On Fridays I try to present ideas and/or commentary on business in the Philippines and business ideas you might use wherever you live, in preparation for a move to the Philippines or just as a way to free yourself from the current US phobia about jobs. If you have a job and you like it, great. (you are in a very small population of people world-wide who like their jobs, but if you enjoy being paid about one third of what you are worth to your company, then great. For the rest of you, the ones who hate their jobs, don’t get paid enough to support their families, or who have lost their jobs …, take heart. There has never been a better time to strike out on your own, and yes, indeed you can. Even though the US and now many other developed countries are throwing massive amounts of money down the rat hole of propping up ‘buggy whip’ or mismanaged businesses, instead of working to create business and wealth, take heart. It doesn’t matter. You can do it, and the only permission you need is your own.
In case you weren’t really sure if claims that the Internet are magic are true or just hype, take a look at this:
Calling all entrepreneurs – introducing PitchTV
When I was starting out, I wish I could have had the chance to pitch my business ideas directly to people who could help make my ambitions a reality. We can now make that happen for you, on this very blog…!
If you’re a budding entrepreneur, we’re giving you the unique opportunity of getting your ideas heard not only by the online community here but also by top business professionals from around the world watching the in-flight entertainment on board Virgin Atlantic planes.
All you have to do is film yourself delivering the very best pitch possible, but make sure it’s no longer than 2 minutes. Then simply upload your video pitch here.
For those who don’t have time to follow the link, this is a service free service form Richard Branson. Yes, the entrepreneur who starts and builds airlines when no one else can, and who owns about 400 businesses around the world. As i was writing this article, my feed reader sent me this link to friend Ellen’s website (Ellen, for those who don’t know her is a Filipino based in Davao who is a lot like many other Filipinos, except for one unique fact … she has never started a single sentence to me with the phrase “If Only”. How refreshing. Anyway, you might want to look at Ellen’s bog and her nascent efforts to start a profitable condominium project there in Davao. In addition to a very informative web site for the project she has also started to use another free business tool like Sir Richard’s tool i started writing about here … YouTube.
YouTube a business tool? You better believe it. Got a business you want to start? or maybe an idea you want to test to see if there are enough people interested in your idea? Put together an “elevator pitch’ and upload it to YouTube and to Branson’s service too … be sure you include an easy way to let people contact you … like a US call in number via Skype (now the world’s single largest carrier of international calls, wow) or Skype’s competitors , promote the videos through free sources like blogs, Facebook, Multiply, etc. and see what interest there is.
One ‘sign off’ thought. This will help anyone with any sort of business idea. before you even work on boring, but necessary things like business plans, market research and such … make an “elevator pitch” for your idea. The term refers to a salesman making a pitch to a potential client during the two minutes or less they might spend together on an elevator. Forget all the stuff about “our company is so wonderful” and “our staff is the most experienced” and the other unadulterated crappola that so many business briefings consist of and just state: Our Company Provides the answer to this business need, and by using our answer you will save/make more money because of a,, b., and c.
It’s surprising to me how many people, even those who have been in business for years can’t sum up the benefits of their product in one or two declarative sentences. Do it for your company and you’ll be miles ahead of the pack.
Hi Dave, thanks for your comments. You know, I went to SM today (a Sunday) to check the place out. You know what? It is really super noisy – I don’t think anyone can even hear anything coming out of the video.
. It will be revised, btw, so hope he remembers to put the Nth american number as you suggested.
Sorry to be out of topic, when was it you were planning to come to Davao? I am flying to Manila just for 2 days – didn’t want to, but have to. I am gone April 11-13.
I think I answered this in email, but I’m way behind on that … sigh, what else is new. But for those who want to know, I’ll be in Davao City 28 thorough 30 May. I haven’t checked if those dates correspond with any of Bob’s regularly schedule Koffe Klatch session, if they do, I’ll likely be there.