One Step Up

Life is a like a box of crayons

2010-05-14T10:03:00.001+08:00

I would like to apologize for not writing this column the last couple of weeks. I was an active volunteer in the campaign of Senator and soon to be, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino. I voluntarily took a pause from writing in order to prevent being misconstrued as using this column as a campaign tool.

My life took a tremendous jump into the abyss as I and countless others put our lives on hold to actively fight for what we believe in. The journey has been amazing, and has given me experiences that will be forever etched in my mind and heart. I was awed by the fact that TIME Magazine, in its cover story on Senator Aquino quoted my description of the latter as well as what we felt we were fighting for.

The crystallization of the moment of realization that we had finally achieved our goals came from a call from Cathy of CNN, who told me what she had reported back to the headquarters, she said , “The Philippines actually pulled it off!”.

And for that, I think , we , and I mean all of us, regardless of political affiliation, beliefs, or colors, deserve a pat in the back. This election made history for not only being the first fully automated national election, but also for the speed and accuracy of the reports. It was also the most peaceful and devoid of much of the drama that normally happens.

The fact that the other candidates for President conceded early, most especially Senator Manny Villar as well as Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro offers hope that politicians can put away the divisiveness and become statesmen and advocate working for national unity and healing of the wounds.

I want to thank everyone that actively participated and volunteered for the campaign, regardless of the candidate. It shows that the people, especially the youth, have taken a keen interest in the affairs of our country and have made a statement that they want to be involved in making this country better.

I myself have undergone a dramatic and amazing change. I have discovered how beautiful our country really is, as I have been given the opportunity to have traveled to almost 90% of the provinces. I have met so many people from all walks of life, speaking so many dialects and yet all reveling in the fact that we are all Filipinos.

For the past few days, I have been trying to put all my experiences into words but am still at a loss. I know that as the days go by, I will slowly be able to come to grips with what has happened in the last few months, even as I try to pick up the pieces and reconnect with my normal life.

I want to share a small story that for me describes what the task lies before us as a nation and as a people. Shane De Rolf wrote…

"While walking in a toy store, The day before today, I came upon a crayon box, With many things to say. "I don't like red!", said Orange, And Green said, "Nor do I!" And no one here likes Yellow, But no one knows just why. We are a box of crayons, That does not get along," Said Blue to all the others, "Something here is wrong!"

Well, I bought that box of crayons, And I took it home with me, And I laid out all the colors, So the crayons could all see… They watched me as I colored, With Red and Blue and Green, And Black and White and Orange, And every color in between. They watched as Green became the grass, And Blue became the sky. The Yellow sun was shining bright, On White clouds drifting by.

Colors changing as they touched, Becoming something new. They watched me as I colored, They watched 'till I was through. And when I'd finally finished, I began to walk away, And as I did the crayon box, Had something more to say... "I do like Red!", said Orange, And Green said, "So do I! And Blue, you were terrific, So high up in the sky!".

"We are a box of crayons, Each of us unique, But when we get together, The picture is complete."

We are one country, one people. Lets all now put aside what divides and unite towards what we all want, a better and brighter Philippines. Congratulations to the Filipino People, we did actually pull it off.

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

Looking for a Room to Read

2010-03-29T14:58:00.001+08:00

A lot of us take books very lightly. We are secure in the fact that we can access them in libraries , over the internet or just by buying the book. But let me tell you of a man who discovered how valuable books and education really are.

A teacher in Nepal said something that caused a successful driven young man to radically alter his life and devote it to changing the world. The unnamed teacher was showing around a young American who was trekking across Nepal and had chanced upon their small Himalayan village.

The teacher eagerly showed the young American around and brought him to his school where he proudly showed off their library. In the library the books were considered treasures and kept under lock and key, all 20 of them. What was even more astounding was that many of the books were left over by backpackers and trekkers, discarded after reading, unnecessary weight for the backpacks.

The headmaster valued education very much and told the American, “We are too poor to afford education.” He continued, “ But until we have education, we will always be poor.” The American tourist was deeply affected by those words, and made a vow to do what he can to help.

When he got back, he began emailing friends to donate used books for that school. What began as a sincere desire to do his part eventually blossomed into an organization that has created a big positive impact in many parts of Asia. That man is John Wood, founder of Room to Read, a nonprofit group that builds schools and libraries for children in Asia.

John gave a very successful career in Microsoft spanning almost the whole of the nineties. He has held several positions such as the positions of Director of Marketing for the Asia-Pacific Division, Director of the Internet Customer Unit as well as Director of Marketing for Microsoft Australia. He gave up the financial certainty and security of a successful corporate career to devote himself to bringing change thru education in some of the poorest parts of the world.

Today Room to Read, has grown into an award winning non-profit foundation has established over 7,500 libraries, donated and published 6 million books, built over 830 schools, and funded over 8,800 long-term scholarships for girls - impacting the lives of over 3.1 million students worldwide. And that is just over the span of nine years.

John has also received a lot of honors for his work, including recognition as a "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum as well as recognition as one of Time Magazine's "Asian Heroes." Room to Read is a five-time recipient of Fast Company Magazine's Social Capitalist Award, as well as the Skoll Foundation Award for Social Innovation, and a recipient of Draper Richards Fellowship for social entrepreneurs.

We need to find our own local versions of John Wood who would also devote their time and energy to help impact the reach as well as the quality of education in our country. I myself am very inspired by Senator Benigno Aquino’s making education as one of the critical issues as well as foundation for his platform.

John Wood wrote that, “if you get education right, you get many things right: escape from poverty, better family health, and improved status of women.” Why the focus on women? John believed that when you properly educate a girl, you also educate her future children as well as the generations that follow.

I think we do need to look at how we are educating our children, because in order for change to happen, people have to understand the issues as well as the solutions needed. Thru education, we can ensure that the best and the brightest will be harnessed to work for the future of this country. People like John Wood and Efren Penaflorida are showing us of how great things can arise from small sincere actions. Let us find our way to each doing our part.

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

Coke's Five Global Trends

2010-03-21T19:01:00.001+08:00

Isn’t it amazing that pop culture has formed a common bond among people all over the world? Global brands such as Nike, Mcdonalds, Starbucks, etc. have become indexes on the cultural urbanization of many cities and countries. The recent decades have seen the rise of mega multinational corporations behind large global brands. These corporations have operations that simulate the way some countries function. So it’s interesting to track how they see the trends for the future.

One of these global brand icons is Coca Cola. Its President and CEO Muhtar Kent recently gave a talk where he describes the five global forces that he feels will impact the next decade:

“1. A powerful shift in the epicenter of global economic growth. - By the year 2020, the world’s economic power will radiate from many nations and not just a few. Despite the current economic woes, we’re going to see 20 trillion dollars of global GDP growth created in the next 10 years. Most of this will be in the emerging and developing economies of the world. In the next 10 years, we’re going to see a billion new consumers rise to the middle class.

2. Rapid urbanization as people move to cities for opportunities. -Today, the world’s cities are growing by 70 million people each year, and that will continue for at least the next decade. That’s the equivalent of adding a metropolitan area the size of Atlanta to the planet every 30 days for the next 10 years.

3. A world wrestling with energy and resource scarcity. - In the coming years, as wealth grows and consumer demand increases, we are going to be faced with constant scarcities and cost pressures. Demand for fuel, food and other commodities will expand significantly. This will have long-term cost implications for all of us. In a world of constant cost pressures, it is essential that we achieve a low-cost structure and that productivity is embedded in everything we do.

4. A reset of consumer attitudes, values and expectations. - Consumers worldwide are focused on value. They expect to engage with brands in a dialogue as opposed to a one-way monologue. They do not want to be told what to do. Today's consumers are dictating what they want... how they want it... when they want it... where they want it... and what price they are willing to pay. This is an important trend—and one that threatens to break the traditional distinction between buyer and seller that has been at the cornerstone of modern business and economics.

5. An emerging new era of innovation. - brought on by these first four trends and fueled by sustainability imperatives. Most new breakthrough innovations over the next decade will spring from a world radiating economic power from multiple sources... from a world with more empowered consumers... and from a world where natural resource scarcity is the norm. New ideas and innovations will originate well beyond the four walls of a company. Innovation will be just as likely to come from customers, suppliers, and consumers. Innovations will be truly global. They will no longer just trickle down from developed to lesser developed nations. They will just as likely originate in emerging nations as well. ”

It is really intriguing how Global Brands view trends. I wonder when the time will come when the rest of the world will also want to view trends set by local brands. It might happen sooner than we think.

