The esteemed author George Bernard Shaw once wrote very thoughtfully, “If you have an apple and I have an apple, and we exchange apples then you and I will still each have an apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange those ideas, then each of us will have two ideas”.

Ideas are very often a misunderstood commodity for many would be or starting entrepreneurs. There are some businessmen would don’t think much of it, preferring to imitate or mimic an existing business. There are others that swear by the power of an idea, that it is a necessary requirement in starting a business.

I find there are two schools of thought when it comes to ideas. One is that it should be safeguarded and kept secret until the time comes to launch it. The primary reason for this is to prevent “competition” from stealing the idea. The second school of thought is to share the idea, with the hope of getting real and honest feedback that will allow the idea to become bigger and better.

Many would be or starting entrepreneurs are not comfortable with option two and would prefer to follow strictly option one. They cite the examples set by successful companies that safeguard their secrets and ideas zealously and assume that they should do the same. This would make sense but for one differentiating factor, the word, “successful”. Successful Companies that safeguard their ideas do so because they have a unique understanding of their business, products, and service. But a would be or starting entrepreneur may lack the insights, experience and market knowledge to evaluate his idea solely by himself.

Hence, I always prefer option 2, sharing and talking about it. Seeking out and speaking to industry insiders, potential suppliers and customers, as well as sincere friends will allow the idea to be vetted and improved on. Soliciting honest and genuine feedback will allow new considerations, options, difficulties as well as insights to arise. It may even lead to a much better idea. Or the realization that the idea may not have been that interesting after all.

Another interesting question for many aspiring entrepreneurs is, “how does one “operationalize” an idea into a viable business?” Here are some simple questions that you can ask yourself that will help provide guidance on the viability of the business idea. Ask yourself the following key questions:

1. Is it doable? – Sometimes an idea may not be anchored on real technology available or existing market conditions. It may sound perfect but the costs, or benefit may not be realistically feasible.

2. Who will be my customer? – Many times we fall in love with an idea and immediately dive into it without considering what is the true profile of our customer. I always have to remind myself, when thinking of products or services for the youth, that I am not the customer.

3. What will they be willing to pay for my product or service? – Upon identification of the customer, it helps to know whether or not they have the desire and the ability to buy the product. It may be the best product or service but if the identified customer cannot afford it, the business will not survive.

4. Is my product or service an improvement or a totally new innovation? – Its important to identify if what one is offering is just an improvement or a totally new innovation. This will allow one to decide on how to market or price his product or service.

5. What is the barrier to entry for future competition. – And lastly, if the idea really looks good, its important to consider how difficult it is for competition to follow. If the barrier to entry is low, meaning anybody can follow or improve on what you are offering easily, the business is not sustainable. But it is also a red flag if the barrier is too high, it may be a warning that there is something that has not been computed into the equation.

There is something very special in a I.O.U. It does not mean that we need to borrow to start a business but rather I means Idea, O for Opportunity and U for Understanding. It requires a perfect synergy to be able to start a potentially successful business. Owen Laughlin said, “Money never starts an idea. It is always the idea that starts the money.” Never underestimate the power of an idea, I don’t.

I would like to thank Childlink Learning Center for inviting me to speak to their students on entrepreneurship. It is never too early to plant the seeds of entrepreneurship in the minds of our future leaders. I also would like to thank Raki Urbina of Café Laguna and Johan Young of RCTV for joining me in the entrep seminar at the University of the Philippines Lahug, part of the 20^th year celebration of the UP TAO Brotherhood and Sisterhood.

Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

For comments, suggestions or stories that you want to share, email me at stirspecialist@gmail.com , or visit www.stirspecialist.blogspot.com

Recently, a number of people have turned to me for advice on their business idea. I would worriedly protest that I was not qualified to give them advice. But they would insist that I hear them out. I realized that I could at least look at their idea from a common sense point of view and ask simple questions based on that. I found out that a lot of people either wanted to start a business because they love the thought of being an entrepreneur or see someone succeeding in one type of business and want to imitate it but do it better.

I get very interesting answers when I hear the answers to one simple question, “Why do you want to do this?” The answers often range from, “Because everybody thinks it’s a good idea…” to “I have some money saved up…” But I often get very little response to the question, “ What is it that you really want to do?, What are you passionate about?” I often get a blank stare and a rebuttal, “Can that be a business?”

One of the common threads in starting small businesses is that we fall in love with imitation, being a copycat. For example, if someone starts a barbeque restaurant featuring fresh seafood, if it becomes successful, the street will soon have several restaurants with the same concept. Not enough people want to start businesses that are unique and creative. The common fear is that it is too risky and nobody wants to be the one to try. After all, they can be the one to follow if it works…

I believe there are many ideas that exist for business that actually fulfill a need, a unique solution that people have failed to recognize. We often fall in love with complex plans or sophisticated solutions when many times , the actual answer was just staring at us in front of our noses.

