The main gains of this trip to my beloved homeland is to meet with my employee and enjoy flexible, relaxed schedules.
De-clutter from brain-clogging stuff from the last two semesters in grad school!
Should entrepreneur go to school to be a one? Last year, I would have said, "Yes, yes! Absolutely!". And now, I don't know anymore if I can say so. What I know is that if one wants to be an entrepreneur and an activist, aka, a social entrepreneur, graduate education is precious. Although I was slaving myself to afford DC living, I got so much out of the human rights course I took and founding and running a brand-new student organization. [Hell I can always find work for myself. The sky is the limit.] Now, it's time to process it all. I am processing courses that did not apply so much but open up doors in my mind, and human rights discourse that pushed me beyond my previous intellectual limits. I am processing an up-and-coming business partnership that gets me so excited that all I think about is shoes, shoes, shoes. I am processing this overwhelmingly optimistic outlook of the social business that was going to go nowhere without my precious friendship with my employee/colleague.
Isn't all beautiful when all of your employees have the best interest of your organization?
Well guess what?! I got one. We had our first working meeting today and ... expand!!
She is offering her nationwide connections to delegate our work with such an innovative model of financing and decentralizing work, which I have yet shared -- a solution that I'd offer to those operating in countries with high youth unemployment rates.
She is ready to travel and conquer, recruit and train, and execute and expand!
Compensation is no problem to me, though I have to beg to ask others to help with my other business that's the source of funds for this one venture. It's all worth it!
De-clutter and expand away ...
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Product development
Took the first step on product development
The Kano model, anybody?
"Kano is a technique for classifying customer needs and determining appropriate levels of innovation for products and services."
http://www.uie.com/articles/kano_model/ ... applied to Flickr
The Kano model, anybody?
"Kano is a technique for classifying customer needs and determining appropriate levels of innovation for products and services."
http://www.uie.com/articles/kano_model/ ... applied to Flickr
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Travel
Two miraculous weekends. The light at the end of the tunnel let me meet three other pilgrims. We all came from different directions, having conquered different sets of milestones: birth, education and upbringing, places traveled, relationships, life lessons.
The world is indeed small. The weaver of this web of network is kind and generous. A connection formed through a pair of fabric souvenirs, and another through my sister. It is easy to say that our commonality is just our nationality, but nationality has always been a lame excuse for me not to explore friendships and relationships. My nationality, in my experience, implies self-interest of survival, lack of commitment, and apathy. But guess I am wrong!
I met my first business partner ever. My effort of venturing out to the east side of the DC Metro area was fruitful. Thanks I-4 Workshop. Thanks curiosity and courage. I cannot be happier about my inclination to listen before speaking. I listened to a life story and a dream of this young man with this inquisitive mind. His mind brought me to the shelf of ideas in the back room of my mind. I picked up an idea that I thought I was going to pursue in loneliness, and then laid it down for display. Talk about vulnerability! The whole duration of the workshop felt like a Grand-Canyon-size dam just broke. I have never been to the Grand Canyon; I never tasted this water before. 48 hours of optimism and ideation. I was putting together the pieces of the puzzle with no boundaries or pattern, now with a buddy. Low-cost ... Engineering ... Customization ... All parts contribute to the value of the product. A product! And here comes along another. Three engineers/businessmen/creators are about to embark on a journey of original production. I met my first TWO business partners ever.
And it did not stop there. They may call me crazy but I skipped two class sessions for California. Another meaningful travel (thanks for the reminder Afar Media ... I am expecting your first shipment).
California. There lives a woman (with the mind of a man, some say) who falls in love with her ideas and dreams everyday. She shared this love with me, along with good food and hospitality. No wonder she is adored in her marriage.
We talked about problems and solutions. About our endurance and our craving for challenges. What's next?
Bali. Plot of land. A house. A store. Consignment, of goods and Ideas.
"Can I be your business partner?", I asked. "Oh my God! ...", she replied.
She has got a wealth of knowledge, experience, leadership, and drive.
And I am still overwhelmed. I can't put what I have into words.
The world is indeed small. The weaver of this web of network is kind and generous. A connection formed through a pair of fabric souvenirs, and another through my sister. It is easy to say that our commonality is just our nationality, but nationality has always been a lame excuse for me not to explore friendships and relationships. My nationality, in my experience, implies self-interest of survival, lack of commitment, and apathy. But guess I am wrong!
