WSJ: The Internet Allows...
11.29.2006
By email:
By WILLIAM M. BULKELEY
November 29, 2006; Page B1
The Wall Street Journal
Excerpt.
- Photography and publishing companies shouldn't be surprised when digital technology upends their industries. After all, their business success relied on forcing customers to buy things they didn't want.
- Photo companies made customers pay for 24 shots in a roll of film to get a handful of good pictures. Music publishers made customers buy full CDs to get a single hit song.
- Marketing 101 says success comes from selling things people want. But advanced marketing calls for companies to leverage the relationship to get the buyer to pony up for other products -- or at least for extra product. --
When customers find a way to avoid buying the excess baggage, they change quickly.
- Now, it turns out customers really didn't want all of the little four-by-six prints they stuck in shoe boxes. Shutterbugs today store their pictures in computers or post them on MySpace without ever printing them out.buys almost all her music from iTunes.
- Readers get what they want by selecting articles or time-shifting shows. Advertisers get what they want by paying only for searches.
posted by Jdavies @ 11/29/2006,
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KFC's Chicken BBQ
6.30.2006
I ordered my third chicken java rice for the week 2 days ago at the KFC branch near Sulo Hotel (Sulu?). Like most people who enjoy new things, the crispy chicken barbeque is a novelty for me for now and that makes me order it again and again. I had the first 2 orders delivered, and as expected the BBQ sauce is placed in separate containers.
The ones I ordered for take out (to go) at the KFC near Sulo Hotel is another story. Unlike the previous orders, they had the sauce poured all over the chicken bbq sticks. That got me asking for the manager. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't mad. I am just a bit surprised that they do it that way, knowing I'd take it out of the store.
I told the manager the crispiness might be affected (not to mention it having too much sauce than I might be needing, spilled sauce on the stick, etc) I asked if it's a store policy or a company-wide direction. She said "Yes". She further explained that the policy differs from delivery to in-store purchases. Somebody from KFC confirm this. Is it because I pay a premium for delivery purchases? If the logic is travel time degrades food quality, shouldn't the same argument hold for take outs?
I was then told it was a cost-cutting measure. Oh... Now we're talking.
Cost-cutting? I did pay didn't I? If the product managers deemed it better to not take note of such small details to save on plastic cups, the least they can do is ask the customer if one would want the sauce poured on or separated. One small marketing-led script would do fine. I'm sure a little due diligence on their part would have sufficed. I would even if praise them for that.
If their sales and costs projections didn't go as expected, is that the customer's fault? I'm not being a hard customer here. It's just that while, I understand there are things they should adjust in the product - but at least don't run the product testing on paying customers. Or don't release something not up to par. It's called Corporate Social Responsibility. CSR is not just about donations and support for humanitarian causes or support for environmental causes - at the minimum it is about a good product worth the price. Most companies forgot that.
Benefit of the doubt: Perhaps not so many people complain about having the sauce poured in. Well, I do. Statistics will matter, but customer service matters more. It doesn't matter if I'm the only one complaining about the food. Some people will even go as far as saying, "well don't buy from a fast food if you complain on such matters that are for restaurants to notice." Fast food shouldn't mean a degraded food quality, it's just served fast. For anyone to take anything short of that is crazy. At the end of the day, I relayed my concern to the manager and told her to ensure that this concern is addressed in their next meeting. They better.
Next time I order I'll check if they did something good already.
Labels: Business
posted by Jdavies @ 6/30/2006,
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When Corporations Lie
5.21.2006
Hard enough a question for a 10 year-old then; lies and lies and whispers of the sort is hardly distinguishable from a regular conversation. The line dividing a deliberate lie from an honest corporate mistake could be very thin, yet most newspaper-reading adults could know it. But then of course, how could a 10-year old know the difference.
I was ten I think, when I got to hold on to a softdrink brand's winning crown, "349", it says. It was my sister's lucky crown. It was supposed to win something like P100,000.00, which by the living standards of the 80's at P20-$1, would be alot of money. The promo was called "The Number Fever". The number 349 was announced as the winning number for May 25, 1992. Unfortunately hundreds of other customers have the same number. The confusion started when representatives of the cola company said they will only award one winner among all the crown holders. There was supposed to be a security code in the bottle cap.
It could be a mistake, a sabotage, anything in between; but the last statement - that damage control statement, that they will award only one is a controversial one.
