Saturday, November 7, 2009

The 3 Principles of Success, according to Cameron Johnson

Cameron Johnson, a young entrepreneur who started his first business when he was nine with $50 and a home computer. Before he turned twenty-one he had started twelve successful businesses and was offered $10 million in venture capital to grow his hot Web company CertificateSwap.com. He has never taken out a loan or racked up any debt, and every one of his businesses has been highly profitable — so profitable that he made his first million before graduating from high school, and he's put away enough cash so that he could retire today.

Principle #1: Believe in yourself

I was fortunate to learn very early on the key principle that all successful entrepreneurs need to know: First, you have to believe in yourself.

It's actually not that difficult to succeed. It's much more common sense than rocket science. But it starts with finding the courage to put yourself out there.

Believing in yourself is what gives you the confidence and resilience to deal with the rejections and doubts. It drives you to do the best job you can, no matter what you’re doing.

Over time, I've learned to trust my instincts — and that's crucial. You can learn all kinds of things from other people, but ultimately it's your own instincts that you'll need to rely on. The bottom line of your business is you.

Whether you are selling door-to-door, on the phone, through an infomercial, or on a website, ultimately the venue doesn't matter. All of these methods work. First and foremost, you must be able to sell yourself. People don't buy your product or service only because they like it or want it; they also buy it because they like you. If they don't like you, then in many cases it doesn't matter how much they like the product you're selling, they won’t buy it.

If you put yourself out there with confidence, you'll find that most people respect you and respond well to you, whether or not they want what you're selling.

Principle #2: Believe in what you are selling

Believing in yourself leads naturally to a second principle: You have to believe in what you’re selling.

People sometimes think of selling as the art of being pushy, crafty or even manipulative. In fact, it's exactly the opposite. The best salespeople focus on asking questions and listening, not pushing.

I don't believe in high-pressure selling. High pressure is what people use when they're selling something nobody wants, or charging far more than their product is worth. There's a difference between being persuasive and applying pressure. I'm persuasive when I'm selling, but that's because I truly believe in what I'm selling and the value it will create for my customer. My feeling is, I'd be doing my customers a disservice if I let them not buy my product.

The best salespeople are so dedicated to giving customers what they want that they are willing to be as rigorous, patient, and dedicated as it takes to make the sale. They don't give up easily because they believe in what they're doing.

I'm always genuinely fascinated to know why people wouldn't want what I'm selling. If you're not passionate about the product or service you're offering, how could you possibly approach people with genuine confidence? Make sure you're proud of what you sell and the value it creates in people's lives, and you'll instantly become a better entrepreneur.

Principle #3: Treat other people with respect

Believing in yourself also leads to a third success principle: When you respect yourself, treating other people with respect comes naturally. Treating other people with great respect is one of the most powerful secrets of business success. Keep doing that over time with everyone you encounter, and you'll find that people are consistently receptive to you and to your products, services, and ideas. Any fears and doubts you have will start to melt away.

And then you won't hesitate to go ahead and ask for the sale.

TOP TEN RICHEST FILIPINOS

Top 10 Richest People in the Philippines – 2009

2009 List of Richest Filipinos

1. Henry Sy

Networth: $3.8 billion
Age: 84
Marital Status: Married, 6 children

Stock price of his SM Investments has almost doubled since December low. Group, with interests in malls, retail, property, posted 14% increase in net income in first half of 2009. Daughter Teresita Sy-Coson runs its Banco de Oro Unibank, country’s largest bank by assets, which signed deal in May to acquire GE Capital’s Philippines banking arm in exchange for strategic investment from the U.S. company; deal expected to close this month. Sy, who got start selling shoes, shares fortune with wife and children.

2009 List of Richest Filipinos

2. Lucio Tan

Networth: $1.7 billion
Age: 75
Marital Status: Married, 6 children

His Philippine National Bank received regulatory approval to buy 38% of China’s Allied Commercial Bank in August. Former electrical engineer’s other holdings include Fortune Tobacco, Asia Brewery, Philippine Airlines and Hong Kong properties. Government case against Tan for allegedly holding assets for the late Ferdinand Marcos has dragged on for 22 years. Some of his fortune still sequestered as part of the long-running investigation.

2009 List of Richest Filipinos

3. Jaime Zobel de Ayala

Networth: $1.2 billion
Age: 75
Marital Status: Married, 7 children

Chairman emeritus of family’s Ayala Corp., one of the country’s largest conglomerates, which celebrated its 175th birthday this year. Eldest son, Jaime II, replaced his dad as chairman more than a decade ago; son Ferdinando is vice-chairman. Family’s shares now in his children’s hands.

2009 List of Richest Filipinos

4. Andrew Tan

Networth: $850 million
Age: 57
Marital Status: Married, 4 children

His holding company, Alliance Global Group, reported jump in first-quarter earnings thanks in part to strong food, beverage businesses (he owns the Philippines’ McDonald’s franchise) and improving real estate sales. Resort World Manila, his $1.35 billion casino joint venture with Malaysia’s Star Cruises, opened last month. Son of a factory worker made his first fortune in brandy, and later in property development through Megaworld


2009 List of Richest Filipinos

5. John Gokongwei

Networth: $720 million
Age: 82
Marital Status: Married, 6 children

Shares of his conglomerate JG Summit — which has interests in airlines, telecoms, power, banking and real estate — are up more than 300% since last December’s low. Also owns Robinsons retail department store operations, with stores in 7 countries. Brother James Go chairs the group and son Lance is president.

