Xii Jin Pings leadership style -what we can learn from him

It is about getting better...

We should admire the leadership style of  Xii Jin Ping.   Despite being on the receiving end of his ambtion for China to dominate the world and us, we should find the + things and learn from Xi.

He is son of former vice premier of China and thus he was re educated.   He was made to live in a far away village and thats where he learned to live a modest and humble life and experience the life of poor.  

We are not familiar with his power play and his activities to purge his political rivals and silence them via his anti corruption campaign

He lived in Iowa USA and it is quite heartwarming  to note the deep friendship between Xi and his friends at Iowa.  

There could be world peace after all      

Being patient with host citizens of a tourist destination

It is about getting better...

It was the third time to be in this country.   My impression of the country in 2011 and last week did not change.   The food servers and hotel staff that I encountered lacked the Customer Service that we teach our staff and which we experience in PHL

The sentiment was experssed by a kababayan whom we had a chance to converse with in a restaurant in a reort park.   We had to endure that maltreatment if in our lifetime we had to experience the country.  

The advice by some bloggers is to be patient with theme and to focus seeing the attraction and igrnore these little irritation.   

The counry needs tourists to boost its economy.   And they are in a state of turmoil iwth most foreign companies exiting China (they are part of PRC now)

A tough disaster to discover the cause - falling to the runway of flight 38 Being 777 while landing, evidence disappears

It is about getting better...

A Boeing 777 flight from Beijing to London Heaththrow litterall fell in its landing.  Both engines lost power.  The air incident investigators were at a loss finding the cause of the crash.   Everything in the flight from the flight data recorder seemed to be 100% A.  OK

The AIIB of British Airways listed nearly a dozen possible causes but could not find any.

Then they though of things aoutside of the box -  ice.  But they still could not find any scenario that caused fuel blockage when the plane flew at subzero temperature as it happens when a plane flies in such cold routes ie Beijing to UK.   They were able to duplicate the event when suddenly there was sudden demand for power.    Ice thast had accumullated in the fuel pipes suddenly rushed to the openings of the heat exchanger that blocked fuel flow. 

Solved

Lateral thinking - stop rescuing, start preventing

It is about getting better...

The focus of NDRRMC has been on rescue.   Relief and rescue operations.

Why not practice lateral thinking.    Dont think of rescue.  Think of preventing events to be one of rescue.  Think of measures to prevent disaster from happening:

    1.  After receiving news of a typhoon,

         1.  Evacuate the residents to high less flood prone areas

         2.  Prepare the rescue boats dinghies  and food stuff, water

    2.  Better still remove the residents from geohazard.   We cant do this because it entails political risk

    3.  Install flood mitigating measures:     soaking gardens, flood plains, giant cistern, gates vs tides and

         storm surges. 

We know of one company who solved its collection problems by not collecting.  No more collectors going house to house who were being robbed or embezzling collection.  How?  They put up a sister collection company who also makes money from collecting other company's receivable.   Bayad Center.  Solved 

Proactive vs being reactive, being logical, vs being a leader, observed with the country's top leader

It is about getting better...

The Philippine top leader looked befuddled on his response to the disaster; that he said we could send rescue equipment and aid when the roads become passable.  It was the most logical thing to say, but not expected of a leader considering that time was of the essence.   There was a disaster and the victims were in dire need.

Since Red Cross and OVP acted soon and were able to send aid in the same situation the OP could be faulted.  

He could have been proactive too ie being ready before Kristine arrived.   As it was he was reactive and even in bashable way.  

Keep improving every day; to be better than yesterday

It is about getting better...

We liken ourselves to flowers and plants growing everyday, as they seek out the skies and the heavens every day.  We should improve every day.   It is a way to be excited every day not to be bored, which the Lord wants us to do.  To grow for His glory.  To find our gifts develop them into the service of others.  When we  serve others we improve faster.

But the act is we dont.   We want to stay we were and stay in our comfort zones. 

That is when boredom strikes.

I found out in a video that airmen of USAF debrief every mission:   discuss their mistakes and list down areas where they can improve.   It has been a struggle to get people read articles and posts.   And they stay the same.  They do not grow.  They become stale and sterile.  No innovation.   Nothing moves.  

Missionaries go self reflection to improve everyday.   That is the best way to reach Gods glory.   Ad Majorem dei Gloia.  

Former gsb colleague professor unjustly charged before the public..... Media coverage of hearings should be stopped, as well as overstepping hearing veiled as prosecution

It is about getting better...

Former colleague, prof, being accused as a crook?   I could not believe...  I do not believe.

A beleaguered fmr classmate who served as DOH secretary under GMA could not bear the dark side of budget hearing at Congress.  So much horse trading took place too much pressure.

Difficulty in dealing with an aspiring businessman

It is about getting better...

