Thursday, September 16, 2010

MY PURPOSE IN LIFE

My purpose in life is to live, love and share the happiness that i'm feeling everyday of my life. But these things were not just my purpose when i got to know God. It was instilled in my mind that the real purpose is to share God's goodness to the lost. And when the purpose is revealed i know that through ups and downs there is someone up there accountable enough for us to rely on with our life on earth.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Reflection and Insights on the P.T.E


I believe that all of us are differently brought up and guided as we grow by our parents. Some came and brought up from influential families living abundantly, some are brought up from middle class families which earns enough income for living and some are unfortunate, being raised in poverty. This reality only shows how a person grows and gains his traits according to what kind of family he was growing all of his life. The environment can also affect the character build up of a person. And that follows how a person would react about his/her status in life and what to do about it, to find a stable source of living.

The time we take the personal traits exam, we were curious on what would be the flow of the test. And as a usual personal traits exam should be is really all about how we would react on different situations as far as technoprenuership is concern. The flow was okay and I answered each question sincerely with my very keen observation on the questions on how it is being constructed. As I observed, the question is really all about your character on situations were in two aspects are to be chosen of. And as the exam was about to end, thoughts came in my mind that this exam can be manipulated just to achieve high score. But in my case, I didn’t do it because of what our professor told us that if we cheat, we are just fooling ourselves so I took the test heartily. We checked the papers after awhile and got the result right away and guess what, I was rated as “somewhat technoprenuer”! I was amazed of the result because I didn’t expect to be rated like that. I am somewhat technoprenuer? Well that is more appropriate rating for me because honestly, as what I have tackled some of my traits on the previous article, that I am not that into business but somewhat I am conscious how businesses progresses. That it is better to be an employer than to be an employee. This personal traits exam is also important to know how capable a person could be to become a technoprenuer. This also can determine what a person prior most between his emotions and logic.
Here are some factors we should consider on how to become a good entrepreneur. The first one is once you accept people, and situations, for what they are, you will not waste time and energy with frustration. This causes inner frustration, emotional turmoil, worries, and depression. Secondly, once God changes you, through surrendering your life to him, and the world around you will change for the better because of your testimony. You will not be able to make all of the changes to mind, body, and spirit, at once, but they are all connected to one another. The first large component is physical. Our body needs constant maintenance in a variety of methods such as weight resistance, flexibility, and cardio-vascular strength, require us to cross train. So, if you have been on the couch too long, then I guess it is time to get off and stand up! This one is physical change, of daily exercise, will help you in every aspects of your life. You will absolutely feel better about yourself. But in case you do not have enough spare time for three types of exercise, you can practice at least one that will give you maximum benefits. Finally, I would suggest that technopreneurs must stay committed to their vision. This is really the hard part because things won’t always go smoothly according to plans and projections. The reality is there will be moments when you might not be hitting your margins or you have to sacrifice your own salary to be able to pay your employees. But as long as the business is making a profit, stick it out. What differentiates a successful businessman from an unsuccessful one is that the successful business is still at it after five years because it endured tough times.
I will use my knowledge in my field of technology to provide the easiest way to promote my business and the effective way to sell it. In other words, being an employee could be more difficult in reaching our dreams than owning a business, also being an employer. That is somehow a reason of our other fellowmen in getting abroad because of insufficient salaries given by our government. Perhaps, it could be a hard try for me, yet huge determination brings me to great success. I know this is not enough but may consider as a great factor in achieving those stuff. At first, I was making fun of it, I mean, it’s like “the hell I care with those business and stuff!” after all, I am contented on what do I have since then. Apparently, I was shocked after our first lecture. I just realize that it is true. It is the mindset of every individual to get employed after graduated. And it is depressing, I mean who doesn’t want money? We all know that business is money. Being an employer is part of being a technopreneur, we must achieve its minimum requirement to create a good business. Also it conceives of a productive activity, we must know the of how the business will effectively run and how strategies will perform to be globally competitive in such a way that your creating a job at the same time. It is not just gaining profit, but helping our country to be more progressive. As our Instructor has taught us, we do not need ourselves to get employed but to be an employer. We have to take the challenges and strive to lead our lives with greater success. We don’t have to afraid to fail. We must take failure as a learning experience, a stimulator to look things differently and stride for the next challenge. Technopreneurs continuously go through an organic process of continual improvement and always try to refine the dynamic digital economy.

