Thursday, December 6, 2012
Growing Up in Kindness
First Memories in Childhood
One of the first memories I had was a large garden, a garden with flowering plants. Every morning I would excitedly go out with a few handfulls of bigas to throw out and attract the chickens. I would fondly watch the birds as the go loco for the rice grains the moment the get sprinkled in the dew laden morning grass. I also recall the first dogs I ever knew, Happy a white furry pure bred dog, Berto and Berta, two slim Azkals. They were not exactly our dogs but the frequented our garden because the owner, my uncle lived beside us.
I had my first friend too when I was 6 years old, his name was Totoo. He lived in the first floor of our house which my mom rented (my mom was indeed very smart), part of the rent proceeds went to paying off the house loan. Totoo Was very street smart, he took me to places in the village that I never knew existed, I did not mind being under the hot sun or coming home all dusty and sour smelling. It was fun.
I had friends who were street kids. I know the names of the two of them until know, Alex and Alexa. You see when you were 6-7 Years old you don't care whom you played with. Aside from having decent wearing clothes, there was no way for kids to discriminate each other back then. Playing Tumbang Preso was a favorite past time as well as Hide and Seek under the moonlight, I recall I could still do this before because there was not much residents and vehicles in our little spot in Paranaque at that time.
I guess this was the foundation of my kindess. There was innocence and trust all over, I really thought at that time the world works just like that. All of this got shattered when I went to school.
When School Shattered my Idea of Kindness
When I went to school, I lost touch of my old friends, there was no decent goodbye. I just got picked up regularly by the school bus service and little by little we drifted away. There were times that I would see them from afar but I got shy whether I should stay and greet. School Shattered my Innocence.
It was evident that boundaries exist and that boundary is called social class.
I was not happy in my old school, Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Paranaque City. The kids were pretty mean to be because I spoke in a different kind of English. My bus-mates made fun of me because I so miss home. It was even worse in grade one, my classmates would hide my stuff from me. It was only when I got so pissed off mad and threw my crayons at them that they apologized and promised not to do it again.
It was that point where I tried to hide the kindness in me, I tried to act tough- even tried to be one of the mean kids. When I was from Grade 5-7 I gained notoriety, on these years I wasn't exactly one of the bad boys (I'm too smart to join their bulakbol barkadas) but I did go into plenty of trouble. I was doing mischievous things to classmates, to teachers.
What was interesting though was that despite all of these I had friends and I maintained friendships with kind people. I could never do something mean to them. This is when I realized that the kindness in me never died it was just there waiting for the right moment for it to peer out.
Kindness Temporarily Reemerges
Fast forward to Highschool. I am happy that I got more in tune to this side of me in my High school years, this did not spare me however from having a rebellious streak. I was always feeling jealous of classmates who had better stuff than me (I was brought up in a very frugal family). In second year high school I joined the COCC. Cadet Officer Candidate Course, this not only gave me a wonderful system of self discipline, I found brothers and sisters. They were my support group and while I can vent my bad boy side in doing commands and physical endurance exercises, I had a kind side that always respected my friends.
Fall From Grace
This kindness temporarily died in my college years. I let arrogance take over, I let pride took over. I did not listen, I did not study hard in my first 2 years, I justified this by the need to socialize and to date. I broke hearts. In the last term of my second year in De La Salle University, I had a break- I was a leader of our thesis team. This is when I let pride take over kindness.
I had a fall- a high fall from grace.
I prayed and went to the Chapel in St. James to find direction.
It was a very humbling experience.
My Realization
Perhaps this was the time where I finally got that moment of truth and got in tune to what I really am. I am kind. I really am. Reflecting back, I now see that every activity done in kindness had no hangups and no bothering conscience. If I were to be tough it will be so in order to protect a kind heart. I see myself as a knight with intimidating iron Armour but a soft side inside.
Oh why did it take this long for me to realize it? Why?
Now at 28 I am about to finish this blog. I have fallen in love with a woman whose previous Facebook status was about her inherent kindness. Could this be a message? I correct myself- This is a message.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Political Ambition- What does it take to win in the Philippines?
| Political Ambition- What does it take to win in the Philippines? | for everyone |
So do you have what it takes to win an election in the Philippines? This crazy, disorderly circus and parade of promises. Time and time again our countrymen have selected on the basis of popularity over substance, just like we choose over branded imported stuff without giving our good local stuff a chance. So if you want to to run and do the county good, be wary- you have to me a Machiavellian philosopher believing the end justifies the means. If I were to run I will first seek to be a comedian then when elected impose my spartan discipline. Interested? If so read along and I hope you gain something from my little tips.
1. KISS- Keep it Simple Stupid, remember most of your audience want a simple warcry that is easily understood and concrete. While development is not really as easy as elementary math your message should. Keep it plainly said, saying that I believe if Erap was not a convicted plunderer, he would have won over NoyNoy because the slogan "Kung may Erap, May Gin ginhawa" has more appeal.
1. KISS- Keep it Simple Stupid, remember most of your audience want a simple warcry that is easily understood and concrete. While development is not really as easy as elementary math your message should. Keep it plainly said, saying that I believe if Erap was not a convicted plunderer, he would have won over NoyNoy because the slogan "Kung may Erap, May Gin ginhawa" has more appeal.
2. Appeal to the Immidiate conveniences of the people. Binay offered free stuff. Free education, free hospitalization, free movies to the senior citizens. Litereally free everything to the Poor, not mentioning the fact that Makati is rich and could afford that its central business district was developed by the Ayalas in the 80's.
3. Prepare to give free stuff
In here free goes a long way, when you give free stuff; people expect your generosity all the way until you are seated in the position. Project a robin hood image
4. Prepare to give a show
Get a lineup of trusted people in showbiz, the more the merrier! If you plan to get Kris Aquino, make sure you deport her to the US before you assume your position. Talk show hosts are more authentic endorsers because people trust them for being "unbiased". When getting star power avoid oversexy stars and settle for the popular and well loved beauty queens.
