of the most important functions you must pay attention to as a small business owner. You need to hire the right people, other wise you set yourself up to disappoint your clients. Sometimes it may seem as though you cannot afford the right people. But ask yourself what it will cost you to hire the wrong people. Be involved in training the employees in their first few weeks. Talk to them and motivate them to perform better. Monitor their performance to ensure that there are no gaps in your company process. Most importantly address all their issues promptly as they arise. Commit yourself to building a dream team.
4. Arm yourself with a Killer Business Plan
This is your road map to success. Otherwise you will have no idea how to prospect and utilize resources efficiently. Layout what the business is going to achieve and how it will go about doing that. Understand each function necessary to run the business and what it takes for you to achieve your overall long term goals. If you internalize this, then it gets easier to spot opportunities when they come knocking. Nothing prepares you like a good plan.
The Single Most Important Reason Why Businesses Fail
I have been in advertising for over six years now. In that time I have worked for some pretty interesting small business. The beauty of my Industry is that in an Instant you get to rub shoulders with decision makers, CEO’s, MD’s and other influential business minds in business today. You are sitting in class one day, a few days later you are trying to impress the CEO of a multi-national company, why s/he should implement your strategy into his business. This experience has given me insight into some of the oldest, biggest, and smallest businesses in the world.
So believe me when I say that I know the reason why most businesses fail to take off.
You see it is pretty simple. All you need to do is start a company and make yourself the CEO. Afterward, alienate yourself into building a one man organization. Don’t have the common sense to have advisers, mentors, and a board of directors. Decide to keep everything close to your chest so that no one else can steal your dream from you. Don’t observe and learn from the greatest business minds to avoid early pitfalls and avoidable mistakes. Treat everyone you encounter, not as a business asset but as a replaceable item.
It’s pretty simple you see. The single most important asset and liability the entrepreneur has is himself. If you do not commit your self to continuous self assessment, improvement, and accountability, you will have no one else to blame but yourself.
So believe me when I say that I know the reason why most businesses fail to take off.
You see it is pretty simple. All you need to do is start a company and make yourself the CEO. Afterward, alienate yourself into building a one man organization. Don’t have the common sense to have advisers, mentors, and a board of directors. Decide to keep everything close to your chest so that no one else can steal your dream from you. Don’t observe and learn from the greatest business minds to avoid early pitfalls and avoidable mistakes. Treat everyone you encounter, not as a business asset but as a replaceable item.
It’s pretty simple you see. The single most important asset and liability the entrepreneur has is himself. If you do not commit your self to continuous self assessment, improvement, and accountability, you will have no one else to blame but yourself.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Get started with an e-business
One of the most manageable businesses with low start up costs is online business. These require low set up costs and low maintenance and overheads depending on the business model. In my opinion, this is an online store can make you money while you sleep. And who wouldn’t love that!
One of the major challenges in Kenya of course, is access to technology. But there is a ready market for anyone willing to venture into this area. Financial access is also a major challenge but with the advent of MPESA, ZAP, and mobile-to-online integrated payment systems this will be overcome with time.
An online business offers the consumer convenience and saves time. I don’t have to spend an hour searching for my favorite movie or dvd in your store, I do it with the click of a mouse! It also offers the owner access to a wider market not tied to location. The key challenge for the business owner is delivery of goods. However, digitized products overcome this hurdle with ease.
Below is a list of some notable Kenyan online stores. Feel free to add some more
1.www.mamamikes.com
2.www.mremboonline.com
3.www.totallytoto.com
4.www.kalahari.co.ke
5.www.enrakenya.com
6.www.styleconnection.co.ke
7.www.e-manamba.com
8.www.mystrawberrystore.com
9.www.bagalicious.com
10.www.intokenya.com
One of the major challenges in Kenya of course, is access to technology. But there is a ready market for anyone willing to venture into this area. Financial access is also a major challenge but with the advent of MPESA, ZAP, and mobile-to-online integrated payment systems this will be overcome with time.
An online business offers the consumer convenience and saves time. I don’t have to spend an hour searching for my favorite movie or dvd in your store, I do it with the click of a mouse! It also offers the owner access to a wider market not tied to location. The key challenge for the business owner is delivery of goods. However, digitized products overcome this hurdle with ease.
Below is a list of some notable Kenyan online stores. Feel free to add some more
1.www.mamamikes.com
2.www.mremboonline.com
3.www.totallytoto.com
4.www.kalahari.co.ke
5.www.enrakenya.com
6.www.styleconnection.co.ke
7.www.e-manamba.com
8.www.mystrawberrystore.com
9.www.bagalicious.com
10.www.intokenya.com
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