tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42306819300712284702024-02-20T13:11:44.841-08:00Our daily cup of coffee.....vacation is just a cup away.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-33577573834907327232011-01-01T05:35:00.000-08:002011-01-01T05:49:16.928-08:002011, here i come.This will be my year. A year characterized by compassionate service and effort to the people I will be working with. This will be the year wherein one of my radiant dreams be transformed and able to prove that there can really be miracles, when you believe.<br /><br />My biggest leap will also prove, that once we believe in the power of our dreams, we achieve the seemingly impossible one. <br /><br />Prayer will be my number one sanctuary in this tough battle.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-14956488801111970342010-06-07T18:36:00.000-07:002010-06-07T18:41:29.598-07:00Unfinished novel"The overweening greediness and egotism of love- what a deceptive, treacherous thing."<br /><br />-- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Stone-Renate-Dorrestein/dp/067089558X">A Heart of Stone by: Renate Dorrestem</a><br /><br />I will finish this novel soon. Promise.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-14829987080683362672010-06-07T18:34:00.000-07:002010-06-07T18:36:00.293-07:00Negative thoughts to ponder.David Hume treats jealousy s the co-evolved ally of love: It is unlikely that love, with the tremendous psychological investment it entails, could have evolved without a defense that shielded if from the constant threat from rivals and the possibility of betrayal from a partner. Jealousy evolved to fill that void, motivating vigilance as the first line of defense and violence as the last.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-48427805397551646862010-02-22T01:51:00.001-08:002010-02-22T01:51:26.616-08:00Market Segment: PWD<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">People with disabilities is a potential marget segment. </span><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">First, the group is very large.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">With the increase in the number of elderly people in <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Europe and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>, there will be an increase in the number of people with disabilities. Second, the disabled have tremendous spending power. In fact, one out of six consumer dollars is spent by a PWD. Thus, the disabled spend mre than the entireU.S.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>teen population and more than the populations of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:state st="on">Alaska</st1:state>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:state st="on">Oregon</st1:state>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Washington</st1:city>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:state st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place>, andHawaii<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>combined. Finally, the disable are in credibly brand loyal.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Three in four adults say they would be likely to switch to a brand associated with a "good cause”. Likewise, it is difficult to select a single best approach. Since PWD is branded as often-ignored market segment, it implies that PWD are less obvious group and there are no clear guidelines on how to reach them.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Georgia;color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Well, Technologies are already available to alleviate many of the problems faced by people with disabilities in using a public telephone, but only a few companies provide the appropriate facilities. But advances in technology will create exciting new solutions as well as some new problems.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial; color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">As we define this new market segment, we should point toward an understanding of the market. We noted some facts about PWDs that are vital to the development of marketing plan and strategies:</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">1.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Of the 54 million of people limited in their activities due to long-term disability...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">·</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">73% are the heads of households</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">·</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">46% are married</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">·</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">58% own their own homes</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">·</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">77% have no children</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">·</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">48% are principal shoppers</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">2. In 1995, people with disabilities spent $81.7 billion on travel. This did not include the significant expenditures of their families, friends, and escorts.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(Source: Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality).</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">3. The aggregate income of people with disabilities tops $1 trillion. This includes $220 billion in discretionary income.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">4. Of the 69.6 million families in the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>, 20.3 million families<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>have at least one memberwith a disability. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">5.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Four out of 10 people<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>with disabilities conduct business and personal activities online, spending an average of 20 hours per week logged on to the Internet. That's more time on average than non-disabled Web surfers spend online</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">6.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Among people with disabilities, 48% say that the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Internet has significantly improved the quality of their lives.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Compare this to only 27% of adults without disabilities.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">7.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>According to a General Accounting Office report, implementing the access provisions of theADA<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>has<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>increased revenues in the hotel and hospitality industry by 12 percent.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">8.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Companies marketing to people with disabilities can reach as many as<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>four in every 10 consumers.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">9. Among people with disabilities, 48% say that the Internet has significantly improved the quality of their lives. Compare this to only 27% of adults without disabilities.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">10. Three in four adults say they would be likely to switch to a brand associated with a "good cause."</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Arial;color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">So, promotional Strategies should focus on telecommunication, website accessibility, Advisory committees, and empowering PWDs. Some of the companies view PWD as a niche market at best, and unwanted intrusion at worst. However, we believe that when companies properly managed them, programmes which address the needs of people with disabilities can open up new market opportunities and be profit generators rather than economic burdens. Also these more enlightened companies are reaping a marketing benefit to their core business from being seen to be balancing human need against the commercial imperative.