I would like to invite all retailers and entrepreneurs that want to become retailers to attend the 3^rd  Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) Cebu  Regional Retail Conference to be held  at the Parklane Hotel this coming July 1. The theme for this event is “Retail Strategies for 2009 and Beyond – Ways to Attract Customers and Stay Competitive”

 

We have a exciting lineup of speakers headlined by Ms. Pinky Yee, Marketing Director of Goldilocks, who will be talking about how Goldilocks started and what steps it took to became a Filipino icon.  Cebu City Councilor, Nestor Archival will be discussing how retailing can help out the environment. Our very supportive Department of Trade and Industry  Region 7 Director Aster Caberte will also brief retailers on updates and initiatives from the DTI.

 

There will also be an informative panel discussion on retail outlooks for the year headlined by SM City Cebu’s Marissa Fernan and Ayala Center Cebu’s Clavel Tongco, as well Ms. Pinky Yee and PRA local Chapter Chair Jay Aldeguer and PRA Incoming National President , Mr. Bernie Liu.

 

Bernie Liu, Cebu’s retail legend, has just been elected the new President of the Philippine Retailers Association, a big source of pride for Cebu and a big boost of inspiration to many local retailers. Bernie is showing us that all things are possible, having started a local brand and turning it into a nationwide retail conglomerate. This is the first time a Cebuano has been elected the President of the Philippine Retailers Association. Congratulations Bernie.

 

We will also have an informative lineup of speakers in the afternoon led by Ms. Marge Martinez who will be discussing the latest tips and trends for retailing. Ms. Martinez is the Associate Director for Retail Services of the Nielsen Company. Ms. Karen Tan of HP PSG Manager for RPOS will discuss how to increase cost efficiency especially in this uncertain retail environment. Mr. Steven Cua, President of Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association, will talk about Green Retailing and Mr. Jos Ortega, CEO of JWT will discuss stylish design techniques for retail concepts. Our very own Chef Raki Urbina of Café Laguna fame will also discuss how innovation and creativity are the key to success in difficult times.

 

We will also have an induction of new members. If you are a retailer that is not yet a member and wish to do so, please contact me through my email so I can forward you an application form. If you are an aspiring retailer or entrepreneur, I would like to invite you to attend this conference as it will give you an overview of retailing as well as a chance to meet and learn from successful retailers.

 

There will also be a citation for the Outstanding Filipino Retailer (OFR) Cebu awardees as well as an overview presentation conduced by OFR Cebu Search Chairman Steve Benitez.

 

For those of you that want more information, please contact the PRA Cebu Secretariat at 3462926 local 108 or 09228845243, please look for Charry. You can also email pra_cebu@yahoo.com .

 

I want to share with you what the world’s most successful retailer , Sam Walton , said when he was asked on the secret of successful retailing. He answered, “Give your customers what they want.” And he further added, “they want everything.” The concept of retailing is simple, mastering it is complex. Attending and participating in this conference is an investment toward unveiling that complexity.

 

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

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

 

 

I very often get emailed or asked this question. “What business do you recommend that I start or get into?”  I often reply by asking the sender to tell me more about themselves; what is it they are passionate about, or backgrounds in general.  I have noticed that very few people actually really know what they want or what they are passionate about.

 

I realized that it wasn’t so much that they didn’t know what they were passionate about but more of that they did not believe that it can potentially become a business or how to make it into one.

 

I want to share with you an interesting piece on the different types of an entrepreneur. This was written by columnist  Rhonda Abrams way back in 2002. As a backgrounder, Rhonda is a leading small business columnist and author in the United States. Her column is widely acknowledged to be one of the best read and most popular small business columns.

 

Rhonda points out that being passionate about something does not necessarily lead you immediately into becoming an entrepreneur. It is identifying what or how you go about you passion that will allow you to become an entrepreneur. She lists down several types of entrepreneurs as a way of identifying your individual path to entrepreneurship. I would like to share with you excerpts of the different types from her column:

 

“Advisor -  Lots of people would like to be paid just for giving advice; usually it takes a great deal of experience or education to be able to do so. Some kinds of advisors include attorneys, accountants, and financial planners. But many of the best salespeople also consider themselves -- and are considered by their customers -- as advisors. For instance, I look to my insurance salesperson to responsibly guide me in my choice and amount of coverage.

