Wednesday 5 October 2011
Sunday 2 October 2011
URGH :|
I almost forgot, it's Prelim week na D: CRAMMING :| Geometryyy! Waaah D: I haven't reviewed a single one of the pointers given :( I'll try my best nalang :( Haaaaay :(
- Ricci :(
- Ricci :(
LONG VACAAAATION :")
Hey guys. It's me again. I haven't posted for a while now. But, I am back. With something to share :D Tuesday 'till Sunday NO CLASSES! Yeees, you heard me, bro :)) But the big turn off is that from tuesday-friday, no electricity! No power! Brownout! Homaygas! :( But it's okay, at least, right? :) And then Saturday.. Oh, saturday :"> Haha :D Basta yon XD Alam nyo na yo, mga napag share-an ko :"> So, that's it lang naman :) I'll try my best to continue on posting here :) Bye guise :*
- Ricci :)
- Ricci :)
Friday 23 September 2011
LAKBAY ARAL 2011
WAHAHAHHA. SUPER SAYA NG LAKBAY ARAL :> I had so much fun. Then may kwento ako :) Eto na, this is really is it XD Kanina kasama ko si Icy & Kelsey papuntang cottage, then bigla kong nakasalubong si Guy 1, guy 2and guy 3. Si guy 1 sabi bigla saken: Uy Ricci, si Guy 2 oh. Tapos nakatingin sya sakin pero kinakausap nya ay si guy 2. Sabi nya: Ambagal mo kasi guy 2 eh, ayan, naunahan ka tuloy. Tapos chat nyo nalang pala ako para sa buong kwento XD Haha! :)) BASTA SUPER SAYA :"> "Nag lunch ka na ba?" Haha! :"> Babayoo :*
-Ricci :D
-Ricci :D
Saturday 17 September 2011
Wednesday 14 September 2011
Sunday 11 September 2011
MOONCAKE FESTIVAL
Nakakapagod umupo -,- 4 hours byahe. Times 2. 8 hours -___- Hahaha. Pero masaya naman yung Mooncake Festival. :) Bakit kasi ang layo pa ng Dagupan? :))
Saturday 10 September 2011
9/10/11
It's already 9/11/11 because it's already 1:18 AM. But even so, I still consider this post should be really on the date 9/10/11 :)) Hahaha. Kung ano ano nalang sinasabi ko XD 3 movies in 1 day \m/ Starting 6 PM :))
Kachat ko sya :"> Sana totoo nga yung sinabi nya :D SANA. SANA. SANA. So, we're going to Dagupan tmrw and wala lang, share lang :) Tapos na nga rin pala ang Intrams. Mami-miss ko yung 2 days na yon.
Kachat ko sya :"> Sana totoo nga yung sinabi nya :D SANA. SANA. SANA. So, we're going to Dagupan tmrw and wala lang, share lang :) Tapos na nga rin pala ang Intrams. Mami-miss ko yung 2 days na yon.
Wednesday 7 September 2011
GREEN ARCHERS :>
Nakakapagod yung practice kanina -__- Sana, maganda result tomorrow. :) GO GREEN :>
Monday 5 September 2011
Thursday 1 September 2011
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Tuesday 9 August 2011
THE 3 IDIOTS
There were three friends named Raju, Farhan and Rancho. The three friends went off to college and they were in the same course, Engineering. One night, they were talking and end up being drunk. That night they talked about what they want in their life. Rancho wants to be a photographer but took up engineering because that's what his father told him so. Raju said to his friends that, follow what your heart really desires and do things that will make you happy in the future. But then, the conversation was changed when suddenly his two friends said that. Why not confess your love to Pia?Then They went to Pia's house. He said and admitted what he was supposed to say but end up holding the hand of the sister of Pia. But, pia was there and heard the whole thing.Afterwards, because of being drunk, raju accidentally peed on the front door of Pia's house. Pia's father was there chasing for the three of them but he almost slipped because of the pee on the floor. On the other hand, the three went to a room from their school and hid inside.When they woke up, there were already students taking up their classes. And suddenly Pia's father came and called Raju to the office. There, Pia's father said that Raju be kicked out because of what he did last night. But Raju begged him not to and ask for another chance. Pia's father said that. Make a choice. You or Farhan (which is his friend) but Raju don't know what to do. So he jumped off the building. He was sent to the hospital. There, his friends, her mother and Pia was there for him. When Raju had recovered It was time for them to have a job and they should pass the interview. Meanwhile,Farhan gave Rancho the job he dreamed of. Rancho was very happy for the news that he received about the photography offered to him. But then, he thinked twice because he knew that , that wasn't the kind of job his father wanted for him. But then he begged for his father's permission and after a long talk and argument his father agreed. During the interview of Raju, he spoke the truth of his answers, the people who interviewed him thanked twice because of the bad behavior of Raju, but Raju told them that he is ready to change and make a good beginning. So Raju and Rancho got the job.
Sunday 24 July 2011
Friday 22 July 2011
Thursday 21 July 2011
HEY BLOGGERS! :))
I'M SO FRAKIN' STRESSED. DON'T KNOW WHICH SUBJECT SHOULD BE PUT FIRST. >.<
COMP. ED. BUSINESS CARD, SOCIAL STUDIES REPORT, BOTANY REPORT & COOK FEST!!
ASDFGHJKL :| I CAN DO THISSSS >:)) HAHAHA. I THINK I'M GOING TO SLEEP LATE TONIGHT :D ANYWAY, JUST STOPPING BY TO POST SOMETHING. I HAVEN'T REALLY POSTED ANYTHING THAT MAKES SENSE HERE FOR SUCH A LONG TIME xD BYE GUISE! IMMA DO MY REQUIREMENTS NA :*
N&F :">
-RicCi :">
COMP. ED. BUSINESS CARD, SOCIAL STUDIES REPORT, BOTANY REPORT & COOK FEST!!