I remember a popular story on how much NASA spent to develop the first gravity ballpen. It seems that it was a big problem that ballpens would not write upside down due to the effects of zero gravity. So not so few million dollars later, a zero gravity pen was made. It was a monumental achievement, one that the Agency was very proud of, until they discovered what the Russians were using: A pencil.

Another humorous story was when a Japanese soap manufacturer was horrified to discover that a customer had bought an empty box of soap. To make sure it never happened again, it directed its engineering team to develop a solution to prevent this occurrence. The team immediately came up with a unique x-ray that was mounted at the end of the assembly line. There, all boxes were immediately scanned to make sure that there was always a bar of soap in every box.

After a successful test run , Tokyo headquarters immediately instructed the engineers to ship the new x-ray machines to all of their factories worldwide. The Japanese president of the Philippine subsidiary was worried about what to do while waiting for the x-ray to arrive. He asked his Filipino engineers to study the problem. They promptly came up with an alternative solution, they mounted a high powered industrial fan at the end of the assembly line to blow away any empty boxes.

There is a lot of room for creativity, passion, innovation and uniqueness in starting a business. It may be risky but when it succeeds , the rewards can be enormous. Google co founder Larry Page once said, “You don’t need a 100-person company to develop that idea.” Remember how Google started? It was a school project, on how to develop a better search engine.

I would like to congratulate the UP TAO Brotherhood and Sisterhood for reaching their 20^th anniversary this weekend. I would also like to congratulate the UPS for also achieving this significant milestone. I am proud to have been part of the start of these organizations.

I would also like to congratulate Charmaine Ong on the one year anniversary of the Oras ng Jaycees program on DYRF. Thank you for inviting me to guest and discuss the need for entrepreneurship especially for our youth. Congratulations.

Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up. For comments, suggestions or stories that you want to share, email me at
stirspecialist@gmail.com , or visit www.stirspecialist.blogspot.com .

A reader Francis recently emailed and shared with me the list of the different attributes of entrepreneurs in the Entrepreneurs Checklist as written by Elena Fawkner. I would like to share it with you. It is interesting to check how many qualities we possess and whether or not there are more qualities that we can add.

“Passion - entrepreneurs have a strong passion for their idea or concept, so much so that their work is their play. If you don’t like what you do, you won’t stick it out when challenges come along, as they inevitably will.

Curiosity - entrepreneurs need to understand how things work. They ask a lot of questions. Curiosity therefore triggers innovation.

Sponges - entrepreneurs are sponges. They devour information and are always current on new and emerging trends and technologies, not only in their specific industry, but in closely related industries. This habit of scanning their environment is a rich source for the discovery of new opportunities. Entrepreneurs are always looking for new markets, applications, products, or twists on an old concept.

Optimism - entrepreneurs think of problems as opportunities for improvements and new ideas.

Forward-looking - entrepreneurs are never satisfied with the status quo, and always proactively carve out their future.

Careful about money - entrepreneurs are careful with money and have a firm grasp on what things cost and their value to the business. This allows the entrepreneur to recognize a true bargain when they see one.

Started earning at a young age - entrepreneurs commonly displayed entrepreneurial leanings as a teenager, when they searched out entrepreneurial activities such as babysitting, lawnmowing and lemonade stands.

Competitive - entrepreneurs are naturally competitive and don’t let the grass grow under their feet.

Time conscious - entrepreneurs know the value of time and how to make the best use of it. You won’t find entrepreneurs spending much time on unproductive activities. That said, entrepreneurs typically also recognize the value of downtime, and will factor such activities into their schedule.

Risk takers - entrepreneurs aren’t afraid to take calculated risks. They typically trust their hunches and act on them.

Usually loners - entrepreneurs generally prefer a solitary work environment over teamwork.

Professional - entrepreneurs are professional in their approach to work. They operate as they would in a corporate environment and don’t allow themselves to be distracted by outside influences.

High energy - entrepreneurs have a plan and a vision, and they work it! Entrepreneurs are often health-conscious too, recognizing that the fitter they are, the better their minds work. So entrepreneurs will typically take time from their schedule to work out and eat well.

Flexible - entrepreneurs are nothing if not responsive to change. Although they appreciate the importance of having a plan and working that plan, they allow themselves room to react and respond to opportunities that may suddenly reveal themselves.

Nurture entrepreneurial spirit - entrepreneurs seek out and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in their employees, and reward them accordingly.

Confident goal-setters - entrepreneurs are confident and set long-term goals, both for themselves personally and for their businesses. They view money and financial security as a measure of accomplishment, and a source of peace of mind.

