Author Archives: hkbr

Trademark registration – why a business unit needs this?

Brands are also represented through trademarks. A customer who recognizes a trademark will associate it with the reputation of the brand. Trademark registration helps a company influence their customers and be better placed in their memories to work with again. Trademarks are an important communication tool for companies with their customers in a very subtle manner. Through trademarks they can communicate the core values, the emotions behind the brand or even the brand story. The company reputation is recognized through trademarks. They do not need to be a word or a phrase, they could just be a design or logo which can have deeper meanings associated with them.

Trademark registration makes it simple for the customers to identify the brand in the vast competitive market. All brands do not register trademarks so the ones that do definitely stand out. There are several cheaper brands that try to copy the trademarks of better brands but because of the registration it becomes difficult. Trademark registration is hence the suggested way to go for any good brand.

With the registered trademarks it is easy to mobilize the business on social networks. Brand recognition is the main aim of trademark registration as well as putting the brands on the internet. It brings in with it more customers and hence better sales. In this sense of building goodwill in the market, trademarks can be considered as intangible assets. The more the company grows, the more will be the growth of the trademark and its recognition. In fact, if a popular brand wants to move from one industry to another and uses the same trademark then it is easier for them to attract the attention of their existing customer. This could make a transition fairly simple.

Another place where trademark registration can be useful is for hiring people. Just like customers remember brands through trademarks, potential employees will too. If there is a positive notion about the trademark and the company then the employee hiring and retention becomes easier for an organization.

Although registering trademarks is not a difficult task, it is important to remember that a unique trademark would be more favorable. It will not only help with not getting confused between other competitor trademarks but also make a lasting impression on the people who are close to the company. It is a valuable asset and when used right can provide with several marketing benefits too.

How to choose the right corporate finance company

When running, owning or starting a business or company it is highly important for one to know all elements of the company especially in the finance sector. Once you get to learn on the basic concepts of these areas you will be able to effectively run the business. One of these areas is the corporate finance sector. This is basically the process of maximizing the company’s recourses to maximize output. Apart from that, it will also teach you on how to effectively use the profits to increase output. Minimizing input and maximizing output to increase profits is basically the aim of any business. With corporate finance you will be able to achieve this goal. For those that may lack the time to learn about this sector of business, you can opt to hire corporate finance companies to help you with this.

These are companies that are dedicated to help you with corporate finance decisions. There are several types of these companies in Hong Kong as well as across the globe. The tricky part is usually finding the right company for the job. There are several factors that should be considered in order to ensure that the right company is opted for. The most important factor that should be taken to mind is the success rate of the company. The phrase success rate in this context means how other companies have succeeded under their consultation services. This highly determines the ability of the company to provide the necessary services.

The other factor that should be taken into consideration is the affordability of the company. Most companies tend to overcharge their services. It always helps to create a list of different companies and choose the most affordable company from the list. Ensure that you take a look at their team of employees. Choose a company that has a team of highly qualified individuals. The best and simplest way to find out the level of qualification of their staff is by reading some of the previous customer reviews from their site. This will provide you with a detailed report on the quality of services that the corporate finance consultation company has.

These are just some of the simple factors that will guide any individual to choose the right company for the task. However, it is still important to take lessons or research on corporate finance. This knowledge is highly important when it comes to running a business.

Business center – apprehensions and advantages

What if your new work place met all the personal and professional requirements? From arranging a meeting at the venue, develop in house resources and much more. Now moving the business to a new place all is done at a single place, business center. Business center not only provide space but also provide tailored professional help.

Business always needs an extra edge, and office space at business centers is always the best option. The company will be located in the middle of the market, but for this it does not need to pay heavy price. Business center is actually a very beneficial place from all the angles. Yet some owners have apprehension about it.

The very first question that comes is the capital required for start is sufficient or not? During the startup there is seldom any steadiness. Hence it becomes difficult to generate revenue of the rent. The initial budget is most of the time penny-pinching and not sure if the business will make profit in the initial years.

A business center offers space, utilities and extra facilities, hence it is wise to invest in it and take the first step in the world of business. All this is done at professional level, hence there should not be any two thoughts whether these centers are beneficial or not.