No plastic endorsements please. At least make it appear that they volunteered to be part of your entourage.
5. Be a Catholic Crusader of democracy
The separation of church and state does not exist here. No sir!!! Moreover, get the blessing of the other religious systems and even cults. Hallelujah!
6. Plan many years ahead!
Planning for your campaign is a tremendous challenge in many aspects, financially, mentally and emotionally. What matters is the end point where winning means being able to enact your policies that will benefit our nation. Prepare to lie in the name of good, the way that an adult would have to resort to higher authority to discipline the child. Good luck.
| Merchant's Tales: A Businessman's letter to a Politician | for everyone |
Dear (Insert Name Here),
I have been a keen listener of your campaigns to alleviate poverty and I even went to the effort of checking our your website and your social networking sites. I believe we have something in common. I see you as an advocate of rights, a champion of the people and a crusader against poverty. With your crusade I hope its not the rob the rich then give to the poor style or anything too socialist or communistic. In addition I hope that in lifting the plot of our less fortunate brothers may we do it with no tolerance for mendicancy, I do personally believe that people should rise on the basis of their merits.
I have been a keen listener of your campaigns to alleviate poverty and I even went to the effort of checking our your website and your social networking sites. I believe we have something in common. I see you as an advocate of rights, a champion of the people and a crusader against poverty. With your crusade I hope its not the rob the rich then give to the poor style or anything too socialist or communistic. In addition I hope that in lifting the plot of our less fortunate brothers may we do it with no tolerance for mendicancy, I do personally believe that people should rise on the basis of their merits.
I hope that you would sustain it when you are given the opportunity to serve for our country. I on the other hand have a passion for growth, management and yes imrproving one's financial being. I am a businessman and I offer my efforts, sell products and serve for a profit.
But dear sir I'm afraid that despite all your zeal to campaign for the common person, you have forgotten one sector. Our Sector. Know that we also have familites to feed, debts to pay and payrolls to sign. We face this world competing with both local and foreign competition. We aface the perils of people trying to screw us for a quick buck, thinking that our money grows from trees. But dear sir, there are somethings that we neat to be certain of. Have you considered including us in your campaign promises?
Should the businessman who strives a honest living deserve a lesser share of campaign reforms or promises? Dear (___________) understand that like you we have people to care for and families to feed. We appreciate your efforts to increase wages but what good is raising wages if we have to lay off people because we can't afford the overhead? Dear (_______________) have you heard our perinnial problems? Expensive electricity, high cost of setting up a business, abusive customs officials, Illegal squatters on our property despite the fact that we pay taxes? I do not want to keep on ranting but know that we have needs to.
We are not critizising your campaign, but don't you think we are helping you fulfill your promises in the long run? Health businesses mean more employment, bigger demand for knowledge workers. With profits, more tax collections can be made. Tax collections that can be further used in development and poverty reduction programs. Just imagine the number of families that would be made whole once again once that business and industry take off in our country. I hope that having a vibrant business environment will as good and as real as the zeal in your campaign.
But dear sir I'm afraid that despite all your zeal to campaign for the common person, you have forgotten one sector. Our Sector. Know that we also have familites to feed, debts to pay and payrolls to sign. We face this world competing with both local and foreign competition. We aface the perils of people trying to screw us for a quick buck, thinking that our money grows from trees. But dear sir, there are somethings that we neat to be certain of. Have you considered including us in your campaign promises?
Should the businessman who strives a honest living deserve a lesser share of campaign reforms or promises? Dear (___________) understand that like you we have people to care for and families to feed. We appreciate your efforts to increase wages but what good is raising wages if we have to lay off people because we can't afford the overhead? Dear (_______________) have you heard our perinnial problems? Expensive electricity, high cost of setting up a business, abusive customs officials, Illegal squatters on our property despite the fact that we pay taxes? I do not want to keep on ranting but know that we have needs to.
We are not critizising your campaign, but don't you think we are helping you fulfill your promises in the long run? Health businesses mean more employment, bigger demand for knowledge workers. With profits, more tax collections can be made. Tax collections that can be further used in development and poverty reduction programs. Just imagine the number of families that would be made whole once again once that business and industry take off in our country. I hope that having a vibrant business environment will as good and as real as the zeal in your campaign.
Thank you very much for reading this letter. Godspeed
Sincerely
(Your name here)
Company Name
What Inspires you?
| What Inspires you? | for everyone |
What inspires you is what drives you
Not Original, just my thoughts out of the blue.
Who cares if it came from a competitor's line
I hope you will read this until its through.
Are you inspired by thoughts and dreams?
Romance and chances, a trip to France?
Of God and saints or items of fine tastes?
Or perhaps a girl you never asked to dance?
For the repeated excuse of not having the chance
To me love and inspiration walk hand in hand
Love makes me inspired and inspiration gives me the reason
I love what i do and one day once again I will say I love you
To a certain person who has yet to be named.
Does what Inspire you matter more than who inspire you
Or should we be vigilant and keep this poem's original name?
I know your answer may be swiftly said
Yet will find that chasing the inspiration will keep them from bed
But then there will be cases that you will be afraid,
Quite Disappointed that your start was not well.
Then look up to this poem so poorly done,
and observe the writer who nothing short of happy of what he made.
For Sure he will write another
and gurantee it will be better next time.
Not Original, just my thoughts out of the blue.
Who cares if it came from a competitor's line
I hope you will read this until its through.
Are you inspired by thoughts and dreams?
Romance and chances, a trip to France?
Of God and saints or items of fine tastes?
Or perhaps a girl you never asked to dance?
For the repeated excuse of not having the chance
To me love and inspiration walk hand in hand
Love makes me inspired and inspiration gives me the reason
I love what i do and one day once again I will say I love you
To a certain person who has yet to be named.