I have been dealing with an agent whom I wanted to be sourcing, buying agent, a retired agent sellling condos.   I got pissed off initially with his uncouth behavior and unusual deals.  ie that we visit the site first  before getting docs of property.  

Lately in response to his request, out of nowhetere , agents in the north mentioned about ecozones and solar farms  So I made up with him and brought him in my trip to the north to view the sites and meet the agents.

We saw the site and I showed him our project sites.   So that he might believe in me.  

All of a sudden in his reponse to the 4ph request, and solar farms, the agent and her lead agent, scheuled a trip to Manila to talk to me and the agent I was introducing  to them.

We met them at a coffee shop. And after the introduction I left, having done may job of having them meet.  

Later in the day I learned that the deal was botched.   The principal alleged to be bigtime tried to screen the property and make an offer over the phone.  A strange deal that is not expected of a big deal re terms of payment on the land (This couldl be negotiated)  He was turned down.  

It was so embarrassing to be introducted to a big time buyer that did not have money and did not know proert protocol in negotiating.   

Worse of all he texted that he has many contacts after all, hence a missed deal is not a loss to him.  It is bitter to see this kind of reaction if not outright ungrateful.   

Excusers, excuses, alibis

It is about getting better...

One as a leader and manager is constant pursuit of improvement and results.  Oftentimes, you haveto outrun the subordinates ability to make alibis and excuses.  That is what is probably ailing the nation.   We always have sacrificial lamb, a whipping dog to take the blame for our weaknesses, and sin of omissions.

This morning I was talking to a laborer doint sidewalk works in front of the house.  This post previously removed splatters on our gate and walled fence which was freshly painted.   It took me half day scratching the splatter which left ugly marks.  The worker simply said not answering the question that he will manually do the manwhole cover.  I was wondering whether he heard me or was all ready making an excuse.

Where is the buyer?

It is about getting better...

We went on a 250 km journey to a progressive city in the north to get to know the prospective seller of a real estate project that seemed to be abandoned.   The asking price was a good 8 numbers.  There were a lot of questions that need answer.  We were a team:   two brikers, one civil engineer and one project engineer.

We asked a lot of questions on documents and status of operations for which the lady who came in a restored Vespa cant asnwer or refused to answer (like Alice Guo)

Thne finally she asked who was the buyer.  She said she was promised to meet the buyer.  We said we were it.  (We were dressed like peasasnts that is why). 

Waking up early, exercising, self discipline - habits of wealthy people

It is about getting better...

These have been the habits of the post for the last 50 years or so, but the scions have not.  What will happend to them.  They wake up at 10 am.

It not enough that you are the best, you must be leader.

It is about getting better...

Thus Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, and who later became the US president Dwight Eishenhower enjoined the graduating cadets of Royal British Military Academy prior to the  invasion of Normandy.   

From Art of Manliness - being a leader

“You must know every single one of your men. It is not enough that you are the best soldier in that unit, that you are the strongest, the toughest, the most durable, the best equipped, technically—you must be their leader, their father, their mentor, even if you’re half their age. You must understand their problems. You must keep them out of trouble; if they get in trouble, you must be the one who goes to their rescue. That cultivation of human understanding between you and your men is the one part that you must yet master, and you must master it quickly.” –Eisenhower in a speech to the graduating cadets at the Royal British Military Academy, 1944

Its really the mindset that affects how you behave.

It is about getting better...

This post evaluate businesses and opportunities from a mindset of yore.  Income of about P12,000 a year, raw land of P30.00/sm, housing package of P100,000.  But now most of the families own a car, earn at least P300,000= P500,000 a year.   Housing package of P1,500,000 to P5,000,000.

Call center pay of about $400,00 per month (roughly P20,000) but I compute only at P15,000 /month.  It used to be P300.00 per month salary when I began working

A lot of things have changed.  May e I have not

I have a client for more than 10 years. Why do I keep writing down my data every time?

It is about getting better...

I just finished my blood exam in a diagnostic center.  I know that they use computers, may be for a show or for typing jobs.   

I have been patronizing this medical facility for the last 10 years.  But every time I go there I have to write down everything about me again and again.  

Its unlike the procedure at an MVP hospital where you register only once.

Why have they not improved?

A roller coaster of emotions; Hope and despair

It is about getting better.

I have been advising motivating a group of people former staff and relatives to push through with a project that was droped by our main corporation.   Just a little money separate them from pushing through with the project.

There was this funder who was in and out of the country and could not focus on the venture.   She will soon again leave for travel.  Her father died too leading to the delay.

Last  Sunday, there was this classmate of one of the members who have a large funeral homes.   However after several exchanges  of email, the prospect politely begged off.

There are other options and the group despairs that we could not nail a financier.  We are legit.  However, scammers who do not have anything can gyp people with millions.

Its an endless cycle of hope and desperation after failure.   In the end we will succeed.

Its Noli Me Tangere all over again, pretenses by the "religious"

It is about getting better...

