I just finished a good year.
A lot of things happened this year. I got to travel abroad again. I lost my job and had two applications denied. I became active in Ka-entrep. I tried my hand at really being an entrepreneur. I gave several lectures on entrepreneurship. I made websites. I went back to counseling.
This year will remain special for me not for the things that happened above but for what happened towards the end of the year. It has always been my dream to earn my keep by writing. I imagined my name below the titles. My works would see print at last.
This year, the dream has began to come true. I pray that it will continue to grow in 2012.
Showing posts with label ka-entrep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ka-entrep. Show all posts
Parliament Day
The tour of Brussels would prove to be just a prelude to what would happen the next day. When we walked around the city we had nothing on us but our wallets. On the next morning, we understood what luggage really meant.
We checked out of the hotel early. We were to move our bags to the Trias office. Their volunteers would be the ones to take the bags via train to Westhoek where the bags and our host families would be waiting for us in the evening. So first we had to go from the hotel to the office.
But it was rush hour.
In Brussels, there are no escalators going down into train stations. The moving stairs only went up. So we carried our luggage down the stairs going to the Metro station. We weren't really rushing but lugging those bags around is not a walk in the park either. Then there was the fact that the trains near our hotel did not go directly into the area where the offices were so we still had to change trains. That meant climbing up ad down some more stairs.
Finally, we got out of the correct station. We had to smile when we found out that the Trias office was the first door to the right when you got up to street level.
After meeting with Trias officials, we had to move to the Unizo offices. That was not much of a rush although it was still a few blocks walk. What happened after that meeting was the highlight of the day.
We finished the Unizo meeting a few minutes behind schedule. The next stop was the European Parliament. Since we were running late, Anna Marie literally run. The race was on then and there was also a slight drizzle. The girl did not believe in taking cabs or there were few cabs in the area. Anyways, we rushed to the Parliament building.
When we got to Parliament, there were the requisite security measures. We were accommodated by the aide of Marianne Thyssen, a Belgian representative from the Christian Democratic party. He explained how the EU system worked as far as legislation was concerned. He showed us the session hall and allowed us a few shots too. It really is interesting what cooperation can do. I would also like to mention that culture does play na important role and should never be ignored.
After the meeting at Parliament, it was a leisurely walk back to the Unizo building,
But the day was not yet over.
We checked out of the hotel early. We were to move our bags to the Trias office. Their volunteers would be the ones to take the bags via train to Westhoek where the bags and our host families would be waiting for us in the evening. So first we had to go from the hotel to the office.
But it was rush hour.
In Brussels, there are no escalators going down into train stations. The moving stairs only went up. So we carried our luggage down the stairs going to the Metro station. We weren't really rushing but lugging those bags around is not a walk in the park either. Then there was the fact that the trains near our hotel did not go directly into the area where the offices were so we still had to change trains. That meant climbing up ad down some more stairs.
Finally, we got out of the correct station. We had to smile when we found out that the Trias office was the first door to the right when you got up to street level.
After meeting with Trias officials, we had to move to the Unizo offices. That was not much of a rush although it was still a few blocks walk. What happened after that meeting was the highlight of the day.
We finished the Unizo meeting a few minutes behind schedule. The next stop was the European Parliament. Since we were running late, Anna Marie literally run. The race was on then and there was also a slight drizzle. The girl did not believe in taking cabs or there were few cabs in the area. Anyways, we rushed to the Parliament building.
When we got to Parliament, there were the requisite security measures. We were accommodated by the aide of Marianne Thyssen, a Belgian representative from the Christian Democratic party. He explained how the EU system worked as far as legislation was concerned. He showed us the session hall and allowed us a few shots too. It really is interesting what cooperation can do. I would also like to mention that culture does play na important role and should never be ignored.
After the meeting at Parliament, it was a leisurely walk back to the Unizo building,
But the day was not yet over.
Quick Night Out
It was past 10pm when we got to Hotel Manhattan in Brussels. It would already be 5am in Manila by then. Most of us had been awake for almost 24 hours. We were all tired from the long trip. But for some of us, we were more hungry than tired. So the five ladies in our party of nine decided to take a look around and see if we can not find some warm food.
