Business Is Very Personal

Open to reinventing yourself?

2009-12-15T19:01:00.006+08:00

P&G in the US is the doing just that. The $80 billion company realizes that two thirds (THAT'S BIG!) of US consumer spending is in services.

How do you grow a company at $80 billion in revenues and what can mature brands like Mr. Clean do? Transform. Much like IBM's move from boxes to services.

Enter Mr. Clean Carwash.

I LOVE Fast Meetings

2009-12-15T18:19:00.005+08:00

I just had one earlier this week with an amazing organization that will go places. I missed sitting down with people with that kind of mindset, who get things done really fast.

Saw this 30sec MBA program with FastCompany. I highly share their methods.

Click Here to start your program.

Write from the heart

2009-12-12T10:39:00.003+08:00

Does your company have a soul? Do you write like a watered-down committee or like a person? Matt of 37signals gives us a very good example.

Here's Samsonite:

By identifying trends and interpreting travelers’ needs, Samsonite continues to infuse innovation and new ideas into travel, re-igniting the sophistication and experience of the past.

Here's Saddleback Leather Company:

It all began when I had my first bag made while living in Southern Mexico as a volunteer English teacher to kids who needed a little help. I had looked everywhere for just the right bag, but with no luck…

In my search, I walked into a little leather shop and met the fellow working leather in the back. I asked him if he could make me a bag if I were to draw it out. I told him that I wanted this bag to be made so well that my grandkids would be fighting over it while I was still warm in the grave. He said “Si” and I said “Bueno” and that’s how it all started.

One is a bunch of words that somewhat makes boring sense. The other, a real living, breathing person talking to me.

Keep it real.

Cycles now in Mothercare

2009-12-10T07:10:00.003+08:00

You can now buy Cycles in the upscale and beautiful chain stores of Mothercare Indonesia. Cheers to Pak Jay, Pak Eddy and Tirta for reaching ELECTRIFYING heights.

Mothercare Kelapa Gading

Mothercare Pacific Place

Mothercare Plaza Indonesia

Cycles is initially available in 7 out of 11 Mothercare stores in Indonesia.

Theory of Relativity

2009-12-09T19:58:00.003+08:00

I now have proof that time is relative.

My three days in the office coming from abroad feels like exactly 1.5 weeks! Ha! I'm sure my team can relate. Enjoy the ride...

Small is Beautiful: Jack Ma, alibaba.com

2009-12-08T06:39:00.005+08:00

'In the last century, big was better,' said the China-based e-commerce company's founder. 'But in the 21st century, I believe small is beautiful because it is not about how much equipment you have, it is about how quickly you can change yourself to meet the market.'

Straits Times

11 vs 41 Words

2009-12-07T05:46:00.005+08:00

I've noticed something very subtle yet very important.

Google home page is cleaner... for a few seconds. And I like it. When you launch the page it will look like this:

After a few seconds it goes back to the old one, with the bells and whistles are in place:

It reinforces why you go back to Google. The site is damn simple.

Made in China TV Ad

2009-12-06T06:43:00.004+08:00

Two things came to mind after watching the ad which the Chinese government aired first in Asia and then to the rest of the world including the US.

It is TRUE, almost everything you see around us wherever you may be was assembled or has a component that came from China.
It is FALSE to think that you can change people's perception overnight, and with a TV ad. Care to drink Chinese-made milk in the morning?

This is true now, but in 5 years, or a decade from now, perceptions can truly change.

It Just Works

2009-12-06T05:40:00.002+08:00

My mom, who for me is the example of an ultimate entrepreneur recently asked me to get her a Mac. I was truly shocked.

How can someone who uses the computer for business 99% of the time want a Mac? It turns out that she's tired of her computer hanging while doing emails, the wasted time with viruses and scans, the incompatibility of the components especially in Skyping and perhaps her current computer looks darn ugly around her office universe.

I got her a 13-inch MacBook Pro, giving her the power at the same time she can bring it around her trips. I installed everything she needed - office, YM, Skype, taught her and in around 40 minutes she got it.

I still remember teaching her more than a decade back on PC and it took me 4 days.

VROOM!

2009-12-05T17:42:00.002+08:00

I'm taking Seth's advice.

I know that it's a LOT of work in front of me but after coming back from a fruitful trip to the US, my hands are shaking to get things done!

My first Squidoo Lens... in Beta version as it should be.

Holy Seat in Universities

2009-11-19T00:50:00.003+08:00

Cheers to Rachel, Design Team and the rest of the team for a strong start in our Holy Seat School Tour!

And I thought I said, whatever materials are available hehe GO!

Rachel striking a pose

Go buy Holy Seat at your favorite stores. PEE IN PEACE!

Corruption Index

2009-11-19T00:37:00.003+08:00

Check out the Corruption Perceptions Index 2009. Click HERE for the interactive map.

Tells you whether you bring change for tips, or something else...