How does one distinguish between a lie, a cover-up, damage-control, a PR statement, a public apology, a televised speech... the list goes on. We could have won, or maybe not. I don't think the bottle cap is preserved to this day --- I have to ask my sister. It should be a cola collectors item.
From that time on I was wary of consumers rights. As early as 2nd year high school, I was reading the 1992 Consumer Act of the Philippines. That by the 3rd of 4th year, I was part of a contest sponsored by the government to promote it. Apparently, that marketing campaign is working with me right now, as I still push people to fight for their rights as consumers.
Consider this example: A store does not show any price tag. You have to bargain to be even given a view of a price list. ---- Unless the item itself is too small for a tag, the price tag is a number 1 requirement. The point is, the price must be visible.
Now how many stores in Makati and Greenhills alone do not follow this rule? Most of the time, we consumers ask "Magkano or how much ", first. Bad move. Such an action establishes a "seller's market". That is, we create the demand first before the supply. This allows the seller to dictate the price and start negotiating higher than the actual value of the product. That means, without a price tag or a price list for a referrence, a computer shop can sell you a spare part for whatever it is you are ready to pay it for.
Another case of lying that sadly is prevalent is a marketing strategy. Almost false advertising. That is, selling a product at a ridiculously low, low price. After you check the product, you see that it is worthless, and defective. The salesmen then tells of you a different brand, but much more expensive. You, obviously content now, will be duped to buy the product at such a bloated price - - - even tag a premium on it.
Extra Ice to the brim on an already cold fast-food drink? You got to be kidding me. Reheating the same meal for the next day's serving? Claims of high technology and fastest product in the market but poor service? Say no to a text scam and still even after opting out, you get sent ten more messages --- in the middle of the night? Hello, not replying equals opting-out. Revenue, revenue, revenue.
The worst thing though is false test, research results, or misrepresentation of credentials in commercials and other advertising materials. Good thing there are government agencies and watchdogs already setup to combat these, but for years and years now, we have seen doctors or medical professionals, perhaps not even doctors themselves endorse a product claiming full knowledge of its capabilities. There are the training experts with sculpted bodies in those exercise machines and gadgets that claim this and that, even actors and actresses endorsing schools... so much to a point that they dress up as students. I wonder if it is required by law that they actually enroll in those schools before misrepresenting themselves in the school uniforms.
People have been lying to each everyone for millions of years, but if it's institutionalized dishonesty, and take note I haven't talked about the government yet. Wow, we have a problem.
OK, bearing these in mind, we have to understand not all corporations lie. Not every person, not everyman. Not every store owner wants to dupe you and own your cash... but it pays to know that there are people out there who have made "lying" their occupation. Be careful when you buy anything... know your rights. And ask for the real price. If they dont have the tag, tell the store owner that it is a requirement by law, and that if they dont comply, you will report them to DTI. Or if the product promo is unfair, or such and such claims of an ad is misleading --- stand up and tell people about it. File a complaint. I already emailed the NTC on the sms infotexts. ...
Just a small thing to help rid this world of liars.
Labels: Business, Local, Philippines
posted by Jdavies @ 5/21/2006,
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Google Trends 3
5.12.2006
More on google trends searches. This is the Da Vinci Code vs the Church battle...
Let's see who wins:
Labels: Business, Google, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 5/12/2006,
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Google Trends II
More on my previous post.
Google launched yesterday Google Trends , a search tool that allows users to sort through several years of global Google search queries from around the world to "get a general idea of everything from user preferences on ice-cream flavors to the relative popularity of politicians in their respective cities or countries" . (dslreports.com)
Armed with all these information, we have to expect google to continue being that top company that it is. Just make sure they will not be evil. Of course, that's what they say.
Coke vs. Pepsi - Global. Notice the difference per country and per city.Something useless:
Coke vs. Pepsi - Coke vs Pepsi in the Philippines
Windows vs. Mac - Notice the difference between news referrence and actual search volume.Is it largely marketing hype? Try Windows vs Linux.
Democrats vs Republicans - I wonder if they are searching for each other.
Star Trek vs Star Wars - Top searches from Hrvatska, Croatia? Must be the Rebel Alliance home base.
Xbox 360 vs Ps3 - Similar curve for News Release and search volume is evident with Xbox. One could only surmise the search volumes are direct results of the online press release. Expect the marketing war via news release battles for both brands. Will Ps3 use the same online marketing strategy?