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

The Search for Newledge

2010-03-11T21:38:00.001+08:00

I recently came across this unusual word – “Newledge”. It is an unusual and yet very interesting word, because it actually does not exist. It is the combination of two words: New and Knowledge. Why I do I like it? Because it is what every young entrepreneur needs to discover.

The search and application of new knowledge is the dramatic x factor in any new entrepreneur’s quest to be successful. When newledge is mixed with passion, it concocts a heady brew that can compensate and even best the common stumbling blocks of cash, capital and collateral.

Today’s technology is rapidly growing at an accelerated rate. So much so, that large corporations are often unable to adapt fast enough to take advantage of the unique solutions that technology offers. There is even now a “law” wherein it states, “The rapid rise in technology makes what was previously impossible possible.”

Solutions to typical problems need not be so complex anymore. Nowhere is this more obvious than when we give young children new gadgets and they are able to configure or utilize it faster than we can read the manual.

The fact that technology, the internet, and software are advancing so rapidly has been the reason for the rise of tech-entrepreneurs. What once needed an advance degree in computers now only requires a deep thirst to experiment and learn. Contrast this with what it used to be like before, a classic example being Digital Equipment, a well known computer brand then, Ken Olson of Digital once said, "There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home."

The search for newledge also has been made easier by the internet. I remember being in a meeting once with a retired CEO of a large corporation. He wanted to share with me his tips on what it took to rise to the top then. He said, “Knowledge is everything!” He explained that one of the unique things his corporation did under his watch was that they had a room filled with 10 full time researchers, who were tasked to research and provide information for the company.

I remember needing to spend days in the University library doing research work. Now a quick google search, a few clicks, a weeks worth of research done in a few hours. All you really need is a deep desire to discover newledge.

On another note, I also want to share with you a recent article by Melissa Rafoni of Rafoni CEO Consulting. For those that are now running companies and are trying to master the intricacies of managing and motivating employees, here are some tips from Melissa, outlined in her article, “Eight things your employees want from you.”

1. Tell me my role, tell me what to do, and give me the rules.

Discipline my coworker who is out of line.

Get me excited.

Don't forget to praise me.

Don't scare me.

Impress me.

Give me some autonomy.

Set me up to win.

Melissa concludes by adding, “Your job is to make it practical for people to succeed. When you do this, everybody wins.” I totally agree with Melissa. I now know eight more ways of understanding the needs of my employees better. It cost me practically nothing. All it really took was a deep desire to discover newledge. You should try it.

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

The Future of People Power

2010-03-07T13:23:00.002+08:00

I recently came across this quote from former President Cory Aquino that really moved and stuck with me. She said, “People Power must start from within. The potential for greatness of every Filipino needs to be cultivated before true strength in numbers can be realized for our nation. People Power resides inside each of us, waiting to be unleashed to trigger a chain reaction that would transform the fabric of our society.”

I have come to believe that People Power should not be looked upon and celebrated only through the prism of a peaceful revolution, but through the eyes of an enlightened and hopeful people, who are awakening to the possibilities of using People Power as a genuine movement for societal change.

Former President Cory further expounded on this concept when she declared in a keynote speech for the Magsaysay Forum some years back, “Since 1986, one of my main preoccupations had been on seeking ways by which to make use of "people power" as a force for eliminating poverty.”

I could not agree more. I strongly believe that we need to ensure that the concept of People Power be taught to a whole new generation not only as a celebration of one of the greatest moments in our country’s young history, but also as a philosophy of engaging each one of its citizens as vital instruments for nation building. Our former President believed, that in order for our country to progress, it needs its citizenry to be involved as active participants and service partners.

The late President set many examples for her people to follow, and in the last few years of her life, she recommitted herself to helping the poorest of the poor. Many of our impoverished countrymen live on the outer fringes of society, desperately trying to eke out a decent life out of indecent conditions. Tita Cory felt that by providing them with the tools as well as a means to acquire a decent life were of utmost importance. She established the PinoyME Foundation, that acts as a vehicle for helping the poor thru micro finance. Thru PinoyME, those in need can avail of micro loans that can be used as funds for starting small businesses, improving lives, funding education, etc.

From humble beginnings, PinoyME (www.pinoyme.com) has grown to having an estimated Php 1 Billion circulating and providing genuine assistance to as many as two million indigent beneficiaries. The immediate goal is to reach five million clients with a total of P5 billion in funds fueling grassroots businesses.

Tita Cory was also a strong supporter of Gawad Kalinga. She firmly believed that Gawad Kalinga was a true epitome of the definition of People Power. She said “It is now evident that People Power has come of age, when its pursuit defies the human temptation to use that power for one’s personal interest. Gawad Kalinga is proving that People Power can have the most noble of aspirations, that it can motivate ordinary citizens to become extraordinary Filipinos.’ She added, “In the expression of People Power, Gawad Kalinga seeks meaningful change powered by love for God and love for neighbor. It moves away from conflict and instead opens doors for convergence and harmony in the pursuit of a cause noble enough for all Filipinos to embrace. It does not look down on those who have less, and is not judgmental on those who have more.”

Many people have forgotten that at one time, Tita Cory held ultimate power in our country. But she was of the firm belief that in order for our country to progress, the solutions cannot only come from the Government. She believed that awakening the spirit of People Power in the citizenry and channeling that for the common good was the ultimate solution for bringing progress to the country and the people.

She said, “Through the years, I have learned from experience that, ultimately, People Power is about finding and unleashing the leader in each one of us. It is about harnessing the inherent integrity, the sense of compassion, the will to make sacrifices, and the courage to take risks to achieve goals that would serve the common good. Each of us is called to do our share. It is about building little bridges to people who can make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.”

There has been much said about finding the “Ninoy” in each of us; that there is a hero inside every one of us (http://iamninoy.org). I think we should now also look for the “Cory” within our hearts. Tita Cory truly believed in the goodness of each Filipino. We all need to once again rally to her call for People Power. But this time not solely to oust a dictator, or to rally in the streets or to protest injustice; but to set forth and do something positive to help our fellow brother and sister Filipino. If we all rally to this call, then we can finally honor Tita Cory’s words, “I thank God for making me Filipino.”

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

Focus on your Strenghts

2010-02-19T11:08:00.001+08:00

One of the things we are always taught is to work on our weaknesses. We are always conditioned or drilled to keep working on improving on our weaknesses. But isn’t this the reason for causing many of us to become average?

Think about it. We were all born with unique strengths, special talents, and amazing gifts. All of us were created by God that way. We each have something different to bring to the table.

But as we grow older, we are taught to conform. We are trained to be well- rounded. We are shaped and molded to be just like everybody else. In fact, as we grow older, we are expected to be just like everybody else.

Why is that? Why do we all have to be like each other?

When we look at the amazing individuals that we admire, we don’t praise them for being well rounded. We actually point out a unique talent or something specifically great in what they do. Whether they are great writers, speakers, athletes, singers, dancers, etc. They have taken that special gift and focused on it, honing, and learning to wield it to perfection. It is that outstanding ability, talent, or skill that causes them to stand out.

I remember a story that has always stuck with me. It begins with a question, “As an entrepreneur, would you hire someone that thinks, acts and performs like you do?”

What would be your answer? Many would say, “Of Course I would, that way, he or she would know exactly what I want him or her to do.” That makes sense but it doesn’t always work out as planned.

There may be no exact stereotype of a prototypical entrepreneur. But we are often besieged by images and stories of one particular kind, the visionary. The visionary is often at the forefront. He possesses the unique perspective into where the business should be going. He is able to share and inspire others to follow the vision. But if he started hiring his team, and they end up all being visionaries; I just wonder if they could get anything done. Or would they be forever perpetually locked in a caffeine-induced debate on which direction to take or whose vision to follow.

The second particular kind we are familiar with is the number cruncher. He has the unique ability to pull out statistics and figure formulas for every situation. He is able to mathematically find solutions to every problem. But again, if he started to put together his team, and they would all be like him. I wonder if they would be forever spinning their wheels trying to find the right formula, amidst the lack of vision.

The third particular kind is the manager. This is the type who is most well rounded. This type is the most efficient and hardest working of the three. But a company of managers will only result in a busy room with no direction.

That is why, I believe in building a team, recognize your own strengths, and find people with their own strengths, especially those that compensate for your weaknesses. Finding and building the right team, learning to inspire and motivate, cajole and push, will ultimately define success or failure.

So, lets all find our strengths. Build upon it. Work on it with a passion. Don’t be average. Be unique. Be talented. And then , find like minded people. We don’t have to be good at everything but we owe it to ourselves to be great at something.

