SME Community - Planters Development Bank

SME Community
Philippines
A special publication for Plantersbank SME clients and friends Vol. 2 No. 1 2007
Siblings Mia & Tomy Florencio
Inside:
Anthuriums for all occassions
11 business ideas for 2007
Know real from fake money
Start your own BLOG!

contents
Here’s to a colorful 2007!
A New Year has begun; more recently the century marked
the lunar year of the Fire Boar. As with all beginnings, this new
year should be viewed with rosy optimism. We expect it to be
full of colorful events, in view of the promise that the past year
has shown.
What better color to grace our cover than the glitter of
diamonds! Siblings Mia and Tomy Florencio, along with dad
Renato, tell a fascinating story about their family business,
Recomira-Ray Corp.
From minerals we segue into the color of flowers. Gerry
Bote of Agrikultura Pilipina Inc. tours us through his sprawling
anthurium farm, which is a sea of green punctuated by the
orange, red, pink, light green and white blooms of different
varieties. We could not believe our own eyes when he showed
us the colors of his experimental varieties – blood red, lilac,
pale green, and even brown.
Our third feature is about a company designed to drive
the blues away. Regaloservice.com, an online gift-ordering
business, promises to be the most convenient way to send
gifts to your loved ones, making them pink with joy!
We even have a feature on colors that only a very few
gifted people can see. Intrigued? Turn to page 19, but do so
with an open mind.
Our Hotline section tells us more about what Plantersbank
is doing to serve its customers better. Sales training consultant
Adrian Miller talks about business networking. Marketing
expert Herbie Sancianco foresees better prospects of business
success in this Year of the Fire Boar.
We also talk about the color of real money – the Philippine
peso, through some tips condensed from a pamphlet published
by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. For the high-tech reader,
you can learn more about blogging when you turn to page
21. And if you want to get richer, read our book review before
getting a copy of ‘The 48 Laws of Power’ by Robert Greene.
2 HOTLINE
News from Plantersbank
6
10
13
14
17
19
20
22
24
COVER STORY
Diamonds in the blood
FEATURES
Anthurium King
SALES TRAINING
“It’s better to give than to receive”
SME FOCUS
Express your thoughts
- Regaloservice.com
MARKETING
Interesting ideas for 2007
PRODUCTIVIT Y
Healing the office
-An extraordinary point of view
MONEY TIPS
Money, money, money
TECHNOLOGY
Blogging: the wave of the future?
BOOK REVIEW
48 Laws of power
Editorial Board
Publisher
Editorial Adviser
Managing Editors
Editorial Associate
Contributing Editor
Circulation
Photography
Design & Layout
Planters Development Bank
Roberto F. Banaag
Dennis P. Liuag
Olive B. Ramirez
Gracie L. Rivera
Estelle Piencenaves
Joy G. dela Cruz
Carlo Sanchez
Anthony Yu
Quatro Grafix, Inc.
Get in touch with us at:
Corporate Communications Department
12/F Plantersbank Bldg., 314 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., 1200 Makati City, Philippines
Tels: (632) 884-7600 (trunkline) • 884-7654 (direct)
Email: corpcomm@plantersbank.com.ph • Website: www.plantersbank.com.ph
Join SME Community Philippines
Visit www.sme.com.ph

hotline
Plantersbank Chairman opens CEO forum in KL
Plantersbank chairman Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting is taking the lead in the
SME Finance initiative to build a regional knowledge and business network that will
allow development banks and other specialized financial institutions to dialogue
and address issues related to financing the SME sector. Seated at the presidium are
Malaysia’s Finance Minister II Mohammed Yackop and Association of Development
Finance Institutions of Malaysia chairman Abdul Rahim bin Mohd Zin.
Plantersbank supports PinoyME
Plantersbank joins former Philippine president
Corazon C. Aquino in rallying popular support behind
PinoyME, a movement to alleviate poverty and improve
the quality of people’s lives through micro enterprise
development.
PinoyMe aims to mobilize micro credit and
support services to ensure meaningful and sustainable
integration of the working and entrepreneurial poor into
the mainstream economy. Its immediate goal dubbed
“ 5-5-5 “ will tap microfinance institutions (MFIs) and
provide financial and related services to 5 million clients
in impoverished communities and to raise P5-Billion in
capital over a 5-year period.
Plantersbank, the leading privately-owned provider
of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) finance in the
country, is one of the business sector partners of the
PinoyME consortium. The consortium brings together
the country’s top corporations, the microfinance
institutions, social development foundations and the
academic community.
PinoyME marked its first anniversary on January 22 in
Ortigas Center in Pasig City . The anniversary celebration
coincided with the official launch of the movement
Former Philippine president Aquino keynoted the
anniversary celebration. Citing poverty and inequity
/ sme.com.ph
Plantersbank chairman Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting
was opening speaker during the third annual CEO Forum
held November 27 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The conference held around the theme “SME Banking:
Structures, Dynamics and Challenges” was inaugurated by
Malaysia’s Minister of Finance II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop
and hosted by the Association of Development Finance
Institutions in Malaysia (ADFIM).
Ambassador Tambunting said the conference comes at
a most opportune time when countries across the region
have placed SME promotion on top of their economic
agenda.
“In Pakistan, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the
Philippines there are specific DFIs catering to SME financing
and have “branded” themselves as SME Banks,” he pointed
out. Technological advances, the standardization of business
rules, new financial instruments, have enabled DFIs to find
common ground in their resolve to support SMEs.
The CEO Forum is part of the regional SME Finance
Initiative of the Association of DFIs in Asia and the Pacific, the
ADFIM and the Geneva-based International Trade Center.
Other initiatives are the SMEFI.com Knowledge Net on SME
Finance and the SME Center for Training and Consultancy
Services, jointly administered by Plantersbank.
as principal threats to the country’s democracy, Mrs. Aquino called on the
private sector to bring “people power” to a higher level by supporting PinoyME
projects that will develop the entrepreneurial skills of low-income Filipinos.
Plantersbankers led by Bank chairman Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting show support
for former President Corazon C. Aquino’s call to beat poverty and inequity by promoting
entrepreneurship.

Branch Network in
expansion mode
The country’s largest private development
bank boasts of a stronger branch presence, adding
convenience for Filipino SMEs.
In time for New Year’s Day, Branch Banking
Group opened offices in P. del Rosario-Cebu, J.P.
Laurel -Davao, Ortigas Center and Kapasigan in Pasig
City, and Lagro, Novaliches in Quezon City. These
branches are now in place to meet the growing
demands of growth-seeking companies in the SME
sector.
Earlier, Plantersbank established or transfered
branches to new locations in Balibago - Angeles
City and Mount Carmel in San Fernando, Pampanga,
Quezon Avenue and Cubao in Quezon City, and
Baclaran in Parañaque.
“Our expansion reflects our fullest support to
Filipino entrepreneurs,” according to Plantersbank
president Maria Flordelis F. Aguenza. “We are
determined to continue providing Filipino
entrepreneurs with SME-friendly financial services
for their business as well as their individual needs.”
Empowering
Iloilo’s SMEs
Iloilo City—Plantersbank Iloilo Branch headed
by AVP Josephine Caram and representatives
of the SME community in this city engaged in a
dialogue on “Empowering the Entrepreneurs”.
Among participants is the Tiu family, a long-time
client of the branch whose company makes and
distributes a range of food products from bihon
noodles, Party Fruity lollipops, Fiesta fruit juices
and peanut choco bars.
hotline
Above, AVP Josephine
Caram. Below, production
line at Tiu family-owned
candy factory.
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 /