My daughter successfully fulfille her role as hermana mayor for a Patron Saint of a barangay here.  The novena was conducted well, the procession and the mass, and the feast the food stuff was through a well known caterer.  My daughter gave all her hearts out for the event:    having the venue cemented and tiled, having a garden around the altar, ,etc.   And spending 6 numbers for the caterer.  

However later on I learned that there were lot of dynamics. The hermana emeritus, who owns the most number  of saints in this town reprimanded her over the phone when she made suggestions. Another "Touch me Not episode.  Noli me Tangere  It was uncalled for since this was a voluntary job, and done for religious fervor.  And  furthermore her coterie of entities whose genders were unsure of  had intrigues and gossips flying all around.  This was unexpected in a religious organization.   The gender confusion mIght have something to do with this and holier than thou attitude for having the most saints.  

The lady perhaps was not aware of the support we made to the husband during the years, with 7 number in sales and rentals to their office properties.    They should not have done this to my daughter, our of respect, and the rest out of their professional standing and also their religious status in the town.  I did not find anything wrong with the performance of my daughter.  No one thanked her, the venue that was used (my house and lot) and the huge expenses for the event.  

Will the gender confused change, or this lady who has divine mentality?   We ask the Lord for forgiveness of our trespasses and may we have learned our lesson in dealing with such events, and may the person who did this to our family live healthy and strong

We should have learned hard lessons from this event, grew wiser and sgtronger

Did not attend a wake of cousin because the family members are on family feud.

It is about getting better...

I have a cousin who died recenetly becasue of cancer of the lungs that had metastized to his bones.   But  I know that there is still a family feud.  One of the family members with whom I am communicating with is not visiting the wake, becasue there is a family feud.

We have a family feud, they have a family feud.  I am sick and tired of this feud.  I am not excacerbating this so I did not attend. 

What was the feud all about?  Inheritance.    Money wealth changes the personality and relationship family members

Instant karma - what you sow you reap

It is about getting better...

A cousin recently messaged me that her brother is stage 4 Ca from the lungs due to smoking, that has metastasized into the bones.   Her brother is not bed written and the days are numbered. She says that this karma, because when the other siblings sold the estate of the family, nothing was ever shared with her.

That was nice sharing because a brother ousted me from the position I was occupying without any reason at all, depriving me of retirement pay  And other benefits.    Unfortunately for that brod who came from nowhere to be the CEO, he also died of cancer.   Karma is everywhere

LIfe is an "arbor" says former colleague

It is about getting better...

While working in a pharma, I had an opportunity to work with a former city cop.  He said that life is a cycle of "arbor"  of giving and receiving.  Khalil Gibran has this much to say about that cycle -  we die when we stop giving and receiving.

In my life one of my missions was to give:   my knowledge and myself to the endeavor or venture.  However some people abuse that.  It is merely  receiving and taking.   

Some people ask your favor to give recommendation about the project and never appreciate nor are grateful.  Worse they want just to transact by phone or text.   Ayaw "tumanaw ng utang na loob"  This post clamp up on those cases and stop giving away knowledge for free

Superb team this post was advising

It is about getting better...

Had a recent meeting with a team this post was advising.   Good signs were there.   Everybody was on time, and all the assignments were submitted and they were all the done.   The results of their efforts would end their financial problems and lift up their status in lives:   from status of poverty to one of financial freedom.

There were two things that stand in the way:     the OK by the funder.   The one in charge said consider this done despite the death of loved one by the funder.   The second one is the marketing risk.   One antidote is to to sell at 50% off the now updated price of P60,000.   The redo of the product line up, and beefing up of promos.   

More power and thanks for the passion efforts team.  

Not by PHP alone - neglecting relationships, gifts to apps

It is about getting better...

My lone apps grew up at a condo away from this post.   When she visits this post, she was generally aloof and distant and even utters  "Go away"  She does not want me to come near her mama or her. 

However lately my daughter (her mama) complains and even cries why the lolo has not given her a gift.  (I had Php deposited to her account regularly.  Which my daughter told her.  But she does not want php.  She wants gift. 

So we arranged that I give her a gift.  An insulated water bottle

And she was happy  .  And we became close and friends

How you perceive yourself to be can shape your future

It is about getting better...

They call this Psycho Cybernetics.  And this was introduced several decades ago while taking up my Masters

I think this is true.  What you strongly believe in, or what has been imprinted in your mind shapes your

destiny.

Two events:

1.  When I was a teen my grandfather (Mothers side) use to remind me to take care of myself, because I could be a President (of the country or a company)   i did several years later 

2.  There was this Indian fortune teller who showed that she can guess the number written down on a piece of paper, showing the accuracy of his prediction  (It was revealed that there are tricks to this)   But he said 

I would cause prosperity in my family and the fortune that could be built would last several lifetime.