Yahoo vs Google - Could it be because users are in google already and will therefore not seach for "google" anymore? Note that Google is all over the news vs Yahoo!
Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan - Oh the controversial blond bond!
Car vs Automobile - Do users prefer one term over another?
Labels: Business, Google, Local, Philippines, Politics, Technology, US Politics
posted by Jdavies @ 5/12/2006,
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Google Trends
Got a new online tool thats bound to help marketing people and SEO experts. From dslreports.com:
The folks at Google yesterday held a press day, and unveiled a slew of new search tools, explored in detail over at the Google Blog. Among them was Google Trends, a search tool that allows users to sort through several years of global Google search queries from around the world to "get a general idea of everything from user preferences on ice-cream flavors to the relative popularity of politicians in their respective cities or countries" . Some interesting comparisons:
Ateneo vs. La Salle (Philippines) - Who's leading in our favorite local school rivalry?
Spurs vs Pistons (Global) - Will they meet again in the 2006 NBA Finals?
Friendster vs MySpace (Global) - More popular or just, more searches?
Friendster vs MySpace (Philippines) - Compare that versus other countries, and Marketing executives are sure to choose one over the other.
Smart, Globe, Sun - Notice the difference in ranking under Tagalog vs English searches.
Labels: Business, Google, Local, Philippines, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 5/12/2006,
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Backyard Pepsi Factory
3.24.2006
Got an email this morning with pictures alledging that there is at least one Backyard Pepsi Factory. Checked snopes.com and found out there's no record of this yet so I submitted a request toinvestigate it. My cause is simple: Is this true or an elaborate hoax? People need to know.
Implications:
1. Child labor issue.
2. Bad news for the Pepsi-Cola company.
3. It's a crime that will pose health hazzards.
Pictures were captioned as : Great boy picking the colors to prepare the PEPSI, Men at work washing the bottles, boys placing the bottles in the tray, Boy filling the PEPSI & checking for the air bubles, Boy filling the Gas in the bottles, Boy searching for the right caps, Great man at capping the bottle, and Quality checking and Success***
I checked the domain name splashed across the pictures using whois information.
If this is a marketing campaign for their website, I wonder what legal implications there are. This is what I found:
Domain Name: 3YOONMASR.NET is registered under the name Marcus Burmood using GO DADDY SOFTWARE, INC., as the registrar. Name and nameservers are active, but may not be available online due to bandwidth restrictions from it's hosting company, (or is it just parked at secureservet.net?)
Name's been 13-sep-2004 and current and paid for until 13-sep-2006. This Mr. Marcus Burmood lives in 2040 SE Debord Corvallis, OR 97333 United States, Phone 5417549030
. His email is hayhodown@nicemarmot.org, so I'm betting he's getting lots of email there already. If he's the one who exposed this, I bet he's getting famous by now and deserves a congratulatory note for the exposé. HOWEVER, if this is a hoax and was started merely as a marketing campaign that his company launched, somebody better email this guy and tell him something he won't forget.
I'll post back as soon as snopes replies.
Labels: Business
posted by Jdavies @ 3/24/2006,
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McDonald's versus Jollibee
6.01.2005
A page from my marketing book opens yet again. The case study this time is a must read for Filipinos, entrepreneurs and marketing professionals.
Tan Caktiong had no choice but to reinvent Jollibee.
The International Herald Tribune has this to say:
Sometime in the late 1970s, Tony Tan Caktiong, the owner of a small ice cream parlor in a lower- middle-class neighborhood here, learned that an American hamburger chain was coming to invade the Philippines.
Worried that his store, which had just started selling burgers, might get floored by the new competition, Tan Caktiong, a Filipino of Chinese descent, took a leaf from the Chinese military tactician Sun Tzu: he flew to the United States to know his future enemy.
When he returned to the Philippines a few weeks later, Tan Caktiong brought with him an arsenal of ideas on how to fortify his store, called Jollibee, to face the newcomer.
What followed was a classic tale of survival that quickly became a Filipino legend that is now being retold in the country's business schools, often with a tinge of nationalistic pride directed against the U.S. burger chain in question, McDonald's.
Tan Caktiong had no choice but to reinvent Jollibee.
"He was told that either he sold Jollibee to McDonald's or be its franchise holder here. 'They will eat you alive,' his friends told him," said John Victor Tence, vice president for corporate and human resources of Jollibee Foods.