hotline
Plantersbank
aids Cagraray
islanders
Responding to appeals for emergency
relief, Plantersbankers and affiliates spared
no time gathering food supplies, medicine,
clothing and cash for families who lost
homes and livelihood when typhoon
Reming lashed Southern Luzon. The appeal
resulted in cash donation totalling P70,000
and five peerless boxes crammed with
much-needed supplies from Plantersbank
senior management and staff.
Plantersbank SVP Consuelo V. Dantes presents
Fr. Nomer Balamaceda with cheque and relief
supplies destined for families in Cagraray
Island, Albay.
/ sme.com.ph
BSP e-rediscounting
boost to SME sector
The new Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
electronic rediscounting facility is expected
to boost the level of competitiveness of the
country’s small and medium-scale enterprise
(SME) sector.
Plantersbank president Maria Flordelis F.
Aguenza welcomed the innovation and said
it will add greater efficiency by simplifying and
centralizing loan processing and payment
procedures. This will benefit the bank’s SME
client base nationwide, she added.
As a pilot subscriber of the new internetbased
service, Plantersbank will be able to
conduct real-time rediscounting transactions
and inquiries with the BSP.
The BSP electronic facility will ensure the
immediate availability and faster delivery of credit
to SMEs, especially those in the countryside,
according to Mrs. Aguenza.
SMEs are a significant part of the Philippine
economy. Comprising nine out of 10 businesses,
SMEs employ more than half of the Philippine
labor force and generate substantial foreign
currency earnings from exports like processed
food, high value aquamarine and agricultural
products, upscale home furnishings and jewelry.

hotline
Tulong Barya
para sa Eskwela
BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco
Jr. (second from left) receives the check
representing funds collected by Plantersbank
in support of the BSP-Department of
Education campaign Tulong Barya para
sa Eskwela from Plantersbank corporate
communications head FVP Roberto F.
Banaag. The collections landed Plantersbank
in the Top Five contributors among Thrift
Banks. Also in photo are BSP corporate affairs
director Fe de la Cruz, BSP director Edna Villa
and Chiqui Syquia, BSP deputy director for
corporate affairs.
Plantersbank “bares all”
with SME precedence
Striving to rev up like a well-oiled machine, our economy
continues to progress because of the dynamic proliferation of
Filipino small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Most of us are not
aware of it but over 90% of businesses in the country are comprised
of SMEs. They are also the primary source of employment thus
making them a key driving force in poverty alleviation.
SMEs encourage private ownership and entrepreneurial skills.
They are flexible businesses and can adapt quickly to the dynamic
market of demand and supply. They help diversify economic activity
and make a significant contribution to export and trade.
Their products are a fixture in our lives: in the food that we eat,
in the jewelry that we wear, in the homes that we live in. Without
SMEs, life becomes decidedly lacking. Stripped of the basics -
BARE!
Heeding to the call for the support of SMEs, Planters
Development Bank (Plantersbank), recently launched “BARE”, a 30-
second TV commercial which aims to shed light on the importance
of SMEs in our everyday life. Conceptualized by Blue Bottle, Inc. and
produced in cooperation with ANC, “BARE” allows the viewer to give
a second thought to the alternative, stark world of few choices.
Acknowledging SMEs as a strategic engagement in the global
trade, Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting,Plantersbank chairman and
CEO, affirms that “more and more developing countries worldwide
have placed the promotion and development of small and medium
scale enterprises on top of their economic agenda.” He believes
that SMEs as part of the foreign trade will “set off sparks leading
to a progressive chain reaction-increasing economic participation,
multiplying income opportunities and jobs, driving market growth
and improving the quality of life.”
Through SMEs, life is complete.
Plantersbank Business Club Checking account
provides for family after father’s death
Mrs. Melinda Pitogo (right) insurance
benefit from coverage that came with
her late husband’s Plantersbank Business
Club checking account.
Even in death, a Plantersbank
client proved to be a great provider
for his widow and the children he
left behind. Mrs. Melinda Pitogo did
not expect the endowment which
formed part of the estate of her late
husband and entrepreneur Rolan, a
long-time Plantersbank client. Mrs.
Pitogo received P1million insurance
benefit from GenSan Branch senior
manager Tess Pacheco on November
21. The sum represents the account
accidental death insurance benefit
under the Plantersbank Business
Club checking account.
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 /

cover story
Diamonds
in the Blood
By Maria Divina Solano
“Look more at establishing relationships
rather than making a fast buck.’”
Experience, education and business savvy are
vital ingredients in a successful venture. Now
on its twelfth year of operations, family-owned
Recomira-Ray Corporation is equipped with all three.
Jewelry is the core business of the Florencio’s
management holding company. One could say, the
passion for jewelry making is in their blood because
all three Florencio children are following in their
maternal grandparents’ footsteps.
/ sme.com.ph
Photos by Anthony Yu

Passing the torch
Benigno Matheu, a well-known goldsmith from the late 1950s
to the 1960s, and his wife, Balbina, ran a successful jewelry business
in their family home in Sta. Cruz, Manila. But it seemed none of their
three daughters would get into the same line, until the youngest,
Corazon, moved part of the business to Marikina in 1988. She began
in the basement of their house with two plateros or goldsmiths.
“My only advice was for her not to lose too much money,”
says Renato Florencio, Corazon’s husband, who convinced her to
continue the Matheus’ legacy. It would have been a waste if no one
took up the business her parents worked so hard to establish.
“Initially, she sold to former classmates, co-parents in Ateneo
and my own personal network,” adds Renato, who was president
and general manager of Connell Bros. Co. Pilipinas, Inc at the time.
It didn’t take long before it became evident that the Florencio
children had inherited the love for the craft. Teresa (Mia), Rafael
and Thomas Ray (Tomy) all attended the Gemological Institute of
America (GIA) after receiving their respective degrees at the Ateneo
de Manila University. As graduate gemologists, the Florencio
children were the first in the family to receive formal schooling in
jewelry. Combined with the years of knowledge and experience
inherited from first- and second-generation jewelers, the credentials
enabled the Florencio siblings to push the business forward.
The time was ripe to take it to the next level.
Opening the first shop
Rafael, whom his father describes as most entrepreneurminded,
first came up with the idea of opening a store. The elder
Florencio talked to the Shangri-La Plaza mall president.
The jewels passed standards and the first Rafael Jewellery
shop opened its doors in 1995, the same year Recomira-Ray Corp.
(an acronym derived from the first names of the Florencios) was
registered with the SEC.
“Our first space in Shangri-la mall wasn’t a prime location,”
shares Renato. “But after six or seven years, we were able to establish
ourselves and gain recognition so were given a corner store, which
has more visibility and foot traffic.” Indication enough that business
is doing well.
Mia worked as an account manager in McCann-Erickson
Philippines before joining the family business in 1996. She is able to
apply her knowledge, experience and contacts in the advertising
industry in promoting Rafael Jewellery and the other businesses
that came after.
Growing the business
“We now have 15 stores in Metro Manila and one in Davao,” says
Renato, who ended his 15-year stint at Connell Bros. Co. to devote
himself to the family business in 1996. The shops are distributed in
prime locations.
Rafael Jewellery opened their second branch in Makati
Shangri-La Hotel in 2002, two years after the company became one
of four jewelers in the Philippines selected by De Beers Diamond
Promotion Services to create a jewelry line for the Philippine
Centennial Celebration.
“The shop sells diamonds, colored stones and pearls,” says Mia.
“It caters to the older and upscale market.”
cover story
The company also opened the first My Diamond Jewelry Store
in 1999, which features smaller items with a younger look. “It caters
to yuppies and teens—the 20s to 30s market,” Mia explains.
The objective is to make jewelry affordable to those who want
to invest in valuable pieces, depending on their budget. She says
they can offer lower-priced items because the stones are smaller
compared to those at Rafael but the craftsmanship continues to
be exquisite.
“The initial idea for My Diamond was a kiosk since Filipinos find
it intimidating to enter a shop selling diamonds,” Mia shares.
They opened a kiosk at Glorietta 4 and although it was able to
sell, people did not think it featured serious jewelry. They learned
that when it comes to selling diamonds (even smaller-priced items)
people want to feel that they are making a special purchase. So the
Florencios switched from the jewelry kiosk to a free-standing shop.
Now, My Diamond has four branches.
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 /