Does what Inspire you matter more than who inspire you
Or should we be vigilant and keep this poem's original name?
I know your answer may be swiftly said
Yet will find that chasing the inspiration will keep them from bed
But then there will be cases that you will be afraid,
Quite Disappointed that your start was not well.
Then look up to this poem so poorly done,
and observe the writer who nothing short of happy of what he made.
For Sure he will write another
and gurantee it will be better next time.
Merchant's Tales: Of Shop Owners Successes and Demise
| Merchant's Tales: Of Shop Owners Successes and Demise | for everyone |
In my personal view setting up a shop could lead to two things.
A Strong Triumph
An Absolute Fail/Fuc* up
Break evens do occur but are only a temporary state, things could go from mediocre to worse or from mediocre to fantastic.
So what makes shops fail or succeed? Sure, I could quote something from the textbook and fill up this blog with that. Just like the fine grooves in a rifle that enables the bullet to go a long way, I believe long term shop success can be attributed to the fine details. Much more to this, I can safely conclude that the success of the shop is also rooted in the owner/s' personal character and obviously work ethic, something that our regular retailing textbooks cover. As usual I know that many don't like long paragraphs of blog so permit me to use my tried and tested item list. Enjoy!
1. Your Shop is made for your customers, it is not made for you.
We all understand that setting up a business, more specifically a shop for that matter entails more than investment in time and money. Most shop owners are also imparting a huge chunk of themselves though what we call "emotional investment". Just like falling in love with a person (where we get a temporary insanity and find that absolutely imperfect person suddenly transform to an ambassador of salvation), we fall in love with our shop.
Its like having your own piece of land, your own little world. Unfortunately some business owners do just that. They make their business their own little world. They run it like little tyrants, from the design to the product offerings to how the products are mixed. I actually know someone who painted her entire shop according to her favorite color. In addition to this Ive known a shop owner who adds candy sprinkles on her line of cold drinks. Another example would be a very frugal relative of mine applied her frugality to her Parlour business and turned off the lights and air conditioning during certain hours and when customers are few.
While I have nothing against individuality, bear in mind that the customers basically
a. Dont give a Fuc* about your personal tastes, they don't even want to know you.
b.Dont give a Fuc* " " " " " and they are the most selfish people in the world who just Think Me me me
c. Are investing their trust in your shop because of what it can do for them.
d. Are investing their reputation, especially when with friends and when they will hopefully recommend your store.
2. Be Friendly. Be User Friendly.
In one of the leased retail stores in our Gas stations, there is this internet cafe where the shop owner will assault you in your campus if you forget your ID.
Friendly noh?
The best way to prevent this and to end up with a decent profit is to design a user friendly system. It doesn't have to be high tech, just a few signs and key responsibilities and you are all set. One key issue for wi-fi Cafes are customers who plug in their lappies. How do you effectively charge them? A friend of mine proposed a simple but effective solution:
a. Charge them 30 bucks if they plug it. Make signages so the customers get informed
b. Buy inexpensive labeling tags for the plugs
c. Change the color for ever day.
3. A Healthy Choice of Variety
Let me borrow the Pareto principle from the textbooks here. 20 percent of your products will contribute to 80% of your sales and 80 percent of your products will compose only 20 percent of your sales. Sucks noh? But then again we as human beings enjoy the choice. This is probably why Greenhills and the Large malls in the Philippines are making a killing. Better yet make the process of choosing a show for the eyes.
Damn the French for being so good at this.
" A few yards of Silk can make you a Nobleman in France" - Bailian From the movie Kingdom of Heaven
4. Filipinos are Lazy- Walkers
There are exceptions to this rule of course but if anyone has a dissenting opinion to this I would be glad to show you why.
5. Free is good.
A few days ago I was in a newly opened business. Their target market is students but since they opened during the summer time, attracting customers has become a real challenge. One of the best things that you can offer for free is free WiFi. for the cost of only a few thousand pesos per month, it is actually cheaper than giving off free goods and treats.
The Shop owner declined, citing that people will abuse it and hang out longer.
Just my opinion: Between having no or little customers I would rather have more customers who will buy just a thing or two and hang out for a few hours. At least on the latter, you get to be recognized. Later on you can offer free WiFi to BUYING customers after they actually NOTICE the shop.
6. Invite the Hoarde- always project groups
Filipinos are Asians. Asians are Collective Thinkers. Therefore Filipinos are Collective Thinkers.
Collective thinkers meaning, we engage in plenty of "group think" activities. We highly regard the opinion of peers and actively seek feedback. While personally I think this gets annoying at times, it makes it easier for marketers to attract the "hoardes"
Example: Our telecom networks; Globe, Smart, Sun etc.. Peer pressure baby.
Boses ng barkada!
Much more, we are a people who love prestige. Get the "popular or cool" guys to use your product and the rest of the bandwagon will help in. For regular people, treat your good looking friends often to your shop- use them as a marketing tool bwuhahahaha.
Going back, lets apply "hoarde concept" to the Shop. Get people in, make it bustle with customers- even oggling customers. Most of the people who go to Louis Vuitton just oggle at the expensive merchandise. Thats good. It is a subconscious reinforcement that what they are looking at are stuff people desire.
On the middle to low end scale, get the barkada together. Project imagery of fun and good times. We are a very happy people. The shop owner will be very Happy if his/her shop is filled with these people making a purchase or two.
P.S. If there is anyone of you who wants to have a Photo shoot of their shop or their products- for Free go ahead and contact me because I like doing shoots but I don't have the time and money to get pro models. Ive shot gas our gas stations but hey I want variety :)
Merchant's Tales: The Guerrilla Corporate Entrepreneur (GCE)
| Merchant's Tales: The Guerrilla Corporate Entrepreneur (GCE) | for everyone |
I made the term up hehe
Category 1: The Corporate Hotshot in a Suit working in a posh office complete in one of the City's Skyscrapers
Category 2: The Versatile Entrepreneur, commonly shown running the business according to his mental audacity and physical endurance. Sweating it in the warehouse and even making his home an office.