 

Broker -   A "broker" is a go-between -- someone who helps others find the products or services they need. They may charge a percentage of the sales price of the item brokered, a flat fee, or an hourly fee. Real estate agents are perhaps the best-known type of broker, but you could be a broker for almost any kind of product or service (except those with very narrow profit margins). You could, for instance, be an auto, mortgage, business, even wine broker. If you've got a strong area of expertise or interest -- and enjoy shopping -- being a broker is a low-cost way to go into business.

 

Builder. -  One of the largest segments of entrepreneurs are self-employed contractors -- carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, etc. Whether you're building a whole housing development, or laying the floor in one apartment, if you enjoy seeing something be created from nothing and you have the necessary skills, being a builder may be for you.

 

Caretaker -  Our society has a great need to have people and things taken care of, maintained, and assisted. That opens up lots of opportunities for those entrepreneurs who are patient and nurturing. If you're a person who can be consistent over time and see yourself as a helping personality, you may be the caretaking entrepreneurial type.

 

Creator -  You may be a person with a vision -- whether it's in fashion, graphics, technology, or in any area of product or service. Creators include graphic or fashion designers, inventors, business builders, etc. Creators often need to team up with other entrepreneurs who are strong in sales or operations to help make their vision a financially viable reality.

 

Owner - If you've got money to invest, you might be able to put your capital to work for you. Whether you invest in stocks, real estate, vending machines, businesses, etc., being an active "owner" enables you to leverage your money into additional income without having to show up to work every day.

 

Seller - If you're good at sales, you should never have to go hungry. Great salespeople are always in demand. Many of them are self-employed, typically working on commission. If you're good at selling, and willing to work hard, you can earn a lot of money from sales.”

 

Do you agree with Rhonda? Do you see yourself as one of those personality types? Or do you have a more unique type? I think you owe it to yourself to find out if you too can turn your passion into a business.

 

I want to greet my dad, Ben, as well as other fathers a Happy Fathers Day. One of the supreme ironies of life is that the older we get, the smarter our fathers now begin to look. Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

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

I have recently discovered the world of commencement speeches. Not just the run of the mill ones, but the ones given by famous, influential and powerful people to the graduating classes of elite universities in the United States. I wanted to find out what advice these young people who already have been given an advantage in life would get and how many would “get” it. But then I realized that the graduating class of elite universities in the United States did not need life lessons, they have already inherent advantages that many other young people don’t have.

 

So I started to check on commencement speakers at the “other” universities, and was led to what many have claimed to be the “Best Commencement Speech Ever” delivered by Ellen DeGeneres just recently on May 15, 2009 at Tulane University. It was a very honest and humorous account of how life really is and what it takes.  It was given at a University in a city that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  Young people there really needed to listen to somebody to inspire them amid the aftereffects of the hurricane and the current effects of the economic recession, who would have expected it would be Ellen. I want to share with you excerpts from that  speech, after please search for the video and you will appreciate it even more.

 

Ellen starts the audience rolling with laughter in the introductions, she said, “When I was asked to make the commencement speech, I immediately said yes. Then I went to look up what commencement meant.” She adds, “Commencement: common, and cement. Common cement. You commonly see cement on sidewalks. Sidewalks have cracks, and if you step on a crack, you break your mother's back. So there's that. But I'm honored that you've asked me here to speak at your common cement.”