The task that technopreneurs must face when starting up, developing and managing a new business are enormous. The technopreneur often finds it difficult to fulfill all the necessary management roles effectively. I may be skilled and effective in design, research and development, production and selling but may lack the experience in business administration, including financial matters.
There are two different views as to whether all traits exist in all people, first is idiographic: people have unique personality structures; thus some traits are more important in understanding the structure of some people than others. The Idiographic view emphasizes that each person has a unique psychological structure and that some traits are possessed by only one person; and that there are times when it is impossible to compare one person with others. This viewpoint also emphasizes that traits may differ in importance from person to person (cardinal, central and secondary traits). It tends to use case studies, bibliographical information, diaries etc for information gathering. That test makes me to realize that, though money is essential in the business it needs people to function. What is business without people? If you are not good in communicating and interacting with them, how would your business be in success? How would your co-workers like you, when your impression to them will make them to be afraid with you every time you are with them? How would they feel if you treat them so harsh? How would they feel if you do not consider their situation? How can they feel your compassion if you do not want to show it to them? Thus personality, in order for the business to be successful, is really needed.
Person changes and it is constant I believe , because everything affects persons personality according to what he believes in. I also believe that a true technoprenuer is a God fearing person. There are just times that most good things happens to bad people and worst things happens to good people to test our faith on him if ever we believe that he owns the world, and everythingelse. I believe that we will prosper on our plans in life if he would be our Lord. And only God can change a person not anyone else because he owns everything. For clearer thought on how to be prosperous, i will tell a short story.
Once there was a man who wanted to go into the other side crossing a river. For him to be able to go there, he must ride a boat to cross it. A minute passed a boat came into were he is standing and that boat was waiting for a passenger. In hurry he jumped into the boat and it was sailed by a man. As they were traveling, the observed something on the boat. He was sitting at the center of the boat and because of his being observant he saw words on both sides of the boat, on the right side says “FAITH” and on the other side says “WORKS”. With the man’s curiousity, he asked the man sailing the boat what those words means. And the man replied with a question,”what do you think would happen if I will only sail using this one paddle?”, the other man replied ,”we will only move circular motion”, the man again asked,”if i will only use the other one?”, the man replied,” still nothing would happen”. The man explained, “this is how our relationship with God works, if we want to achieve something then we must not acquire just one of these words. Because faith without work is dead and vice versa. So for us to be able to reach our destination in life, faith and works should be together. Faith, works, faith, works…”. And the man continued to row the boat saying , “FAITH, WORKS.. FAITH WORKS!”.

And the primary goal is that we must seek his kingdom first. He must be our strong foundation. God blesses people who follow his will and not the man’s will. So now you undertstand why good things happen tobad people and bad things happen to good people, for us to learn from our mistakes and make those mistakes right by God’s love and guidance.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33


On the other half, one should be careful when interpreting the results of a personality test. Just because someone tests one way does not necessarily mean that they are that way. People are made up by a combination of several personality traits. There also is the chance of incorrectly labeling a person. Employers should be aware that there is no hard evidence that personality tests are accurate measures of one's personality. Inaccurate test results could prevent someone from getting a job. Using personality tests to match a person with an occupation also is a flawed practice. The validity and consequences of personality tests should be taken into account when they are given to someone. Most people are a combination of several personality traits. Even though I tested out to be introverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging, I know I can be extroverted, sensing, feeling, and perceiving in certain situations. A person most likely will fall somewhere in between the bipolar personality traits. Just because a person may favor one trait does not mean that they do not possess some characteristics of another trait. An outgoing person can be reserved in some situations. A serious person can be happy-go-lucky at times. A relaxed person can be tense under certain circumstances. Labeling a person as possessing only one trait is a faulty practice. Personality tests can be flawed and lead to inaccurate findings. Most people can not be characterized by just one trait. Most people fall somewhere in the middle of the bipolar trait spectrum. By using tests that may not be able to accurately determine someone's personality, employers may not be hiring the best person for the job. Also, by using personality tests to match people with an appropriate occupation, those people may be led into the wrong profession. In short, the results of these personality tests should not be taken so seriously.
What are the factors that contributed the success and failure of Steve Jobs as a Technopreneur?



