Manila Young Professionals

GWI is currently undergoin its search for MS. GWI WORLD 2009

2009-09-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

GWI is currently undergoin its search for MS. GWI WORLD 2009 with the following qualifications:

Single ladies
18-27 years old
minimum of 5'3 in height
with pleasing personality and of good moral character

Intereated candidates are requested to submit the following requirements dueing the go-see.

Original birth certificate or copies authenticated by NSO
Valid id
close-up and Full body photos in color / setcards / profolio

Go-See Schedule:

September 12, 2009 and Final Casting on October 3, 2009

@ GWI Office 17th Floor, RCBC Plaza, Makati City

TIME: 3:00 pm - 7:00pm

ATTIRE: tank top/sleeveless top, skirt and heels (light make up only)

Schedule for activities:

Semi-Finals: November 16, 2009 at Aquanox

Grand Coronation Night: GWI Solutions, Inc. Annual Dinner

December 28, 2009 at A.venue Hall Makati City

Winners will receive the following prizes:

Ms. GWI World 2009 - P 200,000.00

Ms. GWI 1st Princess - P 100,000.00

Ms. GWI 2ndPrincess - P 75,000.00

Ms. GWI Charity - P 10,000.00

Ms. GWI Peace - P 10,000.00

Special Awards:

Best in Swimsuit - P 5,000.00

Best in Evening Gown - p 5,000.00

Best in Costume - P 5,000.00

Ms. Photogenic - P 5,000.00

Ms. Congenality - p 5,000.00

Contact Me:

Kath Buenviaje, ACG-Unit 5

GWI Business Solutions Inc.

17th Floor, Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza

6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 0727

Office no: (00632) 856-2672 loc 912

kath.buenviaje@hotmail.com

PHILIPPINE TEAM IN MILAN GIVES POVERTY “A PENALTY KICK”, WINS FIRST MATCH OF HOMELESS WORLD CUP

2009-09-07T03:44:00.000-07:00

PHILIPPINE TEAM IN MILAN GIVES POVERTY “A PENALTY KICK”, WINS FIRST MATCH OF HOMELESS WORLD CUP

MILAN, ITALY – Team Philippines bested first opponent Luxembourg 6-1 at the 7^th Homeless World Cup, an annual tournament which this year was held at the historic Arena Civica in Milan, Italy.

The Homeless World Cup seeks to promote awareness of homelessness and poverty around the world through football (street soccer). This year, around 500 players from 48 countries participated in the games.

“I’m excited, I’m very excited,” Team Philippines Coach Marlon Maro said before the opening game, as the contingent was parading through the historic Castello Sforezco in Parco Sempione.

“We’re much more prepared now than we were last year,” Maro explained in a separate interview. “We’re familiar with the rules now. We were able to simulate the actual playing environment, we had a lot of practice games from different groups back home, and we have a better composition of the team this year.”

Team Philippines was formed in May 2009 following an elimination tournament involving teams from eight homeless shelters around the country. Training began in earnest and intensified by July.

The game with Luxembourg, held around 4:15 pm, September 6 (Milan time) proved to be an exciting match. The opposing team’s players were much larger and bulkier than the boys from the Philippines, but that didn’t stop the country’s proud players from putting on a heart-pumping game and eventually winning the match.

One country, one goal

“Our goal here is to make more people aware of homelessness, which is a big problem in our country,” Maro said. “The Homeless World Cup has changed these players’ lives, but we will be encountering the same problems when we go back home. We hope that things will change.”

Witnessing the game were members of the Filipino community, many from the sorority Alpha Phi Omega, who decided to spend their Sunday afternoon cheering kababayans on. Also present to lend his percussive prowess to the game was percussionist and performance artist Paul Zialcita, whose powerful drumming became the soundtrack of the Philippine team through the game and the festivities before that.

“Homeless doesn’t mean hopeless,” Zialcita said after performing for the players on opening night. “We’re here to prove that people can do wonders once you give them access. We’re here to give poverty a penalty kick.”

Maro speaks of the improvement in his players’ behaviors and attitude after being selected for the Homeless World Cup. “They become more confident, more motivated. They are able to express themselves better and even start to mentor other players. The players’ participation in Homeless World Cup is really a life-changing event.”

After winning their first game, Team Philippines will move on to compete with Italy (12:40 PM, September 7 Milan time; 6:40 PM Manila time) and Mexico (3:20 PM, September 7 Milan time; 9:20 PM Manila time).

Team Manager Bill Shaw, editor of Jeepney Magazine, expressed hopes of placing among the Top 24 this year. Last year, Team Philippines placed 37 out of 48 teams.

This year’s participating nations are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mexico, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, USA, and Wales.

For more information on the Homeless World Cup, visit www.homelessworldcup.org. For more information on Jeepney Magazine, visit www.thejeepney.com

My 20 First Dates' REMEMBER SEPTEMBER Speedating Event

2009-08-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

My 20 First Dates' REMEMBER SEPTEMBER Speedating Event

Host: Candie Cobiao
Type: Meetings - Club/Group Meeting
Price: P800 with dinner + 1 drink
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Saso's Steak, Ribs & Seafood
Street: P. Guevarra Street (near Cafe Isabel)
Phone: 09TWO28NINE00SIX15
Email: my20firstdates@yahoo.com

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=132004114738&ref=ts

Starfish Magazine: CALL FOR PROPOSALS

2009-08-12T19:22:00.000-07:00

Starfish Magazine: CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Feel free to pass on to your egroups... :)
-------------------

Hello!

The long wait is over! STARFISH MAGAZINE is once again sending out our call for proposals for those interested to share their articles. Please see the following list of our sections so you could find a perfect space for your article ideas.

(1) COVER STORY: "Soul Sanctuary"
The November issue will have the theme, "Soul Sanctuary", in celebration of the arts. The theme is based on the quote:

"What art offers is space -- a certain breathing room for the spirit" (John Updike)

We are looking for stories on how art in its many forms shapes the consciousness of the Filipino youth. We are looking for youth leaders who have served their communities through arts and culture. These can be reflections of the youth leaders themselves, stories about advocacy groups that use the arts to achieve their goals, or features of individuals who have promoted the arts and set an example for the Filipino youth. We can also accept photo-essays on the theme.

(2) NEWS
Any activity that contributes to youth leadership and nation-building, we're on. We publish stories based on the significance of the news to our readers, and the impact of the activity to inspire our readers.

(3) UNDERCURRENT
Feature stories fall under this section (including those that may not necessarily fall under the theme). Sky's the limit.

(4) YOUTH FORUM
The 2010 elections are coming near, and there are so many political issues that the youth must have a say on. If you have thoughts you could translate to powerful insights, go write one!

(5) FISH.NET
Part of our commitment is to help our readers find organizations where they could volunteer/be part of, and advocacies that they could adopt personally. This is the section for articles on organizations and advocacies.

(6) THE REEF
Some say this is the "most fun" section of Starfish, but we'd rather say it is the lightest. :p Already in the list are our resident "How to" column, and book review. Do you have anything else in mind? Let us know!

---------------
PROPOSAL GUIDELINES
The proposal should be a 2-5 sentence summary of the article you want to write. Let us know what the main insight is, or what the activity/organization is doing, and what angle you would take in writing the article. It should not be formal. We just need an idea of what you are preparing for us so we could organize the contributions as early as possible. :)

Deadline for the proposals is on August 24, Monday. Please forward to czarinamedina@gmail.com.

The rest of the article specifications and deadlines would be emailed to you once you submit your article proposal. :)

We hope to get your emails soon! Have a blessed day ahead!!!

Lovelots,
The Starfish Team

------

MARCIA CZARINA CORAZON M. MEDINA
Faculty, Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology, Ateneo de Manila University
Consultant, Youth Leadership Development Unit, Ayala Foundation Inc.
Editor-in-Chief, Starfish Magazine, Ayala Young Leaders
czarinamedina@gmail.com

Blogs:
http://livingtherealityofthemakebelieve.blogspot.com
http://scarredempress.multiply.com

WAKE UP!!!! Philippines! tsk tsk tsk.

2009-08-06T10:07:00.000-07:00

WAKE UP!!!! Philippines! tsk tsk tsk

by Cez Jarlyn Young

Honestly, I have been frustrated with the garbage around the Metro.. can Manila be like Makati?

Have you ever felt ashamed littering anything in Makati? haha. well.. i don't litter.. i see to it that i throw my trash in the bin.. and i really get irritated when ppl throw their bottles on the side walk.. and the reason they give me.. "Kung hindi ako magtapon diyan, wala ng trabaho ang street sweeper"..

I just wanna knock their heads with a rusty hammer.. sheesh!

I hope Filipinos can start to realize that the environment is not a big trash can.

HELLO!!!! WAKE UP!!!!

Location of pics: Manila Bay

Some early comments:

*so frustrating..
the other day.. there were some kids playing near the pasig river (not sure).. then there was a pile of trash.. they were throwing the cartons to the river.. i wanna yell and tell them to stop.. but of course.. i can't.. i might get killed on the spot for scolding those kids.

*i know how u feel, den wen u visit other countries, even our neighboring asian countries, most of them have improved a lot in terms of maintaining cleanliness and being a responsible citizen, i guess dats da dwnside of being pinoy somtmes, i knowhow ilog pasig looks like, i was part of the DLSU rowing team for a while(not the dragon boat but the sculls),and we practice every am at the ilog pasig,u can tell how thick and dirty the water is, and wen u row, u;ll be surprise on things that u will find in the water, idk how i survived that sport:)...maybe we will change..i hope sooner

- Re-posted from my friend Cez Jarlyn Young's Facebook album - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=94002&id=714114454&comments#/album.php?aid=94002&id=714114454&ref=nf

Cat Adoption Booth in Mall of Asia - Aug 1, 3-7pm.

2009-07-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

Cat Adoption Booth in Mall of Asia near Science Discovery Center, 3rd Floor South Entertainment Mall (Krispy Kreme), August 1, 3-7PM. PLease spread the word. Come too if you can!

Tapping the Creative Universe workshop with Jim Paredes

2009-07-26T11:15:00.000-07:00

Take a class with Jim Paredes to help you unleash your creative self! From Jim Paredes below: “Tapping the Creative Universe Workshop” is on. Join me on August 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 at 7 to 9 p.m. and discover the joy and aliveness of the creative life. I will awaken in you the life force that will make you creative and joyful. Please call 426-5375 or 0916- 8554304 and ask for Ollie, or write me at emailjimp@gmail.com for questions or reservations. You can also visit http://www.tappingthecreativeuniverse.com for the syllabus, FAQ and testimonials from people who have taken it. Do not miss out. Definitely the last one this year.

SYLLABUS:

TAPPING THE

CREATIVE UNIVERSE

By Jim Paredes*

“A potent and dangerous workshop to awaken you.”

If you find yourself stuck-- in between careers, dreams, loves, or can’t even seem to identify the source of the gridlock in your life, read on:

Here is a workshop that will help uncover, identify and set aside the blocks that stand in the way of creativity in everyday life. By actively engaging self-defeating attitudes and instilling practices that will help the participant overcome them, the workshop hopes to awaken a new way of seeing that will bring back the inner joy and natural creative impulse each person possesses.

Through 6 two hour sessions spread out in 2 weeks, the workshop will partly employ the techniques every successful, working creative employs plus Jim Paredes’ practices as a successful, multi-faceted artist these past 36 years. These have proven to be effective in dealing with blocked individuals, most especially those who find themselves in
a creative rut.

The sessions will extensively deal with issues of creativity in everyday life through personally assigned tasks and interactive exercises that will get to the core of the creative blockage and the introduction of new disciplines and practices for everyday use to overcome them and remain unblocked.

The Syllabus

Days 1, 2, 3

Causes of blocks-
Affirmations vs. negative beliefs
-Introduction of “morning pages”, “solo dates”
-Map to Recovery
-Handling criticism
-Personal archaeology
-Exercises in “forbidden joys”
-Instituting changes in life
-Imposed deprivations

Days 4, 5, 6

-Getting out of the need to look good
-Relating with the Creator
-Declarations
-Abundance and gratitude
-Listening and guidance
-Perfectionism
-Knowing your blocks
-Fear and creative failure
-Confronting your blocks
-Building your artist’s altar
- The 48 hour journey

Or go to Jim Paredes' site http://www.tappingthecreativeuniverse.com for more info.

A $65 Billion Advertising Shift?

2009-07-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

A $65 Billion Advertising Shift?
More and more marketers are pulling out of traditional ad channels and spending it on themselves, says a new study. Outsell's Anthea Stratigos explains.
By Dirk Smillie

http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/21/advertising-marketing-business-media-stratigos.html?partner=email

Surfing with "LetsGoSago.com" and the bloggers!

2009-07-20T02:35:00.000-07:00

Below is a message from my friends at www.LetsGoSago.com. COME JOIN US!!!!

Let’s Go Surfing is Sago’s first year anniversary project onAugust 15-16. It’s a charity surfing clinic for bloggers and beginner surfers. It’d be held at Billabong Surf School and San Juan Surf Resort in Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union, a week after Sago turns 1.
It intends to bring travel, food and other niche of bloggers together in one awesome charity event. The specific objectives of the project are as follows:
• To financially assist WWF-Philippines in their local endeavors & operations.
• To enhance the awareness of the country’s natural beauty & promote Philippine tourism.
• To strengthen the local community of bloggers through this project.
The event will host
• A pre-event orientation in Metro Manila on the afternoon of August 08, a week before the event, andLetsGoSago.net’s 1st Anniversary.
• A beginner’s surfing clinic for bloggers and non-blogger participants at the Billabong Surf School with Top Philippine Celebrity Surfer Luke Landrigan (Men’s Health Mag May 2009 Cover)
• A food side trip in two popular food spots in San Juan La Union - Halo-Halo de Iloko and Midway Grill.
• Program, raffle and a night beach party on the 15th.
Package Inclusions
* Private Bus Transfers: Manila to LU. to - LU to Manila
* Overnight aircon accommodation at San Juan Surf Resort
* 1hr surf lesson (1-on-1 instructor)
* Surfboard rental
* Day 1 Breakfast
* Night Beach party on Day 1
Itinerary
Day 1, Saturday Aug 15
01:00am - Meet-up at Mcdo Quezon Ave (24hrs) where bus is parked
01:30am - Bus leaves McDo Q.Ave sharp
05:30am - Sison, Pangasinan stop-over (light merienda; wiwi break)
08:00am - ETA Resort & Pre-paid Breakfast
09:00am - Batch 1 Surf Lesson
10:30am - Batch 2 Surf Lesson
12:00nn - Lunch and siesta
01:30pm - Batch 3 Surf Lesson
03:00pm - Batch 4 Surf Lesson
04:30pm - Batch 5 Surf Lesson
05:30pm - Sunset Photo Op
07:00pm - Dinner
08:30pm - Let’s Go Party!!! (Short Program and Raffle for Blogger-Participants)
Day 2, Sunday Aug 16
08:00am - Free Time, Skim Boarding, Beach bumming
- Option to have additional surf lesson at your own cost
11:00am - Group/Event Picture
11:30nn - Checkout from the resort & Lunch
05:00pm - Sidetrip to Isdaan in Tarlac (Photo Op only)
09:00pm - ETA Manila
* Both lunch may have the option to go to Halo-Halo de Iloko or Midway Grill as part of the food sidetrips

How To Join

Both blogger-participants and regular (non-blogger) participants alike are welcome to join. Complete the online registration, pay the corresponding fees, and make sure you are physically fit.

