Productive Pinoy

If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful. - Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com


We can talk about CEOs, talk about highly skilled designers, genius technicians, persuasive marketing people.. but a business will never be a business without CUSTOMERS. It is the lifeblood of any business. People, practices, technology will change but at the end of the day, its still about your customers.

What do they want? Innovation? Reliable service? Instant delivery? cheap or affordable services?

Even before Viral Marketing was identified there was already a simple concept known as "Word of Mouth Advertising"... Just like what Jeff Bezos says

"If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful"

The same concept is true until today. Please and satisfy your existing customers. They will gladly recommend you to their friends, family, class mates, church mates, office mates, gym buddies and one of the most important today.... their social network.

The best part is that people are usually motivated to buy because someone they know or trust recommended it.

25 THINGS I HATE ABOUT FACEBOOK 

I stumbled across this funny video (but mostly true!) by Julian Smith. Shown in the video are also awkward moments I find when I am using Facebook. Funny stuff. Tell me what you think ha. ha. ha.  

Do you need money to make money? Can I start a business without money?

Your mom and dad will definitely say... "Yes you need money"
They'll usually tell you don't do it.

Financial Planners will say... "you need at least six months worth of your living expenses and business expenses"

Business Experts will say "No". They'll usually make it sound easier, given they are naturally optimistic. They'll tell you... "You need ideas, gut and hard work to make money" 
Photo Courtesy:

If you ask me again the question "does it take money to make money?" or "can I start a business without money?" My simplest answer would be:

IT DEPENDS WHO YOU ARE.

If you are living in your parents house and they are paying for everything, maybe you won't need the cash to start a small business. Use your unique skills,  put a lot of effort, use the web and learn how to work well with people. Who knows you might be the next "Facebook" guy? You might not need any money.

If you already have an existing source of income, either a job or an existing business, then probably you can start a business with no capital or at least minimum capital if you know how to use the tools available around you. How you use your time will be another consideration. Yes it is possible for you to start with a small amount of money.

If you are already rich. Definitely, its easier for you to put up another business. Considering not only your financial status but also your expertise and experience in operating a business. There are universal basic principles in business that you can use in whatever industry. That's why entrepreneurs are usually not only interested with the product or the service they offer, but they are fascinated in combining resources, organizing and making things work. It will be easier for you to start another venture.

If you are a family man with at least two kids with no existing income or savings, then that would be a different story. I don't think you can just quit your job and expect everything will be fine. You cannot blindly go and take the risk. You need to calculate the risk. Then minimize it as much as you can. After figuring out how you are going to pay for your living expenses then maybe.

You will need enough money to make your business fly. Just like an airplane needs a long runway to take off to the sky.

The use of "money" here is either to pay for your personal living expenses or your operations for the first six months. Either way, you need some "form" of money to start a business. Big or small. That money may be "the free living expenses you are entitled while living at your parents house" or  "money that you earn from another source to pay for your rent, grocery, utilities, etc..."

The best thing today is that it is "easier" to put up a business compare it with the 80s and 90s... The playing field is a bit even because of the internet. The more you understand how the internet works the more advantageous its going to be for you.

With or without money, you will need to learn how to manage the finances of your new business. Now, that will take a lot of learning.

How about you? Share your perspective about this subject. Feel free to leave your thoughts below!

We live in an instant world where everything is quick and fast. Instant messaging. Instant noodles. Instant delivery. Instant coffee. Instant website. Instant gratification. You can get many things in just a few minutes.


The world moves so fast that sometimes we tend to think that success can also be "instant". We look for short-cuts if possible. Sometimes we call it the "fast track".


But there are reasons why we need to start somewhere or start small. To learn. To understand. To be dissatisfied of the status quo.  To discover. To envision. To gain a perspective. To build confidence. To strengthen our character.

Photo Courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonno101/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0



Recently I've come across this great article describing the first jobs of 10 wealthy entrepreneurs. The line-up includes, McDonald's founder Ray Croc, Warren Buffet a.k.a riches man on earth, Sam Walton of Walmart, Michael Dell of Dell Computers and six other wealthy guys that you probably know.

Can you imagine these guys doing real "jobs"? 

