The Business Game

Almost everyone I know wants to put-up a business. However, only a few people actually do.

In most cases, people I have talked with know that putting up a business is one of the ways where they can be financially independent. What actually stops them from putting up their own business are the risks involved. But as the saying goes; the higher the risks, the bigger the rewards.

If only people would realize the business is a game then it a lot more people would be willing to take calculated risks. To succeed and become a winner in any game, one must know the rules and must be able to play by them, 

Unfortunately, we were not taught the rules of business. Even in business schools, there was hardly any mention of any rules of setting-up a successful business venture.

This is the first rule of business... businesses should earn.

There are some cases, however, that the business owner forgets that. If the business does not turn a profit, it is a non-profit organization that just helps individuals get jobs. This is not sustainable. Sooner or later, the organization will fold up if they don't earn enough money to meet the expenses.

Businesses are run and structured so that they will be able to earn money. The money earned should be used to grow the business further, meet the expenses (i.e. payroll, utilities, etc.) and pay the shareholders.

                                                    Business = Profit

Sell It With Pictures

A picture paints a thousand words.

Companies are starting to realize that to sell effectively, consumers must see what a product or service does. Photos also help companies reinforce brands and strengthen market position.

Businesses are now using Instagram in marketing their products and services to consumers; at the same time, this relatively new photo-sharing social networking platform is one of the tools organizations use to strengthen their brand.

Big organizations such as Pepsi, Coach and National Geographic use Instagram to connect to fans and followers all over the world.

Instagram has become popular because of a simple premise. People with a smart-phone that has a camera can just simply point and shoot, add filters and then upload the photos on the Instagram social network.

An average person can instantly edit the photo without having to learn some photo-editing software. The digital filters in Instagram help in making photos look better and more customized. This feature is what most digital cameras lack.

The more than 80 million subscribers is a testament to what Instagram is doing right. The increase of sales of both the iPhone and Android-enabled smart-phones will only help increase the subscriber base even further.

Businesses have learned how to take advantage of Instagram. Organizations realize that people who have the same interests tend to form a group and by adding hashtags (#) to the photos, it would be easier to connect with these people.

By using hashtags and the right keywords, companies are also finding it easier to rank higher in search engines.

Instagram also has a feature that connects to Facebook and Twitter, thus, any update done on the Instagram account is instantly reflected on Facebook and Twitter. This feature easily allows posts to be shared or liked and tweets to be re-tweeted generating more buzz for the company.

Organizations take advantage of Instagram through the following:

1.       Creating a contest

2.       Marketing an event

3.       Increasing presence in social media

4.       Connecting with other customers in Instagram

5.       Adding locations to the image uploaded

Savvy Internet marketers support the use of Instagram to connect to more people. Images being shared in Instagram are more effective than advertising in traditional media, where people now that what will be presented are to the organization’s benefit. However, photos uploaded through Instagram are more personal and evoke more emotional response from the subscribers.

Photos uploaded through the photo-sharing medium also engage more people through ‘likes’ or ‘comments.’ These things either drive interest up on a particular product or service or push prospective consumers to a company’s website. Either way, this only means good news for the company.

Facebook, the social networking giant, has acquired Instagram for U.S. $1 billion.

No Money Down Marketing

As a business owner, we are looking for ways to promote and market out business without spending too much. As any entrepreneur would tell you, if you are in the start-up phase, it would be best to spend your money on marketing your services and products.

We all know, that posting an ad in TV or radio is expensive. If you are just starting out, that is out of the question. You want to reach more people more effectively - this is the only way you get your money's worth. But how do you do that?

Here are some of the things that we were able to do and we hope that you learn from them, too:

• Serve a profitable niche in the market. This the reason why I tell people time and again, to go into business that will separate them from the pack. Don't get another food stall. Food stalls are dime a dozen and I know so many people who lost money because they invested in a food stall. We were able to be featured in several media outlets already because of the niche that we are serving. You can watch one of the interviews that we have had here.

At the Toyota Caravan last August 2011.

