OFW Journals (OFW Stories on the News) and Some OFW Employment, Career & Business Tips

Can I compete?

One of the most asked questions to me is: “ we often get discouraged seeing all the new businesses around. Can I still compete as a beginner to already existing business?”

My answer is yes! You can! Very much! You see that is where entrepreneurship comes in. as I would always say, it might be an old business but given a new packaging. The same ice cream but with a different cup and presentation. The same service but with a new touch.

Lets take a look at businesses today that have this concept.

Coffee before is just plain coffee. Today, with innovation, it is presented in a sachet with sugar and creamer with it! 3 in 1! Or to jack up the price a little bit (or should I say really higher), serve it in a transparent plastic glass, make it chill , put icings on top and you may with all pride ask the name of the customer , write it on the cup and just loudly yell their names out when their drink is ready.

Innovation is bringing the product or services where the consumers are. I could still remember old friends who live at manila out skirts. Going to malls in the late 70’s was really precious to them or even watching
a movie. Oh yeah! I remember watching Mel Gibsons MAD MAX at magallanes cinema and Voltes V the movie at ALI MALL. So dear…so precious… Why? Because it’s too far from our place that going to malls and movie house was so rare. But today, a mini mall would be located just around the corner. You can watch spiderman with just 1 ride from your place. Innovation. Taking the product or service where the consumer is.

Liniments now a day are so popular. Different brands, different smells and different selling points. I saw 1
that really stood out! A total entrepreneurial concept. As an owner of a massage service business I do scout for different products that would be best for my clients. VCO or virgin coconut oil became so popular these past years. The competition just turned into a riot as different products would be displayed at the grocery racks of supermarkets and drug stores. Unlike ordinary mineral or essential oil, did you know that VCO has the ability to penetrate the skin pores? Meaning, if liniment is added to it, it penetrates where the source of pain is. BRILLIANT! ( THAI CHI VIRGIN COCONUT OIL WITH CHILI OR GINGER EXTRACT). Yung iba kasi mahapdi lang sa balat, that’s it. This one is again an innovation that will surely eliminate the competition and dominate.

Just to mention some more… pandesal, shakes, computer packages, home service etc.

So, can we compete! Come up with an idea and take the risk! That’s what entrepreneurship is all about… innovation! You may capitalize on old businesses and give it a new look and presentation.

What if the people who thought of this innovation gave up? What if they also said that they cannot compete and its too late and risky for them to start? Start now, invest a little, calculate risks, commit small mistakes and learn from them.

How can I enhance my entrepreneurial skills? One word. Observe. Observe what is needed, observe what is new, observe what will people appreciate, observe the big companies.

Id like to emphasize on the “observe the big companies”. Coz, these guys have the money to pay the best of the best. They hire the best thinkers in the land. You know who they are and just observe what they do. They wouldn’t make a move that they haven’t thought about and spent days of meetings and discussions. They wouldn’t spend millions for aproject that would just flop. So, observe what they do and learn from them. How? Internet and media.

Example: a noon time show in the Philippines. DA BARKADS! Why? What are they doing? They are trying to be attached to their viewers. I haven’t seen the hosts get so close and attached to the audience ever. Why? Ratings and sponsors. Have you observes how the ordinary audience become so involved with the show? The microphone is given freely for them to say something on air. Spending time just to hear an ordinary mans life story. Why? DABARKADS EH! The emphasis is on relationship and attachment. “MICRO”. Quality clients. The movie Jerry Maguire also tells us of the same story and as a lesson, eventually it will pay off.

I know of another big company that does improve on their personal relationship to their patrons by giving them very good promos. Actually, they make the kids happy and wanting them. They throw a party for your kids and it can be celebrated at their branches.

So, looking at these…what clue do we see? what’s the trend going to be? Where are we headed? Saan pa, eh di personal things, convenience and whatever benefits people. Think! Bakit tayo may tricycle? Bakit ang jeep kung saan saan tumitigil? Why? Coz Filipinos love personal convenience. A jeep that stops 10 meters away from your drop point will be stopped again because you have to go down 10 more meters. Tricycles brings you exactly where you want to go down. CONVENIENT dib a!? isama mo na ang de padyak.

Malls being your neighbor, pizza being delivered, tv shows that involves the audience, home service businesses sprouts everywhere… hope you’re getting the clue.

Can we compete? Do we stand a chance? Yes…it just takes a little attitude of being observant and coming up with an idea.

Happy entrepreneuring!

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Received via OFW-Connect Group Member