Monday, October 06, 2008

The Iraq War - Where is the money?





The Iraq War – Where is the money?


On a recent Vice-Presidential debate between Gov. Sarah Palin ® and Sen. Joe Biden (Dem) , Sen. Biden reiterated how six years of spending in Afghanistan equates to only three (3) weeks that the United States spends on the Iraq War. Of course if the United States is spending $1M US Dollars a day in Iraq one would reconcile while the hardest recession in the American Economy was brought about. Of course, there are so many reasons that a leading economists can given but the truth is that an average Joe or soccer mom as Palin said is the one who ultimately suffers.

The debate goes on with the lessons of morality in preserving the democratic ideals of the greatest superpower on earth after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. But knowing the American way of life, was there ever a day that Americans did not complain about things. In fact, was this not a way of getting what people wanted by way of complaining about things. Then now, when poverty sets in as a cost when is complaining about enough in the ideological American way of thinking.

We can perhaps go all over the excuses of why the money run out through Iraq but the truth is Americans did allow such events to unfold. The reality is that it will take years before a complete total troop’s withdrawal is finally made and meantime what happens to the America?

There had been so many countless books written about this war, Rumsfeld, Colin Powell, the Commanding Generals of the US Army and the contracts awarded to big companies yet there seems to be not a lot information of the specifics of how, when, where and actual disbursements were made. Of course, one should expect the Bush administrations response of “for national security” specifics cannot be elaborated but when the pointing fingers is done it’s seems to be down to the penny

As the economic recession worsens, the expects will greatly impact the next generations to come as without knowing they are already in so much trillions of dollars in debt. History will be written in many generations about the War on Terror, Iraq War or the George Bush War on Saddam Hussein. I guess, one of the hardest part of writing books is stating the truths and facts while thinking how people will be psychologically affected on what a writer writes about.
We all know where the money went but the average Joe does not know how it was spent, how much spending on a day, a week, a month (in true facts) but we do know that the money is gone, and we do know that what has happen cannot be undone

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Demise of America, From Superpower to Powerless Economy


Support independent publishing: buy this book on Lulu. The Demise of America, From Superpower to Powerless Economy

Since the turn of the 19th century, immigrants from different parts of the world had turn to America as one of the greatest and wealthiest nation on Earth. Poverty stricken from third world and developing countries, the United States presented itself as a land where dreams come true and that one can prosper by working hard.

From the industrial to the technological ages, immigrants risk so much of what they have left just to come to America. From attracting the best of the best skilled labor, professionals, artist and entrepreneurs, it has been said that America brings so much hope that life will go on.

Enter the summer of 2007, it all started from a housing crisis where foreclosures were climbing in outnumbered quantities. This was followed by a weak US dollar where investors confidence seem to question what happens to the $1M US dollars spent of the Iraq war since 9/11. At first, the US government simply stated that this was a correction that happens once in three-five years so that economic prosperity can be achieved.

In Wall Street, stocks were starting to decline but financial institutions kept on saying that this was just a normal course of the American Economy. The media centered on the upcoming Presidential elections focusing on the presidential candidates for the democratic and republican parties. Right in the middle was Pres. George W. Bush had the worst approval rating of any sitting US President since the Watergate scandal of Richard Nixon.

The focus was more on the Paparazzi chasing Britney Spears, the American Idol and the newly installed majority ruling of the a democratic controlled US House of Representative. Some economists and online bloggers were already apprehensive of an impending American depression and recession but politics came in first that this was not so.

As the events start to unfold, consumer spending became frail, gasoline prices started climbing, the foreclosures started to rising with unemployment showing signs of an impending crisis.

Small business owners always are the first to feel the challenges but big companies seem to create more advertising that the economy is sound and everything is normal. All of a second, credit card interest and finance charges are climbing while being frenzied that the inflation has something to do with what the political climate is going through.

