Here I am writing what I believe were some of the reasons why I failed in my businesses before. I am writing them here for two reasons. Primarily, for me to serve as a reminder so that I may not repeat the same mistakes, and second, for those who may read this may learn too from my experiences, and thus save them costly errors in their own business.

Reasons for failing in business :

A medley of knowledge
I would like to think of myself as a talented person. I know how to do a lot of things.

But apparently, “Jack of all trades – master of none” didn’t work for me. In fact, it could probably be one of the main reasons I failed. I know a lot of things, yet I wasn’t able to develop anything into a full grown opportunity.

Grabbing every opportunity
As much as I can, I would like to grab every opportunity that comes to me. Because of this, the one that I’m currently working on get sidetracked. Enthusiastically, I start a new project… until a new opportunity comes along and again grabs my attention.

Not too focused
With too much ability and a lot of opportunities, I can get lost easily through it all. And I actually have a valid reason for not being focused then, those who really knew me, know what I am talking about. The only problem is I let that eat me, which caused to lose focus even more.

“Delayed gratification” NOT!
I didn’t practice delayed gratification as preached by most gurus. But like I said, I have a valid reason for that since I was really racing with time. I got to make every minute of my wife’s life fun and enjoyable.

One-man-show
I tried to be Superman and thought that I can do everything myself. In the process, I am spreading myself thinly. Because of this I can’t follow-up on any little success that I have, nor take on a really important opportunity that comes my way.

These are just some of my recognized reasons why I failed my business.

If you’ll look at them, some of them are actually assets. Yet, I was not able to put them into good use. I failed to maximize.

These in my mind, I am drafting an outline on how I can turn them around. And make all things work to my advantage.

Here again is the schedule of the Laundry Business Seminar for the month of  April 2010, being conducted by my friend Nette of Mr. Laundry Shoppe.

The schedule of the laundry business seminar is on April 24, 2010, from 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. (or until end of open forum). Seminar will be held on-site, at the Mr. Laundry Shoppe, 12 Mayor Ignacio Santos Diaz St. (former Banahaw St.), Cubao, Quezon City.

Nette has provided a map to her shop at her blog, and also at google map.

Topics to be discussed during the seminar are:

• Start up capitalization
• Feasibility Study
• Setting Up of the Laundry Shop (lay out)
• Dry cleaning Procedure
• Marketing Strategies
• How to’s on the Operational Procedure
• Stain removal Procedure
• Forms and Fliers

There will even be bonus topics on how to make your own fabric softener and fabric freshener. Not only will you save costs on this, but it could also be an additional business opportunity for you. You will also be provided with list of suppliers.

The fee for the seminar is P1,800, but there is an Early Bird promo where you will pay only P1,500 if you reserve before April 16, 2010.

PLEASE PAY 2 DAYS BEFORE SEMINAR DATE. If you pay on the seminar date itself, fee is P2300. Payments can be made through bank deposit.

Seminar fee includes lunch and snacks as well materials for the seminar. For more details and reservation, please text Nette at 09228267515.

Pre-payment required. NO PAYMENT, NO RESERVATION.

Hurry, slots are only limited.

This an excellent business opportunity for the aspiring entrepreneurs. And may I add, you’re in good hands because Nette has been giving this seminar for more than two years. She is also in the laundry business and she unselfishly shares her secrets and experiences so you can succeed in this business.

Take that first step to entrepreneurship. Reserve your slot early.

How do you put out a fire? By dousing it with water! That’s right; to kill a fire you simply douse it with water.

Now, how do you kill enthusiasm? Simple, by dousing it with water!

Now why and how, you may ask, pour water on enthusiasm? I’m not really referring to physical water here, of course you know that.

I used the analogy because enthusiasm is like a fire burning within an individual. People doused it with water by simply saying NO! STOP! THAT CAN’T BE DONE!

This is one of the most common management mistakes. Sometimes, an individual comes along with a new or an improved idea. Enthusiastically, he shares to the bosses, very confident that this idea would improve performance, cut costs, lead to better sales or really create big changes within the organization.

But the audiences aren’t too keen on changes, they either dislike it or they fear it.

