My Learnings From The Cigar Vendor

While waiting for the worship service to start, I noticed a friend of mine Robert Pino, selling cigar at the roadside. I approached him with curiosity to know about his reason in deciding totally to leave the world of salesmanship and venture to his own business.

Unlike from other eyes, at first glance, I considered him doing the best move in his life in moving out to business world. I admired his determination, hardwork, and dedication toward his goals to build someday a big business starting from a very humble kind of business - cigar vendor.

I was so inquisitive in our conversation , thus I got several learning points that inspired me too much. See the following below:

1. it takes boldness to take the high risk of business
2. treat business as the highest paid profession
3. discipline yourself to allot savings from your profits regularly
4. side step from the negative talks of other people
5. be a good friend to hardwork
6. be innovative to take the next level of your business
7. prohibit yourself from any vices
8. avoid that charm of girls
9. start from a little investment then make it grow
10. be God your business partner

Putting Worth Value To Every "No"

The best learning point I got from the PowerSales Seminar I attended last Friday was about the optimistic way of dealing the number of "No" answer in sales.

It was being explained thoroughly by Mr. Joey Reyes thru an example. Say for instance if you are convince that for every "yes" you've got, you need first a 100 number of "No"s. And the value of a single yes would worth a commission for example of P20,000. To get the value of every no the math would be P20,000 divided by 100 would yield to P200 peso value for every "No" answer. Meaning finding the answer of "No" would be worth the effort of earning P200 pesos.

Due to this motivational concept, I was so energetic setting up a goal for the day to make a 25 sales calls. Not minding about the type of answer, because I all know that for every call I made it has a P200 peso value put into it.

Yes approximately without so much effort I able to meet my goal for the day. In fact I have a good conversion rate of 3:25. Thank you!

3rd Meeting Agenda of Lingaw Group

1. Finalization:
Company Name
Company Vision/Mission/Goals /Values
Organizational Structure

2. The Making (Binding Agreement)
3. Business ToDo List
a. business bank account
b. investment funding
c. company branding initiatives
* logo
* calling cards
* website
d. group devotional schedule
e. submission of resumes
f. binding agreement signing
g. readership of the “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind
h. marketing/business plan

The Power of Mind

I affirmed to the consideration that Mind is Power.

I had been into so many situations where a difficult scenarios or problems surfaced. And so many times I acted upon my thoughts unconciously that made me to act of what I was not expected to happen.

As I went back studying my thoughts, I discovered that the programmed installed in my mind so many years ago, during my childhood days. That in every difficult situation the right response would be to let myself down. Feeling sad and worry about what to do. I observed that the more worry about the situation the more it becomes worser.

The Law of Attraction is right and operating always. We become because of what we predominantly allow into our mind.

Mind is Power. Either to your success or failure. By taking advantage of its power, its up to us to guide the power into the right channel we want to happen.

And the power of it will work accordingly.

"Thoughts Become Things" - an excerpt from the book *The Secret*

In a Meeting

Last morning I was being informed by Sir Bingo to have a meeting by 3:30pm.

I prepared myself by making another followup and sales calls to the prospects in the pipeline. The training that I attended last friday made me inspired to make into application especially the concept of loving the "No"'s because it has a worth value. I put a value of 200 pesos per No answer of the prospect.

I was reminded that I had set an appointment in ASTRO. Before I went there I made a confirmation call and it was confirmed from them to pursue. I rushed out the office at 1pm with Hyacinth for the appointment.

Hyacinth and me were amazed on how I dealth with the Indian Programmers warmly as though we're close friends already. In fact I oftentimes broke a joke from them.

We went back in the office at 4pm already but still we had a meeting with Sir Bingo. I apologized to him the uncontrolled situation from our meeting in ASTRO that's why we came back late.

I had discussed to him about the prospects status in the pipeline and the next steps to do.

The Filipino Language

Last Night during my study of the lesson for PNK worship service, I decided to use the Filipino Language instead of the vernacular "Cebuano". I felt so awkward during my review.

By the time I delivered my preaching I felt a little nervous that surfaced in my tone of voice. But when I persisted to do my best boldy, I was able to conquer my fear or nervousness. In fact I didn't expect in the process that I internalized what I'd told thru reflection of myself.