 

Ellen then acknowledged the harsh realities of life especially in rebuilding New Orleans, “I'm here because of you. Because I can't think of a more tenacious, more courageous graduating class. I mean, look at you all, wearing your robes. Usually when you're wearing a robe at 10 in the morning, it means you've given up. I'm here because I love New Orleans. I was born and raised here, I spent my formative years here, and like you, while I was living here I only did laundry six times. When I finished school, I was completely lost. And by school, I mean middle school, but I went ahead and finished high school anyway. And I - I really, I had no ambition, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I did everything from - I shucked oysters, I was a hostess, I was a bartender, I was a waitress, I painted houses, I sold vaccuum cleaners, I had no idea. And I thought I'd just finally settle in some job, and I would make enough money to pay my rent, maybe have basic cable, maybe not, I didn't really have a plan, my point is that, by the time I was your age, I really thought I knew who I was, but I had no idea. “

 

Ellen then talked about her personal struggles, of how her girlfriend was killed tragically, and of how slowly she inched her way up until she was able to get her own sitcom. The show was very successful until she decided to be honest about who she really was. This confession caused the cancellation of the show.

 

She recounted, “The show was cancelled after six years, without even telling me, I read it in the paper. The phone didn't ring for three years. I had no offers. Nobody wanted to touch me at all. “

 

She tells the audience about her changed and successful life once again and the lessons she learned, “But my idea of success is different today. And as you grow, you'll realize the definition of success changes. For many of you, today, success is being able to hold down 20 shots of tequila. For me, the most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity, and not to give into peer pressure to try to be something that you're not. To live your life as an honest and compassionate person. to contribute in some way. So to conclude my conclusion: follow your passion, stay true to yourself.”

 

She ends with an honest ironic message, “And I know that a lot of you are concerned about your future, but there's no need to worry. The economy is booming, the job market is wide open, the planet is just fine. It's gonna be great. You've already survived a hurricane. What else can happen to you? And as I mentioned before, some of the most devastating things that happen to you will teach you the most.”

 

I cannot even begin to describe how good this speech is, but it better watched and heard than read. It does not give false hope or clichés about grabbing the dream and how life is a journey. It is an honest account of how life does not always follow what we want. That we need to be true to ourselves and continue to persevere. Johnny Bunko would be proud.

 

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

 

One of the most thought provoking business authors that I have come across recently is Daniel Pink. He has written a lot of very good thought provoking books like “A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future.”, which explains how we are going towards a creative economy. But one of his most intriguing and most creative works is a book written in a format that many young people will understand, Manga.

 

Manga is a Japanese style of comics that is very popular among the young. Daniel wrote a manga style comic entitled, “The adventures of Johnny Bunko, the last career guide you will ever need.” It contains six simple lessons woven into the story of an employee who tries to do his best in his career but ends up frustrated. He feels that he is stuck in a job and a life where he has no control. He accidentally finds a pair of magic chopsticks that summons a “genie” who gives his advice on business and life.

 

Before you dismiss this, think about the credentials of the author. Daniel Pink is a graduate of Yale Law School and a New York Times Bestseller author as well as being a  former speechwriter of U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Johnny Bunko has launched a whole new philosophy of living life and getting ahead with even contests being held on trying to find what the 7^th lesson should be. The book’s lessons has been used for a lot of college commencement speeches on teaching young people what is important.

 

I would like to share with you the six lessons as well as my simple interpretation on it:

 

1. There is no plan. – We spend so much time and energy making a grand life plan and get very frustrated when it doesn’t happen. Life was not meant to be lived with precision, enjoy it. Don’t be afraid to discover or go out of your comfort zone. Your life might take a very interesting turn. Go after something you are passionate about.

 

2. Think strengths not weaknesses. – Don’t obsess or let others perpetually tell you what you lack or cannot do. Go with what you are strong with. Pursue your talents.

 

3. It’s not about you. – Go out of your way to help others. Don’t just think about what you want. Help others, be part of a team.

 

4. Persistence trumps talent. – Not everyone is born with supreme talent, hard work will allow us to offset the advantages of others more talented.

 

5. Make excellent mistakes. – Everybody says learn from mistakes but before that choose the type of mistakes that you make. Take educated risks and not foolish ones.

 

6. Leave an imprint. – Make an impact on every situation you find yourself in.

 

What do you think? Pick up a copy of Johnny Bunko and find out how you interpret its lessons.