What comes as next question is the issue of importance associated with the address of the company?  Even a new bee in the business acknowledges the fact associated with the address has great impact on the business. Clients, associates, partners all give the credit of the business to the address. It is considered to be a good strategy to associate business with a particular neighborhood that has professionals all around.

Business centers are usually located at well-known places and provide a professional environment. It works wonders for the business. More people can know about the business, which will definitely increase the prospective clients. It results in healthy competition.

This workspace can be rented for both short and long period as per the company requirements, at a fraction of cost. The best advantage of the business center is the fact that the company can start with its operations immediately. Apart from this security and office help is also provided by these centers. Hence it can be concluded that business centers are need of the hour that takes care of each and every requirement of the clients.

Business Registration Process in Hong Kong

Business Registration Process in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading financial centers and also a major capitalist service economy. Conducting a business is characterized by low taxation and free trade. The Government is encouraging and promoting businesses and as such businesses outside Hong Kong are tax free.

Registering a business can be done in two ways as follows. There can be an online option which can be done remotely as well as offline, which you get to do it in person.  The regulations are also business friendly as the minimum requirement to start is a shareholder and a director. There is a government website that can assist but there are a couple of other sites that are far much more reliable than the Government one.

For $400 or less one can have and enjoy the services of an actual office. This is known as a virtual office. It is the easiest and fastest way to get the services such as a business address, telephone number and fax number, together with staff.

Some of the common Company formations in Hong Kong are as follows.

  • limited companies
  • Affiliate Foreign company
  • Limited Liability Partnerships
  • Sole Proprietorships
  • Non-profit organizations

You will need to register the business with the Hong Kong’s Government Business Registration Office at the Inland Revenue Department. The registration must happen within one month of the opening of the business. Afterwards the Issued certificate must be displayed at the premises of the business.

The process of registration can be simplified and hastened by compiling all the items needed for successful registration. You must include a notice to Business registration Office with a business registration fee of 260 USD (HK$ 2000) for one year and 520 USD (HK$ 5200) for a three year certificate.

An additional fee for the protection of wages on insolvency funds that amounts to 35 USD (HK$ 250) for a one year certificate and 97USD (HK $ 750) for a three year certificate.

If the application for business registration is offline, the certificate will be issued within 30 minutes on the spot or in two working days via mail. The business registration certificate under the company incorporation and business service will be delivered together with the certificate of incorporation within one hour for online applications. A copy of the mails is sent via mail when the process is done online.

 

Setting up an electronics company in Hong Kong

Electronic companies which seek to expand will find Hong Kong the best place to be in. there are all the requirements that business will require so that it increases the rate of production. This is something which most people have realised and are now setting up companies in the city so that they get the returns in investment. What you should know is that for you to expand the business there are some factors which you should consider. These include:

1.       Research base

In Hong Kong you will find all that you need so that you find all the required details. With the education facilities in the city and people who are experts in the electronic field. The good thing is that the population if huge and most people are knowledgeable on field therefore you will be in a position to find people offering quality services at very affordable prices.

2.       Intellectual property protection

In Hong Kong you will enjoy the benefits of a rigorous intellectual property hence making it possible to offer the best services. You can therefore rest assured that whatever you produce you will have the ownership.

3.       Excellent communication and transport network

You will enjoy faster communications since the city has excellent facilities. This is usually very important since you will have to involve quite a lot of people hence the need to meet from time to time. The city has several airlines that will give you access to the other cities in china. On the other hand, you will also be able to move to other countries within the continent. This will save on the time taken to consult with the required people. The city also has a railway line that passes through which can be of services whenever you require raw materials. With expansion, you will require an additional volume of raw materials. The trains will be the best option for you to use while transporting the raw materials to the site of production especially when they are bulky.

4.       Market

You will also enjoy from readily available market both locally and internationally. The good thing with this choice of location is that it is well known to be a provider of electronics therefore it can guarantee people that whatever you are producing is genuine. The huge population of the locals alone can be enough to give the business huge returns but there is no harm in exploiting the markets overseas as well.