Online Registration and over-the-bank-payment details shall be released on July 25.

Cost

Cost is currently at P2500 per person including everything from transpo to surf lessons. Please see ‘package inclusion‘ above.

Discounts through Point System (for blogger-participants only).

A person is considered a ‘blogger-participant‘ if he/she makes an announcement blog post about the event including the list of sponsors and links anytime from July 26 to August 8 (This is similar to WordCamp 08 requirement; blog post in Multiply.com is not a valid entry). Blogger-participants are also included in special raffle prizes at the night beach party.

1) By creating a blog post and Including the list of sponsors with links, blogger participants automatically earn 700 points which is worth P700. These 700 points automatically donates P700 to WWF-Philippines to support their projects and operations. Donor blogger-participants would also receive a free one-year membership with WWF-Philippines.

2) First 50 blogger participants to register shall receive originalStarbucks ID lanyards and Starbucks Cap

Complete point system for more discounts will be revealed on July 25.

For any concerns and Inquiries, please don’t hesitate to emailLetsGoSagoDotNetgmail.com

Dates To Remember

Jul 25 - Release of information on online registration, payment details, list of sponsors, and discount system.
Jul 26 - Start of Online Registration
- First day of payment
- First day of posting a blog about the event
Aug 08 - Last Day of Registration
- Last Day of Payment
- Last Day of posting a blog about the event
Aug 15&16 - Of course, the event itself

JOB VACANCY: NEW MEDIA OFFICER

2009-07-19T03:56:00.000-07:00

JOB VACANCY: NEW MEDIA OFFICER

The Office of Senator Francis Pangilinan is looking for a bright, diligent, and pro-active individual to fill the role of New Media Officer for its New Media Unit.

The New Media Officer performs the following functions:

Assists the New Media Head in conceptualizing, planning, and implementing new media strategies for resource and volunteer mobilization;
Works with the New Media Head, the Webmaster, and third-party suppliers and volunteers to enhance the office’s new media presence and maximize and maintain existing digital assets (i.e., blogs, social networking accounts, websites, etc.);
Works with the New Media Head and the different units to manage and nurture relationships with various constituency groups through various online (and offline) channels;
Develops specialized new media content (such as blog entries, videos, Podcasts, etc.) to meet communication objectives and enhance the office’s digital presence;
Analyzes online analytical tools to gauge, monitor, and improve online performance;
Assists in the management of special projects, as deemed necessary by the New Media Head and the Chief of Staff; and
Assists in the fulfillment of other tasks, as assigned by the Chief of Staff and/or the Principal.

The necessary qualifications are as follows:

Graduate of any prestigious university, with a degree in Communications, Information Technology, Management of Information Systems (MIS), Marketing, or any related degree;
With at least three (3) years experience handling various online and digital marketing platforms;
With excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills; and with an excellent command of English and Filipino;
With an excellent grasp of new and social media, such as blogs, social networks, and the like. Also, an avid blogger and social networker;
Personable, energetic, and willing and able to deal with people from various backgrounds and age groups;
Pays great attention to detail, is resourceful in acquiring information, and willing to learn and go out of one's comfort zone in order to achieve a crucial task;
Flexible, a team player, and can work in a variety of conditions;
MORE IMPORTANTLY, passionate about the country and eager to make a difference for the Philippines J

Interested parties may submit their CVs and blog/social media samples, URLs to nina.terol@gmail.com. Deadline for submission is Wednesday, July 22, 2009.

Youth Entrepreneurship Summit - Aug 28, 2009

2009-07-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Go Negosyo is inviting all of you to join the Youth Entrepreneurship Summit on AUGUST 28, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center SM Mall of Asia 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The people behind the best selling business book series will be bringing in its network of entrepreneurs to allow for mentoring sessions and forums on the basics of putting up a business. Get to meet like-minded people who are pursuing their passions and turning them into viable business opportunities. Plus, exhibitor slots are up for grabs to young entrepreneurs who would like to showcase their business and sell their products or services.

Admission is free!
Event is open to all (even the not-so-young ;) ).
For more details kindly visit our website www.gonegosyo.net/youth

==
Interested exhibitors: take advantage of our early bird rates! Call IDEAL EVENTS at 431 3694 and look for Ms. Kath Reston or e-mail youthsummit@gonegosyo.net TODAY!

BusinessWorld is looking for the next faces of BusinessWorld

2009-07-14T03:10:00.000-07:00

BusinessWorld is looking for the next faces of BusinessWorld.

We are looking for the following types of models:

1.) Male
- looks 25 to 30 years old
- has a yuppie executive look

2.) Female
- looks 30 - 35 years old
- has an executive look

3.) Male
- looks 35 - 45 years old
- with an athletic look

Please bring a portfolio of your pictures with you.
We do accept first time models.

The faces of the selected models will be shown during the launching of our campaign strictly for media planners and direct advertisers on August 7, 2009.

Venue: BusinessWorld Office - 95 Balete Drive Extn corner E. Rodriguez St. New Manila, Q.C.
Date: July 16, 2009 (Thursday)
Time: 10:30 am - 11:30am

Manila Young Professionals group

Join the MANILA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS for more networking events and professional opportunities - Group Homepage

Model Tryouts

2009-07-11T10:01:00.000-07:00

PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS!!

Modelli Talent Agency (http://modellitalentagency.com/) is looking for male and female talents ages 18-30 to add to their roster which is regularly reviewed by advertising agencies and magazines for print and TV ads.

We will be having a casting call where you can have your photos professionally taken for submission to Modelli.

The package fee of Php450 includes:

Ø Hair and make-up

Ø Photography

Ø Soft copies of the photos

Ø Photos will cover a head shot, full body and half-body photo

It will take an estimated 30-45 minutes for hair, make-up and photoshoot.

Date: July 25, 2009, Saturday

Time: 8:30AM to 6:00PM

Place: Unit 19A One Orchard Road

Eastwood City , Libis, Quezon City

Please call or message 0917-886-4862 or 216-0901 to schedule your slot.

Manila Young Professionals group

Join the MANILA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS for more networking events and professional opportunities - Group Homepage

Find Your ONE THING Before Launching in Social Media

2009-06-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Find Your ONE THING Before Launching in Social Media

Written By: Jason Baer

(originally written for MarketingProfs Daily Fix)

The history of marketing has been an unending stream of “biggest sale ever,” “now with extra raisins,” and “easy financing available.” The power of social media is that it allows consumers to peek behind the curtain of brands that have historically been stoic, pushy, and unresponsive.

Successful social media programs cannot be just a digital yellow pages ad for the company. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a lot of these efforts on Facebook and Twitter recently, where the company sets up shop in social media, but just continues sending one-way promotional messages like they always have in old media. This won’t work, and why would it?

Caution, paradox ahead

To really make social media work for your company, your message cannot be ABOUT your company. Unless you’re one of the very few companies that already has a natural community of raving fans (apple, nike etc) people don’t care about your company enough per se to get involved with you online in a meaningful way.

Instead, you have to find the ONE THING in your company that is truly defining and interesting, and build your social media program around that. It could be something operational. Perhaps your customer service program. How people use your product in unique ways. Anything, as long as it isn’t “we’re a good company that makes a good product”

Fiskars used the fact that scrapbookers were crazy about their scissors as their ONE THING when they launched the Fiskateers program with the help of Brains on Fire, and now it’s a definitive social media case study.

For most people, when they think Zappos they don’t necessarily think shoes anymore, they think customer service. That’s their ONE THING and they beat that drum continuously.

A campaign I worked on with Mighty Interactive for Exide Batteries focused on NASCAR fans and Exide’s status as the official battery of NASCAR, not the fact that they make a great car battery.

It’s probably under your nose

Finding the one thing often requires really spending time with the brand and getting a feel for its operations and culture. Agencies can uncover the one thing better than clients can, because for the clients the one thing appears to be no big deal. It’s just routine.

Here’s an example that pre-dates social media by about 15 years. When I was an intern at an agency in Phoenix I worked on communications for car audio maker Rockford Fosgate. We wanted to devise a campaign that was different from most car audio gear, which typically focuses on testosterone, loudness, and detailed specs.

On a factory tour, we came upon a huge guy with a long black ponytail, a white apron, and a giant rubber mallet that looked like something out of “Cooking with the Hell’s Angels.” Standing at the end of the assembly line, he grabbed every amplifier off of the line as it came down, and beat it as hard as he could with the rubber mallet about 9 times. After the thrashing, he hooked the amp up to a testing station and made sure it still worked.

We asked the client tour guide about it, and he said it was indeed a daily occurrence, part of Rockford Fosgate’s quality assurance program.

A campaign was born.

We convinced the company to let us use the actual guy in the campaign, and we created a series of print ads and media outreaches using the “If We Can’t Wail It, We Fail It” tagline, with explanatory copy.

It’s too bad social media wasn’t around then, because we really could have put some legs on that effort. YouTube video. Guest wailers. Twitter campaign. I’m stoked just thinking about it. (Rockford Fosgate if you still wail it, please steal this idea).

What seems boring to you inside your company might seem fascinating to your customers. It could be your ONE THING. And without it, your social media effort will never take flight.

Original Article - http://www.convinceandconvert.com/social-media-marketing/one-thing/

-As I've said before, I love Jason Baer's articles about social media marketing. VERY informative article right here! Great example on the Rockford Fosgate speakers.

Where to now, Philippine graduates?

2009-06-21T08:33:00.000-07:00

Where to now, Philippine graduates?

By Dr. Jose Rene C. Gayo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines--Graduation ceremonies are often given the title “Commencement Exercises.” Webster’s Dictionary defines commencement as “an act, instance or time of commencing.” Commencing for what? Life as a professional.

The diploma that you have received is a guarantee to your future employers that you have passed the minimum requirements to practice the profession you have been trained in the past four or five years. Some will still have to go through and pass a licensure exam that is required in some professions before you actually practice your field of specialization.

Daunting

The challenge for graduates of 2009 is daunting because of a tough economic environment the world is now facing. What is your immediate future for a job prospect? For a great majority of graduates, it would mean months or years of searching for a job opening, hours of waiting in a cue for job interviews, outright rejection of a job application or simply silence from the company you have sent an application.

This situation that I have just described to you is nothing new. Generations of graduates from Philippine universities have experienced this simply because there are not enough jobs in the country for decades past. That is why we have the overseas Filipino worker phenomenon.

We are told that there is a mismatch between what the job market needs and what is actually taught in our universities. They say that graduates are not job-ready after four or five years of study. It is quite disheartening to hear that on your job interview fresh out of college your prospective employer will ask you: “What is your work experience?”

What seems to be the problem in our educational system?

In one forum not too long ago, I talked about agriculture education in our country. Talking from experience, I said that we learned much of our stuff only with a blackboard. After my presentation, one of the guys in the audience told me. You know, I am an engineer. You are not alone. We also learned our engineering through the blackboard. I learned later that he graduated summa cum laude from one of the top universities in the country.

After being exposed to many professionals in this country, I must say that there is something missing in the education that most universities give. We are good in theories but not in practice. That is the reason why when one receives the diploma, he or she is not that confident that he can perform well in the exercise of his profession.

So what needs to be done? Come June, we will open a new program to address a very specific need in our country today—farm managers and farm entrepreneurs. Let me give you a glimpse of what this program is all about.

The MFI Foundation, through our Farm Business Institute and the University of Rizal System, will offer jointly a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Management major in Farm Business. What are the unique features of this program?

Combined effort

First, it is a “twinning” arrangement whereby two educational entities agreed to work together to deliver a degree program. Such arrangement is quite common in Europe but not in the Philippines. This twinning arrangement is also backed up by the Management Association of the Philippines as program partner.

Second, it makes use of “dual training system” where students spend much of their time on actual business operations than just sitting inside the classroom. The dual training system originated in Germany and has been cited as a reason for the competitive edge for many of its industries including car manufacturing.

Third, the program design is “ladderized,” which means that as the students course through each semester he earns a certificate that will allow the student to work here and abroad even after just a semester. Thus, if for one reason that student has to stop schooling; he or she is job-ready. Later on, if the person decides to come back to school, he moves on to the next semester.

After each semester of study, he earns another certificate that adds to his portfolio of skills that passes National Certifications. After two years of study, he will earn a Diploma in Entrepreneurship with concentration in Farm Business. And if he or she wants to complete the BS degree, two more years of study will make this happen.

Fourth, the program allows the student to “Earn while you Learn.” For every hour spent on hands-on training, the student will be paid a salary equal to 75 percent of minimum wage. Thus, it is possible for a student to come to us and enrolls in the program even if he doesn’t have the means to pay for his tuition and other incidental expenses.

Through this scheme, we can accommodate a talented student to earn a college degree even if his parents cannot afford to send him to the university.

Fifth, from day one, our students will go through an “internship program.” He or she will be immersed in the life of an entrepreneur because our program prepares our graduates to venture into entrepreneurship. This is the most important element in our program offering.

Lack of training

We believe that the lack of entrepreneurship training in our curricular programs is one major reason why our country has been a laggard economically. I believe that the lack of entrepreneurship training is one major reason for this.

Our graduates will not be one more “job seeker,” one more graduate vying for a position in the labor market. Our graduates after receiving their diploma will be full-fledged entrepreneurs who will be “job creators.” In commencing his career as an “entrepreneur” he had created for himself a job.

Later on, when his business grows, he will employ other people or may even partner with other people in his community to create a business enterprise to be registered as a cooperative. This is the model of an entrepreneur-workers cooperative. Cooperative is another type of business organization.

Our students will live, eat, study and work in our campus at least 24/5 (24 hours a day from Monday to Friday) because to be entrepreneur is not just an eight-hour job.

Career option

Our 60-hectare campus located in Punta, JalaJala, Rizal will be the equivalent to the Philippine Military Academy. In our case, we will prepare these students to become future leaders in the agribusiness sector.

So, here are some pointers I can give you to launch yourself in this uncertain world of work.