ASDFGHJKL :| I CAN DO THISSSS >:)) HAHAHA. I THINK I'M GOING TO SLEEP LATE TONIGHT :D ANYWAY, JUST STOPPING BY TO POST SOMETHING. I HAVEN'T REALLY POSTED ANYTHING THAT MAKES SENSE HERE FOR SUCH A LONG TIME xD BYE GUISE! IMMA DO MY REQUIREMENTS NA :*
N&F :">
-RicCi :">
Tuesday 19 July 2011
Wednesday 22 June 2011
SUCCESSFUL FILIPINO ENTREPRENEURS
Here's what I think, entrepreneurship is probably not the most notable virtue of Filipino culture and society. That's why in the Philippines, many, if not most of those successful entrepreneurs were born rich. While what they have achived is still very much admirable, the more adirable are those who were not born rich, but still made it to the top, and significantly changed their lives, and many others'. Their stories of success tell more about the spirit of Filipino entrepreneurship.
MANNY PANGILINAN- most successful and inspiring Filipino entrepreneur, PLDT Chair Manuel Pangilinan
MANNY PANGILINAN- most successful and inspiring Filipino entrepreneur, PLDT Chair Manuel Pangilinan
First part of the journey: A Student
The first part of my journey begins with my family. My lolo (grandfather) started as a public school teacher in Pampanga and Tarlac, rising through the ranks to become superintendent of public schools and, eventually, secretary of education. My dad began his career as a messenger at Philippine National Bank, and retired as president of Traders Royal Bank, one of the larger banks in the ’80s. During my elementary years, I had ten centavos to buy a bottle of Coke, five centavos for crackers, another ten centavos to take the bus home from San Beda in Mendiola, which I made sure I wouldn’t lose, otherwise I would have walked home. In college, my weekly allowance at the Ateneo was P10, and that included my jeepney fares. I have a lot of classmates who have cars and others even have their own drivers. They were lucky. Someday, I said to myself, I will reach all those. My scholarships in both San Beda and Ateneo were only my lucky charms.
In late 1965, as my own graduation was approaching, I had come home from the Ateneo one Saturday afternoon, and spoke with my dad about taking an MBA in the States. I was met with silence, which meant there wasn’t enough money for an education abroad, that if I really wanted it, I had find a way myself. Fortunately, Procter & Gamble was offering a rare scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. It was a national competition. I entered-and won. For three generations of my family, life meant coping with challenges despite modest means, relying on God-given talent, hard work and a passionate determination to succeed.
Second part of the journey: A professional manager
Let me now turn to the second part of this journey. After two years in Philadelphia, I returned home, hopeful about landing a managerial position in a large company. I struck out at first bat. My benefactor, Procter & Gamble, turned down my application. So I ended up taking the first job I was offered, as executive assistant to the president at Phinma for P1,000 a month. Without any job experience, we can’t be choosers, right? Grab the first decent job that comes your way, immerse yourself in work, and soon, you’ll find the right job, or it will find you.
After six years with Phinma, I decided to work abroad. There were the usual reasons: the glamor of being an expat in Hong Kong, the stifling staleness of my local career but, more importantly, I needed to find myself, to prove that I can stand on my own and succeed. The warmth of family ties, the comfort of an extended family system so embedded in our society were indeed beguiling, but I wanted to assert my independence.
I was recruited by Bancom International, a Philippine investment bank based in Hong Kong. It was a stimulating experience. I learned the dynamics of international finance from my Chinese colleagues, not from the Filipino executives. Thereafter, I was seconded to a joint venture investment bank with American Express. I had expected to be appointed CEO of that new bank, but wasn’t. While disappointed and even depressed, I soldiered on and, sure enough, this venture failed inside of two years. A huge dilemma confronted a young man of 30 years: return to Manila or stay with AMEX? I decided to remain a soldier of fortune in Hong Kong. Why? Because after this setback, I wanted to prove something to myself. I felt I had to prove to AMEX the Filipino can. Indeed, after four years with AMEX, I received a phone call from my boss in London. He said, “You’ve outgrown Hong Kong and are now ready for London, and to fast track your career.” After reflection, I politely said, no. I’ve proven the point to myself and to AMEX, and that had been enough. Besides, I felt Asia is my home — and so it shall be.
Third part: An entrepreneur and corporate activist
The third, and final part, starts with First Pacific. Whilst working in the region, I met some clients - foremost being Anthoni Salim - who were willing to support my idea of a regional banking and trading business. With their help, I founded First Pacific in Hong Kong in 1981. I started out with only six people, on 50 square meters of office space, and little capital. Now, the companies that constitute First Pacific have sales of $5 billion, with more than 60,000 employees across the region. But I won’t tell you about our successes at First Pacific. Instead, I’ll describe our failures - some of which indeed became total failures, but some of which we turned around and made a success.
In 1989, we were negotiating to acquire Hanimax, maker of middle to low-end cameras based in Sydney, Australia. I took the overnight flight to Sydney from Hong Kong, confident that when I arrived the following morning, a letter from an international bank approving our financing would await me. But lo and behold, it was a letter of disapproval. So there I was in Sydney, committed to purchase Hanimax, but without enough money to complete it. Providentially, there was a competing bidder who sought to take us out of the race by offering a sum of money. That practice is called “greenmail.” Our gambit won $7 million that day when we had no cards to play. But there’s a sequel to this. Buoyed by confidence - perhaps overconfidence, even hubris - we were off to the races again, and decided quickly to buy another company. This was Tech Pacific, Australia’s largest distributor of computer products. It was indeed a large company with sales in excess of a billion dollars! Well, it was a disaster. It took us three years, and enormous pain and effort, to turn its fortunes around. I fell sick from stress and anxiety and, on several occasions, contemplated resigning. But we stood to our tackle and, after those three years, Tech Pacific is now Asia’s largest distributor of computer products.
