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	Friday, January 20, 2006

Fulfillment can be found in Many Places Filed under: On Life We form mostly our life’s theories on the people we meet, the circumstance we experience, and the books we read. As they say, if you spend your years in a suburban city, or in a big city, or you associate mostly with church going people, or hard nosed businessmen, then you can form radically different conclusions on life, people and business. These are not necessarily always correct, but then again, your perception defines your thoughts and who is to say you are not right? I looked therefore at people who work in emergency section of hospitals, and I see that they just constantly meet a stream of people who have been stabbed, robbed, or meet with (more…) 7:17:46 PM     comment []   trackback []

The Lion and the Mouse (or Biting the hand that Feeds) This is a favorite of mine on Aesop. Aesop’s fables, for all its simplicity , amazingly is a good source for stories in teaching management and life values. “There was once a mouse who approached a lion. “Lion, ” , the mouse says, ” I have had difficulty running away from beasts who want to eat me. Are you ok if I just live atop your head. I am light, and you will hardly feel it.” The lion consented, and the mouse started to perch himself atop. More and more, the mouse noted that all the beasts started to pay him respect, and even bowed to him when he passed. As days passed, he started to regain in confidence, when at length, he started to feel (more…) 7:13:13 PM     comment []   trackback []

	Saturday, January 14, 2006

Two Different Interpretations on the Same Facts This gift of story came from Robert: Some years ago, a large American shoe manufacturer sent two of its sales reps to different parts of the Australian outback. The company hoped that it would drum up some business among the Aborigines. It was a risky venture, but the firm realized how many new customers could be gained if the venture was successful. After each rep had spent a few weeks in the outback, the shoe company received two faxes: “There is no hope for new business here,” reported one rep. “The Aborigines don’t even wear shoes! It’s not part of their culture. Couldn’t we have researched this earlier (more…) 6:34:34 AM     comment []   trackback []

The Pencil Story This one comes from Cliff. A pencilmaker told the pencils 5 important lessons: 1st: everything you do will always leave a mark 2nd: you can always correct the mistakes you make 3rd: what is important is what is inside you 4th: in life you will undergo painful sharpenings w/c will make you a better pencil and the most important is.. 5th: to be the best pencil you can be, you must allow yourself to be held & guided by the hand that holds you! 6:33:59 AM     comment []   trackback []

HOw to Stay Young Here’s one from Glendz on How to Stay Young: 1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them. 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. 3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. ” 4. Enjoy the simple things. 5. Laugh often … long and loud. Laugh until (more…) 6:33:27 AM     comment []   trackback []

Execution is the Key I got this quote submitted by Chichi … It is a great quote from Theodore Roosevelt about the critic — we always know how things can be done better, but it is the doing, not the criticizing that get the medals. It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. -Theodore Roosevelt As I keep telling the people, ” There never was a status of honor erected for the person for what he said he will do, or intended to do.” 6:25:33 AM     comment []   trackback []

A Life that Makes A Difference  Here’s the second Gift of Story. This is from Emmylou, which she says comes from a a story from Steve Goodier’s popular book ” A Life that Makes a Difference.” “How do you account for your remarkable accomplishment in life?” Queen Victoria of England asked Helen Keller. “How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?” Ms. Keller’s answer is a tribute to her dedicated teacher. “If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller (more…) 6:24:29 AM     comment []   trackback []

Project Smile - Gift of Story1 During my birthday last week, I asked my colleagues that instead of giving me presents, they give me the gift of story…. something that is touching, and give us life’s lessons can be as valuable as any physical present, I said. Or any quotes, or life’s lessons that they have to share. Many of my friends responded, and I am going to slowly post them. In fact, I am creating a new category, the Gift of Story to put them. I hope even if it is not my birthday, if you have nice stories to share, send it to me! Here is one that came from Charis Bacolod. I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed (more…) 6:23:17 AM     comment []   trackback []

Great Business and Tech Links Here are some links you might be interested to read: - Is it better to franchise or to go solo? - The best and worst of Technology for 2005 - Web sites that allows users to send email to the future. - China now world’s fourth largest economy, if including service adjustments and Hong Kong. Only behind United States, Japan and Germany. 6:22:12 AM     comment []   trackback []