Corporate people are know for their rigid, sheltered persona while entrepreneurs are known for their unconventional and unstructured business decisions. On the bright side corporate people are disciplined and goal oriented (basically from focusing on a particular aspect of company development) and Entrepreneurs are street savvy and versatile.
I guess I am a hybrid of the two, Physically out to inspect the gasoline stations and referred sites and going back to the office to draw strategic plans and helping establish a new division. Being in this place will never give you a an unexciting moment but it does give you a physical and mental workout (between the two I thing the latter is more often experienced).
Just so how do you launch a company into pure professionalism? How does one stretch the budgets?
In my case we choose to "grow" our organization, hiring a bunch of top experienced honchos or simply pirating the best in the industry might be to expensive for the budget; not to mention the degree of discontentment the other staff might feel when they see that the position above them is easily filled in by outsiders. On the subject of stretching the budgets, one of my dilemmas is actually having a marketing budget that can cover all the marketing materials but not enough to pay up professional services. We don't really need to hire professional models like in the fashion industry and radio and TV advertising will have a high cost of exposure, but no one is going to pay attention for sloppily made print ads.
On my next project which is setting up a retail store network based on non petroleum related products, my task is to develop store space for lease (To the Reader: your opinion will be highly valued- feel free to contact me). While the engineering, legal and the finance aspect haver basically all been delegated the promotions aspect is still under works. I see myself working on the posters a few Sundays from now!
The Gurrellia Corporate Entrepreneur knows the street tactics and how to make fixes while maintaining standards and in my case creating protocols. I must do it. I must do if fast, fast enough so that when I take my MBA's I can be assured of the semi autonomous function of the division and key responsibilities have been delegated. Perhaps one day I will be dealing with more strategic decisions and lie in my bed with forward decisions in my mind and not the daily grind.
Ring ring ring- gotta get back to planning my next site visit and finalizing the Bidding flowchart for our Subic Station construction..
Religion 101
 | Religion 101 | for users girlfriday and enriquheun |
1. A non Christian is called the Dammed
2. a non Muslim is called an Infidel
3. A non Buddhist is called unenlightened/delusional
4. A non Hindu is called an Outcast
What Are you?
Merchant's Tales: Business is Politics and Politics is Business- ala Provincial
| Merchant's Tales: Business is Politics and Politics is Business- ala Provincial | for everyone |
I had quite a difficult time starting off this blog, not that I do not have plenty of thoughts in mind to write about, but rather the complexity and inter dependent nature of the facts that it is hard to lay them up in a step by step manner. I am further narrowing this entry by including only what I have observed in the provinces, in my interactions with the political leaders whom Iv'e sent business proposals and presented franchise systems to.
In many provinces we know the local leaders in politics are also the leaders in business activity. Ive seen this in the northern provinces, Ive also seen this in the southern Provinces where my mother grew up. One will be astounded on how rooted this is that it can be immediately coined to our culture. The question that goes to one's head is whether which cam first the Businessman or the Politician?
Politics First?
Just a couple of weeks ago I traveled to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. I cannot help but be amazed on the number of properties and businesses a local politician can have. Add to what I saw in Palawan I can safely say that the local politician assets and businesses can range from land, farms, mango orchards, fishing fleets, lapu lapu breeding stations etc etc. Ive even been to a zoo owned by one northern governor! Perhaps attaining the position enabled them to enact permits that are favorable to them? What the heck, being a municipal mayor even puts the register of deeds under you for easier real estate registration.
But everything must have a beginning, so where did the local politician get to be where he is now, being in the centre of the town's trade and commerce? Perhaps he had the favor of the last mayor, who upon his last term gave the aspiring politico his blessing and a cache of campaign funding? Perhaps he worked his way up the political ladder from SK, to barnagay Captain all the way to the seat of mayor? Knowing that running in even the smallest town is not a cheap endeavor, one must be well funded.
Business First?
My great grandparents came to politics this way, they started out as abaca merchants in Camarnes sur. They were the sons of Sangleys, Chinese mestizos who traded their wares to survive in the country. My great grandparents were Gobernadorcillos of the late Spanish time, they were there by appointment. They were there because of of practical reasons, obviously because they had education and they were organized enough to manage a small town, sadly their role is to administer Spanish rule.
Perhaps the businessman knew that to safeguard his business and ensure its continuity, he must be involved on politics- don't get me wrong I still believe that there are still local and national politicians who have public service as their primary motive in assuming their positions.
Personally I don't think its wise to mix both, In my opinion the political career can be as fleeting as a rainbow after a rainy day. One of the greatest threats of mixing politics with business is the possibility that after one ends his political career, his business career can also end when the next town or city mayor confiscates the business or at least denies the former official of the proper permits to operate his business
Politics was really never my favorite, but at least in this country a shrewed business man must learn how to sway in the winds of political change. One must learn the art of befriending but never really getting associated with officials, never engaging in long term politically motivated deals.
Merchant's Tales: Of Business Trips and Travel
| Merchant's Tales: Of Business Trips and Travel | for everyone |
One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is the opportunity to travel. Next Week from March 22-27 I will be in the Ilocos Area to conduct site vehicle counts and to present our franchise system to a couple of interested parties. While I was discussing this to a friend of mine she gave me unsolicited advise:
Don't get a barrio girl pregnant.
After letting out a chuckle, it then occurred to me on how I should I maximize my trip. Of course to start with I must do my job well but beyond counting vehicles my natural curiosity wants to explore the place some more. If time permits, probably take a stride in the countryside and take a few photos of their well known churches.
I really don't have much to write now, perhaps next week I will fill my next blog with so many sensory details of the place. For now however, I would just be posting a teaser.
