Basking in the Sun

I love the morning sun and stand up for minutes, not hours. I know it's healthy, this bathing in the sun. It's vitamin D. good for the health. I read somewhere that lots of Vitamin D in the body will prevent you from having cancer.
Yes, it kills cancer cells.

And not only that. Basking in the sun helps you have a positive outlook in life. A positive mindset to start the day will more or less end your day on a positive note.

Lastly, the sunlight will also help you lose some excess pounds. Of course, it doesn't stop there. After sweating in the morning heat, you have to do your part to shed that cellulites. Do some cardio and weights.

This is part of my biggest loser program.

That's the way to do it boy.

At your own pace but with some discipline.

That's more like it.

The Pacquiao Effect

As of this writing, there is a study being made to determine the Pacquiao effect on Filipinos. It hopes to link Pacquiao to the Filipinos' sense of pride or nationalism or something to that effect.

I remember when Michael Jordan was in his prime. He was the cover story once in a business magazine. The magazine analyzes Jordan's impact on the US economy hence the cover title, The Jordan Effect. Jordan at that time was nearing retirement but was obviously still in his prime. The magazine concluded that the Jordan effect  pumps $10 Billion on the economy and still counting.

Now going back to the PH setting mode. Can the same effect be said on Manny Pacquiao?

For sure, Pacquiao's effect on the country is more cultural than economical. Cultural, in the sense that whenever Pacquiao has a fight, the crime rate in the whole country posted an almost zero crime rate. Other aspects make all Filipinos proud, wherever they are, here or abroad. More so, now that Pacquiao is a global sports icon. Therefore, his following is not limited locally.

Pinoys love the rags to riches story and the underdog tag and Pacquiao can claim both labels having come from humble beginnings.

I cannot quantify Pacquiao's effect on the economy but I'm sure it's a lot. Just to cite for instance, most moviehouses feature Pacquiao's fight and when people go to watch his fight live in cinemas, after watching, they would surely eat and drink and go malling after. Also, now that Pacquiao is a congressman, a hospital will soon be built in his district, Sarangani.

Pacquiao is a hero. A one of a kind sports icon that the country had. There have been many great athletes before him who have also brought glory and honor to the country but none can equal what Pacquiao did for the country and his impact globally as a Filipino.

I am glad I live to see the day, to witness Pacquiao in his prime.

Diet and Exercise

Diet and Exercise. Ideally, they should go together. It is so difficult if you will try to lose weight by diet alone. The same with exercise.

And it has to be a habit, a healthy lifestyle.

This is the antidote to diabetes.

Here's my own "Biggest Loser" program:

1. No rice.
2. Burn at least 100 calories a day.
3. Drink plenty of water.
4. Eat lots of fiber and oats.
5. Drink hot tea.
6. Drink pineapple juice.
7. Eat fruits.
8. Eat veggies.

In everything, moderation is the key.

Women

Women! What do they want?, asked the eminent psychologist William James.

Since time immemorial, women have had great impact in the lives of men. The world is full of histories depicting women as the great influencer. Even wars were fought over a woman and that's the only time, a war was borne out because of the goddess, Helen of Troy.

John Lennon, in his beautiful song, Woman, expressed his thankfulness for this woman's impact in his life. But here's the drawback. Indeed, because of Yoko Ono, the Beatles disbanded.

The danger with some women is they tend to control the lives of some men. And when men become victims, life takes a beating at the man's expense.

I, myself, was not spared from this deception.

Customer Service

How many of you have experienced frustration and helplessness because of the bad service or indifference given by most companies here in the Philippines?

A good customer service is anticipating the client's needs even before the client asks for that service or product. The key is anticipation.

But despite the many seminars given by companies, in spite of the country's reputation for being warm and hospitable, when it comes to delivery of good customer service or product, except for big companies, that do not only invest in training but in hiring good people, many customers are still being shortchanged and feel that they had received the end of the bargain.

Most common of them all are broken promises, letting customers wait perpetually, ignoring customer's complaints and even to the extent of threatening customers of penalties, downgrading of services and even the threat of legal action, only show that this country has a long way to go in professionalizing its people in the service industry.

No need to name these companies.

You just have to look around. They're everywhere.

Marketing Lessons

For the most part of my career, Marketing has been my bread and butter. And through the years, it has been a hit and miss approach. As the saying goes, you win some, you lose some.

Here are some marketing lessons I learned from experience and tips I would like to share for those who are into the business of selling their products and services, whether you are employed or a business owner:

1. There is power in prayer.

Do not underestimate the power of prayer. Keep the faith. Do not forget the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:18) and you will be blessed. Tithe. But tithe because you love the Lord. Do not tithe because you expect something in return.

2. Brand name is key.

Selling a known brand takes away the burden of convincing your clients. If you're selling ALI properties (real estate), PAMI managed funds (mutual funds), insurance products by Chartis Philippines, it relieves you of the extra work that you need to do to sell the company to the client. The battle is halfway done when the client is already sold on the company you represent.

3. Referrals will save your business.

Whether you're into network marketing or not, much of your sales will rely on referrals. Referrals can come in many forms: word-of-mouth (if they like your service or product), within sphere of influence of your client (who has good referrals),   and even from your own network or circle of friends, family, business partners, associates, colleagues.

4. You can market on a shoestring budget.

In my more than 30 years' experience in marketing and selling all sorts of products - from real estate, insurance, mutual funds, foods, books, and other knick knacks that are worthy of garage sale, I did not spend a fortune especially when I went on my own, that is, from corporate employment to being self-employed.

Thank God for the internet. Before social networking sites were born or became the "in" thing these days as I write this, I relied heavily on email marketing, forums and free online ad sites. Then came social networking sites like Multiply, Friendster, Facebook, Twitter etc. and a host of blogging sites and the world of marketing was never the same again, and I meant for the better.

5. Marketing is action.

If you have innovative marketing ideas and your thinking is out-of-the-box, it will not be evident if you will not put it into action. So whether you have ordinary or different ideas, the thing is you have to act on it. And the sooner you implement it, then the results curve will be shorter.