First, look into entrepreneurship as a career option. I’m sure some of you had entertained the thought of wanting to be your own boss and to own a business. Pursue that dream soon. One of the reasons why our country today is almost in the bottom from being second to Japan economically in Asia in the early ’60s is that we have lagged behind in business performance.

In those years going up to the ’80s, the Thais, Koreans, Taiwanese came to the Philippines to study agriculture and other courses. When they came back home, they applied their learnings to making their farms and businesses productive and profitable. Today, a great majority of Filipino farmers belong to the statistics that says “below poverty.” If only 10 percent of those of you take up this call to pursue entrepreneurship, then I think my effort to write to you is worth the while.

But you may ask, is this the best time to start a business when the world is in a crisis? I was told that the Chinese character for a problem is the same as that of an opportunity. So the problem itself also presents an opportunity. If your business plan sees the light precisely because of a crisis then there is no stopping you when the situation gets better.

Second, maybe the 90 percent will still opt for the path of “job seekers.” Fine, but while you are still waiting for that illusive job, spend your time productively by gaining some work experience. Work need not be paid work but one can volunteer to get the necessary work experience. I understand today, nursing graduates even pay hospitals just to get a slot for volunteer work so that they can show their future employers that they have some relevant work experience. There are always NGOs of LGUs in need of extra manpower. Volunteer in a job that is relevant to your field. This way you build up your portfolio of skills and work experience.

Third, of the 90 percent who are job seekers tomorrow, some may say that actually I want to have my own business but I still need to get some work experience and save for my capital. Maybe there are another 10 percent of these who will eventually start their own business after five years.

To those who will take this path, my advice is that you choose a job that gives you the tools for entrepreneurship—in marketing, production, finance or human resources. Some may even want to take a sideline by being a dealer for product distributorship in your own neighborhood.

Social enterprise

For example, the Gawad Kalinga recently launched a social enterprise called the Human Heart Nature Co. It is looking for distributors of beauty products that are organically produced. I’m sure some of the ladies would be interested in something like this. This and similar companies will give you training as part of the whole package.

Fourth, start the habit of saving by setting aside 10 percent of your income. This will provide you the needed equity when you decide to go full-time as an entrepreneur. For additional capital requirements, this early be a member of a cooperative in your area because business financing is one of the services they provide the members. Today, there are also a number of microfinance institutions that provide capital for microenterprises and business startups. There are also a number of government agencies that provide assistance to microentrepreneurs.

For example, if you have an interest related to tourism or business, you can look into the Department of Tourism’s GREET Livelihood Grants Program. GREET stands for Grassroots Entrepreneurs for Ecotourism. Ecotourism is one of the sunrise industries in the country today. If your parents have a farm, you may also develop it and open it up to visitors who will pay to see what you are doing. This is also one area that is quite new in the country—Farm Tourism.

Fifth, your best training for entrepreneurship is on-the-job, hands-on training. This is one of the reasons why the Chinese are successful in business. From the time they begin to count, they are already given some chores to help in the store or in their family business. This is internship per excellence.

You can only learn a few things from the business school but much of the learning comes from the school of hard knocks. If you have a hobby or a passion for something, consider making a business out of it. This is where work becomes a pleasure, not a burden.

Great businesses

Entrepreneurship is not for everybody. It is true that some people are born with it as a talent. It is part of their nature. But nature is just one element. One needs to nurture the talent to make it bloom. Why not give entrepreneurship a try? You can start very small as a sideline. Who knows? You may just discover that you have the aptitude for it.

The great businesses of this world started small—The Microsoft, the Hewlett-Packard, Google, Facebook and, closer to home, the SM just to name a few. These businesses were started by people who did not even have formal training in business, much less an MBA.

Your parents have not planned just for a year or even 10 years. Your parents have invested in you so that can make your dreams a reality, not just for you and your family, but for our country as well. Put your university education to good use and make it grow, so that like the strong narra trees, you can withstand the tempest of the storms in life.

(This article was lifted from the author’s commencement address before graduates of the University of Rizal System. Dr. Gayo is chair of the MAP AgriBusiness and Countryside Development Committee, and vice president and farm business institute group head of the MFI Foundation. Feedback at map@globelines.com.ph. )

Original Article - http://business.inquirer.net/money/columns/view/20090517-205564/Where-to-now-graduates

-Good question - what do the new grads from the Philippines do now.... great info on here too!!!

The surprising strength of Southeast Asia

2009-06-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

The surprising strength of Southeast Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — Painful economic slowdowns are nothing new to Southeast Asia. The region went through its own gut-wrenching financial crisis more than a decade ago in what now seems like a dress rehearsal for today's turmoil. Companies defaulted, banks collapsed, stock markets tanked, and economies shrank at double-digit rates as foreign investment slowed to a trickle. But Southeast Asia dutifully swallowed the bitter pill of austerity, devaluing currencies and working off debt while banks restructured and companies patched up balance sheets.

Now Southeast Asia is getting whacked again, a victim of sins on the other side of the globe. Last autumn the region's exports plunged as the US, and then China, slumped. Foreign investment, meanwhile, has plummeted as multinationals rein in spending. "It's frustrating that we are in a crisis that is not of our own making," says Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Yet this downturn is hardly a full-blown repeat of the Asian crisis. That's testament to the surprising strength of the 10 countries that belong to Asean. The region's banks are virtually free of toxic assets and haven't needed government bailout money. Years of trade surpluses and high savings rates have contributed to record foreign reserves. Debt loads — for governments, corporations, and consumers — are a fraction of those in the US and Europe, and inflation and interest rates have fallen dramatically. "Of course there is a slowdown, but [these countries] are well prepared to weather the storm," says Mark Mobius, president of Templeton Emerging Market Funds. "They have outperformed global markets, which is telling us they are going to do quite well." Asean bourses have led the recovery in emerging-market stocks, with Jakarta's benchmark index up 70 per cent and Vietnam's up 80 per cent from recent lows.

Some companies operating in the region continue to do well, as demand for everything from computers to discount airline tickets remains strong. Unilever Indonesia has sold so much Pepsodent toothpaste, Lifebuoy shampoo, and other goods that its first-quarter revenue jumped 18 per cent, to US$412 million (RM1,442 million), boosting earnings 9 per cent, to US$70 million. "The impact from the global crisis is minimal," says Franky Jamin, Unilever Indonesia's corporate secretary. And London's Standard Chartered Bank, which gets two-thirds of its revenue in Asia, says first-quarter profits were its best ever, indicating that the region's slump will be shallower and shorter than elsewhere. Consumer banking and lending to small companies are strong, while the mortgage business continues to grow, says Ray Ferguson, the bank's CEO for Southeast Asia. Foreclosures, he adds, "are not a feature of the market."

Southeast Asia's strength is an encouraging sign that the region is still a player. Though it may have been half-forgotten by many investors since the crisis, its educated workers, natural resources, and — in some countries, at least — first-class infrastructure make it worth paying attention to. Asean has a total population of 560 million, and its combined gross domestic product of US$1.3 trillion is greater than India's.

Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore — which account for about 95 per cent of the region's economy — attracted nearly US$50 billion in foreign direct investment last year, vs China's US$92 billion.

General Electric, for instance, has committed more than US$1 billion to Southeast Asia in the past 18 months. Those investments include expanded aircraft maintenance facilities in Kuala Lumpur and a water-technology research centre in Singapore. And in May, GE broke ground on its first project in Vietnam, a US$61 million plant in the port city of Haiphong to produce wind turbine generators for export. "We wanted to put the GE footprint into a high-potential country," says Stuart Dean, the company's Southeast Asia president.

That's not to say the region doesn't pose significant challenges for investors. Red tape and corruption are rampant; Indonesia is ranked 126 out of 163 by Transparency International, behind Nigeria and Nepal. Jakarta's opaque laws have prevented a country rich in gold and copper from attracting a single new foreign mining project in a decade. In Vietnam, traffic moves at a snail's pace along roads that can barely handle motorbikes, let alone the growing number of cars. And in Thailand, tourists and investors alike have been spooked by instability as anti-government demonstrators in recent months have forced the cancellation of an Asean summit and closed Bangkok's airport for days.

Those troubles, combined with the global crisis, are weighing on growth. Singapore and Thailand — which depend on exports — are contracting. The Asian Development Bank expects Vietnam to expand 4.5 per cent this year, Indonesia 3.6 per cent, and the Philippines 2.5 per cent — near-recession levels for those countries. And new foreign investment in Malaysia fell 79 per cent, to US$931 million, in the first quarter, while in Vietnam investment inflows dropped 71 per cent, to US$2.8 billion.

Governments are fighting back by formulating stimulus plans. In Thailand, where the economy could shrink as much as 4 per cent, retail sales have held up thanks to US$58 cheques mailed to 10 million low-income workers as part of a three-year, US$45 billion stimulus package. Chipmaker Intel expects stimulus-driven spending on health care and education to boost sales of computers that use its chips. Retail PC sales for the five biggest economies in Asean grew 17 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter, more than twice as fast as in China, research firm GFK Asia estimates.

The region is also growing fast as an outsourcing centre. In the Philippine city of Cebu, nestled between emerald hills and luminous coral reefs, the seven-year-old Asiatown IT Park is home to two dozen call centres and software outsourcing shops. "It's not an easy job, but the salary is pretty good," says 29-year-old Leyland Canoy, who earns US$470 a month at locally owned eTelecare, where he provides tech support to customers of Internet phone company Vonage.

The Philippine outsourcing industry has been operating for years, but now it has big plans to grab as much as 10 per cent of the global IT outsourcing market. Wipro, Accenture, HSBC, and others have opened scores of new back-office and tech-support centres in the country, helping to build an industry that saw US$6 billion in revenue and employed more than 370,000 in 2008. "We are growing like crazy," says Marife Zamora, Philippines chief for Cincinnati-based Convergys, which hopes nearly to double its Philippines staff, to 20,000, this year. By 2010, industry leaders expect the sector to employ 900,000 and generate sales of US$13 billion.

That's an ambitious target, but the country is just starting to move up from call centres. "There's work in finance and accounting, and corporate back offices have yet to be tapped," says Oscar Sanez, CEO of the Business Process Association of the Philippines. Accenture, which employs about 16,000 in the country, is helping clients upgrade IT systems to keep up with financial regulatory changes in the recession-racked US. JPMorgan Chase, S.C. Johnson & Sons, and Siemens are expanding their back-office work there. And Wipro is doubling its Philippine staff, to 1,550, by October. "The talent is really good," says Sanjeev Bhatia, vice-president for international operations at Wipro BPO. "We are really bullish."

Global corporations still come to Southeast Asia-to find manufacturing alternatives to China. First Solar, of Tempe, Arizona, has chosen Kulim, Malaysia, for a US$680 million solar panel manufacturing plant. British motorcycle maker Triumph is building a US$73 million plant in Thailand. And Volkswagen this summer is launching a joint venture to produce Touran minivans in Indonesia.

Vietnam, though, is the primary beneficiary of the move to diversify away from China. Its proximity to the mainland and the low tariffs it enjoys in Southeast Asia thanks to Asean trade agreements are big pluses, as are its productive labour force and entrepreneurial culture. In April, Samsung Electronics opened a US$50 million mobile-phone plant outside Hanoi. Some 700 miles to the south near Ho Chi Minh City, Jabil Circuit is building a US$100 million circuit board plant in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park. Nearby, across former rice paddies muddied by afternoon rains, workers are readying a US$1 billion Intel plant that will open next year. "We expect more high-tech companies to follow," says Rick Howarth, general manager of Intel Products Vietnam. "The global crisis may have dampened companies' desire to invest, but they are also being forced to look at new markets for growth."

One of the region's greatest strengths is also a weakness: a growing reliance on exports, especially to China. The mainland's coastal factories use countless parts made in Southeast Asia for goods that are ultimately destined for the US and Europe. When those Chinese exports get slammed, Asean economies suffer. "The region is excessively dependent on China, which does assembly, while Asean does components," says Charles Adams, a professor at Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. "What's needed is more intraregional trade in final goods."

There are few signs Southeast Asia will wean itself from that dependence anytime soon. Philippine outsourcers work primarily with US customers. Intel plans to export most of its production from Ho Chi Minh City, since Vietnamese will buy just 3 million or so computers this year, while the Intel plant will be able to turn out hundreds of millions of chips annually. And Canon's US$100 million laser printer facility outside Hanoi, its largest anywhere, ships its products overseas.

An Asean agreement that allows free trade in autos around the region may help reduce the importance of China and the West. Ford Motor, for example, ships sport-utility vehicles from Thailand to Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The free trade "gives us enough volume," says David N. Alden, president of Ford's operations in Southeast Asia, where auto sales are about the same as in India. "Thailand's market alone could not have made this a business base."

AirAsia, a scrappy budget airline based in Malaysia, shows the potential of the regional market. In 2001, entrepreneur Datuk Tony Fernandes took a bankrupt carrier and relaunched it with just two planes flying out of Kuala Lumpur. Thanks to liberalisation of air travel in much of the region, Fernandes has ramped up to 81 aircraft and 122 destinations in 16 countries — often smaller cities others had ignored. He expects to carry 24 million passengers in 2009, up 30 per cent from last year. "We focused on building an Asean brand," says Fernandes. "We saw a huge opportunity no one was exploiting." — Forbes

Original article - http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/business/28623-the-surprising-strength-of-southeast-asia

FILIPINO WOMEN OUTPERFORM MEN IN BUSINESS

2009-06-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

Is Pilar earning more than Pepe? Is Marsha doing better than John? The answer appears to be yes. The latest statistics and surveys overwhelmingly show that Filipino women have an increasing edge over their male counterparts in business and entrepreneurship.

Women, who comprise more than half of the Philippine population, are becoming a major economic force in the country. For instance, there are now more female executives than ever. New research from Grant Thornton International reveals that the Philippines has the greatest percentage of women in senior management, with 47% compared to the global average of less than a quarter. The International Labor Organization also says the ratio of women to men in executive jobs in the Philippines is the highest in the world.

The Department of Labor and Employment’s Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics Filipino women has echoed this phenomenon, noting that women have steadily been outnumbering men in executive positions over the last several years. There are around 2.3 million Filipinas holding managerial positions, from supervisors to executives. There are also more female than male professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants (69%), as well as more female overseas workers (over 50%).
FILIPINO WOMEN OUTPERFORM MEN IN BUSINESS

As for business owners, while more established businesses are owned by men (66%), there are more budding entrepreneurs (69%) and new business owners (51%) among women, according to Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. Of the 13 million employed women, 30% are self-employed.

The National Statistics Office has also found out that women outperform men when it comes to income, based on their Gender Equality Ratio (GER) of 1.2299 in 2003 (a GER greater than one signifies an advantage of women over men). The MasterCard MasterIndex of Women’s Advancement, which measures the socioeconomic level of women in relation to men in Asia Pacific, has Filipino women topping the ranking in terms of labor force participation, managerial positions, and above median income.