Described by friends as self-effacing and frugal but determined, Tan Caktiong told his friends, "I have a third choice: I can fight McDonald's."
And fight he did... Read the article here.
Labels: Business, Local, Philippines
posted by Jdavies @ 6/01/2005,
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More on Tech4Free:
Justin Cooper responds
12.02.2004
A certain Justin Cooper replied to my previous post about tech4free.com on whether it is a scam or not - or if its even worth all your time. Apparently, the "owner" as per our check on the administrative contact of the website.
Check this post:
Hi,
I just wanted to leave you a quick note, and explain a few of the things you commented on. We are a very new site using a business model that is relatively new. We have sent out thousands of dollars worth of stuff, and plan on sending out at least $30000 worth of free gifts this week alone. There is proof that we are legitimate all over the net right now.
The reasoning behind the U.S. only issue is that most, if not all of the offers we have that you can complete are 'U.S. Only offers'. I.E. Blockbuster online does not work for residents of India.
We also do not support the use of P.O. Boxes do to the rampant fraud found out by the previous companies operating incentive based advertising sites.
We do not personally sell your information, nor will we ever sell your information. What our affiliates do with a users information is solely based on their privacy policy.
Thank you, and I hope I cleared up any confusion!
Justin
See, I'd like to think he is the owner but of course there is not a way for me to check if he indeed is; as such we take it on benefit of the doubt. (note to conspiracy theorists --- I am not part of tech4free at all and this is not a negative strategy of marketing campaign which attacks the same guys only in increase awareness of the 'strengths' of the attacked party, ala ikea's vs elitedesigners strategy.)
If he is who he claims of course then it's interesting how he found this post quite fast, so here's my quick reply too:
Hi Justin,
Thanks for clearing things up Justin - please note that the observations I have made above is intended and targeted for my readers in the Philippines whose 1st-and-2nd degree of separation from US citizens makes them the prime candidates of unsolicited mail or perhaps legit but useless email and marketing dead-ends.
Tech4free's business model is something I do not attack, like I say, it's a perfectly legal way of doing business as per your legal policies and disclaimers. Lawyers are very good at creating things as these. (Hey when I'd like to be a lawyer, see...) However, my concern stems from the fact that a huge percentage of my people do not understand your program, and are very much inclined to participate without knowing the in's and out's - in effect wasting time and repeating the vicious cycle.
I think it best thus to warn them of the possibilities rather than they waste their time if the program does not fit them. Arguably, of course this post will diminish statistics for those not interested and would save time by not responding to your ads. Hence, I understand your concern to explain yourself and defend your company. It's an expected marketing response.
Now, should US readers see this same post then it becomes a better world for everybody - people who will participate in your program will be of a higher percentage to agree to your terms and conditions and would have checked every bit of detail. Further, unless you find use for those other emails and addresses that do not agree to your privacy policy or are from completely irrelevant geographical markets as per your strategies, say the Philippines, India, Japan, or South Korea then I don't think you'll feel bad about it. It makes mathematical sense by 6-degrees of separation to include links which are irrelevant to the market; I am certain excluding them from the chain may diminish significantly the end totals of point of contacts; but hey ! don't you think they have a right to know? They do!
I know the federal laws on opt/outs and fully understand the affiliate system of marketing and biz partnerships you mention. But not all those in the net do. It's best they understand.
Now, should you want to clarify even more and present any info then let me know and I'l post it.
Jardine Davies
There you go --- He says they are legit --- but you must not be from Manila or India, you need to be from Manila, Arkansas for instance. You want a freebie - it's for you to try. Some people came to great lengths for a gmail account; admit it people love freebies. It's just a question of who gets more of what they got free for. You want it - try it. Hey this post might just increase their hits.
Labels: Business, Local, Philippines
posted by Jdavies @ 12/02/2004,
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Freebies on Tech4Free: Scam or Not
11.30.2004
I've got so many emails about freebie techs via tech4free that I just have to check it out. I figure it's going to be a good thing for a little 5 minute investigation. See, there's just too many spammers out there; I can't trust nobody quite easily these days.
