I recently concluded a series of economic and investment outlooks in this blog which featured the views of many experts I admire and respect. 

If it was a good idea to look at economic and investments, it is likewise a great idea to look at the business or ‘negosyo’ forecast for 2013, particularly on the SME front. I am pleased to present the outlook of a colleague, c0-laborer and a good friend, Mr. Paulo Tibig. Paulo is the founder and CEO of V Cargo, one of the country’s largest cargo companies. He is also known as the Entrep Champ!

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MY 2013 PROMISING NEGOSYO FORECAST

Brand new year, brand new plans and somehow, a renewed hope to make things better.

While 2012 cemented my commitment to entrepreneurship since launching my book, Strategies of a Champion Entrepreneur last September 26, 2012; I see 2013 as the year where I continue to help build more roads for those who want to make an impact in their chosen line of business.

And I intend to do just that.

A few weeks into the new year, I was invited to share my thoughts on  radio and TV  for both Kapamilya and Kapatid programs with one common topic – “Promising o patok na negosyo for 2013” (which I think was a great way to “pave” the roadmap I have set for the year).

For those who have missed it, I’d like to share my fearless forecast on the Top 5 Promising Negosyos for the year 2013.

A guide of sorts for those who are planning to put up a business or for those who want to expand and diversify their existing ventures.

Just like my book, my views and thoughts on this topic are very personal and based on my own entrepreneurial instinct.

1. CONVENIENCE Concept- because people are too busy, they want “easy access” to everything. This concept has been in the country for as long as I can remember but remains to be unexplored. The “jolly-jeep” along the busy streets of Makati and Ortigas (Central Business District) is one good example.

This year, don’t be surprised if you see a mobile salon/parlor, a mobile diagnostic laboratory (imagine the med tech visiting you at your house for blood extraction) or a mobile cargo acceptance where your package is weighed on-site and processed instantly for faster shipping.

2 .RETAIL HOPPERS– If you are a retailer of food, clothing or knick-knacks and whatnots, now you have more venue to sell your wares day in & day out; Check selling opportunities at weekend markets, nightly food stalls, bazaars and even warehouse and company sales.

3. TOURISM-related business – With the boom of low-budget airfare, Filipinos now have included travelling in their annual savings list. Exploring the country first is definitely the top priority and this will definitely help the economy in general with the hospitality sector as the number one beneficiary.

Try tourism related negosyos from transportation, accommodation and service-oriented offerings like spa, tour-guide services and giving tourists the local food experience. (Tip: Most often than not, tourists would visit the local market to get a good feel of a region’s culture).

4. SPORTS-related business – Exercise your entrepreneurial skills by venturing into sports-related business concepts. Now more than ever, Filipinos are driven by the fitness craze, using sports as a way to get fit. From weekend running around the city, trail marathons to playing football (an unfamiliar sport until the Azkals came into the picture.)

5. E-commerce – Convenient for both entrepreneur and buyer with minimal capitalization. Perfect for stay-at home moms, manage your business within the confines of your home. Talk about work-life balance!

So you see, marami tayong pwedeng maging negosyo,I still have so much in mind, but this might result to “business opportunity overload”.  What’s important is to start your entrepreneurial journey now. Who knows you might soon be the next Entrepchamp!

To help you plan better, get a copy of my book “Strategies of a Champion Entrepreneur” the book is all about 10 proven guidelines to your entrepreneurial journey towards success. You will learn Strategies that have worked for me and other champion entrepreneurs in the country. Available at National Bookstore, Fully Booked and PowerBooks branches nationwide.

The day after Christmas. We see a lot of wrappers, boxes and loads and loads of toys. Then we notice that our kids have more and more toys — so much more than what they can play with. This is an opportune time for us to teach our kids about generosity and what we should put value on.

Prior to Christmas, we have taught our kids that Christmas is not about receiving or even giving presents, its about a testament of God’s love by sending Jesus into our lives. Christmas is really about Christ and as parents we felt we needed to constantly remind them.

Jesus is the Lord of generosity too and I believe that whenever we are generous, it is an act of worship. We can teach kids to start being truly generous at an early age and after Christmas is a great way to do it. Usually, we teach our kids to give away old toys, stuff they don’t like to play with and after sometime of doing it, our kids find joy in giving away their old toys. Sometime ago, we slowly tried to teach them about sacrificial giving… generosity is not just about giving away things you don’t want anymore. We encouraged them start giving even new and unopened toys to bless others.