I met my first business partner ever. My effort of venturing out to the east side of the DC Metro area was fruitful. Thanks I-4 Workshop. Thanks curiosity and courage. I cannot be happier about my inclination to listen before speaking. I listened to a life story and a dream of this young man with this inquisitive mind. His mind brought me to the shelf of ideas in the back room of my mind. I picked up an idea that I thought I was going to pursue in loneliness, and then laid it down for display. Talk about vulnerability! The whole duration of the workshop felt like a Grand-Canyon-size dam just broke. I have never been to the Grand Canyon; I never tasted this water before. 48 hours of optimism and ideation. I was putting together the pieces of the puzzle with no boundaries or pattern, now with a buddy. Low-cost ... Engineering ... Customization ... All parts contribute to the value of the product. A product! And here comes along another. Three engineers/businessmen/creators are about to embark on a journey of original production. I met my first TWO business partners ever.
And it did not stop there. They may call me crazy but I skipped two class sessions for California. Another meaningful travel (thanks for the reminder Afar Media ... I am expecting your first shipment).
California. There lives a woman (with the mind of a man, some say) who falls in love with her ideas and dreams everyday. She shared this love with me, along with good food and hospitality. No wonder she is adored in her marriage.
We talked about problems and solutions. About our endurance and our craving for challenges. What's next?
Bali. Plot of land. A house. A store. Consignment, of goods and Ideas.
"Can I be your business partner?", I asked. "Oh my God! ...", she replied.
She has got a wealth of knowledge, experience, leadership, and drive.
And I am still overwhelmed. I can't put what I have into words.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Spring Break: Inspiration #4
"There is no substance under the things with which I am clothed. I am hollow, and my structure of pleasures and ambitions has no foundation. ... And when they are gone there will be nothing left of me but my own nakedness and emptiness and hollowness, to tell me that I am my own mistake. ... Therefore I cannot hope to find myself anywhere except in Him." New Seeds of Contemplation, by Thomas Merton
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Spring Break: Inspiration #3
The science of creativity
Relaxation, individual contemplation, dissent.
No to brainstorming or politeness.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
The Self-Accosted Post
Self interest implies selfishness which has a negative connotation for many cultures.
Western cultures like to use the word “independence” to describe individualism; whereas Eastern cultures are not ashamed about promoting and surviving through collectivism. There is also a sense of independence in Eastern cultures, but to my knowledge, it is sometimes driven by self-consciousness (unwilling to give others trouble). Yet, we cannot deny that all of us, in any culture, have various degrees of this motivation to “make things happen for ourselves”. Hey, Steve Jobs got his success for himself. Before he had to become the breadwinner for a family, he was already climbing the ladder of the type of success admired by the general public.
Now, employees do have their own self-interest that we can appeal to. The usual mainstream suggestion would be to give them a sense of ownership, instead. But to give each employee a fulfilling financial ownership or psychological ownership over the success of the business would be an endless, exhausting effort. How can we ensure that everyone has equal (strong) sense of ownership? Not pertaining to this method, my wise uncle offers negotiation with his employees regardless of their performance. If they do well, their sick parents or family might be better taken care of because he gives rewards to those who decide to be honest, quietly, and of course they get to keep their jobs with increasing salaries over time. If they under-perform or cheat, they will not gain any favors from him, which usually makes them feel isolated and eventually turn in their resignation. So, really, rewarding self-interest which translates into desirable professional performance, in this case, proves effective, where my uncle manages to maintain over 5 stores with employees exiting voluntarily. Lean and mean! And for employees, it is really within their interest to do well and maintain their integrity with such a reward system. [Perhaps, this loose benefits system which allows the expression of silent favoritism should be replicated.] At the end of the day, the self-interest of the owner (my uncle) and the employees is being consistently promoted.
Now, is it really bad or evil to acknowledge self-interest? Well, it surely seems so in the world of the “altruism” industry (the non-profits or social entrepreneurship realm). Some say non-profit workers and social entrepreneurs have to survive (whether it is with bare necessities or with luxury; let’s not condemn personal preferences). Agreed! Development workers do enjoy their business or first class seats on the plane, nonetheless. Social entrepreneurs do enjoy profits and publicity. But in reality, for example, religious leaders and politicians are being criticized for their lavished lifestyles, especially in the midst of a financial recession, high unemployment or poverty. So these “public interest professions”, when put under the spotlight, get scrutinized. Sometimes, I question importers of fair-trade items who claim that they help producers of third-world origins and profit from product mark-ups. Artisans or producers earn a very little portion of the sale price of their products, while the importers or resellers earn a big chunk of it. I can also question leaders in microfinance organizations who get high compensations while the beneficiaries of the loans struggle to repay.
“We repeatedly get caught in this conflict between our professed moral principles and the real reasons why we do things—to wit, our self-interest.”, said Saul Alinsky on his book, Rules for Radicals. Good cause … is it good cause for others or for the self? Let’s not deny that in most, or all, cases it is for both. Corporations with advertised CSR programs get good image. Non-profit workers get personal fulfillment and a decent living. Social entrepreneurs get to pursue their passion and economic interests.
