Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Post Yolanda

Ngayun alam na natin ang storm surge "tsunami-like catastrophy" siguro naman mas handa na tayo next time. Kung nanonood kayo ng Preppers siguro masasabi na natin na hindi pala "loko-loko" yung mga preppers. Mga wa-is pala sila...kung iisipin mo talaga.

After Yolanda there was no law and order in those areas. From news reports nakita natin: looting (kahit flat screen at fridge ninakaw na), pamamasok sa mga bahay dahil gutom na mga tao, and in a rare instance there was a report about rape.

Pwede din po ito mangyari sa Metro Manila, sad to say. Pero ngayun handa na tayo.

Alam na natin ang gagawin sa susunod, gaya ng:

The Magic 7

1. Maghanda ng at least 5 gallon ng tubig.
2. Mag tago na ng maraming bigas.
3. Mag tago ng mga delata
4. Mag tago na ng maraming biskwit.
5. Flashlight, candila at lighter.
6. FM/AM trasistor radio na hindi pa hihigit sa P150
7. Batteries.

Eto ang mga essentials na kailangan merong naka stock sa bahay ninyo pag maybagyo. Aabot ito ng 3 hanggang 5 araw. By then meron ng relief efforts within that span of time.

Take note magsara ng mabuti ng bahay after ng bagyo. May mga taong masasama talaga ang hangarin kaya mas mabuti pa na mag ingat kaysa masaktan.

Kung meron pa kayong maidagdag sa essentials pls feel free. Tayo tayo din ang mag bebenefit dito.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

My HTC Experience


T’was the night before Christmas.  I was just contemplating at the same time searching for some gadgets at www.BIZCHUM.com.

And I had an amazing holiday feeling that Santa would bring me something I wished and needed very much. True to my prayerful expectations, Santa did leave an HTC cellular phone especially for me. I was jumping with joy as I unwrapped the orange box with an “HTC one” written on its lid beside a colored image of my new mobile phone.

However, for some reasons I could not remember at the moment, I felt then Santa missed to leave something equally important for me. Maybe, I would remember it in a little while.



Right on track, as directed, I immediately charged my new mobile phone with the battery that came with the box, complete with a manual on how to go ahead and enjoy this tiny piece of cyber tool believed to make the world within reach in seconds.

Following the manual’s directions, I began to slide my finger right to left as well as top to bottom, and vice-versa to unload what the manual mentioned as “Apps,” as well as to establish my name as the official owner of the mobile phone.


Sunday, January 13, 2013

Henry Sy


As a kid I used to go to SM ShoeMart, with a guardian, obviously to buy school shoes. I pick out a style and show it to a sales person. As I remember I will follow the sales person to a corner where she will reach for an old fifties style microphone and utter some numbers. After a few minutes a box transported by a dumbwaiter descends. My shoe arrives!

As I grew up, SM ShoeMart got bigger as well, in enormous proportions. SM is now a chain of malls spread out all over the Philippines. All because of one man, Mr. Henry Sy.

Let me share with you his story through the narration of his daughter Teresita Sy-Coson.

"There is no such thing as overnight success or easy money. If you fail, do not be discouraged; try again. When you do well, do not change your ways." - Henry Sy
Our company, SM, as many of you may already know, came from the hard work of my dad, Henry Sy, Sr. It is a rags to riches story that even myself did not realize until I went to trace his roots in China.

His journey from the thatched hut I saw there to the shopping centers he has today is something that amazes even myself.

His determination, his discipline and his thriftiness have produced an astute and street smart businessman who has influenced a lot of people. Including us, his children.

My father’s perseverance during the different crises our country has gone through has made our active business pursuits possible for a half century. True, he was disappointed with the economy many times, but he never saw the reason to quit and instead pursued his goals relentlessly.

He had many obstacles – both external and internal – in his business, and there were times he could not understand why things had to be so complicated for him to pursue his business objectives.

It has been written – and I can attest that it is true – that Henry Sy started from the bottom.

He came to the Philippines at the young age of 12, and worked in his father’s small sari-sari store more than 12 hours everyday to help him. It was located on Echague St., which is now Carlos Palanca Sr. St. in Quiapo, Manila. There, he devised ways to increase his income by developing small portions of products – much like the sachets we see today in the supermarkets.