For most old timers, changes may mean that what their current practices may no longer be acceptable no matter how effective they maybe in the past. And they can’t accept that, call it pride, call it ego, but for them nothing beats the tried and tested means.

Then there is the feeling of being threatened.

These people with ideas may come on too strong for them, and they feel that they should slow them down before they gain their momentum. This is most especially true when the person with idea is young and new in the organization.

“You just can’t barge in throw and your weight around!” This is the message that they would like to convey to the newcomer, no matter how good or excellent the idea maybe, more so if it’s a really good idea.

I have nothing against old timers, or management for that matter. And I’m not saying that all new ideas are good ideas. What I’m trying to say is, all ideas are worth hearing.

You may think that it’s just a waste of time especially if it’s a really bad idea, but think again, a bad idea may lead to a better idea.

Someone has started a fire, don’t be the firefighter that would put out the fire.

An idea, no matter how bad, didn’t come just for the sake of having an idea. An idea came out because there was something that needs working on, something needs to be improved, something needs to be solved – something needs to be CHANGED.

Enthusiasm, desire, drive, passion, motivation – seek for it from an employee, but be sure to be ready to support it.

Be a bridge that would help them walk their way through, rather than being a wall that blocks their path. Remember that most great things that we have today – started from just a small, simple idea.

So how do you put out a fire? Simply by dousing it with water! And how do you kill enthusiasm?

YOU DON’T!

Here are some interesting job interview no-nos which I have found CNN news and would just like to share them to you.

You may find some of them to be completely absurd, but as the article says, they were actually from actually experiences of the job interviewers.

Here they are, the job interview no-nos:

1. Bad Manners
The article was somewhat ‘nice’ describing them as bad manners, but I believe that they are more appropriately described as ‘irritating’ manners. Things like answering your phone or texting during job interviews, asking for something to eat, or even eating during interviews (remember, these came from actual experiences of interviewers).

2. Being Weird
This is interesting, being separated from ‘Bad Manners’ category, because they could also be classified as such, except that, well… they are weird. One interviewer found out the interviewee was recording the proceedings of the interview. For what reason, they don’t know but they didn’t hire the guy.

3. Bad reason for leaving a job
There are a lot of bad reasons given. One interviewer was left speechless with the answer ‘Well, I’ve been twiddling my thumbs for six months.’ Which means he wasn’t doing anything in his previous job.

4. Nervous tics controlling you
You may not be aware of it, but you may be bouncing your legs to fast and often that it’s shaking the office already. And try not to repeat every sentence or phrase you are saying, so much so that it starting to look like it’s your favorite expression.

5. Giving too much information
If you think that saying how bad your previous employer was would get you sympathy, think again. If you know too much on your employer’s bad habits, skeletons in the closet, and what-have-yous, and disclosed all of these during the interview, you’re in really big trouble!

6. Poor representation
This is given. When you go to an interview, put your best foot forward. That includes not coming in in slippers or sneakers. Your physical appearance would always give the first impression to the interviewer, and most often, it has a great impact on how the interview – and your career, would progress.

7. Coming unprepared
With all the information almost always in the Internet, it is already a mortal to say that you know nothing about the company. Try to research about the company, which most probably would have a website, or ask around if you have to. Get a little background about the company and the position you’re applying for.

A lot can still be added to this bad interview habits, which really happen unfortunately.

Bottom line – do your assignment. Get ready and get prepared, if you want to get hired.

Calling all entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs!

The Center for Small Entrepreneurs (CSE) will be starting with their 31st batch of CHARACTER FORMATION seminar. A series of workshop seminar wherein one would learn the discipline required from an entrepreneur, and how the entrepreneur can help, no matter how small he is, in the country’s economy.

Details of the workshop:
Date: October 29, 2009 (and every Thursday, thereafter)
Time: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
PLACE: ASI Building, 1518 Leon Guinto corner Escoda St., Malate, Manila

Seminar fee is only P200 which includes a subscription to the CSE EntrePinoy newsletter.

Interested individuals may call telephone Nos.: (02) 525-6268/524-1879; or text 0915-3281717 / 0928-743-5054 for more information.

You can also fill up the online contact form here.