Lessons In Leadership Fortune Magazine in its Dec 12, 2005 edition have an interesting report on Lessons in Leadership, which asked some questions from seven respected CEOs about leadership. Here are some of the highlights and quotes: There is a heirarchy of commitments. On the highend, you have disciples — people who really believe in what you’re doing (more…)   The Greatest Management Secret in the World Sometimes, you have a once in a bluemoon chance to try to push your viewpoint. Last December 15 was my 40th birthday, and I took the opportunity of their goodwill to send a note to my colleagues in the business about certain management principles I wish they would remember…. Here’s the note, and I look forward to your opinion. ————– Thanks for all your greetings. I am feeling old,,, and feeling a little bit like an old sage who would now rather talk than run, I am going to share with you freely an advice that I think has been invaluable to my personal and business success. Just take it as my birthday gift to you…. 20 years ago, as I was nearing graduation of college, I bought a book entitled the greatest management secret (more…) 6:21:27 AM     comment []   trackback []

Knowledge Revolution Gems Here are some great excerpts from Newsweek 2006 special Issue, the Knowledge Revolution. 1. Given the ease with which capital can move to the smartest, most efficient, most reliable work force, having more skilled and capable workers than the next country becomes essential for attracting and holding the best jobs for the longest time. - Tom Friedman, author of “The World is flat: A Brief History of the Twenty First Century”. 2. The Popular Idea that America is one step smarter and more sophisticated than its rivals is a dangerous myth …. the United States not only has a deficit on commodities and cheap manufactured goods, it also has a deficit on agricultural products and high tech products…. From a surplus of $30 billion in 1998, the high tech trade currently runs at a deficit of $40 billion. - Clyde Prestowitz, president of Economic Strategy Institute. 3. We have to understand that competition can’t be shut out. In the end, it can only be beaten…. Success will go to those companies and countries which are swift to adapt, slow to complain, open and willing to change. - Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister 4. Amid a great information explosion, the share of knowledge that the world puts to good use is falling. History tells us this will end badly. - Danny Quah, professor of economics at London School of Economics. 6:19:24 AM     comment []   trackback []

Understanding what comes First   As managers, it is our duty to see that people are happy and productive. Many managers feel the obligation that their focus is to make their people happy with the fallacy that happy people are productive. That was one of the things that after so many years I found out not true. People are happy because (more…) 6:17:54 AM     comment []   trackback []

Who is the More Valuable Employee? I was reading this story to my kid, when it occured to me that sometimes values may differ, and sometimes, we have to look into things twice to make sure that we are teaching the right lessons. What do you think? —– There was once a king who wanted to choose a successor among his two sons. So he called them forward, and told them. “I am getting old. I am giving each of you a flower pot, and a flower (more…) 6:09:59 AM     comment []   trackback []

A week ago, I wrote that we are not that good to be humble yet. It means most of us have to constantly promote ourselves until we can make our name. Here is a nice poem from WS Gilbert on it. ” If you wish in this world to advance your merits you’re bound to enhance, you must stir it and stump it and blow your own trumpet, or trust me, you haven’t a chance. ” 6:04:19 AM     comment []   trackback []

For the last 2 days, I have enjoyed a chat with my friend, Wilton. He has had a rich and varied life, and he was once a leading executive of a store chain where he helped build it from 2 stores to more than 20. A few years ago, he had a near death experience. In fact, he was actually a flatliner for some half minute. Then miraculously, he was given a secnod lease to life. Two years ago, he retired. He now teaches entrepreneurship in a leading school, as well as do a lucrative consultancy and also invests in some startups. He now made a conscientious choice to do only the things he enjoys, and take it easy. “Everyday, when I need to make decisions, I have one criteria — do I want to earn more money, or live longer? After nearing death, you start to appreciate life better. Now, I spend most time mentoring people about my experiences. ” He is a respected consultant, and everybody goes to him for wisdom and advice, even the biggest corporations. But he says no to most of them. He is a success because instead of trying to get richer, he choose to live a richer life. 6:01:34 AM     comment []   trackback []

	Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Most entrepreneurs are self made people. They are people who see opportunities rather than problems. A large part of them tend to be too confident or too optimistic. While this positive disposition helps them gets started, the act of going into business with your own, in which you hold on the reins the potential of your rise and fall ( and including that of others) does add a lot of pressure, and introduce a lot of worries than if you are just merely employed. One of the things that is important to succeed, or to sustain success is the ability (more…) 6:13:44 AM     comment []   trackback []