How do you know is she is the right one?
| How do you know is she is the right one? | for everyone |
The surprising source for this blog is the December issue of Men's Health Philippines.
1. you share a number of interests
2. You have the same set of values
3. You can handle the best and the worst from each other
4. You see yourself growing old with her
5. You can trust her with your life
6. In the event you are terminally sick, you can be assured that she will take care of you
7. In the event that she is terminally sick, you will take care of her.
Merchant's Tales: The Need for Culture
| Merchant's Tales: The Need for Culture | for everyone |
I watched a presentation yesterday In UP Diliman, it was the UP Samaskom LIVEAIDS program organized by an org of a good friend of mine. It was very entertaining, I haven't laughed that hard in quite some time. I was a cool splash to my regular heated up routine. After watching the show I met up with another friend of mine from The Ateneo (the like calling it that way hehehe) she too came from my a play.
I gave a pause and looked back at my college years in my dear uber efficient school that prides itself as the BEST school for undergraduate business studies and realized we don't have those. Looking deeper, hey! we don't really have cultural outlets (except perhaps the university break where we eat, do group works and occasionally watch bands and our Pep Squad.
But that was it.
Compared to what I saw and what Ive heard, its a far cry. A couple of my friends commented in pity about my and tow of my college friends' situation. So we made a stand. Next week we will will watch a play and be more "cultured men". Await next week's blog to see how culture starved men react when they see the light of the arts.
Expand. Consolidate. Reflect. Plan.
| Expand. Consolidate. Reflect. Plan. | for everyone |
Expansion. Let spontaneousness fill you with energy to create momentum. Let the energy flow to your work, socials and actions. The essence of expansions gives you a charismatic magnetism that compels others to follow your actions and influence their thoughts. Expand to win hearts and minds. In this game of life, statistics often favor those who have more bets, be more welcoming and less picky in this stage.
Consolidate the essential things must be kept and set free the things not needed and the impractical ones. Not all that is enjoyable is practical. Not all happy moments are good. Not all memories are worth resurrecting. Getting rid of "good" is sometimes needed to get "better"
Reflect what went wrong, and what was right. Why? Why not? What will you do next?
Plan. No great success ever comes from a series of fortunate coincidences. Jackpots and lucky breaks are few- 99% of the time you must rely on your best judgement for that time and be flexible in the execution. It is a bad plan that cannot be altered.
In life's cycles it is better to focus on each task one at a time, nothing half baked and no force unfocused but one must be versatile.
For all of this blog's abstractions I hope that you readers will be able to find at least one relevant application and the purpose of my writing is served.
Seasons of Change
| Seasons of Change | for Enrique's friends & their friends, Enrique's family & their family, Enrique's friends and Enrique's family |
My world will turn again soon. A new era, a new set of challenges. For the past four years I spent it in getting used with the big roles I'm trying to fill in and to normalize my work life. In addition I was investing in social relationships thorough each party and each road trip. To to this up a turbulent but extremely passionate romance. Yeah the past 4 years were a roller coaster ride, of fresh starts and hard lessons in both business and in life.
I've made many mistakes but I have learned well.
All these have come to an end, I am currently in a transition phase of a few months before I shun myself from the world and take up the baton of studying. I have a few months to clean the last era's mess and to lay the foundations of this new launch. I will lay down extreme emotions and call on practicality and pragmatism to take over. I will lay my lifestyle down and take up books again.
To progress one must never grow too comfortable with the status he is in, for a time it was happy for me, but it felt empty. Lacking. There were achievements but still pretty raw and juvenile to be called "prime achievements" all are still quite far from being a claim to fame. As I mentioned last December, this year will have less glamour and more substance, except perhaps for the blue label that awaits me if this year has been great!
And in my deep thought, what is real will emerge- the dark yet rich colors of character.
Merchant's Tales: What Type of Millionaire will you Be?
| Merchant's Tales: What Type of Millionaire will you Be? | for everyone |
Imagine a time in the future not so distant and not too soon.
You are rich. Not just by inheriting a large fortune, but by having sustained earnings though the course of your effort. (In my opinion a man who inherits a large fortune without financial savvy is as good as one who has no cash at all). But Yeah congratulations, you made it (you lucky bastard)
Here's a toast of Don Perignon that you have personally sponsored.
There are those of you who reached this point through a blazing head start by being born with a sizable family estate or banked up wealth. You did well and your ancestors are not ashamed.
There are some who embraced a competitive career and have emerged the victors in the vicious competition for the top ranks. In a dog eat dog world you emerged as the top dog.
There are some who will have the pride and honor of being able to say that they are self made in the efforts of entrepreneurship. May the Karma of entrepreneurship benefit you and your family.
Lastly, you may have been a dark force who reached this pinnacle though ways and methods not considered noble, and far from honorable. Fuc*k you.
There are many ways to get here, heck it may even be a combination of strategies.
So What Now?
In an attempt to find what is an Ideal lifestyle for that time I reach my goal, I have stumbled across different types. Some of the types here are the typical stereotype (the image often depicted in the editorials of newspapers and of society magazines), some are hybrid systems and some are truly eccentric. I do not guarantee that I have everything here but this is the best I could do for a few hours of blogging. Be warned; this blog may compliment or insult, but hey reading this is a choice you took to undertake.
Enjoy.
The Types of Millionnaire According to Ricky:
1. The Social Butterfly
2. Low Profile Millionaire
3. Power Broker
4. The Spartan
5. The Industrialist
6. The Millionaires wife/girlfriend or Husband/Boyfriend
1. The Social Butterfly
The Image does not accurately depict a social butterfly. but hey who would gladly lend me a picture of himself/herself to be here right?
Now this type conjures the traditional image of the rich that many of us have in our mind. The social butterfly has almost always been synonymous to high (snob) society; wealth that has been built from the pioneers of the industry, grandsons and great granddaughters of tycoons whose companies have been professionalized due to their heavyweight size. Examples of these are your friendly Makati Mall owners and your benevolent electricity distributors.