“Self-interest, like power, wears the black shroud of negativism and suspicion.” Yet Aristotle, in his lifetime, acknowledged that “… self-interest plays as prime moving force in man’s behavior.” So why do we often, in our minds, deny self-interest? Is it because “… it appears shameful to admit that we operate on the basis of naked self-interest, so we desperately try to reconcile every shift of circumstances that is to our self-interest in terms of a broad moral justification or rationalization.”? So why can't we not just be honest about it?
Western cultures like to use the word “independence” to describe individualism; whereas Eastern cultures are not ashamed about promoting and surviving through collectivism. There is also a sense of independence in Eastern cultures, but to my knowledge, it is sometimes driven by self-consciousness (unwilling to give others trouble). Yet, we cannot deny that all of us, in any culture, have various degrees of this motivation to “make things happen for ourselves”. Hey, Steve Jobs got his success for himself. Before he had to become the breadwinner for a family, he was already climbing the ladder of the type of success admired by the general public.
Now, employees do have their own self-interest that we can appeal to. The usual mainstream suggestion would be to give them a sense of ownership, instead. But to give each employee a fulfilling financial ownership or psychological ownership over the success of the business would be an endless, exhausting effort. How can we ensure that everyone has equal (strong) sense of ownership? Not pertaining to this method, my wise uncle offers negotiation with his employees regardless of their performance. If they do well, their sick parents or family might be better taken care of because he gives rewards to those who decide to be honest, quietly, and of course they get to keep their jobs with increasing salaries over time. If they under-perform or cheat, they will not gain any favors from him, which usually makes them feel isolated and eventually turn in their resignation. So, really, rewarding self-interest which translates into desirable professional performance, in this case, proves effective, where my uncle manages to maintain over 5 stores with employees exiting voluntarily. Lean and mean! And for employees, it is really within their interest to do well and maintain their integrity with such a reward system. [Perhaps, this loose benefits system which allows the expression of silent favoritism should be replicated.] At the end of the day, the self-interest of the owner (my uncle) and the employees is being consistently promoted.
Now, is it really bad or evil to acknowledge self-interest? Well, it surely seems so in the world of the “altruism” industry (the non-profits or social entrepreneurship realm). Some say non-profit workers and social entrepreneurs have to survive (whether it is with bare necessities or with luxury; let’s not condemn personal preferences). Agreed! Development workers do enjoy their business or first class seats on the plane, nonetheless. Social entrepreneurs do enjoy profits and publicity. But in reality, for example, religious leaders and politicians are being criticized for their lavished lifestyles, especially in the midst of a financial recession, high unemployment or poverty. So these “public interest professions”, when put under the spotlight, get scrutinized. Sometimes, I question importers of fair-trade items who claim that they help producers of third-world origins and profit from product mark-ups. Artisans or producers earn a very little portion of the sale price of their products, while the importers or resellers earn a big chunk of it. I can also question leaders in microfinance organizations who get high compensations while the beneficiaries of the loans struggle to repay.
“We repeatedly get caught in this conflict between our professed moral principles and the real reasons why we do things—to wit, our self-interest.”, said Saul Alinsky on his book, Rules for Radicals. Good cause … is it good cause for others or for the self? Let’s not deny that in most, or all, cases it is for both. Corporations with advertised CSR programs get good image. Non-profit workers get personal fulfillment and a decent living. Social entrepreneurs get to pursue their passion and economic interests.
“Self-interest, like power, wears the black shroud of negativism and suspicion.” Yet Aristotle, in his lifetime, acknowledged that “… self-interest plays as prime moving force in man’s behavior.” So why do we often, in our minds, deny self-interest? Is it because “… it appears shameful to admit that we operate on the basis of naked self-interest, so we desperately try to reconcile every shift of circumstances that is to our self-interest in terms of a broad moral justification or rationalization.”? So why can't we not just be honest about it?
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Year, New Courage
It was a gift talking to an uncle whom sometimes takes time to counsel some of his nieces and nephews about life. He counseled me about workaholism (and the consequent weight loss and stress). He’s been there, he said, and it was not a good place to be. A good place to be is to know limits and talents.
Entrepreneurship and workaholism. What a love/hate relationship.
Going back to school with such a high opportunity cost was not easy. Leaving the oilfield behind and job offers was frightening at the least. Choosing a private school in DC and living there was not a completely informed decision. [Texas messed up my financial sense.] Being in school by spending savings, while being an entrepreneur who needs capital, is quite foolish, allegedly. But schooling is such an investment. Eyes and doors have opened. Horizon has broadened. Confidence and humility are tested.