Thank you that I made it with prowess and confidence thru the guidance of our almighty God.

My HeartFelt Thanks To The PowerSpeak Speaker

Hello Sir Joey,

Greetings!

Thank you so much for your valued training on Power Sales, conducted here in Cebu, that you'd shared to us. I deeply impressed the way you instilled in our hearts and minds your helpful thoughts that inspired me too much to live it. I won't forget you ever!

Hope you still remember me. The little one who was in front row and offered you the software you needed to personalize your mass email marketing. It's my honor to share it with you.

To confirm the validity of your email, please send me a reply in return of the software.

Best Regards,

ARMIL VELOS
Marketing Manager
EMSSI
+63 32 416-0031
+63 32 346-7163
armil.velos@blumango.com
Skype: armil.velos

The Postpone Meeting Schedule

Upon my arrival in the office, I immediately received a call from Sir Bingo, informing me about his important email.

I found out that he requested me to send to the top management a Marketing Report. From the list of my daily todo items, I gave the creation of marketing report the highest priority apart from my set followup schedules and prospecting calls.

After lunch, I got a call from our General Manager about the immediate appointment requested from ASTRO. Because I put clients or prospects the most important among other things, I decided to leave my other important tasks. I went in hurry together with Sir Dacs(project manager) and Ms. Hyacinth(OJT) riding in taxi.

We arrived at 15 minutes past of 3pm and being inquired from the guard of our reason for coming. I told him that we had an appointment with Captain Paca.

Unfortunately we'd got an info that he was attending a seminar. Two of the staff entertained us and trying to contact their manager to get an info.

We appreciated their warmed welcome with visitors. Several minutes past we'd got the exact info that their software developer whom them they outsourced had got interested in our Company to outsource the encoding task of their developed system. But unfortunately he was out in the office for a reason.

They decided to reschedule our meeting with him because he was unreachable. Instead of being desperate we found ourselves happy meeting with them at same time had a good feeling with my colleagues camaraderie going back at office.

At the office I continued my tasks and made the marketing report requested from my marketing team. Thanks God for the positive programs you've installed in my mind.

Working Beyond My Uncomfortable Zone

Thank you for the reminder of our church resident minister about my church obligation after the busy working time.

Upon I received the text from him, I decided to go to the venue instead going directly to my home. I worked it out beyond my uncomfortable zone of being so exhausted from work. Yes I did it while waiting outside thru a conversation with 'tatay' Rafael. I was so inquisitive to learn from his experiences in life and asked some sort of business advice. I discovered that he had an expertise of raising 'tilapya' in his hometown of Mactan.

I also being knowned to Bro. Carlito Gomiwa. He has the experience of preparing business juice and he told me the good profits it brings. I asked him the help to teach the way he did to make it saleable and the good preparation of it. Thank you that he was so opened to support me.

Because of such valuable conversation and investigation, I was able to lift myself inspired and energetic.

CEOs' Conference Meeting

The night of the stakeholders of the Lingaw Holdings, Inc. was a memorable and good thing to reminisce.

Our meeting was guided with the agenda below:

1. An Overview
2. Company Vision/Mission/Goals
3. Business Plan
a. IlawResumes.com website
b. LingawLechon Enterprise
c. Financing Initiatives
d. Joint Ventures Initiatives
e. Foundation Initiative
4. Legal Matters and Stakeholders Agreement
5. Next Action Plans
a. Open a Business Bank Account
b. Investment Funding
c. Organizational Setup
d. Stakeholder Contract Agreement
e. Joint Venture Agreement
f. Company Branding Initiative
g. LingawLechon Planning
h. Readership of "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind"

I went home nearly at 12.00 midnight.

Being A Peacemaker

Late in the afternoon, I observed my marketing partner was in deeply depressed that brought me to attention more when I noticed she was crying unknowingly.

I noticed that she was deeply in trouble and difficulty in expressing her thoughts. I sympathized with her by suggesting her to share with me her thoughts and emotions.

I made several attempts to persuade her to do so for her to lighten her emotions. Until an hour later she freely opened up to me her hurt feelings with our superior to the extent that she decided to file a resignation.