In 1998, I came home, after 22 years abroad - after what father (Roque) Ferriols often calls “the days of wasted youth.” When we invested in PLDT seven years ago, we faced the massive task of repair and renewal. Critics told us that we couldn’t change the culture of monopoly, that misdemeanors in PLDT couldn’t be eradicated, that our fixed line business had no future. But we made the tough and unpopular decisions at PLDT. Like reducing the number of employees from 14,000 to 9,000. Like changing dubious practices and encouraging honesty and transparency. Like converting the mindset of bureaucrats to that of innovators and entrepreneurs. Decisions about people are always difficult for us because First Pacific is an Asian company with Asian values. But head count reduction was critical for PLDT to survive.
Now that PLDT has recovered, and is now the most profitable company in the country, my confidence in the Filipino’s ability to succeed has been absolutely affirmed. In fact, despite the downsizing I mentioned earlier, we now have more people under our wings - about 19,000 - simply because PLDT is now a different company. And to most of you who might be familiar with Piltel or Talk N’ Text - it was a company in extremis. I’ve had to tell creditor banks that Piltel could not pay its debts - the first time I’ve done that in my life. My officemates told me to close Piltel. I didn’t agree. I believed that the cellular frequency it owns, as well as its brand, are potentially valuable, as they have become today. Also, I did not want to imperil the financial health of local banks to which Piltel owed much.
After five years of rehab, Piltel’s return to profitability has been close to supernatural. It is now the country’s most profitable company - after PLDT and Smart. Finally, some of you have raised with me the question - is business bad? Let me respond by saying, business is not all bad. It is people - some people at least - that may make business bad. No business can prosper in the long term without the right values. The best performing companies are those that manage their businesses which meet ethical standards. Transparency, accountability, integrity, discipline - all these good governance principles - must permeate every policy, every process, of the company, as they do at First Pacific and PLDT.
Closing:
Thefore I close, I’d like to make a personal request. I’d like to ask each of you a favor. Give me bragging rights. Do something great. Sometime in the future, I want to hear some incredible thing you’ve done. And I’d like to brag that I spoke at your graduation. In return, I offer you a few more pieces of advice. Keep it real. Stay true to what’s best in yourself, to the best of your experience here at the Ateneo. Trust your instincts. Believe in yourself. Engage in sports, you’ll need it as you age. Make art, or at least, value it. Be brave. Be bold. Find something that moves you or pisses you off, but do something about it. You have a voice, speak up.
Take a stand for what’s right. Make a change. You may not always be popular, but you’ll be part of something larger and greater than yourself. Besides, making history is cool, isn’t it? But I also want to offer a warning: you will meet people who’ll entice you to compromise your principles. They’ll try to seduce you and distract you with money, power, security and perhaps, most dangerously, a sense of belonging. Don’t let them; it’s not worth it.
You can have genuine values and still get that job. You can have a conscience and still make money.
Take a stand for what’s right. Make a change. You may not always be popular, but you’ll be part of something larger and greater than yourself. Besides, making history is cool, isn’t it? But I also want to offer a warning: you will meet people who’ll entice you to compromise your principles. They’ll try to seduce you and distract you with money, power, security and perhaps, most dangerously, a sense of belonging. Don’t let them; it’s not worth it.
You can have genuine values and still get that job. You can have a conscience and still make money.
Let me send you off with one final thought. I was born poor, but poor was not born in me. And it shouldn’t be born in you either. You can make it. Whatever you may wish to do with your future, you can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes always. Suffering breeds character. Character breeds faith. In the end, faith will not disappoint. You must not disappoint.
ORLANDO VEA
One of the reason why almost every Filipino owns a handheld phone is because of Orlando Vea, one of the founders of Smart Communications. A shining example of a successful businessman, Vea turned not only a single product into gold, but an entire industry and culture altogether, teaching the nation’s mass consumers to also see the gold in a once virtually invisible commodity.
Orlando Vea is one of the country’s leading technology entrepreneurs by being the co-founder of Smart Communications, and Chief Executive Officer of Mediaquest.
Orlando’s father was a civil servant and his mother is a retired schoolteacher. He was raised in a simple family but with perfect moral strength and values. He was taught to have community awareness and work ethics (which he is apllying now in his telecommunications business).
He was always curious about science and technology as a child that he had been a scholar in Physics. This was not the course he took, though, in college but Economics which he finished at the University of the Philippines as a cum laude.
Together with Dave Fernando, they founded Smart Communications in 1991. They made cellular phones more affordable and more available to the people. They put cell sites in remote areas providing coverage to everybody anywhere in the country. They aim not only to give mobile devices available for all but also the basic telephone service which they think the people really need. To be able to make this happen, they partner with First Pacific Group and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) which were then the biggest telco in the world in terms of market capitalization.
Orlando’s father was a civil servant and his mother is a retired schoolteacher. He was raised in a simple family but with perfect moral strength and values. He was taught to have community awareness and work ethics (which he is apllying now in his telecommunications business).
He was always curious about science and technology as a child that he had been a scholar in Physics. This was not the course he took, though, in college but Economics which he finished at the University of the Philippines as a cum laude.
Together with Dave Fernando, they founded Smart Communications in 1991. They made cellular phones more affordable and more available to the people. They put cell sites in remote areas providing coverage to everybody anywhere in the country. They aim not only to give mobile devices available for all but also the basic telephone service which they think the people really need. To be able to make this happen, they partner with First Pacific Group and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) which were then the biggest telco in the world in terms of market capitalization.
Smart Communications is the Philippines’ leading wireless services provider now with 27 million subscribers on its GSM network as of end-June 2007.
Orlando Vea is also the chief executive officer of Media Quest, a company that delivers news, entertainment, education, and other information through the use of satellite, cable, fiber, wire or wireless networks to a television, mobile phone, PDA, PC, movie screen or any digital broadcast receiver.
Orlando Vea is also the chief executive officer of Media Quest, a company that delivers news, entertainment, education, and other information through the use of satellite, cable, fiber, wire or wireless networks to a television, mobile phone, PDA, PC, movie screen or any digital broadcast receiver.
