Our Contributing Authors
Bobby Jan
Cheng Ming (Bobby) Jan is an Economics major at the University of Chicago who has a strong interest in entrepreneurship and investing.
Articles written by Bobby Jan
Bobby writes about topics of interest to entrepreneurs. He covers a wide variety of topics, from launching a business website to starting a hedge fund.
- 15 Common Hedge Fund Mistakes (Part 1) - There are certain potholes hedge fund entrepreneurs just keep falling into. This article, the first in a series of six articles, discusses some common hedge fund mistakes that would be good to avoid if you are starting a hedge fund.
- 15 Common Hedge Fund Mistakes (Part 2) - There are certain errors hedge fund entrepreneurs tend to make. This article, the second in a series of six articles, continues our discussion on some common mistakes hedge fund entrepreneurs make.
- 15 Common Hedge Fund Mistakes (Part 3) - Nobody is perfect, and hedge fund managers are no exception. This article, the third in a series of six articles, examines some common mistakes hedge fund entrepreneurs make.
- 15 Common Hedge Fund Mistakes (Part 4) - If you plan on starting a hedge fund, don't make the same mistakes others before you have already made. This article, the fourth in our series of six articles discusses a few more common mistakes hedge fund entrepreneurs make.
- 15 Common Hedge Fund Mistakes (Part 5) - Hedge funds are struggling these days, and much of this struggle might have been avoided. This article, the fifth in our series of six articles, discusses some of the mistakes that can cause a hedge fund to fail.
- 15 Common Hedge Fund Mistakes (Part 6) - To err is human. Hedge fund entrepreneurs are human, so they make mistakes just like the rest of us. This article completes our series on common mistakes hedge fund entrepreneurs make.
- A Brief History of China's Emerging Market - In this article, we take a brief look at China's economic transformation from 1978 to present.
- Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs: A - This article, as part of the Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs series, introduces some key accounting terminologies that begin with A.
- Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs: B, C - This article, as part of the Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs series, introduces some key accounting terminologies that begin with B and C.
- Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs: D, E, F - This article, as part of the Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs series, introduces some key accounting terminologies that begin with D, E and F.
- Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs: G-L - This article, as part of the Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs series, introduces some important accounting terminologies. We cover accounting terms starting with the letters G-L.
- Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs: M-O - This article, as part of the Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs series, introduces some important accounting terminologies. We cover accounting terms starting with the letters M-O.
- Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs: P-Z - This article, as part of the Accounting Terminology for Entrepreneurs series, introduces some important accounting terminologies. We cover accounting terms starting with the letters P-Z.
- Alternative Financing - Besides traditional sources of financing, such as bank loans, there are many alternative sources of financing for entrepreneurs. This article will explore some of these alternative sources of financing.
- Balance Sheet Interpretation Part I: Introduction - When running or acquiring a business, it is important to be able to interpret a balance sheet. This introductory article is the first article in the Balance Sheet Interpretation series.
- Balance Sheet Interpretation Part II: Liquidity Ratios - When running or acquiring a business, it is important to understand if the company is in danger of facing a potential liquidity crisis. There are four liquidity ratios you could use to help you avoid a liquidity crisis. This is the second of five articles in our Balance Sheet Interpretation series.
- Balance Sheet Interpretation Part III: Price-to-Book Ratio - As an entrepreneur looking to buy a company, it is important to determine the right price to pay for the business. This article will show you how to use the price-to-book ratio to help you value a business. This is the third article in our Balance Sheet Interpretation series.
- Balance Sheet Interpretation Part IV: Current Assets - When running or acquiring a business, it is important to be able to interpret and analyze a balance sheet. This article, the fourth article in our Balance Sheet Interpretation series, will help you interpret the current assets category of the balance sheet.
- Balance Sheet Interpretation Part V: Current Liabilities - When running or acquiring a business, it is important to be able to interpret a balance sheet. This article, the fifth article in our Balance Sheet Analysis series, will help you interpret the current liabilities section of the balance sheet.
- Buying a Website - There are many benefits of buying an online business instead of starting one from scratch. This article explores some of these benefits of buying a website followed by a checklist of questions to ask when buying a website.
- Change in Demand - As the time changes, demand for different products changes. As an entrepreneur, you want to stay one step ahead of the herd. This article will help you understand the determinants of demand.