I am sure that this motivated me to parlay the family savings into several profitable real estate venture.  And that is through out the country.

Fortune telling works when you believe in it

What do you think?   Could admonitions advice strongly shape your destiny?

Once a scorpion, always a scorpion?

It is about getting better...

I came across an individual who is struggling  but who seems to be good in land registration case.  And then he asked me to help him navigate the real estate industry.  Despite the fact that I did not know him well enough, I readily helped.  However this post noticed red flags:

1.  He did not come on time;

2.  He often was peddling my efforts with supposed other parties despite my services being free; and coming back to me again, if his supposed deal does not push through

3.  He was in the habit of changing what he said

4.  He would push through with me rushing  my decision despite obstacles from his side

And lately despite confusing research findings  when I asked him for a proof that what he is planning to do (since he was all ready asking for PHP) has a proof, precedent, he went into an ad hominem - why bother if you do not believe.

These are lessons, and I am free of worries and wondering if I am being scammed or not.

I am reminded of a story about a scorpion.   There was a flood and the scorpion begged the turtle to ride on his back, because otherwise he would drown.  The turtle doubted the scorpion  and asked why the former should trust the scorpion.   Because he said he wants to be said.   The turtle gave a ride to scorpion.  When they reached the safe place the scorpion bit the turtle.  And the turtle surprised ask the scorpion asked, "Why did you bite me"   "  Its because I am scorpion, that is why" was the reply

That he spent time behind bars did not give me fears before, now I am.  A scorpion will always bite even if you do it a good thing, because that's what it was created for.   To be a scorpion.  God bless them

As much as a possible your plan B should be plan A

It is about getting better...

When I was a reservist, and we were supposed to be preparing to join the Independence Day parade, I happened to converse with the Sergeant in charge of the rehearsal.  What happens if it rains?  What is the plan B.   He answered it is alway Plan A.  No ifs and buts, but go ahead.  Full steam ahead.

Today,, I am to leave at 6:30 but it is still raining hard.  And all ready, I am about to call the other party to postpone this meeting. because of the rain. But that would be the third postponement.  We originally set it last Wednesday, reset by Friday, but it happened that he had emergency last Friday.  So today if we defer this, it would be the third. 

And it goes on and on and nothing gets accomplished.   Postponing at times is the most practical  thing to do but getting used to this I think builds a mindset  of failure, ie of not getting anything done

What do you think?  Is having Plan A always as Plan B is being inflexible or being OC.  What do you think?

"Pag gusto may paraan, pag ayaw maraming dahilan" - if there is a will there is a way

It is about getting better...

A proposed deal went south and the hopes were zero.  Nothing.   It was this state for a couple of months.   However rather than sulk over this various measures were thought of:

       1.   Mortgage the property to get some funding

       2.   Endorse the project to a new developer cum funder

So the arranger opted for no 2.   They got a contractor and funder.   The funder agreed last Friday to provide 10 big 8 numbers.   We had all the documents and some of the procedures all sewed up.  

Its an example of Peter Thiel's "From Zero to One"   Before it nothing.  Penniless, It was nada, nothing.  Now we are thinking of construction projects, marketing, commissions, designs, timelines, personnel, jobs.

Really if you persist, continue, are determined, there can be projects.  There can be miracles

Strategy - making a choice

It is about getting better...

From A. Lafley - author of Playing to Money, former  head of P & G. 

Strategy - strategy means making a choice to win.  Winning means creating more value for the customers.  It means finding who that customers are, and finding out the best way to deliver that value.

Recognition of SWOT:

   1.  Understanding the changing the customer wants and needs

   2.  Our capabilities:

        1.  Our strengths

        2.  Our partners

        3.  Scaling up our strengths

Its a relationship about the product.  Best expressed by BRAND

Customers change, competitors change.

What do you value in business deals? The hard issue vs soft issues? Bottom line numbers or/relationship

It is about getting better...

In our recent business negotiation all went well when the other party acted oddly in a impolite way,  Not once but twice.  They dared us not to go with the deal.  This end wanting no more headaches and resolving of personal issues, having been given an  ultimatum  yes or no, opted for the latter.

Lately we are into a deal.  The other party wants us to give an offer although he has not furnished us a document.  Although his property is nice, this post posits that we cant go into a long term relationship.  An outright purchase is out of the question, his property being untitled.  We feel he does not trust us, and he too for us.   Thus we cant work together for a long time in a joint project

So we are ready to drop the deal and look for another.  As in Leron leron sinta......"humanap ng iba"

Thus many mergers and acquisitions fail.  Analysts and decision makers look at the number and find them to be superb without factoring in the socio cultural aspects.  Cultures positions clash, workers fear threatened -  do not cooperate.  Key personnel leave, leaving the surviving company without talent.

How many M & A failed because of this.   I have heard many bad stories about local acquisitions and merger.   