“ My greatest high now comes from seeing the cellphone in the hands of little people like market vendors, farmers, fishermen, tricycle drivers, household help and many others…"
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II
1st Filipino to receive the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award (2007)
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala is the concurrent Chairman and CEO of the Ayala Corporation. He took over the Chief Executive position in 1995 after company laws required his father to step down. He is also the Chairman of the Nominations Committee. Aside from this, JAZA is also the Chairman of Globe Telecom, Inc (PSE: GLO). since 1997, Bank of Philippine Islands (PSE: BPI) since 2004 , BPI Capital Corporation, BPI Direct Savings Bank, Inc. and BPI Family Savings Bank, Inc.
Since 1995, he has served as the Chairman of the Board of Integrated Microelectronics, Inc., Azalea Technology Investment, Inc., Ayala International Pte. Ltd., Alabang Commercial Corporation, Ayala Hotels, Inc., Ayala Life Assurance, Inc., Ayala Plans, Inc., FGU Insurance Corporation, Cebu Holdings Inc. He also serves as a director of BPI Philam Life Assurance Corporation, Alabang Commercial Corporation, Ayala Hotels, Inc.
He is also the Vice Chairman of Manila Water Company, Inc., Ayala Land, Inc.(PSE: ALI) and Mermac, Inc. He is also the Co-Vice Chairman of th Board and Executive Committee of the Ayala Foundation, Inc with his brother Fernando Zobel de Ayala. Their father, Jaime Zobel de Ayala is the Chairman of the Board.
Thursday 16 June 2011
INTRODUCING PETRA MAHALIMUYAK. :))
YELLO THERE! LONG TIME NO POST, BUT IT'S OKAY. BECAUSE I AM BACK WITH OKWARDNESS IN MY HANDS. YES, YOU GUESSED IT, "OKWARDNESS" IS THE WORD OF DAAAY. :)) Anyway, joking is over for now. I need to do my assignments. And to revieeeeeeeew! Elections of the SCIRE CLUB is tomaro na. I hope I could be an officer. Anything, just PLEAAAAASE :D Hahaha. Kbye. I need to go na. :)
--Ricci<3
--Ricci<3
Wednesday 15 June 2011
PEC's assignment, due date: Thursday, June 16, 2011
1.) Regardless of your definition of success, there are, oddly enough, a great number of common characteristics that are shared by successful businesspeople. You can place a check beside each characteristic that you feel that you possess. This way, you can see how you stack up. Even if you don't have all of these characteristics, don't fret. Most can be learned with practice and by developing a winning attitude, especially if you set goals and apply yourself, through strategic planning, to reach those goals in incremental and measurable stages.
The Home Business Musts
Like any activity you pursue, there are certain musts that are required to be successful in a chosen activity. To legally operate a vehicle on public roadways, one must have a driver's license; to excel in sports, one must train and practice; to retire comfortably, one must become an informed investor and actively invest for retirement. If your goal is success in business, then the formula is no different. There are certain musts that have to be fully developed, implemented and managed for your business to succeed. There are many business musts, but this article contains I believe to be some of the more important musts that are required to start, operate and grow a profitable home business.
Like any activity you pursue, there are certain musts that are required to be successful in a chosen activity. To legally operate a vehicle on public roadways, one must have a driver's license; to excel in sports, one must train and practice; to retire comfortably, one must become an informed investor and actively invest for retirement. If your goal is success in business, then the formula is no different. There are certain musts that have to be fully developed, implemented and managed for your business to succeed. There are many business musts, but this article contains I believe to be some of the more important musts that are required to start, operate and grow a profitable home business.
1. Do what you enjoy.
What you get out of your business in the form of personal satisfaction, financial gain, stability and enjoyment will be the sum of what you put into your business. So if you don't enjoy what you're doing, in all likelihood it's safe to assume that will be reflected in the success of your business--or subsequent lack of success. In fact, if you don't enjoy what you're doing, chances are you won't succeed.
What you get out of your business in the form of personal satisfaction, financial gain, stability and enjoyment will be the sum of what you put into your business. So if you don't enjoy what you're doing, in all likelihood it's safe to assume that will be reflected in the success of your business--or subsequent lack of success. In fact, if you don't enjoy what you're doing, chances are you won't succeed.
2. Take what you do seriously.
You cannot expect to be effective and successful in business unless you truly believe in your business and in the goods and services that you sell. Far too many home business owners fail to take their own businesses seriously enough, getting easily sidetracked and not staying motivated and keeping their noses to the grindstone. They also fall prey to naysayers who don't take them seriously because they don't work from an office building, office park, storefront, or factory. Little do these skeptics, who rain on the home business owner's parade, know is that the number of people working from home, and making very good annual incomes, has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.
3. Plan everything.
Planning every aspect of your home business is not only a must, but also builds habits that every home business owner should develop, implement, and maintain. The act of business planning is so important because it requires you to analyze each business situation, research and compile data, and make conclusions based mainly on the facts as revealed through the research. Business planning also serves a second function, which is having your goals and how you will achieve them, on paper. You can use the plan that you create both as map to take you from point A to Z and as a yardstick to measure the success of each individual plan or segment within the plan.
You cannot expect to be effective and successful in business unless you truly believe in your business and in the goods and services that you sell. Far too many home business owners fail to take their own businesses seriously enough, getting easily sidetracked and not staying motivated and keeping their noses to the grindstone. They also fall prey to naysayers who don't take them seriously because they don't work from an office building, office park, storefront, or factory. Little do these skeptics, who rain on the home business owner's parade, know is that the number of people working from home, and making very good annual incomes, has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.
3. Plan everything.
Planning every aspect of your home business is not only a must, but also builds habits that every home business owner should develop, implement, and maintain. The act of business planning is so important because it requires you to analyze each business situation, research and compile data, and make conclusions based mainly on the facts as revealed through the research. Business planning also serves a second function, which is having your goals and how you will achieve them, on paper. You can use the plan that you create both as map to take you from point A to Z and as a yardstick to measure the success of each individual plan or segment within the plan.