- Cheap Labor in China - China is one of the most exciting places to be for an entrepreneur. This article discusses China's greatest competitive advantage
- Comparative Advantage - The concept of comparative advantage is one of the most elegant concepts in economics and can be used as a powerful analytical tool by the entrepreneur. This article will help you understand how comparative advantage works through examples.
- Domain Name Strategies - Choosing a name for your Web site is an important decision when it comes to creating a Web site for your business. A good Web site name may promote your brand name, increase traffic flow to your business, and/or maximize the impression of your site.
- E-Commerce: 5 Traffic Generating Strategies - Generating traffic can be both the most important and the most difficult thing to do for internet businesses. This article will show you five strategies for generating more traffic.
- Economic Basics for Entrepreneurs - Basic economic concepts are tools every entrepreneur should be familiar with. What is economics and why is it important for entrepreneurs? Read this article to find out.
- Economic Value - If you are looking to buy a business, it is important to understand how to define the economic value of a business. By looking at how much the business is worth through various business valuation lenses, you can determine what price you might be willing to offer.
- Entrepreneurs Should Focus On Sales - One of the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make is that they neglect sales. This article will show you why it is important to make sales your top priority.
- Examining Your Business Idea - Have you had an "ah ha" moment when you came up with a new business idea? This article will share some tips on how to examine if you can turn your business idea into a profitable enterprise.
- Gathering Industry Information - If you are looking to buy a business, being able to value the business correctly is essential. Gather information about the industry is critical if you are to get the price right. This article will cover some of the resources for learning more about the industry of interest.
- Getting Started in China - Doing business in China requires a lot of preparation. This article offers a few suggestions to get you started on doing business in China.
- Great Business Opportunities in China - Smart entrepreneurs are thinking about how to do business in China. Read this article for an introduction to some of the obstacles and opportunities you will face in China.
- Great Business Opportunities in China: Chemical Sector - China is a country of opportunities for entrepreneurs. Some of the greatest opportunities for entrepreneurs are in the chemical sector.
- Hedge Fund Administration - Offshore hedge fund or domestic hedge fund? If you are starting a hedge fund, what's the difference and which one is best for you?
- Hedge Fund Business Plans - Building a hedge fund business is quite different from building other businesses. This article will show you how to organize your hedge fund business plan.
- Hedge Fund Business Structures - For those who want to know how to start a hedge fund, it's important to understand the different ways that hedge funds can be structured. This article will help you understand some of the commonly used hedge fund structures to get you started.
- Hedge Fund Fee Structure - If you are starting a hedge fund, your bread and butter will be the fees that you assess. Choosing the right fee structure is essential for the success of your hedge fund. This article provides an overview of some commonly used fee structure components.
- Hedge Fund Regulation - If you want to start a hedge fund, there are a few Congressional Acts you should be aware of.
- Hedge Fund Strategies - If you are aspiring to become a hedge fund manager, you must understand how to market your hedge fund to clients. One of the cornerstones of your marketing campaign is the clear articulation of your hedge fund strategy. This article gives you a brief overview of some of the well-known hedge fund strategies.
- Hedge Funds Clients - Understanding potential clients is crucial for raising capital for your hedge fund. This article introduces three large categories of hedge fund investors: individuals, endowments & foundations, and pension funds.
- History Timeline: Sam Walton and Wal-Mart - One of the greatest titans of this century is Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart. This timeline tells the story of the dramatic rise of Wal-Mart.
- Introduction to Demand - As an entrepreneur, you probably spent some time trying to figure out how demand works, especially for the products that you are selling. This article will teach you the very basics of demand.
- Introduction to Financial Statements - Learn all about financial statements: What are financial statements? Who uses financial statements? What are the attributes of financial statements?
- Is Doing Business in China the Right Move For Your Business? - Doing business in China is not right for everybody. Here are a few things to think about to determine whether doing business in China is the right move for your business.
- MMORPG Business (Part 1) - This article shows you how to make money off Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG). We introduce MMORPGs and why the virtual world can be a profitable market.
- MMORPG Business (Part 2) - This article continues my discussion on making money off Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG). We take a look at some MMORPG entrepreneur success stories and some criticism.
- Opportunity Cost - The concept of opportunity cost is central to economics and economic thinking. Understanding opportunity cost will help you determine the true value of decisions.
- Price Elasticity of Demand - How sensitive are the consumers to price changes? This article will help you understand how the price elasticity of demand works.
- Price Versus Value When Buying a Business - If you are an entrepreneur and looking to buy a business, there are a few concepts worth understanding. This article covers the concepts of price, value, and cost.