I know it was just an impulse of being swayed by her emotions. I kept on suggesting her good ways on how to overcome and resolved the issue.

Through my good intention to resolved the conflict between them I let the two parties came together in our private conference room. I listen emphatically both of their stated words and sensed the emotional feelings they portrayed. I let them talke by at a time thoroughly and persistenly kept myself on listening.

After knowing their both sides and expressed their emotions thoroughly, I began asking from them in finding ways to resolve the issues. And it was effective because they were so participative and cooperative in my intention to come up a resolution.

The Church Brotherhood Bonding

I enjoyed so much together with my brothers and sisters in faith during our visitation at the Locale of Carcar. The area meeting was a memorable happy acquaintance with our brethren from 6 different locales.

From the beginning 'til the end of the meeting a joyous momentum was maintained throughout the session. We, the district officers, were so accommodating and welcomed warmly our brethren in faith. I felt really the good bonding among us. We complimented each other weaknesses and synergized our strengths toward our noble purpose. Thank you God for helping us!

Children's ThankGiving Worship Service

After several days of studying, reviewing, and practicing the lesson intended to be delivered for the Children's Worship Service, I found myself at the platform delivering with prowess, confidence, and enthusiasm the Gospel of God. I know God had answered my prayers and gave me thy strength and intelligence to formulate the right words used in my preaching.

I remembered that I wore a decent formal attire, lent from our resident minister. I felt comfortable of the attire that gave me the stand with confidence in the platform. During the worship service, I felt the presence of God especially during the song of praises and prayers.

It gave me strength to abide the commandments of God and be consistent to live in righteousness.

Law of Attraction Is Working At My Favor

I got an appointment in Aboitiz with Darryl Salingay,the system administrator. At first I felt nervous meeting him but as the time passed by and able to relate with him thru a small talk. We had then made good friends and in fact he opened up an opportunity to do business with my company. I identified their need of an outsourcing to someone in setting up a network cabling and design in their Iloilo branch.

I established a good rappot with him to the extent that thru him I'd known to my relative Rex Velos who it time was the same name of my younger brother. I was amazed of the coincidence happened.

I left in Aboitiz feeling so good. Not only that, even in the internet cafe I rented just to passed my marketing report, I didn't expect that one of my yahoo messenger friends gave me a private message. And willingly accepted my business proposal to him about establishing a Piggery Business. I owed the opportunity to succeed thru my good friend AMINU HAMIDU. Thank You!

I believe that the Law of Attraction is helping me to reach out my dreams to have a business empire and live life with Time and Financial Freedom. Having then capability to extend a great help to mankind.

Being A Secretary

After my meeting at Golden Peak with Mr. Caesar Bacaroesas, I got home early at 4:30pm, charging myself an undertime work.

Time ticked too fast that made myself prepared to attend the worship service. When I heard the voice of Eduard knocking at our door in a hurry. He requested me to take the responsibility of a secretary during the worship service because the new secretaries had an oathtaking.

I hardly couldn't decline of responsibility being assigned to me at instant. Because of the call of time and need.

The event reminisced my experiences of being a secretary in a quite number of years, during my high school years.

The time I experienced it again was seemed awkward but satisfying.

Blucode Training Brainstorming

I enjoyed with our brainstorming together with Maam Shiela and Mavi. We came together in the conference room and brainstormed about the preparation for the implementation of the Blucode Training Program.

Maam Shiela did the writing and guided the flow in the whiteboard while Mavi took charge of jotting notes. I just only sitted and shared my ideas or thoughts of how to go about. I observed that my intuition was working properly thru the motivation of Maam Shiela.

It seemed I had an abundant ideas with regard to the said training that I couldn't imagine. Thru the contribution of Maam Shiela and Mavi as well, our purpose was so successful in plotting out the guidelines of the training.

We got in the room at 5:30pm and spent 1 hour in time only then going out at 6:30pm.

The Kick-off Meeting

At last the meeting being postponed several times had been came into reality. Together with Bro. Ruben Licera and other committed brethren, had brainstormed our initial planning of coming up a website. The website basically intended to support brethren and religious activities.