4. Manage money wisely.
The lifeblood of any business enterprise is cash flow. You need it to buy inventory, pay for services, promote and market your business, repair and replace tools and equipment, and pay yourself so that you can continue to work. Therefore, all home business owners must become wise money managers to ensure that the cash keeps flowing and the bills get paid. There are two aspects to wise money management.
The lifeblood of any business enterprise is cash flow. You need it to buy inventory, pay for services, promote and market your business, repair and replace tools and equipment, and pay yourself so that you can continue to work. Therefore, all home business owners must become wise money managers to ensure that the cash keeps flowing and the bills get paid. There are two aspects to wise money management.
- The money you receive from clients in exchange for your goods and services you provide (income)
- The money you spend on inventory, supplies, wages and other items required to keep your business operating. (expenses)
5. Ask for the sale.
A home business entrepreneur must always remember that marketing, advertising, or promotional activities are completely worthless, regardless of how clever, expensive, or perfectly targeted they are, unless one simple thing is accomplished--ask for the sale. This is not to say that being a great salesperson, advertising copywriting whiz or a public relations specialist isn't a tremendous asset to your business. However, all of these skills will be for naught if you do not actively ask people to buy what you are selling.
A home business entrepreneur must always remember that marketing, advertising, or promotional activities are completely worthless, regardless of how clever, expensive, or perfectly targeted they are, unless one simple thing is accomplished--ask for the sale. This is not to say that being a great salesperson, advertising copywriting whiz or a public relations specialist isn't a tremendous asset to your business. However, all of these skills will be for naught if you do not actively ask people to buy what you are selling.
6. Remember it's all about the customer.
Your home business is not about the products or services that you sell. Your home business is not about the prices that you charge for your goods and services. Your home business is not about your competition and how to beat them. Your business is all about your customers, or clients, period. After all, your customers are the people that will ultimately decide if your business goes boom or bust. Everything you do in business must be customer focused, including your policies, warranties, payment options, operating hours, presentations, advertising and promotional campaigns and website. In addition, you must know who your customers are inside out and upside down.
Your home business is not about the products or services that you sell. Your home business is not about the prices that you charge for your goods and services. Your home business is not about your competition and how to beat them. Your business is all about your customers, or clients, period. After all, your customers are the people that will ultimately decide if your business goes boom or bust. Everything you do in business must be customer focused, including your policies, warranties, payment options, operating hours, presentations, advertising and promotional campaigns and website. In addition, you must know who your customers are inside out and upside down.
7. Become a shameless self-promoter (without becoming obnoxious).
One of the greatest myths about personal or business success is that eventually your business, personal abilities, products or services will get discovered and be embraced by the masses that will beat a path to your door to buy what you are selling. But how can this happen if no one knows who you are, what you sell and why they should be buying?
One of the greatest myths about personal or business success is that eventually your business, personal abilities, products or services will get discovered and be embraced by the masses that will beat a path to your door to buy what you are selling. But how can this happen if no one knows who you are, what you sell and why they should be buying?
Self-promotion is one of the most beneficial, yet most underutilized, marketing tools that the majority of home business owners have at their immediate disposal.
8. Project a positive business image.
You have but a passing moment to make a positive and memorable impression on people with whom you intend to do business. Home business owners must go out of their way and make a conscious effort to always project the most professional business image possible. The majority of home business owners do not have the advantage of elaborate offices or elegant storefronts and showrooms to wow prospects and impress customers. Instead, they must rely on imagination, creativity and attention to the smallest detail when creating and maintaining a professional image for their home business.
You have but a passing moment to make a positive and memorable impression on people with whom you intend to do business. Home business owners must go out of their way and make a conscious effort to always project the most professional business image possible. The majority of home business owners do not have the advantage of elaborate offices or elegant storefronts and showrooms to wow prospects and impress customers. Instead, they must rely on imagination, creativity and attention to the smallest detail when creating and maintaining a professional image for their home business.
9. Get to know your customers.
One of the biggest features and often the most significant competitive edge the home based entrepreneur has over the larger competitors is the he can offer personalized attention. Call it high-tech backlash if you will, but customers are sick and tired of hearing that their information is somewhere in the computer and must be retrieved, or told to push a dozen digits to finally get to the right department only to end up with voice mail--from which they never receive a return phone call.
One of the biggest features and often the most significant competitive edge the home based entrepreneur has over the larger competitors is the he can offer personalized attention. Call it high-tech backlash if you will, but customers are sick and tired of hearing that their information is somewhere in the computer and must be retrieved, or told to push a dozen digits to finally get to the right department only to end up with voice mail--from which they never receive a return phone call.
The home business owner can actually answer phone calls, get to know customers, provide personal attention and win over repeat business by doing so. It's a researched fact that most business (80 percent) will come from repeat customers rather than new customers. Therefore, along with trying to draw newcomers, the more you can do to woo your regular customers, the better off you will be in the long run and personalized attention is very much appreciated and remembered in the modern high tech world.
10. Level the playing field with technology.
You should avoid getting overly caught up in the high-tech world, but you should also know how to take advantage of using it. One of the most amazing aspects of the internet is that a one or two person business operating from a basement can have a superior website to a $50 million company, and nobody knows the difference. Make sure you're keeping up with the high-tech world as it suits your needs.. The best technology is that which helps you, not that which impresses your neighbors.
You should avoid getting overly caught up in the high-tech world, but you should also know how to take advantage of using it. One of the most amazing aspects of the internet is that a one or two person business operating from a basement can have a superior website to a $50 million company, and nobody knows the difference. Make sure you're keeping up with the high-tech world as it suits your needs.. The best technology is that which helps you, not that which impresses your neighbors.