And then the conversation shifted. Of course this uncle reads and keeps up with the global economies and domestic politics. There was a discussion about how the Chinese frugality put them where they are today. There is an uprising of middle class, new wealthy individuals, along with spoiled children. Can the West keep up? He said, maybe not, they like to spend, as peoples and a nation.
The subject somehow evolved to managing a country, and ultimately to something he is much more familiar with, managing a business with multiple branches. Exercise of power is key. Loose leadership is necessary. It is like managing a small country, he said.
What a perfect timing to catch up on Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals that talks about power and self-interest, two things that have become my uncle’s main devices. An entrepreneur must know its powers, because “to do a thing well a man needs power and competence”, according to Jesuit founder St. Ignatius.
“It is impossible to conceive of a world devoid of power; the only choice of concepts is between organized and unorganized power. .. Every organization known to man, from government down, has had only one reason for being – that is, organization for power in order to put into practice or promote its common purpose.”
My uncle’s power as the business owner and his intellectual competence shines as he spends most of his time in Surabaya, my hometown, and pays two visits monthly to his 5-6 stores. Theft is highly expected. He stands outside to outsmart opportunistic employees. Knowing the accounting and inventory system inside out, planning each conversation before each visit, using rehearsed persuasion to investigate and interrogate, politely provoking their mental state to confess petty thefts, and getting them at an increasingly uncomfortable position until they voluntarily quit. Employees of 4 or 5 years still deservce such treatment if they cheat. Money speaks; sometimes it takes up to a few 100,000 Rp notes to get a confession. Of course, these tiny monetary gifts are rewards for honesty and loyalty, because employees’ mothers and kids get sick and it is easy to reward silently by referring to kindness. “Hey, I heard your mother was hospitalized this past week, and you don’t need to tell anybody here’s some …” is the way to end a successful back-room questioning. My uncle does not need to keep his stores and employees on constant watch. In fact, he needs to be away from them to be able to engineer his ingenious tricks, often written down in Chinese letters to avoid readability (and he giggles as he told me this). Loose leadership.
Self-interest is the key to get optimum performance from anybody. To be continued.
Entrepreneurship and workaholism. What a love/hate relationship.
Going back to school with such a high opportunity cost was not easy. Leaving the oilfield behind and job offers was frightening at the least. Choosing a private school in DC and living there was not a completely informed decision. [Texas messed up my financial sense.] Being in school by spending savings, while being an entrepreneur who needs capital, is quite foolish, allegedly. But schooling is such an investment. Eyes and doors have opened. Horizon has broadened. Confidence and humility are tested.
And then the conversation shifted. Of course this uncle reads and keeps up with the global economies and domestic politics. There was a discussion about how the Chinese frugality put them where they are today. There is an uprising of middle class, new wealthy individuals, along with spoiled children. Can the West keep up? He said, maybe not, they like to spend, as peoples and a nation.
The subject somehow evolved to managing a country, and ultimately to something he is much more familiar with, managing a business with multiple branches. Exercise of power is key. Loose leadership is necessary. It is like managing a small country, he said.
What a perfect timing to catch up on Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals that talks about power and self-interest, two things that have become my uncle’s main devices. An entrepreneur must know its powers, because “to do a thing well a man needs power and competence”, according to Jesuit founder St. Ignatius.
“It is impossible to conceive of a world devoid of power; the only choice of concepts is between organized and unorganized power. .. Every organization known to man, from government down, has had only one reason for being – that is, organization for power in order to put into practice or promote its common purpose.”
My uncle’s power as the business owner and his intellectual competence shines as he spends most of his time in Surabaya, my hometown, and pays two visits monthly to his 5-6 stores. Theft is highly expected. He stands outside to outsmart opportunistic employees. Knowing the accounting and inventory system inside out, planning each conversation before each visit, using rehearsed persuasion to investigate and interrogate, politely provoking their mental state to confess petty thefts, and getting them at an increasingly uncomfortable position until they voluntarily quit. Employees of 4 or 5 years still deservce such treatment if they cheat. Money speaks; sometimes it takes up to a few 100,000 Rp notes to get a confession. Of course, these tiny monetary gifts are rewards for honesty and loyalty, because employees’ mothers and kids get sick and it is easy to reward silently by referring to kindness. “Hey, I heard your mother was hospitalized this past week, and you don’t need to tell anybody here’s some …” is the way to end a successful back-room questioning. My uncle does not need to keep his stores and employees on constant watch. In fact, he needs to be away from them to be able to engineer his ingenious tricks, often written down in Chinese letters to avoid readability (and he giggles as he told me this). Loose leadership.
Self-interest is the key to get optimum performance from anybody. To be continued.
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