cover story
In 1998, the company landed the very first
exclusive national distributorship of Moissanite
outside the United States. by appointment from
U.S.-based Charles and Colvard, the sole supplier
of Moissanite gemstones (silicon carbide).
Moissanite Philippines has four branches in
Glorietta, SM City North Edsa, Megamall and SM
City Davao that specialize in Moissanite gems
and other semi-precious stones.
Another foreign brand that the company
distributes locally is TechnoMarine. Recomira-
Ray Corp. launched the Swiss brand in the
Philippines in 2001, under the exclusive
dealership of TechnoMarine Enterprises
Philippines, Inc. The upscale watches are available
in two TechnoMarine branches and in all Rafael
Jewellery shops. Today, TechnoMarine is one of
the best-selling watches in the country.
While the company has also diversified its
line to include watches and even agri-business
in Tarlac, jewelry continues to be their core
business. Renato says they can expand in two
ways. “We can continue to add new product
lines, complimentary or otherwise, but only if
we become the exclusive Philippine distributor.
We can also add stores—the more exclusive
products, the more stores we can put up, this in
turn allows us to get closer to the customers.”
Striving and succeeding
Building their own business has entailed
many sacrifices from the Florencios. These
include the cost of sending all three children
to the United States for training. Investing
in their education was part of a bigger plan.
In addition, since they sell jewelry and other
upscale merchandise, there is big money in the
inventory. “This is why we need to get loans for
expansion.”
From a personal point of view, managing
your own business means getting no vacation,
says Mia. Peak season for jewelry shops is
December, during which the sales average for
the industry is equivalent to that of three to
four months. This means sacrificing holiday time
during Christmas.
Success comes with its share of sacrifices
and rewards. And the Florencios have learned a
lot along the way.
Aside from finding and pursuing their
passion, handling their people well and getting
the right education, Mia says the willingness to
gamble and explore opportunities has proven
important to them.
The company was able to expand because
they ventured to act on the opportunities
/ sme.com.ph

that came along the way. For example, they first learned about
TechnoMarine when they saw a famous friend sporting the watch.
They also encountered it in jewelry and watch shows abroad. It
looked like a good business opportunity and they did not let it
slip.
Credibility and trustworthiness are also vital. “Customers
should feel they are getting a fair deal,” explains Renato. “Part of that
is developing patience. As one of the old jewelers told me early on
in the game, “Look more at establishing relationships rather than
making a fast buck.’”
Renato, who served as president of the Guild of Philippine
Jewelers for three years, also puts a premium on transparency.
When dealing with people, he says, there should be no major or
even minor surprises. “At the end of the day, what matters is, ‘Do you
still want to do business with me again and vice versa.’ Hopefully
the answer is ‘yes’ both ways.”
Success also entails paying the bills on time, as much as
possible. “It pays to have a good credit rating,” he adds.
Projections for 2007
Given the economic situation, Mia says the lower-income
clientele may be less able to afford jewelry this year. This is one
of the reasons why they offer mid-priced jewelry in My Diamond
and Moissanite. She says that patrons of high-end products,
however, are expected to continue making purchases since
they will not be too affected by financial difficulties. Mia is also
currently serving as vice-president of the Guild of Philippine
Jewelers.
Recomira-Ray Corp. plans to continue its expansion in
2007. Renato says, “We hope to have two more stores in Cebu
before the end of the year.” They also plan to start franchising
Moissanite to other stores in July, and eventually find an export
market, particularly in the United States., which still has the
biggest demand for jewelry.
This year, they will also launch T. Florencio, Tomy’s own
line of jewelry. Among the Florencio children, it is he who has
truly inherited his grandfather Benigno Matheu’s qualities in
the design and crafting of jewelry pieces. A perfectionist like
his grandfather, Tomy holds the distinction of being the first
Filipino to graduate from GIA with a Graduate Jewelry Business
Management diploma.
“In the Philippines, people recognize the jewelry shop
instead of the item. There is no branding,” says Tomy. “We want
to establish our brand to be known as jewelry of high quality.
When it comes to jewelry, the materials used might be the same.
The difference lies in the quality of labor and the design.”
The T. Florencio line is distinguished from other brands by
a piece of ruby and a strip of rose gold incorporated into the
jewellery piece.
Asked about the challenges they encounter, Renato has this
to say: “The most interesting is how to work together as a family
and hopefully stay united and maximize each others’ strong
points. We can be very strong if we continue to work together.”
And, indeed, as a family, they have managed to grow—as
Mia puts it, “from one shop and from being a no-name to slowly
establishing ourselves as a credible and reputable jeweler”.
cover story
Gems of Business Wisdom
• Find your passion. Find the product or service that you
can feel passionate about. “That means having to work
even during the holidays,” according to Mia Florencio.
• Learn how to work with your people. Filipino goldsmiths
are very talented; they have an instinct for the craft.
Unlike other goldsmiths, they can create the design
based on a rough drawing or a description. But managing
them is a challenge since many of them have an artist’s
temperament.
• Educate yourself about what you’re getting into.
• Be willing to gamble. The willingness to try new things
that you could use in the business is a key factor,
according to Rafael Florencio.
• Credibility and trustworthiness are vital. “When customers
do business with you, they should feel they are getting a
fair deal,” says Renato Florencio.
• Like the craft of making jewelry, building a business
requires endless patience.
• Building relationships comes first over making a fast
buck. Establish a good brand to promote trust with your
customers, according to Tomy Florencio.
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 /