They are not citizens of this country but rather, citizens of the world- if you want to keep up with them, better adapt a jet setter lifestyle. When the average son/daughter of a business owner gets to choose a number of basic staff, I have seen ones who get to choose college degree holders managers for their division.
In my opinion it will take a long time to be at this status, heck it might even be your grandchildren to enjoy this privilege as succession of family enterprises are not exactly the easiest. Don't get me wrong though, it can be attainable within your lifetime.
How do you know you've made it in this category? Buy an Issue of the Philippine Tatler- Then look for your party pics with comic book captions.
Or- Make your own superclub and hire a ghostwriter to write your adventures in our local lifestyle paper.
2. The Low Profile Millionaire
A very close relative of mine had her OJT in a bank. One day, a simple looking man tried to deposit some checks for an owner of a Visayas Based furniture company. Upon opening the account details, she was astounded that the person's bank account has 80 Million in it.
Please do not confuse this with the Spartan Millionaire, many low life people live it large. its just that they would rather keep it low and treat wealth as a personal endowment, not much as a power tool. Like a ninja they shun themselves from media, politics and lobbying but that's not to prevent them from driving their favorite sports car.
Now going back with the depositor with 80M in the back, I did not get to know the name. Perhaps the family name did not even ring a bell and it was almost forgettable. I admire these people, but this lifestyle is not for me. I was gifted with the inner KSP.
3. Power Broker
Do you use your money to mould society, to push your cause or purchase souls? Money can buy Power and Money can Earn Power, there comes a point where you cant exactly pinpoint which came first, like the primordial question of who came first; the chicken or the egg? Most power brokers I have met are policymakers, aka politicians -but don't get me wrong, there are many businessmen who use their wealth to influence a whole lot of policies.
There are those who went into businesses to get funds to run and when in position, they organize the infrastructure to favor their enterprises, some get a percentage for every project. But politics might not be very sustainable, In a conversation with a local NCR politician, he commented that politicians come and go- whatever personal wealth or businesses established during his time of service can dissolve as political power wanes. Being a businessman might be better in the long run because businesses last longer than political terms. At least most of the time.
If you define morality as nothing more but just the generally accepted set of accepted social principles (GASASP).
This could work for you.
4. The Spartan
I have a very reliable source source of information who told me that a president of a company importing our canned fruits holds his office in an old building in Binondo with old chairs and no air conditioning. From his humble office he manages a warehouse of assorted imported goods distributed throughout the country. While he can always get a nicer office (or at least an office space with air conditioning) he opted not to do to at all.
For what I see, Spartans see personal comfort as a demotivation to stive hard and a possible cause of complacency. I admire the furgality of these people, cherishing the fact that their satisfaction can be solely derived from an excellent business operation.
Not you?
Maybe. but in some things even we can all be spartans.
5. The Industrialist
The industrialist lives to work, a trait shared with the Spartan. The only thing truly lacking for this type of Millionaire is time for himself, and time to enjoy his wealth enough. Sure he invests in fine things, but he rarely takes the luxury of time to enjoy them. if you see the many vacation houses in Tagaytay Highlands that remain idle for most of the year, then it is probably owned by an industrialist.
Leaving work behind is often difficult especially for perfectionists and control freaks (I'm guilty). These habits grow into you after many many years and there will come a point where even well staffed companies are still run via autocratic leadership. Should this type of Millionaire finds the wisdom to delegate, train and develop top level managers, it only gives him/her enough time to consider expanding and putting up new ventures.
6. The Millionaires Wife/Girlfriend or Husband/Boyfriend
Not to be outdone, the last type of Millionaire might be the MOST SUCCESSFUL OF ALL
If we define success as:
"Ability to get the DESIRED RESULTS with LESS TIME and LESS EFFORT"
For the Ladies: Matandang Mayaman Madaling Mamatay
For men: Its time to hunt for Cougars.
Why the hell study and get a college degree? Why go into the risks, politics and challenges of a professional career of a business? After High School look at yourself at the mirror- If there is potential ask mom and dad for .5 Million Php for 2 years. Invest your money in Body landscaping and personal confidence development skills. If you are an artista na or married to one you have your 100% Roi.
For guys, forget the pretty young thing., why spend when you can be showered with motherly love all over again? :)
After this long read, let me twist why this may not even be a good measure of success
While It being happy almost always leads you to success, success will never guarantee your happiness.
First Week of January
| First Week of January | for Enrique's friends |
It was well anticipated, 2009 was meant to end in a vacuum of silence and 2010 will be entered with a a layer of thick melancholy artificially brightened by the lights and sounds of assorted fireworks and champagne. I sort of felt entering the year alone, but with plenty of hope.
I predicted that 2009 will have 2 alternative endings, the first ending was my personal relationship would have been mended and the 1st month of 2010 will be devoted to healing a severely damaged relationship and getting things back to normal. Time to repair: est: 5-6 months
The second ending is that the 2006-2009 relationship will have to be totally destroyed, Like the firebombing of tokyo in the closing years of world war to and to start of with a new beginning. In this second ending, my original plans of focusing on work and social agendas will play a large part of my well being.
I secretly longed for the second ending but I dreaded it too at the same time, I then wished a combination of the two endings where the second ending will occur first than first ending will occur after a few months (freedom and a way to fix things), but alas that's too much wishful thinking. Love and relationships aren't as easy to fix. Possible but quite unlikely.
So on to the first week of January! the week where so much has happened.
Confronting the End
Damage Control Charting The Recovery.
How is do you recover? Good Friends, Lots of activities and Plenty of Alcohol- no I am not an alcoholic, this is "therapeutic drinking". Ahh besides from that there is nothing like reading, meditation photography and heavy workouts.
Setting Foundations for a good year.