In the meeting I opened up the overview flow of the website and its purpose. I felt in them the willingness and commitment in their faces to undergo the endeavor. Even then to extent they were willing to invest their time, effort, and money on this project.

We trained ourselves to "Think Big and Start Small" as being shared by Bro. Ruben Licera.

Witnessing The Presentation Of My Colleagues

I was invited by my marketing colleagues to be with them in their presentation at Cebu International School. They tended to present the QuickEnroll and Netfusion Academic Portal developed by Blumango Technologies.

We got in the place 15 minutes early and felt the coldness in the place. We waited and relaxed at enough time. Preparing my colleagues at ease and got familiarize the place.

The presentation was attended by 3 of the CIS personnel led by Ms. Emma Peligro. It formally started with the introduction of Ms. Faith, the marketing executive. She introduced Ms. Mavi our CRO, Mr. Raffy our development guy, and me as the marketing manager.

Suddenly Ms. Mavi took place the platform presenting the QuickEnroll with good poise and confidence. She had a good diction and presented the product effectively to the audience with a well-modulated voice. While Ms. Faith did energetically the demo of the application by presenting the features in the actual application window .

After the presentation, several questions were raised from us. In which we cooperatively answered or addressed all their queries. We observed that Ms. Emma dominated in asking questions to the very details. She wanted some sort of customization based on their requirements that our standard QuickEnroll doesn't support.

We friendly agreed to her request by suggesting her to treat her ideas as a new project adhering our software development process. Thru the help of Mr. Raffy he was able to capture the overview requirement needed for coming up a proposal for her perusal.

We got back in the office happily bringing about the good news to our General Manager, Shiela Lesaca.

My Leadership Perspective

I was requested by Bro. Ruben Licera to make a talk about on Leadership for the Christian Youth Meeting in the Locale of Alaska.

I couldn't afford to neglect the opportunity to share my ideas to my brethren in faith. Because I believe the more I share my ideas learned the more I would internalize and live it

During the meeting, I told them that all of us are leaders at the different arena of life. Like for instance, if you have a younger sister or brother, you are then a leader to them, a model to follow. But a good leader in an organization is a different thing in relation to the type of responsibility.

Every leader must be a good follower. No leader or no one is not a follower. All of us live as a follower and a leader. For example in a situation you have younger brother/sister and you set to be a leader to them at the same time a follower to your parents.

In organization most oftenly a leader subordinates will look at you being a good follower to others. In church aspect being a good follower to God commandments.

Being a leader is not an overnight task its a journey. You must equipped with good characters. Above all ingredients for good leadership, the one I considered most is the proactivity attitude of a certain leader.

Because proactivity is taking a good initiative of what should be best attitutde that conforms to values or principles in life.

I stressed out also the difference between a proactive and reactive people. Proactive people know that in a stimulus and response and in between there's a little gap - your freedom to choose what kind of response based on your values.

The best determinants in identifying a proactive and reactive person is true their language. Proactive people tend to be optimistic or positive in their language while reactive people always look at barriers or negative side.

Proactive people focus on opportunities while reactive people focus on obstacles.

Thank you!

Part of the Church History

I remembered that I woke up early in the morning to prepare myself in the business presentation scheduled at 9:30am, together with my office colleagues.

Suddenly, I received a call from the resident minister of Locale of Lawaan with the message of request to lead the first children worship service in the newly opened Locale extension worship service in Lagtang, Talisay City, Cebu.

I couldn't say no of the calling responsibility as being a preacher in the children worship service. What I did was deciding to give top priority of God's service and set aside the business meeting. I immediately contacted our General Manager to take charge the meeting.

The first children worship service was a historical and memorable for all. Not only the venue was well-prepared as well as the number of children attended the said service showed so much excitement in their faces. I did the preaching with prowess and had lead a heartfelt prayer. And I signed a memorabilia with the signatures of pillar church officers.

Lexmark Proposal Meeting

I don't know exactly why I had a good feeling of conversing with Ms. Michelle Boston of Lexmark. The one in charge for the procurement of software services. It seemed I've been known her so long. I felt comfortable with her either on phone or personal.