 

Speaking of manga and cartoons, locally entrepreneur Wilson Ng also launched a comic book centered on the lessons learned in business by eNGy. It is an insightful and humorous look into many business situations that can be best described as “Only in the Philippines.”  It incorporates many lessons and situations that were learned in over 20 years of being in business.

 

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

When was the last time that we had so many Pinoys that raised our flag and waved it so high that the world sat up and took notice.  When was the last time we actually felt real respect as a people and a nation. Think about it, in the midst of the world reeling from the effects of the recession and the fears of the swine flu, Pinoys have shone.

 

I was watching the NBA playoffs between Miami and Atlanta, and the commentators were interviewing the NBA’s youngest coach, Miami’s Eric Spoelstra. The Miami coach was gushing about watching the upcoming Manny Pacquiao fight and proudly proclaiming his Pinoy heritage. Eric remarked that in recent survey conducted, he came in third after Manny and Arnel Pineda of Journey as the most famous Filipinos. Yup, the NBA’s youngest coach is a half Filipino and very proud of it.

 

Manny Pacquiao in stopping Ricky Hatton so convincingly cemented himself as the greatest pound for pound fighter in the world. It was so dominant a performance that the boxing world is still stunned.

 

Recently , young singer Charice Pempengco has vaulted herself to number one on that list when she almost simultaneously launched her new single , “Note to God” and debuted in live at the Oprah Winfrey show. The single released only in the United States and can be downloaded online at iTunes  and Amazon, broke sales records and immediately shot up to top of the music charts. I was watching the video of her performance in Oprah and you can see how the audience was moved to tears by Charice’s emotional performance, at the end of the song, you can hear Oprah whisper, “wow”.

 

WOW! Wow indeed. It’s amazing how people are now changing the way they perceive our people. When I was watching Manny’s fight, I saw many members of the audience not only rooting for the Philippines but even wearing and waving the Flag proudly. The most shocking part about it was that they were not even Filipinos.

 

On another note, I would like to take time out to congratulate Governor Gwen Garcia for being one of the winners of the 5^th Rotary Club of Manila Annual Tourism Awards. Governor Garcia is being recognized for the very innovative, creative and effective Suroy Suroy Sugbu. I have heard many praise the program and enjoy and delight in joining it. It has been one of the biggest contributors of Cebu being recognized as the top tourism destination in the Philippines. Congratulations Madame Governor.

 

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

Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending the Ayala Mall Awards held at the second floor of Greenbelt Five. It was a very well attended affair. I met up with old friends and acquaintances, most especially the very hard working Ayala Mall Cebu delegation headed by Ms. Clavel Tongco, Joy Polloso, and Bong Dy. I also had the pleasure of  personally congratulating Anthony Ballreich and Kenneth Kokseng who were both winners for the most promising retailer award for Siam and Hukad respectively. I am really proud of these two restaurants as they are shining beacons for the ability of the Cebuano entrepreneur to compete with the best that Manila can offer.

 

Awards mean a lot of things to people. It may mean recognition and fame, it can be a jump off point for a promotion or to greater fortune. I look at awards more as a validation of what we are trying to achieve. It is validation for staff so that they are recognized for all the hard work that they put in as well as their constant commitment to following the higher standard.

 

I would like to congratulate the winners from Ayala Cebu Mall. The awards and the winners were:

 

Visual Merchandising Excellence:

-Bleach Catastrophe  -Overall winner

-Levi’s Kids

-Beauty Bar

-National Bookstore

 

Christmas Décor

-Mango

-Oh Georg

-Healthy Options

-National Bookstore

 

Marketing Excellence

-Restoerun

-Rustan’s

 

Marketing Partners

-Laguna Garden Café

-Essenxa

 

EGC Partners

-Rustan’s

-Metro Gaisano

 

Store Operations Excellence

-Lacoste

-Mark & Spencer

-Lemon Grass

-Restoerun

-Healthy Options

-Crocs

 

Most Promising Retailer

-Hukad

-Siam

 

Store of the Year

-Healthy Options

 

Congratulations to all the winners and keep up the great work. I would like to thank Ayala Center Cebu for all their help and assistance.

 

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