So with more women heading key positions in corporations and running their own business, does it follow that there are more millionaire women than men in the Philippines? There are no studies on this yet, but the probability is high. It is not surprising if there are a lot of Filipinas who became self-made millionaires.

What makes their accomplishment even more inspiring is that many of them are also mothers who managed to raise their children and manage their household as they were building their career and reaching financial independence.

original article - http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=215519&Itemid=28

-You go pinay!

Pinoy lawyer wins award in US

2009-06-18T07:32:00.000-07:00

Pinoy lawyer wins award in US

MANILA, Philippines - Environmental lawyer Tony Oposa will receive the International Environmental Law Award from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) at a luncheon ceremony in Washington on April 21.

Oposa is cited as “one of Asia’s leading voices in the global arena of environmental law.”

“His work is internationally known for establishing at the highest Philippine Court of Law the principle of inter-generational responsibility – the right to sue governments on behalf of future generations to stop environmental damage,” an announcement from CIEL said.

An activist working on local, national, and international levels, he has worked tirelessly to protect the country’s natural resources. His work includes a decade-long fight with the government to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay, curb over-fishing in the Visayan Sea, fight the misappropriation of the country’s forest resources, and establish the School of the Seas, a learning center for sustainable living.

Oposa said the award “belongs to us all – the Filipino… It is my dream that one day, our collective efforts and passions will ‘infect’ the rest of our people and that one day, we – all the Filipinos, with our native genius for Nature and the natural sciences and arts – will be the beacons of light for the rest of the world.”

The CIEL award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the effort to achieve solutions to environmental problems through international law and institutions.

CIEL is a nonprofit organization working to use international law and institutions to protect the environment, promote human health, and ensure a just and sustainable society. It was founded in 1989 and is based in Washington.

Original Article - http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=457705

-Great to know we have environmentally conscious Filipinos out there! Go Philippines!

Expert urges Filipinos to explore online biz

2009-06-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

Expert urges Filipinos to explore online biz

By Alexander Villafania
INQUIRER.net

MAKATI CITY, Philippines –Uncertainties brought about by the current economic crisis are causing Filipinos to find new ways to make money.

While some are looking to work abroad despite problems regarding foreign employment, a Filipino online marketing expert said fellow Filipinos can still earn in dollars without having to find work abroad – or leave the comforts of their home.

Dubbed by online entrepreneurs as “Master List Builder,” Joel Christopher Remandaban, said Filipinos can develop their own businesses via the Internet by going beyond using this as a tool but as main business platform.

Remandaban has been using mailing lists to do business on the Internet, thus earning the name of Master List Builder. It is similar to doing direct selling or advertising.

Remandaban, who has written a book on Internet marketing, said Filipinos often lack the spirit of entrepreneurship.

“Graduates tend to think to work for another company first. When they’re used to it, they stick to just being employed instead of being an employer,” he said.

He said Filipinos are now using Internet to generate revenues. Some go for advertising on blogs or websites through services like Google’s Adsense.

He said some of these online tools are slowly giving in to newer tools now used by other online entrepreneurs to differentiate themselves in the market.

“There are many new business models that can be tapped by Filipino online entrepreneurs. Some can be sure fire successes as long as the entrepreneur chooses what market to target first, and then analyze what products and services can be offered online,” Remandaban said.

Another challenge is the negative perception by many Filipinos about the Internet, particularly with risks such as identity theft and online get-rich-quick scams.

He said Filipinos should also be wary but at the same realistic in establishing their goals.

Remandaban currently manages USTE.tv, an online portal for alumni of the University of Santo Tomas.

He said he is using USTE.tv for the upcoming 400th anniversary of the UST. The site is also used to provide online entrepreneurship lessons.

“We’ll be conducting seminars wherein we will do video streaming of real-world online business scenarios,” Remandaban said.

-Original Article - http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20090610-209756/Expert-urges-Filipinos-to-explore-online-biz

- Well if this pinoy is called the "Master" then maybe we ought to listen to him and make some money in the Philippines!

Harvesting water lilies into cash

2009-06-16T07:19:00.000-07:00

Harvesting water lilies into cash

A riverside community on Manila's outskirts is relieving the chronic flooding of Zapote River due to an abundance of water lilies by weaving them into cash.

Garbage-feeding weed-like water lilies clog the river system, causing heavy floods that routinely damage property and cause illness in the Las Pinas district.

Entrepreneur Ophelia So, discovered that instead of disposing the water lilies, the stems could be used as raw materials for handicrafts.

Working with local officials, So hires about 20 workers to make baskets, bags, lamps and other products, which she exports to the U.S. and sells to local buyers. The workers earn about 200 pesos (US$4) each week. The products are for export all over the world.

Manila generates 8,000 tonnes of solid waste each day, and proper disposal facilities are not available in slum areas, many of which lie along rivers. Around 80 families live alongside the Zapote River, which runs 18 kilometers (18 miles) and connects to several tributaries.

The water lilies now provide income for a community of about 200 families, residents no longer curse their presence. Flooding has lessened, with the massive harvesting of lilies and continuous river dredging.

As local leaders work toward a pristine river, there are fears that the water lilies could dwindle and with them, the source of livelihood for dozens of families.

-I love the entrepreneurial spirit of the Filipinos!

Original Article - http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUS12433955606

1st interactive TV proudly Pinoy-made

2009-06-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

1st interactive TV proudly Pinoy-made

By Rainier Allan Ronda

MANILA, Philippines - A group of young Filipino engineers and designers bidding to make the world’s first interactive television unveiled the improved prototype of their dream computer-TV the other day.

Brian Quebengco, founder of Inovent Electronics Inc., launched the “beta” version of their Illumina LCD Interactive Television (iTV).

Quebengco presented a 32-inch LCD television enhanced with the functions of a personal computer with interactive Internet capability.

With their production of the beta unit, Quebengco said they are coming close to finishing a final prototype that will be mass-produced in the country and sent on a path toward attempting to be the first Filipino electronic product that can challenge the consumer market dominated by products from Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Calling themselves as “inoventors,” Quebengco said their group is attempting to merge the regular LCD TV and personal computer.

He said their group is now in talks with various manufacturers interested in mass-producing the Illumina.

According to Quebengco, they have already signed non-disclosure agreements with the US’ leading chip maker Intel, and local electronics companies Integrated Microelectronics Inc. (IMI) of the Ayala group and EMS Inc. to discuss possible mass production.

The Inovent Electronics team is composed of Quebengco as its founder and leader; chief marketing “inoventor” Mark Ruiz; senior design “inoventors” Peter Can, Jonas Peralta, and Jaed del Mundo; junior program “inoventor” Ryan Bitanga; and junior “inoventors” Victor Yu and Nikko Garcia, who are undergraduates at the De La Salle University (DLSU) taking up electrical engineering and electronics and communications engineering (ECE), respectively.

Quebengco is a professor of industrial design at the DLSU, aside from being an entrepreneur.

The group had produced the Illumina literally from scratch in the garage and different dorm units of the team members.

The Inovent team had presented an “alpha” unit or rough prototype of the Illumina last Nov. 30.

“We have made it sexier,” Ruiz said in the presentation yesterday at the Magnet Café in Bonifacio High Street mall at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.

The Illumina boasts of a complete multimedia device with access to Google Gadgets, Plasma Widgets, and Mac OS X dock Widgets.

It is said to be the first convergence product made in the Philippines that synthesizes the functions of an LCD television and a personal computer.

Housed in a bold and minimalist curved casing, the iTV is equipped with a High Definition (HD) webcam, a Blue Ray DVD slot drive, VoIP, DVR, Wi-Fi/LAN, 1.5 Terabyte hard drive, wireless keyboard, and a Bluetooth head phone built in the back of the remote control to allow motion gesture base.

The iTV allows the user to watch a local or cable show while browsing the Internet and even communicate interactively through voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and webcam.

Original Post - http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=477446&publicationSubCategoryId=68

- Nice to see Philippine ingenuity! Go Philippines!

Top ten online PR fails

2009-06-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

Top ten online PR fails
by Graham Charlton

A number of brands have fallen foul of social media over the last few years, either due to lack of understanding of how information spreads online, or by attempting to manipulate the system and getting caught out.

I've listed ten examples of companies who have suffered PR nightmares online, in most cases the bad publicity has come via social media sites...

Ryanair

After a blogger criticised a flaw in the airline's online booking process, staff from the airline left several childish and insulting comments in response to the post. To make matters worse, after the episode was publicised around the web, the company issued a statement saying that 'it is Ryanair policy not to waste time and energy in corresponding with idiot bloggers and Ryanair can confirm that it won’t be happening again.'

Domino's

The video showing Domino's employees adding various unsavoury embellishments to the food they were preparing went viral on YouTube, and was a PR nightmare for the company. The company did what it could by posting a video response on YouTube, though some found the delivery by President Patrick Doyle less than perfect.

Belkin

A Belkin employee was caught red handed offering to pay other Amazon Mechanical Turk users to write positive reviews of one of its products on the site. These reviews were especially unconvincing given the fact that the router in question had several bad reviews already, making the positives stick out like a sore thumb. The paid reviews have since been removed.

Whole Foods

Whole Foods CEO John Mackey left a bunch of anonymous postings about rival company Wild Oats before being rumbled, causing a great deal of embarrassment for him and his company. Mackey apologised to shareholders afterwards, but the damage was done.

Wal-Mart

The company was outed in 2006 after a blog chronicling a duo's travels across America while camping in Wal-Mart car parks turned out to have been the work of PR firm Edelman.

Amazon

After removing books with adult content, including Brokeback Mountain and Lady Chatterly's Lover, from its bestseller lists, Amazon was subjected to a torrent of bad publicity on Twitter and elsewhere. The company blamed a glitch but didn't directly respond on Twitter.

Kodak

Kodak recently decided to charge an annual fee for storing photos in its online Gallery, and though it claimed to have emailed everyone concerned, some were clearly surprised when their photos started to vanish. Cue lots of bad publicity for the company on Twitter.

Target

US retailer Target got itself some bad publicity in the New York Times last year after dismissing a complaint from a blogger about one of its ads with the phrase: 'we are unable to respond to your inquiry because Target does not participate with nontraditional media outlets'.

Just months before, the company was outed for encouraging Facebook users, who were receiving various freebies, to praise the company on the site.

Neal's Yard

The retailer of organic products pulled out of an online debate as part of The Guardian's 'You ask, they answer' feature. It seems the company didn't like the quaestion concerning the withdrawall of one of its products last year; a homeopathic remedy for malaria.

As pointed out here, this refusal to enagage is not the way to deal with criticism online, and represents a PR failure for the firm.

ExxonMobil

An example of why companies should own their social media profiles, and monitor sites like Twitter comes from ExxonMobil. Someone calling herself Janet set up an account on the site in the company's name and managed to fool plenty of people before the account was taken down.

Original Article from econsultancy.com - http://econsultancy.com/blog/3981-top-ten-online-pr-fails

- Now this is just a great post about the power of online networks. Use it wisely people!

Lost Blogs (Blogs that don't make it)

2009-06-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

Blogs Falling in an Empty Forest

By DOUGLAS QUENQUA

“HI, I’m Judy Nichols. Welcome to my rant.”

Thus was born Rantings of a Crazed Soccer Mom, the blog of a stay-at-home mother and murder-mystery writer from Wilmington, N.C. Mrs. Nichols, 52, put up her first post in late 2004, serving up a litany of gripes about the Bush administration and people who thought they had “a monopoly on morality.” After urging her readers to vote for John Kerry, she closed with a flourish: “Practice compassionate regime change.”

The post generated no comments.

Today, Mrs. Nichols speaks about her blog as if it were a diet or half-finished novel. “I’m going to get back to it,” she swears. Her last entry, in December of last year, was curt and none too profound. “Books make great gifts,” she began, breaking a silence of nearly a month.

Like Mrs. Nichols, many people start blogs with lofty aspirations — to build an audience and leave their day job, to land a book deal, or simply to share their genius with the world. Getting started is easy, since all it takes to maintain a blog is a little time and inspiration. So why do blogs have a higher failure rate than restaurants?

According to a 2008 survey by Technorati, which runs a search engine for blogs, only 7.4 million out of the 133 million blogs the company tracks had been updated in the past 120 days. That translates to 95 percent of blogs being essentially abandoned, left to lie fallow on the Web, where they become public remnants of a dream — or at least an ambition — unfulfilled.

Judging from conversations with retired bloggers, many of the orphans were cast aside by people who had assumed that once they started blogging, the world would beat a path to their digital door.

“I was always hoping more people would read it, and it would get a lot of comments,” Mrs. Nichols said recently by telephone, sounding a little betrayed. “Every once in a while I would see this thing on TV about some mommy blogger making $4,000 a month, and thought, ‘I would like that.’ ”

Not all fallow blogs die from lack of reader interest. Some bloggers find themselves too busy — what with, say, homework and swim practice, or perhaps even housework and parenting. Others graduate to more immediate formats, like Twitter and Facebook. And a few — gasp — actually decide to reclaim some smidgen of personal privacy.

“Before you could be anonymous, and now you can’t,” said Nancy Sun, a 26-year-old New Yorker who abandoned her first blog after experiencing the dark side of minor Internet notoriety. She had started it in 1999, back when blogging was in its infancy and she did not have to worry too hard about posting her raw feelings for a guy she barely knew.

Ms. Sun’s posts to her blog — www.cromulent.org, named for a fake word from “The Simpsons” — were long and artful. She quickly attracted a large audience and, in 2001, was nominated for the “best online diary” award at the South by Southwest media powwow.

But then she began getting e-mail messages from strangers who had seen her at parties. A journalist from Philadelphia wanted to profile her. Her friends began reading her blog and drawing conclusions — wrong ones — about her feelings toward them. Ms. Sun found it all very unnerving, and by 2004 she stopped blogging altogether.

“The Internet is different now,” she said over a cup of tea in Midtown. “I was too Web 1.0. You want to be anonymous, you want to write, like, long entries, and no one wants to read that stuff.”

Richard Jalichandra, chief executive of Technorati, said that at any given time there are 7 million to 10 million active blogs on the Internet, but “it’s probably between 50,000 and 100,000 blogs that are generating most of the page views.” He added, “There’s a joke within the blogging community that most blogs have an audience of one.”

That’s a serious letdown from the hype that greeted blogs when they first became popular. No longer would writers toil in anonymity or suffer the indignities of the publishing industry, we were told. Finally the world of ideas would be democratized! This was the catnip that intoxicated Mrs. Nichols. “That was when people were starting to talk about blogs and how anyone could, if not get famous, get their opinions out there and get them read,” she recalled. “I just wanted to post something interesting and get people talking, but mostly it was just my sister commenting.”