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-67058847604759378382010-02-21T17:46:00.000-08:002010-02-21T17:47:34.929-08:001989: J&J in the Philippines<p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in">In some way, J&J applies their target marketing in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region> which is during that time political aspect is unstable. The administration<span lang="EN-PH" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-PH"> focused the campaign to the misdeeds of Marcos by setting a new direction in economic policy but the Board members resolved the issue by concluding that they have to work to improve the business performance of the country by devoting their efforts to increasing the business performance. <span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black">The seemingly segmenting marketing strategy of J&J touched the factors particularly demographic, economic and mostly political and legal factors. It has been probably assessed that there is sufficient demand in the market for a cheaper product that could satisfy the currently untapped young female market. With the 1989 political condition, there were no enormous entrant and exit barriers since the government needs investments that could emphasize a central role for foreign enterprise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="color:black">Economy of the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region> at that time also is not doing well which is basically altered by the political instability. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>’ <st1:stockticker st="on">GDP</st1:stockticker> in 1989 had lagged behind that of their partners. Naturally, both consumers and investors attempted to regain what had been lost in the depressed atmosphere of the 1983-85 periods. Because of the unstable economy, J&J’s classifications were based on the occupation of the household head, total monthly household appliances, housing ownership and its general physical appearance, monthly rental amortization of the house, housewife education, and number of household “helpers “economic category- AB & C category economic households. J&J’s bargaining power can be justified by the uniqueness of the product that yields lower initial costing that is also affordable for the target audience. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="color:black">Having the customs of having the mother as the decision maker in shopping activities especially when it concerns to facial and health care for the family, this kind of convenience products appear to be sold effectively in supermarkets. It was found out that Johnson’s Baby Powder among teens and young adults was much lower than that of mothers. Also, 80% of the chosen class stated that they applied it to their face. This also opened the idea that “Filipino young people are no different than their counterparts in many other countries. They want to put distance between themselves and their childhood on some dimensions…” Knowing that there was strong interest among female teens and young adults in J&J baby powder they come up with research-based findings which conclude that the behavioural factor is strongly inviting them to capture the target audience based on their customary usage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in"><span style="color:black">The age distribution of Philippine Population in 1989 aids the J&J Company to forecast their potential buyers based on the percentage of population per age. The age bracket also helps them identify the percentage of target audience that possess particular consumer knowledge, attitude, use or response to their product. <o:p></o:p></span></p>francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-84284528622255692662010-02-18T18:29:00.000-08:002010-02-18T19:04:36.754-08:00Customer Focus<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">Companies, as they say, extend effort just to provide a solid foundation on the four enduring core concepts- <i><a href="http://www.web-articles.info/e/a/title/Focusing-on-the-Customer/">Customer focus</a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">, Turned-on workforce, Management by fact and Continuous Improvement.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">Solid foundation, in the sense that it becomes the lifeblood and backbone of an organization in doing their usual operations, addressing social responsibility, and upholding the intangible value of their names. Of course, it is pleasing to highlight those companies who capitalize innovation in upholding the value of customer focus. They customize their systems to keep the value of their customers in place. This article somehow, spotlights the role of Information Technology that encompasses the strategic plans of organizations, be it short term or in long term. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">To different industries, such as airline company’s <st1:stockticker st="on">CRS</st1:stockticker> (Computerized Reservation System), American Hospital Supplier’s Computerized Distribution System and Frito-Lay’s hand held computer to its sales force, information management system is truly a “strategic necessity.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">Perhaps, Information Management is part of the managerial activity which transforms “meaningless data” into vital information for all relevant users which suggests that top management must be critical in pointing out the foundation of their database. With that internal pool of information, it increases the accuracy and precision in connecting with the external factors of organization. Moreover, with an established streamline of technology, one can protect its asset and generate more output effectively and efficiently. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">Now, having the idea and importance of Information Management, it is ideal to attach this with the traditional “Order Management Cycle.” This primarily covers the assets, organization and attention of an entity by which it demonstrates the full execution of its business cycle. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style';"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Bookman Old Style';"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">In Marketing, we learned that demand of your product is not enough that is why analysis to customers must be conducted. The idea in here is that, to be more efficient in selling quality products, organization must source customers by their actual behaviour. Sourcing out to customers is a key factor to generate orders more efficiently and so they have to update their records of retention of their customers. I realize truly the value of record keeping in as part of the quality management system because it helps the management fix their eyes to the ideal targets in the market. “Obsolete” ones are being taken off and now they see the clearer view of the picture. With that, they are able to spot those areas that need corrective action and those that need for improvement. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language: EN-PH">Keep customers longer by managing across <st1:stockticker st="on">OMC</st1:stockticker><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language: EN-PH"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span></i><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">Because of the established system, customers are already recognized and can be categorized according to preference and other parameters being set by the management. The company will be efficient in tracking their prospective customers and those who are loyal. Let us take for example a “Business Delivery System” which is used by the organization to be efficient in the operation. This system is open for customers’ judgement. They can judge based on the performance of its other links. This also brings integration of multiple steps into 1 which is very advantageous in business operation setting and last but not the least; it demonstrates speed which is also a strategic advantage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language: EN-PH">Influencing Customer Behavior<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Communication is the vital aspect here. How can you influence somebody if you lack communication, in the first place? The greatest challenge is to analyze the satisfaction rate of customers. This speaks more of just listening to their demands but also, doing something about it. To get customers to articulate their needs in a way that it is manageable is impossible to achieve if communication boundaries are too high. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">We have been encountering many times the business mantra: “Maximize profit and minimize cost.” But most often than not, we tend to overlook some vital segments in an organization which are very much contributory to the life and survival of a business entity. Will this mantra suffice the necessities of organizations to withstand the complexity of business cycle? The answer lies in the ability of top management to decide on what investment to choose and we all know that installing a system is equivalent to a long term investment. Before a company climbs up to a higher level, they should consider the factors that contribute positively and negatively to the interdependence of such system. So, the issue here is not only in the difficulty of installing such system but of course, in maintaining it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>My point in here is clear: Making everybody involved in the corporate way of life. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span>One important component to this less travelled path is to consider “continuous improvement.” This defeats the idea of implementing a system as an event rather than a part of culture and strategy. When a company do not consider continuous improvement a part of culture and strategy, ten to one it cannot be continuous. The idea of having an extremely short sighted view to business is one way of destroying the system. Perhaps, what makes continuous improvement discontinuous? Basically, it is because of the “Retention of command and control management” wherein, communication barriers are not efficiently eliminated and other ideas are not being heard. This has been a problem to other companies because opportunities for improvement are most of the time coming from the top. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>We are blinded by the usual schema of “top-down” method of deciding to development and bringing out of ideas, having the idea of great ideas come from the top. We constantly neglect that most opportunities for improvement are relatively small. Again, it is a matter of culture. In <st1:country-region st="on">Japan</st1:country-region>, for example, the number of ideas per employee is 37.4 compared to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s .12. Few managers that install systems and policies being aligned at big ideas realize how limiting this is. It is very impossible to achieve continuous development and excellence in many aspect of performance without the ability of paying attention to details. These details come from large number of small ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">Turning Data into Dollars speaks mostly in the asset management of a company that is supported by Information Management System. As time progress, competition in the world market becomes tougher and its usual result is the rising of entry capital to be able to be in the “competition arena.” Also, as competition increases, quality springs out to be noticed by potential customers. The tougher the competition, the greater the quality being served. This whole article somehow, exposed the innovative way of handling an intangible asset- trust. Trust, as we all know, takes time to be developed but it only seconds to destroy it. It is also the fuel to nurture relationship and as we all know, nurturing relationship is one big step to succeed in this world. Mostly, trust warrants us to go beyond the limited zone of attention.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">With an expanded zone of attention, company aligns to individuals and other external factors and these individuals offer their responsibility to the company. With these, there is a proactive approach in managing the system installed. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-PH">There was this saying that, if you love what you are doing and passionate about it, the money will just follow.<o:p></o:p></span></p></span><p></p>francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-79540227745427161732010-02-18T17:56:00.000-08:002010-02-18T18:27:09.850-08:00KFC in China<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZg7Mg4RXg47KQiM1I6PwMV5XvsKgxbTtsnYFLOkD1bw3mtnZzBPIIjHJFY6xFedP5q3tnvUVDQqI__AEvCWcVX2njNIqpzT1xfVGlPJ70r4PD5C09SFAqO2wL2YWmmqpvwpdOrSh5-Y/s1600-h/kfc.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 163px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZg7Mg4RXg47KQiM1I6PwMV5XvsKgxbTtsnYFLOkD1bw3mtnZzBPIIjHJFY6xFedP5q3tnvUVDQqI__AEvCWcVX2njNIqpzT1xfVGlPJ70r4PD5C09SFAqO2wL2YWmmqpvwpdOrSh5-Y/s200/kfc.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439775441729130706" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in;line-height: 150%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.25in;line-height: 150%"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height:150%;mso-ansi-language: EN-PHfont-size:10.0pt;">The world’s largest chicken restaurant is planning to penetrate and like <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(148, 148, 148); white-space: pre; font-family:helvetica;font-size:14px;"><a href="http://www.blogadvertisingstore.com/">blog advertising</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;">, spread its <a href="http://www.blogadvertisingstore.com/blog/broadcasting-innovation-blogcasting/">marketing</a> channel<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(148, 148, 148); white-space: pre; font-family:helvetica;font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"> to the world’s most populous country. In 1986, they have 400 stores in <st1:country-region st="on">Japan</st1:country-region> and 33 franchises in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Singapore</st1:place></st1:country-region> which are highly noticeable in terms of profitability and customer satisfaction. Again, that does not guarantee an easy penetration to other country, such as <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">China</st1:country-region></st1:place>, not merely because of its size or partly of the other players in the industry (McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s and Pizza Hut), but also by the environmental aspects that KFC would encounter. Even though, Tony Wang had experienced doing business in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Tianjin</st1:city></st1:place>, still he has to consider the managerial resources, supply of chicken, and the frequency of tourist and political issues that can bring major changes in the attitudes of Chinese employees. These changes are required under the KFC banner and entail time consuming training programs.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height:150%;mso-ansi-language:EN-PHfont-size:10.0pt;">Being a fast food chain, KFC caters its customers in a manner that it is being prepared and served quickly. Customers that fall to these categories are being driven basically by their way of lifestyle and culture. Let us take for the example the case of Jollibee wherein the target audience are the kids that are normally accompanied by parents. In this case, it makes the whole family the major customers. The branches that were established in other countries tell us that foreign taste is being satisfied by their products, thus, tourists are also sought as target audience. Having chicken as the major raw material in their operation, accessibility of quality chicken will be of in great priority. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height:150%;mso-ansi-language:EN-PHfont-size:10.0pt;">Now <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page">you got the point</a>, the question is, Will the KFC’s advertising line of “we do chicken right” be patronized in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height:150%;mso-ansi-language:EN-PHfont-size:10.0pt;">Having Tianjin as the sole ground for Tony Wang’s experience in doing business in China, he has acquired a sense of confidence in terms of developing contracts within the municipal government but unfortunately, question arises as to how can they do chicken right, if in the first place, they <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>lack convenient supply of grain-fed chicken. Well, <st1:city st="on">Shanghai</st1:city> shines as the largest population and being the center of Finance in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region> and it is the ground for major trade and financing, business transactions, and an arena that is bred by competition due to several existing “fashionable restaurants.” Likewise, the “doing the chicken right” concept is very much constrained because they have to import quality chicken from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The politically “foreign investment friendly” <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Guangzhou</st1:city></st1:place> has the aces of being the preferred city for foreign investment, accessibility and familiarity in Western Management and Culture. But then again, they lack the accessibility of the primary economic factor for raw material-quality chicken. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height:150%;mso-ansi-language:EN-PHfont-size:10.0pt;">In terms of the accessibility of supply, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Beijing</st1:place></st1:city>, have several poultry producers operating just outside the city and so it defines the feasibility of KFC’s investment. KFC’s dilemma of “franchising vs. partnership strategy” is being answered by the kind of political power that <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region> possesses. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><st1:city st="on">Beijing</st1:city>, the capital city, and the center for most political activity, has the probable advantage of KFC’s first investment in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">China</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Being the center for political activity, the provision of necessary access to Government agencies and business regulatory bodies can somehow be eased. Again, the implication for being the center for political activity means power and this justifies somehow the future of KFC China to expand using franchising strategy. Not mentioning Tony Wang’s ability in handling franchising operations particularly in major fast food companies, he knows that the franchising indeed is the best strategy and at the same time a management tool to handle branches that are being lead by managers who are culturally out of touch. He felt that KFC had been too conservative in penetrating international markets and also noted that most of the enormous profits for his projects were generating for franchisees and <st1:city st="on">Beijing</st1:city> will be the “epicentre” of the expansion of KFC in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></p></span><p></p>francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-35587591878138929522010-02-18T17:54:00.000-08:002010-02-18T17:56:16.905-08:00Communicate that vision.<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:35.45pt;line-height: 200%;background:#FFFF99"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-language:#00FF">It is definitely crucial in a complex organization to establish harmony and orderliness to communication. But most of the time, we lack the basic ways on how to cultivate this kind of value. The value of listening is a keen way in which every leaders of an organization must possess. Most often than not, top managers often rely on the big ideas and tend to disregard the “voices” of their constituents who are mostly front liners. Common mentality is that managers think that big ideas are the only way to get ahead and unfortunately, few managers realize how severely limiting this is.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:35.45pt;line-height: 200%;background:#FFFF99"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-language:#00FF"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:35.45pt;line-height: 200%;background:#FFFF99"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-language:#00FF">The common problems of an organization are having a vision but implementing it as an event rather than part of culture and strategy, having short sighted view of business, retention of command can probably be all toppled down by active participation in effective communication. The relationship of company, individuals and base team are put into spotlight on how it expands the “zone of attention.” Knowing that communication is the lifeblood of any relationship, it is ideal to focus on this matter also. The relationship of company-to-individual should be exhibited by aligning the personal, interpersonal, managerial and organizational values. The individual-to-base team should <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>be supported by the values of work, relationship, achievement and development. Finally, base team-to-company relationship must be developed by the responsibility of uplifting the values of performance goals, social norms and work standards. Leadership comes into play when it is carried out by authority, by relationship, by results and by large development. <o:p></o:p></span></p>francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-26869550749372749772010-02-17T01:53:00.000-08:002010-02-17T20:22:20.069-08:00We advertise life<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Arial;font-size:12px;"><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: EN-PH;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:12.0pt;">I never thought that this online journal will be used as a mechanism to support other forms of media.</span> <a href="http://www.articlecity.info/Google-and-blog-advertising/">Google and blog advertising </a>are tools to express our thoughts in a more vibrant way. This seemingly "informal journalism" affects our line of thinking and expression. The idea to voice out in every situation is being triggered and our rational ways has been developed in a way that it tends to develop a network. It creates a tie among us people who seek for more knowledge in different lines of field, be it art, technology, health and living, etc. An act to pour some portion of our lives to this on line journal is an evidence that we are becoming mature individuals in this new age of technology. We grow physically, emotionally and "technologically" aware on what is being stored outside there for us. The usual way of thinking inside the box is toppled by the more innovative way of spending some time in reflections and touching other lives of people as well. It is wonderful to feel within everytime a fellow, leaves his/her a note/comment because of the post that somehow, touched one's life. It is an experience that boost our dignity and sense of importance in the cosmos. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:12px;">We advertise not only products, but also our passion, our life. Perhaps, the advertising is one way of bringing up something into the air which will touch and influence lives. In this line of advertising and channel, we nurture life, and we nurture relationship. </span></span></div>francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-28938206232204641062010-02-17T01:21:00.000-08:002010-02-17T01:37:14.400-08:00Kung Fu = hardwork<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVz39euTc6SXl1mBLnaeFMSIpkIqCELHrkvajet_PiKEvk77lQn4VfCRXDya0RJpO_lB7CI4TfIRnG6PI32RCEyDbgFOaK28EKH_CTC0zQGxPdTHEJ6s7CXAIGG02uQ5I6KVga0bz9_dk/s1600-h/kungfu05.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVz39euTc6SXl1mBLnaeFMSIpkIqCELHrkvajet_PiKEvk77lQn4VfCRXDya0RJpO_lB7CI4TfIRnG6PI32RCEyDbgFOaK28EKH_CTC0zQGxPdTHEJ6s7CXAIGG02uQ5I6KVga0bz9_dk/s320/kungfu05.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439143970857869122" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.kopitiam.biz/content/showcontent.asp?section=success">Lim Bee Huat</a>'s Kopitiam is a lifetime innovation. It started in Singapore and touched several lives in the different sectors of society. <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">For me, Lim Bee Huat, has conquered the virtue of Kung fu which is hard work. His struggles and undertakings have provided a solid foundation to his being as an effective and efficient decision maker of all time. Every kung fu artist has its own expertise and likewise, “every trade has a master.”</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height:150%;mso-ansi-language:EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""> “Hawkers” then live their life by having the usual operation in the street. The conflict arose when the government launched a massive project to clear the streets of hawkers, but that did not inhibit the flow of the story in fact, generated a new way to keep and uplift this “hawkers”- food court.