There was once a woodcutter who cut wood for a living. One day, he lost his ax. He could not find it. He looked here and there, and it wasn’t to be found. He looked at his neighbor’s son. It must be him again! He was still 7 years old, but the kid could be mischievous. Yes, the woodcutter convinced himself — the kid is capable of hiding my ax! He looked at the way the kid moved — the way he talk, the way he answered my questions, the way his eyes diverted when I asked, yes, I am almost (more…) 6:13:22 AM     comment []   trackback []

I just wondered into this old Chinese folk story, and thought that even after hundreds of years, people are still basically the same. The son has gotten in a new wife, and later they find out just how ‘ smart’ the wife is. The wife now prepares some food for the parents in law. When the father in law tasted the rice, he said, ” Uhmmm, the rice is so good. ” ” Yes , father”, said the daughter in law. ” I was the one who prepared it.” After two spoonfuls, the father noted that and commented that the rice had a couple of very small pebbles. “I’m sorry. father”, said the daughter in law.” It was sister in law who chose and bought the rice.” After a few more spoonfuls, the father noted that the rice at the bottom of the bowl was badly burned. ” Oh, father,” said the daughter-in-law. ” It was mother who kindled the fire that was used to cook the rice. She must have overdone it.” Do you know people who are like this? 6:10:24 AM     comment []   trackback []

For the last 2 days, I have enjoyed a chat with my friend, Wilton. He has had a rich and varied life, and he was once a leading executive of a store chain where he helped build it from 2 stores to more than 20. A few years ago, he had a near death experience. In fact, he was actually a flatliner for some half minute. Then miraculously, he was given a secnod lease to life. Two years ago, he retired. He now teaches entrepreneurship in a leading school, as well as do a lucrative consultancy and also invests in some startups. He now made a conscientious choice to do only the things he enjoys, and take it easy. “Everyday, when I need to make decisions, I have one criteria — do I want to earn more money, or live longer? After nearing death, you start to appreciate life better. Now, I spend most time mentoring people about my experiences. ” He is a respected consultant, and everybody goes to him for wisdom and advice, even the biggest corporations. But he says no to most of them. He is a success because instead of trying to get richer, he choose to live a richer life. 6:08:08 AM     comment []   trackback []

This is a business or technology blog, but if people will ask me now what is my most important business at hand, I would say that it is to teach your children well. The same way I answered before that the most important job of a CEO is not to grow the company, I guess I am more cognizant of long term thinking than when I started. If many of us profess that we are engaging in business that we will ultimately hand over to our children, or that we are doing all these for the sake of our children, it is wise that this early, you make sure that your kids are equipped to handle life and the business when the time comes. Time should be devoted, and resources and planning (more…) 6:07:05 AM     comment []   trackback []

A few months ago, I wrote that we don’t need a reason to be happy. Last night, I went to sleep thinking about What Matters. This morning, I awoke up tense. It was a sunday, and there were dozens of things to rush. Then I paused. I told myself that instead of trying to rack up things to do for the day, I would just resolve to be happy. I looked up my old files. I located my list ten years ago of what I would like to accomplish ten years hence. I have done most of it, and now I have new things and mountains to conquer. But while i resolve to do more, there was undoubtedly at this day, no reason to be unhappy. Life is good, if we only take time to savor it. And for sure, we can do more when we start off with a sunny disposition. More and more, I should remind myself that being happy is simply a resolve to put happiness first. 6:05:44 AM     comment []   trackback []

	Monday, November 07, 2005

I have two passions in life - management and technology. Underpinning these 2 passions is actually also a lifelong interest in logic, and whodunit mysteries. I grew up reading detective books, and the twists and turns, as well as the logic that they have brought into the discipline stayed with me, and inspired a continuing interest in puzzle solving and IQ (more…) 7:43:16 AM     comment []   trackback []

I was talking to a friend for a long time. He is quite qualified, but he has been hitting snags in his life. He tries so hard, I thought to myself, yet he has not been making it. Then it suddenly hit me — maybe because he works too hard to make people like him. There is nothing wrong with working hard to be liked, but if I have my take, the more appropriate goal for you is to work hard to be respected. Yes, there is a difference. (more…) 7:41:18 AM     comment []   trackback []

