WSJ: Selling Potatoes By Phone

Below I will re-post a full (almost) article as it was reported by the Wall Street Journal here.

Why did I decide to re-post it here? Just because, I am the Editor! Well, more precisely — because it is interesting. Wait. No: because it gives us ideas about what to do in poor countries which love VAS more than rich countries. Why do they love VAS? Because poor countries use mobile phones not just to call but to enjoy every little thing on them. And there are indeed a lot of hidden treasures even in the simplest mobile phones. Mobile phones can supply crucial data and they do substitute computers and Internet. The question in this context is “How to build a profitable business model?” Read more

How to Start a Great (IT, mobile) Service

Recently my friend told me a great story about two of his friends who decided to start a new service business. The friend critiqued them so much that they ended up offering him a job in the project. Although he didn’t accept the generous offer (Why is it so that when we are nasty we are remembered? Revenge? A sign of knowledge?), he thought of the story much because it offers some interesting insights about… mobile technology.

Insight #1. You have to clearly understand what your new service will accomplish. Why do you need it, what’s new about it? Is it just a new old? Or is it more? Read more