• Highlight your competitive advantage! People always want to join the bandwagon. If they see people earning in a certain business, they will immediately put-up the same business. We have been chosen by Toyota to be the official car cleaning service provider because of the differences that we highlighted and how much better our service is compared to other car cleaning companies.

• Take advantage of group buying sites. These group buying sites can help you in marketing your products and give you a small return for your services without investing in marketing. They may ask for 50% off or bigger so it's better to negotiate with them and be firm. Know how much you are willing to shell out and know how much you are willing to earn. You can see the new service we wanted to promote here. 

• Invite bloggers to try out your service. Bloggers have a loyal following. They are viewed as unbiased and honest in their opinion of products and services. Compared to traditional media outlets, bloggers don't have editors to screen whatever they write. They can tell you the truth about certain products or services. You can see what was written about our company here and here.

Sometimes, it just takes a little creativity and a lot of guts to market and promote your products without putting any money down. My partner and I worked on this together and we were glad that it brought positive results in our venture.

Try the things we did and see how much buzz you will create. Or, if you have better ideas, please share them with our readers. 

Business Courtship

Doing business is like courtship. You must be able to find the right partner in order for your business to grow. Finding the right partner is often the difference between a successful venture or being part of the 95% of businesses that fail in the first few years.

Let me illustrate...

In courtship there are several levels, the first level is the getting to know you phase. Once they see that they are compatible with each other, then comes the second stage; the exclusivity stage. They don't see nor go out with other people. Then after awhile, the engagement stage. This is the stage where they plan to take their relationship to the next level. Lastly, the final stage or marriage.

Thank you to http://www.lightinthebox.com/

Now, let us apply this to the business world.


Stage 1. Getting to know you phase.

Entrepreneurs love to share their ideas. They love talking about the things they want to do and plan to do, hence, they have the capability to convince others to join their cause. Entrepreneurs are usually gifted communicators.

During this phase, entrepreneurs meet and talk to a lot of people. These people either buy in to the idea or not. Those who buy in, talk to the entrepreneur and discuss the possible scenarios. The entrepreneur and prospective partner try to feel each other out. They find out whether a possible working relationship will prosper or not. This is where entrepreneurs find investors or other partners to help him grow his business.

Stage 2. Exclusively dating.

The moment that they see that they can have a pretty harmonious working relationship, they begin to work on and improve the business. They talk about how they will realize the business. Other ideas or proposals may be coming in, but they just focus on making the business come true. Others are just a distraction.


They are laying the foundation of the business on this stage of the courtship.

Stage 3. Engagement.

During this part of the courtship process, both the entrepreneurs and the partner are laying the groundwork of the business. They get the necessary documentation and permits, they make sure that operations will run smoothly as possible. This can either be long engagement or a short-one. If the business, marketing and financial plans have been made on Stage 2, this will be a short engagement.

Stage 4. Marriage.

This is where the tire hits the road, so to speak. The entrepreneur and the partner finally start the business. They hire the people who believe in their cause (their children) and work towards the goals that they have agreed upon. But just like a real marriage, a business partnership will also experience rocky and tumultuous moments. Yet, there will also be victories and triumphs!

The key to maintaining a good business relationship, just like in marriage, is mutual respect. Understand that each individual is unique. Staying true to the vision and mission will be the key to a long, lasting and successful partnership.

Make up Your Mind!

As I've said in my previous blog, I didn't grow up in a business environment. My mom is an educator and my dad was in the police. The closest that I had as a mentor in business were my bosses. Unfortunately, I only saw them when they have made their wealth. When I asked them to mentor me, they just told me things that I already read in books.

To say the least, I was very frustrated and lost.

When I decided to be my own boss, I put-up an IT consulting company. I thought that because I had programmers and my experience in an online job portal, clients would be easy to find. How wrong was I! I didn't realize that there were so many IT companies. And some of these so-called companies were being run or owned by students. Why did I say 'so-called'? Because they were operating underground. Not properly registered but are getting clients. Clients go to them because of their affordability and flexibility they offered. Clearly, I wasn't going to be earning so much money from this business. I had to research again.

When i was still a TV Host.