My Manila network of friends have been sending this same email and so have some people from the US. Friendster Bulletin boards are filled with the same detail. So let's start ---
First thing to check out is the Privacy Policy of any website - and check their Terms and Conditions - if it doesn't have it then it meens it doesn't even have money to pay for man hours to even cut and paste a usual terms and conditions text. If its more site specifc you can bet its their definite legalway out if they screw up. That's read as Disclaimer baby...
Ok so I checked and this is what I found:
First of all you have to be in USA:
I. ACCOUNTS
1. Information
(a). All users shall provide accurate information. At any time during the signup process or after the user must give correct information involving their identity.
(b). A user must use their own information for this site.
(c). A user must reside in the United States. <<<<<<<<<<
If this was no scam consider that you have to reside in US and provide your mailing address Not PO BOXES --- that means your info can be 'sold' for marketing purposes Re: JC Penny Catalogues among others ... The word "Sold" in business can mean any exchange including non-monetary or what you call x-deals. In other words information exchange or any exchange in kind ala barter trade wherein both companies help each other.
For one I thnk not all couriers can ship through PO boxes - besides if its not a PO box then its possibly a consumers address, right? They don't need PO boxes too - perhaps since home mailing addresses are better for consumer goods that they can mail you .... Ok further:
re: Offers, Privacy Policy:As you can see it's a little gray area out there on promotions and marketing - so if you are American and you sign up I guess you can expect alot of mails from their sponsors - that's the price of freebies!!! If you get the freebie and you don't mind the mails that may come - or anything else that drops in your address for instance, then I guess this site is for you. If you'll give up that privacy for a freebie then we don't have issues anymore.
Tech4free.com is a site offering free products. Each offer is sponsored by one of our advertisers. Information is collected from the consumer through an online form. Applicants submit their name, address, title, e-mail address, and age along with other demographic information and optional questions chosen by the advertiser.
However, under Opt-in/out federal rule they are not spamming you or sending you unsolicited mails or that their methodology cant be called spamming if an option for a opt-out is available. What more if you agree that their affiliates send you info?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>So there you go... If its not a scam then its all good and you can try it but I guess but there's a price to pay for that freebie. Don't waste ur time unless they start a worldwide campaign which i doubt - or you live the the US and can see if it works. See, if you get an iPod that's cool - means you were that lucky - you became one of a few who made it to their list.
AND THEIR legal loophole: READ this PEOPLE!!!!
c). THIS SITE IS CURRENTLY IN A BETA TEST STAGE AND WE DO NOT GAURANTEE THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE A PRODUCT FROM TECH4FREE.COM, EVEN IF ALL OF THE REQUIRED STEPS ARE COMPLETED IN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ABOVE. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO GET YOU YOUR PRODUCT, BUT BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS UNTESTED, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DENY ANYONE THEIR FREE PRODUCT, NO MATTER WHAT THE REASON.
Oh and in case you are wondering: This website is new and so the beta is justifiable they do need hits and quite possibly if its legit marketing is just recent:
Via Big Daddy whois:
Domain Name: TECH4FREE.COM
Created on: 04-Nov-04
Expires on: 04-Nov-05
Last Updated on: 04-Nov-04
Administrative Contact:
Cooper, Justin info@tech4free.com
7800 113 1/2 Ave. N.
Champlin, Minnesota 55316
United States 2183103825
If you need to verify anything you can check on your end.
The Verdict: maybe legit but not without strings attached,
ask yourself if its worth your time and your privacy.
It's legally posible for them to give gifts to 1 in 10,000 people only or all of them or a select statistic or none at all and still promote their site right? Scam or Not if you want to try it it's Your choice.
Labels: Business
posted by Jdavies @ 11/30/2004,
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The Pot Money
9.20.2004
An article I read in one of the message boards...
something to think about --- I do not say we should be ethno-centric, that will have it's pros and cons... but perhaps we can learn something from this:
(thanks to Ernie, and the Author, Rodel Ramos)
Thinking Aloud
by Rodel J. Ramos
“NO ONE SHOULD PROFIT FROM OUR COMMUNITY?”
Not a few people believe that “No one
should profit from the activities in the
Community.” They reason that what ever you do or give
for the Community, do it for the love of our people,
nothing else. Personal interest should be put aside. I
questioned this belief at one time in the planning of
the Centennial SkyDome Festival.
