There are things that we cannot control. On the first two months of the Taiwan-Philippine misunderstanding brought more than 10,000 potential jobs lost. Without violating any law on the part of the OFW's, they lost their jobs. Not their fault.
When Festival Cruises went bankrupt, everyone of us on board lost our job. When Sun Cruises went bankrupt, everyone on board lost their job.
How many cases of sexual harassments that you know of? Sometimes, the poor guy is just a victim of circumstances.
How about the OFW na pinag-initan ng mga amo because Filipinos are more equipped with knowledge and skills?
How about physical injuries = job loss = money lost.
You will never know when you are going to lose your job.
We just cannot put the future of our families on the hands of external factors. That for me is too risky.
For me having a job is more risky than building a business. Why? In your job, there are more people who can control you; in business, you control everything. Lesser risks. All we need is proper guidance.
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Thursday, 18 July 2013
We Cannot Pass On Our Jobs to Our Children
If we die, we die with our careers and no careers we have worked hard are passed on to our children. None of use can say: “Oh, anak, Superisor ako sa abroad. Kapag ako namatay, supervisor ka na rin. Ipapamana sa iyo ng kumpanya ang aking posisyon.”
Our children can not inherit our positions.If they wanted to work onboard, she has to start from the very bottom, from the lowest salary most of the time, and climb the ladder of promotion.
What if we have stores and businesses? Sure . . . and more sure . . . Anytime! Even without the last will and testimony, by law, they inherit everything including the income from our stores. Aren't we working for their sake?
If we want our children to inherit something after we pass this world, let it be, to the least, a form of financial security in form of business/es that will continuously give them financial support.
Our children can not inherit our positions.If they wanted to work onboard, she has to start from the very bottom, from the lowest salary most of the time, and climb the ladder of promotion.
What if we have stores and businesses? Sure . . . and more sure . . . Anytime! Even without the last will and testimony, by law, they inherit everything including the income from our stores. Aren't we working for their sake?
If we want our children to inherit something after we pass this world, let it be, to the least, a form of financial security in form of business/es that will continuously give them financial support.
Saturday, 13 July 2013
It Is Riskier If I Started Later
If I start building businesses when I will be "aged" and "ready," it will be riskier. Why? What if I fail? Can I still go back abroad with the same energy? I doubt.
Employers are now hiring younger people because they can do more work than people my age. Who needs an employee who can do a job for 1 employee while they can hire another employee who can do 2 jobs at the same salary?
If I fail with my businesses as of this writing, I can still go back abroad. Knowing that I can still leave reduces my risk of failure in business and my family's future.
If I start my business at age 58, I shall not have a net to catch me should I fall.
How many retired OFW's said this: "I knew I had to invest when I was younger and earning. Aware, I did not. Today, I am unable"
Each one of us must go to business while we can.
Employers are now hiring younger people because they can do more work than people my age. Who needs an employee who can do a job for 1 employee while they can hire another employee who can do 2 jobs at the same salary?
If I fail with my businesses as of this writing, I can still go back abroad. Knowing that I can still leave reduces my risk of failure in business and my family's future.
If I start my business at age 58, I shall not have a net to catch me should I fall.
How many retired OFW's said this: "I knew I had to invest when I was younger and earning. Aware, I did not. Today, I am unable"
Each one of us must go to business while we can.
Thursday, 11 July 2013
I wanted to become a father
In November of 2004, I left knowing that I won’t be with my family for Christmas. Three months later, here is what my wife told me:
“Ga, may sasabihin ako sa iyo na hindi ko sinabi last December. Kaalis mo lang at alam kong wala ka namang magagawa kahit malaman mo. Yung anak mong panganay, na-dislocate ang kanyang shoulder joint noong December. OK na siya ngayon. She is well and doing good.”
I talked to my daughter and she said: “Pa, thank you for the money you sent. Things were much easier.”
At that very moment, I felt so guilty. For me, if my beliefs are correct, being a father is not just the money we give them.
The essence of being a father is when she needed a glass of milk, I'd hand it over to her. When she cannot reach her medicines, I'd reach them for her with a glass of water. It is when she wanted to go places, I was there to assist.