As a technoprenuer knowing the quality on how to become a good, evident, and successful technoprenuer, I can identify what made Steve Jobs lose everything he had invested by his characteristics. Yes, Steve Jobs was a brilliant businessman with the skills of a genius. No wonder why it attracts venture capitalist to invest and be a partner to his business and gained success with great acknowledgements. He had the guts and started a business with his friends, and they were all employees at that time. With Steve’s persistence, brought the small business to be famous and interesting by exposing and introducing the invention to people. Time came that it became famous and investors flooded to invest on it. The business grew as how he wished it to be, and now he is the employer who opens windows for employees with his high demanding standards. And the number of employees increased because of the great privilege Steve’s give.
All of this happened because of his huge ambition and his being not contented to just live with satisfaction with what you will have but to live with satisfaction with what you can have. He acquires the confidence and guts to deal with people and share with them that this will seize the history of all technologies. Self-confidence can be stress on the way he dress himself is far beyond that of a CEO image. The confidence in him leaves no room for questioning if a CEO should appear in public with jeans. Another factor contributed to his success is his being hard worker and it was shown clearly on the movie. His leadership motives can be considered to, deducing from what was just said above, be assumed to be a personalized power motive. Being determined was another factor for a businessman to pursue the business all the way till the end. Time came that everything went over, every traits he had was too much and I believe that too much of everything is not good anymore. Yes he is a good leader to his employees because his leadership made the company progressive, in his way. But it was not a good impression of him as a leader because he was not a leader must be but a dictator already. Steve Jobs is demanding both towards himself and towards his employees. His deadlines often seem impossible to meet, but is constantly moving, moving towards improvement in all spheres of his work. And it was already a picture of a master and a slave. That makes a really big difference on what a leader is because if you are a true leader, your follower will follow you on his own will not the leaders will. If we will talk about trustworthiness, he’s probably low at it, if the mentioned secrecy he exhibits in dealing with the world outside the company is in any way a reflection of how he deals with flow of information within the company.

Steve Jobs can be depicted as transformational as a leader. He has transformed Pixar into a success story. However, he appears to lack humane qualities of a transformational leader, namely: emotional intelligence, personal encouragement, building trust (Apple is famous for its secrecy, even admitted by Jobs himself: “it is generally not Apple’s policy to trumpet our plans for the future; we tend to talk about the things we have just accomplished).

Here are some adjectives that best describe or depicts Steve Jobs’ attitude towards his employees which is also considered as a factor of his failure on his career.

Manipulative Perfectionist Dishonest Boorish Rude

Authoritative Obnoxious Demanding Opportunist

Often impossible to meet Lacks humane qualities

In his failure, he really forgot on how to look down on where he came from. He actually forgot his past and move-on to a new life. I believe that karma was on him when he didn't claim his wife and his daughter to be his family. And after Steve Jobs stole the product from XEROX, which is called mouse, which made him become the powerful and the leading technology-based businessman in the society in that time. Karma came again when it is stolen by Bill Gates which made Steve Jobs lose his career and was bestowed down from his thrown. Well it is the term KARMA about the cycle of cause and effect because it involves what happens to a person, happens because they caused it through with their actions. Maybe it is just a punishment or reward. I think it just makes people feel responsible about their life and how they treat others. And what's even worst is that he give bad mouths to other people he sees especially when someone is applying to his company. He does pranks and make jokes in no place that can already hurt other people’s being human, he treats people the way he wants to. Where he can play with it whenever he wants to and pinch it after he's not into it anymore. He was really insane when he reasoned the fighting of the two sectors of the company, the apple and the macintosh team for them to be molded according to his will. He already failed on this part of molding because he must not the one to change people, no one but God only. That's a damn thing he does to people, and even his very close friend, Woz, he didn't care about Woz because all he cares about his himself. Also Steve Jobs was a liar, he did lie to the public that he doesn't have an affair to his girlfriend and he didn't own the baby. He actually lied to many people and take advantage in every bit of it, he did also make used of other inventions like the "mouse" thingy, he did bought it and develop it and sell it in a higher price, well, he can actually sell it easily because of his name, name really matters and fame also does too in short, he is an opportunist.

Success and failure are both part of growth of a business. The only way it could be attain is your choices and decisions. You always have a choice so choose what’s best for you, and for the people around you
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How do you see yourself as a Technopreneur?