features
Gerry Bote
Anthurium King
By Estelle Custodio-Piencenaves

“Over the five
years we developed a
very clear cut leading
edge that would
distinguish us in the
market. In this scale
of production, we’re
the only one”
Photos by Carlo Sanchez
Hues of red, yellow, brown, pink,
peach, and white welcome Gerry
and Gie Bote every time they visit
their anthurium farm located at the foot of
Mt. Malarayat in Batangas.
With the sprawling land, fresh air and
coconut trees, it could pass off as a vacation
house or perhaps the perfect retirement
farm. But, this five-hectare land isn’t meant
for relaxation.
It is the home of Agrikultura Pilipina
Inc., the biggest anthurium business in the
country. They harvest 8,000 flowers, twice
a week—which totals to almost a million
picked flowers in a year.
A risk taker
When he started the business, Gerry
had no passion for taking care of plants or
flowers. But when the opportunity knocked,
his strong entrepreneurial spirit ignited his
interest.
In the 1980’s, Hawaii (pioneer in
commercial anthurium growing) was struck
by a plant epidemic that almost wiped out
their anthurium industry. Gerry and Gie saw
then the potential for growing anthuriums
in the country. “We had land, we didn’t
know what to do with it. And we thought,
we’re closer to Japan (prime importer of
anthuriums) than Hawaii is to Japan, and so
we jumped into it,” Gerry narrates.
Going into the business half-blind,
Gerry learned the ropes of farming and the
special demands of anthuriums, the hard
way. “They are very difficult to grow. If I knew
what I know now, I wouldn’t get into it,” he
features
jokingly remarks. “Farming is not easy, it’s
not for retirement! You can’t manage from
the top,” he adds with a tone of experience
in his voice.
The first greenhouse was put up in
1992 on half a hectare of land. For five
years, Gerry stayed in Batangas to manage
the farm full-time. His wife managed their
other businesses and stayed with their kids
in Manila.
The couple had to make this sacrifice
after they were troubled by an insect
infestation at the early stage of business.
“It was just a few months after we started.
Because of the infestation, we threw 20,000
flowers a month for six months! Every
blemished or scratched flower can’t be
exported to Japan’,”he recalls.
In order to control the pests, Gerry
and agriculturist/industrial partner Nikon,
employed techniques that combined
the careful use of chemicals and good
management. Their hard work eventually
paid off.
Within the five years, the farm
expanded twice. From half a hectare, they
now have two hectares. The couple also
opened Holland Blooms, a flower shop that
showcases their anthurium varieties as well
as up and coming “test” varieties that are not
yet commercially available in the market.
“Over the five years we developed
a very clear cut leading edge that would
distinguish us in the market. In this scale
of production, we’re the only one,” Gerry
states.
A specialized flower
The anthurium is globally known as
a sympathy flower. It is distinctly popular
for its long shelf life. Yet ironically, it’s very
delicate to grow.
Anthuriums don’t have layers that can
be peeled off and they easily get bruised.
Anthuriums are also very attractive to pests
since—and this is another revelation—
they are not really flowers but leaves.
Nature just gave it a colourful spathe —
the leaf equivalent of petals to attract the
bees.
To harvest the perfect anthuriums,
each greenhouse in the farm simulates
the conditions in a rain forest—the natural
habitat of anthuriums. They even pipe in
some music and natural sounds found in the
rain forests of South America to encourage
the flowers to grow.
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 / 11

features
“All our plants
come from Holland.
We have access to
technology and new
varieties. Our edge
is our varieties and
each is patented.”
The latest farming technologies are also applied. “We grow
them using volcanic rock, automated fertilizer distribution and
base irrigation. We don’t use manure. Our greenhouses have nets
and plastic roofing since anthuriums don’t like getting drenched in
water. It lessens their chances of getting sick,” Gerry says, describing
their efficient system in place.
Agrikultura grows 14 varieties of anthurium, all of which were
developed by Anthura BV in Holland. Getting a reputable supplier,
the biggest in the world, gives them the edge over competitors.
“All our plants come from Holland. We have access to technology
and new varieties. Our edge is our varieties and each is patented.”
The plants produce flowers in six months and it takes another
six months before the flowers are ready for picking. A plant
can produce high quality anthuriums within six to eight years,
depending on the variety.
Not just for sympathy (2007 projections)
Fourteen years in the business and Gerry is quite happy that
people are discovering newer applications for anthuriums. His
forecast is that it would be a good year for business.
Fifty percent of picked anthuriums are now being used
in weddings, business events and hotels. In order to meet the
demand locally and internationally, they will be increasing volume
of production this year.
“We stopped exporting in 2001 since many commercial
anthurium farms closed that year and the prices got better locally.
This year we are looking at reviving our export market specifically in
Hongkong, Brunei and the United States. We will be adding another
half hectare to the farm,” says Gerry.
New anthurium varieties in purple, neon colors, and even
scented ones are being developed. It is also their fifth year to
organize the Andre Awards for Excellence in Floral Design, an annual
event for floral designers and promoting the use of flowers.
The year 2007 is expected to be a very busy year for the
country. We can count on Agrikultura Pilipina Inc. to play their part
in making it as colourful as can be.
Agrikultura Pilipina, Inc. tel. no. (632) 9122671.
12 / sme.com.ph

Based in New York, Adrian Miller is the president of Adrian Miller Direct Marketing, a
sales training and consulting company that provides customized, results-driven training
programs to companies worldwide. AMDM’s programs focus on the techniques and skills
needed for building new business and retaining existing business, resulting in increased
‘ROA’ (Return on attention). She can be reached at amiller@adrianmiller.com.
sales training
“It’s Better To Give Than To Receive”
Photo by Shutterstock/Bezkorovayny Dmitry.
Who wasn’t told as a child that it’s better to give than
to receive? At the time, we might of thought that this only
referred to birthday and holiday gifts, but this old adage is just
as applicable now that we’re adults, especially when it comes
to business networking.
If you have been to a networking event, you have probably
met individuals who only want to talk about themselves. They
have unfortunately mastered the “it’s all about me” mode of
communication.” They’ll corner you to tell you about what
they do and what type of leads they are seeking, never asking
you anything about yourself. Meanwhile, your mind drifts
elsewhere as you try to plan your escape from their clutches.
These same people will also be the first ones to email or call
you, not to ask how they can be of assistance to you, but
rather to obtain contacts or introductions to others. Are they
kidding?
What these “takers” have forgotten is that networking is
a two-way street. It’s not about selfishly achieving the goal
of finding that “direct fit” with the product or service that you
provide. Rather, networking is the selfless art of facilitating
introductions to help others.
Yes, networking is all about giving, and not always about
receiving. But, there is a lot to be gained in the process of
networking. By helping others connect, you contribute to
a world of concentric circles that can spawn many new
connections. And, you might just be surprised how your
generosity turns into successful leads for yourself. Think of this
process as “networking karma.”
For those who continue to wear “networking blinders,”
only thinking of how others can help them, they are missing
out on many, many opportunities beyond their immediate
sphere of influence. So, at your next networking event, keep
in mind what you learned long ago about giving and receiving
as you meet others, and watch how your connections grow.
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 / 13

sme focus
Express your
thoughts!
By Tichot San Pablo
What drove young working mother
Reggie Bundang to put up this innovative
business venture, Regaloservice.com?