At that very moment, I said: "only an owned business will make this dream come true."
“Ga, may sasabihin ako sa iyo na hindi ko sinabi last December. Kaalis mo lang at alam kong wala ka namang magagawa kahit malaman mo. Yung anak mong panganay, na-dislocate ang kanyang shoulder joint noong December. OK na siya ngayon. She is well and doing good.”
I talked to my daughter and she said: “Pa, thank you for the money you sent. Things were much easier.”
At that very moment, I felt so guilty. For me, if my beliefs are correct, being a father is not just the money we give them.
The essence of being a father is when she needed a glass of milk, I'd hand it over to her. When she cannot reach her medicines, I'd reach them for her with a glass of water. It is when she wanted to go places, I was there to assist.
At that very moment, I said: "only an owned business will make this dream come true."
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
The Big 'Why' Continued
In the 70’s and 80’s, the word 'Saudi 'became synonymous with money. In the 90’s, working in Japan was synonymous with an affluent life.
Where are those OFW's now? They used to earn P100,000/month.
Some have businesses, few have permanently settled abroad,
majority are struggling today.
I did not want to join the majority. So, I had to do what they did not do: invest.
Years back, I woke-up one morning from my bed, I was 37 y.o.! I was no longer 25! Where have all the years gone? What if I lose my job on that day? Will people help me?
I realized that barely, no one will hire me here in the Philippines at that age. Even if they did, I will not be happy with the salary.
Business was my only resort.
Where are those OFW's now? They used to earn P100,000/month.
Some have businesses, few have permanently settled abroad,
majority are struggling today.
I did not want to join the majority. So, I had to do what they did not do: invest.
Years back, I woke-up one morning from my bed, I was 37 y.o.! I was no longer 25! Where have all the years gone? What if I lose my job on that day? Will people help me?
I realized that barely, no one will hire me here in the Philippines at that age. Even if they did, I will not be happy with the salary.
Business was my only resort.
Friday, 5 July 2013
The Big 'Why' Part III
Normally, when we think that when the children have finished their schooling, our expenses will be over. There is something missing in that.
There is one expense that will slowly eat us alive: it is called medical expenses!
We will be in our late forties to the earliest when all the children have finished. We will start having trouble with our hearts, our kidneys, our joints, our blood sugar, etcetera, etcetera.
How can we be sure that the children we sent to school will be able to sustain our needs? How can we be sure that our children will be “lucky” in life or not. We are not even certain of your future.
A financial plan is imperative. Earning our own money is imperative. We are lucky to earn a little bit more than an average Filipino.
There is one expense that will slowly eat us alive: it is called medical expenses!
We will be in our late forties to the earliest when all the children have finished. We will start having trouble with our hearts, our kidneys, our joints, our blood sugar, etcetera, etcetera.
How can we be sure that the children we sent to school will be able to sustain our needs? How can we be sure that our children will be “lucky” in life or not. We are not even certain of your future.
A financial plan is imperative. Earning our own money is imperative. We are lucky to earn a little bit more than an average Filipino.
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
The Big 'Why' Part II
Why is it important to know the “why” in establishing a business?
Because starting a business is not a walk in the park.
If your “why” is not big enough, your will give up on your business. Whenever problems arise in my stores and cannot reconcile with the situations, I always go back to my “why’s” to get inner strengths.
Why did we endure having crackers and soda during the time that we were first applying for abroad? Because we were aiming to uplift the standards of living of our families - the people we love most. That was our big why then. That is way we jumped from one agency to another dragging our resumes.
Did somebody teach us that? No one! The only weapon we were bringing was our big 'why' to work abroad for our families.. We were under financial constraints. We had a big why that made the how is very easy.
"You must know your 'why' before going to business.
Because starting a business is not a walk in the park.
If your “why” is not big enough, your will give up on your business. Whenever problems arise in my stores and cannot reconcile with the situations, I always go back to my “why’s” to get inner strengths.
