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.

A Day Of Strike

At night my mind had been programmed about the strike. That's why I felt difficulty got rise early in the morning. Imagined I rose nearly noon time with a stressed body. I attempted to get in the office in the afternoon, but unexpectedly I was trapped in the main city (Cebu) because of the strikers dominating the crossroad of the city thus blocked the roadway of the passenger vehicles.

I decided then to back home from the hot situation there. Otherwise, what I did was bought 2 CDs, used for burning the secret movie, be given to my brothers in faith who got interested in. Not only burning CDs at home, I enthusiastically designed a bookmark with the picture of Karen and her best friend by using the Photoshop. Thru her I got interested more of using the software and enhanced my photo editing skills. Thank You!

Taking The Responsibility

The schedule of bringing together the "D" and "S" of Locale of Lawaan was set last afternoon. Our plan was to go together for a worship service to the Locale of Cebu City, the center of Cebu District.

Our assembly time was 1:00pm in Lawaan Locale. Initially, we estimated only maximum of 30 who would go with us. But during the time it's exceeded even to 40. We got a trouble of our preparation. The # vehicles to be used as well as the amount of snacks for them.

Through the help of Bro. Atilano, we optimistically found ways on how to solve the problem. Instanly the solution immediately surfaced, when his other vehicle was on-the-go to fetch us after several attempts in finding a driver.

Immediately we rushed out going the place and on the way I was doubtful that we could come on time and get in the worship place.

It seemed someone was guiding our way because even in a small amount time we'd still able to come on time and attended the worship service. I know God is the one responsible for coming out the right solutions and guided our way out.

An Impact of MV Princess of the Stars Tragedy

It's already a week time I'd heard the tragedy of MV Princess of the Stars but I kept away on the conversation of my friends and relatives because I didn't want to felt the negative emotion it brought to the people again and again.

Until such time I couldn't anymore afford not to participate the emotional conversation initiated by my mother during the strong downfall of the rain outside our house. Together with my brother they talked about the sad fate of the victims leaving with a great sorrow of their loved ones and relatives.

As they kept on the conversation, I felt deeply touched when I began to imagine myself in such a tragic situation. I realized that life is beyond our control. Life is priceless that must be valued of every moment of time. Even a great amount of wealth can't saved someone's life. Because we're just a borrower of life. That's why it is reasonable that we must give a heartfelt thanksgiving to the owner of life - God.

Because of this event, I commit to myself to regard my life as a treasure to be valued most. To act in accordance to the will of God and to regard and savor good relatioship with my friends, family and love ones. Give it the topmost priority to serve God and render service to humanity as the ultimate mission of everyone living in this world.

Open Source Initiative Meeting

Open Source Technology is the key tool of Blumango Technologies in coming up a systems solutions. All the projects and applications made were developed under the care of open source technologies.

The latest product being launched in the market is the QuickEnroll- a web-based enrollment system developed by the project team of Blumango Technologies using open source.

Part of my marketing effort is to endorse the Quick Enroll to its target market - schools. That's why last morning I decided to drop at the Cebu Technology School to meet with Larry, in charge in the IT department. Through him I was able to meet the important figure of CEDF-IT and at the same time the president of the CTS school. I just call him by his first name Jose. He is so friendly, smart, and knowledgeable in sharing the power of collaboration being encouraged in open source concept.

In fact before I began to formally gave him an overview of the QuickEnroll, he enthusiastically shared their ongoing project of coming up an enrollment system, charging every student with P1.00 per month. It's a straight competition then to QuickEnroll.

But anyhow, I let him talked and shared about more of their open source initiative project. Until such time he offered me a recommendation that their team is willing and open for any collaboration from Blumango Technologies with their existing project and both would gain good profits.

I completely sold out his idea and instantly asked for a collaborative meeting of which he agreed to make it happen as soon as possible. I felt great about the great opportunity being opened. Thank You!