It usually takes a little time for me to be comfortable talking
with someone for the first time. With Reggie Isada-Bundang,
I immediately felt at ease. It must have been the intelligence
shining through her eyes, or her friendly smile which somehow
told me that I would enjoy interviewing her for this story. Or
maybe because I found out that we were practically neighbors
in what many consider as geographically undesirable Cainta?
Reggie started her story by recounting how she was, for so
many years, a denizen of the corporate world. Then a blessing
turned her life around. After eight years of waiting, her daughter
Beatriz was born. Time became so much more precious. Time at
work meant time away from Beatriz. Reggie, the career girl, was
forced to transform herself into Reggie, the entrepreneur.
What makes entrepreneurs tick? More often than not it is an
uncommonly strong drive, a steadfast will to succeed, a clearcut
vision of a solid future, and yes, a burning desire to get rich!
Reggie is, simply put, refreshingly better than this stereotype.
She put up her business because she wanted to spend more
time at home with her daughter, and at the same time she had
this insightful dream of solving a problem that had hounded her
during her corporate days.
Filling a need
Nowadays, more and more females have jobs. These
creatures of habit spend a minimum of two hours getting
everybody including herself ready for the day, one hour
commuting to the office, nine hours working, another hour
going home, an hour cooking, two hours helping the children
with their lessons, an hour on other household chores, another
hour watching television (or with the spouse, if he is already
home at this time) before she nods off to sleep. Whew!
What happens if she suddenly remembers that it’s her
mother-in-law’s birthday tomorrow? Her whole schedule is
disrupted to tatters! It takes at least two to three hours to pick
out an appropriate gift, and at least half a day to deliver, chitchat
with the in-laws included.
Reggie, with her keen mind, correctly identified that there
was a ready market, especially since she herself had been into
that stressful situation many times before. After listening to some
advice from friends, Reggie came up with the idea of putting up
a business that she could run from her home — and in October
2006 Regaloservice.com was online!
Customer profile
At first most of her customers were friends. But growth
was astounding and in just a few months of doing business,
the website had reached across the globe. Word of mouth
advertisement, referrals and a public relations campaign which
appeared in major dailies contributed to awareness of the
website. Many Pinoys living in Australia and the United States
ordered gift items for relatives in the Philippines. Reggie says
that in fact, about half of her clients are Filipinos living in other
countries. Many customers, whether here or abroad, are happy
with the service and do repeat business.
I asked Reggie to profile her regular customer. “Female,
aged 25 to 45,” she answered without hesitation. I understood
sme focus
Pick and Mix Candy Arrangement
His and Hers - Blue, Yellow and Gray
by Blandior
Satin cord accents: Blue, Yellow and Gray
With semi-precious stones and glass bead included in “Hers”
Candle in a Can
by Cereo Candle Exchange
Scent: pain-au-lait
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 / 15

sme focus
why. Females do the gift-buying, younger people are tech-savvy
but do not have credit cards, and older people usually adapt to
new methods more slowly, if at all.
How does it work?
Regaloservice.com carries a variety of gift items, mostly
premium products. You just sit in front of your computer, log on
to the website and choose which items you want to send to your
loved ones. Selected merchant partners, known for the quality
of their products, supply the gift items that can be purchased at
the same price as if you were buying from a store. The minimum
order is P500 and the only add-on cost is the delivery charge.
Payment is done through US-based 2Check Out, which was
chosen for its convenience, reliability and security. Delivery to
international destinations is by DHL and 2GO does domestic
deliveries. Husband Tito, a practicing lawyer, sometimes helps
out with his legal expertise, funding resources and sometimes
even making deliveries himself.
All-time bestselling products are fine leather-bound
journals. Chocolates and flowers also sell well. There are peak
seasons like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc. and
during the last Christmas season there were many orders for gift
baskets and ham products. Aside from the regular products that
the e-store sells on-line, there are also unique orders like when
someone was searching for a book on arnis.
Where to go from here?
A business venture so young is usually tied up in coping with
operational problems. Little regard is given to future directions.
Not so with Regaloservice. This early, Reggie is looking at future
expansion. She is planning to take in more merchant partners
so as to offer a wider range of products to potential customers.
She is also looking to offer major corporations her services as
an e-commerce outsource company, using the website as a
marketing portal.
Reggie’s philosophy on doing business: “I sanctify myself
through my work. I give glory to God if I do my work well.”
Exemplary principle. Coupled with good work ethics, clear vision
and determination, this will be a sure formula for success.
For orders visit www.Regaloservice.com.
16 / sme.com.ph

Herbert M. Sancianco has over 20 years of experience in advertising, marketing and sales
operations. He owns and manages Market Bridges, Phils. Inc., a full marketing services
company, with offices at 11-0 Burgundy Corporate Plaza, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue,
Makati City. The author can be reached at mbpidmbc@i-manila.com.ph or at Tel: (63-2)
886-4122 to 23.
marketing
INTERESTING IDEAS
FOR 2007
A new year is upon us and just recently, we celebrated the
Chinese Lunar New Year – the year of the Fire Boar.
2006 was a challenging year for many entrepreneurs. As
the peso steadily rose against the dollar, importing capital
equipment, raw material or items for retail became a winning
proposition. However, Philippine exporters found it a difficult
year as their profits shrank accordingly. The Overseas Filipino
Worker’s family likewise saw the value of their loved one’s
remittance decrease, forcing some to send a little more to offset
the currency exchange differential.
Since geomancers are hinting that service companies will
have better prospects of success in the Year of the Fire Pig, I am
devoting this column to services demand for which I see will
grow in the coming months.
Herbie’s Top Six Service Opportunities
With the increasing number of motorcycles racing around the
metropolis and key provincial cities, motorcycle repair service is a
simple yet rewarding small business idea. Motorbike ownership
growth was spurred by fuel prices that peaked in the second
quarter of 2006. In a random survey in Parañaque and Pasay City,
I noted one motorcycle service shop for every five automobile
repair shops. The motorcycle repair shops I saw are not visible in
many areas where auto repair shops are found.
Small internet cafés catering to the computer savvy—both
young and old—is a growing segment. PLDT offers a business
start-up package which I consider a good deal. Two major
considerations for setting up this type of business are location and
the number of users in the community who need internet access
for e-mail, schoolwork and research, music/video downloads or
net-based gaming and recreation.
Getting a CDR King franchise is a highly profitable business,
requiring a good location and small capital. From personal
experience, I have never been to a CDR King store without having
to wait in line to buy blank CDs or DVDs. The growing number
of computer literate Pinoys makes this computer supply store a
winning idea. Putting up a store near large universities is ideal.
Another good spot will be near the big public markets.
Given the continuously growing population of this country,
nursery or kindergarten schools are a great idea. Right now, many
of these schools are already filled with kids of this tender age
range. The cost of tuition continues to rise in lieu of the headcount
that they can actually serve. This is a good alternative for public
school teachers who would like to earn better income.
Mobile catering services for office workers is another
rewarding business idea. The cost of meals in many canteens
and small restaurants serving the business centers around the
metropolis are becoming expensive for the minimum wage
earner. Entrepreneurs who are able to deliver inexpensive hot
meals to these offices have an edge. The key success factors are
the entrepreneur’s ability to create a unique variety of meals and
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 / 17

