Many people seem to be in dread of the new year and what it may bring. The raging financial crisis has given a lot of gloom and despair to many. Many investors and businessmen are at a quandary on what to do. I believe there are silver linings in the dark clouds, that will allow the Cebu economy to showcase its resiliency and innovation.

Local tourism will boost Cebu’s economy – Cebu is now rapidly becoming a complete destination. The opening in 2008 of The Northwing of SM, The Terraces of Ayala, Skyrides of Crown regency, Parkmall, and other smaller destinations has given a whole new reason to rediscover Cebu. The availability of very affordable airfares has given a reason for many Filipinos to travel more. One of the things going for Cebu is the wide variety of accommodations available, the opening of Sugbutel and its php250 per night rate just adds a exclamation point to this variety.

International Tourism will continue – Cebu is poised to take advantage of the political standoff that occurred in Thailand. The takeover of the international airport has given a lot of tourists pause and caused them to consider other destinations. Airfare promotions from the Philippines to other Asian countries will allow tourists to take advantage of the return backload to the Philippines. The key will be to make tourism more intuitive and innovative for the tourist. A great example of this is the Islands Banca Cruises of Jay Aldeguer. They took away a lot of the stress and the hassle of booking a banca allowing a more enjoyable and safer experience.

More Call Centers – There will be more call centers set up due to the US financial crisis and the terrorism incident that occurred in India. A lot of these call centers or BPOs will be smaller, often owned and run by former employees of larger companies. They will take advantage of the cut costs mantra of many US companies. The image of call centers being located in very high profile and expensive real estate may change very rapidly, with costs being a very real factor.

More SME and Small Entrepreneurs – There will be increasing demand for small franchises and other small business opportunities as returning OFWs will be looking to put up businesses to compensate for the lack of ideal local employment opportunities available.

New Market Definitions -

Luxury – Will not be defined by the market for many people but by personal perceptions and preferences. Many people will have new definitions for luxury being directly liked to their incomes and lifestyles.

Feedback – Consumers will be very demonstrative in feedback as they will immediately show with their wallet if their unsatisfied with the product or service. The emergence of blogs, chatrooms and forums will add tremendously to shaping opinions and preferences.

2009 will be a very interesting year. Consumers will be looking for more value and innovation to compensate for shrinking budgets and incomes. The times will allow businessmen who are very innovative to stand out in this economy. New definitions for luxury will allow many local brands to compete and to succeed. Tourism will be big this year. Many local tourist that normally travel abroad will be giving a hard look at Cebu as a alternative shopping, vacation and adventure destination. Asian tourists will be looking for budget destinations that will give the best bang for the buck.

I believe 2009 will be a year of opportunity. The key words to remember: Innovation and Resiliency. Words that have always been associated with Cebu.

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

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

A lot of people were encouraged by a column I wrote entitled “Believe in having Faith.” I received a lot of feedback by email and text. The recurring comment was that this was the right message for the time.

I recently began thinking about messages. There are many warnings, prophecies and predictions on what the new year will bring. Majority of the messages center on impending gloom and economic downturn.  I notice that many people have allowed this perception to affect them. They have become very glum and moody, depressed about things that are still predicted to come.

I think we should not focus on negative messages but accentuate the positives. I would like to remind people of the theory of self fulfilling prophecy. The Thomas theorem states that “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.”   Thomas states that we react to situations based on our perceptions and not thru the actual situations. This is one of the basis for the saying, “perception becomes reality.”

Sociologist Robert Merton added to this in his book, “Social Theory and Social Structure”, he said, “            The self-fulfilling prophecy is, in the beginning, a false definition of the situation evoking a new behavior which makes the original false conception come 'true'. This specious validity of the self-fulfilling prophecy perpetuates a reign of error. For the prophet will cite the actual course of events as proof that he was right from the very beginning.”

Simply put, if we perceive today as a bad day, we will put ourselves into that mode and due to the prejudgement, we will end up having one. Does that make sense? If I am told I cannot do it, I will already precondition my mind that I cannot, so I don’t.

Dr. Robert Rosenthal, a Harvard University psychologist conducted a very interesting social experiment to prove the theory. He tied up with a school in the poor district of San Francisco. This area is known for its crime, poverty and general sense of helplessness. He picked out 24 students at random and divided them equally into two groups. He assigned one group to a set of random teachers and told them that the students had amazing potential and it was their responsibility to nurture and develop them. The second group was assigned to another set of teachers who were told that the children lacked any real potential and that it would be difficult to develop them. He then assigned the same set of prescribed lessons and activities to each group to do.

Six months later, the results showed that the first group had developed rapidly and had indeed shown amazing potential and growth. The second group had accomplished very little and were in general, unmotivated, lazy and disillusioned. 

So this Christmas season, Lets focus on positive messages. Let us focus on the real message of Christmas. Let’s tell each other that things will and are getting better. We have survived many a crisis and we will come out of this one better and stronger. Let us be thankful for what we have.

Lets not forget the reason for the season. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. So, go out and celebrate.  Wear a smile, greet everyone sincerely and warmly. Spread Christmas cheer. Renew friendships and relationships. You’re your loved ones. Show faith and confidence that things will get better. By doing so, things will. 

Lets all have a merry Christmas !

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