The Filipino Entrepreneur

I know that this is not new and have been around a few years back. If you can use your cellphone to surf the internet, you can also use it to surf using your computer by plugging the USB data cable of your cellphone to your PC or use bluetooth if your cellphone is capable but some PC don’t a bluetooth device and you have to buy it and attach/configure it to your PC. Whichever you prefer, what is important is for your computer to have access on your cellphone. Even though I know that this can be done years back I didn’t bother to do it myself because I have no need for it, that’s because I’m using a landline from dial-up (before) to dsl (now) and I always think that those people who are always on-the-go are the only ones who really need it. But there are times that you need a back up if ever you loose a phone line connection, going out of town or if you are relocating. Relocating your land line will take some time so at least you need this kind of a internet connection using cellphone GPRS or 3G capability. It works either on a prepaid sim or a post paid sim.

You can also purchase a USB dongle from Smart or Globe telecom. The USB dongle from Smart is Smartbro ( prepaid or postpaid ) and from Globe is Visibility ( prepaid or postpaid ). But it requires you to buy the dongle for Php4,500. If you have a cellphone with a GPRS/3G, then why bother to buy the dongle? All you need to do is to configure and activate your handset then there you go! So how to activate it? it depends on the network provider. There are different configuration depending on the network provider. You can configure it manually or you can just text them or call their customer support to send you the configuration setting then save it on your cellphone. In my experience, the second one is better because it eliminates the frustrations and headaches.

Read the rest of this entry »

I think everyone knows this vegetable. This is commonly added to a dish called chop suey where it is mixed with vegetables like cauliflower, chinese cabbage, cabbage, bell pepper, sayote, carrots and added with squid and some chicken meat or pork.I guess there is a good income opportunity in producing baby corn because I don’t see it often in the wet market or in a supermarket so there is a possibility that producers were seldom also. So if you want to know something about producing baby corn, below is a guide I found in Bureau of Plant Industry website.

Young cob corn (Zea mays L.), the newly developed corn, has been used by Chinese as vegetable for generations and this practice has spread to other Asian countries. It is used as ingredient in most food preparations. It has nutritive value similar to that of non-legume vegetable such as cauliflower, tomato, cucumber and cabbage (Yodpetch and Bautista, 1983). This vegetable has a great potential for cooking purposes and for processing as a canned product. Canned cob corn export to Thailand, Japan and Europe is increasing and has a good future.

Read the rest of this entry »

Amazon have a newest device in the market for those who wants to put a whole library of books in their hand. It’s called the KINDLE. Right, you can literally have a whole library in your hand because the device is an electronic book, very similar to a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) but larger and the main purpose is just for reading.

If you want to more details about the new product just follow the link here: Kindle: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device. Although I would say that the device is pricey, but imagine the convenience of just having a portable device like this instead of carrying ten pocket books while you are traveling. Since this is wireless, you can take it anywhere you want like a cell phone. No monthly wireless bills, service plans, or commitments—Amazon takes care of the wireless delivery. It also has a rechargeable battery and a charger too. The only disadvantage now on this device is wireless is capability (Whispernet™ ) only available in the US for now. But maybe soon it will be available worldwide by merging with other local network providers. There also a business opportunity on the launching of this device. It’s the selling of ebooks in kindle format.

Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve read an interesting story in Entrepreneur magazine about a tool steel businessman who’s business was almost brought down to it’s knees due to cheating employees, Asian financial crisis back in 1997 and his spending attitude. It’s really common sense that living in frugality will really help a business manage it’s finances well, not only in business but also in our ordinary daily living as a typical worker. But not everyone have that discipline especially if your spouse is not thrifty enough even though you did your best to become frugal. The COO of the Special Steel Products, Inc., Joseph Anthony Pardo said so himself that “although the Asian financial crisis was totally unexpected, the company would not have been as hard hit if they handled their financial well.”

Another aspect that became their major problem is the employee’s dishonesty. In 1986, when some of their former employees started selling cheap steel to their clients, claiming that they were the same as Bohler. The company lost a number of clients to the copycats who offered a cheaper yet substandard alternative. They (dishonest employees) also resorted to unethical means just to sell such as cheating the customers by substituting materials, and spreading black propaganda about their company.

Read the rest of this entry »

Talk about dirty business idea, but this is not a dirty as siphoning waste from a ‘poso negro’ where a truck siphons human waste and dispose it. As I’m browsing the internet I found a business idea that scoops dog waste and made it into a business. I’m not sure if this business will work in a third world country like us but I think there are places in this country that have a high standard of living like in some exclusive subdivisions.

As I was reading the article, I can’t help myself laugh on this kind of business but as long as it’s not illegal, why will I make fun of it? right? One reason I think why this is a good business idea is the answer on number 9 on the frequently asked question:

9) “Why would anyone pay you to clean up after dogs?” Busy dog-owners are delighted to pay someone to have this done! Many dog owners need a way to dispose pet waste that is both legal and practical. Some cities’ refuse departments prohibit the placement of animal waste in with residential refuse. Uncollected dog feces is a significant contributor to ground water pollution. Uncleaned back yards stink, they annoy the neighbors and attract flies that lay their eggs on the feces and then move on. Pets and people using dirty yards track poop into the house. You can provide simple, neat, and cost-effective solutions to all these problems and more. Lack of time; physical difficulty; and the “Repugnance Factor” mean many people are more than happy to pay someone to do this necessary chore. Some clients even tell us we are a “godsend” and credit us with stopping family quarrels!

Read the rest of this entry »