marketing
Photos by Shutterstock/Jaroslaw Grudzinski, Mikael Damkier,
Raymond Kasprzak (clockwise)
to broadcast the menus and take orders by 9:30 a.m. daily.
The laundry service is a no-frills, profitable enterprise
requiring low operating cost. With the rise of new residential
and commercial developments in key provincial cities, the need
for this service cannot be overlooked. Whether the company is
serving restaurants to wash their table cloth and linen, spas and
resorts for their towels and bathrobes, or the individual for dry
cleaning barong tagalogs and so on, the market opportunity
is immense. To hook customers, you just have to select a good,
strategic location where your target market passes every day.
Herbie’s Product Wish List
In my daily observation, what seems to be lacking in the market
or practically non-existent are products with good utilitarian value
and purpose. I note some of the following possibilities:
Microwave meals. A ready-to-eat meal pack that can be microwaved
or heated in portable convection ovens is an idea whose
time has come in the Philippines. These reasonably-priced meals
are now available in 7-11 and Mini-stop stores. This product type
has high appeal among those whose daily routines keep them
constantly on the run. Ready-to-eat meals have a good demand
among those working night shifts.
Portable electric water heater. This device is much sought
after during the cold weather period and should make it less of
a hassle in preparing warm baths. A portable water heater will
be perfect for boiling water to make it potable for drinking, or
to prepare tea or coffee. Right now, there is only one company
selling this product,which in my opinion is quite expensive and
has a short service life.
Power from the sun. In a country drenched with sunshine for
most of the year, the use of solar energy to power small homes
should get entrepreneurs excited. Solar energy collectors can
provide power for homes that need between 300 to 500 kilowatts
of electricity every month. The cost of solar panels has gone
down dramatically over the years. One solar panel can handle the
energy consumption of one flat iron, which is the largest power
consuming appliance in any household. Solar energy collectors
also serve as emergency back-up power during outages
associated with the typhoon season. Many American, Chinese
and Japanese homes already have a solar power collector. There
is no visible player in the local market. From my research in the
internet, a cheap package that can handle at least half of a typical
mid-class home’s energy needs and will cost not more than Php
80,000.00. Imagine you saving some Php 1,500.00 or more every
month! The package pays back in about 3 years.
Powdered eggs, anyone? This is definitely a product that I would
like introduced in this country. The large poultry farms should
consider this venture particularly if a glut causes egg prices to fall.
Powdered eggs are used by hotel restaurants and airline caterers
to prepare their egg related menus. It is also an ingredient in
making confections and pastries. The United Nations buys a lot of
it for their relief programs around the world. Likewise, the United
States military particularly the U.S. Navy is a huge consumer of
powdered eggs. The export opportunity is bright.
Lastly, the demand for pet food canned or bagged is growing.
Presently, most products available are imported. Think about this
one. Here you have a local market and the foreign market for this
product. I am very confident that the reader who takes on this
challenge has a profitable opportunity awaiting him or her.
MABUHAY ANG NEGOSYANTE!
18 / sme.com.ph

productivity
Healing the Office
—An extraordinary point of view
Whether you believe in the supranormal or not, the following article is a
very interesting read. Believe it or scoff at it – it’s your choice.
Negative human relations, inefficiency in the workplace, and
office equipment malfunctioning are common experiences
in a toxic work atmosphere. But, these can also indicate a
more serious problem—one that exists in a realm outside of the
physical world.
Negative energies
Psychic experts attribute these situations to the presence
of negative vibrations and possibly even negative spirits. Left
unattended, this type of an environment may adversely affect the
harmony in a workplace, and more importantly, the output of every
member of the workforce.
Stargazer, a parapsychologist and spirit channeler, has
performed negativity cleansing sessions in many offices and big
factories. She explains that once negativity is trapped in a certain
space, physical symptoms appear. “People become too hot
tempered, lazy, get sick all the time, encounter frequent accidents
concentrated in one area, and simply cannot stand a certain
room”.
At times, these negative energies indicate the presence of
spirits. “Shadows seen when no one is in the office, chairs being
dragged, typewriters, computers and xerox machines turning
on in the middle of the night, footsteps, voices and many more”,
enumerates Stargazer, who was also referred to as Lady Ghostbuster
in an unpublished article.
According to her, spirits can be classified into three groups:
earth-bound souls more known as ghosts, elementals which are
negative entities that affect human behavior, and nature spirits
such as fairies and dwarfs.
Based on experience, Stargazer usually conducts cleansings
during the wet or rainy season as there seems to be more negativity
when the air is damp. “When it’s rainy, there’s not much fresh energy
coming in the room. We close the windows and doors. Negative
imprints stay in the room and you have to air it out,” she explains.
There are other conditions that are also conducive to spirits.
Some of these are abandoned spaces, quiet areas, poorly lit and
messy workspaces.
People also increase negative vibrations. Anger, irritation,
jealousy and power play attract spirits that thrive on people’s
negativity or negative traits.
Paranormal cleansing
If the presence of negativity is strong, cleansing or clearing
should be done by an expert—one who can communicate with
the spirits to find out what they want.
“Never attempt to do it on your own. It’s dangerous to upset
or attract spirits,” says Stargazer to warn ordinary people against
toying or challenging spirits.
Cleansings are usually done on Tuesdays and Fridays as well as
nights when the moon is full. During the process, Stargazer uses
incense, salt and recites prayers. Salt is scattered all over the area
and swept to the sides after the ritual. It is discarded only after three
days.
The length of cleansing depends on the size of the office or
workplace. For example, a 150 square meter office is normally
cleansed in 30 minutes to an hour. Big factories may have to shut
down for a whole day.
In addition, Stargazer prefers the presence of only a few people
who aren’t skeptics or closed-minded as they can pull the process
down. After the office cleansing, she also suggests a cleansing ritual
for the people in order to achieve complete healing.
A once a year cleansing of offices and spaces is sufficient to
enhance productivity and general harmony among the people
working or living together. — Angela Colet with additional inputs
from Estelle Piencenaves.
Background of Stargazer:
Stargazer has been practicing pranic healing, spirit channeling,
and aura reading for the past 20 years. At present, she is the life coach
and adviser of many businessmen with their choices and decisions in
life. She honed her gift under the Jesuit priest Fr.
Jaime Bulatao during her college years in
Ateneo de Manila.
First Aid for
Negativity
If manifestations of
negativity are faint in a living
space or work area, or is just
starting to show, Stargazer
suggests the following “first aid”
steps for inhabitants.
1. Offer a prayer with the intention that you want to
communicate with the spirit and to pray for them.
2. In some offices, they offer a mass or request a priest
to bless the place.
3. By means of a focused mental exercise, one can
shower the spirit(s) with white light in the mind
while praying. With a strong will and sincere
intention, the white light could drive away
negativity.
4. Brighten up the rooms with more fluorescent lights
and dark areas should be lighted.
5. Play loud music or a bell to break the sound waves
as spirits dwell in quiet places.
6. If it gets out of hand, sightings are scary and
manifestations continue, call on a paranormal
expert.
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 / 19