For the longest time I have been searching for the perfect balance between work and fulfilling interaction with friends. Ive always wanted to expand my horizons and immerse myself in a variety of experiences and points of view. I have nothing against being in a relationship but being single once again makes you realize how much you can learn from quality time with friends. I might as well take advantage of the opportunity now because of I might never have this much time again. Heck I have written more than 5 blogs in a month.
This is the time to get in tune with my humanity and focus on self development. I mentioned that I will support a local charity, well I just made a phonecall and will be discussing with them this week. I am also looking forward for my MBA acceptance this year (fingers crossed).
As for work I am enjoying the challenge of training a team for our line of projects. Much more, in the recent days, I feel more appreciated for what I do and I can see the effect of the systems and station manuals in the improvement of station performance. Work can be very rewarding.
Afterthoughts
After the first week of the month, I dont exactly feel pep squad happy, nor am I depressed. I am more happy than sad. There is the question of trying to still work it out and there is the suggestion of being prudent and make the best of your situation. I choose to be prudent, at this point on time I am at peace in saying I would never trade this position to alternative ending A, but I wouldn't close my doors either- says my still unstable self.
I predicted that 2009 will have 2 alternative endings, the first ending was my personal relationship would have been mended and the 1st month of 2010 will be devoted to healing a severely damaged relationship and getting things back to normal. Time to repair: est: 5-6 months
The second ending is that the 2006-2009 relationship will have to be totally destroyed, Like the firebombing of tokyo in the closing years of world war to and to start of with a new beginning. In this second ending, my original plans of focusing on work and social agendas will play a large part of my well being.
I secretly longed for the second ending but I dreaded it too at the same time, I then wished a combination of the two endings where the second ending will occur first than first ending will occur after a few months (freedom and a way to fix things), but alas that's too much wishful thinking. Love and relationships aren't as easy to fix. Possible but quite unlikely.
So on to the first week of January! the week where so much has happened.
Confronting the End
Damage Control Charting The Recovery.
How is do you recover? Good Friends, Lots of activities and Plenty of Alcohol- no I am not an alcoholic, this is "therapeutic drinking". Ahh besides from that there is nothing like reading, meditation photography and heavy workouts.
Setting Foundations for a good year.
For the longest time I have been searching for the perfect balance between work and fulfilling interaction with friends. Ive always wanted to expand my horizons and immerse myself in a variety of experiences and points of view. I have nothing against being in a relationship but being single once again makes you realize how much you can learn from quality time with friends. I might as well take advantage of the opportunity now because of I might never have this much time again. Heck I have written more than 5 blogs in a month.
This is the time to get in tune with my humanity and focus on self development. I mentioned that I will support a local charity, well I just made a phonecall and will be discussing with them this week. I am also looking forward for my MBA acceptance this year (fingers crossed).
As for work I am enjoying the challenge of training a team for our line of projects. Much more, in the recent days, I feel more appreciated for what I do and I can see the effect of the systems and station manuals in the improvement of station performance. Work can be very rewarding.
Afterthoughts
After the first week of the month, I dont exactly feel pep squad happy, nor am I depressed. I am more happy than sad. There is the question of trying to still work it out and there is the suggestion of being prudent and make the best of your situation. I choose to be prudent, at this point on time I am at peace in saying I would never trade this position to alternative ending A, but I wouldn't close my doors either- says my still unstable self.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Do not let a stray dog get into your circle of friends
| Do not let a stray dog get into your circle of friends | for everyone |
You can die from someone else’s misery – emotional states are as infectious as disease. You may feel you are helping the drowning man but you are only precipitating your own disaster. The unfortunate sometimes draw misfortune on themselves; they will also draw it on you. Associate with the happy and fortunate instead
- 48 Rules of Power by Robert Greene
At first it may seem very humane and charitable to adopt a stray dog. You offer genuine friendship, good company and your compassion takes the better of you. But adopting a 24 (now 25) year old stray dog can have hidden consequences. Why? well the question you must first ask is why is He a stray dog in the first place?
Why is he still a stray dog given he had 24 years (almost quarter of a century) to make the most of social life and have a healthy circle of friends?
Why doesn't he have confidence? Yeah 24 years is still a very young age to be called fulfilled but hey, aren't you supposed to have a career direction and a plan of life? people who lack confidence are dangerous. They will look for the one with the most confidence and strike like a snake when least expected. Those are not the eyes that charm, those are the eyes of desperation.
A Stray dog will eat anything you feed it, but don't expect anything good to coming from it. He will allow himself to be treated to your birthday party, ask for your advice in setting up a business, Accept help from your friends who intend to help the dog in market research and will gladly, make himself welcome to go into your home and sleep there and lastly he will allow himself be treated for food. But oh, nothing good ever came from it- not even loyalty.
A stray dog might have rabies, and this stray dog I know of was rabid in making romantic advances left and right, what he lacks in aim and substance, he makes for by doing multiple attempts.
Remember your friends, hold them in high esteem.
Your friendship is earned.
Friendship is a relation between people who hold themselves in mutual respect and honor.
Friends reciprocate good favors.
Do not let a stray dog go in, - he might be just interested in the most juicy piece of meat your circle has to offer then just leave. I saw no honor, no remorse.
Believe it or not, the stray dog might be a snake.
Lets get it on to my Bloody Business Baby!
| Lets get it on to my Bloody Business Baby! | for Enrique's friends & their friends and Enrique's friends |
Tomorrow is the first workday of the year. I want to have a fresh new start, firmly pointing in the right direction. But before the start of the workweek, I would like to take time to reflect the various challenges I encountered.
So what the Hell Just Happened to me in the last 3 years of work?
It was a baptism of fire. I'm in a entrepreneurial company that is expanding and professionalizing. Ive encountered every business problem conceivable in my first 2 years of work, ranging from filing a criminal suit for bouncing checks to dealing with station pilferage. I had to let people go in the name of company efficiency- and oh yes they cried and begged.