The presidential primaries came; one by one the fore-runners of both political parties start to unfold. By June 2008, Hillary Clinton suspended her presidential campaign and conceded to Sen. Barack Obama. Meantime, the gloomy economic picture has gradually shifted from bad to worst and the White House still would not admit that America is in recession. Only until Sept. 2008 when a Federal bail out had to be presented in the US House of Congress for $710 B to alleviate the crisis did Pres. Bush admitted that there was a problem.
ADLE Internationall

Sunday, September 14, 2008

The truth about doing business today - Money, People or Conscience, which comes first?


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With the challenges in today's economic hard times businesses either big, small or micro enterprises are facing the hard times they never had in decades.

The truth is really to face today as what really has happened when every business wants to salvage their dreams, their employees, their ideals and survival. If big institutions like Lehman Brothers are on the brink of collapse, what can more small independent small business be like.

For the $10 sale if someone is lucky for today's sale, it we not been enough for the huge bank overdfraft fees, and non-sufficienr charges that the banks and lenders will have to imposed to these entrepreneurs having the $10 sale of the day.

Yet, the above subject matters can be lenthily discussed and argue but I would like to deviate on the impact on the employee morale, insecurities, and customer disatisfaction from long time patriontic customers.

Lately, indiustries like hospitality has had really big challenges on brands being franchise. Consistently in service, brand and guest experiences

Franchised Full service hotel brands have to cut or lay of high and middle level managers and have their family fill in this positions. The service standards comes a bit shaken as there are missing parts of the sturcture. The importance of not having a Human Resurces Dept. team and strategies makes the systems more vulnerable to a lot of issues.

Turn over, training, personal interest, and who has the clout is now affected by almost a family owned entreprise. It would have not been bad if it was a growing company but not a company with a full service known brand.

I guess the bottom line question is "Can full service hotel properties" be operated like a family owned economy lodging to save on cost but at the same tiem deliver the same standards and service expected by the guests who patronize the reknowned brand.

Another is also affects not just the kind of guests we attract but also the employees that we are trying to hire to work for us while helping us promote and market the business as they feel great on being a part of the team.

I guess, enterpreneuers have different goals. Some are pro-money whatever it takes, some are money and taking caring of the guests but not too emplyee focus, and yet some are money, employees and guest focus.

A lot of people say that only big companies who have the financial resources can do the great balance of the money, employees and customers. But I guess, no mater if we are selling hotdogs on the streets, a newspaper venedor or a small cafe, it still starts from the entrepreneur on why did he/she went into business.

Personally, I would rather do the right things and fail or closed shop but at least have that feeling that I did my best to be fair. Than, be holding the world of greed, lying down with so much money but still on the back of our mind have some kind of myth of conscience or karma.

So if you are an entrepreneur, which do you want to become?

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Is the Economy Getting Better in America at all?




Support independent publishing: buy this book on Lulu. Is the Economy getting getting better at all?


25% of the emails we normally received on a daily basis from our readers seem to be on the same subject yesterday.

This week was nothing but different when we first blog about the increasing number of unemployed in the country today.
It is really amazing as normally when September comes back and kids go back to school, life seems to be starting again in shopping malls. However, today we spend the whole day going to several shopping malls but traffic was indeed slow than the usual September traffic we have seen since 9/11.
Yes, some people needed a spot to cool down and read a book but the typical shopping rush are no longer there.
Entertainment seem to be busy as people wanted to eat, drink or be merry for a while to take their minds out of the agony of thinking of problems.
Groceries had lines but not not with shopping carts but people with few items even handcarried or on self served counters.
Hence, what does this all mean?
It's kinda annoying to keep hearing the stories being repeated on where's the money or we did not have much?
Still, our role to be optimistic and tell our readers that it is going to be ok.
Just think, that we just have to think of the positive outlook and things will improve in due time.
However, it will be a shame if we did not admit that majority of the people are feeling the crunch of the bad economy in North America.
All we can do is "HOPE".

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

What is the True State of the Economy? No B.S.


Support independent publishing: buy this book on Lulu. What is the true state of the economy? No. B.S. PLEASE!