But we were tourists so of course we had cameras on hand when we walked out of the hotel. In the elevator, we just happened to meet a Frenchman named Jacques who was also staying in the same hotel. While outside, he noticed we were clicking away and decided to help us out so all five of us can be in the picture at the same time.
After he had gone off, we noticed a car stopped in front of us and the men inside were loudly talking. We all felt that they were discussing us. Maybe it was just our stereotype but we feared they were considering us in a negative light. So we stowed the cameras and walked on.
We walked into a convenience store and got ourselves some instant noodles
. I was going to buy chips but flavors like paprika and chili turned me off. Anyway, the noodles were satisfying enough.
And we got back to the hotel in time to catch the announcement of the Eurovision winners.
But we were tourists so of course we had cameras on hand when we walked out of the hotel. In the elevator, we just happened to meet a Frenchman named Jacques who was also staying in the same hotel. While outside, he noticed we were clicking away and decided to help us out so all five of us can be in the picture at the same time.
After he had gone off, we noticed a car stopped in front of us and the men inside were loudly talking. We all felt that they were discussing us. Maybe it was just our stereotype but we feared they were considering us in a negative light. So we stowed the cameras and walked on.
We walked into a convenience store and got ourselves some instant noodles
. I was going to buy chips but flavors like paprika and chili turned me off. Anyway, the noodles were satisfying enough.And we got back to the hotel in time to catch the announcement of the Eurovision winners.
Off to Belgium
So we are finally on our European adventure. We got here last night. Manila time that would be Sunday morning already. We moved back in time. Actually, we went back about six time zones.
KLM has some good services. It starts with the free newspapers while waiting to board the plane. Then there is the flight tracking system onboard. I really liked that a lot, being able to track where we passed and what's below us. The system also showed data about temperature outside, the speed of the plane, the distance we have gone and how far we still have to go, and how high we are flying. I liked the graphics
, the details of the display, the terrain.
KLM also has a good set of entertainment. You get to watch movies and tv programs or listen to your favorite music. There are also games for adults and kids. There are even language courses so you can study how to talk with the people at youur destination.
Then of course there is the onboard meals. We had two full meals, several snacks and lots of drinks. My seat was in the middle so I had to disturb my companion who was in the aisle seat several times to go to the lavatory. Anyhow, the food was great. We were full and we really felt full after we landed.
Finally, we landed at the Schipol airport in Amsterdam. After getting off the plane, we had to walk a long ways off to get to the exit. I appreciate the fact that although there was a long line at passport control, it was a quick pass. Then we had to get train tickets. Our tickets were prepaid so we only had to get the ticket. Then we had to find our platform and get on the right train.
It was still sunny outside when we boarded our train. We enjoyed the view of the countryside of Holland. We also got a view of the sunset. Even after the sun started to go down, it was a long time before it got dark outside. One of my companions said he was getting tired of waiting for the darkness.
At every station, we checked the station name. Our station was supposedly the last station but we were not sure how far that would be. We were all getting nervous, tired as we were from the trip.
At last, we got into Brussels. Then we found out there were tyhree train stations in the city. It's a good thing we were told we had to get off at the last station. So we waited for the announcement that it was the last station before we got off.
Then we met our host or the representative of our host. She guided us to the hotel by first getting us on the Metro. Then we navigated the station with our luggages before we finally got to the street level near our hotel.
After three hours waiting to board a plane, fourteen hours in the air and four hours on the tracks, we were finally able to lie on our beds. But the day was not over yet,
KLM has some good services. It starts with the free newspapers while waiting to board the plane. Then there is the flight tracking system onboard. I really liked that a lot, being able to track where we passed and what's below us. The system also showed data about temperature outside, the speed of the plane, the distance we have gone and how far we still have to go, and how high we are flying. I liked the graphics
, the details of the display, the terrain.KLM also has a good set of entertainment. You get to watch movies and tv programs or listen to your favorite music. There are also games for adults and kids. There are even language courses so you can study how to talk with the people at youur destination.
Then of course there is the onboard meals. We had two full meals, several snacks and lots of drinks. My seat was in the middle so I had to disturb my companion who was in the aisle seat several times to go to the lavatory. Anyhow, the food was great. We were full and we really felt full after we landed.