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

FEAR

2010-02-11T19:49:00.001+08:00

I spent an interesting afternoon at a receiving end of a lecture by a senior member of the Philippine Stock Exchange. This man, who obviously has lived through much of our country’s economic and political history, was passionately trying to make me understand the reasons why we needed to go for change. He urgently voiced his frustrations, frequently adding the lament, “why do you young people not understand, this is no longer about us, but about your generation and the country you and my children want to live in!”

I sat there, hearing everything, absorbing everything and wondering silently. Why indeed? Why do my generation, and my younger peers not seem to understand? Or do we simply not care? Until the answer hit me. Why?

FEAR.

Think about it. Don’t we all have that little urgent voice inside of us that very barely whispers in our ear, “Don’t do anything, its only you. You wont be able to make a difference. Don’t even try.” We see others do it. We admire them for their courage. We applaud them for their principle, but we don’t do anything. Because we are afraid that we are not them.

But I believe we are. Someone told me once that a leader is but a manifestation of each little part of every member of the group. The leader symbolizes all the aspirations, principles and values of the group. Each member is present in him, filling him with a small part of themselves. And together that is what makes a leader strong. Not alone, but together. The strength of the leader is determined by the size and conviction of his people, who they are and what they stand for.

If we the people do not believe that change is necessary. If we the people do not fight for the opportunity for change to happen. If we the people are too afraid to hope, to believe, that change can happen. Change never will.

We will be forever subjected to inane jingles. To empty slogans. To damning insults to our intelligence. Why?

Because we allow it. We are afraid.

A rabid supporter of the yellow once pulled me aside and told me, “I have begun to tell people that I have shifted to the dark side, I have decided to believe in Money of the orange.” I was taken aback and I asked him, what did they say. He replied, “they expressed surprise and outrage and asked him angrily , WHY?” He then told me what he answered them, “Its because of people like you, you keep saying you want it, but your not willing to do anything. So be happy, you will soon have the leader that you are used to.”

Why are we afraid?

Unless we discover the courage of our convictions, we will always be afraid. We will always listen to that little voice that reminds us not to get involved.

But when will we get involved? Is now not the right time to finally say, Its enough, its too much.

I believe that who we support is a reflection of what we believe in, what principles and values we hold dear and what would we be willing to compromise and ignore. It is about what our hopes and dreams are, and what would we be willing to do to make them come true. I believe that it is not just about our leaders, but it is very much about ourselves...

We have to remind ourselves that in order to climb up, it is not enough to look at the steps. We actually have to take the steps.

Lets climb together for a change.

Out of many , we should be one. It is about time we be yellow. It is about time we stand up for what we believe in.

If not, we will soon be inundated by images and songs about living in garbage, because in truth, it will soon be like living in garbage. Be afraid, I know I now am.

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

Professionally Found

2010-02-04T10:27:00.002+08:00

I like reading. I like going over a really good book. But I go gaga over a profound one.

Many people define profound as “having deep insight or understanding”. But for me, profound simply means a way of thought that is simplistic in the surface, but hides infinite wisdom underneath. But hey that’s just me. Maybe that’s why I like Dilbert or even The Simpsons, they are at the surface, just simple and sometimes crass depictions of everyday life, but subtly hide nuggets of wisdom on what to do or not to do in real life.

What am I trying to say? Well this is my poor attempt at trying to be profound.

I recently came across an interesting author and teacher, Bob Sutton. He is a Professor of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University, where he also co-founded the Center for Work, Technology and Organization. At first, he comes across as a really serious guy, but he really tries to take being profound very seriously. He wrote a book whose title I cannot even reprint here, but I will try, its called “The No As***le Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t.” Now if that’s not a profound title , I don’t know what is.

But seriously, I like how he is able to make us or at least me, think. I would love to be able to attend his class one day, if I could afford it. Why? Because he is fun and doesn’t take himself too seriously, and yet, is able to simulate the students into becoming great managers.

I want to share this list that he gives his students at the last day of class, his nuggets of wisdom for managers. Professor Sutton believes:

“ 1. Sometimes the best management is no management at all – first do no harm!  

2. Indifference is as important as passion. 

3. In organizational life, you can have influence over others or you can have freedom from others, but you can't have both at the same time.

4. Learning how to say smart things and give smart answers is important. Learning to listen to others and to ask smart questions is more important.  

5. You get what you expect from people. This is especially true when it comes to selfish behavior; self-interest is a learned social norm, not an inherent feature of human behavior. 

6. Getting a little power can turn you into an insensitive self-centered jerk.  

7. Avoid pompous jerks whenever possible. They not only can make you feel bad about yourself, chances are that you will eventually start acting like them.  

8. The best test of a person's character is how he or she treats those with less power.  

9. Err on the side of optimism and positive energy in all things. 

10. Work is an over-rated activity.”

Two of his students added two more:

“ 11. Have strong opinions, weakly held.  

12. Argue as if you are right, listen as if you are wrong .”

I would love to add one more, “If he says he just wants to help the poor and yet is spending so much trying to get elected, he must really just be after helping his poor self”. Sorry, off topic, but I couldn’t help it… its another of my poor attempts of trying to be profound, maybe that’s why I need to go back to school, Bob Sutton here I come…

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

Turning Two

2010-01-30T09:10:00.001+08:00

Has it really been two years already? It doesn’t seem too long ago that I started to write this column. Looking back, it has been an incredible journey and I hope that it’s a feeing that you readers also share.

I recently received an email from Jomar Caborog, a public school teacher of Tipolo National High School in Mandaue. He wrote, “As a public school teacher and social studies teacher, I really update my students on issues. Your column at The Freeman helps a lot, Mabuhi ka.” I want to thank you Jomar for the warm message. It really encouraged me a lot and grounded me to the fact that writing this column is really about people like you. People that read what I write with the hope that they might find some substance in what I am trying to say.

I am suddenly reminded what my favorite superhero Spiderman keeps saying, “With great power comes great responsibility…”

Writing this column has been really transformational on my part. As I have kept writing , I have also been learning. Along the way, I have met many people who have inspired and encouraged, taught and tempered, corrected and rejected. It is people like Jomar who keep me going.

One positive result of my writing is that it has allowed me to interact with the youth, especially students. I have been invited to speak before different schools and groups on encouraging entrepreneurship. This interaction has allowed me to encourage them to form a group, STEP UP (Student Entrepreneurship Provides Unlimited Possibilities), and a few months later, the group was able to hold its first entrepreneurship summit at the University of the Philippines, attended by students of six universities. I also want to share the good news that, the young organization, has been chosen as a country champion for the World Entrepreneurship Day happening this year. Congratulations Neil and the rest of the STEP UP volunteers!

Next week, I will be speaking with the members of the Dynamic Teen Company led by Efren Penflorida on studying and seeking ways to encourage entrepreneurship among the underprivileged youth. I am really thankful for the invitation and opportunity to work with a genuine hero and somebody that I genuinely look up to. It just shows how amazing things can happen from small positive action.

Thank you Jomar for reminding me of what is important. Thank you for allowing me every Friday to exchange and share ideas with you and your students.

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

I Live in the City of Auda

2010-01-21T13:16:00.003+08:00

Have you ever thought of living in the City of Auda? The residents of this city boldly believe everything is possible. In fact, in recent times, one of the more famous citizens was an African American man. This man had the temerity to believe that he could be the forebearer of change and representative of the possibilities of hope in his country. From almost out of nowhere, this man’s message of hope and change captivated his country and propelled him to becoming the leader and symbol of infinite possibilities. Barrack Obama truly showed the world that great things happen if people believe, hope, and contribute to making change become reality.

But he was not the first nor will he be the last. Even among our own people, we have Auda Citizens living amongst us. I want to cite how Manny Paquiao defined the word audacity and shocked the boxing world, showing that a small Filipino can confidently and brashly rewrite boxing history and dominate seven titles and along the way become a living legend and the best pound for pound fighter the boxing world has ever seen.

But I also want to humbly present Efren Penaflorida, who may not have the audacity to believe he could be the hero our country and the world needed to see, but he inspired and moved people to become audacious about the possibilities of large positive change arising from small sincere action.

AUDACITY. It is a big word. It is commonly defined as a supreme boldness to the point of disregarding normal restraint. To me, it means the boldness to dream, to ask , “Why Not?” and to move into action with the vision of disputing the often asked questions of “Why can’t I?”

There is going to be unprecedented presidential debate happening today in Cebu. For the first time, three of our City’s major business chambers have come together to host the debate. There will be six great men who will be quizzed and asked to explain, what is the vision that they are offering in exchange for the chance to become leader of our country. It is a chance for the business community to listen, discern and get to know, who they feel would be able to bring about positive change not only in Cebu, but to our country.