Use Me and Pee in Peace

2009-11-10T09:37:00.003+08:00

Rachel found this review online:

I started working in a rather large corporation where there are about 5,000 employees. Assuming that half of them are women (I think more judging by what I saw), you can just imagine the number of people that use the common bathroom. I am a bit obsessive-compulsive about toilet hygiene and so I usually have an alcohol spray that I bring with me when I use a public restroom. While lining in the counter of my favorite grocery, I saw this Holy seat Handy Spray Toilet Seat Sanitizer. It looked so easy to carry and use, and so I bought one.

I have often read that toilet bowls are one of the dirtiest place in the world. So I usually sprayed public toilet seats with alcohol. I substituted this Holy Seat. I sprayed it on the toilet seat before sitting, squatting or standing on it and I felt safer and cleaner knowing that the toilet seat was disinfected. It comes in a spray bottle which is can be easily hidden in your purse. I like that it gives off a strong lemon smell which makes the toilet smell better. The blurb said that after using the toilet seat sanitizer, I could pee in peace. And I did.

Rating: 8

I wonder what else we can do to make our 8 a 10? Shall we make our strong lemon smell less? Shall we tweak the size? JustCurious we are hear you. Appreciate the review!

Look for Holy Seat in Boracay

2009-11-09T10:44:00.004+08:00

The next time you're in Boracay do check out Holy Seat in your favorite hotels. We partnered with some of your favorite like Sur, The Panoly, White House and many others.

Check out also the first Holy Seat sand art!

Holy Seat so you can Pee in Peace!

A fan poses

The first Holy Seat Sand Art

Holy Seat at White House

The Panoly is ready

Holy Seat welcoming you at Sur

What businesses can learn from Michael Jackson

2009-11-05T23:54:00.007+08:00

Turn off your computer after reading this post. Go watch This Is It. I guarantee it will change you.

I am not a fan of Michael Jackson. At most I find him amusing and nothing more. That is, until I watched his movie. Now, I understand why he is one of the greatest persons that ever walked (or shall I say moon walked) this earth.

While watching I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself for my idea of being passionate about something is nothing... NOTHING compared to what he has for his craft. And if what you do everyday at work is not your craft, then I feel more sorry for you. Michael taught me tonight to put everything you have in whatever it is you do. To really put in your whole self, your whole heart, your soul in what you do. He did it in how he sang, in how he danced. Why couldn't it be the same for business meetings, for reviews, for interactions with customers, with associates.

I also noticed something unique when Michael was improving on the music of his team, he described it using words outside of music. He told his team, play it like "waking up in the morning," or "let it simmer," or "put more love into it." Could you imagine telling your accountant or your merchandiser to PUT MORE LOVE INTO IT? I think business should be that way.

I sometimes would get surprised when the camera pans to the audience and I see two dozen people jumping with excitement instead of a coliseum full of people... oh yeah it was a practice session. BUT how Michael performed is at the level of real performance. Businesses should run the same way whether they serve two or two million customers. It's always Show Time!

Towards the end, he mentioned that what they're doing is an adventure. I totally agree. If you want to play it safe, then go work for the big boys and be the defenders of the status quo, otherwise go and make change happen now.

Wana Join Us?

2009-11-05T13:55:00.002+08:00

Dragon Edge Group is expanding and we are looking for amazing people to fill in the following posts:

Asst. Vice President Sales
Sr. Manager Supply Chain
Brand Maverick - with a lot of science units (this is for Genesis Office)
Brand Maverick - for a new project

If you want to take part in building one of the best run Asian organization email me at dennis@dragonedgegroup.com or forward this post to someone who might is.

PROMAP Slides

2009-11-04T17:34:00.002+08:00

Thank you to the organizers of PROMAP (Production Management Association of the Philippines) for inviting me to speak earlier today. Here are my slides as promised:

How to Create The KILLER Product

View more presentations from Dennis Balajadia.

Will it work here?

2009-10-28T22:11:00.003+08:00

I'm currently in Kuala Lumpur. It's a wonderful place with beautiful and friendly people. I've just finished a successful trip with partners and friends. Very soon Dragon Edge will be in her shelves.

If you've been here or somewhere close you've probably seen toilets that looks like these:

It's very common and you can find them everywhere even in modern locations. I guess it's what some people are used to.

Then the question is... will Holy Seat sell here? Or in countries such as Singapore where such toilets exist?

The correct answer is... I don't know. And anyone who says otherwise is a fool. You have to test it. Find a way to do it cheaply, or freely. You are never wiser than the market. It is similar to when Starbucks first hit the stores in Manila. The specialize in coffee... a lot of it HOT. And I was VERY SURE at that time that it will not survive. How can you drink hot coffee in a hot and humid place like the Philippines?

And after 164 locations of Starbucks in the Philippines (not to mention copycats)... I guess it works.

A Reminder on What's REALLY Important

2009-10-25T00:11:00.003+08:00

I almost lost my dad last Tuesday. He had an accident. A big one.

There are a few things that hit you like a baseball bat in the head, and I can say that this was one of them. My dad is ok now. He's back at home, resting... recovering. He broke a few bones in his ribs, aside from a few cuts and bruises. It could have been worse. He is very lucky. I am very grateful.