Why did we endure having crackers and soda during the time that we were first applying for abroad? Because we were aiming to uplift the standards of living of our families - the people we love most. That was our big why then. That is way we jumped from one agency to another dragging our resumes.
Did somebody teach us that? No one! The only weapon we were bringing was our big 'why' to work abroad for our families.. We were under financial constraints. We had a big why that made the how is very easy.
"You must know your 'why' before going to business.
"If your 'why' is big enough, the how is easy."
If you are an OFW who had been stuck to uncertainty of when to retire or you know that you should retire but still blunder in the dark of how life would be beyond retirement, you are not alone.
Hundreds of thousands of us will be , are and were in the same situation.
Business is what we believe is the best alternative. Yes, you are right, business is; but when we ask 'what business?', the question had become perennial - no concrete answer. Stuck! Counting the stars in wonder.
"If your 'why' is big enough, the what and how are easy."
Follow this link as I discuss this within the next few days.
Hundreds of thousands of us will be , are and were in the same situation.
Business is what we believe is the best alternative. Yes, you are right, business is; but when we ask 'what business?', the question had become perennial - no concrete answer. Stuck! Counting the stars in wonder.
"If your 'why' is big enough, the what and how are easy."
Follow this link as I discuss this within the next few days.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
As an OFW, Which is the Best Business for Me?
As I read blogs of OFW's, many are asking which one is the best business. The answer is not as easy as it sounds. There will be many criteria to choose from like:
1. What are your interests? One may love to own and operate a hair saloon which may not interest others; a "talyer" perhaps.
2. What would people be willing to pay for? Customers who are willing to pay for your services or products.
Paying customers = Good Business
3. What do other people say you are good at? Sometimes, we do not know that we are good at something until others tell us so.
These topics are elaborated in the book that I am writing. Use them to your advantage. Please do send me questions.
Like my Facebook Page - OFW Business Info for the freshest ideas.
1. What are your interests? One may love to own and operate a hair saloon which may not interest others; a "talyer" perhaps.
2. What would people be willing to pay for? Customers who are willing to pay for your services or products.
Paying customers = Good Business
3. What do other people say you are good at? Sometimes, we do not know that we are good at something until others tell us so.
These topics are elaborated in the book that I am writing. Use them to your advantage. Please do send me questions.
Like my Facebook Page - OFW Business Info for the freshest ideas.
Monday, 1 July 2013
Why do OFW's have difficulty going to business?
A few reasons:
1. We come and leave the country. Who will manage when we leave? What if you leave and fail?
2. We are looking for a one-shot-get-rich-quick scheme; because our plan is to save and establish an business that would sustain our families. This, most of the time, does not happen that is why we still stay abroad.
3. We do not want to spend our hard-earned money from abroad once we get hold of them. It is not easy being away from our families.
4. We want somebody to give the rich-quick-plan in a silver plater. No one does.
5. We want the government to teach us how to do business. Our government have more problems than us who earn more than the average Filipino. We are at the least priority when income is concerned.
6. Fear of losing. It is more of the embarrassment to the majority if neighbors would discover the unsuccessful endeavor.
7. Fear of being copied. Filipinos are good at this.
We all know that we have to invest for our future but we just do not have the basic mental tools on how to do it.
Send me questions to ofwbusinessinfo@yahoo.com
1. We come and leave the country. Who will manage when we leave? What if you leave and fail?
2. We are looking for a one-shot-get-rich-quick scheme; because our plan is to save and establish an business that would sustain our families. This, most of the time, does not happen that is why we still stay abroad.
3. We do not want to spend our hard-earned money from abroad once we get hold of them. It is not easy being away from our families.
4. We want somebody to give the rich-quick-plan in a silver plater. No one does.
5. We want the government to teach us how to do business. Our government have more problems than us who earn more than the average Filipino. We are at the least priority when income is concerned.
6. Fear of losing. It is more of the embarrassment to the majority if neighbors would discover the unsuccessful endeavor.
7. Fear of being copied. Filipinos are good at this.
We all know that we have to invest for our future but we just do not have the basic mental tools on how to do it.
Send me questions to ofwbusinessinfo@yahoo.com
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