Many people who think blogging is a fast path to financial independence also find themselves discouraged. Matt Goodman, an advertising executive in Atlanta, had no trouble attracting an audience to his self-explanatory site, Things My Dog Ate, which included tales of his foxhound, Watson, eating remote controls, a wig and a $400 pair of Prada shoes.

“I did some Craigslist postings to advertise it, and I very quickly got an audience of about 50,000 viewers a month,” he said. That led to some small advertising deals, including one with PetSmart and another with a company that made dog-proof cellphone chargers. Mr. Goodman posted a video of his dog failing to destroy one.

“I guess the charger wasn’t very popular,” he said. “I think I made about $20” from readers clicking on the ads. He last updated the site in November.

Mr. Jalichandra of Technorati — a blogger himself — also points out that some retired bloggers have merely found new platforms. “Some of that activity has gone to Facebook andMySpace, and obviously Twitter is a new phenomenon,” he said.

Others simply tire of telling their stories. “Stephanie,” a semi-anonymous 17-year-old with a precocious knowledge of designers and a sharp sense of humor, abandoned her blog, Fashion Robot, about a week before it got a shoutout in the “blog watch” column of The Wall Street Journal last December. Her final post, simply titled “The End,” said she just didn’t feel like blogging any more. She declined an e-mail request for an interview, saying she was no longer interested in publicity.

As for Ms. Sun of Cromulent.org, she has made peace with being public. She has a new blog,SaladDays.org, where she keeps her posts short and jaunty, not personally revealing; mostly, she offers up health and diet tips, with the occasional quote from Simone de Beauvoir.

What is she after this time around? In person, she was noncommittal, but that night she sent a follow-up e-mail message.

“To be honest, I would love a book deal to come out of my blog,” she wrote. “Or I would love for Salad Days to give me a means to be financially independent to continue pursuing and sharing what I love with the world.”

-Original post on the New York Times -http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/fashion/07blogs.html

-Blogging isn't as easy as people may have thought for it to be.

How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live

2009-06-12T04:06:00.000-07:00

How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live

By STEVEN JOHNSON

The one thing you can say for certain about Twitter is that it makes a terrible first impression. You hear about this new service that lets you send 140-character updates to your "followers," and you think, Why does the world need this, exactly? It's not as if we were all sitting around four years ago scratching our heads and saying, "If only there were a technology that would allow me to send a message to my 50 friends, alerting them in real time about my choice of breakfast cereal."

I, too, was skeptical at first. I had met Evan Williams, Twitter's co-creator, a couple of times in the dotcom '90s when he was launching Blogger.com. Back then, what people worried about was the threat that blogging posed to our attention span, with telegraphic, two-paragraph blog posts replacing long-format articles and books. With Twitter, Williams was launching a communications platform that limited you to a couple of sentences at most. What was next? Software that let you send a single punctuation mark to describe your mood?

And yet as millions of devotees have discovered, Twitter turns out to have unsuspected depth. In part this is because hearing about what your friends had for breakfast is actually more interesting than it sounds. The technology writer Clive Thompson calls this "ambient awareness": by following these quick, abbreviated status reports from members of your extended social network, you get a strangely satisfying glimpse of their daily routines. We don't think it at all moronic to start a phone call with a friend by asking how her day is going. Twitter gives you the same information without your even having to ask.

The social warmth of all those stray details shouldn't be taken lightly. But I think there is something even more profound in what has happened to Twitter over the past two years, something that says more about the culture that has embraced and expanded Twitter at such extraordinary speed. Yes, the breakfast-status updates turned out to be more interesting than we thought. But the key development with Twitter is how we've jury-rigged the system to do things that its creators never dreamed of.

In short, the most fascinating thing about Twitter is not what it's doing to us. It's what we're doing to it.

The Open Conversation
Earlier this year I attended a daylong conference in Manhattan devoted to education reform. Called Hacking Education, it was a small, private affair: 40-odd educators, entrepreneurs, scholars, philanthropists and venture capitalists, all engaged in a sprawling six-hour conversation about the future of schools. Twenty years ago, the ideas exchanged in that conversation would have been confined to the minds of the participants. Ten years ago, a transcript might have been published weeks or months later on the Web. Five years ago, a handful of participants might have blogged about their experiences after the fact.

But this event was happening in 2009, so trailing behind the real-time, real-world conversation was an equally real-time conversation on Twitter. At the outset of the conference, our hosts announced that anyone who wanted to post live commentary about the event via Twitter should include the word #hackedu in his 140 characters. In the room, a large display screen showed a running feed of tweets. Then we all started talking, and as we did, a shadow conversation unfolded on the screen: summaries of someone's argument, the occasional joke, suggested links for further reading. At one point, a brief argument flared up between two participants in the room — a tense back-and-forth that transpired silently on the screen as the rest of us conversed in friendly tones.

At first, all these tweets came from inside the room and were created exclusively by conference participants tapping away on their laptops or BlackBerrys. But within half an hour or so, word began to seep out into the Twittersphere that an interesting conversation about the future of schools was happening at #hackedu. A few tweets appeared on the screen from strangers announcing that they were following the #hackedu thread. Then others joined the conversation, adding their observations or proposing topics for further exploration. A few experts grumbled publicly about how they hadn't been invited to the conference. Back in the room, we pulled interesting ideas and questions from the screen and integrated them into our face-to-face conversation.

When the conference wrapped up at the end of the day, there was a public record of hundreds of tweets documenting the conversation. And the conversation continued — if you search Twitter for #hackedu, you'll find dozens of new comments posted over the past few weeks, even though the conference happened in early March.

Injecting Twitter into that conversation fundamentally changed the rules of engagement. It added a second layer of discussion and brought a wider audience into what would have been a private exchange. And it gave the event an afterlife on the Web. Yes, it was built entirely out of 140-character messages, but the sum total of those tweets added up to something truly substantive, like a suspension bridge made of pebbles.

Original Artcle from Time Magazine -http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1902604,00.html

-Wow! Truely AMAZING stuff... how do you do that thing with the #twitter or whatever to contribute to a twitter conversation?

Ignite Show: Veronica Belmont - " The Do's & Don'ts of Making Your Business a Meme"

2009-06-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

Ignite Show: Veronica Belmont - " The Do's & Don'ts of Making Your Business a Meme", Ep 16

- I am now in love with Veronica Belmont! Funny, sexy, geeky and smart! Following her on Twitter now!

Original video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IuOgpZdnF0

Website Marketing Turnoffs - 13 things not to do when adapting your product to an online model

2009-06-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

Website Marketing Turnoffs

13 things not to do when adapting your product to an online model.

By Guy Kawasaki

Here's a compilation of 13 silly and even stupid ways some companies are hindering adoption of their products and services. So if you are doing any of them, don't.

Forcing immediate registration: Requiring a new user to register is a reasonable request—after you've sucked him in. The sites that require registration as the first step are putting a barrier in front of adoption.
The long URL: Say a site generates a URL that's 70 characters long or more. When you copy, paste and e-mail this URL, a line break is added. Then, people can't click on the link or it only links to the first part of the URL.
Windows that don't generate URLs: Have you ever wanted to point people to a page, but the page has no URL? Did the company decide it didn't want referrals, links and additional traffic?
The unsearchable website: Some sites don't offer a search option. If your site goes deeper than one level, it needs a search box.
Sites without Delicious, Digg and Fark bookmarks: There's no reason why a company wouldn't want its fans to bookmark its pages. When my blog hits the front page of Digg, page views typically increase six or seven times.
Limiting contact to e-mail: Don't get me wrong; I live and die by e-mail. But sometimes I want to call or even snail-mail a company. Many companies only let you send an e-mail via their "Contact Us" page. Why can't companies be honest and just call it "Don't Contact Us"?
Lack of feeds and e-mail lists: Make getting information about your products and services easy by providing e-mail and RSS feeds for content and PR newsletters.
Making users retype e-mail addresses: How about the patent-pending, curve-jumping Web 2.0 company that wants you to share content but requires you to retype your friends' e-mail addresses? I have 7,703 e-mail addresses in Microsoft Entourage. I'm not going to retype them into some done-as-an-afterthought address book.
No e-mail addresses as usernames: I'm a member of hundreds of sites. I can't remember my usernames, but I can remember my e-mail address. So why not let me use that?
Case-sensitive usernames and passwords: I know; these are more secure. But then I'm more likely to type in my user name and password incorrectly.
Friction-full commenting: "Moderated comments" is an oxymoron. If your company is trying to be a hip, myth-busting, hypocrisy-outing joint, it should let anyone comment. Also, many times I've started to leave a comment on a blog but stopped when I realized I'd have to register.
Unreadable confirmation codes: A visual confirmation graphic system is a good thing, but many are too difficult to read. All you have to prove is that you're not a robot. So if the code is "ghj1lK," entering "ghj11K" should be good enough.
E-mails without signatures: Communication would be so much easier if everyone included a complete e-mail signature with their name, company, address, phone and e-mail address.

Original Article - http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2009/june/201614.html

-Can't go wrong with reading Guy Kawasaki! I'll make sure to let me web designer read this before he makes my new site.... www.WhenInManila.com

Google Wave Could Redefine Email and Web Communication

2009-06-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

Could Google Wave Redefine Email and Web Communication?

by Ben Parr33 Comments

Google promised to deliver something spectacular on the second day of the Google I/O conference, and they did not disappoint. Google has just announced Google Wave, a new in-browser communication and collaboration tool that is already being hailed by some as the next evolution of email. Yes, Google Wave is potentially that disruptive.

Created by two of the guys behind Google Maps with a small team in Sydney, the concept behind Google Wave is to “unify” communication on the web. It’s a hybrid of email, web chat, IM, and project management software. It features the ability to replay conversations because it records the entire sequence of communication, character by character. Because of this, discussions are

also live in Google Wave: you will see your friends type character-by-character.

The features don’t stop there, either. Google Wave also supports the ability to drag attachments from your desktop into Google Wave. It loads that file and sends it immediately to anyone in the conversation. It’s also embeddable, so you can embed Google Wave conversations on any blog.

As you can see, it looks very similar to a Gmail inbox, except it’s more focused on your contacts, whose faces you can see in your contacts sidebar on the left. As for conversations, well, it’s a bit different than anything we’ve seen before. You can reply and add your thoughts anywhere within a message. Communication within Google Wave is completely shared.

The key to it all is the faster line of communication. Attaching documents, like you do in email, is unnecessary in Google Wave. Real-time conversations and collaboration make it an ideal tool for business teams as well. Imagine an entire office having Google Wave open to quickly share and receive files. It combines some of people’s favorite aspects of many different web communication tools.

You’re going to have to wait a while though: Google Wave will not be available to the public until later this year. Right now it’s only available to a select group of developers, who will be able to create their own Wave servers. It’s also an open-source project with a lot of API integrations, so we can expect a lot of user-driven innovations and extensions for the platform as well.

So, back to the big question: could Google Wave really redefine web communication? Clearly it’s too early to tell, but we’re already very impressed with the client and its potential. We’ll be testing out its sandbox soon and giving you our assessment, as well as updating you with any more information coming out of Google I/O today.

Original Mashable article - http://mashable.com/2009/05/28/google-wave/

Another cool article from Techcrunch- http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/28/google-wave-drips-with-ambition-can-it-fulfill-googles-grand-web-vision/

-WOW!!!! We'll be "waving" at each other soon.

The 6 Dangerous Fallacies of Social Media

2009-06-08T04:04:00.000-07:00

The 6 Dangerous Fallacies of Social Media

Written By: Jason Baer

You may have heard of social media. There’s been a bit of news about it recently. However, a lot of people making that news have created expectations and beliefs about social media that aren’t true.

1. Social Media is Inexpensive

False. As Charlene Li said recently, social media trades media cost for labor cost. Done correctly, social media - even a simple reputation monitoring program - is a time intensive proposition that requires daily vigilance.

2. Social Media is Fast

False. Social media is by definition slow. Done correctly, social media is about developing meaningful relationships with customers and prospective customers in their natural habitat. That’s not a “wave the magic wand” scenario. You have to create content, be part of many communities, and proceed incrementally. Many successful social media programs take months (or even more than a year) to really germinate.

3. Social Media is “Viral Marketing”

False, in the same way that a square is also a rectangle, but a rectangle isn’t a square. Can a social media program go viral? Absolutely. But if you’re engaged in a social media program in an effort to go “viral” you’re not really engaged in social media at all. You’re engaged in an advertising and marketing campaign that uses the Web as its distribution platform.

4. Social Media results can’t be measured

False. Especially in comparison to many other communication programs like traditional PR, TV advertising, outdoor advertising and others, social media actually offers pretty solid metrics. Many social media software packages (great ebook analysis of them here) can provide highly detailed reports on the impact of social media programs. Can those results be tied back directly to sales, and therefore ROI? Probably not yet, but other than search and email (and maybe banners) where CAN you do that?

5. Social Media is optional

It doesn’t matter what the demographics of your customers are. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in. Your customers and prospects are talking about you online. Your company needs to be part of that conversation. Today. Online is where many people do their talking, so that’s where you need to be. If barber shops were still driving consumer sentiment, I’d be writing this post about barber shop marketing. Be where your customers are.

6. Social media is hard

False. It’s not hard, it’s complicated. And that’s only because of the alphabet soup of social networks, lifestreams, sharing sites, etc. Social media is not about Facebook or MySpace or Flickr or Twitter or blogs or YouTube. It’s about having a strategy for making your company or organization more like a person and less like a machine. It’s about humanization.

If your customers and prospects feel like your company is more human and actually cares about them, they’ll want to be part of it. That’s the brand engagement holy grail that we’re all seeking. Too often, the humanization part gets overlooked in an effort to create a “user-generated video contest widget that we’ll launch on Facebook with support from Ustream.” Whatever. Use technology to be yourself, and don’t overthink it.

Original Article here - http://www.convinceandconvert.com/social-media-marketing/the-6-dangerous-fallacies-of-social-media/

-I'm sure the Young Professionals out there are very keen to the powers of social network marketing. Great article here that gives us a deeper insight. Convince and Convert is a really good site too!

Finding New Employees, via Social Networks

2009-06-07T03:12:00.000-07:00

Finding New Employees, via Social Networks

By JULIE WEED

ALAN KENNEDY, 54, had never used social networking sites until he was laid off from his job as an engineer last November. Then he did what many job seekers are now advised to do: he set up profiles on Facebook and LinkedIn.

In March, after several depressing months of searching, Mr. Kennedy received a “Jobvite,” an e-mail invitation to apply for a job. The invitation came from a former co-worker who had gone to work for Hubspot, a company based in Cambridge, Mass., that sells Web-based marketing software. Hubspot had open positions and was offering bonuses to its employees to help fill them.