Walking along the tourist downtown area of a big city like San Francisco today is very interesting.
Can't help hearing some tourist saying that they have never seen so many homeless people asking for money? I heard someone say he has never seen so many beggars today. Then, for a while I thought did he include counting me.
The truth is that this is one of the hardest time in people's lives to survive. As an average struggling joe, the truth is that we are sufferring and let's not make illusions that this is just a few people's experiences.
We can make all the cutting in our livelihood, insurances, and expenses but still it is not enough.
As we go through such hardships, let us not forget to hope, pray and continue on. Sometimes, it is hard for the ego to accept that we have to what we have to do like taking odd jobs or ask for help.
But we have to survive, we have to exist and hope that this nightmare passes through.
We commend all the people that support the small business community in these times of crisis. If the big guys are feeling the pain, what is it more to be when you are the small and poor.
The stock market bounce a little high today but the oil and gass prices remains on the same expensive level.
As we acknowledge the truth, we need to be also responsive and supportive that it is the average working middle class and the low income poor that has the most challenges.
Nevertheless, let us continue with life and hope for the best. After all, we are on the land where dreams gets' fulfilled.
God Bless America!





A
lex Esguerra

Sunday, August 24, 2008

How do u integrate success in a small businesss BOOK

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE - SUNDAY, August 23, 2008San Francisco, CA, USA ----- Hot News!Former APEC Young Entrepreneur and Change Advocate of the Democratic Party today release a new book entitled - "HOW DO U INTEGRATE SUCCESS In a small business...

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Sunday, August 17, 2008

Entrepreneurship and The Future of E-Commerce

The e-commerce platforms has gradually changed through the years.

Entrepreneurship has been regarded as a major player in the development of e-commerce technology. Not a lot of companies today still makes mainframe software for personal computers. This is why investors have to be very watchful on start-ups and new emerging companies as after all this are the entrepreneurs that are open to new possibilities.

Small start-ups tend to be more focus on innovation and dare to take great risks than large companies today. Even when a start-up fails, the entrepreneurs running them learn from the successes and failures that has been done and in the end there is more rapid progress of success.

Today, as an example online search engines are highly targetting the large companies who have the capabilities of paying the bucks in search and placements advertising, Years ago, when someone made an online search they would just go to the first and second pages and forget about the remaining resulting pages.

However, because of the economic trends, the consumer is becoming more sophisticated and it becomes more and more a market-driven decision based economy, a person making an online search is going to several pages and sometimes up to the tenth page in search for the specific target product that relates to their need.

As companies start to believe in mergers, acquisitions and alliances the questions lies are consumers shopping in the new marketplace? The internet and e-commerce technology has affected our daily lives today and the years to come.

I have been personally working on this book for several months because I want it to be perfect when it finally goes to press. I intend this book to be a big bestseller in the long run and part of the proceeds will go to an institution that merely focuses on Entrepreneurship and an institution that had help me achieve my dreams.

Yet the other hard part is hiring very smart, intelligent and logical people especially when you expect only the best and greatest results to be a reality.

Let me reiterate the call for interested investors today. This is such the great time and opportunity of your lifetime. Are you going to let this passed and like this book will be in online discussion forums and communities for the many years to come. Then people will understand what the story was about.


Alex Esguerra

Thursday, August 14, 2008

The Google Dance: Waltzing with the Dictators

As a small struggling e-commerce company, Google is one company that we are very grateful to. Not only for the traffic, search engine, adsense but suport as well. As long as we are the dancing the same direction, it can be rest assured that we will be a mighty ally someday when our turn comes. And then they would say, it was all worth it.

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www.alex-esguerra.com

Facebook in Real Life! Take a look. - The Saga of Social Networking!

Yep that's right. Its Facebook in real life. Is it a total disaster or something really helpful? Well take a look and see for yourself.

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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Memoirs of Former APEC Youth Representative, Alex Esguerra: The Process of Multiplication in Today's Business Environment

Memoirs of Former APEC Youth Representative, Alex Esguerra: The Process of Multiplication in Today's Business Environment


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The Process of Multiplication in Today's Business Environment

Years ago in the books business, bookstores were a fad. We can find them in shopping malls, thrift stores, independent bookshops, trade shows, antique shops, supermarkets and even pharmacies or groceries.