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""> </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal;"></span>Needless to say, LBH possess also the best quality of an entrepreneur. He turned the usual coffee shops that catered products such as soft drinks, coffee, tea with breakfast into unusual and extraordinary mark of enticing customers. He knows pretty sure that a lot of people in Singapore gathers after dinner over a cup of coffee and so, he conceptualized to place the known “community center” inside the floor plan of business, Kopitiam. I can say that he is innovative because he did not stick on the idea of what coffee shops and “hawkers” was known to be. From the usual unsanitary conditions and all-male customers to a well-furnished interior quality management system and from the simple 21 small compartments to a wide variety of delicious cuisine, it is magnificent. He revolutionized his thoughts and popularized some ideas that are parallel to the voice and yearnings of “hawkers.”</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">In fact, LBH became “tricky” in dealing with the government’s policy. Because of low capital requirement for entry in the industry, the competition is very tight and so the intensity of rivalry has brought into existence one of the “marketing strategies of all time.” Indeed, LBH’s marketing strategy of having command to drinks, dessert and fruit stalls controlled the ambience of competition. His brilliant idea of capturing the customers’ “obedience to thirst and appetite” helped him arrive in the strategy of positioning the coffee/drinks/dessert/ stall strategically in the floor plan. The strategic set-up of his stall can be equated to the positioning of drinking fountain in a food establishment wherein people naturally seek for water to obey their thirst and because of that, it becomes a pipe line of free flowing income.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">Because of the sure-fire way of stall to provide income, LBH charges only for rental and in that way, the “hawkers”/tenants will have a healthy way of doing business. Setting their price will not be that onerous to them because of the strategy of LBH. Also, for the customers, it would be much appreciated because of its cheap prices, convenience and variety of foods to enjoy. What makes it nobler is that, LBH did not own and fully managed the hawker-tenants. The food stalls were concessions, but the company supervised the quality of food and services.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:13px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height:150%;mso-ansi-language:EN-PH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Well, Lim Bee Huat is an efficient manager wherein he devotes himself in the company, that Kopitiam has already been attached to his identity. He is an entrepreneur wherein he transformed something that is in line with his passion and vision. But at some point, LBH has become one of the greatest authors of all time. His life was carefully examined and painstakingly discovered the sweetness of reward after numerous trials in life. We have great inspiring authors such as john Maxwell and Robert Kiyosaki, stating some insights and strategic ways to achieve a common goal in business. Lim Bee Huat speaks the same thing even though he did not published his life and forte but his name shines as we come across with the word, food court.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="EN-PH" style="line-height:150%;mso-ansi-language:EN-PH"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Such a great author, a master, a manager, an entrepreneur and an artist exist in the world and spread the value of vision in every path we may take. </span></span></p></span></span></div>francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-29554296668127228162010-02-17T00:40:00.000-08:002010-02-17T01:12:42.862-08:00BUSINESS & SMALL BUSINESSInnovation is the fuel to entrepreneurship. We might become short-visioned towards the realization of our business if we just settle to what has been established in the arena. Entry to market is a great factor to consider because it helps us in assessing the kind of market we are going to focus. Taking a strategic stand, we can use available resources to gain insights and understanding on the business line we are going to invest. This site gives us wide information about entrepreneur world and provides us with <a href="http://www.jasminedirectory.com/">business web directory</a> <a href="http://www.jasminedirectory.com/">which is</a> <a href="http://botw.org/">an advantage</a>.<br /><br />I know that J&J (Johnsons & Johnsons) is not new to everyone, and this has reached a lot of consumers in terms of their quality service. There was this story about hard work and innovation that guided a businessman, named Jay, to achieve his goals.<br />His first step towards his vision was on coming up with the idea of producing the “buds” for J&J.<br />Aside from the challenge of getting married with his limited bank account, but he was more challenged to take advantage with J&J and proceed to his envisioned business. Being in the production department for 2 years, it was an advantage for him that he knew the people, their quality standards, and how to compute the labor and overhead savings for J&J(P.04 per stick or 25% of the previous cost). With that, the picture somehow became clearer that if he would produce plastic sticks using J&J’s machine, it would be a major step considering his financial constraints in having such machine. Jay rented the 50 square meters of space at P 60/ square meter and J&J payments for the sticks were received by Mr. Go’s (His Father-in-law) company and credited to Jay.<br />Later because of inevitable circumstances, JAD Manufacturing was born. Several opportunities were spotted by Jay and later became another ladder to succeed in his career. He was able to entice J&J of his newly-found 1000 square meter warehouse wherein he was suggesting some warehousing services to a portion of their production particularly. Within the same year, a fellow named Bobby Serrano opened another opportunity with Jay to subcontract Bobby’s excess production of alcohol. Subsequently, the line was transferred to JAD. Because of the constant labor unrest in that time, Jay’s remedy is to have an excess production of 30% in order to be prepared for J&J’s additional production.<br />In 1997, the offered 1000 square meter to J&J ballooned to 10,000 which pushed Jay’s Nor Partnership with J&J to limit to manufacturing and warehousing. Another opportunity sprung out when Jay discovered the big difference of the price of the bags and pellets to J&J compared to his father-in-law. With this, he took the advantage of supplying J&J with plastic items. <br />Because of the trouble that arose in distribution J&J to Southern Tagalog, it was a milestone for JAD Mfg. to push through with their plan to go also with distribution. J&J granted Jay with his offer for the distributorship rights in Batangas and later contract for Laguna and Cavite were transferred to them.<br />Jay started small, which is actually an eye opener to those people out there who are actually planning to start a mall.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-77190102297233022502010-02-17T00:33:00.000-08:002010-02-17T00:36:28.425-08:00Porter in Banana IndustryIn my attempt to explain Porter’s 5 forces, I present the banana industry as a model to put these 5 forces in the spotlight. The demand for a certain commodity, such as banana, dictates the relevance of a certain product within a certain context. For Banana Companies who are into exporting, it is also vital to note the “potential market” wherein they are able to determine where to drop its produce. Japan as the major importers of Cavendish bananas imposes their policy of protectionism to control the inflow of Philippine products into their nation. In such case, banana companies and Growers are dependent to the cutting order from Japan. <br />In the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, there are many existing players in the field of banana industry like Lapanday, Del Monte, Dole, Sumifru and many more. Following the usual way to gain profit, one has to acquire land as primary capital. It is costly in the sense that several factors are to be considered just to maintain the condition of the land, the plants and at the same time control the existence of pest and disease. In fact, land preparation per se, already entails a huge amount. So, there really is a high barrier to entry in this kind of industry since it entails a huge amount of investment just to have a mark among the giant players.