Mr. Kennedy’s former co-worker, Brian Karbel, used a software tool to search the profile information of his Facebook friends and LinkedIn contacts. He flagged Mr. Kennedy as a possible match to a job listing. Mr. Kennedy, who lives in the Boston area, responded to the invitation, scheduled an interview and, within a week, was working as a support engineer there. “I landed a job I might never have even heard of otherwise,” he said.

Until recently, Facebook might have been more likely to be viewed as a barrier to getting a job. Cautionary tales circulate of job offers rescinded after an employer discovered unseemly content on an applicant’s Facebook page. Social network users have been advised to sanitize their personal pages when job hunting, lest potential employers spot an inappropriate photo or comment.

But now more personal pages, profiles and social networks are serving as fodder for companies looking to fill jobs. To mine its employees’ social networking contacts for potential hires, a business can pay for services from companies like Appirio or Jobvite, whose service Mr. Kennedy used. Both are based in the San Francisco area.

A hiring company that uses Appirio’s product asks its employees to add an application to their Facebook pages. The tool will notify the employees when new jobs open and which of their friends might be a good fit.

“Appirio’s matching engine comes up with a list of friends whose job titles, geographic location and other keywords match their company’s available positions, and the employee can send them a referral in Facebook,” said Ryan Nichols, Appirio’s vice president for product management. The matching engine has access to the same information that a Facebook friend does.

A friend who gets a referral can apply for the job if interested. If that person is hired, the company can use Appirio’s service to track which employee found the match and offer a referral bonus.

To address privacy concerns, the list of possible candidates is available only to the friend/employee and not to the hiring company or software provider. “People’s Facebook friends don’t want their personal information going to any companies they haven’t specifically authorized,” Mr. Nichols said, “so to protect their privacy, the candidate list isn’t sent back to the hiring company or reused in any way.”

Jobvite offers a similar service with a wider range. While the Appirio software can currently search Facebook contacts, the Jobvite tool can search Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter contacts. “And anyone who receives a Jobvite can search their own networks and pass it along again,” said Dan Finnigan, the chief executive of Jobvite.

“Employees have always referred friends for jobs,” he said, “Our technology just does the matching for them.”

Recipients who are hired can be tracked to the original sender for a referral bonus, even if the Jobvite has been passed from one mailbox to another up to six times.

Total Attorneys, in Chicago, started using Jobvite when the recruiting tool was introduced in March. Total Attorneys provides law firms with marketing services and with administrative tasks like preparing bankruptcy petitions.

Ed Scanlan, the chief executive of Total Attorneys, said: “Friends of our employees are more likely to have the same characteristics our employees do — hard-working, smart — so they’ve gone through a natural filter,” he said.

In a six-week period this spring, Total Attorneys hired 21 new employees. Eleven came from employee referrals, and of those, four came through Jobvite’s social networking search, he said.

GLADYS STONE, a corporate recruiter in San Francisco, says it’s smart for employers to tap into employees’ social networks. This accelerates the personal referral process and widens the field, as many social network users have hundreds of friends or contacts in their networks, she said.

And while some may be disconcerted that software from an unknown company is searching their profiles, Ms. Stone says that most know that information on the Web can be used in ways that people don’t expect, and that LinkedIn, in particular, is built to make professional information available.

Mr. Scanlan said that recruiting through his employees’ social networks was a natural progression from using Craigslist and job Web sites over the past few years. He hopes to make this grass-roots type of recruiting part of his company’s culture. “This is beyond the H.R. department,” he said. “All employees should be talent recruiters.”

And Mr. Nichols said that in an environment of high unemployment, friends want to help one another find jobs.

While Ms. Stone sees the value in the new tools, she also advises job seekers to take matters into their own hands.

“Use your social networking sites to reach out and tell everyone you know what kind of job you’re looking for,” she said. “You can’t always wait to receive an invitation.”

Original Article from the New York Times- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/jobs/31recruit.html?_r=1&ref=business

-Wow, the power of social network marketing!

Internet Marketing Guru, Jomar Hilario's Workshop for Financial Freedome in Manila

2009-06-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

Looking for a way to get out of that 9-6 workday? Everyday seems to drain more life out of you and you aren't even getting paid overtime. The money you make barely allows you to make ends meet and pay the bills. You're stuck in a rut, a cycle of mediocrity and you can't seem to find a way out!

Well now here's someone who can show you the way towards financial freedome in Manila and in the Philippines.

http://internetmarketingworkshop.blogspot.com/

Jomar Hilario is the internet marketing guru of the Philippines and has been sharing his success and strategies with everyone who wishes to listen.

I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend signing up for his workshops or online tutorials here - http://www.jomarhilario.com/

This is just one of the few ways that you and other young professionals from Manila, the Philippines or anywhere in the world can achieve financial freedome!

Great Filipinos Exposed

2009-06-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

Great Filipinos exposed

READ NOW By J. Vincent Sarabia Ong

With the recent level of Filipino media gunk rising and its content reaching a new low, St. Paul nailed it on the head when he said we must “drown evil in an abundance of good.” Fortunately for us, thanks to a group of young entrepreneurs, the word “Filipino” on the web is not Googled, tagged and associated only with terms such as singer, boxer or the song Careless Whisper. Instead of providing us videos that make us scratch our heads and say “Why?” these yuppies have pooled their resources together to give us online content that inspires us to do good as Filipinos and say “Why Not?”

I’m talking about the WhyNot? Forum spearheaded by social entrepreneur Mark Ruiz. Aside from his unmistakable white glasses, he is the board director of Rags2Riches and managing director of Microventures that manages Hapinoy. The WhyNot? Forum is an event already in its sixth run and features various inspiring Filipino speakers — from the three women who climbed Mt. Everest to Mr. Pagsi, an 80-year-old teacher who has been teaching first year high school English for 50-plus years. Among the other 31 speakers featured, this list includes corporate big wig Mon Isberto of Smart Communications, shoe designer Brian Tenoro, Jesuit priest Fr. Ted Gonzales, Senator Kiko Pangilinan and RockEd’s Gang Badoy who ad-libbed her eloquent speech when her computer presentation wouldn’t open.

Yet, the magic of WhyNot? is that these talks (inspired by the TED Talks in the US) are not just for a live audience. They are recorded and uploaded for free viewing in their website for Filipinos to follow the WhyNot? mantra of “Think New Thoughts. Share Big Dreams. Do Brave Things.” Thus inspiring Filipinos to unleash their ingenuity.

The First Step Is To Ask Why

Before leaping into WhyNot?, Mark Ruiz had the question “Why?” in his head. Already known for his speaking engagements, Mark was invited to a small school. He was shocked when they told him that he might not be able to speak because they couldn’t raise the P1,000 honorarium for him. This honorarium issue raised various questions in his head such as “Why are privileged people allowed to be exposed to great talks or ideas?” and “Why does it have to cost P10,000 to attend a conference of business gurus?” and “Why do you have to be in Manila to hear an engaging talk?” As an avid fan of TED Talk videos that feature remarkable Americans online, Mark then dared to ask, back in August 2007, “Why not do a TED with Filipino flavor?”

With his birthday only a month away on September 17, Mark, armed with his laptop already primed with a WhyNot? presentation, pitched the idea to his fellow social entrepreneurs friend Bam Aquino (his Microventures partner) and Carlo Calimon who works at R.A Gapuz Nursing review center to help him out as a birthday gift. They agreed to say “Why not?” and the first WhyNot? Forum was held in Warehouse 135 on September 27. It was an unexpected success as the people poured in to hear seven speakers deliver their WhyNot? despite the rain and UAAP basketball finals at the same time.

Yet, Mark and Carlo share that the first WhyNot? was a P100,000 ragtag production, like a high school project with glitches and all. So, on their third WhyNot? on education held at Mag:Net Cafe, they brought events specialist and managing director of One Asia Touchpoint Jan Chavez-Arceo to watch in awe and become a WhyNut herself to help with more sponsors. The stories of Tony Lopez and how he reinvented University of Makati and 80-year-old Mr. Pagsi captivated her; she soon became the group’s events organizer and secret weapon. Soon, they rounded out the crew with logistics head Angeli Ko and Timi Gomez to inspire Filipinos everywhere.

Be A WhyNut

The last WhyNot? Forum held in Tiendesitas on urban tribes had some freakshow fanfare as it was attended by various “whynuts” in Manila such as comic creators, costume fantatics in Star Trek getup, travel junkies and reggae lovers. When asked how the group would be able to top the last WhyNot? or even better it, they were hush-hush about the next topic. Mark hinted at radical plans such as holding one in a cemetery or another unusual venue. Jan Arceo says she tells the group to dream big and she’ll see how to fit it in the budget.

Asked what’s on their WhyNot wish list, Angeli Ko said she would like to speak about her passion for travel. Mark would focus on WhyNot itself. Jan Arceo was the most ambitious, saying she wanted to round up Filipino scientists abroad and bring them back to Manila to speak. Carlo, meanwhile, dreams of sharing his views on education.

After my interview with the “WhyNuts,” I was able to watch the rest of WhyNot talks online. The magical energy of each one, I learned, lies not in the oratory tricks used or the flashiness of their PowerPoint presentations, but in the fact that the speakers talk from the heart and with character. As Mr. Pagsi said in his own WhyNot talk, “When the heart speaks, there are no questions asked.” This is true for each video; they leave us in awe about how great the Filipino can be.

This is why I can’t help but ask, “Why are we so bent on spreading how bad the Filipino can be?” We need to first quit reading about and spreading the indiscretions of our own countrymen in media scandals and the like. Then, let us do our best to spread the good news in our blogs, twitter messages and Facebook pages. It is a matter of clicking away from the usual sleaze and doing our part to say “Why not view something better?”

* * *

WhyNot? Forum website @ http://www.whynotforum.com.

Original Article - http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=472706&publicationSubCategoryId=448

-Good to know we have young entrepreneurs helping to push us forward!

Melissa Roxas Moved to Philippines to Pursue Human-Rights Advocacy

2009-06-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

Melissa Roxas Moved to Philippines to Pursue Human-Rights Advocacy

(Bulatlat.com)

MANILA — In 2007, Melissa Roxas moved to the Philippines to pursue what a colleague of hers described as “human-rights advocacy full-time.”

Prior to Roxas’s move, she had been active as a founding member of the cultural organization Habi-Arts in Los Angeles. She was also a founding representative in Southern California for Bayan-USA.

Two years earlier, Roxas participated in an international fact-finding mission that investigated human-rights violations across the Philippines. That experience, in which she was confronted with the horrors of human-rights abuses committed by state security forces against hapless and poor Filipinos, may have strengthened her resolve to do something about it by moving to the Philippines.

Her move, said Bernadette Ellorin, chairperson of Bayan-USA, “was set amidst an acute human-rights crisis in the Philippines that includes reports of rampant extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, illegal arrest, torture, and summary executions.”

Since then, Roxas participated in medical missions and was a volunteer health worker when, on May 19, eight armed and hooded men abducted her and two others at gunpoint and shoved into a Besta van without license plates.

On Monday morning, colleagues said Roxas had been freed, but not her two companions, Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc.

“We are happy to hear about Melissa’s surfacing, but we are still concerned about the whereabouts of her two companions,” Ellorin said in a statement released on Monday, hours after Roxas was freed five days after her abduction in Tarlac province.

“We fully intend to pursue the demand for the surfacing of Carabeo and Handoc, as well as justice for Melissa. This abduction should never have taken place,” Ellorin said.

Ellorin said that “because more than five days had passed since their abduction, we believe Melissa’s surfacing is a direct result of rapid community response and international pressure exerted from the Philippines and the United States first and foremost.”

Ellorin also announced that her group will hold protest actions across the United States on May 27, the 10th anniversary of the Visiting Forces Agreement. Roxas’s case, specifically the call for justice, will be among the highlights of the protests.

“Bayan-USA firmly believes the continuing, unabated human-rights violations committed by the Philippine military and death squads are generously funded by US military aid to the Arroyo government,” Ellorin said. Bayan-USA, she added, “ultimately holds the Arroyo government accountable for the pattern of killings and abductions against civilians critical of the regime since 2001.”

“As we continue to campaign for justice for Melissa, Juanito, and John Edward, we are consciously raising awareness of the role of US tax dollars in funding these abductions and other human rights violations,” Ellorin pointed out.

Original Article - http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2009/05/25/melissa-roxas-moved-to-philippines-to-pursue-human-rights-advocacy/

-This is really scary. It's also sad that the people doing the RIGHT things are the ones who get punished....

WHY I FOLLOWED MY PASSION AND WHY YOU SHOULD, TOO

2009-06-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

WHY I FOLLOWED MY PASSION AND WHY YOU SHOULD, TOO

I’ve squeezed a lifetime into the past two months, full of ups and downs and lefts and rights and tears of both sadness and joy. On January 26th, I started a new job in San Francisco. After two weeks, I quit, upon realizing it wasn’t anything the interview implied and everything I didn’t want to be doing. So, even in this economy, I decided there was always going to be a reason to settle, so I didn’t.

I blazed through job applications and spent hours on Craigslist searching for something that might pique my interest. Upon realizing that my resumes and cover letters were ending up in the black hole of databases that may or may not find me a good match, I made a decision to take control over my job search. I was sick of feeling helpless and at the whim of every hiring manager that gave my resume a thirty second look-over before deciding if I was worthy of an interview or not.

After feeling like I was running on a hamster wheel trying to find a job that I am passionate about, I got a flash in my head on March 6th. Twittershouldhireme dot com. I would make a website to show Twitter how much I want to work for them and it would get to them organically through, what else? Twitter. The website came after I was recommended by someone to work at Twitter, after I brought cookies personally to the office, and after I sent emails detailing why I would be a good fit.

I stayed up till 6 a.m. making the site and once it was finished, I sent out one single tweet. As you all know, the site has gone viral and has inspired many people, including a few copycat sites. Word about the site caught on almost instantaneously and since then, it has been a month full of excitement, from lunch at Twitter headquarters, Fortune Magazine interviews to now a live interview on CNN.

No, I haven’t been hired at Twitter, but this experience has unlocked many more opportunities that I didn’t even think were possible. I would love to work at Twitter, but I’ve found a different direction for my passions.

I’m starting my own business called Shatterboxx Media, which is already thriving, actually. I’m doing graphic design and consulting. (Which, by the way, shameless plug, I’m available for hire!) Also, I am working as a part time contractor doing Community Management for techVenture. This all falls under the umbrella of Shatterboxx Media.

My own business would not have been possible before twittershouldhireme.com. My name is out there and I’ve built up my own credibility by doing something out of the box and attention-getting, perfect for a career in marketing/design. I didn’t wait for a company to give me a chance to prove myself; I made my own experience happen, because I was passionate.