11. Build a top-notch business team.
No one person can build a successful business alone. It's a task that requires a team that is as committed as you to the business and its success. Your business team may include family members, friends, suppliers, business alliances, employees, sub-contractors, industry and business associations, local government and the community. Of course the most important team members will be your customers or clients. Any or all may have a say in how your business will function and a stake in your business future.
12. Become known as an expert.
When you have a problem that needs to be solved, do you seek just anyone's advice or do you seek an expert in the field to help solve your particular problem? Obviously, you want the most accurate information and assistance that you can get. You naturally seek an expert to help solve your problem. You call a plumber when the hot water tank leaks, a real estate agent when it's time to sell your home or a dentist when you have a toothache. Therefore, it only stands to reason that the more you become known for your expertise in your business, the more people will seek you out to tap into your expertise, creating more selling and referral opportunities. In effect, becoming known as an expert is another style of prospecting for new business, just in reverse. Instead of finding new and qualified people to sell to, these people seek you out for your expertise.
13. Create a competitive advantage.
A home business must have a clearly defined unique selling proposition. This is nothing more than a fancy way of asking the vital question, "Why will people choose to do business with you or purchase your product or service instead of doing business with a competitor and buying his product or service?" In other words, what one aspect or combination of aspects is going to separate your business from your competition? Will it be better service, a longer warranty, better selection, longer business hours, more flexible payment options, lowest price, personalized service, better customer service, better return and exchange policies or a combination of several of these?
No one person can build a successful business alone. It's a task that requires a team that is as committed as you to the business and its success. Your business team may include family members, friends, suppliers, business alliances, employees, sub-contractors, industry and business associations, local government and the community. Of course the most important team members will be your customers or clients. Any or all may have a say in how your business will function and a stake in your business future.
12. Become known as an expert.
When you have a problem that needs to be solved, do you seek just anyone's advice or do you seek an expert in the field to help solve your particular problem? Obviously, you want the most accurate information and assistance that you can get. You naturally seek an expert to help solve your problem. You call a plumber when the hot water tank leaks, a real estate agent when it's time to sell your home or a dentist when you have a toothache. Therefore, it only stands to reason that the more you become known for your expertise in your business, the more people will seek you out to tap into your expertise, creating more selling and referral opportunities. In effect, becoming known as an expert is another style of prospecting for new business, just in reverse. Instead of finding new and qualified people to sell to, these people seek you out for your expertise.
13. Create a competitive advantage.
A home business must have a clearly defined unique selling proposition. This is nothing more than a fancy way of asking the vital question, "Why will people choose to do business with you or purchase your product or service instead of doing business with a competitor and buying his product or service?" In other words, what one aspect or combination of aspects is going to separate your business from your competition? Will it be better service, a longer warranty, better selection, longer business hours, more flexible payment options, lowest price, personalized service, better customer service, better return and exchange policies or a combination of several of these?
14. Invest in yourself.Top entrepreneurs buy and read business and marketing books, magazines, reports, journals, newsletters, websites and industry publications, knowing that these resources will improve their understanding of business and marketing functions and skills. They join business associations and clubs, and they network with other skilled business people to learn their secrets of success and help define their own goals and objectives. Top entrepreneurs attend business and marketing seminars, workshops and training courses, even if they have already mastered the subject matter of the event. They do this because they know that education is an ongoing process. There are usually ways to do things better, in less time, with less effort. In short, top entrepreneurs never stop investing in the most powerful, effective and best business and marketing tool at their immediate disposal--themselves.
15. Be accessible.
We're living in a time when we all expect our fast food lunch at the drive-thru window to be ready in mere minutes, our dry cleaning to be ready for pick-up on the same day, our money to be available at the cash machine and our pizza delivered in 30 minutes or it's free. You see the pattern developing--you must make it as easy as you can for people to do business with you, regardless of the home business you operate.
We're living in a time when we all expect our fast food lunch at the drive-thru window to be ready in mere minutes, our dry cleaning to be ready for pick-up on the same day, our money to be available at the cash machine and our pizza delivered in 30 minutes or it's free. You see the pattern developing--you must make it as easy as you can for people to do business with you, regardless of the home business you operate.
You must remain cognizant of the fact that few people will work hard, go out of their way, or be inconvenienced just for the privilege of giving you their hard-earned money. The shoe is always on the other foot. Making it easy for people to do business with you means that you must be accessible and knowledgeable about your products and services. You must be able to provide customers with what they want, when they want it.
16. Build a rock-solid reputation.
A good reputation is unquestionably one of the home business owner's most tangible and marketable assets. You can't simply buy a good reputation; it's something that you earn by honoring your promises. If you promise to have the merchandise in the customer's hands by Wednesday, you have no excuse not to have it there. If you offer to repair something, you need to make good on your offer. Consistency in what you offer is the other key factor. If you cannot come through with the same level of service (and products) for clients on a regular basis, they have no reason to trust you . . . and without trust, you won't have a good reputation.
17. Sell benefits.
Pushing product features is for inexperienced or wannabe entrepreneurs. Selling the benefits associated with owning and using the products and services you carry is what sales professionals worldwide focus on to create buying excitement and to sell, sell more, and sell more frequently to their customers. Your advertising, sales presentations, printed marketing materials, product packaging, website, newsletters, trade show exhibit and signage are vital. Every time and every medium used to communicate with your target audience must always be selling the benefits associated with owning your product or using your service.
A good reputation is unquestionably one of the home business owner's most tangible and marketable assets. You can't simply buy a good reputation; it's something that you earn by honoring your promises. If you promise to have the merchandise in the customer's hands by Wednesday, you have no excuse not to have it there. If you offer to repair something, you need to make good on your offer. Consistency in what you offer is the other key factor. If you cannot come through with the same level of service (and products) for clients on a regular basis, they have no reason to trust you . . . and without trust, you won't have a good reputation.