When I heard the news at the end of my day in the office last week, I felt a scare I've never ever felt before. I was told he had an accident in SCTEX driving his S500 with my uncle at 4pm. The formula: SCTEX + S500 + 4pm told me that the accident is not your usual city traffic accidents.

True enough, the road accident was a major one. While at very high speeds his front right tire burst, virtually locking the steering wheel to the right and brought the car to crash to the right railings (or should I say flew over it) and did several flips before stopping several meters away from the road.

I ended up trying to get updates from medical choppers, driving to a hospital in Angeles, stayed with him until the next morning after all the tests were made.

I almost lost my dad last Tuesday. He is ok now. He is very lucky. I am very grateful.

I've lost a lot of things already in my line of work. I've lost great people, I've lost friends. I've lost businesses. I've lost money. I've lost sales. I've lost deals. But nothing, I repeat NOTHING can compare to almost losing someone you love. Suddenly, I had better perspective of things.

I do not have a perfect relationship with my dad, in fact it's a bit on the bumpy side. I've always been quite rebellious and this was always in conflict with my conservative dad. Suddenly, it didn't matter. As I took the rainy 2-hour drive to Angeles last Tuesday, my mind wondered the many things he did for me and my brothers all these years, and the wisdom embedded in them.

He used to bring me to his trips to Hong Kong when I was in grade school - an early exposure to International Business I'd say. He made me watch, maybe observe how he worked the typewriter to fulfill the orders my mom closed as they started their business - an early exposure to work ethic. He made sure he brought me and my brothers to school in the morning every single day - he knew his priorities early on, he could have easily gotten a driver for us.

As you work your calendar this week, as you fill your schedules with meetings and meetings... and more meetings. I hope you take time out to ask why you do it. Where does your family fit in?

My dad was given another chance at life. I was given a lesson on what's important. I am lucky that I am given the opportunity in the next days and years to thank him more, to love him more. To show my kids who their father's father is. To continue his work and be instrumental in helping more people.

What was left of the car after flipping several times.

How far the car was from the road

What's your excuse?

2009-10-20T06:25:00.004+08:00

The best thing that ever happened to John T. Unger was when a crazy cab driver brought him into a backroom of a diner and held a gun at his head.

He says the event was life changing.

The second best thing was when his career as a freelance print designer crashed together with the dot com crash of 2000.

A LOT of challenges, a lot of starting over, and now a successful career.

He shares with us a very important lesson:

The only way you can tell the difference between disaster and opportunity is to decide to make an opportunity out of every event.

Read his story HERE.

On Becoming Great

2009-10-20T05:48:00.003+08:00

I'm totally absorbed by The Talent Code. I couldn't put the book down. Dan Coyle talks about how to reach world class and the truth about talent. And it's not what most people think.

Watch the video.

The Eat All You Can Trap

2009-10-19T19:10:00.004+08:00

Stare at this ad.

I saw this earlier in Megamall.

I try as much as I can to avoid posting criticisms, however, being a fan of Haagen-Dazs ice cream (who isn't?) I think their current promo is simply wrong.

I know they've got to hit their numbers but Haagen-Dazs is sex in a scoop of ice cream. It is about indulgence, only the premium ingredients, the very best in consistency, taste and appeal. Premium Premium Premium. Not Smorgasbord. Going for ice cream buffet is one step away from having a live band, and then the grave.

My suggestion would be to come up with premium ice cream plates. Mixing flavors here and there, adding a brownie, or maybe fresh strawberries arriving at the same buffet price or even more.

Last week I saw Shanghai people ordering Haagen-Dazs "teriyaki plate" for P1,100+ Everything of course were made of ice cream.

WTH Matthew!

2009-10-19T05:41:00.002+08:00

I think we need more people actively engaged with world-class blogs and authors such as the example HERE.

I'm proud coming from the same school, the same course.

The key I think is to be active online. To seek out the very best content in your narrow field of interest and interact daily with the experts.

I'll be speaking LIVE! at Promap's 22nd Convention

2009-10-17T17:12:00.002+08:00

Just said YES to friends to share my knowledge on marketing.

This time around I won't be surrounded by lying marketers but by more technical manufacturing people. This is my 2nd time to speak at PROMAP (Production Management Association of the Philippines) and I look forward to the success of their event.

The officers were kind enough to allow me to change the title of my talk to

Innovation: How to create the "KILLER PRODUCT"

I'm not yet sure how I'll approach the topic, but I know it'll be fun.

If you're a member of Promap, in manufacturing or just want to see how the guys in the factory hit it, call Jeenel Canillo, Secretariat at 533-5720, 0928-3757875

Follow the money

2009-10-17T14:24:00.003+08:00

Read two articles today both on luxury brands. Both talks about the global recession HOWEVER one talks about an upswing - and to no surprise it's China! And the other about a downswing - in the previous luxury-haven Japan.

Click HERE for the Downswing

Click HERE for the Upswing