He was able to make multiple sales in order to make extra income, spending so much time in the store that he had no time to go out and play with friends in the neighborhood. It did not take a long time for him to realize, however, that he can only do so much in a sari-sari store environment.

WWII came and the sari-sari store was looted and burned. He did a lot of buying and selling of odd things during the war to enable the family to survive.

This must have provided him the hands-on training for his stamina in business. At one time, he was hit by shrapnel while selling, and quite fortunately was brought to the hospital by his good friend in a kariton.

Without that friend, he could have bled to death. He treasured that friendship and later expressed his gratitude after the war by making that friend his partner in a shoe store. The partnership lasted for more than 40 years until the shoe store had to give away to the building renovations of the lessor.

After the war ended in 1945, he ventured into selling American shoes imported by enterprising Gis.

He later saw the opportunities of opening a shoe store, and not long after he was managing three shoe store in partnership with friends.

With the pleasure of a growing family while at the same time pursuing studies at FEU in the early 50s, he sought more ways to augment his income.

He studied the market and decided to be different. While other young men went to the US to pursue a higher education, he went on a long business trip to the East Coast, and came home with a lot of merchandising ideas.

For a time, he was selling a lot of shoes, accessories, and leather goods, hoping to change the way shoe manufacturers look at the industry.

Sensing a lot of opportunities, he decided to open SHOE MART – “SM” – the first air-conditioned shoe store that merchandised shoes in a very inviting and classy format. With the success of that store, he went on to open more shoe stores, but he could not get enough suppliers.

Many shoe manufacturers at that time could not understand why they had to listen to this shoe retailer who had very definite ideas on what he wanted to sell. They did not cooperate by providing him with the volume he needed, and because of that limitation, he gradually shifted to apparel – and thereafter other merchandise – with the help of my mother.

He was continuously learning from his customers, suppliers, and employees. This on-the-job research gave him enough confidence to expand to a department store chain. Many things in life grow out of needs, and to meet the needs, you become determined. With determination you will take extra challenges and do things differently – which will most likely bring success.

We opened our first department store in 1972, two months after Martial Law was declared. The business had a slow start, but progressed steadily. During the Martial Law years, he continued to open more department stores, reaching a point wherein he could not get space he needed in the existing shopping centers during that time. He then decided think long term, and invest in properties for malls, which were patterned after suburban shopping centers, which he had been studying for some time.

When we started the construction of our first mall in 1983, the Philippines was in the midst of a debt moratorium and experienced hyper inflation. The economy decline was further aggravated by the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. Many bankers predicted our demise because my dad came from nowhere – he may had a few department stores and shoe stores at that time, but he was not one of the financial heavy-weights at that time.

Unaffected by criticism, and armed with sheer determination and optimism, he persisted and opened in 1985 with our department store and supermarket and a few tenants. Many potential lessees were saying no to lease offers.

At about the same time, given the social unrest of the times, our own Shoemart Makati was faced with ugly strikes. He almost gave up, but through the encouragement of his employees and customers, he continued. At that time, he decided emotionally draining disturbances should not overpower him or detract him from his goals. Since that time, he has not faltered in his confidence, and became even more determined to continue the business. He also convinced everyone of us in the organization to follow his optimism.

Later, we expanded, slowly building malls at that time to get our formula right. The expansion was not without difficulties. When constructing Sta. Mesa and Megamall, we were faced with delays in construction due to cement shortages and the 1989 coups.

When the 1997 Asian crisis came, we were planning our mall expansion, including the Mall of Asia, which was then envisioned to be the biggest mall in the region.

Because my dad felt the tsunami-like effects of the region wide crisis, which was unlike any other he had experienced, we had to change plans. We deferred opening the Mall of Asia, and went on with the opening of other malls.

We grew in numbers instead of size, serving different smaller markets. We have also expanded our retail business beyond department stores to include supermarkets, hardware stores, appliance superstores, and other retail formats.

At about the same time, we looked into the banking business – both at our bank and at the industry. At the time, our main bank, Banco de Oro was a medium sized bank. Because we were quite conservative in lending, the deluge of bad loans that characterized the times did not affect us. Given that, we thought it was an opportune time to grow amidst some instabilities. We reorganized and strengthened our organizations for about three years and developed growth strategies that started in the year 2000.