Warren Buffet was thus a genius of buying shares of stocks.  He bought shares not companies thus let the existing managers and just watch managers produce results. 

Most colonial imperialists conquered successfully not through hard means but by soft means.  Spain conquered Philippines via word rather than sword.  They used religious means founding of schools vs. armed struggles.  The quelling of uprisings were few and far in between.   Alexander the Great conquered many nations by letting the locals run their govt and let his soldiers intermarry the natives.  

What are your thoughts on these:    numbers of relationship, hard vs soft issues?

The Road Less Travelled by Scott Peck

It is about getting better...

The reality is that life is hard.   We often practice denial or running away from this.

The book teaches responsibility.   You must accept responsibility.   It does not happen in instant, easy society.  

Oftentimes, some psychiatric problems and crimes happen because of denial, because or escape from reality -  life is hard.  Stealing is resorted to because one does not want to work hard;  one murders because it is hard to understand the other person.   So with psychiatric disorders, schizophrenia, catatonia are body's defense vs difficulties in life

Thus we lie as a defense.  

Dale Carnegie mentions that criminals seldom admit to their crimes.   A person can not degrade himself.

Thus the mandate is for us to work hard, even harder.   Just to survive and exist.  

Are we escaping reality?   Are we guilty of Scott Peck's thesis

Maturity needed, being a techie is not enough

It is about getting better...

This post was trying to pass a project that would be "sayang" if the opportunity  is not seized.   My cohorts disliked the other party for their uncouth behavior.  

So I was trying to interest a former staff, an engineer, well versed in construction and who is now in contracting business.    So as I was trying to convince him (he just needs some little money to get started).  it seemed to me that he lacks the financial and marketing perspective and even leadership to run the business/deal.  So he said, I had to be there and that I should live longer

I thought that since he is all ready into contracting business, it would be enough for him to be bold enough to take on a 10 number business, and earn nine numbers

We should be grateful

It is about getting better...

Good manners and integrity (keeping your word) are important

Attended a lunch party and they were talking about our former washerwoman.   She did not appear in a 10 am appointment.  Was wondering why she has not appeared for a couple of months. 

I learned that she had spat with a wifey.   The wifey kept her in employ:   domestic, washer woman for over 3 decades.  She lost her respect and gratitude.

Why does it happen that way.?  Playing victim or a class struggle

Courtesy respect, good manners count

It is about getting better...

We went on an outing to an out of town luxurious 5 star hotel resort.   There were free  buffet breakfast.  

As we were eating, one of the members of the party, placed his used plate on my table.  He did it twice, and I had to call him out.   Would you allow used plates be placed on your table as you are eating?

Of course not.

So I had to call him out.  Told my daughter, he has to reminded because he might get into quarrel if he does the same to other people.  Above all it would work against their family for having uncouth members.

What do you think

Come early for a business appointment - be a professional and high value person

It is about getting better...

I had an appointment yesterday at 8:00 am.  I biked to the appointed place and started biking before 7:00 just to be at the appointment on or before time.  And early did I come.  I arrived at 7:30 and promptly texted the other person.   And responded at 8:00 am that he was OTW (on the way -  was just leaving)

He arrived at 8:20.   And later found out that he missed call me twice.    (To kill time I had to continue my biking up and down the hills)

In no uncertain terms, I made it clear that this was not welcome.  I mentioned what my father reminded me that especially for real estate transaction you can not be late.  Do not be late.  That is why, in the office we emphasize coming to work 30 minutes before time.

In running the financial firms, we do not give credit to those who cant keep up with the timeline.  Paying your loan on time is same as coming to your appointment on time

In a training with BSP, the trainor called me out, for being late.  I live 27 km from the BSP and there was lot of traffic along the way.  So what I did, I left at 4:30 am.  I arrived at 7:00 am at BSP.   There are solutions.  

What do you think?

It is faster, easier, more efficient to change the mindset vs the infrastructures

It is about getting better...

What could be the best way effect change?   The best is via the mind.    Not having new stuff:  infrastructures, gadgets, machinery, equipment and the like.  You may change the environment but not the group think, attitudes and everything still remains the same.

Everything that was improved was via thoughts.    -  Saddhguru.

Even the European missionaries understood this well.  That is why their first step was establishing schools.  That made conquering by pen faster than the sword.  Capture their minds and capture the adversary.  

That is why deception also plays an important role in defeating the enemies

Dont ever ever give up, Impossible is Im possible

It is about getting better...

There was a deal given up by the majority of the board of the company.  It was simply because of the negative gesture of the other party.   However the basics of the project was sound:    near the city, no more inventories, positive response of the barangay and the city.  

All seems lost.  However, when we put our minds together we found we can do this:   there is a new developer.  We can have the landowner borrow money   The developer can be asked to fork in P10M and the project can proceed

So dont give up.  A little bit of money, knowhow but tons of enthusiasm and determination

Ghosts at BSP

It is about getting better...