17. Sell benefits.
Pushing product features is for inexperienced or wannabe entrepreneurs. Selling the benefits associated with owning and using the products and services you carry is what sales professionals worldwide focus on to create buying excitement and to sell, sell more, and sell more frequently to their customers. Your advertising, sales presentations, printed marketing materials, product packaging, website, newsletters, trade show exhibit and signage are vital. Every time and every medium used to communicate with your target audience must always be selling the benefits associated with owning your product or using your service.
18. Get involved.Always go out of your way to get involved in the community that supports your business. You can do this in many ways, such as pitching in to help local charities or the food bank, becoming involved in organizing community events, and getting involved in local politics. You can join associations and clubs that concentrate on programs and policies designed to improve the local community. It's a fact that people like to do business with people they know, like and respect, and with people who do things to help them as members of the community.
19. Grab attention.
Small-business owners cannot waste time, money and energy on promotional activities aimed at building awareness solely through long-term, repeated exposure. If you do, chances are you will go broke long before this goal is accomplished. Instead, every promotional activity you engage in, must put money back in your pocket so that you can continue to grab more attention and grow your business.
20. Master the art of negotiations.
The ability to negotiate effectively is unquestionably a skill that every home business owner must make every effort to master. It's perhaps second in importance only to asking for the sale in terms of home business musts. In business, negotiation skills are used daily. Always remember that mastering the art of negotiation means that your skills are so finely tuned that you can always orchestrate a win-win situation. These win-win arrangements mean that everyone involved feels they have won, which is really the basis for building long-term and profitable business relationships.
Small-business owners cannot waste time, money and energy on promotional activities aimed at building awareness solely through long-term, repeated exposure. If you do, chances are you will go broke long before this goal is accomplished. Instead, every promotional activity you engage in, must put money back in your pocket so that you can continue to grab more attention and grow your business.
20. Master the art of negotiations.
The ability to negotiate effectively is unquestionably a skill that every home business owner must make every effort to master. It's perhaps second in importance only to asking for the sale in terms of home business musts. In business, negotiation skills are used daily. Always remember that mastering the art of negotiation means that your skills are so finely tuned that you can always orchestrate a win-win situation. These win-win arrangements mean that everyone involved feels they have won, which is really the basis for building long-term and profitable business relationships.
21. Design Your workspace for success.
Carefully plan and design your home office workspace to ensure maximum personal performance and productivity and, if necessary, to project professionalism for visiting clients. If at all possible, resist the temptation to turn a corner of the living room or your bedroom into your office. Ideally, you'll want a separate room with a door that closes to keep business activities in and family members out, at least during prime business and revenue generating hours of the day. A den, spare bedroom, basement or converted garage are all ideal candidates for your new home office. If this is not possible, you'll have to find a means of converting a room with a partition or simply find hours to do the bulk of your work when nobody else is home.
Carefully plan and design your home office workspace to ensure maximum personal performance and productivity and, if necessary, to project professionalism for visiting clients. If at all possible, resist the temptation to turn a corner of the living room or your bedroom into your office. Ideally, you'll want a separate room with a door that closes to keep business activities in and family members out, at least during prime business and revenue generating hours of the day. A den, spare bedroom, basement or converted garage are all ideal candidates for your new home office. If this is not possible, you'll have to find a means of converting a room with a partition or simply find hours to do the bulk of your work when nobody else is home.
22. Get and stay organized.
The key to staying organized is not about which type of file you have or whether you keep a stack or two of papers on your desk, but it's about managing your business. It's about having systems in place to do things. Therefore, you wan to establish a routine by which you can accomplish as much as possible in a given workday, whether that's three hours for a part-time business or seven or nine hours as a full-timer. In fact, you should develop systems and routines for just about every single business activity. Small things such as creating a to-do list at the end of each business day, or for the week, will help keep you on top of important tasks to tackle. Creating a single calendar to work from, not multiple sets for individual tasks or jobs, will also ensure that jobs are completed on schedule and appointments kept. Incorporating family and personal activities into your work calendar is also critical so that you work and plan from a single calendar.
The key to staying organized is not about which type of file you have or whether you keep a stack or two of papers on your desk, but it's about managing your business. It's about having systems in place to do things. Therefore, you wan to establish a routine by which you can accomplish as much as possible in a given workday, whether that's three hours for a part-time business or seven or nine hours as a full-timer. In fact, you should develop systems and routines for just about every single business activity. Small things such as creating a to-do list at the end of each business day, or for the week, will help keep you on top of important tasks to tackle. Creating a single calendar to work from, not multiple sets for individual tasks or jobs, will also ensure that jobs are completed on schedule and appointments kept. Incorporating family and personal activities into your work calendar is also critical so that you work and plan from a single calendar.
23. Take time off.
The temptation to work around the clock is very real for some home business owners. After all, you don't have a manager telling you it's time to go home because they can't afford the overtime pay. Every person working from home must take time to establish a regular work schedule that includes time to stretch your legs and take lunch breaks, plus some days off and scheduled vacations. Create the schedule as soon as you have made the commitment to start a home business. Of course, your schedule will have to be flexible. You should, therefore, not fill every possible hour in the day. Give yourself a backup hour or two. All work and no play makes you burn out very fast and grumpy customer service is not what people want.
The temptation to work around the clock is very real for some home business owners. After all, you don't have a manager telling you it's time to go home because they can't afford the overtime pay. Every person working from home must take time to establish a regular work schedule that includes time to stretch your legs and take lunch breaks, plus some days off and scheduled vacations. Create the schedule as soon as you have made the commitment to start a home business. Of course, your schedule will have to be flexible. You should, therefore, not fill every possible hour in the day. Give yourself a backup hour or two. All work and no play makes you burn out very fast and grumpy customer service is not what people want.
24. Limit the number of hats you wear.
It's difficult for most business owners not to take a hands-on approach. They try to do as much as possible and tackle as many tasks as possible in their business. The ability to multitask, in fact, is a common trait shared by successful entrepreneurs. However, once in a while you have to stand back and look beyond today to determine what's in the best interest of your business and yourself over the long run. Most highly successful entrepreneurs will tell you that from the time they started out, they knew what they were good at and what tasks to delegate to others.