I got this from the mail from my friend, Rene Ledesma of EverGreen Marine. It certainly is a touching piece. This poem was reportedly written by a terminally ill young girl in a New York Hospital who will never have a chance to live a full life, and wish us to appreciate that we will. Are we counting our problems, instead of our blessings? SLOW DANCE Have you ever watched kids On a merry-go-round? Or listened to the rain Slapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight? Or gazed at the sun into the fading night? You better slow down. Don’t dance so fast. Time is short. The music won’t last. (more…) 7:40:46 AM     comment []   trackback []

I agree wholeheartedly with Small Business Trends that implementing change is key to successful entrepreneurship. I still remember that HP quote that it is not the biggest nor the best that will necessarily survive the competition, but those that can adapt that will thrive. Another thumbs up for the very often repeated ” the only thing permanent is change ” quotation. However I’d like to add my take to her endorsement of Steven Little’s business advice (more…) 7:40:16 AM     comment []   trackback []

In a previous post, I talked about the difficulty of changing people and their ways. Apparently, if it is easier for us to change ( for the better), we would eliminate a lot of things that is preventing us from grief. For instance, if it were easier for us to change our bad habits of eating, or not exercising, or gambling, or smoking, then obviously we can easily be on our way to more happiness. There seems to be a physiological explanation about our habits. IN this latest CNEWS column, they provided studies that shows that some section of our brain is associated with habits, addiction and procedural learning, and why sometimes ( or most times) it is so hard to break habits… 7:38:41 AM     comment []   trackback []

I was quite intrigued when Keith Casey compared looking at how you do your work with how you drive a stick shift car, which makes a lot of sense. When you are driving in stick shift, you become aware about what gear to use, when to change gears, and how to do it in such a way that you would not want to have a bumpy ride. It goes back also knowing at what stage of the ride you have, and what gear to use, and the ability to shift gears to suit the task at work. It also means knowing what to prioritize. At any rate, I would like to add just a little bit to an otherwise great provoking piece, by adding that while it is important to know how to drive, it is more important to know where you are driving to - and to understand where you are going. 7:38:17 AM     comment []   trackback []

I am just reading about the great lives of some Japanese who have already zoom past the age where people don’t expect them to be productive, and come up with some great quotes. Yuichiro Miura is the oldest person to scale Mt. Everent when in 2003, at age 70, he scaled the roof of the world. He said, ” When you’re getting older, you think about the things you can’t do and all the reasons. But if I have to die in a hospital, I might as well die on Everest.” He is now training (more…) 7:33:45 AM     comment []   trackback []

I have written some posts on happiness, some of which are A Reason to be Happy and How to be Happy. I guess the quest on happiness is a never ending quest for all of us. I just recently came across a quote inspired by Buddhist teaching which says that unhappiness derives from the incessant habits of judging every experience as pleasant, unpleasant or neutral, and of trying to hold on to the pleasant ones while shunning the unpleasant. Everybody wants to (more…) 7:33:13 AM     comment []   trackback []

A few weeks ago, I wrote about When your Best Days are Behind You. It talks about the feeling when you feel that your glory days are gone, and it will never come back. That was obviously what happened to Yuichiro Miura. After becoming the first person to ski Mount Everest (more…) 7:32:36 AM     comment []   trackback []

I originally entitled it Making a Marriage Last, but reckon that there are also many marriages that are not necessarily happy that sustains, so I figure that at the end, what you really want to do is to sustain your happiness in marriage. I was just in a friend’s wedding, and of course, there were lots of advice shared for the newlyweds. Some friends playfully suggested that it really is very simple - just give the wife all your money, and allow her to be the boss. But I think deep down we all know that marriage is a union, and the most important factor is that in a union, nobody wins or lose. (more…) 7:30:54 AM     comment []   trackback []

	Sunday, October 09, 2005

Moving Bizdrivenlife I am now updating and moving to the new bizdrivenlife site here. I will still maintain this site as a mirror site for some days and weeks, but most of my new posts will be at the new site.  In the next few days, I will also transfer the www.bizdrivenlife.net so that if you are using this as your marker, you will be redirected there. If you are using my feedburner RSS to download my posts, which is as follows: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ReflectionsOfABusiness-drivenLife, then I have redirected it to download from the new site, so you don't need to do anything.  However, if you are not downloading anything new, pls. go to my new site, and subscribe to the Feedburner RSS on the upper left corner of the blog. I hope that by moving my blog into WordPress, I can be more flexible, and it will be easier for you to search, locate the information you want, as well as notice the better organization of the new site. The same 8 subcategories will still be there, and I have taken also the liberty of transferring some of the top posts the last few weeks there.  My selected writings for the last one year is also there. I am hoping with this new setup, I will be able to more easily communicate with you, and scale even better heights. As usual, thank you for your support, and your comments are always welcome.   11:04:59 PM     comment []   trackback []