I was arguing about the marketing strategy of selling
50,000 tickets for the event. I wanted to give
commissions to sellers and agents in order to motivate
them. Someone said firmly, “I don’t want anybody to
profit from this project.” My answer to that statement
was, “For years and years and years our people had
sacrificed their time, efforts, talents and money for
this Community. They have taken back nothing. It is
time to give them something at least for gasoline
expense. Besides, if you want to sell 50,000 tickets,
you have to give them the right incentive and the best
motivator is money.
We all know that those who accommodate
organizations by going to their benefit dances, donate
or sponsor their activities spend from $3,000 to
$5,000 a year. If they do not get something back, how
in the world are they expected to continue supporting
the Community?
Most of us are not millionaires who can continuesly
support our people without feeling the pain and
becoming broke. There are also many in our midst who
are just struggling to keep both ends meet. Many
officers and members are already sacrificing their
families for our people. And they get nothing out of
it, not even a thank you.
Most don’t support
Some of our businesses are already the
milking cows of organizations. Yet we hear some people
proudly say that they do not cater to them. “Mahal ang
bilihin sa kanila.” I even heared someone comment,
“Bakit ako bibili sa kanya, pagka yumaman iyan,
pagyayabangan pa ako.” Yet when we need advertisements
or sell tickets, we squeeze them to death.
How many of us support our lawyers? We would rather go
to Canadian lawyers. The reason of some is, “Mga
tsismoso ang mga Pilipino. Baka malaman pa ng buong
bayan na ang anak ko ay nagnakaw sa tindahan,
nagcarnapping o nahuling nagdrugs.” Or “Baka malaman
pa nila na nagbankruptcy ako.” But lawyers are sworn
to secrecy. I know that Attorney Bayani Abesamis does
not tell anybody about his clients. When he was
handling the San Lorenzo Ruiz case, in spite of my
being a “bilas” he never told me anything about it. I
always asked him how it is going and he would just
tell me, “Ayos lang.”
One Filipino lawyer talked about his disappointment.
He said that he supports a lot of organizations
sponsoring that and this project. “But they never come
to me when they have cases or when their children are
in trouble. It is ironic. A Canadian friend ask me to
do some of his work because he is overloaded and pays
me a lot less than the normal fee. What is painful is,
I find out that they are Filipinos, sometimes friends
of mine.”
But we cater to Filipino doctors. The reason is
obvious. How do you tell a Canadian doctor, “Doctor,
masakit ang kasukasuan ko.” O “Doctor, may almuranas
ako.”
Compare this attitude to those with the Chinese or the
Jews. Observe how they have become progressive while
most of us remain middle class or poor. The Chinese
cater to the Chinese businessmen. They help and trust
each other or give discounts to their own race. They
would rather give the business to their own people.
And because the money circulates among themselves,
their people grow richer. In return, they can support
their Community needs - built cultural centers,
housing for the Elderly, temples etc. They also create
jobs and develop their entrepreneurship. They are able
even to loan money to their citizens to put up
businesses and support each other.
This is their formula in the Philippines, how the
Chinese were able to control many of our
manufacturing, importations, trading, banking,
telecommunication and other services. Taiwan, Hong
Kong and China lend their citizens in the Philippines
money, discounts and credit lines through their
Chamber of Commerce and other organizations. Helping
each other instead of giving their money to other
groups is the secret formula of their success.
The Jews have the same attitude. They cater to each
other’s businesses and give credit to their fellow
Jews. Compare this to our businessmen who kill each
other’s business by dropping their prices to the
losses of everyone in the industry.
I have been a member of the Jaycees and we support
each other’s businesses. The Freemasons have a vow to
support, protect and help their own brothers except on
murder. Of course there are codes of ethics they
follow. The Iglesia ni Christo do the same and they
are all progressive.
Of course this can be subjected to abuse. Some of our
leaders are there to promote their products and
services. But if we are buying from Canadian Companies
and other ethnic groups, why not our own kababayan.
There is a saying, “Sino ba ang magtutulungan kung
hindi tayo din.” But then, others have a “one way
traffic” attitude. Puro pakabig, walang tulak. And our
system is already being abused and nobody is
benefiting from it.
We are not talking here of people who join to swindle
others of their money. We are talking of legal
businesses. In fact, no one had become rich joining
organizations nor had anyone stolen money of
organizations. All that we hear are rumors to
discredit those in position of power.
Those who have the above mentality, I implore you to
rethink your position. This formula is the cause of
our failure as a Community. We have used this for more
than 3 decades in Canada and for centuries in the
Philippines. I would rather that we adapt the line,
“Everyone should profit from our Community.”