<br />Knowing land as the primary capital, it creates a notion that landowners become the suppliers of this kind of business. Landowners are basically suppliers in the first place because they cater the needs of these capitalists to generate and increase their production. Because of the intangible value of land, smaller big scale growers who use their land and labor resources, tie up in the form of contract with the exporting company who needs the vital raw material-land. In return, the exporting company provides financial, technical and marketing services by providing standard operating procedures for implementation by all growers in order to consistently produce high yield of premium- quality bananas for export market. <br />How about those small banana exporting companies who are not that big compared, for example, to Dole? How do they survive in the tight competition considering of their limited land? Amidst the existence of dominant in size and strength competitors, still, other small-sized banana companies survive because of their marketing strategies. Farm-owners ties up with giant “Japan-based intermediary” who have already established a big market in Japan. In that way, they are sure enough that their products will be patronized outside the country. In terms of supplying the materials to be used in the packaging of bananas, direct access of which is provided by the intermediary depending on the specification requirement in JapanThey also provide customer-supplied materials such as Kartons, banana protectors, hand separators, stickers, etc. that are needed for the packaging of the bananas. In this case, it exhibits a backward integration wherein the supplies are directly provided to their partners in business. <br />We know that Japan, as buyers, has the strong position to choose their commodity that depends on their quality standards and culture. Banana has become the staple food in their diet and it cannot be easily substituted by other products and so, players in the industry do whatever they can just to raise their products high. Some banana companies would undergo ISO certifications to be in the right track of tough competition and just to highlight “quality.”francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-37309387127937371232010-02-16T17:54:00.000-08:002010-02-16T19:20:09.810-08:00The Guggenheim and Post-modern City of SpectacleGlasgow, the largest city in Scotland and a port on the Clyde in west central Scotland; one of the great shipbuilding centres of the world. It has become the vehicle for economic, cultural, political and social sustainability.<a href="http://www.articlecity.info/Bilbao-The-Guggenheim-and-Post-modern-City-of-Spectacle/">Bilbao The Guggenheim and Post modern City of Spectacle</a> created an artistic "schema" that has become a strategic move for the state in transforming their values and culture into a picture of masterpiece. It is a “Strategic masterpiece” in a scenario wherein the idea of interrelatedness of industrial factors has been fuelled to augment the complexities of individual choice and recognition. <br />I remember when my Professor in the graduate school, he said that one of the strategic investments is poured to paintings and other work of arts. Many of us,for example, do not have enough idea on how valuable the portrait of Monalisa is, and why it manifests a vast amount of monetary values. We are not limiting our vision to the monetary factor, but instead we cover also the patriotism that triggers every nation to open their eyes to the magnificence of their being. The work of art that is being attached into their identities as true people of their nation is being ignited. <br />The highlight of this strategy can be associated in the political sphere wherein it captures media, labor leaders, and the industry. The perspective of a politician is microscopically altered by the economic chain flowing a certain country transaction, government and market-place being linked in many ways, especially through taxes and money. Thus, we cannot deny the fact that politics has something to do with this strategy because it creates the decision, policy and power of government and of course interpret global consensus.<br /><br />“The world is not fragmented but integrated, that every economic event that takes place someplace in the world is felt virtually everywhere in the world.” With the smooth and speedy channel of media and other voices of segments in the industry, critics are then generated to assess the issues on globalization, economic justice, transparency, accountability and ensuring a healthy global financial system.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-67323641731130861932009-12-28T20:33:00.000-08:002009-12-28T21:28:31.781-08:00Merry Christmas and a Happy AnniversaryIt was a festive spirit that embodied my being aw we celebrate the joyful Christmas and our anniversary. Unlike last year, I completed the 9 misas de gallo, but now we only attended on the 9th morning. The theme centered on the beacon of light brought by the birth of our Savior. Emmanuel. The homily was meaningfully expressed by the presider centering on our inner peace seeking for the light. For the record, it did not put me into sleep the fact that it was early morning. Instead, it established a trance that supported my faith to experience the inner peace once more. As the light portrays its magnificence in the pangs of darkness and sorrow, I decided and hoped to think outside the box and capture the deepest blessings that I am enjoying-grace. The words that healed my past, strengthened my will power and uplifted my soul have molded me to be strong in life. Grace indeed summarized my limited faculty and the incomprehensibility of the Father. The pride, diligence and hard work that have enthroned my self into the selfish side of the world have been outshone by the immense and immeasurable grace that/Who touched my heart. <br /><br />This Christmas is an inevitable realization that within me, is also an access to the Light and to the Prince of Peace. With this grace, it ignited my inner peace to see the shining light and recognize my blessings.<br /><br />The challenging and fruitful experiences we shared make this "remembering season" remarkable but the time we shared and moments we spent with Him this season make it special. Very special. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6f48GmLAs654IAYVxGuP-idirUd-IU9sXAe3q6xb8X1TL2_siujOMTLam2Mv1At60J5hees7GttZoYO9phrqV6I8l-fYpHCaHAUA03qkfV6F6nOnVCl2jc5e2sj3noLZ-lYAr_Hrg-IU/s1600-h/1_183857705l.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6f48GmLAs654IAYVxGuP-idirUd-IU9sXAe3q6xb8X1TL2_siujOMTLam2Mv1At60J5hees7GttZoYO9phrqV6I8l-fYpHCaHAUA03qkfV6F6nOnVCl2jc5e2sj3noLZ-lYAr_Hrg-IU/s320/1_183857705l.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420524400185516018" /></a><br />:)francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-62182169026945699142009-12-15T00:38:00.000-08:002009-12-15T01:11:12.879-08:00i just don't want to be lonelyI don't mind when you say that you're going away<br />I just don't wanna be lonely,<br />And I don't care if you share only moments a day,<br />I just don't wanna be lonely,<br /><br /><br />I'd rather be loved and needed; depended<br />on to give a love I can't give<br /><br />When you're gone, when you're gone, I just<br />don't want to be lonely. I'd<br />just rather be loved.<br /><br />I don't mind when the time sets the sun to the moon,<br />I just don't wanna be lonely,<br />Let the stairs find you there, at the end of the room,<br />I just don't wanna be lonely,<br /><br />The first line highlights the flickering ego of persona. He doesn’t care about his partner leaving because he just doesn’t want to be lonely. Immature as it may seems but this reminds me of a topic which was discussed by “Paul & Chery” in a radio program - W rock: (note: not really the exact words..but same thought)<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Paul – Ang problema sa inyo mga babae , you always expect from us men things that are humanly impossible- always texting kahit may ginagawa, always keeping in touch, saying “I love you” always, ..bla-bla..<br />(Cherry interrupts: Paul, saying I love you is the least you could do..)<br />Paul (continues) – and the time you want to stop the relationship, you want to go away, you expect us to be vocal at gustong marining ang mga katagang: please don’t go, I need you, ..I don’t want this to end, I love you, I need you (again)..bla, bla….just to feel how important you are. Kailangan pa bang magpakaawa para paniwalaan?<br />Cherry: Xempre, gusto naming malaman kung gaano pa kami kaimportante..<br />Paul: eh, di nga lahat kami kayang banggitin ang mga katagang iyon..not all men are vocal.