MINT COLLEGE, REVOLUTIONIZING EDUCATION

Education for me is one of the most important aspects of human life. So much so that as early as now, I’m seriously shopping around for a very good & stable education plan for my 3 year old kid. I was lucky enough to afford good education. However, due to my impulsiveness and anti-social stance during my formative years, I wasn’t able to fully capitalize on this privilege given by my parents. But I don’t regret it because it made me a better and stronger individual in all aspects of my life like family, relationships and work. I learned all the tricks of the street trade or what we call ‘diskarte’ from the school of Hard Knocks.

A snapshot of their website showing the free iPad for enrollees.

A visit to Meridian International or simply MINT College, one of the most progressive schools I have encountered, brought back memories of my college days sans the traditional settings. You see MINT is, as far as I know, the only iPad-enabled educational institution in the country. As everyone knows, an iPad is a popular computer tablet made by Apple. Hendrix Kiamzon, MINT’s amiable chief marketing officer and marketing program head, said that upon enrolment a student is given an iPad to own as a vital part of their learning process and curriculum. “The iPad serves as our primary learning tool & platform for all our education materials like e-books, exams etc.”

Me and my business partner Nico Cando were also quite astonished about MINT’s non-traditional set-up. Normally, a traditional Philippine school has the same monotonous, brick-and-mortar design for its classrooms. In MINT, classrooms have different set-ups and interior designs depending on the subjects being tackled. The rooms take on a futuristic feel and they are classified according to very interesting names such as Menthol, Spearmint, Peppermint, Lemonmint get the drift? The usual blackboards are replaced with large LCD screens and interactive whiteboards. I particularly liked the room where the students, while learning, can lounge around with its cozy beanbags and airy, bright interiors. For me, an interesting and highly-technological concept that veers away from the common clinical type classrooms is a good motivator for a student to go to class. I remember almost always forcing myself to wake up and drag myself to school. My only inspirations in going to school were really to hang-out with the barkadas, dressing up and of course the gorgeous gals!

Another interesting thing about MINT is the program heads of the different course or colleges who are all luminaries in their fields. In a traditional set-up, we call them ‘deans’. Just recently, they got the talented Ms. Pinky Amador as their program head for theater arts. To refresh you, Amador is the daughter of the late theater arts luminary Zenaida Amador and a veteran in both the local and international theater scenes, having had stints in such prestigious Broadway musicals such as Ms. Saigon. Pinky has designed a program that stimulates a professional environment where students develop their areas of expertise and enrich their technical and marketing know-how across the theater arts industry.

What I like about their unique programs is that it incorporates academic theories with real world experience which I think should always be what a school is. MINT is essentially a revolution in education that seeks to provide state-of-the-art, progressive & cutting edge learning processes steeped in collaboration, creativity and applied academics. 

The students of MINT are sure to get quality education with their state-of-the-art equipment
and learning tools and of course their well designed programs

Because of their trailblazing concepts, they were featured in GMA News TV and other leading media programs. Kiamzon also shared that they are big in awareness campaigns utilizing social media and the Internet in general. He showed us their 80,000 plus fans in their Facebook page, a surprising feat considering their infancy (they started operations a year ago).

Look who we bumped into, Actress Nikka Valencia of Ang TV fame (middle). My partner
Nico Cando (left) gives the thumbs up for MINT

I would highly endorse MINT’s brand of education to my friends and colleagues. In fact if my kid could only enrol I wouldn't have second thoughts. I'm pretty sure this school will eventually reach intelligent parents who only want the best education for their kids.

Anyway, if you’re interested just go to their website www.mintcollege.com or ring them up @ (632) 223-6468 and look for the accommodating & helpful Hendrix Kiamzon.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

10 THINGS A SALESMAN CAN LEARN FROM FARMERS

This is by far one of the most insightful & metaphorical articles on selling I've encountered!

Who would have known that a simple farmer, unknowingly, can impart remarkable knowledge to professional sales people & help advance their career? Reading this piece can actually inspire and motivate not only salesmen like us but people who are in the workforce in general. Some vital elements of the write up also serves as guideposts in life as well. The author Carl Dy is an expert in property sales and is the sales director for Ayala Land Premier.

In fact, I'm thinking of producing a series of seminars anchored on this bright concept. Abangan! 

Anyways, I'm publishing it verbatim below. Please share this if you want to. Help us spread good & helpful ideas like this. Enjoy & learn while reading :-)

The saying “What you sow is what you reap” is an age-old, farmer’s adage replete with wisdom that is still very much relevant even in the information and internet age. 