It was during this period that I became a TV host and met a lot of interesting people. They opened me up to so many possibilities and opportunities. One of the hosts even asked me to become a speaker. I readily accepted.

I learned so much from my colleagues as well as my hosts. They advised me to get into a business which has not been tapped yet. A business that is still in infancy. I was at a lost. What kind of business will I get in to? It seemed that all the businesses that I was looking at were either filled with competitors or will not work here at that time.

But opportunity came in an unexpected event. I had my car cleaned in one of those mobile car washes you find inside the parking lots of malls. I asked them to clean my car and even gave them a tip just to be sure that they will clean it properly.

Lo and behold! When I got back, there was a puddle around my car. I had to tiptoe to make sure that my feet won't be wet! There were watermarks in areas not properly wiped. I say very disappointed to say the least.

I told this to my partner and she got very interested. I didn't realize that she was taking notes about my experience. When I told her that I want to offer the public a mobile car wash that they will be able to smile and say 'wow!' when they see their newly cleaned cars she did some research.

My partner and I.

When I got home, she asked me to go to this website: www.nowetcarclean.com.au and told me what they were offering. I researched about the company and eventually contacted their Managing Director. And the rest they say is history.

Here are some the things I learned.

1. Opportunity knocks at times you least expect. People want to have their own businesses. However, when they think of they have or can offer, it seems that every thing has already been invented or every service has been done. It's not the case. Open your eyes and free your mind. Opportunities are out there.

2. Never be afraid to ask. When I emailed the Managing Director the multinational company I wasn't expecting that he would email me back. But he did, and he even to the Philippines to meet with me and talk to me. As what the good book says, 'Ask and you shall receive."

3. Don't be afraid to become a leader. We were the pioneer in the waterless car cleaning system in the Philippines. We had to do our research. We had our sleepless nights. There were times when we were scrambling to look for funds to pay our car clean technicians. Those were our difficult and exciting times.

We were able to get through because of perseverance and courage. We have now been featured in several media outlets. We have been the official car cleaning service provider for Toyota Philippines. It was all worth it.

4. Have a good support system. My partner and I supported each other during those hard and trying times. There were times when we snapped back at each other when the pressure was great. But we never lost sight of our goals, of where we wanted to do. At the end of day, we made up and promised each other that tomorrow will be a better day...

And it usually is...

My Path To Entrepreneurship

I was born in a family which believed that if you studied hard and get good grades you will be gainfully employed and will never have to go hungry again. In fact, if you worked-hard enough and become loyal enough to the company you work with, that company will provide every thing you need. I believed in those words for quite some time.

Because of idealism and the expectation that I will be monetarily rewarded handsomely when the 'time' came, I joined young companies and start-ups. When the call center industry was just beginning to take a foot-hold on our shores, I was the first ones to grab the opportunity. But then I got bored. The job was very repetitive and I wanted something with some more challenge. The work in call centers was what others were looking for, but not me. I wanted to go out. I wanted to be on the field.

When the opportunity came for me to work outside of the office and meet a lot of people, that was when my view about employment change. I was working with a company that a operations nationwide. Although it was a national company, I had a chance to develop my own area. I met people a lot of people who wanted to earn extra money because they need it. I met people who wanted to be their own boss because they grew tired of working for someone else. I was talking to them, helping them make money while I was receiving a fixed income.

I opened a shop which became the number 1 shop in the Philippines. It bested even the company-owned shops. A couple of others were in the top 10. I saw people who made a lot of money because of my efforts.

After I left the company, I went in to sales and handled a number of sales people. I would go out with my salesmen and talk to the clients they were serving. Some of these clients have their own catering business, others have their own stalls in wet markets, others own big restaurant chains. Their backgrounds were diverse but they all own businesses - and they were earning more than I did. Yes, I had a car. Yes, there was gasoline allowance. But my income was a pittance compared to what they were earning monthly. A business-owner who sells nothing but coffee in a wet market in one of the cities in Metro Manila was even able to send all of her kids to reputable schools! And she has savings more than she could ever imagined!