This is of utmost importance. The right selection of not only national leaders but also local ones will be the cornerstone of our country’s progression to the dream that we want to see. We have to discern properly. We have to be able to look beyond empty slogans and promises and see what is important. We have to be able to see the character of these men as well as the principles that they abide by. We also have to look at what motivates these leaders to aspire for the highest position of our country.

But after all is said and done, I also would like to remind others that irregardless of whomever will be chosen and elected, it will be all for naught, if we the people do not believe and participate in the task of nation building.

Real transformational change will not occur if we are not willing to be active agents of it. We cannot expect greatness for our nation if we are not willing to demand it of ourselves. If we truly want our country to be great, we need to be able to demand greatness from our people. It is also important that we bring back responsibility in government, and instill the sense of responsibility back to our people.

I believe this can happen. The country that I dream about, and my children will grow up and live in is slowly happening. But we have to be willing to be part of this process. We can longer stand back and individually prosper, while our country wallows. We have to be willing to commit to whomever we have chosen that we will hold them to their promises, that we will expect them to be responsible and most importantly , we will be there to contribute to make it happen.

I have filed my residency in the City of Auda. I hope you will too. For we definitely need a certain amount of audacity to believe that we will soon be the great nation and people that we always believe we can become.

A Leader's Seven Deadly Sins

2010-01-14T14:01:00.001+08:00

The search for the right leader is one of the most crucial crossroads for many companies, corporations, organization and even countries. The right leadership that can inspire, manage, and lead will often usher in a period of success.

The late Peter Drucker was a leading management consultant who wrote several books on management and leadership. He has written 40 books as well as hundreds of articles that are still continuously read and studied to this day. He is recognized as “The father of modern management”. In celebration of his 100^th year birthday, a former student and author, William Cohen, wrote a book entitled “Drucker on Leadership”, which compiles many of the latter’s thoughts on leadership.

Peter Drucker believed that leadership was a calling, and that having a moral and ethical center was crucial to being a good leader. He often wrote about character traps that would lead to the demise and failure of leaders, leading to selfishness and abuse of power. William Cohen characterized these traps into the seven deadly sins of leadership, which Drucker sought to emphasize in order to prevent leaders from falling into them. The seven deadly sins of leaders were:

Pride – When a leader believes that rules no longer apply to him, he believes that due to his importance, he can be exempt from normal standards of accountability.

Lust. – Power attracts many things leading to a lot of temptation. A leader’s lack of a moral center often leads to indulgence, which then clouds his ability to render the correct judgment.

Greed. -The sin of greed is a sin of excess. It frequently starts with power. Leaders have power, and power has a tendency to corrupt.

Sloth. –Characterized as an unwillingness to act. It is sometimes seen as a sense of entitlement wherein the leader refuses to do anything he considers to be beneath his position.

Wrath. – The inability to deal with power often leads to anger and wrath as a natural response when things do not happen a leader’s way. The Leader will tend to explode and respond without analyzing properly the situation.

Envy – The belief that every thing should revolve around the leader and when there are things that do not, the natural response is to “attempt to destroy another’s reputation, or in other ways attempt to feel better by lowering the status of another.”

Gluttony - Applies to excessive consumption of any kind. Expects the perks of the position to be a natural reward for it

I believe that in selecting leaders, we have to be recognizant of their natural tendencies to fall into these traps. Or that Leaders, in their quest for position or appointment should themselves introspect and reflect on these sins and how to avoid falling into them.

I think Peter Drucker also was very vocal about writing about these seven sins in order for us to recognize and help the leader avoid them. Leadership in this new decade is no longer about the super CEO or infallible leader. The age of information and communication has empowered even the simplest and lowest member the ability to be informed, comprehend, and in their own ways, respond. Lets look at potential leaders in the right light, not only in terms of accomplishments and capabilities but also for natural tendencies to fall into the seven deadly sins.

I really like this quote, "Leadership is first and foremost about character, one who is in power but not subordinate to it, one who has control of money but is not lured by it, one whose position opens all doors but prefers the simplicity of lifestyle , and one who is followed"

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

The Fifteen Minute Advantage

2010-01-07T21:25:00.001+08:00

A lot of people reacted strongly to what I wrote about the square watermelon. Majority of them liked the idea of innovation, but questioned how can it really be achieved, and if the inherent risks of failure is worth the effort. In today’s uncertain economic climate, some asked, is it really the right time to be innovating and how does one start?

Everybody loves successful innovations but not many want to be the one starting them. So what can we do? Rosabeth Kanter, a professor at the Harvard business school, wrote something revealing on starting innovation. She wrote a article on the "15 minute competitive advantage" which she said can be used to break innovation down to a manageable level, she wrote that change should happen , “in short fast bursts rather than waiting for the breakthrough that transforms everything. If every proverbial 15 minutes, you learn something and incorporate it into the next speedy step, you'll continue to be ahead. And a few time periods later, transformation will be underway.”

Professor Kantor is a firm believer that instead of changing the whole system, it should be changed just enough at a time but also continuously adapting and innovating. This will allow the company to listen and adapt to the market needs rather than force the latter to accept a whole new line of thought.

She emphasized, “Stay a little ahead of the competition while close enough to what customers can understand and incorporate, and the innovation idea is easier to sell” It actually makes so much sense.

Many instances will show us that even though the innovation made all the sense in the world, if we introduce it too rapidly or radically, it will cause the market to instinctively reject it. But by introducing it in short systematic bursts, it will allow the market to absorb it unconsciously.

The other point the Professor made is that the innovation should have certain characteristics in order to make it easier to accept and support, it should be:

Trial-able: The idea or product can be demonstrated on a pilot basis. Customers can see it in action first and incorporate it on a small scale before committing to replace everything.

2. Divisible: It can be adopted in segments or phases. Users can ease into it, a step at a time. They can even use it in parallel with current solutions.

3. Reversible: If it doesn't work, it's possible to return to pre-innovation status. Eventually you want life to be unimaginable without it, but at least in theory, it's possible to go back to zero.

4. Tangible: It offers concrete results that can be seen to make a difference in something that users need and value.

5. Fits prior investments: The idea builds on "sunk costs" or actions already taken, so it looks like not much change is involved.

6. Familiar: It feels like things that people already understand, so it is not jarring to use. It is consistent with other experiences, especially successful ones.

7. Congruent with future direction: It is in line with where things are heading anyway. It doesn't require people to rethink their priorities or pathways, even though of course it changes things.

8. Positive publicity value: It will make everyone look good.

Do you agree? Her points do allow innovation to be thought of in a rational and realistic manner. So what are we waiting for? Let’s start looking for our own square watermelons, and take the first few steps into the innovation decade.

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

in 2010, buy a square watermelon

2009-12-30T12:58:00.001+08:00

Happy New Year! I was thinking about what I wanted to say in the very first day of the year, what is my new year’s resolution. I will begin by declaring 2010, as the beginning of a decade of creativity, innovation , and entrepreneurship. Think about it, there are now more outlets for expressing creativity, engaging innovation and starting entrepreneurship, especially among the youth. It’s a fantastic time to be young, to have all these opportunities that are just within grasp, even for us, the not so young anymore.

I want to share an email I received on a story written by Alistair Johnston, of how Japanese watermelon farmers were able to find a creative and innovative solution to overcome practical obstacles to selling their product.

Space is a premium in Japan. Watermelons take up a lot of space, not only in the personal refrigerators of households but in the shelves of groceries as well. This has led to some stores as well as households avoiding carrying or buying the sweet fruit. This has always been a traditional problem of which there is no solution, unless grocery stores and Japanese houses get bigger. Until a group of Japanese farmers decided to challenge these assumptions. They decided to find a way to make watermelons easier to store, ship, display as well as stock. They invented the square watermelon.

They discovered that by growing watermelons in a square box, the fruit takes on the shape of the box. This new method allowed them to overcome all the traditional obstacles as well as add new benefits, allowing the farmers to charge more for the square watermelon. The new square watermelon was not only stackable but was measured to fit perfectly inside the family refrigerators.

I want to share with you the lessons from this story:

“1.) Don’t Assume: The major problem was that most people had always seen round watermelons so they automatically assumed that square watermelons were impossible before even thinking about the question. Things that you have been doing a certain way your entire life have taken on the aura of the round watermelon and you likely don’t even take the time to consider if there is another way to do it. Breaking yourself from assuming this way can greatly improve your overall life as you are constantly looking for new and better ways to do things.