Ghost at BSP

They were alleged to be at office of the Monetary Board.  They have resigned.  But charges will be filed on dates prior to their resignation.

For a govt office;  GOCC paying higher than average salaries, it does not follow the logic that low paying jobs can only do such horrendous acts.  Dishonesty take place up and down the organization.   And this happening at the highest office of policy making body of our monetary policy is unspeakable.  

We are glad of cleansing process that is being undertaken including the disciplinary action.  But that it was allowed to fester under the previous administration is unthinkable

Top execs: CEO and CFO forced out because of embezzlement?

It is about getting better...

The son of a mega resort and building offices mogul took over his father.   Now the company is making huge profits.   Part of the strategy caused the top execs to quit.   Maybe forced to quit.   It is unfortunate that this occurs at the top suites of the company.   A top young executives laments that top graduates from Ivy League schools and top Asian schools have also the same problems.   Its not only problem of corruption in govt;   it is also a problem even in private companies.

Lack of integrity, bad character lacks everywhere.   That is why a Catholic GSB teaching values, Jesus Christ is a uniqueness that must be admired.

According to Alan Greenspan, a society that has lost value causes its wealth to lose value.

There could be no love of God without love of country

It is about getting better...

Love of God manifests first in love of country.  There could be no love of God without love of country.  However we as a leading Christian country in South East Asia certainly lacks patriotism, love of country that is typical of Japanese or Koreans.

We leave our Philippine jobs, because they are pay less for better jobs abroad    But Philippines is the land of our birth and we studied in its free elementary high school (and even college) for our talents to be harvested by foreigners.   And then when we come back we criticize our fellow men for their shortcomings.  Its better we worked hard at it making our country a better place to live in.

We, they are selfish and we work only for our own self interest..  ITS FOR HIGHER SALARY.

We have been led to believe that OFWs who leave the country prop up the country with their remittances.  We must remember that despite being so called heroes, they do not pay their taxes here, and they went abroad not for the country's welfare, but themselves, for selfish purposes. 

It would have been better if we work harder in our own country and solve the problems first.   We cant afford brain drain. 

But we have to thank them for propping up the economy and helping their families.  

There is much social cost we have pay for the OFW -  drug addicts, teen age pregnancy plus more problems for loss of  jobs.     

Integrity is your most important asset in business negotiation

It is about getting better...

In our conversation with a business colleague, a top bank executive, and business woman, we both agreed that integrity ie our ability  to keep our word is our most important asset to get customers and investors.  Not your collateral or your branding.  

And yet so many people destroy their future and their hope of being wealthy by constantly not keeping their word.   Honor your promises.  Do it now.   I will do it.   Walk the talk

Show results.  Show what you have done.  Get the results

Talking is not enough, honor your word.  

"Walang himala, Tayo ang gumagawa ng himala!"

It is about getting better...

We often attribute miracles ("himala") to the divine and supernatural.  But in this movie clip, the actress noted the real truth.  We are the miracles

As having been delegated by the Lord to take care of His creation in Genesis Chapter 1, we assume God like characteristics to gain dominion over this earth:

    1.  Bearing babies is miracle

    2.  Planting seeds, raising livestock is miracle

    3.  Our jobs are miracles:   baking bread, curing the sick, formulating medicines,  writing a memo

    4.  We alone, the humans can create miracle:  not animals, not the supposed supernaturals

Let us use to the health the powers bequeathed on us to create miracles

 

Forcefulness needed in determination and leadership

It is about getting better...

Former boss at Pepsi Enrico defined leadership as taking a point of view and expressing this forcefully.   Most of us think of goal setting as wishful thinking/hoping.  Nothing of that sorts happen.  Force and extreme emotion is needed.

How many times, have we found out that we almost made this, but we did not try hard enough.  

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That is why hard work, hard work, hard work is needed to succeed.

Dont settle for less...

It is about getting better...

Always go 100%.  It cant be "puwede"  na.  The product or service must meet 100% of the customer needs and want.

You have to be a professional.  You have to give it 150%.   You have only a job and give it your best shot.  You pass this way only once.  Do the best you can.

Forgetting appointment - not a good way to project professionalism and reliability

It is about getting better...

We had an appointment this morning with an account executive this morning at 9 am.   We would be seeing him in a place some 40 km away.  We met him in an exhibit and we explored the possibility of plastic substitute to our concrete supply.  

We talked to  him two days ago while on a trip to Northern Luzon.

Just as we were taking our breakfast, I requested that a phone call be made to confirm our appointments.   Several calls and text were made and none were answered, even with a text.  

We decided to slide our appointments to a trip to a town 100 km away.  We would meet with our contractor who wanted to make something out of his 2.6 hectare property.

At 4 o clock we made a call which he finally answered saying he is sick.   I am not as interested anymore in the deal we are supposed to talk about since:   1.  We still have to get a govt approval.   2.  There is a huge price difference we have to negotiate on.