</span><br /><br /><br />Secluding the feeling of loneliness from other vibrant feelings within us is somehow difficult. It depends on the emotional capability of individual to handle feelings of insecurity and depression. We would definitely seek comfort and emptiness of negative thoughts to vent out these clutters. <br /><br />Most often, we underestimate the power to speak out. We have been preoccupied by some opinions of others. The beauty of expression lies also in the splendid moment of saying the words like, “I just don’t wanna be lonely.”<br /><br />Speaking out your feelings is a common thing that most likely would achieve uncommon results especially in a relationship. We ask it by saying it and then acknowledge when we feel it. Selfish as it may sound, the “just don’t wanna be lonely” thing, can be supplied by an unselfish act of love which straightens the crooked way of bare romance. <br /><br />As others would say, that happiness is subjective, I would also say that it is also a choice. The loneliness we get rid off, doesn’t always have to be tied with the limited love that the other party could or could not give. But the power of words comes into play if we use it effectively in communicating and expressing our feelings.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-60876326665409952072009-11-25T03:06:00.000-08:002009-11-25T03:29:56.265-08:00one shot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCWPT4VgFVoJT5Txludt7RB14SU3WvjnCn1phLczwM80f3f7iowmV2vSV7q1hTr9uP5q2ow-wUpQuOQ45QbvllufNYDjAbST-jtth0g3sfkhj3b0XdTD9yIpH4GCFTBbxgmEcymklcjA/s1600/IMG_3118.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCWPT4VgFVoJT5Txludt7RB14SU3WvjnCn1phLczwM80f3f7iowmV2vSV7q1hTr9uP5q2ow-wUpQuOQ45QbvllufNYDjAbST-jtth0g3sfkhj3b0XdTD9yIpH4GCFTBbxgmEcymklcjA/s320/IMG_3118.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407997036227286642" /></a><br /><br /><br />A time to play for a child is precious. It builds the force and strength within oneself not only physically but also emotionally. Be it in town or in the urban setting, the mind of a child is very free to imagine the things that he/she wants to be. <br /><br />This picture shows the early form of art that is being unleashed by a child. With one's creativity and curiosity, the dream to play and to enjoy has actually been materialized.<br /><br />Simple as it may seem, but this basketball ring unfolds some potential character of a child that would bring him/her towards the track of vision and keeping an eye to that vision.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-78255611942627393802009-11-09T19:25:00.000-08:002009-11-09T19:36:37.065-08:00Imago dei<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEQxl56H5wTPBNkMKNfFZc0S8dCnAE67vE00fIF7uqYz0PQB12B2JT2sVsBghPgpvXcZVaJL2CtPGgQ2oPmT01h4BVfYO6XX4OjxjAMOZafPFXOfxqC-phCpbU41g_oRuiREodyJL6fo/s1600-h/Stone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEQxl56H5wTPBNkMKNfFZc0S8dCnAE67vE00fIF7uqYz0PQB12B2JT2sVsBghPgpvXcZVaJL2CtPGgQ2oPmT01h4BVfYO6XX4OjxjAMOZafPFXOfxqC-phCpbU41g_oRuiREodyJL6fo/s320/Stone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402312140760721506" /></a><br /><br />Too many times, I encountered this evil nature within me. I know that, within this being it strongly casts the emotions that promote personal insecurity, fear and deception. Our old sinful nature which is Satan’s access, somehow, tempts us to cling on to what we call “human nature”. The weaknesses inside has become my stumbling block in every relationship I have. <br />Often times, I base my security on the opinion and acceptance of others. When I feel rejected and unloved, I become insecure and perceive the strengths of other people as threats to my own well being.<br />Sometimes, I tend to cultivate insecurity and jealousy by constantly perceiving a threat that in reality does not exist. Due to the lies I believe about others and myself, my perception towards life is distorted.<br /><br />I know that I have to turn to God through His Word to remind me once again of His unfailing love and acceptance. Through prayer, reflection and active engagement with Him , I will be able to uplift myself as a being in His own image and likeness. Imago dei.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-72625137697530633182009-11-02T23:00:00.000-08:002009-11-02T23:39:20.193-08:00My 31st visitFinally, I came to a standpoint where I exhaled my last breath of doubt. It was a tough thing for me to enter the dragon and meet the parents. The seemingly 50 first dates and forbidden kingdom have made me realize that amidst those long wanderings in the mountain of Black Forest, all of them were part of the long way to their highness. Indeed, it was a tough battle within and outside forces that it took me weeks to formulate the concrete decision and how to modify the traditional ways of visiting my one and only.<br /><br />The traditional ways have been toppled by surprises and magnificence of proper timing. The simplicity of gift that was accompanied by angelic greetings that fit the simple ambience of close family ties. The unexpected friendliness and positive aura I have encountered inhibited my suspicious and negative mind. <br /><br />Within my soul, and beneath my courage, I know that there’s this blissful state tells me to be more patient and humble in taking this path called love.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-50914538147095571482009-08-09T19:16:00.000-07:002009-08-09T19:47:27.706-07:00Linking Subject mattersIn my attempt to prepare my report about conflict management, I came across with different matters concerning Organizational management. Going beyond the bird's eye view of conflict, I encountered the five types of interaction in dealing conflict in workplace. The importance of the interaction to goal attainment and the degree of goal compatibility are the key factors in assessing the situation. Conflict between people acting as individuals and people acting as representatives of groups can be analyzed in terms of relationship among the goals they represent. Reactions to conflict are avoidance, accommodation, compromise, competition and collaboration. Mentioning about collaboration, this is one of the pillars that is being discussed in my research study.<br />Because of the subtopic about collaboration, i have extended my vision on how to create my research design. It was stated that collaboration occurs when the interaction between groups is very important to goal attainment and the goals that each level in an organization represents are compatible. Collaborative relationships can lead to new and innovative ideas and solutions if properly aligned with International Standards that the company implements. I am optimistic that my research proposal is measurable and realistic since it focus on the impact of Quality Management System to the levels of organization.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-73668981083162503122009-06-29T19:32:00.000-07:002009-06-29T21:44:37.347-07:00At start! Graduate!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWdz76dW6v2Ia-i3y1cekvb6h3c-tAPc2ntgAxmS2cJ9oAj-r7w_yd8R_UjNRKnbPO1ZxTxA7g-nsnet5HkUFj0YNLUZUW_qBCNvZzjYsbS17E9UzsBjsfnOy8dhDiYic34_tqmt5pGg/s1600-h/grad+pic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWdz76dW6v2Ia-i3y1cekvb6h3c-tAPc2ntgAxmS2cJ9oAj-r7w_yd8R_UjNRKnbPO1ZxTxA7g-nsnet5HkUFj0YNLUZUW_qBCNvZzjYsbS17E9UzsBjsfnOy8dhDiYic34_tqmt5pGg/s320/grad+pic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352957283413641570" /></a><br />..w/ my mother and sister<br /><br />Graduate at last. But this is not the last, this certainly is the beginning. I want to achieve more and study again. <br /><br />My inner desire to study has been motivating me to be on the right track. I've enrolled to Graduate School, taking up MBA. Since, we have no work during Saturdays, it is an opportune time for me to shape my dream. I have little regret of not starting it earlier. I may be working on my thesis this time. Nonetheless, my work experience will be one of my recipe in dealing the subject matter in a wider speck.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-7992944785843189562009-06-29T01:49:00.000-07:002009-06-29T02:33:51.667-07:00Hung-Hunks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCiF46Whknw0aYe2O51v0BlPgs81G8-eI1B770J_gZa46zcSf7rugCUny3ylxJye0xP2pypeALtm1eJXgO2YfEUQHNzUYz03IH2-HjOqZ_E59VwDCqZyT92-FaEgLa_EJBDZDRtBY57A/s1600-h/1_697816985l.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCiF46Whknw0aYe2O51v0BlPgs81G8-eI1B770J_gZa46zcSf7rugCUny3ylxJye0xP2pypeALtm1eJXgO2YfEUQHNzUYz03IH2-HjOqZ_E59VwDCqZyT92-FaEgLa_EJBDZDRtBY57A/s320/1_697816985l.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352675350194548178" /></a><br /><br />Edward, Carl, Mark, Francisko...during our Christmas (costume) Party...