To be a technoprenuer is not as easy as what others might think of about it.
As I understand it, technopreneurship is somewhat similar to entrepreneurship. The only difference is that technopreneurship is either involved in delivering an innovative hi-tech product or makes use of hi-tech in an innovative way of dealing business and making it grow, or both. A technopreneur is an entrepreneur who is technology oriented, typically creative, innovative, dynamic, dares to be different and take the unexplored path, and passionate. Ready to take challenges and strive to lead their life to greater success. Fear is not a hindrance if failure comes. They take failure as a learning experience, a stimulator to look things differently and stride for next challenge. Technoprenuers continuously go through an organic process of continual improvement and always try to redefine the dynamic digital economy.

Technology and entrepreneurial skills are driving many economies to prosperity. The most famous of them all is, Bill Gates, who made Microsoft a household name all over the world. And Steve Jobs, well known for his innovations.

Technopreneurship is not a product but a process of synthesis in engineering the future of a person, an organization, a nation and the world. In a digital, knowledge based society, strategic directions or decision-making processes will be demanding and complex. This requires tertiary level and professional development programs and training to produce strategic thinkers who will have the skills to succeed in a dynamically changing global environment. Traditional educational programs, however, lack the methodology to transform today's students into creative, innovative, visionary global leaders who understand the importance of technopreneurship.
Honestly, I still do not have the experience and the keen knowledge in technopreneurship. But what I do have is a little imagery of an entrepreneur and entreprenourship. One summer I tried to engage and apply in some business and it was a good experience even though I do not know how and where I am going to spend the money that I have earned.
I will share some ideas on how and what to do for you to be able to become a successful technopreneur. The secrets to success lie in three key factors which businesses that last always observe. First, the business needs a real entrepreneur at its helm. A real entrepreneur is someone who has the ability to create a clear vision, effectively communicate that vision to other people like for example employees, investors and shareholders, customers, and pursue it relentlessly. It is not a matter of having the academic or technical skills or experience working in a business environment (so that is why Steve Jobs and Bill Gates manage to become a successful technopreneur).
For example just because you can bake a great pie does not necessarily mean that you should open a pie shop. You see, the product of the entrepreneur is not really the pie. Lots of people can bake great pies but the business itself. In other words, to make it easier, it is not about the secret pie recipe but the business strategy that will get the pie efficiently produced and distributed. That is why it is not important to have clear objectives and a clear strategy, and not just a good idea for a product or service.
The next factor to consider is when to start the business. I do not believe that there is ever a bad time to start a business. But you must carefully consider prevailing business conditions in order to position your product or service properly and increase your chances of succeeding. We call this taking advantage of the “wave”. A “wave” is a movement or trend that sweeps businesses in a common direction.
An example is the global upsurge in demand for outsourced services. I believe all great successes in business are the product of recognizing a wave before it hits. This is what some people call strategic insight. Strategic insight provides the advantages of being first to market, time to attract necessary resources, and the luxury of making mistakes.
Finally, I would suggest that technopreneurs must stay committed to their vision. This is really the hard part because things won’t always go smoothly according to plans and projections. The reality is there will be moments when you might not be hitting your margins or you have to sacrifice your own salary to be able to pay your employees. But as long as the business is making a profit, stick it out. What differentiates a successful businessman from an unsuccessful one is that the successful business is still at it after five years because it endured tough times.
The task that technopreneurs must face when starting up, developing and managing a new business are enormous. The technopreneur often finds it difficult to fulfill all the necessary management roles effectively. I may be skilled and effective in design, research and development, production and selling but may lack the experience in business administration, including financial matters.
Before I start a technological business, I have to assess my understanding of the business as well as my readiness and ability to manage the proposed venture. It is important that I must possess the following:

* some previous work experience or skills appropriate to my business.
* Sufficient knowledge of my products/service and the market for it.
* Must understand deeply the relationship between product knowledge of technological goods and the disciplines of marketing, production, finance and administration.
For now, the hardest part of starting a business is coming up with a business idea, whether a small business is a part-time one person operation run out of someone’s home or a multi-million dollar company with dozen of employees.
For instance, you want to work in a particular field but do not know what you might do specifically. Or maybe all you know is that you want to start a business, but you are on the lookout for a business idea that inspires you.
In my case, I am still a college student. In an employee’s mindset, the first thing that will really come out in his mind will be working for someone else, or shall we say summer job. But for an employer’s mindset, it will be different. Why not start your business instead of working for someone else? Why not be the employer than to be an employee. Besides accomplishing the main objective of making money over the summer, when you start your own business you’ll have the satisfaction of being your own boss and of creating something yourself. Another great advantage of starting your own business is that you will not have to waste time looking for a summer job, simply because you already have one.
When it comes to choosing a small business idea for summer job replacement, there are two approaches that I have to take. I will plan to start a seasonal business that I can pack up and close down at the end of the summer when I go back to school, or I can choose a business that allows me to continue running the business ( on a reduced scale) throughout the year. Now here are some of the best business ideas for us students
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Would you take the same career path that Steve Jobs took? Why or why not?