money tips
Money, money, money!
Without looking, can you name the three figures on a 1000-peso bill? If you answered Tito, Vic and Joey then you
really need to read on!
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), under former chairman Rafael Buenaventura, published a pamphlet
entitled ‘Know Your Philippine Currency.” This was designed to help the public recognize genuine Philippine currency
and guard against counterfeit bills. All business establishments accepting cash should try to get a copy. Here are some
tips condensed from the pamphlet.
Paper. Genuine notes are printed on special paper that is rough to the touch. It does not
glow under ultra-violet light. During paper manufacture, the watermark, security fibers, security
threads and iridescent band are included.
Watermark (a). The watermark appears on the unprinted portion of the note. It is a
silhouette of the portrait appearing on the face of the note. Sharp details can be seen when the
note is viewed against the light.
Security fibers. Red and blue security fibers are scattered on both surfaces of the note.
These can be picked off by a pointed instrument.
Security threads. There are two kinds of security threads. The embedded security thread
(b) is implanted during paper manufacture and can be seen when the note is viewed against
the light. It appears as a broken line for 5’s, 10’s and 20’s and as a straight line for 50’s, 100’s, 200’s,
500’s and 1000’s. The windowed security thread (c) appears on the improved version of 100’s,
500’s and 1000’s and the new 200’s. It appears like stitches vertically across the face of the note.
Upon closer inspection, these contain the numerical value of the note and change in color from
magenta to green depending on the angle of view.
Iridescent band (d). The iridescent band is clearly visible when viewed at an angle. It
appears as a wide, glistening gold vertical stripe with numerical values and appears in the 2001
and the later series of 100 - peso, 500 - peso and 1000 - peso notes and the new 200 - peso
notes.
Portrait (e). The portrait appears lifelike, with eyes that “sparkle”. Fine lines form shadings
that give the portrait a characteristic facial expression that is extremely difficult to replicate.
Serial number (f). The serial number is composed of one or two prefix letters and six or
seven digits. The letters and numbers are uniform in size and thickness, evenly spaced and well
aligned, and glow under ultraviolet light.
Background/lacework design (g). The background and lacework designs are
made up of multicoloured and well defined, sharp lines.
Vignette (h). The vignette refers to the images on the back design of the note. Its lines and
dashes are fine, distinct and sharp. Its varying color gives a vivid look to the picture.
Value panel (i). The value panel contains the numerals found at the four corners of the
front and back of the note, denoting its denomination.
Color. Recognize the predominant color of each denomination: 1000 – blue, 500 – yellow,
200 – green, 100 – mauve, 50 – red, 20 – orange, 10 – brown, and 5 – green.
Fluorescent printing (j). The fluorescent print is the invisible numerical value located
off center of the face of the note. It glows when exposed to ultraviolet light.
20 / sme.com.ph

money tips
Microprinting (k). For the 50-peso and larger denominated notes, the words “Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas” or “Central Bank of the
Philippines” are printed very minutely on the face or back of the note. This microprinting is clearly readable under a magnifying lens.
Concealed value (l). The 500-peso note contains a concealed value located at the lower left corner of the face of the note. This
is recognizable when the note is held at eye level.
Optically variable ink (m). Optically variable ink was used on the 1000-peso denomination. It changes color from green to
blue or blue to green when the note is held at different angles.
Coins. More recently, BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. issued a memorandum to all banks regarding counterfeit 5- and 10-peso
coins. Fake 10-peso coins have the following characteristics: magnetic, details of portrait not well defined, coarse metallic grain, rough
and sharp edge on the reverse. Bogus 5-peso coins: details of the portrait is not well defined and BSP logo design at the reverse is “puffy
or bloated”. The memo urges banks to report any incidence of counterfeit coins to the nearest BSP regional office.
1000-peso banknote / front
Portrait (e)
Embedded Security Thread (b)
Serial Number (f)
Watermark (a)
Background/
Lacework
Design (g)
Optically Variable Ink (m)
Microprinting (k)
Iridescent Band (d)
Flourescent Printing (j)
Windowed Security Thread (c)
1000-peso banknote / back
Watermark (a)
Vignette (h)
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 / 21

technology
BLOGGING……
By Alex Pastor
You see and hear something so great that you want to share
it to the whole world. However, it’s just not possible. You
can only tell your story to a chosen few – the people you
know. That was before. Now, imagine an avenue where you can
tell everyone from all the ends of the world your story. You tell
them through cyberspace. This, in a nutshell, is blogging.
Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, defines blogging
as a “user-generated website where entries are made in journal
style and displayed in a reverse chronological corner. Blogs often
provide commentary or news; some function as more personal
online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images and links to
other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The
ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an
important part of many blogs.”
Considered by many as the blogging guru of the Philippines,
Abe “Yuga” Olandres simply defines blogging as “self expression
powered by technology.”
Yuga, as what his closest friends call him, started blogging
seven years ago when the word “blogging” wasn’t even coined
yet, let alone understood by the vast majority. But only after a
short number of years, blogging has become synonymous to
free speech and is fast becoming the medium of communication
itself.
But what really is “blogging” and will it become the next big
I.T. thing in the very near future? Read on and see what the guru
has to say.
According to Yuga, people write blogs because of a number
of reasons but the main purpose is that it has become an outlet to
let out feelings, ideas, concepts or even information. It is the same
reason why people wrote diaries before the age of the internet.
Blogging has become more social now. It has become a venue and
a place that you can call your own in cyberspace or more popularly
known as the “blogosphere.”
Presently, blogging has even evolved into a type of business
in the form of micro-publication. It is seen as a good alternative
to traditional media. In other western countries like the US in
particular, blogging has turned mainstream. Here in the Philippines,
the practice of blogging has only picked up recently. However
there is a strong indication that blogging will become a formidable
industry in the IT sector. Media in the country has started to veer
away from the traditional way of doing advertising and are actually
joining the blogosphere.
More than just having an outlet to speaking your mind,
blogging has provided people with business opportunities and
employment. When one decides to take blogging up a notch, that
person becomes a professional blogger.
Professional blogging is blogging for the purpose of directly or
indirectly earning from a blog by leveraging on its traffic, readership,
influence, credibility and/or popularity. Blog monetization is mainly
driven by internet advertising and marketing. Pro-bloggers derive
a majority or significant amount of their personal income from their
own blog or the blogs they write for.
22 / sme.com.ph