Otherwise, there is no reason for us having one?
Labels: Business
posted by Jdavies @ 9/20/2004,
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Questions about the Filipino Hostage in Iraq
7.08.2004
While Charge d'Affaires to Iraq Ricardo Endaya has doubts whether the hostage shown in a video broadcast on Al-Jazeera television Wednesday was indeed a Filipino, I myself have my own questions. It's not about doubts or anything, I am as confused as any Filipino would be about this act. And I'm sure whatever nationality this man has, the Filipino community condemns it.
I have the following questions about the Filipino hostage of the Khaled Ibn al-Walid Brigade in Iraq though, maybe some enlightened ones can help me figure this out:
1. Why is he wearing an Orange Jumpsuit?
2. Is that standard Iraqi-issue? Orange? The 'rebels' do know how to properly block on-camera and put emphasis on the subject at hand. Did they take up marketing or communication arts? I'm amazed by that. These are wackos for sure but I think they are smart.
3. He does look Filipino for one thing. I didn't hear him speak though. I'm worried his family have yet to recognize him though. The video has only recently gained coverage.
4. How would GMA react, knowing that the US election is 50-50 between her favorite Bush and Kerry?
5. How would the US react, knowing that the Philippines is a staunch ally on its fight on terrorism?
6. Is this an ominous sign of what is to come of domestic affairs? Do we suddenly get 'attacked' and innocent lives are lost when public opinion in Manila sways against the continued stay of our 51 humanitarian and policing troops in Iraq?
7. What happens to the Manila Blogosphere after in the next three days? How will the rants get divided... Hmmm... Interesting days to come.
Filipinos moving to other countries to work is a phenomenon, as I have outlined in my previous 'diaspora' post. It's unfortunate that this has to happen. I wonder what's next.
posted by Jdavies @ 7/08/2004,
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Brand America Damaged by Foreign Affairs?
7.01.2004
I'm posting here an excerpt from Barry L. Ritholtz's article on Wall Street Online which you can find here. Most who would have studied marketing and have at least some knowledge of business understand the concept behind the word 'BRAND'. If America is to be taken as a collective brand, then this is disturbing to it's Manager:
"Though George W. Bush has been a decidedly pro-business president, a few cracks are surfacing in what had been a solid wall of business support."
Will the slight rebound continue or does it go down from there?
Source: WSJ
WSJ:
"Among Kerry supporters is Eric Best, a managing director at Morgan Stanley, who says Mr. Bush's tax cuts go too far at the expense of mounting deficits. "I was raised as a fiscal conservative, and I think his fiscal policy is scary," he says. Mr. Best, who remembers Mr. Bush as an upper-class dormitory proctor at Phillips Academy Andover boarding school, says that what really motivates him to stump for Mr. Kerry is the hostility the global strategist finds as he travels.
"I can testify to the extraordinary destruction of 'American Brand Value' accomplished by this administration, from Europe to Hong Kong to Shanghai to Tokyo, and beyond," he wrote in a recent e-mail that he widely distributed. "If any CEO of a global multinational had accomplished this for his enterprise as quickly and radically as George Bush Jr. has done for the U.S., he would be replaced by the board in no time."
Fascinating stuff.
Indeed. What of other countries? Oh say, the Philippines, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia. I wonder if it is the same. I'm not a member of the board, but in any management circumstance where at least some significant markets (countries) experience a downtrend, corrective measures are be implemented, including but limited to a change of strategy.
I'd say I'l fire him and reassign him to clerical duties. :p
Labels: Business
posted by Jdavies @ 7/01/2004,
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The Author
J.Davies
Jdavies lives in Quezon City, Philippines and has been blogging since 2002. A brand manager in a leading technology company and a freelance new media/web strategy consultant, he has refocused his blogging from personal, political & sociological observations, to marketing-related efforts and Internet trends that are relevant to his career and branding advocacies.
About This Blog
This blog is a depot of thoughts and observations on marketing trends which remain personally relevant to the Author as far as his marketing career is concerned. Having evolved from the personal blog of Jdavies, much of the earlier work contained herein are laced with personal speculation, political views, and similar advocacies. These posts are being kept for posterity's sake and for no other reason. No effort is being made to claim that the author will not contradict himself from his previous positions or that such advocacies are absolute.
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