Startup

This section features James's expert analysis and strategic insights specifically tailored for the dynamic world of startups. Drawing on his experience as CEO of Mercury Technology Solution and his deep understanding of technological disruption, James explores how new ventures can navigate challenges and seize opportunities in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

James Huang

Is Your Job Meaningless? Finding Your 'Ikigai' Beyond the Monthly Paycheck

TL;DR: A comfortable job with a high salary can feel like a trap if it lacks meaning – a "gilded cage." Many modern jobs, as described by David Graeber, fall into the category of "Bullshit Jobs" lacki...

Black Swan Bullshit Jobs Ikigai Learning Lifelong Learning Loyalty Startup Challenges Trust Work Life

Dec 31, 2024

James Huang

Beyond the Hype: What Real Entrepreneurial Success Looks Like ("成功者篇")

TL;DR: Forget the "fake operators" who just look the part. True entrepreneurial success ("真．操盤人") stems from genuine capability and value creation. Successful founders typically excel through integrat...

Quality Assurance Quality Content Quality Control Quality Increase Revenue Revenue Creation Revenue Operations Revenue Pipeline Development Revenue Streams

Dec 31, 2021

James Huang

Spotting the Signs: Operators Who 'Sell Air' ("賣空氣篇")

TL;DR: Continuing our series on spotting business irregularities, this post focuses on identifying operators running "shell companies" ("皮包公司") who essentially "sell air" ("賣空氣"). These operators ofte...

Bogus Companies Fake Businesses Fake It Till You Make It Sales Conversion Optimization Start-Up

Dec 31, 2021

James Huang

The Myth of 'No-Cost' Startups & The Truth of Equivalent Exchange

TL;DR: Forget the fantasy of effortless, high-profit passive income from "no-cost" ("無本") startups. As the principle of "Equivalent Exchange" from Fullmetal Alchemist teaches, gaining anything require...

Business Business Growth Solutions Business Intelligence Business Learnings Business Model Lesson From Comics Start A Business Sustainable Business Model

Nov 30, 2021

James Huang

Entrepreneurship Isn't Gambling, It's Designing Solutions

TL;DR: Industries get disrupted constantly (think CDs by MP3s, MP3s by streaming, GPS by smartphones). This makes entrepreneurship feel like a high-stakes gamble ("賭") on choosing the right direction....

Best Practices Business Innovation Create Demand Design Design Thinking Effective Keywords Problem-Solving Start A Business Start-Up

Sep 10, 2021

James Huang

Nine Deaths, One Life: Timing, Place, and People in the Entrepreneurial Gauntlet (天時, 地利, 人和)

TL;DR: Entrepreneurship is brutally difficult – a "nine deaths, one life" (九死一生) endeavor. Success isn't guaranteed by market size alone; it demands the right Timing (天時 - tiān shí), the right Place/M...

China Hong Kong Entrepreneur Hong Kong Startups Replication Challenges Start A Business Start-Up Environment

Sep 3, 2021

James Huang

Feeling Stuck? Why You Only Need 1,000 True Fans (And How to Find Them)

TL;DR: Think every business idea is already taken? Think again. Market gaps and unmet needs always exist. Kevin Kelly's "1,000 True Fans" theory reminds us you don't need millions of customers; just 1...

1000 True Fans Create Demand Start A Business Supply-Demand Imbalance

Aug 13, 2021

James Huang

Real Entrepreneurship vs. the 'Fake' Kind: Are You Building a Business or Just Selling Something?

TL;DR: Be wary of ventures masquerading as entrepreneurship ("偽．創業"). Many schemes, like MLM or pure flipping, focus solely on sales or recruitment, bypassing the hard work of building real value. Gen...

1000 True Fans Affiliate Marketing Business Innovation Business Operations Business Strategy Niche Market Purple Ocean Strategy

Aug 6, 2021

James Huang

Tax Season Thoughts: Understanding Complex Structures (And Why You Shouldn't Try Them)

TL;DR: Tax season often brings thoughts of minimizing payments. While complex international structures like the "Double Irish with a Dutch Sandwich" were historically used by some large multinationals...

Number-Doing Methods Offshore Company Offshore Tax Evasion

Jul 2, 2021

James Huang

Spotting the Signs Part 4: The SME Angle (Minimizing Profit?) ("中小企篇")

TL;DR: This final installment looks at financial manipulation specific to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Unlike listed companies often trying to inflate profits, SMEs frequently aim for the oppo...

Business Intelligence Effective Keywords Financial Cheating Financial Statement Manipulation Legal Tax Avoidance SMEs

Jul 2, 2021

James Huang

Spotting the Signs Part 3: Practical Red Flags & The "Smell Test" ("實戰篇")

TL;DR: This final part focuses on practical, operational red flags that often accompany financial manipulation. Beyond analyzing financial statements (cash flow, AR/AP, etc.), look for things that jus...

Cooking The Books Financial Cheating Financial Statement Manipulation Fraud Fraudulent Practices Venture Capital Market

Jul 2, 2021

James Huang

Spotting the Signs Part 2: Advanced Red Flags in Financial Reporting ("做數")

TL;DR: This follow-up dives deeper into spotting manipulated financials. While cutting costs can inflate profit, sophisticated fraud often involves creating fake revenue through circular transactions ...

Business Costs Cooking The Books Financial Cheating Financial Statement Manipulation Fraud Fraudulent Practices Venture Capital Market

Jul 2, 2021

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