I've demonstrated over a dozen times or more a product that doesn't sell in the market. Some medical equipment for cancer detection, I did this because it was my job and duty even if higher management believed that it only a marketing push that's needed. In addition, our understaffed team organized 2 medical conventions with limited time and budget. All I had for this is the satisfaction that I did my best and a trove of lessons from logistics to selling.
I have encountered people who tried to take advantage, from brokers fees to payment schemes. Ive been offered trips and gifts to compromise my decision to their favors.
Ive seen people get corrupted, Ive seen a company Chief Operating Officer get fired. I feel no more anxiety. Ive felt anxiety, being overwhelmed and consistently proving myself to fit very large shoes.
I'm the one in charge for new projects and new businesses. I am the face of the company in our joint venture company (a joint venture with a Britain and US based company). I am getting more efficient in training and delegating work to my staff.
Thank you for all of these. This is what I wished for. I never really had a personal mentor. I read and I consult. I have failed but I have never cowered and backed down. I believe that all of these are fate's way of ensuring that I am destined for greater roles.
People say I am tense and uptight, well there is much truth in that but that will change after all trials that happened, I am now more confident. I will know the wisdom from the streets and the strategic knowledge of the boardroom. I am indestructible. 2010 Here we go baby! Here I go, more aggressive, more decisive and above all, unafraid.
So what the Hell Just Happened to me in the last 3 years of work?
It was a baptism of fire. I'm in a entrepreneurial company that is expanding and professionalizing. Ive encountered every business problem conceivable in my first 2 years of work, ranging from filing a criminal suit for bouncing checks to dealing with station pilferage. I had to let people go in the name of company efficiency- and oh yes they cried and begged.
I've demonstrated over a dozen times or more a product that doesn't sell in the market. Some medical equipment for cancer detection, I did this because it was my job and duty even if higher management believed that it only a marketing push that's needed. In addition, our understaffed team organized 2 medical conventions with limited time and budget. All I had for this is the satisfaction that I did my best and a trove of lessons from logistics to selling.
I have encountered people who tried to take advantage, from brokers fees to payment schemes. Ive been offered trips and gifts to compromise my decision to their favors.
Ive seen people get corrupted, Ive seen a company Chief Operating Officer get fired. I feel no more anxiety. Ive felt anxiety, being overwhelmed and consistently proving myself to fit very large shoes.
I'm the one in charge for new projects and new businesses. I am the face of the company in our joint venture company (a joint venture with a Britain and US based company). I am getting more efficient in training and delegating work to my staff.
Thank you for all of these. This is what I wished for. I never really had a personal mentor. I read and I consult. I have failed but I have never cowered and backed down. I believe that all of these are fate's way of ensuring that I am destined for greater roles.
People say I am tense and uptight, well there is much truth in that but that will change after all trials that happened, I am now more confident. I will know the wisdom from the streets and the strategic knowledge of the boardroom. I am indestructible. 2010 Here we go baby! Here I go, more aggressive, more decisive and above all, unafraid.
A Refreshing Holiday
| A Refreshing Holiday | for everyone |
Im very happy things are going as planned towards the end of the year. I got my much needed break and am very excited for next year. Im just too excited so I'm gonna cut this short.
Words that lightened me up
| Words that lightened me up | for Enrique's friends |
The various pieces of advice and encouragement given by good friends and personal credos
1. To fix a relationship you must Remove all pride, Sacrifice some time, compromise a little health but never change your core values.
2. She deserves to be happy and you deserve to be happy too- I want to see you happy.
3. You will never be Rich enough, smart enough, handsome enough, even more- your dick will never be big enough but that shouldn't stop you to be a man who makes ways rather than a man who finds excuses.
4. You will not be punished by your anger, your anger will punish you.- Buddha
5. Regardless of your past, as long as you can face the responsibility and develop your principles, you will deserve something better.
6. Which would you rather have, the most beautiful rose with sharp thorns or the softest grass to step on?
7. There is no doubt that you are a diamond- an unpolished one though.
8. I want her back because she is the most principled person I've ever known if she cant regain that, I don't think this is worth fighting for.
9. I'm fueled with lots of hope and faith that she will be the woman I once admired.
10. Are you a Catholic? If so you must believe that the most evil men can be converted into the best Saints.
11. Win your lose, you win because you rediscovered your principles
12. You showed me principles when I had none, now I want to show you how to regain them.
13. You learned true value maybe too late to save this relationship, but hell at 25 - you are still young.
14. DMD (Dami pa dyan)
15. The only real strategic value in relationships is ending up with the one who makes you the happiest.
16. Ang labo mo, didn't you get what you with asked for?
1. To fix a relationship you must Remove all pride, Sacrifice some time, compromise a little health but never change your core values.
2. She deserves to be happy and you deserve to be happy too- I want to see you happy.
3. You will never be Rich enough, smart enough, handsome enough, even more- your dick will never be big enough but that shouldn't stop you to be a man who makes ways rather than a man who finds excuses.
4. You will not be punished by your anger, your anger will punish you.- Buddha
5. Regardless of your past, as long as you can face the responsibility and develop your principles, you will deserve something better.
6. Which would you rather have, the most beautiful rose with sharp thorns or the softest grass to step on?
7. There is no doubt that you are a diamond- an unpolished one though.
8. I want her back because she is the most principled person I've ever known if she cant regain that, I don't think this is worth fighting for.
9. I'm fueled with lots of hope and faith that she will be the woman I once admired.
10. Are you a Catholic? If so you must believe that the most evil men can be converted into the best Saints.
11. Win your lose, you win because you rediscovered your principles
12. You showed me principles when I had none, now I want to show you how to regain them.
13. You learned true value maybe too late to save this relationship, but hell at 25 - you are still young.
14. DMD (Dami pa dyan)
15. The only real strategic value in relationships is ending up with the one who makes you the happiest.
16. Ang labo mo, didn't you get what you with asked for?
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