Finally, we landed at the Schipol airport in Amsterdam. After getting off the plane, we had to walk a long ways off to get to the exit. I appreciate the fact that although there was a long line at passport control, it was a quick pass. Then we had to get train tickets. Our tickets were prepaid so we only had to get the ticket. Then we had to find our platform and get on the right train.
It was still sunny outside when we boarded our train. We enjoyed the view of the countryside of Holland. We also got a view of the sunset. Even after the sun started to go down, it was a long time before it got dark outside. One of my companions said he was getting tired of waiting for the darkness.
At every station, we checked the station name. Our station was supposedly the last station but we were not sure how far that would be. We were all getting nervous, tired as we were from the trip.
At last, we got into Brussels. Then we found out there were tyhree train stations in the city. It's a good thing we were told we had to get off at the last station. So we waited for the announcement that it was the last station before we got off.
Then we met our host or the representative of our host. She guided us to the hotel by first getting us on the Metro. Then we navigated the station with our luggages before we finally got to the street level near our hotel.
After three hours waiting to board a plane, fourteen hours in the air and four hours on the tracks, we were finally able to lie on our beds. But the day was not over yet,
The Tempest of entrepreneurship
EIt's so hot today. So scorching hot. So what am I doing in the middle of the Quezon Memorial Circle?
I committed to do business every weekend here for at least two months.
Will I earn here? Maybe not but past experience told me that there is an aftersales here that can be expected. That is what I am after, the follow up sales. I expect buyers who get my flyers will call me for more orders. I expect that people will be so used to me being here, they will come looking for me and my products.
Is it good for my business? Exposure is always good. What I really expect to happen here is that i will develop a clientelle who will want to buy from me even after the two month period that I committed to.
So what am i doing here? Planting seeds I hope.
I committed to do business every weekend here for at least two months.
Will I earn here? Maybe not but past experience told me that there is an aftersales here that can be expected. That is what I am after, the follow up sales. I expect buyers who get my flyers will call me for more orders. I expect that people will be so used to me being here, they will come looking for me and my products.
Is it good for my business? Exposure is always good. What I really expect to happen here is that i will develop a clientelle who will want to buy from me even after the two month period that I committed to.
So what am i doing here? Planting seeds I hope.
At the Park
Yesterday we finally started our bazaar.
I'm referring to the Ka-entrep Entrepville eXchange at the Quezon Memorial Circle. RC and the rest of the gang have been wanting this so long and it's finally here. It started over a year ago when we began looking for venues for our bazaar. Finally, the QC Parks Authority gave us slots.
Now the real work begins. You see we were alloted exclusive rights to a certain area if we could come up with 40 paying tenants. So far of the over 20 that pledged to join, only 12 appeared as of today. We still need 30 participants to complete the Entrepville (Anybody interested call Joy at 4961349).
What am I doing at a bazaar? Aside from helping the organization out, it's a chance for me to get to meet potential clients and expose myself to the opinions of the market. While I hope I can sell enough to make a decent profit, I am more interested in return sales.
I heard it said that a bazaar is an incubator for startups. If that is true then it would be a good place to make a market study. Of course that depends on the market you will get. The main question here is if it is the market you want to capture. To answer that, you have to know where you want to take your products or services. To do that, you first have to start with knowing what you are selling and what you are in business for.
It still boils down to good business planning.
I'm referring to the Ka-entrep Entrepville eXchange at the Quezon Memorial Circle. RC and the rest of the gang have been wanting this so long and it's finally here. It started over a year ago when we began looking for venues for our bazaar. Finally, the QC Parks Authority gave us slots.
Now the real work begins. You see we were alloted exclusive rights to a certain area if we could come up with 40 paying tenants. So far of the over 20 that pledged to join, only 12 appeared as of today. We still need 30 participants to complete the Entrepville (Anybody interested call Joy at 4961349).
What am I doing at a bazaar? Aside from helping the organization out, it's a chance for me to get to meet potential clients and expose myself to the opinions of the market. While I hope I can sell enough to make a decent profit, I am more interested in return sales.
I heard it said that a bazaar is an incubator for startups. If that is true then it would be a good place to make a market study. Of course that depends on the market you will get. The main question here is if it is the market you want to capture. To answer that, you have to know where you want to take your products or services. To do that, you first have to start with knowing what you are selling and what you are in business for.
It still boils down to good business planning.
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