Business

Want to be a successful business leader? Avoid this mistake

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Hey there, aspiring entrepreneurs! If you’re dreaming of launching your own business, listen up. We’ve got some invaluable advice from Alexa von Tobel, the mastermind behind the successful online financial advisor LearnVest, which she sold for a jaw-dropping $375 million.

The number one lesson she shares with CNBC Make It is that confidence is crucial, but being overly confident could spell disaster for your startup.

Imagine this. You’ve come up with a groundbreaking business idea, you’re raring to go, and the world seems to be applauding your genius. But according to von Tobel, here’s the catch – don’t let the initial success get to your head. She insists that truly triumphant business builders are never blind to potential pitfalls; they maintain a “healthy paranoia” about their ventures.

Back in the day, von Tobel took a bold leap, leaving Harvard in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to launch LearnVest. Even when her creation attracted a flood of eager users on day one, causing a temporary website crash, she kept her feet on the ground. The lesson? Executing a business plan isn’t a walk in the park – it’s more like a steep climb. Initial wins are splendid, but they’re just the start; if you relax too soon, you risk losing it all.

Here’s the thing – overconfidence isn’t your ally. Research shows that budding entrepreneurs often fall into this trap, and it’s no wonder, given the slim odds of startup success. Overconfidence can trigger reckless decisions, and that can be the downfall of your dream.

Von Tobel’s story is different. She didn’t get carried away by the early triumphs of LearnVest. Instead, she pursued a steady path of growth, leading the company to gather a whopping 1.5 million users within seven years. This remarkable feat eventually caught the attention of Northwestern Mutual, who snapped up LearnVest for a staggering $375 million in 2015.

But don’t think for a second that maintaining a “healthy paranoia” means living in fear or shunning your achievements. Von Tobel isn’t saying that. She’s all about working smart and hard, making sound decisions day after day, for a decade. That, she claims, is the key to building a truly successful venture.

So, remember this. Confidence is your ally, but overconfidence is the villain that can sink your ship. Stay vigilant, work diligently, and build your success brick by brick.

Alexa von Tobel’s journey from Harvard dropout to multimillion-dollar success story proves that a blend of confidence and caution can indeed make all the difference.

Business

The amount of trade between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan hits $700 million.

Published

4 hours ago

Farwa

Through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Pakistan’s trade connections with Saudi Arabia have grown significantly, with bilateral trade volume rising from $546 million to $700 million and exports to the Kingdom growing by 22%.

As bilateral economic cooperation continues to grow, Saudi investors have shown a strong interest in Pakistan’s construction, energy, agricultural, and information technology sectors. The objective for exporting IT services between the two countries has been raised from $50 million to $100 million.

Saudi Arabia has set up a help desk dedicated to making it easier for Pakistani IT companies to register in the Kingdom in order to expedite commercial procedures. The goal of this program is to speed up economic collaborations between the two countries and lower administrative barriers.

The well-known Saudi restaurant chain AlBaik has revealed plans to open locations in Pakistan, which is a big step for the food service industry and should lead to the creation of new job possibilities in the area.

Officials have noted that stronger business links between the two countries lead to greater economic stability, and the SIFC has played a crucial role in promoting these trade advancements. For bilateral trade and investment projects, the Council remains a crucial facilitator.

According to a trade official with knowledge of the developments, “the establishment of dedicated support mechanisms, such as the help desk for IT companies, demonstrates a commitment to long-term economic partnership,” The goal of these programs is to improve the conditions for commercial collaboration between the two nations.

The increasing amount of trade and the diversity of investment sectors show that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s economic ties are changing as both countries seek to deepen their business alliances in a number of industries.

Business

After more than 50 years, Bangladesh and Pakistan resume direct trade.

Published

4 hours ago

Farwa

After more than 50 years, the two governments will resume direct bilateral trade, with Bangladesh’s food ministry announcing Sunday that it will receive a supply of 25,000 tonnes of rice from Pakistan next month.

After former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown last August, relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have begun to improve after decades of tense relations.

Since then, there have been increased bilateral interactions between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the interim government’s senior adviser, has met twice with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to the food ministry, Dhaka completed an agreement earlier this month to import grains from Pakistan.

“On March 3, the first shipment of 25,000 tonnes will reach Bangladesh,” Zia Uddin Ahmed, a ministry assistant secretary, told Arab News.

“This is the first time that Bangladesh has started importing rice from Pakistan at the government-to-government level since 1971.”

Following direct maritime contact between the two South Asian countries in November—a Pakistani cargo ship stopped in Bangladesh for the first time since 1971 with imports and exports arranged by private companies—their trade relations grew.

Resuming trade with Pakistan is a significant step for Bangladesh, according to Amena Mohsin, a lecturer at North South University and a specialist in international relations.

“We want to see progress in our bilateral relationship with Pakistan. Most significantly, we are currently going through a low point dispute with India, even though we constantly diversify our partnerships.

This most recent move to purchase rice from Pakistan is really significant in this context,” she told Arab News.

Business

The total amount of Pakistan’s liquid foreign reserves is $15.95 billion.

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

As of February 14, Pakistan’s total liquid foreign reserves were $15,947.9 million, with the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) holdings being $11,201.5 million.

Official figures for the week ending February 14, 2025, show that the central bank’s liquid foreign exchange reserves rose by $35 million to $11,201.5 million.

Commercial banks maintained net foreign reserves of $4,746.4 million during the period under review, according to the breakdown of foreign reserves.

The nation’s total liquid foreign reserves as of the week ending February 07, 2025, were $15,862.6 million.

Of these, the central bank held $11,166.6 million in foreign reserves, while commercial banks kept $4,696 million in net reserves.