Challenging test/interview questions for candidates

It is about getting better...

It was reported that tests/interview questions for Google (or FB) are very challenging.  Tough and where you are really forced to think.  It is just like a movie where the bida has no escape, sure to die and suffer.  Or has been imprisoned all ready:

    1.  How do get out of prison?

    2.  How do you get out of your debt?

    3.  How do you clean up your previous record?

    4.  How do you keep your team together.?

Unless you candidate can squirm his/her way of the difficulties, he/she will always complain of the difficulty, will not have any other options, and can not think on the job.   He/she will not have a goal

Exiting from a business deal where the other party is impatient and immature

It is about getting better...

There was a project referred to us in resort town in Central Luzon   We were into it for almost a year.  Some difficulties were:     right of way, conversion since the land seemed to be irrigated.  The right of way which we wanted to have to make the project more impressive direct from the highway was not obtained.  We got secondary ROW that were crooked going to the barangay road, and which would cost us at least nearly 10 million.   Before proceeding any  further, we wanted NIA to clear the project for conversion.

However it was not easy.  And the other party who are mostly single 40ish  working for the BPO, OFW were not patient enough:   said in DM that the sharing was not OK and later a dare to forget it.

The opinion of our board and executive officers is that they are not ready for long term relationship and that we should agree to their challenge. 

One less project to worry about.

It is not just about the numbers that count.  It could have been a profitable JV.  But the comfort level with people you are going to work with

You really learn a lot from business deals and from people you meet

Telling the truth is an imperative if you are to continue being a reliable businessman

It is about getting better...

I was asked to be a witness before a court to testify to the veracity of a transaction which gave right of way to the relatives of the seller of a parcel of land used as a right of way.   The successors in interest (my siblings) sued them in court for alleged   destruction of fence they erected in the right of way.  (which they denied)

The defense of the accused was that they were given right of way.  (Which we did when we bought the right of way, we gave them through  a letter that they could use the ROW before such time it is donated to the LGU as required by law)

During the cross, their counselor alleged that this post was doing this to spite the siblings with whom she alleges were not in good terms with the undersigned (which was irrelevant) to the evidence being presented at hand.

This post did this because if was the truth.  If we were to continue to be a businessman, and to be citizen, your word, especially the written one, must be trusted.  I participated in the proceeding because I wanted the truth to come ouut   

Me me vs we - a great obstacle to progress and growth of community

It is about getting better...

This post would like to think that selfishness - too much emphasis on I me, are obstacles to being a community to being a nation,  and is a sin.

Graft we think stem from desire to get rich quickly for self and the family.  Selfishness methink is therefore a crime,  Same as selfishness.

Politics, power play, cruelty, etc comes from this innate desire to be better than the rest.

While our purpose in life is to find our gift (ie being selfish) the next step is to share this with others

Hence without being spiritual, and without having a sense of oneness with the world and rest of community, there could never be a graft free, war free community.  

What do you think?  Is the author correct in his hypothesis

...It is your fault if you die poor

It is about getting better...

"It is not your fault if you were born poor...It is your fault if you die poor.

Truly we can not choose the family and situation we are born into.  Destiny must have something to do with that (which is cruel)  But it is going to be unfortunate when the outside world, where the "destiny" gets the better of you

You have improve yourself:   your skills your mindset and leave behind your past.     As a former supervisor who later became the EVP (the number 2 man in the large pharma company) enjoined us in a a a birthday party, it is primary duty to you and your company to IMPROVE YOURSELF

You have to learn.  When you earn, you increase your earning.  The world is moving fast and if you do not improve you will be left behind. The world is one big classroom.  It is the =University of Life  You will become obsolete.  Artificial intelligence is a big threat to humanity.  It now here 

No one no one can do that  except you1

What you have done lately to improve yourself?  What did you learn

Accepting reality - life is hard

It is about getting better...

Nothing in the world is easy.  Nothing in the world is free.  Do not expect a sugar coated world like Pollyana

Scott Peck outlined this in the book, "The Road Less Taken".  He outlined crimes and pathologies arising from the wrong belief that life is easy.  The Scriptures say taht from our sweat comes our daily bread.  Not from Manna in heaven

When there is an acceptance, no denial, we mature, and gain strength and resilience in facing the world, especially business challenges.   As they say in quotes, the challenges, the hardships are meant to make us tougher and more resilient _ we become better leaders and better business managers

Thus ,pantawid program destroys peoples initiative to work and survive.  My wife says that when our infants fell, they need it to learn how to stand on their own. Thus even birds push off their birdlings off the nest to learn how to fly and fend for themselves.

Unto each life, some rain must fall.,,,

"Ang laki sa layaw.... karaniwan ay hubad.... (kulang)

You are more mature when...

It is about getting better...