It's difficult for most business owners not to take a hands-on approach. They try to do as much as possible and tackle as many tasks as possible in their business. The ability to multitask, in fact, is a common trait shared by successful entrepreneurs. However, once in a while you have to stand back and look beyond today to determine what's in the best interest of your business and yourself over the long run. Most highly successful entrepreneurs will tell you that from the time they started out, they knew what they were good at and what tasks to delegate to others.
25. Follow-up constantly.
Constant contact, follow-up, and follow-through with customers, prospects, and business alliances should be the mantra of every home business owner, new or established. Constant and consistent follow-up enables you to turn prospects into customers, increase the value of each sale and buying frequency from existing customers, and build stronger business relationships with suppliers and your core business team. Follow-up is especially important with your existing customer base, as the real work begins after the sale. It's easy to sell one product or service, but it takes work to retain customers and keep them coming back.
Constant contact, follow-up, and follow-through with customers, prospects, and business alliances should be the mantra of every home business owner, new or established. Constant and consistent follow-up enables you to turn prospects into customers, increase the value of each sale and buying frequency from existing customers, and build stronger business relationships with suppliers and your core business team. Follow-up is especially important with your existing customer base, as the real work begins after the sale. It's easy to sell one product or service, but it takes work to retain customers and keep them coming back.
James Stephenson is an experienced home based consultant with more than 15 years of business and marketing experience. He is the author of several popular books, including Entrepreneur magazine's Ultimate Startup Directoryand Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide , both available from Entrepreneur Press .
2. Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies can determine successful from unsuccessful entrepreneurs and can help them to be a better businessman/entrepreneur. The entrepreneurial competency is one of the main concerns that must be imparted especially to new entrepreneurs. Because they are the one's who need more help and advice on how to be a successful one, the strategies and abilities they posses and especially, the one's they lack in. PEC's can help those entrepreneurs to conquer their fears of failure and to strengthen their ability. .
Monday 13 June 2011
ASSIGNMENT# 3
Achievement Cluster
I. Opportunity Seeking and Initiative
Does things before asked or forced to by events
Acts to extend the business into new areas, products or services
Seizes unusual opportunities to start a new business, obtain financing,
equipment, land work space or assistance
II. Risk Taking
Deliberately calculates risks and evaluates alternatives
Takes action to reduce risks or control outcomes
Places self in situations involving a challenge or moderate risk
III. Demand for Efficiency and Quality
Finds ways to do things better, faster, or cheaper
Acts to do things that meet or exceed standards of excellence
Develops or uses procedures to ensure work is completed on time or that
work meets agreed upon standards of quality
IV. Persistence
Takes action in the face of a significant obstacle
Takes repeated actions or switches to an alternative strategy to meet a
challenge or overcome an obstacle
Takes personal responsibility for the performance necessary to achieve
goals and objectives
V. Commitment to the Work Contract
Makes a personal sacrifice or expends extraordinary effort to complete a
job
Pitches in with workers or in their place to get a job done
Strives to keep customers satisfied and places long term good will over
short term gain
Planning Cluster
VI. Information Seeking
Personally seeks information from clients, suppliers or competitors
Does personal research on how to provide a product or service
Consults experts for business or technical advice
VII Goal setting
Sets goals and objectives that are personally meaningful and challenging
Articulates clear and specific long range goals
Sets measurable short term objectives
VIII. Systematic Planning and Monitoring
Plans by breaking large tasks down into time-constrained sub-tasks
Revises plans in light of feedback on performance or changing
circumstances
Keeps financial records and uses them to make business decisions
Power Cluster
IX. Persuasion and Networking
Uses deliberate strategies to influence or persuade others
Uses key people as agents to accomplish own objectives
Acts to develop and maintain business contracts
X. Independence and self-confidence
Seeks autonomy from the rules or control of others
Sticks with own judgement in the face of opposition or early lack of
success
Expresses confidence in own ability to complete a difficult task or meet a
challenge
I. Opportunity Seeking and Initiative
Does things before asked or forced to by events
Acts to extend the business into new areas, products or services
Seizes unusual opportunities to start a new business, obtain financing,
equipment, land work space or assistance
II. Risk Taking
Deliberately calculates risks and evaluates alternatives
Takes action to reduce risks or control outcomes
Places self in situations involving a challenge or moderate risk
III. Demand for Efficiency and Quality
Finds ways to do things better, faster, or cheaper
Acts to do things that meet or exceed standards of excellence
Develops or uses procedures to ensure work is completed on time or that
work meets agreed upon standards of quality
IV. Persistence
Takes action in the face of a significant obstacle
Takes repeated actions or switches to an alternative strategy to meet a
challenge or overcome an obstacle
Takes personal responsibility for the performance necessary to achieve
goals and objectives
V. Commitment to the Work Contract
Makes a personal sacrifice or expends extraordinary effort to complete a
job
Pitches in with workers or in their place to get a job done
Strives to keep customers satisfied and places long term good will over
short term gain
Planning Cluster
VI. Information Seeking
Personally seeks information from clients, suppliers or competitors
Does personal research on how to provide a product or service
Consults experts for business or technical advice
VII Goal setting
Sets goals and objectives that are personally meaningful and challenging
Articulates clear and specific long range goals
Sets measurable short term objectives
VIII. Systematic Planning and Monitoring
Plans by breaking large tasks down into time-constrained sub-tasks
Revises plans in light of feedback on performance or changing
circumstances
Keeps financial records and uses them to make business decisions
Power Cluster
IX. Persuasion and Networking
Uses deliberate strategies to influence or persuade others
Uses key people as agents to accomplish own objectives
Acts to develop and maintain business contracts
X. Independence and self-confidence
Seeks autonomy from the rules or control of others
Sticks with own judgement in the face of opposition or early lack of
success
Expresses confidence in own ability to complete a difficult task or meet a
challenge
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