In a salesman’s quest for wisdom, knowledge & of course lots of sales, here are some things we can humbly learn from farmers according to Carl Dy:

1.      Farmers are visionaries – They have a clear vision of what their land will be after months of cultivating it. You will hear nothing but stories of what they did before, during and after a harvest. Similarly, a salesman in general should have a clear picture of where they want to be and what they want to have in the future.

2.      Farmers know their Market – Before they plant, they have identified already where to sell their produce so it can be traded for goods or money. It is very important for a salesman to correctly know who and where to sell his products to.

3.     Farmers set the groundwork – Before the first seed is planted, a farmer makes sure the soil is fertile, and the soil is ideal for the seed to grow. Product knowledge is the groundwork for a salesman. Before you make your 1^st sales call, make sure you know your product by heart. As the famous adage goes “Eat, sleep and breathe with your product”

4.     Farmers understand their crop – Farmers are the experts when it comes to their crops and well farming of course! They know when it bears fruits, what pests attacked it, how weather can affect its growth. A salesman should before anything else be an expert of his product. Knowing all the strengths and weaknesses of the product before he goes to market is tantamount to winning the deal already.

5.     Farmers are focused – Once a farmer goes out into his field, it is just him and his crops. Salesmen should learn to take away time traps (long breaks or chats) or irrelevant disruptions like personal issues during work hours and instead focus on the task at hand. Success will follow easily if you invest heavily in time and effort.

6.     Farmers are patient – They know that the sometimes tedious, daily watering, weeding and pruning is needed so that the crops will be ready when harvest time comes. Similarly, salesmen should learn to be patient and first take good care of their prospects. They should know when the time is right to close the deal.

7.     Farmers are protective – They protect their crops from weeds, pests and diseases by means of pesticides, herbicides and other techniques known only to their industry. A salesman should know how to protect his clients from other predators (sales reps) by keeping them happy and nourishing the relationship continuously.

8.     Farmers pray and have faith – Farmers pray to their Gods for a bountiful harvest. Similarly, it wouldn’t hurt for a salesman to pray to his own God for guidance, support and divine intervention.

9.     Farmers know the right time to harvest – If a crop is harvested early, the crop is no good. Likewise, reaping the fruits when it’s overripe is a no brainer. A salesman should learn the right & appropriate time in closing the deal. He takes a ‘sweet, slow but sure’ route to success.

10.    Farmers don’t linger too much after a yield – They move straight back to preparing the land for the next tilling and planting. Likewise, a salesman who closes a deal should start all over again with all his successful strategies on one hand and all of his vital learning’s on the other before setting his sights to another successful run.

For consultations, Carl Dy can be reached @ 0917-5316310, 02-216.4565 and e-mail: dy.carl@ayalaland.com.ph & dycarl@gmail.com

Here's the author's photo for those of you who are curious about the guy:

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

Let's all "KICK THE HABIT" & run for health this February 26!

At last I found the perfect event cum advocacy for me! The "Kick the Habit" Fun Run seeks to literally kick out all kinds of bad addiction starting with smoking, one of the greatest killers of mankind! I was invited as a blogger and as a former cigarette junkie by a good friend and client Arleen Lindo of Chris Sports during its bloggers night. I was put on the spotlight via a TV interview by sharing my inspiration to kick the smoking habit. I told the crew that my main motivations were: for my own health & family's sake; and to put to rest my nagging conscience. Imagine I was wrestling with him for more than 20 years!

The vital cogs of the Kick The Habit Fun Run @
Chris Sports SM Megamall

Anyways, the event kicked off, no pun intended, with a simple announcement from one of the event partners & actor Alvin Anson. I talked with him beforehand and he said there are big efforts from their group to revive but improve the action film industry which I grew up with. The likes of Robin Padilla, Cesar Montano, the late Rudy Fernandez and other macho stars lorded it over in that era, but that's for another blog post.

Anyways, Anson explained that there are many stakeholders in the run which is one of the most important running advocacies I've encountered. It's a lofty goal specially in the Philippines where two out of five are smokers according to health officials. Included are Chris Sports (a leading sports retail shop), HOP-E foundation, MMDA, Cities of Mandaluyong & Pasig, DOH, Buhay Partylist, Bagong Henerasyon Partylist, Clarity, Agility, Philippine Public Safety College, Philippine Coast Guard, Rotary International, Philippine Coast Guard, and Rotary Paranaque Central.

Me with Alvin Anson (left), veteran actor and
one of the organizers of the event

Me and the MAN himself, Billy Ray Bates 
(right) a.k.a. The Black Superman

I was again introduced to share my "quit smoking" experience together with another gentleman. My deep fervor is to really share my experience to everyone so that they could learn a thing or two from it. And eventually help them not only to quit this very nasty & dangerous habit, but apply the power of persuasion in  their lives.