A feeling like my sister or whatsoever relative in aspect. Our conversation before the meeting got started was natural like a long time friends. I guess because of her admiring personality with a well-modulated voice of respect to others. I know she's smart enough but still I found her humble and at low profile.She knows very well how to listen with the intent to understand others point of view.

I treasured very much the moment I'd known to her!

Nice Conversation

I could say that the business meeting with Mr. Lowell Laurente, the System Admin of Budget Builders Inc. was a good result of our nice conversation.

I came to his office at exactly 9am, the set schedule for our meeting. I felt so much comfortable when my previous student in St. Paul College warmly welcomed me and introduced me beforehand to Mr. Lowell.

I established well a good rapport with Mr. Lowell thru a mini talk about his expertise and previous trainings attended. The conversation then was naturally flowed towards business aspect. In which he opened up his major requirement to have a web-based ERP. He wanted to request from my company for the development of the said requirement or project. In fact we set the day of July 23,2008 for another meeting discussion, intended for coming up a proposal.

I know I'm starting to reap what I sowed last year in putting so much effort to market our product and services. I have already the character of persistence and hardworking which I considered the spices of success.

Appointments' Day

I spent my whole day round in attending the appointments I had set yesterday.

Early in the morning I rose and went to jogging. That's gave me an energy through the day.

My first appointment was with Mr. Eric Mesina of Lexmark International Corp. at 9:00 am in the morning. I was so impressed with Lexmark's building structure and cleanliness being maintained in the vicinity. Our conversation was in a semi-formal wherein he oftenly asked questions about the credibility of my company with due regards to projects management and expertise. My brochures helped me in convincing to him about my blumango's proven capability and expertise to the services being offered to the market. The conversation then went smoothly about his inquiries of the services. In fact he got interested with the Document Management System and requested to have the demo in their other branch at Ayala Park.

The second appointment was together with Sir Bingo, Maam Shiela, Mavi and Bernard in a meeting with the Makoto Vice-President or General Manager thru the endorsement of Ms. Crisanta Anonat, the IT Manager. The discussion was all about their concern of website development. We ended the meeting by suggesting to evaluate our prototype design of their website at no cost from them.

The third appointment was with the newly hired IT Manager of Daiichi company, Mr. Corpin. I got from him a need of additional IT personnel as assistant as well as found his interest with our Blucode Project Training. I got also with him a referral from aboitiz company.

All the daytime was very satisfying, self-fulfilling, and worthwhile to me.

Time to Relax

I came home early and got together with my parents and brother watching television while my other brother had enjoyed playing computer games.

I programmed my mind to take over the computer after relaxing myself by watching television. But that night was a different scenario, because a neighbor of ours begged to my brother to help him the installation of necessary software of his newly bought computer set. My brother only charge him a little and accepted the work load.

That's why I wasn't able to have time working on my online business but allowed my brother to extend a service to our neighbor who trusted my brother's expertise.

What I did was got a sleep early and got a good time to relax my exhausted body of working during the daytime.

Energy Source

Almost a month past I felt exhausted from my work. Trying very hard in everyday work time, aiming to hit the monthly goals. Until such time I felt unproductive and stressful to go work because of a number of disppointments encountered. I was so depressed and discouraged to persist working hard.

But thanks for my learnt proactive attitude, I observed my emotions and studied the root cause of such negative feelings overwhelming my self condition. I discovered that I let myself to focus seriously in my short-term goals, forgetting about my long-term goals. That's why I felt that when failures fall behind. It seemed it was the end of the world.

When I tried to review my reasons of working still in the company, looking back my set long-term goals or career goals. I felt energized and inspired to stand boldly and move on.

I know I'm a one step forward to my realization of my long-term goals. Thanks God for helping me out!

Being A Preacher

Last Tuesday I received an assignment to lead the 2 children worship services at close time interval, the schedule of 8:30am and 10:00am.

I reviewed the lesson last night in just 10 minutes. Just to get familiar of the lesson as well as constructing good followup questions for a good interaction with the children.

I had just got my light breakfast before the first responsibility. Of course, I asked the guidance of God to give me the skills and power to lead his people and to preach with prowess. Yes, I did it with enthusiasm and happiness deep inside, fullfilling my first responsibility.