This is one of the seminars that MUST be undertaken by an aspiring entrepreneur (even established ones) because it will help you learn a lot of things like the difference of being in business and being just self-employed, and it will shape to become an entrepreneur of great character.

Graduates of this seminar will automatically become a member of Ka-Entrep, a dynamic group of entrepreneurs all-over the Philippines. Get leverage through networking, reach you suppliers faster and find potential partners and customers.

So join the Ka-Entrep entrepreneurial challenge now!

You got nothing to lose and everything to gain!

“Enterepreneur of great character“ I was awarded that title in October of 2007 together with five of my classmates after finishing 10 Ka-Entrep Sessions sponsored by the Center for Small Entrepreneurs (CSE). The title was awarded because we have done such a simple and natural act – we completed the ten twice-a-month sessions and we were never late in any of those sessions. And I, coming all the way from Angeles City, was almost always the earliest to arrive at the session’s place which was in Manila.

Is this blog post about me bragging about that title? No! Definitely not. It is to emphasize the fact that as an entrepreneur, one should always have respect for others. And being early or at least on time is one way of showing your respect for other people. It shows that you value their time, in as much as you expect them to value yours.

Unfortunately it has become the habit, nay! the norm in fact, for most Filipino to have a ‘dramatic entrance’ on any meeting, sessions, gatherings and/or appointment. It is accepted, and in fact expected, that most people actually adjust their time expecting the person they have an appointment with to come late. Sad.

But there are others who still respect and value time, this author being one of them. It is something that is second nature to me, to be at the meeting place ahead of time. Even if I’m aware that the other person would be late, I follow my own clock, I have my own schedule.

Perhaps, if we always come on time, and always insist panctuality from others – maybe soon there’ll be no more delayed projects and meetings because of unnecessary tardiness.

Perhaps, there will be more “Entrepreneurs of great character!“

You think you got it right. You have the most impressive resume that will catch the attention of any discriminating HR manager. Immediately, you printed a number of copies and sent them to every multi-national companies you can send to, confident that soon enough your phone will be ringing like crazy.

Days passed, no calls were received. No big deal, you said. A week passed and still no calls… and another week… and another week. You started to get worried.

It’s definitely not the result you were expecting.

You know for sure that you’re much qualified, and you’re sure that your resume is impressive. You start to wonder why you are not receiving any calls from all the companies you have applied to. You looked at your resume again… yet found nothing wrong with the way you presented yourself and your qualifications.

Having great credentials is one thing, but presenting them in your resume is another. And creating multiple copies and distributing them to companies like you were distributing flyer or brochures may not work at all times. Having a resume tailor-fit for the company and the position you’re applying might work wonders for you.

But how do you tailor-fit your resume?

Your resume is the key that can get you through the door, so make sure that it is something that the company would like to see. Study the job postings carefully and its requirements, learn about the company. From there, you can study how to present your credentials to that particular company.

An example would be that the job requires someone with driving skills, yet you didn’t put it in your resume thinking it’s too trivial. Another applicant submitted his resume with driving specifically stated in his skills, given everything being equal, who do you think might get the first shot at the interview? I hope you are getting the picture here.

If you think that you’ll be having a different resume for every company you applied to – yes you will be. Like I said, you are not distributing flyers or brochures but you are selling yourself, along with your credentials and how the company can benefit for them. So a single standard format presentation, no matter how promising it appears to be, might not always produce the desired result.

You need not alter your resume altogether everytime. You just might need a little updating in the presentations of qualifications, in such a way that the ones that the company requires the most will be highlighted.

Different companies have different needs and culture. Approach them individually by tailor-fitting your resume. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts.

Ideas abound, sometimes even from the most unlikely source in the corporation. That is why some foreign companies are even holding ideas blitz on a regular basis, if not annually. So they can encourage their employees to voice out their two-cent worth of ideas. And surprisingly, from this blitz of ideas out comes a jewel that can help the organization increased their earnings from great innovations, or even help them save from their expenses.

Sadly though, this is not always the case on our local organizations. With Filipinos who are known to be sensitive people, any new idea is often treated as a rejection of their current tried and tested system. Believe me, I have personally experienced this.

Any newcomer who comes in wanting to try his own system, will always be met with resistance. And oftentimes, this is even interpreted that he is just trying to make an impression.

