Mindanao Conference Learnings

The Mindanao Conference held last February 27, 2009 at the Marco Polo, Davao was well-attended and was very informative. I am not aware of the full number but all the tables were filled and Alumni both near and far came to converge, network and learn.

The ACE Alumni TEAM was there headed by James Fantone. The Seminar which was devised by his team dubbed, "The Secrets to Growing your Business Amidst Crisis" was graced by 4 Entrepreneurial Speakers who are established business people themselves. People whom you know you can trust since they have been to the path.

A few summarized learnings from the conference:

ANDY BARFUSS (INTRODUCTION)
STEADINESS is vital to growing a business. 3 things that are constant in our lives :

1. CHANGE
2. PRINCIPLES
3. CHOICE

In coping with the changing times, it is important to learn to love change, learn to spot opportunity amidst change and profit from change.

Andy was quick to emphasize that since there has always been a crises and much difficulty in the Philippine setting, a new "crisis" would not really matter since we would not really notice the difference. He likened the present US financial crisis to a car travelling at 100 kms.per hour and suddenly because of problems, the vehicle could no longer achieve that speed and so the speed change is abrupt and very noticeable.

Departing Quote "I have had hundreds of problems in my life, most of which NEVER HAPPENED!"

ISMAEL TABIJE (YOU ARE YOUR GREATEST ASSET)

Dominating thoughts determine what we will be. It is by leveraging the mind and training the mind to be 'success-oriented' or 'success-aware' that can help one be successful.

By having a healthy attitude towards failing, one can rise and always try again and create the success story that everybody reads about. The Successful person is the one who falls and stands, falls and stands, falls and stands again and again.

In other words, Successful people are those who are persistent and those that view failure as an avenue to succeed. Failing is not the falling down but the STAYING DOWN.

The business YOU ARE IN, is the best business that you can engage in.

Departing Quote: "Dream your dream then do your best. Never doubt and never rest, until that dream is yours."

TO BE CONTINUED...