2009 List of Richest Filipinos

6. Tony Tan Caktiong

Networth: $710 million
Age: 59
Marital Status: Married, 3 children

His fast-food company Jollibee Foods is expanding: it already has 1,800 locations, 9 brands in 11 countries, including popular burger joint Jollibee; plans to open another 200 this year in such countries as China, Vietnam and the U.S. Completed purchase of a congee restaurant chain in China last October. Got his start 34 years ago when he opened 2 ice cream parlors.

2009 List of Richest Filipinos

7. Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.

Networth: $660 million
Age: 74
Marital Status: Married, 4 children

Chief executive of Southeast Asia’s largest food and beverage conglomerate, San Miguel. Company has been buying up stakes in a power company, oil refiner and bank; has shown interest in buying Dole Food’s Asian assets. In July announced it is negotiating with potential investors to sell part of branded food, alcohol operations. Son Mark is a member of the Philippines’ House of Representatives.

2009 List of Richest Filipinos

8. Enrique Razon

Networth: $620 million
Age: 49
Marital Status: Married, 2 children

Was part of consortium, which also included China’s State Grid and Robert Coyiuto (No. 18), that paid $3.95 billion for National Grid Corp. of the Philippines. Runs port operator International Container Terminal Services, with operations in 10 countries; it posted one-third drop in net income for first half of year due to decline in global trade.

2009 List of Richest Filipinos

9. Manuel Villar

Networth: $530 million
Age: 59
Marital Status: Married, 3 children

Philippines Senate president, known as Manny, is a candidate in the 2010 presidential race. He is also the largest shareholder in property firms Vista Land & Lifescapes and Polar Property Holdings. Both sons are on board of Vista Land, whose stock hit 52-week high in August. Shrimp vendor’s son grew up in slum.

2009 List of Richest Filipinos

10. George Ty

Networth: $515 million
Age: 76
Marital Status: Married, 5 children

His Metrobank, the country’s second-largest lender, saw profits rise in first quarter for first time in a year. Founded bank decades ago. His son Arthur replaced him as chairman 2006. Family, which includes Ty and his children, hold 40% of the bank.

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Top Philippine Mutual Funds

1rst quarter (january - march)

It’s that time of the year again when we look at the past quarter’s performance of mutual fund companies in the Philippines.

In 2008, we saw how most mutual funds wiped out gains they earned in 2007. During the first quarter of 2009, have the funds recovered or are we seeing further declines in value?

The good news is that during the first three months of the year, most mutual funds have started to recover. Majority of the funds are now in positive territory.

However, do note that although the rate of return is a good measure of performance, other things such as consistency of return and exposure to risks must also be assessed. The past performance of a fund is also not and cannot be a guarantee of future returns.

Philippine mutual fund report from January to March 2009 below.

YEAR-TO-DATE PERFORMANCE OF MUTUAL FUNDS IN THE PHILIPPINES
As of the 1st Quarter of 2009 (January to March 2009)

EQUITY FUNDS (primarily invested in Peso equity securities)

  1. Philequity Fund – 7.99%
  2. Philequity PSE Index Fund – 7.40%
  3. First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund – 6.60%
  4. Philippine Stock Index Fund – 6.06%
  5. Philam Strategic Growth Fund – 5.73%
  6. United Fund – 4.67%
  7. Sun Life Prosperity Phil. Equity Fund – 4.55%
  8. ATR KimEng Equity Opportunity Fund – 4.36%
  9. DWS Deutsche Philippine Equity Fund – 2.92%

BALANCED FUNDS (primarily invested in Peso debt and equity securities)

  1. ALFM Growth Fund – 5.63%
  2. First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. – 5.22%
  3. Philam Fund, Inc. - 4.80%
  4. GSIS Mutual Fund – 4.79%
  5. MFCP Kabuhayan Fund – 3.82%
  6. Optima Balanced Fund – 3.68%
  7. Sun Life Prosperity Balanced Fund – 2.43%
  8. First Galleon Family Fund – 0.28%

FOREIGN CURRENCY-DENOMINATED BALANCED FUNDS

  • Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund – 5.70%

BOND FUNDS (primarily invested in Peso debt securities)

  1. Prudentialife Fixed Income Fund – 2.61%
  2. Cocolife Fixed Income Fund – 2.57%
  3. Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund – 2.06%
  4. Sun Life Prosperity Bond Fund – 1.60%
  5. Philam Bond Fund – 1.45%
  6. ALFM Peso Bond Fund – 1.32%
  7. First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund – 0.76%
  8. Philequity Peso Bond Fund – 0.47%
  9. DWS Deutsche Philippine Fixed Income Fund - 0.38%
  10. Ekklesia Mutual Fund – No data

FOREIGN CURRENCY-DENOMINATED BOND FUNDS

  1. MAA Privilege Euro Fixed Income Fund – 8.84%
  2. Grepalife Dollar Bond Fund – 7.82%
  3. Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund – 7.18%
  4. Philam Dollar Bond Fund – 6.48%
  5. Philequity Dollar Income Fund – 4.78%
  6. MAA Privilege Dollar Fixed Income Fund – 2.28%
  7. Grepalife Fixed Income Fund Corp. – 2.07%
  8. ALFM Euro Bond Fund – 1.20%
  9. ALFM Dollar Bond Fund – 1.03%
  10. AIG Global Bond Fund Phils. – (4.39%)

MONEY MARKET FUNDS (primarily invested in short-term Peso securities)

  1. Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund – 0.54%
  2. ATR KimEng Money Market Fund – 0.52%
  3. Philam Managed Income Fund – 0.35%

* Figures in (xxx) denote a loss. All data taken from the website of the Investment Company Association of the Philippines (www.icap.com.ph).

Are we headed towards recovery or is the bottom about to happen yet? We’ll find out in the coming months.

source: www.pinoymonetalk.com