Today, one can buy a bestseller, how to, science fiction, business books and the like through book shopping comparison sites, reviews, search engines, bookclubs and of course "online". Greeting cards shops, comics shops, mail order, magazine stands, phone order or even direct sales are some additional channels through which books have been sold by "multiplication".

From major bookstores, mom and pop sellers, online, distributors, mass merchandiser and department stores the book sections are continuously proliferating either way with or without a recession.

In such processes, market conditions are resulted from such scenarios. One area is the customers types and profiles where customers want to buy in different ways and several channels and options. From the traditional way of flea market auctions or even one stop shop online purchasing, buyers are becoming more sophisticated, demanding anf experimental for a particular product or service.

Another area is technology advancement such as web ecommerce shopping carts, cable channels shopping and of course the "Internet". It is a known fact today that if a business does not have a website presence, shoppers might be hesitant, as for them this is just simply multiplying the ways of buying products.

Today, concentration and specialization leads to a better selection, more shopping convenience and great customer service. Customers tend to buy from the large-scale online operations who dominates the market landscape but continues to find the next better deal, wants more time savings, and experiments other ways and websites as seen by the number of purchases they routinely make.

So the question lies, as the internet presents more opportunities for buyers and sellers, more battles will occur as companies big and small will fight over the e-commerce customer? Hence, is multiplication the answer, domination, duplication, intensive advertising, technology, financial resources or is it "out of the box" thinking of the entrepreneurs? The customer has too many options, a sale is not just the transaction, it is part of the relationship.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge..: - by Albert Eistein.

by Alex Esguerra

Friday, August 08, 2008

Why our Privacy is Important in Net Neutrality by taking action!

The Federal Communications Commission has voted to punish Comcast for violating Net Neutrality and blocking your right to do what you want on the Internet. This precedent-setting victory sends a powerful message to phone and cable companies that blocking access to the Internet will not be tolerated from this time forward. Protect Net Neutrality.

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Thursday, July 31, 2008

The relationship of Information to the Economy

If we look at a product, it has some kind of relationship to it's producer or seller, through the same way it is presented, made or sold. Thus, when we are are on a store either shopping physically or online, we compare and find out more about the products we see by getting more information.

So these days, the mechanics in the buying process or transaction relies greatly in the information exchanges through what we see and observe. The price can be an important part but really is determine between the buyer and seller of the product. Yet even in cases of reselling like used books, the information can be found in the subjects, categories, way of presentation, the quality in the item descriptions, standards, selling practices and expectations.

Hence, one of the most important part is getting informed and the way the information is dessiminated. By understanding what someone buys, pays, the demands are information relevant to our economy to once again make changes and then sell them again.

So as we today experience in the ill effects of a recession, it might not make sense to argue which fault is it that got us to the present economic predicaments. How we get back the industries on track when for example people now are not even using cars because of the high cost of gas and oil so that the investing community get backs the confidence to infused money and investments back to the economy will be the necessary actions.

As we have seen as the prices of gas and oil is going up, our income remains the same and flat, so are our capability becomes less to buy the things we need. We have even became very selective on what we buy as our income cannot meet our needs for goods and services.

The greatest myth about the economic behavior is that "money" is it's language. This language is the information in the goods and services but money must be noted as a mere part of the entire information. Business successes comes from the entrepreneur's ability to perceive wants and needs, and this perception relies on the the entrepreneurs' understanding of people and the environment.

Thus, the greatest part of the economic problem today in the United States is lack of information about people, what their daily lives are, what they are doing, what does the people want, how we can help achieve this need if we even listen, what are the state of their lives are where they live.

By underatanding the difference between an influential society than being affluential, the government and pillars of the industries must able to transform companies into being more informed and intelligient, support the work force and labor unions in coming up with better products that will eliminate emissions and waste, communicate with the employees about product and service quality and new ideas.

Alex Esguerra

Saturday, July 19, 2008

The State of Investing in "America's Recession" today

The United States in once again in a serious reality of recession making stocks tumble, real estate depreciates, housing foreclosures and devaluation of the US dollar, commodities and tangible assets alike.