Can you imagine young Warren Buffet (riches man on the planet) driving a bicycle selling newspapers? (newspaper boy)

How about Michael Dell washing plates in a chinese restaurant? (dishwasher)

Ray Kroc, McDonalds Founder, as a grocery store bagger?


There is nothing wrong in starting small. As long as we start now. Start somewhere. Lets enjoy the small beginnings.

Read it here: THE FIRST JOBS OF 10 WEALTHY ENTREPRENEURS


Big thinker? Don't hesitate to share your thoughts below!

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. 
- Walt Disney

I think Walter got it right from the start. He did not only envision a world with "Disney" products or movies, but yes, he did create it. This guy's imagination quotient (if there's such a thing) is like 110/100. But what's great about this guy is that what he dreamt, he was able to translate it to action.

This guy is not an artsy-fartsy kinda guy but according to his bio, he keeps a close tab when it comes to his copyright and he makes sure he has control in whatever he does. Even during the depression, Disney's studio flourished.

The same imagination and tenacity to act, he passed on to his successors. 

No wonder, even after Disney passed away, Disney World, the 185 acre amusement park envisioned by Walt, was built by the very same people he left. Talk about action.

Light Weight Carbon Fiber. Solar Powered. 5 Day Nationwide Tour. DLSU. P5M.

I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot.. when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result. - Michael Jordan


So you screwed up? Big time? You lost a lot of money. You still owe suppliers. What do you do?



Learn from your mistakes. Find out how to avoid it in the future. Explore alternative options. Be wiser when you get your second chance... third, fourth, fifth... chance.

Don't "try and try until you succeed"

Instead "try... learn... try again... learn some more.. try... keep on learning"

Do this... You might just succeed big time!

What if just like the MENTALIST, you can read between the lines? You can easily figure out facts and problems within 5 minutes in the scene.

Can you imagine what you can do with the same skill set? Use it in your business, in your work or career... Use the same skill set when leading people.

How many customers will be happy to do business with you if you have the same intuition and problem solving skills? Your employer will promote you faster than you think. People will flock to follow your leadership.

Though we can't truly live this fictional character, we can start learning from this guy... notice the details... find out people's motivation and intention.... read between the lines.

1. What if you can find out in an instant what your customers, fans or followers really want?

2. What if there's another way to deliver your products or services?

3. What If you don't need to mass produce?... You can customize every piece...

4. What if you can ship directly to your customers? Allowing your company to abandon your high rental warehouse and save lots of $$$.

5. What if you can package your product differently? Like Pringles or something...

6. What if you only need to sell "__________" pieces to make a huge profit.

7. What if you can put up your store/inventory inside your customers business/venue?

8. What if you can automate everything? Will you?

9. What if you can source your products from China?

10. What if you give up operations and just focus on "Marketing" products?

11. What if you can barter? What would you trade it for?

12. What if fixing it will cost you more?  

13. What if you can fire your customers?

14. What if you can fire your boss?

15. What if they don't listen? Will you still make your point?

16. Why if everybody in the world is connected to the internet? How would this change your business?





18. What if Google buys your company? Will you sell?

19. What if you found out that you be will the CEO of the company in 5 years, will you change the way you do things  today?