From that point of time, I hurriedly went to the second venue of children worship service in the place of Kabangkalan. I was expecting there to see the beautiful sister named Beth, who in time an officer in supervision of the children. And it happened I found here glad seeing one time again.

Personally I admired her good character as well as her innate beauties, projected outwardly. The feeling was different during my preaching moments of which I couldn't afford to look at her eyes, as she being part of the audience.

As I going back home, I tried to uncover the different feeling I noticed when I met Beth. After a long consideration , I found out that its simply and admiration for some good things to appreciate. And its my way of life - To be grateful for all the beauties and blessings God has made on earth.

Persistence Training

I counted 17 worship services that I already attended since the time I started trained myself the character of persistence.

It's a common temptation for everybody to feel often times sleepy or else lingering one's mind outside during a church worship service. For me in dealing this one, I decided to prohibit myself from moving any part of the body except my lips and eyes until my set number of verses would be reached.

I began to discipline myself, stiffen my body, at 5 verses initially. Then adding 1 verse for each succeeding worship service time. I'm now at the stage of 11 verses out of the standard of 15 verses. Imagine I almost spent throughout the service time.

Through this, I observed that I able to practice persistence from any distraction, body pain, urge to move, and other wanting. At first its very difficult to do it at once. But as the time passed by and did it one step at a time, I successfully did it with ease.

I believe I could apply this to my real life situation especially my willingness to achieve my financial goals - Financial Freedom. I know it needs a strong character of persistence to keep going forward.

My Financial Role Model

I've got to continue reading the book entitled "John L. Gokongwei Jr. - The Path of Entrepreneurship". It states the life of John Gokongwei as an entrepreneur. Revealing his entrepreneural strategies in building his business empire. And most importantly, the attitudes he practiced and lived throughout his journey.

Here are the following key attitudes or values that bring John to the peak of his success in achieving financial and time freedom.

1. Hardwork - "Gokongwei believes that hardwork is the most important factor in his success."

2. Frugality - "He saved very little and saved a lot."

3. Education - "Gokongwei placed high value on education that he made the time to enroll in the MBA Program..."

Through these findings, I tend to admire and practice the attitudes of Hardwork, Frugality, and value to education. That's why my decision to leave this year. A year of character-building development is crucial and in the right move towards realizing my financial goals.

Still Need Motivation

Now I fully understand thru my personal experience that every human being needs recognition, appreciation or good thoughts and motivation of others. Even if he spent most of his time reading great motivational books and even knowned as the dynamic and most admirable motivational speaker. Still he is not considered a good motivational one to himself. No man really is a great teacher to his own self.

That's why the old saying still holds true forever "No Man is an Island".

I could reflect the situation when I was trying very hard to motivate and inspire myself to work very hard in my marketing effort to bring good profits to the company. When I opened my email, I didn't expect to read the inspiring statement I read:

"MARKETING is our KEY. I BELIEVE in your capability. I BELIEVE we can do it. BULHOOT BLUMANGO!"

It sparked my sensation a great feeling of inspiration and motivation to move forward because someone has a trust in my ability to succeed.

An Appointment in Lexmark

We hurriedly ran our appointment time at 2:00pm in the Lexmark Company. We dropped in the taxi at the doorway of Innove Building at around 1:55pm.

In short, we arrived on time of the meeting with the Manager of Lexmark Software Services, Michelle Medina-Boston. I also met Richard Castro their Hardware Mechanical Engineer of Lexmark Printer Division.

We had a good discussion of their software requirements about a requestor system. It is an immediate requirement of the Printer Division under the primary concern of Mr. Richard Castro.

I observed together with Ms. Shiela Lesaca, our General Manager, that we successfully made a good rapport with them before going to the proper business discussion. The meeting was formally started by discussing to them our company profile and capabilities of which they raised questions out of it.

After satisfying their questions thru a direct and honest answers based on our knowledge and experiences. Mr. Richard opened up their prepared requirements presentation thru a prototype of the system he wanted to outsource from Blumango Technologies. He thoroughly discussed to us the flow and details of the expected system.

We found out that their requirements are not so tough to develop. And because of that we made a statement that as soon as possible within the week we could come up a proposal of the project.