Hong Kong – the most transparent place to set up business

Hong Kong is now one of the most popular destination for international business. Several factors such as its socio-political stability, strong judicial system, free-market laws and use of English as the primary business language has contributed to Hong Kong being the most favourable place to set up a business.

Several business ventures across the Hong Kong city are running successfully on the basis of its open economy, which is free from corruption. Moreover the free flow of information coupled with the rule of law has been its greatest advantage as a business-friendly city. Ernst and Young, a reputed professional services firm, along with Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) have selected Hong Kong as the city with the largest globalization for the third time in a row in its yearly report named Globalization Index 2012.

Hong Kong, which is governed under the Chinese sovereignty since 1997 has its own legal and political system that runs on principles based on the concept of “One country, two systems”. The successful implementation of this concept has provided Hong Kong with several unique advantages. It has been able to retain its core strengths that make it a favourable international business destination and also has direct access to the entire market of Mainland China.

For international business, it is a great place to set up since there are no restrictions on foreign ownership. An independent judiciary helps the government uphold the rule of law and keep it clean from corruption. Moreover, the system facilitates mobility of capital, goods, information and talent which is an important factor for a successful business venture. Organizations are provided with autonomous legislative and executive powers that ease the process of running a business in Hong Kong. Chinese and English, which covers more than half of the world’s population in terms of language used for communication, are the official languages for Hong Kong. However, for the purpose of business and contracts, English is the usual language, which provides an international appeal to Hong Kong.

The “Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2012” report has named Hong Kong as one of the least corrupt administration in the world ahead of economies like Japan, UK and the US. This has been achieved through its strong public administration and independent monitoring  system, Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). The Hong Kong administration has absolutely zero tolerance for bribery and influence-peddling, and the anti-corruption model has been replicated in several other economies including Australia.

What makes living in Hong Kong so comfortable?

Most people usually look forward to moving to places that are better than where they currently reside in. this does not mean that people stay at places that are considered bad but just that that they places with better facilities. This is one reason that has contributed to the popularity of Hong Kong as a choice for people who intend on moving. People might move with the aim of starting a business but you should know that they also consider how good their family will cope in the environment. The good thing is that in Hong Kong people are able to get all the things they will require to live a comfortable life.

For instance, there are excellent schools that people can take their children to. These schools have all the necessary facilities that will guarantee that the children receive quality services. They also receive world class education services which help in making them better people in the future. In these schools they can learn the cultures of the natives in Hong Kong hence making it quite exciting to stay go to these schools. Since China is becoming a superpower, learning Chinese could be of great help to the children too and the good thing is that in these schools, they get the services from the best.

Health services are also of high quality in the city since they rely on the latest equipment. This guarantees the safety of the people who intend on setting up companies in the area and their families. The people working in the health facilities are experts therefore you can stay assured that whatever health complications you ever run into you will always get the best treatment. What is even more exciting about the place is that it is a cosmopolitan city therefore you can meet people who come from the same place as you.

The city is of a compact size and you also stand to enjoy from the beautiful scenery and a community that is very friendly. Another thing that makes people opt to stay here as compared to the other cities is that English is widely spoken therefore you will rarely suffer from challenges such as language barrier. You will be surprised at the ease with which you find a home in this city. You will have a variety to choose from all of which are well designed.  Generally, this is a city in which most people have been able to move in and fit right in without meeting any challenges.

Best tips on expanding a company in Hong Kong

images (1)Most people who go to Hong Kong to set up companies usually start with smaller business so that they have very little to lose. After taking all the safety measures, it becomes necessary to expand the business at a later stage of the company’s life. However, in order to do this you have to ensure that you follow the right steps so that you do so with assured success. This is where the http://www.investhk.gov.hk/index.html comes in very useful. They make sure strategy which you use to expand your business is most effective hence making their services very useful.

They are in a position to take advantage of business network opportunities so that they increase the client base of a company. This is very important because if you intend on expanding a company you should be also be able to find the market that will pay for the additional services which you offer. In Hong Kong, you can find the ready market thanks to the huge population that stay in the city. The good this is that they also have a high purchasing power hence in a position to pay for what you offer.