technology
The Celebrity Blogger has followers and loyal
readers in the tens of thousands. This type of blogger has made
a name for himself/herself thru blogging. Product endorsements,
sponsorships and subscriptions contribute a huge chunk to this
pro-blogger’s revenue.
The Blog Network Owner, more commonly
known as “blog overlords,” practically owns dozens and sometimes
hundreds of blogs, hiring bloggers to write for each blog. They are
the ones who pay the Career Pro-Bloggers
There are different types of pro-blogging. There is the Traditional
/ Independent Pro-Blogger; Corporate Pro-Blogger; Career Pro-
Blogger; Celebrity Pro-Blogger; and Blog Network Owner.
The Independent Pro-Blogger manages most,
if not all aspects of maintaining their blog/s – installation, setup,
design, writing, blog optimization, marketing, sales (monetization).
A majority of pro-bloggers start out as independent bloggers and
remain independent depending on how successful they monetize
their blog. Revenue for this type of blogger always starts at zero
or none.
The Corporate Pro-Blogger, on the other hand,
basically works for a company with a specific job description that
involves blogging for the company. This type of blogger may
come from the sales, marketing or the PR department and is tasked
to communicate with other companies, clients and the rest of the
industry thru blogging. Standard salaries apply for this type of
bloggger.
The Career Pro-Blogger works for a blog network
or a number of networks, either part-time or full time. They will
be assigned to write for a specific niche blog like travel, gadgets,
cooking in the assumption that they are knowledgeable with the
said topics. The blogger will be paid on either a fixed salary, perpost,
profit-sharing or a combination of the previous schemes.
You may ask why pro-bloggers exist. Plain and simple. They
make money out of it.
A thriving business. A good career. Is blogging here to stay or
is it just a fad? As the blogging guru says, “blogging will be here to
stay as long as people have a story to tell.”
Source:
2nd iBlog Summit PowerPoint presentation made by yugatech.com
Joining in the Blogwagon
A thriving business. A good career. You’ve done your research,
read countless articles, visited innumerable blogs, and now you’ve
decided to finally try it out for yourself and be a bonafide blogger.
So, what’s next?
It you just want to release pent up emotions—rant, rave and
talk on any topic under the sun, then you can sign up for blog sites
like friendster blog, multiply blog, live journal and the likes.
If you want to be a career pro-blogger, look for blog networks
who hire bloggers. But then again, if you want to take the deeper
plunge, then read on. Here’s what blog guru Abe Olandres has to
say:
Although signing up for a free blogging tool like Wordpress.
com or Blogger.com is virtually quick and painless, building a
hosted blog may be a little tricky and requires some basic technical
knowledge of FTP (file transfer protocol) and mySQL (database). To
go on about it:
1) Get a web host. Make sure it’s the Linux type of hosting
which supports PHP and mySQL. Prices for these service
can start from Php50 a month or more.
2) Register your domain. Your web host may be able to do
this for you but others prefer to do it by themselves via
Yahoo!Domains, GoDaddy or NameCheap.
3) Choose a Blog Content Management System (CMS). The
most popular one is Wordpress but some are also using
Drupal, Serendipity, MovableType, TextPattern or Joomla.
4) Install and set up your blog. This could be tricky as you will
need to learn how to upload via FTP and create mySQL
databases. Some web host provides one-click install features
for these softwares.”
Having your own blog, be it for fun, politics or networking
(with business in mind), could be a worthwhile endeavour that
would help you express your thoughts, promote your products and
at the same time, learn something new from others. Who knows,
you may be the next blogosphere superstar!
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 / 23

ook review
GETRICHER WITH
“THE 48 LAWS OF POWER”
by: Paul C. Roxas, CSP
Imagine your banner year forthcoming: enhanced marketing,
more sales, better collection, greater productivity and profitability,
lower risk accounts and activities, better esprit de corps… plus,
much better behaved children at home and responsible students
at school. Now wouldn’t that be a dream come true?! All these
(and more) may come to you just because you can more deeply
and truly understand people and their essential nature.
Reading “The 48 Laws of Power” is like sipping from a cup
rich with more than 4,000 years of history and wisdom—a cup
so rich that you can always reap so much deeper insight for
business, family, and personal life, each time you read it. It’s
practical wisdom at its comprehensive best!
Within its 430 pages of text, you will find some of the world’s
greatest books on wisdom become just droplets in the bucket.
Such books like Art of War (Sun Tzu); Art of Worldly Wisdom
(Baltasar Gracian); Seven Pillars of Wisdom (T.E. Lawrence); The
Holy Bible, and; The Prince (Niccolo Machiavelli), appear as
mere quotations and occasional anectodes. It is so rich that its
revelations weave together and tie down numerous, seemingly
fragmented, and dizzying historical facts. Sensitivities and
motivations of major historical figures are unearthed to reveal the
‘behind-the-scenes’ of significant milestones of ancient Eastern
peoples to the modern wars of the ‘70s. Its authors, Robert
Greene and Joost Elffers, through diligent research, successfully
and interestingly split hairs clearly in differentiating concepts,
conditions, and intentions.
It gives a more definitive description of human character
than all the psychology books I’ve read. It helps you know what to
look for when you ‘read people.’ The longer you engage the book,
the more firm your conclusion may be that Man has not changed
throughout the centuries. Hence, gaining collective knowledge
of the timeless essence of Man provides a clear advantage—
the gift of a comprehensive, ‘all-seeing’ hindsight which in turn
enables you to become proactive today in corporate, business,
and family life.
Consider some of the timeless and sensational topics to
help you with your usual vocation, learn from the experts
and also learn how to protect yourself from being a victim of
fraud, disinformation, and deception:
Advertising: How to seduce a woman (or man) on a
pedestal to become madly in love with you (or your product).
How to attract new customers for your business. How to time
your absence to heighten desire, respect, and honor. How to
re-create yourself. How to know when to stop. How scientist
Thomas Edison beat the even more brilliant physicist Nikolai Tesla
on the road to fame and fortune.
Negotiation: How a Count swindled the notoriously
ruthless gangster Al Capone of US$5,000 and also lived to tell of
it. How Henry Kissinger secured for himself a cabinet post thru
the Nixon-Humphrey presidential face-off of 1968.
B u s i n e s s
intelligence: When you
ought to be predictable
and when you must not be
predictable.
How to use smokeand-mirrors.
How to use
the surrender tactic. How
Ali beat Foreman. Why the
German V-1 rockets (a.k.a. flying
bombs) missed their targets in
England. How escape artist Henry
Houdini demolished his toughest
competitor.
Politics: How to avoid falling out of your master’s grace.
Which kind of person you must never offend. What pitfalls to
avoid on the path to greatness. How to disarm with the ‘mirror
effect.’ How much formlessness should be used. What is the
cornerstone of power and how best to build it.
Remember the line: “Think before you act”? This book
enables you to just ‘recall before you act.’ The once-dreaded
process of thinking ahead now becomes a leisurely walk in the
park.
Each topic has far-reaching implications on your very
own social life at work and at home. Used wisely, even family
relationships can be modified to effect more respect, responsibility,
and caring among your children.
I also found the format and language so enjoyable and easyto-read.
Each chapter tackles one law alone; each starts with
a concise Statement of the Law, followed by a brief Judgment.
Then in-depth discussions on historical cases follow as examples
in Transgression of the Law, Observance of the Law, Keys to Power,
and the Reversal. In the Keys to Power section, an Image is drawn
together with an explanation to represent the essence of that
law while this is followed by a quotation from some Authority
on practical wisdom. The page borders are lined with significant
annotations and anecdotes, all relevant to the main text. These
add much color to the tone of the topic at hand.
The modular format allows you to take on any chapter you
fancy for the moment. Killing time at a coffee shop, getting
caught in a snarling traffic, or waiting on a queue. None of these
situations should get your goat if you’ve packed this book with
you. By the way, more recently, a concise version of “48 Laws” was
released for the mobile businessman. It is smaller in size than the
original, but has fewer stories.
For us entrepreneurs, it definitely is a must-read. And so,
before 2007 starts, you might want to consider reading “The
48 Laws of Power” from cover to cover. Why not make it your
constant companion and better your personal weather forever?
I have.
24 / sme.com.ph