That event became the turning-point. I wanted to be an entrepreneur and own a business. I knew I had skills to make a business successful. I went to work for a start-up and was mentored by a businessman. It was a very mutually beneficial relationship at first. I helped in setting-up the system and managed the company as whole. I developed new programs and businesses for the company. But things started to change when I realized that the owner was rushing decisions and then changing them like changing hats.

GreenRides chosen as the official car cleaning service provider of Toyota.

The whole experience burnt me out... It was then I finally decided to go into business and work for myself.

I didn't get my business flying immediately. There were more misses than hits. I found the hard way that venturing into business is not a walk in the park. It was work - pure hard work...

Why become an entrepreneur? Why be a business-owner?

According to the Department of Trade and Industry, 99.6% of businesses in the Philippines are in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises segment. And they contribute to about 63.2% of employment or about 3.6Million jobs nationwide. MSME's are the biggest contributors to economic growth and employment.

Aside from the monetary consideration, entrepreneurs or business-owners earn more in the long-run that employees, I also find it as a Filipino that it is my duty to contribute to the national development of the Philippines. President JFK said it best, "Ask not what your country can do for you, rather what can you do for your country."

Don't take me wrong, there are other ways to show one's love for country. But this entrepreneurship is the path I choose. This path is not for everyone.

The car clean technicians during Toyota's Caravan.

This will be the overall theme for my blog. The lesson will revolve around entrepreneurship; the lessons I have learned and the essential things needed by entrepreneurs.

Finally, I don't consider myself as an authority in the subject. Rather, I am more of a practitioner. I just teach and share things that I experienced myself. I hope, through this blog, I will be able to touch more lives and convince more Filipinos to become entrepreneurs and help improve the economic situation of our country.

Know Your Purpose

Almost all of the people that I've talked with want to achieve financial independence. Others work very hard at their jobs to become financially free. Others, like myself, have ventured into business.

But whatever endeavor one undertakes, one must be able to define his or her own purpose; otherwise what one will be doing is just utterly meaningless. A person without purpose is like a boat without a rudder. He just goes wherever the wind blows.

Thanks to www.copyblogger.com

How do you define purpose? Is it a goal?

Being financially independent and buying the things you want and need to truly satisfying. But why would you want to buy more stuff? With whom are you going to share it with? How will you intend to acquire your wealth or money?

Let me share you my story.

After graduating from college I did not know what to do? I just wanted to earn money and be able to buy things for myself. I took the first job that offered my a good compensation.

But after a year, I felt lost and got bored. I dragged myself out of bed just so I wouldn't be absent physically from work. When I got to work, my mind was somewhere else. So I resigned... However, this scenario played out constantly in several of the jobs that I've been into.

I was job-hopping for some time. The most that I stayed in a job was about three years.

It was about two years ago when I found my purpose. I wanted to help people out. Two years ago, I was a business host with a cable network. I was able to talk to a lot of people. They all come from diverse backgrounds.

The people who had businesses or accomplished in their fields are very optimistic and high hopes. In spite of the problems and issues our country is experiencing they remain hopeful and they are willing to do anything to contribute to society.

On the other hand, I've met people who blame everyone and everything about their sad and sorry situation. They have lost all hope. They want the government to provide doles and jobs for them. They live thinking that the world owes them a favor because of their plight.

I've also met people who are willing and want to improve their lot in life but don't know how. They are open to changing their mindset. There may be some resistance at first but having an open mind is one of their advantages. These kinds of people are the ones I want to help.

How do I help them?

One of my favorite quotes comes from Zig Ziglar, "You can have everything you want in life if you help other people what they want."

I've met people who want to put-up their own ventures but don't know how; either they lack capital or they don't know what venture to put-up.

I've met people who want to make their businesses grow but are stumped. They are overwhelmed with the different advice they get. They get paralyzed by all the information they are getting.

For more than 12 years, I've had a lot of experience in dealing with small businesses and making them grow. I've been consulted by business owners regarding the expansion of their businesses and making people aware of their products and services.

I've also started a venture to show people that with a good idea, getting a good starting capital may not be a problem.

The lessons I've learned can help a lot of people. They may learn from me... The desire to help and be of service to other people has become my purpose.