It has always been an unwritten rule, new members of the organizations should learn how to blend in. He should know how to embrace the culture that has been embedded within. And most especially, he must follow every rules, policies and dogma that are in place.

Of course, that is correct.

But with every new blood, fresh ideas should always be expected. Otherwise, an organization will not evolve. It will become stagnant, while other organizations that are more receptive, will leave them behind.

New ideas should not only be encouraged, it should be reported. Who knows, from a seed of an idea will come innovations, evolutions and dynamic changes that can spell the difference between a company’s success and failure.

Here now is the laundry business seminar schedule for August 2009 being conducted monthly by my friend Nette of Mr. Laundry Shoppe.

Date: August 15, 2009
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (or until end of open forum)
Place: 12 Mayor I.S. Diaz St. (former Banahaw St.) Cubao, Q.C.

The seminar site is the location of Mr. Laundry Shoppe itself, and Nette has been doing this for more than three years now where she’s unselfishly sharing all her expertise and experience at the laundry business.

Seminar fee – P1,450.00
Early Bird Promo – P1,300.00 (if reserve before July 31, 2009)
Payment should be made 2 day before the seminar.
If you pay on the seminar day itself, the fee is P2,000.00

There are only 10 slots available for the seminar, so please reserve early. For those interested, you may call Nette at 09228267515.

Seminar fee is inclusive of material and snacks for the seminar.

Incidentally, Nette has also been conducting the same laundry seminar in Cebu, and her next schedule is on October 3, 2009, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (or until end of open forum).

The seminar will be conducted at SM Cebu North Reclamation Area, Cebu City.

Seminar Fee is P2000.-
Early Bird Promo – P1,800 if you reserve on or before SEPTEMBER 11,2009
PAY 2 DAYS BEFORE SEMINAR DATE
If you pay on the seminar date itself, fee is P2200.-
There’s only 10 slots available, so please reserve early.

Those interested, please call Nette at the number given above.

For more details, you may visit Nette’s website or her multiply account.

This is one business seminar that you shouldn’t miss if you want to have your own business someday.

In my early years in the bank, one of my first assignments was as a CA/SA bookkeeper. One of my duties then was to monitor the balances of checking and savings accounts of our clients. Although I was more particular on the checking accounts, and I have closed quite a number of accounts then because some people don’t how to manage checking accounts.

We all know that a checking account is an important tool to an entrepreneur. Aside from it being a convenient way of paying obligations, it also allows for easier recording and monitoring of expenses. However, as great as a financial tool it is, the checking account can cause the entrepreneur’s downfall when improperly handled.

You really don’t need to have a complicated accounting system to be able to manage your account well. It’s as simple as recording your deposits to your account, as well as your check issuances. That way, you would be able to see at a glance your current balance, and how much you can issue a check to.

Clients who call the bank to ask their balance is a tell-tale sign of an account holder who does not monitor his account well. A simple lapse could cause him to issue a check beyond his account’s balance, and it’s hardly the bank’s fault.

When such a scenario occur, their account would incur an overdraft or a negative balance, and if the needed funds were not deposited within the bank’s allotted time, said check will be returned. Hence the term ‘bouncing check.’

This can cause severe damages to the entrepreneur’s image, as well as finances.

He will be made to pay charges (P1,000 plus 200 per P40,000 per day, plus another P1,000 plus P200 per P40,000 per day if it was returned. Note: Please informed me if it’s already updated), and at the same time the payee of the returned check would have the impression that the entrepreneur (issuer) is not credit worthy.

Frequent occurrences of overdrafts would cause closure of your checking account by the bank. That’s only half of the problem, an account closed due to improper handling would be echoed through other banks, via the negative data bank (NDB). The possibility of opening a new checking account with other banks would be then difficult, if not impossible.

Checking accounts with ATM access too? I would advise against it, unless you really have control over your finances. Because you can withdraw from any ATM anytime, you sometimes forget about the outstanding checks you have issued. This again, could result to an overdraft.

Checks are negotiable instruments and are widely used in business. But opening a checking account is not a privilege that is available to every individual. So if you have one, be sure to manage it wisely. Take note of the precautions stated above.