2.) Question Habits: The best way to tackle these assumptions is to question your habits. If you can make an effort to question the way you do things on a consistent basis, you will find that you can continually improve the way that you live your life. Forming habits when they have been well thought out is usually a positive thing, but most of us have adopted our habits from various people and places without even thinking about them.

3.) Be Creative: When faced with a problem, be creative in looking for a solution. This often requires thinking outside the box. Most people who viewed this question likely thought they were being asked how they could genetically alter water melons to grow square which would be a much more difficult process to accomplish. By looking at the question from an alternative perspective, however, the solution was quite simple. Being creative and looking at things in different ways in all portions of your live will help you find solutions to many problems where others can’t see them.

4.) Look for a Better Way: The square watermelon question was simply seeking a better and more convenient way to do something. The stores had flagged a problem they were having and asked if a solution was possible. It’s impossible to find a better way if you are never asking the question in the first place . Always ask if there is a better way of doing the things that you do and constantly write down the things you wish you could do (but currently can’t) since these are usually hints about steps you need to change. Get into the habit of asking yourself, “Is there a better way I could be doing this?” and you will find there often is.

5.) Impossibilities Often Aren’t: If you begin with the notion that something is impossible, then it obviously will be for you. If, on the other hand, you decide to see if something is possible or not, you will find out through trial and error.”

Think about these lessons as we plan our new year’s resoltutions. Would you buy a square watermelon? Are there areas in our life that need a new perspective? There are a lot of opportunities, challenges as well as dreams to be achieved this 2010.

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

Be a Hero

2009-12-17T13:06:00.001+08:00

Last Friday, I got a chance to meet a hero. It was anti climactic in a way. Not exactly how I envisioned meeting a hero would be like. I was expecting an adulating crowd with him. Or a horde of security that follows certain hero athletes around. I was expecting him to be, well, I expected him to be special.

He was not. He was so ordinary that if I had never ever seen a picture of him before, I would have walked by him without even giving him a second glance. And yet, the world , through the global news channel, has chosen to confer on him the title, CNN Hero of the Year.

I don’t need to tell you what Efren Penaflorida did, or what his accomplishments were that made him deserving to win that historic award. But in case you didn’t know, he is not the pound for pound symbol of athletic excellence. Nor is he one that possesses amazing vocal or physical talent. He actually defines the word ordinary.

He is so ordinary that upon arriving at the doorstep of his country, a fellow countryman even tried to steal his things. Doesn’t that put a lot of things into perspective?

I walked and watched, from the other end of the street, as the parade in his honor crawled through Makati. The parade ended in a makeshift stage where bands started to play in his honor. As I stood there watching and enjoying the show, a man stood beside me watching. The crowds had began to fill and we ended up standing side by side. I glanced at him and had to take a second glance, I was standing beside him. Just like that, I met the CNN hero of the year, in the crowd, unobtrusive, alone, very ordinary, at a concert in his honor.

We keep searching for heroes. When we were young, we longed and dreamt that our superheroes would always show up and save the world. As we grew older, we still kept searching in vain for more heroes to show up. We even starting raising the bar on what it meant to be one. We almost even demanded that a hero should also be defined as a martyr, someone that sacrificed everything for us to idolize and emulate him or her.

Maybe that has always been our problem. We keep seeking out heroes with super powers or super achievements. We want to be helplessly standing at the sidelines and watch for the appearance of a hero to save ourselves, our situation and even our country.

This Christmas, lets reflect on how each of us can emulate Efren’s example. His simple acceptance speech was straight to the point. He emotionally spoke,

“Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry…Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.

So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed.

Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve.

As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”

We can all be heroes. We need to be the change that we want to see. Thank you Efren. Lets all be the hero we can be! Merry Christmas everybody!

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

The First Few Steps

2009-12-10T16:58:00.000+08:00

I was overwhelmed by the response to the STEP UP (Student Entrepreneurship Provides Unlimited Possibilities) Summit held last Saturday morning at the University of the Philippines conference hall. I remember arriving thirty minutes after registration started and asking a volunteer from UP if there were a lot of students that arrived and registered. The volunteer, Karla, smiled and asked me to peek through the door. I opened the door and was shocked to see the hall almost two thirds full. It was going to be a good day.

We were very lucky to have three very interesting speakers. I would like to thank Philip Tan of Wellmade, Bunny Pages of Pages Holdings, and Lino Gomez of Human Capital Asia, as well as Charmaine Ong of the Zugbuana Jaycees. We were also very grateful to have almost 300 students from five different universities attend.

Philip Tan was an amazing speaker. He entertained the audience with his stark honesty coupled with a fantastic sense of humor. He spoke of starting at the very bottom, working as a gasoline boy at an uncle’s station. He was very frank about the hardships and difficulties of becoming an entrepreneur but at the same time, he spoke openly about the rewards should you make it.

Bunny Pages is a natural speaker. But as Bunny tells it, he did not start out that way. He even showed pictures of how he looked when he was young and how it affected his confidence and contributed to his shyness and fear of public speaking. He then showed how you can invest and work at something to become good, very good. He then showed to the students’ surprise, pictures of how he was able to shape and mold himself, and through hard work and constant practice, overcome. He turned himself into the epitome of confidence and a fantastic public speaker. He certainly left a lasting impression on the young audience who will never forget his mantra of R and R (Running and Reading), a philosophy of having a sound body and a sound mind through constant practice.

Lino Gomez, an innovation consultant, surprised the audience with simple exercises that produced dramatic results that also showed that we have a tendency to lose creativity as we grow older, and how to regain and relearn the ability to be creative. He went on to show that harnessing creativity and churning innovation can overcome traditional barriers to entrepreneurship.

And I can’t say enough about Charmaine Ong, who helped organize the event and was the program host. She is a good role model of an entrepreneur who goes out of her way to give back to society. She even hosts a radio program every Saturday over DYRF entitled “Oras ng Jaycees”. Thank you Charmaine.

Thank you to the student organizers led by Neil Huele, Angeli Cortes, Gele Gantuangco, Joan Doyon, the members of UP TAO, as well as others that contributed their time and effort to make the event a success.

But it is only a first step. We have more to do. STEP UP is an organization for student entrepreneurs as well as those that want to be an entrepreneur to come together and help each other achieve their entrepreneurship dreams. We would like to invite more students and young people to join. Together we will keep taking more steps forward towards growing more young entrepreneurs and contribute to our country’s progress.

For those that are interested to register and join, please email stepupcebu@yahoo.com . We are also looking for successful entrepreneurs and businessmen who want to participate and help shape and mold the next generation.

Omar Diaw, World Entrepreneur Day organizer for Senegal, wisely wrote, “A society that wants more entrepreneurs to ensure its survival and long-term growth must work to develop an entrepreneurial culture in its community because entrepreneurs contribute to greater wealth creation. The effectiveness of government policies to support the creation and the resumption of business will only bear full fruit if all the actors of economic development – among which are the educators in our country – work together to develop creativity and new attitudes of young people who are feel unsafe to take risks or make change… With our help, these young people will be better prepared to create sustainable businesses.”

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

Step Up

2009-12-03T22:01:00.001+08:00

I still remember it very clearly in my mind. A couple of months ago , I received an email from someone I did not know. He wrote, “I am a student entrepreneur, and I would like to meet with you.” I emailed my mobile number, and the rest of the events soon became a blur.

Tomorrow, a amazing thing will happen, this driven young man, Neil Huele, who originally emailed me, together with many other young college students from different universities as well as young professionals will get together for the very first STEP UP (Student Entrepreneurship Provides Unlimited Possibilities) Summit. It will be held at the conference hall of the University of the Philippines Campus starting at 8am. Some of the speakers tomorrow are fantastic stories of entrepreneurship, like Philip Tan, founder and CEO of Wellmade, and Bunny Pages of Thirsty, Bright Academy, and Moooon Café fame. Young entrepreneur Charmaine Ong was also instrumental in bridging the assistance of the Jaycees for this event.

I want to share with you an article written by Michael Simmons on the 7 Myths of Student Entrepreneurship, which can motivate more students to consider entrepreneurship as a viable alternative to employment after graduation.

“ 1. I don’t have enough money - Many of America’s largest corporations started on a shoestring budget out of somebody’s garage. A successful Web development company a friend and I started in high school cost only $80 to set up. To compensate for a low budget, you have to be creative, resourceful and make realistic plans.