20. What if you found out the trade secrets of your number 1 competitor? Will you use it for your advantage?

21. What if you can work from home?

22. What if you get a chance to talk to Bill Gates? What's one question you would ask him?

23. What if you can start your own business/company without money?

24. What if you were given a change to design your own product?... How would you design it?

25. What if the bank calls you and says you are qualified to loan $100M. What would you do?

26. What if their job depended on what you are about to do? Would you take the risk?

27. What if the competitor buys the company you are working for? What are the implications?

28. What if you were given a choice?

29. What if you can travel every quarter? What are the destinations?

30. What if its purely digital...no paper?

31. What if you change the color?

32. What if you give it away for free?

33. What if the revenue is not from the product but from the service?

34. What if you charge rent?

35. What if there's a way to make money from that particular problem?

36. What if we discontinue that product or service?

37. What if you just need to go to work for 2 hours a day?

38. What if you give up the office/store and do everything on-line?

39. What if I hire somebody to do these things for me?

40. What if you were given the option to hire your own people? Who would you hire?

41. What if you were given the choice to choose only one person not to fire? Who would you not fire?

42. What if you were given the priority to be the no.1 in Google Search? What would you put in your content?

43. What if the industry you are in is about to become irrelevant? How would you shift?

44. What if there's another way to measure success?

45. What if change freeze?

46. What if you were given the chance to do things differently? How would you do it?

47. What if somebody gives you back the money that you lose in business? How would you use it differently?

48. What if there are many solutions? Not only one. Which one would it be?

49. What if you were given a chance to receive an award... what award would be?

50. What if you were paid to play?

51. What if you were paid to watch?

52. What if you can get things done without meetings?

53. What if there's a way not to use email? twitter? facebook? sms?

54. What if you could work less yet earn double?

55. What if you found out that you need to fail 3x before you succeed... will you keep on trying?


Feel free to add your "what if" question below. You can also answer if you want to!

Apple released its new revolutionary device today, the iPad. Its like your Macbook merged or morphed with your iPhone only a lot better and advanced. Its a tablet-touch device. Really gorgeous interface. 




They said you won't need to "learn" how to use the device. Just touch, pinch, flip... very natural and intuitive. There's no pointing device, no physical keyboard, just a single piece of glass.






There's an App called "iBooks" where you can browse books on-line. If you like the book, you can purchase it instantly and read it. Really interesting.
 
The iPhoto App looks great as well. Looks like a simple stack of photos. Just touch, pinch open, flip. I think its a simpler and more pleasant way to do it.



LED display. Very bright and clear. 10 Hours Battery Life. This is really advanced technology.


I am excited about the calendar features they previewed... reminds me of my old day planner. 

"Its the best way to browse the web"

 - Apple



And its ridiculously priced only for $499! What the heck!


I want to get one! Seriously.


Watch it here: http://www.apple.com/ipad/ipad-video/#small

"An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly is the ultimate competitive advantage." - Jack Welch, Former CEO of GE... Named as one of the most valuable companies in the world.

This is so true both in business and in real life. The faster we can LEARN and translate what we have learned into ACTION, the more ADVANTAGE we have in our business, in our career or in our lives.

RAPID LEARNING --> ACT NOW = ULTIMATE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Turn your ideas into action as quickly as you can. Don't let fear or excuses stop you from being your best. Drop the excuses.

"I didn't finish my education" ...

"I can't speak well" ...

"I'm not a people person" ...

"Only if I were a ... "

"I don't have capital"...

Excuses are usually driven by fear. Just go and jump in to what you fear most. It might not be as hard as you think. You need to "build" your confidence. And "building" means putting together the pieces one at a time. Take a step forward everyday towards your goals.

Procrastinate later. Do it now and watch how your confidence grow. Do not spend "too much" preparing or planning, nothing can teach or prepare us better than experience. Solve problems as they arise.

Stop thinking and start doing.

What are you good at? People come to you for advice about what? Do they go to you before buying something? Before dating someone? Do they ask advise about money? When they are having a hard time with... ? People around you may think that you are an expert in this field!
If they can validate your expertise, then you should probably think of making money out of that skill or knowledge.

Use your imagination. Start a consulting firm. Distribute products needed by the people who go to you. Start a service business. Write a book or start a blog. The possibilities are endless.

Don't let your thinking limit you.

I took this photo personally when we had our vacation in Bangkok last December. We stayed there for 5 nights. We enjoyed eating in several places like the Siam Center, MBK, Center World, Suan lum Night Market, etc. And every time we would eat, i'd order the famous "Pad Thai" in the food court or in the restaurant whenever I get the chance.

One night, while we were shopping in the "Baiyoke" Pratunam area... We passed by several vendors on the street cooking different kinds of food.... Very tempting and appetizing! (yum)...

I noticed there were a lot of people standing in front of this particular vendor. (Pad Thai Guy) I stopped... and watched with them as he cook their order. One by one, he was putting the ingredients gracefully... one at a time... I can already taste how good the Pad Thai was going to be even when I was still waiting in line. Watching him was so entertaining... It was like watching Wok with Yan again. (he's the famous chef on TV when I was a kid)

So far this was the best Pad Thai I've tasted in Bangkok. And guest what? Its only 40 Baht or $1.20... (only 30% of what I pay in a restaurant) I won't remember the Pad Thai that I ordered in MBK or in Siam Center. But I'd definitely remember this guy who cooked this awesome Pad Thai!