No matter what the economic climate is, there is no reason to settle when it comes to what you’re passionate about. You may think you have to stay at a dead end job or you have to take a job you’ll never love, but you have choices. Believe me, I’m a 23 year old who is one year out of college, about to build my own business, which I already see thriving.

I took chances. I stood out. I didn’t wait; I made things happen. I was waiting though, before I started the site - when I was sending out ten resumes a day and staring at my phone, hoping at least someone would call me in for an interview.

It’s time for you to follow your passion. Stop making excuses. I know what it’s like to make excuses and when you stop making them, your head hits the pillow at night soundly, without having that itching pang of all the dreams you’re not going for swirling around in your head.

I know the media has got us all down, but we need to lift ourselves up again. We need to see the hope throughout the dreary climate. We need to band together and find new ways to follow our passions. We need to realize that there will always be a reason to settle and we can’t let it happen. We can’t let ourselves give up. We are all in this together, capable of greatness, and deserving of a life of passion.

Now, go. Build something great.

Original Post - http://www.shatterboxx.com/why-i-followed-my-passion-and-why-you-should-too/

-This is a follow up on young professional Jamie Varon and her site TwitterShouldHireMe.com

TwitterShouldHireMe.com

2009-06-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

This is one inspiring story of how one girl FOUND A WAY to succeed. It also shows us the power of the net.

Hired!

Jamie Varon, 23

Varon needed to get Twitter's attention, so she devoted a website to her hunt called twittershouldhireme.com. The company brought her in for a lunch meeting, and other companies began approaching her about jobs. The site's even spawned imitators: googleshouldhireme.com and facebookshouldhireme.com.

Original article from CNN Money - http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/fortune/0903/gallery.job_s tories.fortune/5.html

Follow-up site and article from Jamie Varon - http://manilayoungprofessionals.blogspot.com/2009/06/why-i-followed-my-passion-and-why-you.html

How To Be Creative?

2009-06-02T01:03:00.000-07:00

IGNORE EVERYBODY

So you want to be more creative, in art, in business, whatever. Here are some tips that have worked for me over the years.

1. Ignore everybody.

2. The idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to be yours.

3. Put the hours in.

4. If your biz plan depends on you suddenly being "discovered" by some big shot, your plan will probably fail.

5. You are responsible for your own experience.

6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.

7. Keep your day job.

8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity.

9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.

10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.

11. Don't try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.

12. If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you.

13. Never compare your inside with somebody else's outside.

14. Dying young is overrated.

15. The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not.

16. The world is changing.

17. Merit can be bought. Passion can't.

18. Avoid the Watercooler Gang.

19. Sing in your own voice.

20. The choice of media is irrelevant.

21. Selling out is harder than it looks.

22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.

23. Worrying about "Commercial vs. Artistic" is a complete waste of time.

24. Don't worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.

25. You have to find your own schtick.

26. Write from the heart.

27. The best way to get approval is not to need it.

28. Power is never given. Power is taken.

29. Whatever choice you make, The Devil gets his due eventually.

30. The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it.

31. Remain frugal.

32. Allow your work to age with you.

33. Being Poor Sucks.

34. Beware of turning hobbies into jobs.

35. Savor obscurity while it lasts.

36. Start blogging.

37. Meaning Scales, People Don't.

37. When your dreams become reality, they are no longer your dreams.

Original post and more details here.

The Secret to You

2009-06-01T02:04:00.000-07:00

Warning... this will make you smile with passion and inspiration..

VERY NICE video!

If you haven't read the book or seen the videos of "The Secret." It is an absolutely powerful way to attract good into your life. It shows you how you can use optimism and positivity towards attaining your dreams.... but shhhh... it's a Secret...

Follow this link if the video does not work... http://thesecret.tv/secret-to-you

Ten Part-Time Business Ideas (from BusinessWeek Magazine)

2009-05-31T18:14:00.000-07:00

Ten Part-Time Business Ideas (from BusinessWeek Magazine)

By Jeremy Quittner and John Tozzi

Businesses You Can Start on Your Own

In any economy, a part-time business can bring in extra income, give you a fallback plan if you lose your job, or plant the seed for a larger venture. In a downturn, it's hard to argue with preparing a backup plan. Of course, starting a business is always risky, and you will almost surely spend more than you make at first. Previously, we offered advice for recently laid-off workers considering going into business for themselves. Now we're offering snapshots of 20 part-time solo business ventures that could turn into full-fledged businesses, including tips on getting started and links to in-depth articles.

Baker
Man does not live by bread alone, or so the saying goes. But if anyone checked the sales of some of the best independent bakeries around the country, they'd be astounded. In 1994, Jim Lahey started Sullivan Street Bakery after several years experimenting as a home baker. Today, his company, which has about $6 million in annual revenues and about 90 employees, is a New York City bread-baking institution. Lahey has a word of warning, though: "Knowledge of cooking is much greater than 20 years ago," he says. "The market is more competitive and if you want to develop a cottage industry, the product better exceed expectations."

And if you want to jump on one of the hottest trends nationally—cupcakes—you might even find yourself selling upwards of 2,000 a day, an amount that New York's famed Magnolia Bakery easily exceeds. At $2 a pop, you can do the math, even for your home-based business.

First steps: Break out your market. Are you going to make muffins and cupcakes or bagels and baguettes? As with most food businesses, you'll need a state license in order to sell to the public. If that seems daunting, you can start by selling to friends and relatives or at local bake sales.

You also need to decide how much space you'll need. If you outgrow your home kitchen, consider renting space in a professional kitchen.

Time needed: Baking is a time-consuming business, so expect to devote 10 to 20 hours a week on it for part-time work.

Blogger

It's true that few bloggers make enough to earn a living—most make nothing at all. But if you can write well about a topic you're passionate about, you may develop a following, and with enough page views you can start bringing in revenue from ads. Pick a narrow topic that you're intimately familiar with and that has a well-defined audience. For example, a site that covers the world of digital SLR cameras in minute detail has a more natural audience than a broad technology blog; likewise, a general restaurant review site may elicit yawns, while a blog chronicling the seafood shacks of New England could attract a cultish following.

First steps: Begin writing and start participating in online communities where people interested in your topic hang out. Start for free on a platform like Blogger or WordPress.

Time needed: Prepare to spend at least a few hours each day writing. Keep a regular schedule to make sure your blog doesn't get stale.

eBay Seller

Yard-sale mavens who already spend weekends trawling for hidden treasures can resell what they salvage online, on eBay (EBAY) or other sites. Pick a niche that interests you and that you have some expertise in and monitor what already sells online so you can set prices accurately. If you know your vinyl, buy old record collections in bulk and resell the gems individually online. From books to electronics, you may be able to find resalable items out on the street on trash night or given away for pennies at moving sales.

First steps: Set up a shop on eBay or other e-commerce sites and begin to build your seller rating. It's free to list items on many e-commerce sites, though eventually you may want to invest in your own Web site, advertising, or premium services.

Time needed: Expect to spend several hours a week finding inventory and listing it for sale.

Fashion Designer

Scarlett O'Hara saw possibilities in postbellum drapery. And contemporary popular culture abounds with examples of runaway sartorial sensations: Think Christian Siriano of Project Runway fame. Maybe you can find your true muse in the clothing world, too, and make a big splash with your talent and ingenuity.

First steps: Gather tools of the trade including sewing machine, needles, thread, cloth, and patterns. You'll also need a well-lighted place for working. Prototypes can cost as little as $20 but balloon to hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on the market you design for. Similarly, secondhand shops sell starter sewing machines for $50 or less. Higher-end machines cost up to $2,000.

Time needed: Nights and weekends. This can be time-consuming work.

Hair Stylist or Manicurist

Building a good reputation and trust with clients is crucial in this business, so first work on people you know for free or a discounted rate. Once you're confident in your ability, look for new business through referrals from your early clients.

First steps: Set up a space in your home, offer to see clients in theirs, or see about renting a chair at a local salon.

Time needed: Prepare to work around clients' schedules, seeing them on weekends or after work.

Photographer

The barriers to starting a photography business virtually disappeared with the dawn of affordable digital SLR cameras and software like Photoshop. If you're skilled in taking great pictures, pick a niche and build a business around it. You might want to shoot weddings, bar mitzvahs, or corporate events. Or consider family or individual portraits. You could even set up a small studio space in your home. Consider what services you'll offer clients beyond just taking pictures—can you build a Web page to showcase the photos of their event as well?

First steps: Put together a portfolio of your existing work to show potential clients.

Time needed: For event photography, expect most gigs to be on weekends or evenings (galas, for example). You may be able to arrange portrait appointments on a more flexible schedule.

T-Shirt Vendor

Launching a T-shirt business is about as American as apple pie and your first paper route. Take the Life is Good guys, Bert and John Jacobs, who started out in 1989, selling their shirts door to door, at street fairs, and from the back of their van. Today, the company has about $100 million in annual revenues. T-shirt design is a hotly competitive market, however, and it should go without saying that the barriers to entry are low.

First steps: Create a catalog of design ideas, or simply one good one, like the Jacobs brothers, whose smiling stick figure captured the national mood. You need to decide if you will invest in the manufacturing materials or use a third-party designer, frequently known in the trade as a publisher: Lots of these exist, from CafePress to T-Shirt Monster. Using a publisher is cheaper, but you have less control and you'll be handing over most of your profits. On the other hand, investing in your own equipment, including a heat transfer press, can be expensive: $500 to $1,000. Again, this is an intensely crowded and competitive industry.

Time needed: Nights and weekends.

Tutor

Your subject matter is as limitless as the human mind: acting, algebra, tennis, anyone?

First steps: Get in touch with your local school district and offer your services. Good knowledge of one particular subject or activity is more marketable than spotty knowledge of many. States don't have licensing requirements, so you don't necessarily need a degree or other credential, though you'll likely make more money if you do have one.

Time needed: Evenings, mornings, or your lunch break.

Web Designer

If you're adept at coding and have an eye for sharp design, you make be able to make a business making Web sites—especially if it's something you already do professionally. Begin by building sites for friends and contacts to accumulate a portfolio. Focus on a niche, like designing pages for bands or restaurants, where you can develop a name for yourself in the community and get referrals from your early clients. Decide whether you want to build a one-time site for clients or take on the responsibility of updating and maintaining it, and bill appropriately.

First steps: Set up your own Web site with a portfolio of your work.

Time needed: You can make your own hours as long as you meet client deadlines—which may mean pulling some all-nighters.

Toymaker

If you already make toys for your own children, consider selling similar items for others. Handmade toys, clothes, and other kids' products have found a burgeoning market on the Internet. You can also sell at local craft and toy fairs, but Web sites like Etsy let toymakers connect with many more customers looking to buy unique handmade toys. Of course, safety is a concern, and some small toymakers say new product regulations will be unfairly burdensome. But the Internet's reach has let many small toymakers turn what was once a hobby into viable part-time businesses.

First steps: Set up an online store to feature your children's products.

Time needed: Your commitment will depend on demand. You might just need a few hours a week, but if your toys take off, you might have to work through the night to fill orders.

Original post (with 20 ideas) - http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0522_part_time_business_ideas/index.htm

-All GREAT ideas!!! Do you have any other ideas?

Online magazine tries to be a lab for media future

2009-05-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

Online magazine tries to be a lab for media future

NEW YORK - The Web edition of a cover story from Fortune this spring took a sharp turn from what you might expect at a 79-year-old magazine.

Dispensing advice on finding a job during a recession, the piece had a soundtrack, a troupe of improve actors from Chicago and about 4,000 fewer words than your average magazine feature. Instead of scrolling through a column of text, readers (if the term can be applied) flipped through nine pages that told the story with a mix of text, photo-illustrations, interactive graphics and video clips.

No one is quite sure what journalism will look like when the Internet is done with it, but as Fortune executive editor Steve Koepp put it, "If you're wondering what does the future of Fortune.com look like, it may be something like this."

Fortune can't take all the credit for trying to push storytelling a little further into the digital unknown. It had help from a much younger upstart, Flyp Media, that hopes to make these sorts of projects its stock and trade.

An online magazine operating a little more than a year, Flyp (pronounced "Flip") has no foot in journalism past. Its reporters — mostly freelancers — conceive of their stories as Internet creatures beginning to end.

"The idea isn't just to write a story and then add a video or an audio piece," explains Flyp senior editor Matthew Schaeffer. "It's to really figure out the best way to conceptualize these stories as multimedia pieces."

Flyp, which operates with a staff of about a dozen in a small set of offices in Manhattan, retains some traits of its ink and paper predecessors. Its staff and freelancers assembled a range of material for each biweekly issue, from short editorials on subjects like China's currency policy to in-depth features and photo spreads. Its Web site even reproduces the swishing noise of a magazine page being turned.

But without the constraints of putting out a print edition, Flyp is free to emphasize storytelling techniques that would not translate back onto the presses.

Even calling them "stories" might not be appropriate. "Experiences" is how Schaeffer refers to Flyp's work, which sometimes comes in the form of simple computer animation with voiceover or a series of video interviews.

Flyp's CEO, Alan Stoga, insists the site is not trying to dumb down content by de-emphasizing the written word, but simply wants to "engage the audience on a number of different levels."

The idea comes from an old print hand. Ramon Alberto Garza joined the Mexican daily newspaper El Norte nearly three decades ago at age 17 and rose to executive editor before founding a Spanish-language site called Reporte Indigo a few years ago. It specializes in the same multimedia approach as Flyp. The sites are operated separately, but owned and financed by Mexican entrepreneur Alfonso Romo.

Fortune magazine liked what it saw enough to try Flyp a second time. (The magazine isn't paying Flyp for the experiments.)

In April, the magazine published a whopping 11,000-word investigation on Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme. The story ran in standard online form, with photos and links to related stories, but the text stood center stage.

Readers were also invited to see Flyp's take, which was posted at Fortune.com as well. Its version opens on a large portrait of Madoff's face, winking at the audience as headlines gradually materialize alongside. The second page features a video introduction something like a TV news segment or documentary explaining Fortune's investigation. Flyp slashed the word count on the text piece, broke some of the copy out into moving, push-button graphics and ended the article with a quiz resembling a video game on the history of financial hucksters.

So is this what the magazine of the future looks like? And perhaps more critically, can the magazine of the future turn a profit?

The recession has brought the print industry's troubles into startling focus. The Publishers Information Bureau said magazine ad pages fell by 26 percent in the first quarter. Income from Web sites hasn't replaced the old revenue streams. Several titles have shut down or gone online only.

To be sure, Flyp is grappling with some of the same issues that keep traditional media executives up at night — how to drive traffic to the site and turn it into enough cash from advertisers to keep the lights on and pay freelancers.