<br />Well, it's delightful to note some of our hang outs during our high school days. After almost a decade, we gathered once again and "renewed" the freshness of friendship. We graduated from different uninversities, but learned one thing in common-- loyalty. <br /><br />Different personalities, different principles in life..yet, able to withstand the differences we possess. <br /><br />hehe, of course, to stanley and jeffrey...ever loyal to laugh at my jokes and always kid me about that "jeepney incident"(vowed not to do that again without checking my backpack.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43Y39OXbADcW4hAJ7eWh6M_cdxE0GnzgZTHqi_r9OxSZAXOPFiceMK_ZoFoStwU8DJZgqaYLO8pbxx0kS0_jJjra6jjdoHPEeWft9N_nFt_b58rxgvhfCQ5p-ogW2IhMaS9Zb7DL-j2E/s1600-h/1_493305120l.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43Y39OXbADcW4hAJ7eWh6M_cdxE0GnzgZTHqi_r9OxSZAXOPFiceMK_ZoFoStwU8DJZgqaYLO8pbxx0kS0_jJjra6jjdoHPEeWft9N_nFt_b58rxgvhfCQ5p-ogW2IhMaS9Zb7DL-j2E/s320/1_493305120l.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352677125276392738" /></a><br /><br /><br />Good thing i kept some of our photos. It's just like having a mere glimpse during that Analytic Geometry exam, spending lunch breaks in a "pugad ng war freak" carinderia, "scavenging" during recess time, availing the P10 siopao during 9:00, playing basketball and video games, learning swimming/diving, gambling (excluding me), drinking, etc.<br /><br />i don't miss u guys..<br /><br />=)francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-59205475926757946272009-06-10T01:01:00.000-07:002009-06-10T01:03:21.090-07:00Paid to Clickhey everyone just want to share this new site I discovered<br /><br />http://hits4pay.com/members/index.cgi?alphascan718<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">france join diri</span>francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-6845725964059494202009-05-25T20:42:00.000-07:002009-05-26T00:01:18.069-07:00Beachy buygallywow!The tropical breeze around the beach brings a total getaway experience. The cozy feeling of resting along the shore allows me to enjoy the natural beauty of the scenery. The white sand and the clear water invite my delightful spirit to plunge into it. All of the splendid features are natural, enabling my tired mind undergo a natural comfort. The magnificent sea views and the corals revive my sense of childlike curiosity. <br /><br />That experience allows me to question oneself, why we tend to seek a certain place just to relax and have a peace of mind? When we are in the office, we suffice our pressured minds by thinking on how we can treat ourselves, such as, outings, shopping and watching movies. Purposely, those places are created just to cater the need of enjoyment and relaxation. We need to relax. We need to unwind. But that doesn’t enclose our minds that going to beaches are the best way to enjoy and relax. Still, there are a hundred and one ways on how to seek relief and enjoyment. Learning something is the best way to accomplish the monotonous tone in our life. In my case, I considered myself a novice in cooking and that’s included in my list where I can practice and learn more. <br /><br />But I would say that an experience in the beach is different and superb.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xk_NHIa4r6RCWGGRORvabjQ-bL6b3Km2vMqjD10d82Q1s54q5uaRnTdMUj_uW7jnBqBni2sX-JfaoXJQKpK1uwVDtveb3LJjolY1cmjOWb3uq6-24JCzlZKRnajbB4gRbYYLm-VEyXM/s1600-h/babosanta_may23'09+060.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xk_NHIa4r6RCWGGRORvabjQ-bL6b3Km2vMqjD10d82Q1s54q5uaRnTdMUj_uW7jnBqBni2sX-JfaoXJQKpK1uwVDtveb3LJjolY1cmjOWb3uq6-24JCzlZKRnajbB4gRbYYLm-VEyXM/s320/babosanta_may23'09+060.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340023174539581874" /></a>francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-5645164754695489392009-05-13T17:27:00.000-07:002009-05-14T19:38:36.404-07:00It all began with I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HSaN4EEi81Uf8MMhKHigsgUWA-bf7rh6jSGaOLzVa_T3NrYWX35jb6mjyavYkgp3L2Trycsg8cjDr-dAi4LXWFLvmSvHkmBNxhdwwc9sAU_TQCm-CLue1stMdH0D4basz_joVNsL_R8/s1600-h/the+indefinite.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HSaN4EEi81Uf8MMhKHigsgUWA-bf7rh6jSGaOLzVa_T3NrYWX35jb6mjyavYkgp3L2Trycsg8cjDr-dAi4LXWFLvmSvHkmBNxhdwwc9sAU_TQCm-CLue1stMdH0D4basz_joVNsL_R8/s320/the+indefinite.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335574131432166690" /></a><br />I was in second year college (not so long ago, hehe) when I drew this portrait. My seatmate asked for it and without any hesitation, I gave it to her. It has been 5 years since I saw this sketch. So, how did I find it? Surprisingly, she uploaded it on her “friendster” account. That time, I instantly grabbed it, and remembered the things that have had happened during my college days. I usually compile my artworks; well most of them are sketches using pencil, ball pen and charcoal, but now, they are gone. They were not stolen or bought by other classmates, but simply I gave it especially during Christmas Party and other occasions. I find it special when the gift is something artistically and patiently made. I gave one of my artworks to one of my friends during her debut and that was the cheapest yet the unique one among the gifts. I have no regrets giving my works the fact that they are just ordinary, but it is my way of extending my self to be their friend. <br /><br />Now, the workload and responsibilities I carry do not provide me a space even for a single stroke. It is only when I attend retreats and recollections that I have the luxury of time to draw. Most people view drawing or painting as an expression. Indeed, it is one way of venting out anger and depression. But one thing is for sure that in every artwork, it is best illustrated when you have the passion for it. When you have the inspiration and willingness to undergo improvement you have the recipe for proactive view in life. For, inspiration and improvement………begin with “I”.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4230681930071228470.post-70589563485102860632009-05-11T19:30:00.000-07:002009-05-11T19:32:50.484-07:00the kaveman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLR6cANH-OgSeSjgTUU8u5hlXt6NQg0nRxquQk60mwQdtvoGGf26VYZDyp2k26b-V9VwXB4jwYIJ6XQxP0Pv6lU98c2Q5CWco-HPXPSzzGw0Cp74KBqp1bIhPZ_w8mhyphenhyphenZxU7vTZTco0EU/s1600-h/edited.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLR6cANH-OgSeSjgTUU8u5hlXt6NQg0nRxquQk60mwQdtvoGGf26VYZDyp2k26b-V9VwXB4jwYIJ6XQxP0Pv6lU98c2Q5CWco-HPXPSzzGw0Cp74KBqp1bIhPZ_w8mhyphenhyphenZxU7vTZTco0EU/s320/edited.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334759736954026098" /></a><br /><br />I won the fight. I was thirsty and sweating all through out. After receiving the vibrant greetings from my team mates, I sat on the floor and dwelled on the fight I had. The rigid training I invested has finally paid off. <br /><br />In one fight, there was this one man who opened my eyes to realm of martial arts. His simplicity overshadowed the mediocrity of all players who stepped in the arena. I noticed him while he was doing his warm up exercise, wherein, the swiftness of kicks and the agile foot works show the amount of passion he portrays. His silence and humility is extraordinary. He exudes an aura of a true martial artist. <br />His first fight was indeed exceptional that facing a much taller opponent wouldn’t be that easy. The moment the referee signalled “fight!” my excitement brought me in euphoria, kept thinking how interesting match it would be. 5 seconds passed when the taller guy threw his kick right into the body, but it was accurately countered attack by a turning kick to the head! The crowd went wild for it was truly a “David and Goliath” scene. The slingshot was magnificent! <br /><br />I was a beginner then, but I pursued my passion practicing the art. A portion of my high school years was dedicated to my life in the gym. I kept on dreaming that someday, I could do that slingshot. Years have passed, and I witnessed him again playing to higher level tournaments. His prowess continued in the arena of full contact sports that he and his elder brother even faced for the grand championship bout. The “kaveman” captured my inner passion to determine in life and to be humble.<br /><br />Now, my practice of the said art has diminished. I have my work and happy about it. But the virtues that I acquired will hopefully transcend me to become the David in facing my own Goliaths in life.francis kohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05034348196132640254noreply@blogger.com0