The expansion will also require increased work force therefore you have to find the people with the required skills. By relying on the services of http://www.investhk.gov.hk/index.html, you can rest assured that you will find the right people for the job within the required time. With the huge population, you will be sure to get people who are more than qualifies for the job hence making it even more beneficial for the business. This is possible mainly due to the good training facilities and the high education system in city.

Since the expansion will require funding, you will be able to get sound advice on the best ways to use so that you get grants and benefit from most of the business initiatives. This will come in very useful since the expansion required quite a lot of funds that most people might not be in a position to afford it. This therefore will reduce the pressure that people have whenever financing the expansion is concerned. You should also know that the expansion will only come about when you connect with other businesses whose services you can rely on so that you expand your own. With this company, you can stay assured that this will be made easy since they have a list of most businesses that would be more than willing to make deals with your business. Generally, expansion is made easy with this company and most people have been able to benefit quite a lot from it.

What makes Hong Kong the best location for a business

HongKong2In order for a business to succeed, the location where it exists in will play a huge role. There are a couple of factors that the location determines. For instance, the infrastructure that will make the services of the business much more efficient will depend on the areas where the business exists. If it is placed in an area where there is an already established network the services will be offered within the shortest time durations therefore increasing the profit margins. This is one thing that this location is able to make sure you benefit from.

The other thing that you should consider when you pick the location to place a business is the market. The services you offer should have ready market so that you keep the business running. In Hong Kong, you are able to benefit from the huge population that would be willing to pay for the services which you offer. In any case, you will have more demand judging from the fact that it is a city located in the world’s most populated country. With this you can rest assured that the business will always keep running therefore more profits for you.

The huge population not only provides ready market but labour too. This comes in handy since the huge demand of people will mean that they agree to lower rates as compared to that which you would have incurred while hiring services from outside. You are also certain of getting the required number no matter the size of labour force you might need. In most cases, people have taken advantage of this and are doing very well with their businesses within the city. The people offering the labour services are skilled therefore you are guaranteed quality services.

The accessibility of the location you pick is another thing which you have to consider. For instance, you should establish the business in an area where is accessible to other cities that you might have to visit so that you make other deals. The good thing is that with Hong Kong you are assured ease of movement since it is centrally located therefore the best location people can settle for if they also intend on carrying out business transaction deals with other countries in the continent. Generally, Hong Kong is a place that most businesses would thrive in since the location has all the factors that make the environment healthy for business operations.

Hong Kong – best place for starting Energy and Renewables Company

imagesOne thing which the Chinese government is well known is support for green initiatives. This comes about mainly because they value the environment and strive to give people the best environment to come up with better ways of producing energy. To do this it engages in methods such as the provisions of tax incentives and incubator schemes.

The consumers in the city are known to be receptive to new ideas and are keen to tackle environmental issues. Here are some of the opportunities which you can invest in and expect huge returns in the city:

1.  Low emissions public transport

If you set up a business that is geared towards the reducing the emissions of public transport then you are likely to see huge returns on your investment. This is so because the city has a huge population which also has a high purchasing power. This means that most of them already own vehicles hence the pollution levels are higher. Giving them an option which they can use and emit less while moving is something which they would be willing to accept.

2.       Waste treatment and recycling

The huge population in the city means that they produce quite a lot of wastes therefore making it a challenge to the people who treat and recycle the wastes. If you can set up a company which will provide services that treat the wastes or even recycle them then you are likely to find many people willing to pay for the services. This will help reduce the pollution levels in the country and given the fact that the government considers the government as a top priority, you are sure to get started within a very short time.

3.       Electric vehicles

This is another option that can help reduce the pollution levels that are caused by motor vehicles. With the electrical designs, pollution levels will be reduced and what is even better is that the energy which it relies on is renewable hence making it an attractive option. All you have to do is find the right people to work with and follow the right steps in setting up a company. You would be surprised at the number of people who would be willing to pay for your services.

4.       Low emission building strategies and urban planning

The huge population in the city requires the services of people who are able to come up with better urban planning techniques. This is important so that people move with ease. It is only through this that the huge population will be more productive. The buildings that are designed also have to emit lower levels of pollutants so that the environment is taken care of. These are therefore services which people would be willing to pay for and the government also likely to be very supportive.