Flyp won't give out traffic numbers. And the site is only now gearing up to include ads.

On top of that, Flyp faces a hurdle that most other publications have not had to grapple with: The site doesn't play well with Google, leaving it in something of an Internet no man's land. Search engines have only recently developed algorithms that can catalog the text on pages heavy with Flash animation, which Flyp relies on, and for now Flyp's site is mostly impenetrable to Google's crawlers.

Dan Tylkowski, a designer at Flyp, said a team of developers is looking at ways around the problem. Flyp's articles are also posted in standard text form to draw search traffic, but the site's designers would rather see readers directed to the real thing.

Flyp's method is just one way of telling a story online, as Fortune's Koepp points out. Aggregators, blogs, "tweets" — "There's a million different experiments going on," Koepp said.

Still, he's pleased with what Flyp has been able to do with Fortune stories. The magazine has even handed over its list of upcoming features and told Flyp to choose what it wants to work on.

"It's just an exciting new way to present the information to the reader," Koepp said. "It's a little taste of the future." - AP

Original Article - http://www.gmanews.tv/story/162709/Online-magazine-tries-to-be-a-lab-for-media-future

-Just some inspiration and food for thought. Innovation at it's finest!

The Difference Between a Freelancer and an Entrepreneur

2009-05-29T01:17:00.000-07:00

The Difference Between a Freelancer and an Entrepreneur

SETH GODIN

Which are you? Are you sure?

A freelancer is someone who gets paid for her work. She charges by the hour or perhaps by the project. Freelancers write, design, consult, advise, do taxes and hang wallpaper. Freelancing is the single easiest way to start a new business.

Entrepreneurs use money (preferably someone else’s money) to build a business bigger than themselves. Entrepreneurs make money when they sleep. Entrepreneurs focus on growth and on scaling the systems that they build. The more, the better.

The goal of a freelancer is to have a steady job with no boss, to do great work, to gradually increase demand so that the hourly wage goes up and the quality of gigs goes up too.

The goal of the entrepreneur is to sell out for a lot of money, or to build a long-term profit machine that is steady, stable and not particularly risky to run.

The trap is simple: Sometime freelancers get entrepreneur envy and start hiring other freelancers to work for them. This doesn’t scale. Managing freelancers is different from being a freelancer. Managing freelancers and saving the best projects for yourself gets you into trouble. The cash flow gets you into trouble. Investors don’t want to invest in you because you can’t sell out if you’re a freelancer at heart.

If you’re an entrepreneur, it is impossible to succeed by using your own labor to fill the gaps. That’s because your labor is finite. It doesn’t scale. That’s because if it’s a job only you can do, you’re not building a system, you’re just hiring yourself (and probably not paying enough either).

The solution is easy. If you’re a freelancer, freelance. Figure out how to do the best work in your field, the best work for the right clients. Don’t fret about turning away work, and don’t fret about occasional down time. You’re a freelance for hire, and you need to focus on your reputation and the flow of business. Find partners if you like but keep the cash flows separate.

If you’re an entrepreneur, don’t hire yourself. Build a business that works, that thrives with or without you. It might not be good for your ego, but it will be good for your bank account.

Whatever you do, don’t mix em up.

Original Post - http://blogs.openforum.com/2008/12/16/the-difference-between-a-freelancer-and-an-entrepreneur/

-Hmmmm.... ok so I think I'm a freelancer working my way up to become an entrepreneur... what are you?

10 Tips for Building Brand Communities

2009-05-28T00:57:00.000-07:00

10 Tips for Building Brand Communities

GUY KAWASAKI OF HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD

In the days of old: circa 2007, social-media marketing meant monitoring the blogosphere and managing forums, but today marketers are jumping in by actively creating and managing brand communities. Dave Balter is the founder and CEO of BzzAgent, a word-of-mouth media network headquartered in Boston. His company recently launched BzzScapes, a network of brand-centric communities, created by advocates and dedicated to the collection and ranking of the most relevant digital content for each brand.

I asked him what it takes to create a truly exceptional brand community, and these are his top ten tips:

1. Focus on your customer’s needs. Major brands have realized they can aggregate hundreds of thousands—even millions—of customers, but real engagement and meaningful interaction are still unattained goals. Focus on answering the question, “Why would consumers form a community around our brand?” rather than “How many people can we sign up?”

2. Foster many-to-many relationships. A brand community is not a one-to-many relationship—that’s brand autocracy. People need to interact with each other and not simply “the brand” if you want to create a successful brand community. Therefore, build peer-to-peer communication into your structure.

3. Think local. Brand communities are not just for companies or products with huge budgets. It’s just as valuable for your local favorite ice cream shop or funky costume store to create a vibrant community as it is for a major brand. You never know: with a successful brand community, you may become a major brand. Isn’t that the goal?

4. Don’t create “more.” Massive amounts of information is being created about your brand and distributed across the web everyday. Rather than spend time asking people to create more content, make it easy for people to enjoy and engage with the stuff that already exists

5. Foster peer celebrity. Whether your brand community is for Oscar Mayer or Lego, advocates love it when others recognize their expertise, experiences, and passion. Find ways to cheer members who give a little extra. And nix the anonymity – if someone’s a true advocate, they’ll want to be known for it.

6. Say “hey.” Advocates want to know you’re doing more than just silently observing them or commercializing the relationship with coupons. Instead share “insider” information and offer a preview of what new products are being developed.

7. Let your advocates advocate. The only way to inspire your best advocates is to let them work their magic without interference except in issues of ethics and legality. Your advocates are not pawns—they are your partners, so treat them that way.

8. Don’t merely moderate. Creating advocacy is more than providing a place for consumers to congregate. If your primary job is deleting “f-bombs” and ‘keeping things clean’ you won’t inspire advocacy. Don’t be afraid to get deep into the dialogue.

9. Keep it simple. Just because you can add a feature, doesn’t mean you should. Centralize on enhancing single most important reason people keep coming back. Offering the hodgepodge of polls-messageboards-blogpost-videoplaylist-statusfeeds-avatars can lead to brand – and advocate – schizophrenia

10. Observe the 1-9-90 rule. This new rule, pioneered by Josh Bernoff and Charlene Li in their seminal book Groundswell, is quickly becoming a standard: 1% of your population will create content, 9% will comment or engage with it, and 90% will just browse. Voyeurs rule the online world, so keep this in mind.

According to Dave, a few years ago the big idea was that brands were being forced “let go” of control. Today brands are being invited back to the party, with a formal invitation from consumers to be more than just a wallflower. So make sure you show up to socialize and dance – your consumers are ready to get down! To see how Dave’s company can help you build a brand community, go to Bzzscapes.

Original Post - http://blogs.openforum.com/2009/05/18/10-tips-for-building-brand-communities/

-Really good info if you're going to manage your brand well.

Filipino, Brillante "Dante" Mendoza, wins Best Director at Cannes

2009-05-27T02:19:00.000-07:00

RP’s Brillante "Dante" Mendoza: Best director at Cannes

By Ruben V. Nepales
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:01:00 05/25/2009

Filed Under: Entertainment (general), Cinema, Awards and Prizes

MANILA, Philippines— (UPDATE) Filipino filmmaker Brillante “Dante” Mendoza was proclaimed best director in this year's Cannes Film Festival in France for his work "Kinatay" (Butchered), besting the likes of acclaimed directors Ang Lee, Pedro Almodovar, Jane Campion and Quentin Tarantino.

Calling from France, Mendoza told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he "is very happy" about the honor bestowed on him even after his gritty film received mixed reviews from critics.

Some critics called the film "unwatchable" but others admitted that while they cringed at the film's blunt realism on violence, they could not look away.

A few days before the start of the premier festival, Mendoza wrote in an e-mail: “Ako lang ang walang pangalan.”

“I feel humbled and privileged to be in competition for two consecutive years and to be alongside the giants and the biggest names in the film industry,” Mendoza said in an earlier interview.

Mendoza bared in the earlier interview that just days before Cannes was set to open, he was still finishing the post-production work on “Kinatay” in Paris.

He shared his frenzied, last-minute adventure to finish “Kinatay.”

“I’m still in Paris, trying to finish my post production for the film. I’m with Mike Idioma, my sound designer, and my daughter Angelica,” Mendoza said.

“I had my final mix at the Malakoff Studios. Mike finished at 2:00 this morning, checking the sound with the guy from Dolby Digital. Tonight, I will check the audio together with the visuals at LTC laboratory Paris, which is processing and doing our prints. Tomorrow, I will check the subtitle at TITRA. The prints should be ready on Friday, May 15. Then we will hand-carry the prints by train to Cannes, hopefully in time for the press and official screenings on that weekend,” he said.

Dante pulled a tremendous upset victory since, in addition to Tarantino, Campion and Von Trier, he won over established filmmakers, including Michael Haneke, whose “The White Ribbbon” won the Palme d’Or, French master Alain Resnais, Oscar winner Ang Lee, Ken Loach, Gasper Noe and Johnnie To.

As the first Filipino to win the Best Director prize in Cannes, he joins the list of revered filmmakers who have won the coveted prize, including Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman, Francois Truffaut, Luis Buñuel, Robert Bresson, Costa Gavras, Bernard Tavernier, Werner Herzog, Robert Altman, Joel Coen, Pedro Almodovar and Gus Van Sant.

Tikoy Aguiluz, Cinemanila International Film Festival director, reported in an e-mail that Tarantino himself liked “Kinatay.”

Tarantino, whose Brad Pitt starrer “Inglorious Basterds” was also in competition, told Aguiluz about his admiration for the trailblazing Filipino filmmaker when they recently met in Cannes. Mendoza’s earlier triumphs include an award in the 2006 Cinemanila Digital Lokal.

Just like “Serbis,” his competition entry at Cannes last year, “Kinatay” also drew hisses and applause during its screenings.

“Serbis,” however, went on to gain critical acclaim in other international film festivals and during its release in many countries, including the United States.

With Mendoza’s win, “Kinatay” is poised to gain further accolades in the international film scene.

"Kinatay" notably features corrupt cops hacking a prostitute to pieces with blunt kitchen knives.

Still determined to portray the social reality around him, Mendoza in "Kinatay" traces 24 hours in the day of a trainee policeman, happily beginning with his wedding in the morning to close with the young man's first outing at night with a band of corrupt colleagues.

To his surprise, fear and anguish, they pick up a prostitute accused of betrayal and wind up torturing, raping, killing and hacking her before disposing of the body parts across Manila.

"This is not just entertainment, these kinds of stories are real," Mendoza said at Cannes.

Last year's "Serbis" was set in a Manila porn-theatre with long close-ups of festering boils and overflowing toilets, as well as the poverty and distress on the streets.

Last year was the first time since 1984 the Philippines had a film competing for the top prize at Cannes, the Palme d'Or. With reports from Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Bayani San Diego Jr.

Original Article - http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20090525-206963/RPs-Dante-Mendoza-Best-director-at-Cannes

-Truely inspiring!

How to Tie a Perfect Tie Everytime

2009-05-27T02:12:00.000-07:00

So this one is for all the guys out there who either don't know how to tie a tie, or has a difficult time doing it.

Actually, it's really sexy if a girl can tie a tie... don't ask why, but something about an indipendent woman just turns me on... so watch and learn folks!

This is from my favorite author Tim Ferriss. He wrote the book "The 4-Hour Workweek." If you haven't read it, then you NEED to!!!! It's essential to learning the concepts of the "new rich!"

Bacon-Lovers Catapult 'Uber-Meat' into $1.4 Million Business

2009-05-27T00:16:00.000-07:00

'Bacontrepreneurs' Building Bacon Empire

From Bacon Salt to Baconaise, Bacon-Lovers Catapult 'Uber-Meat' into $1.4 Million Business

BY NEAL KARLINSKY

Justin Esch and Dave Lefkow have re-invented what it means to be entrepreneurs. The self-proclaimed "bacontrepreneurs" have catapulted their love of bacon into a successful business.

"Everything should taste like bacon; that's the motto," Esch told ABC News.

Their business began as a joke over drinks. During a lively discussion with friends about their common passion for bacon, the idea for Bacon Salt, a product mixing their two favorite flavors, was born.

Watch this story on "World News with Charles Gibson" TONIGHT at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The duo, who both had successful jobs at a technology company in Seattle, quit and began experimenting with different flavors of Bacon Salt.

"We took a bunch of bacon and poured in salt," Esch, 30, said. "Turns out that's disgusting."

Once the recipe was perfected, Esch and Lefkow, 35, introduced Bacon Salt, and hickory and peppered varieties, to the market last year.

With five employees and no marketing budget, they stormed sporting events coast to coast dressed as bacon and created buzz on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

"When we launched it out of my garage in Issaquah, in suburban Seattle, we had 800 orders in the first week, with no promotion, [from] 12 countries, 25 states," Esch said. "We ran out of Bacon Salt within six days."

Within a year, their products have made it to the shelves of major grocery stores around the country and are sold around the world. And despite the nation's deep recession, the fun-loving startup keeps bringing home the bacon, raking in $1.4 million last year in profits.

Beth's Café, a 24-hour Seattle restaurant known for its greasy cuisine, caught on quickly, adding Bacon Salt into the mix of condiments on their tables.

"We always say everything's better with bacon and that's their motto," said Chris Dalton, owner of Beth's Café. "It's been excellent. You can put it on almost anything. It's good on a turkey sandwich. I like it on tater tots."

The dedication to all things bacon has led to the launch of bacon-flavored sunflower seeds and the sandwich spread, Baconaise, which combines two of life's more fattening flavors, bacon and mayonnaise.

Bacon Soap, Body Spray In the Works

Surprisingly, bacon is not an ingredient in Bacon Salt or Baconaise. The company says that the salt is low sodium, zero-calorie, zero-fat and vegetarian, bringing bacon's flavor to the masses. Plus, they're certified kosher.

"I had been eating bacon and mayonnaise for six months," Lefkow said. "I would eat a slice of bacon and a spoon of mayonnaise. That was definitely a fattening process. Bacon Salt has less than a quarter of the servings, so you can get bacon flavor in a salt format."

Esch and Lefkow have plans to expand their bacon empire.

Original article - http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=7391205&page=1

- WOW.... I wonder if we can do something like that in the Philippines... Lechon salt anyone?

Manila Young Professionals (MYP)

2009-05-26T23:26:00.000-07:00

This is for the young guns in Manila.

You are as young as your dreams and as youthful as your drive to achieve them!

Hoping to form a group where we can network and help each other achieve our goals. Perhaps have networking drinks or philanthropic events once a month when the group has enough of a following. After all, it's not about what you know, but WHO you know. Let's get to know each other.

"The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible... and achieve it, generation after generation."

Come join our Facebook Group!

2009-05-25T02:43:00.000-07:00