2. I don’t have enough time - Many of America’s largest corporations were started in people’s spare time. Perfect examples are Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and Dell, all of which were started on part-time schedules. All of us have 24 hours in a day. If the business is important to you, you will prioritize it over less important activities and create a business model that fits your schedule. For example, one student at California State University started a business teaching financial skills to high school students during summers. With the money he earned from starting the business, he is putting himself and his brother through school in addition to paying off all of his other expenses.

3. I’m not smart enough - Says who? SATs and grades have very little correlation to people’s potential to be successful entrepreneurs. In fact, "50% of millionaire entrepreneurs never graduated college and 75% of U.S. presidents were in the lower-half club in high school," according to Mathew Lesko in his book, Free Money to Change Your Life. Some examples of businesses started by individuals while still in school are Microsoft, Dell, Napster, Netscape, Fedex, Apple, Tripod, and TheGlobe.com.

4. I’m not creative so I can’t come up with good ideas - There are many books in the library or book store with low-cost business ideas. One specific book of ideas for student entrepreneurs is Generation Inc.: The 100 Best Businesses for Young Entrepreneurs. Or you can find young entrepreneurs at your school or in the media and ask them how they came up with their business idea. Networking with other youth entrepreneurs will also adjust your own mindset to be open to ideas for a business. Also, there are a lot of business ideas already out there that work, that you could replicate or modify slightly.

5. I can’t because the economy is bad - Many of the most successful corporations were started during recessions. During recessions talent is easier and cheaper to find, rent is lower, and there is less competition. All of this adds up to recessions being one of the most opportune times to start a business.

6. I don’t have enough experience - Microsoft, Dell, Kinkos, and Yahoo are just a few of the many successful companies started by people with no business experience. Your experience can certainly affect the success of your company, but you have to start somewhere. If your first business fails financially, then you still will have gained the unique experience, learning, network and growth from running the business that will give you an edge over your peers. I’ve heard many people say they’d rather employ somebody with a failed business than somebody with no experience at all. Companies would rather you fail and learn on your dime than on their dime.

7. I can’t because I’m afraid of failing - According to most statistics, the majority of businesses fail financially after the first few years. In fact, the most successful people in the long-term often have the most failures in their life. So, it is OK to fail. The key is whether you fall forward. You can fall forward in front of your other classmates with the network, experience, and personal growth you got from starting your business. According to Napoleon Hill, a bestselling author who researched the habits of extremely successful people such as Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, and Henry Ford, "Every failure has within it the seeds for equal or greater success." It is your decision whether you plant these seeds.”

Michael Simmons is right. How often is it that we are discouraged because of one of these myths from becoming a young entrepreneur. I want to share a Chinese proverb, “"If you are facing the right direction, all you need to do is keep walking."  , and add to it, “All you have to do is to keep stepping up.” I want to invite students and young people to join us tomorrow and discover ways all of us can step up.

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

The Pushcart and the Backhoe

2009-11-26T11:57:00.000+08:00

The pushcart and the backhoe, isn't it ironic that the former now symbolizes what it would take for our country to heal itself and move forward, while the latter now serves as a reminder of how little has changed and how backward we still are.

Efren Penaflorida and a team of young volunteers have been spending the last twelve years teaching reading, math and writing, and even personal hygiene to not only street children but also those that live in the slums and depressed barangays. They do it not in a classroom, but in whatever place that they can gather the children. Sometimes in dumpsites, cemeteries, basketball courts or even under a tree. They bring with them everything that they need, books, pens, even tables and chairs, all placed inside a pushcart.

Every day , volunteers of the Dynamic Teen Company, push their pushcarts into these depressed areas in order provide basic education and more importantly, offer a glimmer of hope to the poor children.

Hope that is epitomized in Efren’s example. Efren himself was a former resident of a slum, located not too far from a dumpsite. He cites education as one of the biggest factors he was able to move up from the shanty of his childhood. He said, "Instead of being discouraged, I promised myself that I would pursue education, I will strive hard; I will do my best."

He cites another big obstacle for these street children, the huge prevalence of street gangs. These gangs not only control the areas but they often force the children to be accomplices in whatever gang activities occur. Sometimes these might be as simple as committing vandalism to as serious as alcohol and drugs, even acts such as robbery and rape. When Efren was 16, he stood up to a gang leader by refusing to join the gang. That gave him the inspiration to look for something that can provide teenagers an alternative to gang membership

The Dynamic Teen Company was the answer to giving his classmates not only a diversion but a chance also to help others. Efren proudly says, "Our volunteers serve as an inspiration to other children." This simple idea blossomed into an inspiring movement that has helped a estimated 1,500 street and slum children as well as recruiting 10,000 volunteers to uplift themselves by helping someone.

Last Saturday, The world sat up and recognized Efren when he was selected as the CNN 2009 Hero of the Year. Three million votes were cast and Efren was selected and awarded at a star studded ceremony at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. Efren gave a inspiring speech in which he said, “Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.” He adds, “So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed.” He concludes to genuine applause, “As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”

Efren’s amazing example should be held up as a shining beacon on what it takes for our country to heal itself and move forward. We can no longer thrive while the rest of our countrymen suffer. We cannot make the march to become an industrialized nation if we leave many of our brothers and sisters behind in poverty. The recent events in Maguindanao only crystallize this fact even more. Isn’t it ironic that in the span of a week, the pushcart is the symbol of progress and the mighty backhoe, a grim reminder of how backward we still really are.

We need to be the change that we dream about. We also need to start now. 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 .

See the Real Deal

2009-11-19T14:07:00.001+08:00

I want to share with you a story about how Timberland and its employees saw the real deal.

Timberland the shoe company decided to do their annual sales conference in New Orleans , a year after Hurricane Katrina. The company wanted to build teamwork and camaraderie by challenging and engaging employees to help rebuild New Orleans. The second day of the conference was reserved for community service, they invited City leaders to come and talk about what the City needed to rebuild, about how everyone needed to come together to put New Orleans right.

Properly motivated, the Timberland employees soon headed to the site of a famous restaurant owned by a famous jazz musician. It was a landmark of the City, and the employees eagerly rushed in to help. They spent the whole day helping hammer, saw, attach, or by doing anything that they could physically do to help rebuild that restaurant. They felt a lot of joy and peace and were congratulating each other for doing something vital and directly helping New Orleans.

One of the senior executives, however, saw something different. She saw that the employees, especially the younger ones , did not really see the situation for what it was. They did not understand the devastation as well as the pain and the continuing stark reality that residents of New Orleans still were living.

She gathered 200 of the young sales executives and commissioned three buses. Together they rode the buses deep into the city, deep into the areas most severely hit by the flood. Along the way, the young executives were shocked into silence when they saw the effects of the devastation. One year after that great flood, you could still see the grime and the waterlines of the buildings, the broken glass, the garbage, and most of all, a general sense of fear and desperation.

They hardly saw scenes of normal American life, instead they saw scenes that they thought only happened in the third world. They were suddenly hit by a massive wave of guilt and shame upon the stark realization of how little of an impact they had really made earlier when helping rebuild a restaurant. The buses stopped in front of a small dilapidated community center and they shuffled down.

One of the young men saw a volunteer in front counting a stack of water bottles. The former immediately approached the latter and volunteered to help. He asked what they needed, as it was in his power , to requisition more supplies such as bottle water, clipboards, etc. The volunteer looked at him and looked down, and said, “We need boots!” Then the young Timberland executive noticed that the volunteer was almost barefoot. He and his family had lost everything. They now lived in a trailer with almost no sanitation. But every day, the volunteer would walk to the community center to help out and had worn out his shoes. He also went on to explain, that they really needed boots and shoes because so much of the City was still a mess, they had to walk over debris, nails, glass, etc.

The young sales executive removed his boots immediately and gave it to the volunteer, with tears streaming down his eyes. Everybody else that came in the bus, immediately upon seeing and hearing this, started removing their shoes. They were so moved and ashamed that they did not realize how bad the situation really was. Somebody took a picture and sent it by mms back to the rest of their colleagues back at the hotel.

On the way back, everybody was quiet. Some were in tears. They were reflecting on how they could physically help the desperate people of that city and how to assuage the pain that they felt within.

But when the buses arrived back in the hotel, they were surprised to be met by a large crowd who proceeded to hug them and thank them for their small sacrifice. The mms picture that was sent had been sent and resent until everybody in the hotel knew what had happened. It was poignant moment where people just connected and realized the true situation of the City. As if someone had suddenly peeled off their blinders. They had finally seen the real deal.

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

Selling without selling

2009-11-13T08:39:00.001+08:00

Did you notice that nobody really wants to be a salesman. Not many want to be perceived as perpetually selling something. I think we call it, being an agent. People sometimes, even friends start to avoid you if they think you will perpetually pitch or try to sell them something.