	Saturday, October 08, 2005

Revisiting the Virtue of Being Frugal  " on life" I am a frugal person, and I have said once too often that I believe happiness is being able to live without.  There are a lot of people that says being smart in spending is not hip in this world, and sometimes it gives the wrong impression. I am not sure about it not being hip, but surely there is more to life than going with trends that might not make sense,  just to be seen as cool. I would rather deal with business partners who appreciate that this value can put a businessman on very firm footing, and if you are just trying to impress people with nothing but that you have loads of cash and is foolishly willing to splurge it on something unnecessary, I am not sure if you are attracting the right business partner at all in terms of building companies that lasts. I am not saying we should not spend on things that make sense, and definitely it is not about not being generous.  AFter all, while I advocate smart spending, I also believe that the whole purpose in life is to be happy, and the most important element on it  to be happy is to afford to be generous. While I make sure I don't spoil myself with useless things, happiness does consist on giving some nice gifts to friends, and also on treating them out ocassionally for lunch or dinner. What is your philosophy in life in terms of spending money?   4:50:10 PM     comment []   trackback []

	Thursday, October 06, 2005

TrainMan  (On Life )   (selected articles in bizdrivenlife compiled)   I was on a plane going over some movie selections when I chanced upon a really nice movie.  It is a Japanese movie called TrainMan, and some of my friends who know about it says that it is quite a popular movie that was just recently released.  They say this story come from a web board, then a book, then a play then a movie.  So it was a popular story that hit a lot of fans, especially the Japanese.   The movie stars Takayuki Yamada and Miki Nakatni.  Why am I talking about a movie?   Basically because the movie is about Information technology, and it highlights the changes in the ways we work and live because of technology, but at the end, it shows that with all the changes, we are still basically the same.   The movie revolves around a 22 year old single male, who is what you would call a computer geek.  He  has never dated anybody in his life, and he was content to spend his job as a computer engineer.  He would only have 2 hobbies – going to Akahibara ( Japan’s famous electronic and computer stores district) to look up computers and parts, and to spend his time in the internet, either browsing, or chatting.  He thought that would be his life.   Then one day, he saved a young woman from a drunk on the train on his way home, and he became attracted to her.  Not knowing what to do, he went to a chat board site, and started telling his story – basically, it was his outlet, and it was also a cry for help.  What should he do?  How can he develop a friendship with the girl.   From his post, he was able to tell his story, and he was able to make friends with about 9 people who come from different walks of life – a housewife, a househusband, a female professional, some single geeks, a businessman and others.  These group of people became his advisers, even though they did not know one another.  TrainMan is basically the call name that the actor put on when he sign to the web site.   So the story starts.  These informal group of advisers share their expertise and their advice, and of course, their advice basically stems from where they come from.  For instance, when TrainMan dated the girl, there were different interpretations on why the girl would insist that each pay his own during meals.  When the girl gave Trainman a gift of tea cups, there were different versions on what it meant.   So this group advises TrainMan, and help give him suggestions – on where to bring the girl for dates, on what kind of wine to order, on what to wear and others.   TrainMan also, as his relationship progresses found out what he has been missing – that while computers were great, and going to chat sites, and internet surfing and watching movies alone was enjoyable before, he began to find out that a meaningful friendship was actually something that was much much more.   At any rate, I think you basically can guess what happens at the end of the movie ( it is after all, a movie, right?), but it is quite an informative and entertaining romantic comedy, as well as a good glean on life that is now shaped by texting, and chatting.   At the end, with the successful relationship, his advisers started to think – if they were able, through giving Trainman courage, and advice, enable Trainman to make his life for the better, was there something else also for them?  Shouldn’t they also get out of their world, and start to forming relationships, instead of a life just chatting, and playing video games.   So some of his advisers started to gain courage.  Some started to sport new clothes, and new hairstyles.  Knowing the happiness that the success gave to RainMan, 3 sworn bachelors started to look at girls with new meaning.   At the end, it was both an entertaining and refreshing look on life. And for sure, there is more to life than facing the computer screen, even how if how real the virtualization makes it to be.       7:40:58 AM     comment []   trackback []