Such perils were brought about by the long ordeal on the Iraq war, housing and credit crisis together with financial bank failures recently. As the Federal Reserve desperately tries all measures on injecting money into the system while creating inflation, another stimulus package is being debated in the House of Congress. With the onset of these events inter-related with the coming presidential elections, americans are having a difficulty to think that this is just a "normal" trend in the economy

Yet there are sauvy investors who can convert these into buying opportunities for stocks, ETF's and other investments. The trend today is merging towards ETF's which is now the equivalent of mutual funds as years before. Being a bull market, short term bonds are more easliy disposable than long term bonds.

Nevertheless, we should watch the prices of gas frequently and as well as other commodities. Markets unfortunately are very tricky and can be misleading sometimes so the best way is knowing what your are really investing into than just what we think it is or should be.

Should there be a real recovery, gas and oil should stabilize while some commodity prices go up.
The key is remembering the relevance of commodities together with the stock market as it is always the commodities which are the economic indicators than stocks.

Either one is a small or big time investor, it is always wise to ask what is my purpose of investing, how does it affect my life purposes and not what the money purpose is? An intelligent investor knows that when he/she invest, it has something to do with what they want to develop in their lives. Hence it is a question for oneself not a question for the financial planners and stock brokers.

Friday, July 04, 2008

Selling and Making Money Strategies, the Basics

Way back a few years ago, I was a frequent lecturer to a Direct Selling Association.

I have always emphasize the power of "Contacts". Sometimes,we are so engrossed with all the new innovative ways of customer acquisition or getting potential customers.

When I started selling in my youth, I sold to friends, classmates, neighbors, family and teachers. Not only did I know that I can influence most of them to buy, I also knew that they will pay me outright so that I can have the money to buy products again and create the cycle. It was the same people who gave me important word of mouth referrals to the network of people they know.

One member ask me about why not have a product cataloque sheet and or brochure later on when I was already doing retail. My intial reaction was that only until I have the adequate volume of products that I bring to my customers will I think about it. For me cataloques and brochures are promotional materials given to named or pool of distributors. It is intended to be left to the customer so that they can always refer to it when we follow up. It is not some kind of advertising presentation kit that is presented and then we take it back with us to show other people.

Selling with the concept of brand recognition could sometimes be a very selective process. My belief is that we must learn to affiliate with a company or companies that we believe have the products and service with great growing market demands. Because, the more popular a brand is, the consumer is more influenced in buying from them. As a strategy, we need to think about not moonlighting for a competing brand. We have to find the network that best suits our interests and our passions.

In shipping and order fullfillment, we need to be aware of quality control snd customer service. At the same time, even before we ship a product, we need to be very clear on payment and risk tolerance terms. Hence, it is also why we need to remit payments as scheduled to maintain good standing and to establish credibility and reliability. In todays' economic challenges, credit is very hard to find and maintain. So be prepared to incur penalties even towards a commission.

As to links, affiliates and exchanges, we have to set our targets. Create the picture you want and envision to be in a given period. If somewhere along the line, you gauge that targets are not being achieve then it might be wise to cut your affiliation as it will be merely wasting money. Give the benefit of time and doubt but if still it does not seem rewarding to the target goals then perhaps we have to refocus somewhere else.

Last but not least, we have to think about other perks and recognitions to our distributors, partners and customers. It could free consumption, shipping, discount perks, performance incentives and bonuses. More than ever if can be in verbal and written form of "THANK YOU".

Profit from sales of products can be very rewarding yet at the same augment our personal and business budget.

www.lifeandtimesofalexesguerra.com

Friday, June 27, 2008

A trbute to the Most Shrewed Strategist - William Henry Gates of Microsoft.com

October 28, 1955 saw a new era in the world of the digital age and world of philanthropy at it's best. A person who sometimes did a lot of things outside legal and compliance issues was born and name William "Bill" Gates. Since the 80's I have personally followed the story of one of the greatest entrepreneurs in America's economic history.

A chief strategist, nostalgic philosopher and a person who gets what he wants at all cost such as Bill Gates is one of the greatest idols I had since I have started as an entrepreneur in the world of business.

I salute the compassion that the Melinda and Gates Foundation had done to the betterment of the human race. As such, I have also devoted my future service when I retire someday to the very ideals started by this foundation.