But business needs sales people. Without them, there would be no business. The most successful sales people are those who have mastered the ability of selling without selling. I want to share with you what I believe are some of their secrets:

1. They know you – Successful sales people have taken the time to study the client. They know what are the interests, hobbies, business tendencies, and even personal habits of their clients. Because of this knowledge , they are able to suggest ways of using the product, instead of just pitching the product.

2. They treat you better- Because successful salespeople know you, they empathize better. They are able to provide a more personal relationship that transcends the normal supplier-client relationship.

3. They are honest about the product – If they feel the product is not suited for the client, they are upfront about it. They instead seek to increase the value of the relationship by assisting the client with the exact need and requirement. This way, the client always seeks the salesperson’s advice first, putting the latter in a unique position to sell more later.

4. They know what they are talking about – They are experts in the product, its uses and applications. It allows them to develop a unique connection with potential clients who are assured of feedback and solid advice.

5. They believe in what they are selling- They are passionate about the product and it shows!

6. They are always positive – They carry a cheerful personality that is willing to chat and discuss with the client any minute detail.

Think about it. How many times do we reject a product because of a pushy salesperson. And how many times do we buy a product just on the word of our “Friendly Favorite” sales friend.

Let me share with you Og Mandino’s sales principles,

“ Don’t pity yourself

Start each day with a target

Be friendly always

Always set an additional step then necessary

Be alert for each opportunity

Each problem has a positive side

Laugh in moment of hatred and anger

Concentrate on one thing

Be proud and satisfied

Examine the acts of the day at night”

It makes you wonder what it has to do with selling. But it’s true, the trick of selling is not to.

On another note, I want to invite people to check out Kumprahan Super Mercado, now open at Bridges Town Square. It is the first of its kind private market run by the producers and wholesalers, owned by cooperatives and managed by professionals. You will get a pleasant surprise with the affordability as well as the freshness of the products.

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

Glory Reborn

2009-11-05T11:15:00.001+08:00

I was invited to join the cocktails for Glory Reborn last Wednesday at MAYA, Cebu’s best Mexican themed Restaurant. It was a packed event filled by many of the movers and shakers of Cebu Society. The drinks were overflowing and the food was very good but it was unlike any ordinary social function that I have been to.

It was actually a clarion call for assistance for Glory Reborn, a non-profit organization run by a very young and beautiful American couple who took it upon themselves to champion the cause of indigent mothers and babies.

Hilary Overton first arrived in Cebu when she was 19 years old, in order to fulfill credits for her midwifery course. She volunteered to assist in Cebu slum areas and ended up working in a Cemetery as a midwife. In the course of a couple of years, despite the unreal conditions and the extremely dirty surroundings brought about by poverty, she assisted or delivered almost 2,000 infants. The intense experience left a big emotional mark in her that she took back home to the United States.

After completing her course and beginning work as a midwife, she could not get the images of the extreme needs of Cebu’s indigent mothers and infants out of her mind. She decided to come back, dragging along her new husband, to set up Glory Reborn.

Glory Reborn started out in the apartment that they were renting and the very first baby that they assisted was actually born in their own bedroom. From that start and due to the acute need, the organization has grown to occupy the apartment compound and now serves as a free maternity clinic. To date, Glory Reborn has delivered over 1,700 healthy babies and also provides free pre natal, as well as post natal care. All of this while surviving on the young couple’s passion and personal funds as well as generous donations from abroad.

I actually did not understand how to feel upon listening to the presentation. I was very touched at the kindness and sincerity of this couple who are doing a tremendous service for our community and society. At the same time, I felt embarrassed that this young organization ,with very little resources, are making so much of an impact and we did not even know about it.

One of the issues for me that is often overlooked in the natural family planning debate is actually the capacity of our Government to provide decent and complete maternal care services for many of our people. How many infants and mothers die each year because of lack of access to clean, decent and complete facilities or even proper medical care and attention.

Glory Reborn is doing a great service to our community but they cannot do it alone. They need your help, they need our help. If you want to know more about what they do, you can visit their website, www.gloryreborn.org , or email them at info@gloryreborn.org .You can also get in touch with them at (032) 418-9337.

On another note, I want to invite people to watch the musical play by Vincent Tanada entitled “Ako si Ninoy, there is a Ninoy in all of us” a Filipino Musicale that will be happening at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino Grand Ballroom on November 27,2009. It is a chance for people to get re acquainted with our modern day national hero.

I would also like to invite kids and parents as well as the rest of the family to come and try YO-GO, the first kids frozen yogurt, which is now available at Toys@Work , ground floor, Banilad Town Center. It is the healthy alternative as well as having a taste specially formulated for children. Soft opening promo is a free topping with every order.

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

Hiring Albert

2009-10-29T22:27:00.001+08:00

A lot of times, we barely pay attention to the people that work for us. We hardly know what their lives are like, what their dreams and aspirations are. To many, as long as we pay their salaries and they do the job that is required of them, that is more than enough to know.

But little do we know that these people , even the ones that occupy the lowest rung in the business actually are very significant to the chances of success or failure in the business. More often than not, customer’s perceptions of the business are not just shaped by our marketing and advertising efforts but thru personal interaction with our employees. If the latter show indifference, apathy or even simply bad attitude, the customer usually unconsciously assumes that it is the brand or the company that is this way. The customer then subconsciously tells himself to avoid the service, product or store.

A good friend, Germin, told me something that I will never forget. He said, “Hire for attitude, train for skills.” How many of us starting entrepreneurs really prioritize attitude in hiring over skill? Attitude over appearance? Attitude over achievements? I want to share a story about “Albert”.

We had an opening in the store and we dutifully placed an ad in the local paper. A couple of days later, I glanced over the applications and I saw one resume with a picture that looked like a mug shot. A mug shot is like a photo of a suspect taken by a policeman. The picture of “Albert” literally screamed “criminal”. Not only was it a bad picture, his attempt at a smile ended up like an evil smirk. I automatically set his application aside and told my staff that he was unacceptable.

A few days later, his application showed up in my desk again. I asked my staff if I did tell them that it was rejected, they replied in the affirmative. “So what is this again?” I asked. Apparently , “Albert” had resubmitted. I said “no, never”. And again added his application in the rejection pile.

A few days later, I saw it again, in the list of people to be interviewed. I frustratingly asked, “Why again?” “Sir, he came over to personally hand in the application and he is still here, maybe you would like to interview him.” In exasperation, I said yes.

So , I met “Albert” and interviewed him. He actually did not look like his picture. I asked him why the bad photo. He replied that he did not have the money to take a better one and I also found out that “Albert” was shy. Too shy to smile, so it ends up like a smirk. I also discovered that to make ends meet , he makes hammocks out of rope as well as other odd jobs. He proceeded to “sales talk” me into buying a hammock. The end of the story is that I did not buy a hammock although a lot of my staff did, but I did hire him. He turned out to be one of my most hard working employees as well as someone who always displays a can do attitude. He is never late and never says no. Customers like dealing with him as he is always ready with a cheerful answer and a smile. He turned out to be extremely resourceful and I count him as a blessing to the company.

So It was a lesson for me. I needed to go beyond the superficial. I needed to find out the attitude of a person and how he can apply it to his life and at work. And lastly , I learned never to be afraid to enter a situation that I end up surprised. People with the right positive attitude matter, in business its even more true. Thank you Albert for teaching me that lesson again.

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

Kumprahan

2009-10-22T14:02:00.001+08:00

I remember a conversation that I had with a couple of directors of one of MEPZA’s largest cooperative some time last year. We talked about the future of cooperatives and what they can do to serve and help their members. We discussed a variety of topics related to investments that they were interested in and what it meant for their members. It was a big eye opening discussion that struck with me, and made me appreciate the unique role that coops can play for many of our hard working “working class” employees.

Fast forward a couple of months later, Marketworks Asia, Inc. , a consulting firm that I am connected with, was asked to help develop and conceptualize a new commercial complex on a existing furniture factory. We had several meetings and the topic of what kind of innovation could we do that would benefit the public especially in hard times of today. I remembered that conversation and brought up the possibilities of asking cooperatives if they were interested in putting up a unique supermarket that would fit their objectives. It was a dream that we did not know would soon come true.

Jonathan Ramos, Chief Organizer of Kumprahan was just the right guy to put this together. He spent a large part of his younger years in the Carbon Market assisting his parents in their store, selling all sorts of produce like rice , eggs , etc. From that humble beginning , he was able ,thru hard work, become a financial planner with his own consulting agency ; helping clients plan and implement a financial plan for their future.