1. You have stopped blaming others for your mistakes or failure;

2.  You have stopped making excuses and alibis..

3.  When you own up to your shortcomings

4.  When you join the team own up to the mistakes and shortcomings.  

Grit and determination - the stuff that champions and successful persons (and even heroes) are made of

It is about getting better...

Many authors and successful person summarize this in two words:   GRIT and DETERMINATION

Psychologists mention this, movie like the "The Chairman" a movie about Ray Kroc mention this.

The late Calvin Coolidge whose famous quote on determination has made it to the boardrooms and MBA classroom must be smiling in his grace.

This is the same stuff why we admire why we sympathize and empathize with heroes and heroines who overcome, solve challenges after one another in their adventures and stories.  How we wish we have the same strength and determination to overcome the same daily

That is why this post believe that teaching MBA alone with the technical stuff cant alone produce successful entrepreneurs and business leaders    They have to be build up grit and determination over time.  And harsh challenging business problems alone can teach them that.

More courage to take risks , being bold

It is about getting better...

Axelrod is a hedge fund.  I do not know much about hedge fund and or how it outperforms the market.

There were examples that show how timid I am/was in taking advantage of opportunities

     1.  When Axe shorted and all the shares were not available, he would be ruined if he did not

          have the shares.  When he did find the holder of shares, he was charged 25% which Axe 

          took rather than taking huge loss.

    2   When a new company was formed by start ups and needed funding, he charged 40% for the seed

          money.

On many  occasions, this post gave advice for 0 fees, and  charged legal rate, 6% for support php

I should be more greedy?  Higher returns.     Really it is about your appetite.   

Too much treachery (and or lack of loyalty) (still about Billions) - trust no one

It is about getting better...

This has plagued many companies.  Axe struggled with this:

     His wife Lara was more interested in her $ and was planning to transfer to California when he was'

     jailed.

    Taylor put up her own company after Axe trained her as CIO when the former had a case,

    Rhoades went against boss Joc while still State Atty, and his staff Bryan stabbed him the back too

    Rebecca Canu went into deal with Taylor backstabbing Axe.  All the while Axe was buying shares for

    her including the supplier.   Axe countered by going into a deal with biggest lender to be a majority 

    stockholder to unseat Rebecca as CEO and sell her retail company (which unfortunately is losing,              bleeding a lot o money

   Thus Andrew Grove was right.   Only the paranoid survey.  Trust no one

    It has happened to me that two projects were taken away from beneath my feet by people

    I trust:  the EVP, the project engineer, my sister.

   My brothers and sisters to whom I dedicated my efforts to build the company removed me from the

   board (using a provision of the law that the Board can actually do that.) Unfortunately my brother who

   led the uprising has died

While others build, others destroy (still on Billions)

It is about getting better...

We dont take sides but it is evident that in the setting of the series, a group of people build by raising capital, investing in ventures that move the country forward.

But equal efforts have been put by regulators while making sure that wrongdoings and violation of rights of citizens are not committed, abuse of power, misplaced focus, blunt such efforts in nation building

A debate on what is right and wrong

Need for a Performance coach (still from Billions)

It is about getting better...

Dr Wendy Rhoades, the beautiful wife of the AG in Billions worked as performance coach  of Axel, an important partner for Axe.   The one on one sessions with the staff about their potential, being aware of that and doing something for that helped them achieve the billions and success

But abusing the patient dr confidentiality got her in to trouble

Lessons from Billions

It is about getting better...

A lot of lessons can be learned in the series Billions

1   Dont quit

2.  Be focused

3.  Make things happen.  Create the events for your success

4.  Whether you are tycoon or a prosecutor, your negotiation skills are what that matters.  Not

     rely on your school or what you learned in college

5.  Win some lose some.   Admit that sometime you make mistakes

6.  Think always of 3 things to make yourself grow, your department or business

7.  For a businessman, you have to sacrifice personal gains over corporate, or profits

      1.  For Axe, he dumped Rebecca Canu, his lover over earning a lot over Saler

           closure and liquidation.   Rebecca has a dream,  sacrificing for corporate gains

      2.  Taylor dumping his father in favor of bigger gain

8.  Feel and solve problems as if you are about to be jailed or nailed

9.  Focus on say php, not on revenge or restitution.  These things cloud your judgement and your goals

      and vision

Our education should not be merely be about learning facts and information but also about being a good person

It is about getting better...

For two successive days, I was disappointed with two events:   Two appointments where the other party was a no show

The first involved a student leader whom we gave the privilege of going over our operations for their capstone project.   She made an appointment with me for the presentation. She did not appear although

her group members did.  She claimed she had more important things to attend to as student council

leader

The other one involved a business.   The one who set up an appointment wanted to know what project

we can do to his inherited property.    He did not appear.

This post wonders how these people can be successful if they could not even keep an appointment and/or keep their word

One of the secrets of success