- Starting a Hedge Fund - This article shows you the basic steps to starting a hedge fund. The first step is to ensure monetary commitment from clients to cover start-up cost, overhead cost, and salary. The next step is to find qualified professionals to help you navigate the complex legal terrain.
- Strategies for Generating Web site Traffic - If you decided to start a Web site for your business, or start a Web site that is your business, the first thing that may come to mind is: How do I generate traffic? You worked hard on your Web site, now make sure it gets the attention it deserves. This article covers six commonly used strategies for generating internet traffic.
- Taking Care of Your Health in China (Part 1 of 2) - Before you pick up your bags to go do business in China, here are some tips for you on how to take care of your health in China. This article, the first in our two-article series, discusses drinking water and sharing meals with Chinese business partners.
- Taking Care of Your Health in China (Part 2 of 2) - We offer some more tips for you on how to take care of your health while in China. This article, the second in our series, discusses bacteria, food, and getting treatment.
- The Art of Bootstrapping - Do you have a great business idea but not a lot of money? This article will teach you about the art of bootstrapping.
- The Automotive Industry in China (Part 1 of 2) - China is a country of opportunities for entrepreneurs. Some of the greatest opportunities exist in the automotive sector. This article discusses how the automotive sector is bring about a new car culture in China.
- The Automotive Industry in China (Part 2 of 2) - Some of the greatest business opportunities in China exist in the automotive sector. This article discusses the quality of cars manufactured in China, consolidation and price wars, and some market opportunities.
- The Biotech and Medical Sectors in China (Part 1 of 2) - Thinking about doing business in China? Some of the greatest opportunities for entrepreneurs are in the biotech and medical sector. This article discusses the general pharmaceutical market.
- The Biotech and Medical Sectors in China (Part 2 of 2) - Looking for good business opportunities in China? Some of the greatest opportunities for entrepreneurs are in the biotech and medical sector. This article discusses biotech research and development and how demanding Chinese consumers are driving demand.
- The Chinese Language Barrier - Doing business in China comes with both great opportunities and great challenges. If you do not speak Chinese, overcoming the language barrier will be one of the biggest challenges you will face.
- The Friends and Family Network - The friend and family network is often the first source of money for entrepreneurs. This article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of raising money from your friends and family.
- The Highest and Best Use - If you are looking to buy a business, be sure you are getting a good deal. Understanding business valuation inside and out is the best way to find an underpriced opportunity. This article covers the concept of the highest and best use, which is a very important concept in business valuation
- The Law of Demand - As an entrepreneur, you probably spent some time trying to figure out how demand works. Lucky for you, economists have already done some of the thinking for you. This article will help you understand the law of demand by introducing the law of diminishing marginal utility, the income effect, and the substitution effect.
- Three Basic Economic Questions - As an entrepreneur and as an economic agent, there are three basic economic questions you should ask when deciding how to allocate scarce resources
- Three Principles of Business Valuation - Valuing a business is an art form as much as it is a science. This article introduces three basic but important principles of business valuations to help you get started.
- Understanding Discounted Cash Flow - Discounted cash flow is a very important concept in business valuation. Discounted cash flow, or DCF, is an income approach to business valuation.
- Understanding WACC - Since many analysts use the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) to discount cash flow, it is important to at least understand how WACC works.
- Valuation Process - Buying a business? If so, defining how much a business is worth is very important. This article will help you by breaking the valuation process into five easy steps.
- Ways to Do Business in China - Many entrepreneurs are interested in doing business in China but do not know where to start. This article discusses two popular options: selling to Chinese consumers and outsourcing to China.
- Why Do Business in China - This article discusses two reasons why you should consider doing business in China: large, emerging market and cutting costs.
- Why Understand Business Valuation - What is my business worth? It's a common question for entrepreneurs, and there are several occasions when you might need to be able to answer the business valuation question. This article introduces some of reasons for determining the value of a business.
- Why You Need a Web Site for Your Business - There are costs and benefits associated with starting a Web site for your business. The cost associated with creating and maintaining a standard Web site is minimum and relatively fixed, and the benefits could be great. Here we examine steps and reasons to form your own Web site.
- Writing a Hedge Fund Business Plan - Writing a hedge fund business plan is a bit different than writing a typical business plan. If you don't know how to start, this article will show you what to include in your hedge fund business plan.
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