A great leader knows that the only way of leaving love and legacy is using the power of succession. When we create a company that we have shed blood and sweat yet we educate, train and in the end share it with the employees who had truly helped us through the years is one of the greatest acts of compassion that every business leader should understand.

Because when we know how to give, how to share and eventually release ourselves from the very child we have created which is our business then this is the greatest gift the we ever give intangible, priceless and will be in the books of history for ages to come.

Thus, is why I salute one of the greatest compassionate strategic digital leaders of this lifetime. This is today, the future is still open and I have always said it is now up to our youth and emerging business leaders to follow the lead of the real entrepreneur within.

May God Bless a great genius of this lifetime. A salute to one of my most admired idols in this lifetime, William Henry Bill Gates.

Long live entrepreneurship, Philanthropy and Visions shall transform the dreams.......

Alex Esguerra
Former APEC Youth Representative
Co-Founder - APEC Young Entrepreneur's Association
Founder - ADLE International


Monday, June 23, 2008

Cody's, landmark Berkeley bookstore, closes

Since the 1980's, we have been educating people how businesses are built. They are built and founded by their owners so when they die the structure and organization does not die with it. Sustainability is the abiity to empower a management team and the employees. Only then will a business survive. It does not matter if someone buys it will a lot of $.Hence, is why I always get the question why I am not afraid to lose everything. My philosphy is that I control "Money". It has not power over me. But I invest greatly in human capital as only then will the perceivd value to shareholders can really be shown with great accountability. Sometimes, we get too materially engrossed on the getting materially rich, famous and to be someone. Humility, has a cost but it has a greater price.Hence, it will take ages to figure out how many equity and assets one really has if their first priority is their honor, their beliefs, their ethics and their values.

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Saturday, June 07, 2008

The Politics of Change and Evolution in America




Politics, Change and Evolution still plays an integral role in America's social climate.


As Hillary Clinton today suspended her historic campaign for Presidency of the United States, party unity was the lesson on the democratic front.


A week ago, while meeting some advertising executives for political blogging, I was told that they have never known a political blogger like me who does not want to generate a lot of money for my blogs.


I then replied to state that I am a democrat by heart but I am more an entrpreneur than a political activists. In life, there are times one has to take sides for their ideals. The beauty of politics is that it is a virtue of expression. When we sail to the ocean we don't really know if what the weather is like on the other end. But when we get to the middle and a storm comes we have to be creative enough with determination and extreme accuracy of what we are going to do and act faithfully.


America, has been called land of the free. This is why I love such ideals. I don't believe in "maybe" or in "between". It is either a "yes" or a "no" because only when humanity understands what it takes to take sides for our ideals and beliefs will dreams be achieved.


After all, in religion this is the reason why Jesus had been visited by the so called devil once in a while. But he endured because he knows why he existed and what his true discipleship is all about.


In business, there is always uncertainty but what makes a true entrepreneur is the confidence to fight for his ideals, his passion, his eloquence, his faith and his dreams. It took this long to create the change in the democratic principles of this nation. It is up to our youth now to implement the visions and dreams that has been build.


The woman in pantsuit has spoken and it is up to each and every american democrat to exercise their right. The question lies are we still going to let inequality and lack of freedom of expression dominate the system? Or do we have the courage to be part of history as I am very grateful that I have seen history in my lifetime.


The battle only just began, nobody lost but victory is still a big necessity as now two great men are in the forefront each with such dedication, passion and integrity.


But as far as I am concern, my focus is consistent. It is mentoring our youth to become great business leaders of tomorrow. And as I go through life's challenges, my mission shall always prevail in passionately expressing value through affordability amongst limited income earners, the disabled, the struggling youth, the veterans and most of all the economically disadvantaged sectors of society.


As Hillary ended her statement, "God Bless America". Land of the Free.

Alex Esguerra
http://www.smallbusinessmentors.com

1997 to 2023 APEC's strategies then and now in terms of cooperation

 During the APEC Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Fourth Ministerial Meeting (Ottawa, Canada, Sept 18-19, 1997) where about 32 of us youth ...