This morning, I got an sms from my mentor and dear friend Cito Beltran who is currently in Cagayan de Oro helping with relief operations. Cito asked me to create awareness in the viral world on sending toys and crafts to help relieve the affected children from a lot of stress. With a few text messages, posts in Facebook and Twitter, it was a joy to see people already responding. A short text message to my good buddy Paulo Tibig of V Cargo resulted to them agreeing to pick up and bring the toys and crafts to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan for Free!

Here’s what me and my kids got busy with earlier. We sorted out their new toys, mostly unopened still and I asked them the pray and seek what the Lord is telling them — if they want to give new toys and which of their new toys. My wife and I was overwhelmed when they wanted to give more than half of their new gifts. We also asked them to check their toys and start deciding which to give away. Again, we were delighted that our kids decided to give even toys they like to play with. At ages 9 and 6, it is such a blessing for parents like us to see how Jesus has touched their hearts and move in the spirit of generosity.

My boys story was picked up by Gerald Dela Pena of TV 5 and you can catch their short feature tomorrow (tuesday) at TV 5, 11:30am.

If you would like to move in generosity along with your children, please do so and send toys and crafts to the children of CDO and Iligan. Again, may we reiterate to send toys that are in good condition, not those that demean the dignity of our brothers and sisters. We suggest that you consolidate toys and crafts from your friends and family and V Cargo will pick them up for delivery to CDO and Iligan, free of charge. To arrange for pick up, please call or sms Nerz of V Cargo at 0927-7008059.

God bless you.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14, NIV

Two recent engagements of mine made me realize how hungry for knowledge people are especially outside Manila.

A few weeks ago, I was part of a 1 day seminar called Mastering Wealth in Davao where I shared the stage with my esteemed colleagues and closest friends Paulo Tibig and Cito Beltran with Dennis Poliquit (Big Daddy Jake) as host. There were about 150 participants in the event and you can really sense that they have a lot of questions in their minds about many issues they are going through with. It’s a money seminar and we tried our best to be able to go beyond inspiring them, we tried to instruct them. Cito Beltran challenged the crowd into thinking strategically and that with the right perspective and coaxing, they themselves can find the answers to their questions. In typical Cito Beltran fashion, he was very bold and objective in pointing out how ineffective some of our actions are and provided practical solutions to overcome such. Cito harped on finding value in what we do and who we are. Cito Beltran narrated that “if manure has value (as an effective fertilizer) everything else in this planet has value”.   More of quotes I picked up from Cito Beltran during the event:

–          “Strategic mind is being purpose driven.”

–          “God is not whimsical, He is purpose-driven. God is the #1 strategist”.

–          “Not all opportunities are an obvious advantage, but some problems could create an advantage.”

–          “If you can’t take harsh criticism, you will never become good.”

–          “Evolution or Extinction: Repackage, Reinvent or Regret?”

–          “Redefine your roles, redefine your leadership.”

After Cito Beltran, my good friend and former co-worker Paulo Tibig educated the crowd on what an Entrepreneur should be doing. Paulo Tibig is the CEO of VCargo, one of the country’s largest logistics and cargo companies.  Paulo is also the current President of the Franchise Association (AFFI) among many of his other endeavors. Paulo was an employee that became an employer and has been tagged an ‘Entrep Champ’. A poster boy for Globe business, Paulo wowed the crowd with his practical steps to achieving success in business. There are 2 points that really struck me in Paulo Tibig’s lecture – 1) Expand on surplus and 2) Lifestyle check. He argued that many businessmen fail in this area causing their businesses and their lives a lot of ruin. Paulo inspired the crowd too by giving examples on how to convert crisis into cash. Paulo Tibig’s lecture was grounded on sound business theories and yet backed up by real personal experiences. After listening to Paulo, I was so inspired to jump into full-time entrepreneur mode… but no, we all have our places in the sun.

The Davao experience reinforced our desires to be able to empower as many Filipinos as we can, in the way we best can. Up next is my experience in Bacolod in part 2 of this blog.

* Special thanks to Joseph & Mike Doce, our partners in Davao.