Encouraged by the consolidation program of Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP) in making Philippine banks more competitive relative to the region, Banco De Oro made few acquisitions because of the moratorium on banking. It acquired the Dao Heng Philippines branch, the First eBank, the Banco Santander Philippines branch, the United Overseas Bank branches, and most recently – Equitable PCI Bank.

Opportunity is where you find it, not where it finds you. Crisis and weakness indicate one can look for opportunities. Transforming problems into opportunities can bring good returns. Prosperity and growth come only to a business that systematically exploits its potentials and systematically optimizes its performances.

Our business – especially that of shopping centers is a long term business. It takes at least eight years to pay back. We feel that the country will always be around, and with Filipinos’ love for shopping, there will always be customers we can sell to.

We also have to continuously innovate. Our other retail formats like supermarkets, hardware stores, appliance stores, home stores, toy superstores, baby stores, and Watsons are continuously evolving with the shopping habits of our customers. Because they frequently visit the store, we make sure we have new products all the time so that their shopping experience will not be boring.

Our group’s policy is to look for opportunities at all times, and to be ready to act when it comes. While crises may have brought opportunities, we continue our plans in good or bad times with some changes to suit our demands of the time.

May Henry Sy’s success rubs off to us as well. As a final note, I would like to leave this quote from Henry Sy: “There is no such thing as overnight success or easy money. If you fail, do not be discouraged; try again. When you do well, do not change your ways. Success is not just good luck: it is a combination of hard work, good credit standing, opportunity, readiness and timing. Success will not last if you do not take care of it.”

Henry Sy’s secret is no secret at all. Failure is not an option but a step towards success. Internalize this story and discover the Henry Sy in you.

www.BIZCHUM.com

Thursday, January 10, 2013

My Take On Lance Armstrong by Chantal

The fall from grace of once-upon-a-time cycling giant, Lance Armstrong, is a colossal disappointment to his millions of young fans across the world's hemispheres who held him as the perfect role model specially in their growing years.

His having been stripped of his world-record feat of seven Tour-de-France crowns may somehow dent the global attraction to the classic European tournament which Armstrong made more famous.

Armstrong climbed to the peak of Mount Everest fame following his record of seven Tour-de-France crowns in the aftermath of surviving testicular cancer which further sparked the global fascination for the cycling champ.


His distribution of more than 80 million bright yellow wristbands to benefit his "LiveStrong" charity brought pure joy to the teeming millions of young and the not-so-young fans around the world, the proceeds of which went to research of his affliction, and assistance to those similarly situated.

Despite his multiple Tour-de-France triumphs, Armstrong remained humble and focused on his charity work while striving to excel in his craft, realizing fully well he had reached iconic status among his legions of fans around the world.

In recent years, however, allegations began to stalk Armstrong pointing to suspicions that he had been receiving performance enhancing drugs as well as drug transfusions, which critics claim, could have been the reason for his excellence in the prestigious
Tour-de-France tournament, the cycling event duplicated in several parts of the world.

The doping charges, though initially denied by Armstrong did not only shock the cycling world, but were received with great disbelief by his legions of fans.


Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Humility and Leadership

Maybe, after Lance Armstrong, next would be that inspiring rebel Jose Mujica, who is now president of Uruguay but refuses to live in the presidential palace with its phalanx of servants and minions as well as the perks that come with power. He lives in his very small house in the family farm without a single househelp, doing his own cooking in his small kitchen. He only has two security guards keeping watch along the roa near his house.



Since his became president, his country's GDP jumped by leaps and bounds, and is now seen as the next Venezuela.

Very inspiring and humbling story for world leaders to emulate and learn a lesson from on humility at the peak of power, with nothing on his mind but how to make life tolerable for the people by, among other things, leading by EXAMPLE!!

Baseball Falls Again In Its Hall of Fame

Not one single baseball legend was named into the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America yesterday from a short list of baseball greats like home-run king Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants, and Roger Clemens who earned several World Series championship rings for the New York Yankees.

Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds

The decision not to add a name to the roster of Baseball's Hall of Fame could be reflective of the huge dent by the infamous "steroid era" on America's No. 1 ballgame made famous by the legendary Babe Ruth.

It hurts!

Monday, January 7, 2013

John Gokongwei Humble Beginnings Story

December usually is a bonding month for me and my family. Customarily, we stay in a Hotel  for several days just to relax and have a temporary change of environment.  Kids enjoy the amenities, restaurants,  the adjacent shopping mall and the pool.

I normally take them to the pool early in the morning just to avoid the craziness of other guests.  Fortunately, we had the pool all by ourselves except that there was an old gentleman who will be sharing the pool with us.

As I observed him, the old gentleman was being assisted by a personal valet.  He went to the pool and made leisurely laps while my kids frolic around his path. The old gentleman emerged from the pool after 25 minutes or so and was assisted again by his valet and all the pool attendant.

Focusing my gaze at him I was astounded to see that he was not just an ordinary old gentleman. He happens to be one of my top inspirations. He is Mr. John Gokongwei, owner of malls (Robinson’s Malls), banks (Robinson’s Bank), commercial properties  (Robinson’s Land Corp.), air fleets (Cebu Pacific) and telecommunication services (Digitel and Sun Cellular).

Mr. Gokonwei’s speech during an Ad Congress has given me the motivation to keep on pursuing every time I face enormous challenges in business. It was his manner of conducting a business that has given me the drive to never quit on anything.

Let me share with you his story.



"I was born to a rich Chinese-Filipino family. I spent my childhood in Cebu where my father owned a chain of movie houses, including the first air-conditioned one outside Manila. I was the eldest of six children and lived in a big house in Cebu ‘s ForbesPark. A chauffeur drove me to school everyday as I went to San Carlos University, then and still one of the country’s top schools. I topped my classes and had many friends. I would bring them to watch movies for free at my father’s movie houses. When I was 13, my father died suddenly of complications due to typhoid. Everything I enjoyed vanished instantly. My father’s empire was built on credit. When he died, we lost everything-our big house, our cars, our business-to the banks. I felt angry at the world for taking away my father, and for taking away all that I enjoyed before. When the free movies disappeared, I also lost half my friends.

On the day I had to walk two miles to school for the very first time, I cried to my mother, a widow at 32. But she said: “You should feel lucky. Some people have no shoes to walk to school. What can you do? Your father died with 10 centavos in his pocket.” So, what can I do? I worked.

My mother sent my siblings to China where living standards were lower. She and I stayed in Cebu to work, and we sent them money regularly. My mother sold her jewelry. 

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Social Networks as Supports


Several years ago Sellers and Buyers rely on buy-sell or retail websites for any item possible. If you Google something that interest you and most often than not, the search engine will direct you to a website for that specific object.

Type in your search engine “iPhone”, instantaneously you will be aimed at a search page with tons of websites  with rave reviews of iPhone, blogs that assess iPhones, or forums that talk nothing but iPhones. In other words information comes so effortlessly.

Welcome to Bizchum
Social Network - Facebook Social Network - Twitter

Thanks to Social Network pioneers you can now expand your horizon to broadcast anything you want to impart to a complete stranger. With a compelling description of the image you’ve uploaded, you can develop the interest of that person scrutinizing your item.

This is where we come in.  Premium members of www.BIZCHUM.com  enjoy the benefits of additional exposure on FACEBOOK and TWITTER. It is BIZCHUM’s commitment to its premium members. Not only that a member’s product can be spotted on the BIZCHUM homepage, but it will be exposed via BIZCHUM account on these two top Social Networks. The advantage to the seller is the high visibility of their items on search engines.

According to Search Engine Watch

“…The inexorable rise of social media might be an indisputable fact but it can be easier to track social media trends than predict them. It's not that long ago, after all, that MySpace was not only the most popular social networking site worldwide but also, according to Hitwise, the single most visited site in the U.S., even beating the behemoth that is Google into second place.”

Social Networks are great support in terms of exposure. We at BIZCHUM capitalize on this concept to give an edge to its members.

We are on the rise. We encourage you to UPLOAD and SELL anything. So create an account now.

www.BIZCHUM.com

Tweet Me!

 

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