Persistent - entrepreneurs never give up. They persist until they succeed.

Learn from failure - entrepreneurs learn from their failures and those of others. Failure to an entrepreneur is nothing more than an opportunity waiting to be discovered.

Self responsibility - entrepreneurs take the initiative and personal responsibility for their success or failure (which is always a merely temporary state).

Resource utilization - entrepreneurs utilize all their available resources.

Internal locus of control - entrepreneurs don’t believe in luck. They firmly believe that success and failure lies within their personal control or influence.”

Do you see a lot of these attributes in yourself. If you do, and have not yet pursued your entrepreneurship dreams, maybe its time that you do. Goethe once said, “Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” What are you waiting for? Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

For comments, suggestions or stories that you want to share, email me at stirspecialist@gmail.com , or visit www.stirspecialist.blogspot.com

I had never had the opportunity to meet the late Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. 

My memories of EDSA were sketchy at best. I remembered as a young child of 11, wondering what was going on, wondering who was this man Benigno Ninoy Aquino and why was he assassinated. I remember at the age of 14, as a young high school student at the Sacred Heart School for Boys, encountering some of my teachers huddled at the radio, listening intently to what was going on in Manila. I looked in wonder at the creases of worry and concern clearly etched in their faces.

My next reflection on EDSA was how, a couple of years later, people would walk with pride and joy, basking in the honor in the realization that they were there. I was beginning to realize what the fuss was. I began to understand the enormity of the achievement.

I wanted to take Political Science at the University of the Philippines because I wanted to understand what People Power was about and why it happened. My mother became concerned and asked me to take a “safer” course. I ended up taking Psychology for a couple of years, but still ended up shifting to Political Science.

But by then, the stirrings of EDSA and people power had slowly began to fade. The stark realities of daily life and the feelings of apathy and cynicism began to grow once more. Cronyism, corruption as well as other bad habits had began to surface once more.  President Aquino became just another ex-president and our lives went on.

My generation has often been called martial law babies. It was not deserved because for many of us, we never really experienced the harsh realities of life under martial rule. We grew up and witnessed Philippine history but were too young or too immature to really understand what it all meant. Cory became just another ex-president, a God fearing and kindly woman who became much more famous to my younger peers as the mother of Kris.

So I was truly surprised at my deep feelings of anguish and sorrow upon learning of her passing. I was even more surprised that thousands, literally hundreds of thousands felt the same way.

We honor this courageous woman, who thrust herself into peril, first to honor the sacrifice of her martyred husband, and then to carry on his wishes. I watched footage of Ninoy’s last moments in the plane, where he was showing his new bulletproof Kevlar vest and discussing how he would need to be shot in the head if they really wanted to take him out. I listened to his last interview with his American journalist friend, where he realistically discussed his chances of being assassinated. I remember an interview where Cory said of her husband, “He truly wanted to die for the Filipino people.” Ninoy truly believed that the Filipino is worth dying for.

Cory was a reluctant candidate but realized that she had a duty. She was the living image of a reluctant politician, who neither craved power nor had ambitions.  She was steadfast and resolute in fulfilling her mandate and commitment, to bring democracy to the Philippines. She restored institutions of Government as well  as the freedom of the Press. The President did this, all the while believing in the strength and  goodness of the Filipino people and leaning on her Faith in the Almighty.

I have neither the space nor the words to do justice for a tribute to Cory. I just want to simply say, that Cory made us all proud to be Filipino. Don’t get me wrong; Athletes, singers, beauty contestants  all do make us proud. But we are more proud of their achievements and the honor it brings to our Country. Cory always made us proud of ourselves as a nation and in our achievements as a people.

I watched in awe her speech before the US Congress where she was given the longest applause ever for a foreign dignitary. She made us proud, we held our head high and the world acknowledged it.

She believed in us. She was a simple woman who asked for little but expected much from us. One of the quotes I will never forget is when she said, “I thank God for making me Filipino.” That is why I, like thousands of others who have never had the blessing to meet this woman, grieve. We pay homage to a leader that we could look up to, a sincere leader who genuinely believed in her people and in principle, integrity, values and love. We shed tears because we mourn the lost chance to actually tell this woman how our people felt, how we have never had the chance to express our gratitude.

Eric Gamalinda once wrote, "We wanted Cory Aquino to be strong so we could remain passive. We wanted her to save us so we could refuse to save ourselves”.  We can do that no longer. Cory is gone but we will not forget, we should not forget. In her passing, she reminds us that it is not enough that we rely on others, we need to do, we need to act. It is our turn to make Cory proud. Salamat Madam President at Paalam.

Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

For comments, suggestions or stories that you want to share, email me at  stirspecialist@gmail.com ,  or

visit  www.stirspecialist.blogspot.com