Jon took up the challenge and was able to organize the different producers, wholesalers and other stakeholders of his childhood and convince them that it was time to innovate. He was also able to get the support of Coopcentrum , a association of 14 cooperatives led by VICTO National Federation and the Philippine Cooperative Central Fund Federation. Other members include Timex Credit Cooperative, Timex Consumers Cooperative, Cebu CFI Community Cooperative, Lear Employees Multi Purpose Cooperative, Lexmark Employees Cooperative, Celestica Employees Multi Cooperative, SCEGA Cooperative, Guadalupe Multi Purpose Cooperative, Kings Employees Multi Purpose Cooperative, Mandaue Market Vendors Multi Purpose Cooperative, as well as several other provincial cooperatives.

Coopcentrum has partnered with Jon and invested into the project. Imagine a supermarket with an instant consumer base of almost 800,000 members as well as 224 member cooperatives. The beauty of it is that not only would the members of the different coops get to enjoy the best pricing as well as the freshest produce, they will also benefit from the business being all co owners.

Zeny Novabos, the Chair of the Philippines Cooperative Central Fund Federation and a Board of Director of Coopcentrum shared ,“The Coopcentrum Kumprahan is an answer to the dream of the cooperatives managing their own store. It is a store cooperatives can claim as their own. Best prices can be offered to the member cooperators, directly through the Coopcentrum or indirectly through the cooperative stores.”

Congratulations to Kumprahan Supermerkado which will be soft opening this October 29,2009 with a flower festival, offering flowers at “Carbon” prices with grand opening on November 15,2009. Congratulations Jon and Gladys!

Bridges Town Square will also soft open with the opening of Kumprahan and the opening of Oyster Bay soon to follow by December.

On another note, I want to invite people to watch a very special family movie, “A Journey Home” which will be a special screening at the SM cinema 7 and 8 this Saturday and Sunday. Show times are only at 4pm and 7pm on both days.

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

At Bridges, Everything Comes Together

2009-10-16T07:17:00.001+08:00

One of the projects that I am currently involved in is an interesting story of family, factory, progress, and then innovation. Family because it speaks of one family’s journey in building and growing their fledging export business. Factory, because this family had the faith and confidence in the city of Mandaue to build a factory in what was essentially farmland. Progress is evident in being able to witness the growth and rise of Mandaue from an industrial hub to full pledged highly urbanized city. Innovation comes to mind when you see the transformation of a factory to a “mall” or “Town Square”.

When Eduardo Alegrado set up a furniture factory almost three decades ago in a remote two hectare lot, he would not have been able to imagine that his factory will soon become a place where everyone will come to meet , get together, shop and dine. Back then, I am sure, he was just looking for a place that was convenient enough and at the same time, economically viable to put up a furniture factory catering for the export market. He recounted, “My family’s business has been operating in Mandaue City for more than 3 decades now. We had 2 furniture factories on a 2-hectare property there that was fronting a little street then.”

This new project really started with the onset of the recession. Eduardo recounts, “ when the orders started slowing down, we had to find ways of making all our assets useful. We did not want to just wait for business to be better but we wanted to innovate.” The family took notice that the area where their huge factory was located in was now a bustling thoroughfare and commercial area. They also noticed the expanding tourism market as well as new needs of a growing city.

Mandaue has really come on to its own. It now has a convention center, several large malls and commercial centers as well the largest medical university outside of Manila. It is also an important access from Cebu City to the island of Mactan and the airport as well as the connection from north to south.

The project is anchored on a very unique concept called “Kumprahan” which is a wholesale traders market housed in a supermarket setting. It will be run by producers, wholesalers as well as different cooperatives; thereby almost guaranteeing freshness as well as affordability.

There will be a unique fresh and live seafood restaurant called Oyster Bay which will have a beach setting, a lagoon as well as a salt water pond with live seafood. A lot of people will be surprised to know or will suddenly remember that the owners of Oyster Bay were also owners of Cebu’s first seafood restaurant almost several decades ago also.

There will also be an entrepreneur’s incubation area where many small entrepreneurs can affordably open a first “mall store” and experience a mall setting. There will be a tourist zone as well as a lifestyle strip.

This project really became aptly called, “Bridges”. Not only is it in between two bridges, it is also one of the main access to the north. But it is also the story of bridging the past and the present as well as looking forward to the future. In Bridges, everything really does come together.

On another note, I would like to congratulate Bam Aquino for winning the Catholic Mass Media Awards for the best business feature show. His show about starting small pinoy entrepreneurs called “Start Up” is a valuable resource for many aspiring, starting as well as encouraging entrepreneurs. Bam would also like to invite young people to attend the YoNoy! Event at 11 am today at the Southwestern University. There will also be an open forum with Noynoy Aquino.

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

In The Navy

2009-10-09T07:12:00.001+08:00

There are a lot of hand wringing and blame being thrown around in the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy. The flooding actually exposed that our government agencies lack the resources, equipment and training needed to not only deal with crisis situations like this but even in anticipation of it. I wanted to share an interesting article written by Bill Reichert of Garage Technology Ventures, which I though had a lot of insights in dealing and preparing for crisis situations. In it , he recounts being invited to visit the United States Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz and shares lessons on how the officers and crew train to deal with any crisis anywhere in the world. He writes about lessons which can not only be applied in entrepreneurship but also in training for disaster and crisis management. His insights are actually very interesting.

1. Inspiration – Bill writes , “Having a big, meaningful goal is a tremendous force for inspiration, motivation, and cohesion. The Navy’s mission is not some vague, abstract, feel-good paragraph in a business plan; it is very concrete, and very easy to understand and internalize. “ Bill Adds, “everyone had a distinct and powerful pride in what they had accomplished and in the people around them.”

2. Perspiration – The members of the team are committed to do their mission. Bill says, “If everyone buys into the goal, you can get an amazing amount of work done, including regular sixteen hour days with very low pay.”

3. Teamwork – The myth about aircraft carriers is that it is all about the pilots, but without the support crews, the pilot will not be able to get off the ground. “Every single person counts on other members of the team to enable them to get their part of the job done, and no one person can take credit for success, or benefit from another’s failure.”

4. Recruiting and Training – The other myth is that the people recruited into the US Navy or specifically for duty on an aircraft carrier are misfits or failures of society. The opposite is true, not only do they make it a point to recruit and attract very talented individuals, they constantly train to reach a high degree of professionalism and commitment to excellence.

5. Accountability and continuous improvement – “There is no contradiction between an intense ethic of teamwork and the need for individual accountability. In the Navy, everything is monitored and measured. Every system has to perform at 100 percent, and for every system there is a person responsible for making sure that happens”

6. Respect – Bill says the Navy emphasizes mutual respect regardless of race or origin. “Respect isn’t just an altruistic ethic, it’s a necessity.” Bill shared his amazement when he said, “when I looked around the bridge and saw the incredibly diverse team of men and women who were calmly, confidently, and competently running this multi-billion dollar acme of American technological accomplishment.”

7. Overcoming Fear – Almost everybody in the Carrier has had a brush with a life threatening experience. Pilots often share in private the fear of trying to land at night, but they have to do it. Bill says, “you do it, because it’s your responsibility and that’s the only way the mission gets accomplished.”

8. Work Life Balance – Bill discovered that the Navy actually allows and encourages recreation and relaxation as a means of compensating for the loneliness at sea. “When you are on the line, there is no slack, and there is no room for anything less than 100 percent. But when there is a break in the action, you can relax and be human.”

9. One Hundred Percent Performance – “From moment to moment, the operations on board a nuclear aircraft carrier expose the crew to an extraordinary degree of danger. A simple mistake can result in death, and much of what is being done on the ship and in the air is not at all simple. But they make it look simple. We watched scores of planes take off and land on a moving platform without a hitch. The key is training, training, training, and total focus and dedication when you are on the line.”

I really liked what Bill shared because of the relevance not only to entrepreneurship but also in crisis management. It shows the importance of leaders to constantly inspire his followers, work on preparation and teamwork, recruit the best people and demand the best also from them, demand mutual respect, overcome fear , maintain a balance in life, keep things in perspective and always give a hundred percent.

Bill concludes, “Not every entrepreneur wants to model his or her organization and culture on the Navy. For many entrepreneurs, indeed, that is a very unappealing concept, but that’s because they don’t really understand what makes the Navy one of the most effective organizations on the planet. Like any other successful organization, it’s about the people, not about the technology. The key is harnessing the incredible potential of every individual through inspiration, training, and teamwork.”

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