Looking at his walk into success, Steve Jobs’ career path is not that easy to follow. He is really a brilliant man with the perfect guts. If he wanted to be successful in a business and earn a lot of money on it, I want it too. The question is, on what career and which path I must take? It’s a matter of a great choice and decision. Also it’s a matter of self mastery to know what really your passion is and your hearts desires. It would help you through out as you progress.
I believe that some would not consider Jobs anymore as a good businessman but for me he is in terms of his mindset, the way he thinks, when it comes on how to manage a progressive business. Honestly, at first, I haven’t imagined yet my status on the very future and how will I make my life rest assured of the things I want to have. Till I was inspired when I watched this movie, during those serendipity walks I realize that I must decide for myself, right those moments that I would plan for my future income source and dream big. And I was thinking that I must choose what really the best career is for me, and I would prefer for now to be a technoprenuer. So that would mean that the career I have chosen is similar to Steve Jobs’. Technopreneurship is a very good career and it may serve as an opportunity to those who are not satisfied with their jobs as an employee. To those who have graduated but unfortunately doesn’t have the job or shall we say unemployed. This will surely help our country especially now that we are facing an economical crisis. Let us refrain from whining and blaming the politicians for what had happened to your life. Stand up! And follow your dreams. Put your dreams into actions and be passionate with it. Who knows? you might be the Filipino version of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Jobs’ is an open-minded person and has the natural ability to put new twist on old techniques. This was one of the key distinguishing factors between Jobs and his competitors. Jobs’ vision was integrated into every aspect of the company’s strategy. If you dreamed of changing the world, then Jobs was out to prove any way he could that you needed and Apple computer to do it.
But the path he was through isn’t the path I would follow on because I think it would be better if all those negative traits Steve Jobs acquires were the opposite traits. In that instance, everything might go with the flow of success. Actually, Steve Jobs really don’t know what he was doing in his life. He was just a college dropout; many gave up on him and had little faith in his abilities. But what I really admire about him is that he never gives up on himself. He still continued to pursue the opportunity that he found interesting, trusting that in the end it would be more meaningful and even perhaps useful, not only for himself but also for the others. Jobs soon learned that all in his life, even the most terrible things, seem to happen for a cause and he is now able to place a certain amount of faith in the uncontrollable. I must always remember that before achieving the true essence of success there may come many failures and disappointments. By remembering this, it will surely help me to be open-minded and have faith in myself that one day I will overcome all these breakdowns and distress and will savor the success.
The next thing to ponder is to understand the market for my technology is one of the first things that I should look at when I am deciding to launch a tech venture. I have to work on my business plan. Things like what is my market, my supplier strategy, my plan to get capital, my plan to hire local developers, and most important of all, how to bag some sales.
I am still a beginner in this field so I will definitely need a mentor who can guide all my decisions. Some of the most successful technology companies in the world began because their founders were able to find good mentors. Just like Steve Jobs and Steven Wozniak who are being mentored by Mark Markkula and ex-Intel executive. In addition, the people whom I trust might be able to tell whether a particular person can help my venture or not. Also, people around you can tell what are things about you that is turning negative.

If ever my product clicks, I should have technology plans for the future products. Obviously, having just a one product for the company will not really help in the future. Even if it is not complete at the beginning, I must have a written plan that I can revisit every so often. I must constantly recheck my assumptions, and the courses of action that my plan to take.
I must be ready always. Opportunity only knocks once, but we don’t know exactly when so we’ll make use out of it if it comes.

How does following Steve Jobs path affect other people? If one day my technology will become a hit, I will be able to make it bigger, which requires more employees. Therefore I can give opportunities to those people especially those who are unemployed.

What are the benefits of following Steve Jobs track?
Honestly, there is no secure paycheck and I can’t really talk about the benefits yet. But one thing is for sure if you do, you will start becoming a technoprenuer.

Woz’s career path can be considered acceptable to be followed. Woz was the very right hand of Steve jobs, a very patient man enough to manage Steve jobs’ anger, like Bill Gates who was just listening while Steve Jobs is yelling at him. Because I believe that patience is a virtue.