Being an entrepreneur allows me to travel at least every quarter or six months. Who says that you can't be productive and enjoy at the same time?

I've been to Plantation Bay twice. The other one was just recently. I really enjoyed both stays.

Here are the things that I find enjoyable. If you own or operate a business, you might want to emulate some of their business practices.



1. Authentic Customer Service.

Are you familiar with the term "plastic niceness"? ... Its a customer service practice when they smile at you, ask you the right questions but not really mean what they say. In here, you'll be able to talk with genuine people. They are not only friendly but very helpful.





I've been to Hotels and Resorts around Asia and Europe and this is one of the best resorts I've been to. 

2. Its Unique. Is that really a man made lagoon? Yes it is....

And even if its man made.. the ambiance is so relaxing. So far I haven't heard of the same concept.







3.  Its Family Friendly. The resort is a 11-hectare secluded property that is very private and safe. Traveling with a baby or with many kids? This will be the perfect get-away.

 You can ride this cart going around the resort. 

4. Easy to go to. This is just 30 minutes away from Cebu City and a few minutes away from Mactan Airport.




5. Rooms with great view. Almost all of their rooms offer a great view. They will tell you even before you reserve if the view is a bit limited.

I took the photo below standing from the door of our room. Its literally two steps away from the door. What do you think?






6. Dinner by the Beach. (real Beach) You can go to the beach area at night and enjoy the dinner buffet. What a treat!

How you been to this place? Share with us what you think?

Mayweather? Maybe next time. Manny Pacquiao will fight Joshua Clottey... For how much money? I really don't know. Several hundreds of millions again. I guess.

In the press conference, Manny admitted that Clottey is going to be a tough opponent. He fights different and he is bigger.

Clottey returned it with love... "I love Manny Pacquiao. He is one of my favorite fighters"

What makes this fight even exciting is that its going to be in Texas - Cowboy's Stadium. This is the place where you can find the world's largest HD TV. The size of the screen is almost half of the football field. Its going to be the first boxing match to be held there and the owner and promoters are really excited.

The fight will be called "The Event" ... the press release was an event by itself with former football players hanging out. While the Dallas Cheerleaders did a number.

Pacquiao was overwhelmed with the introduction and said...with his pinoy-engish accent...
"I lik the introduction. I fel like a fot-bol player" (crowds cheering)...

13 Million Hits in YouTube. You see her holding a microphone singing in a talent competition.

Ellen called "can you come over?"
Celine Dion invited "come sing with me"
D. Foster offered "tour with us"
Oprah and her audience cried.
How about a movie deal? Alvin and the Chipmunks offered. Everything looks great Charice!

Now Sennheiser, a well known and respected microphone brand are now selling "Charice"  limited edition microphones. Now about Sennheiser, not only that they house great products but they also have great marketing people...

Hey, think about it... What's the best way to sell a microphone? 

Imagine... for only a $100 you can sing like Charice? (at least that's what the microphone company wants you to think!)

New York Times is thinking of changing their pay model. Currently, reading from NYT is free of charge.  They rely on revenues generated from advertisement but this does not seem to work for the company for now. So they are thinking of doing the following:

1. Casual Browsers or Readers -- Free to read

2. High Volume Readers -- Pay some sort of subscription fee

While they ask some readers to pay, they will still sell advertising.

Dear NYT...  If I may... I think its a bad idea. Why ask people who read lots of what you write pay? These are your loyal readers (also loyal customers) ... They give you traffic, page views, etc...  They send your link to their friends when they find your paper/.com helpful. Why make them pay for a problem that is not really their concern? 

NYT is a great paper. It would be a waste to loose readers because of this move. Instead, you might want to revisit the other aspects of your business. Maybe... your cost structure. Maybe...the type of people you employ... the office space that you rent. Maybe you can loose some more of the expenses directly unrelated to publishing. And make a lot of money from somewhere else or in a different way? (where? I don't know...)

I hope NYT will get this right and make the right decision. 

"At the end of the day, if we don't get this right, a lot of money falls out of the system." -- Times digital chief Martin Nisenholtz