Bloggers and some traditional media were present during the informal but fun and interactive gathering

Billy Ray Bates, otherwise known as 'Black Superman', who during his prime was the most dominant import in the Philippine Basketball Association, was also part of the core group of celebrity endorsers who spoke about their experience with forms of addiction, in his case alcoholism. He urged the bloggers and media present to quit smoking and drinking and instead get into sports and start a healthy lifestyle.

My wife Karen with popular rapper Young JV

I can't wait to run on Sunday with my wifey because by doing so, it would be the first few steps toward a lofty 'Smoke-free Philippines'. Dreams do turn into reality you know :-)

The Kick The Habit crew with moi in Chris Sports 
SM Megamall

Other activities the Kick the Habit team has lined up are concerts, health seminars, running clinics and various events in Visayas, Mindanao and overseas.

You can register at any Healthway Medical clinic and Chris Sports branch within Metro Manila or they can contact GWorld Inc. at 719-0184, 215-0512 or email: gworldeventspecialists@gmail.com  and Visions in Action Enterprises, Inc.at 740-7074 or email: runproudpinoy@yahoo.com.

Here are some vital highlights of the event's press release for your info:

"Non- smoking advocates, lead by actor/director Cesar Montano, stage actress/ singer Jamie Rivera, PBA/NBA star player Billy Ray Bates, actor /host Alvin Anson, actress/singer/endorser Roxanne Barcelo, dancer/ singer Young JV, social enterpreneur, Jay Lizarondo, lay missionary, Clarke Nebrao, actor and TV personality Victor Aliwalas, businessman Alven Torres, multiple car racer winner Alvin Ng, model Ariane Esperas, celebrity endorser Lana Roi, songwriter Jojo Toledo and civic club officer Ely Fenger in cooperation with the Pasig and Mandaluyong City government, Philippine Sports Commission, MMDA, Healthway Medical, Chris Sports and GWorld Inc., have joined efforts in putting up the 2nd “Kick the Habit Campaign: Run & Love a Healthy Lifestyle” on February 26, 2012 5:00a.m. at the ULTRA, Pasig City."

"Now bigger, the Fun Run with distances of 1K, 3K, 5K and 10K aims to gather 2,000 to 5,000 participants (mostly students who are next in line to carry the campaign) who shall continually embrace “the Healthy and Active Lifestyle.”

"Proceeds of the project will go to the Helping Overcome Poverty Thru Education (HOP- E Foundation)."

See you on Sunday! Let us help this noble group to propagate the dangers smoking and other forms of addiction like alcoholism, drugs, sex etc. bring to mankind. Now is the time to say out loud 'KICK THE HABIT!'

By Paolo Angelo Florenda

Phiten products now sold online

Ron Colmenar, General manager
of SEEMI Inc.,the exclusive
distributor of Phiten in
the Philippines

The Internet offers limitless possibilities for selling and marketing products which is why many businesses have turned to it for expanding their market reach. However, there is more to online selling than just setting up an e-commerce platform in order to be successful in the online marketplace. Ronaldo Colmenar, General Manager of SEEMI Inc., shares some ideas based from their own experience with the online selling of their leading brand of wellness accessories Phiten.


They started selling Phiten online two years ago and according to Colmenar, they have had their share of success and failures with it. One important thing that he has learned from those is that online selling is very from on-floor sales particularly when it comes to coming up with promos aimed at enticing customers. “Merely putting a 70% off banner not work online”, he said. But because the Internet has become a medium for social interaction, he advised that it can be used to reach out to their people in a more personal level and attract potential new clients and gain the loyalty of old ones. “We have to engage them, they have to involved in the brand and the promo”, he added.

A screen shot of their online selling platform (website: www.phitenphil.com)

As an example of engaging the clients, one such promo that he has considered pursuing is a sort or Design Your own Phiten contest in which the winning contestant will get the privilege of having their design produced and named after them. This according to him should get more involvement from the customers not merely as buyers by also as contributors to the brand. They could also solicit the ideas of their clients regarding how they can improve their products through various online interaction media. “The best input we can have after all are those that come from the actual users”, he added.

Necklaces are some of the most 
popular items in the Phiten line

Complemented with timely and exciting promos and social media marketing, Colmenar advised that it is important to always have fresh new products in order to maintain the interest of online clients.

There are numerous Phiten bracelets
to choose from in their online store.
Visit www.phitenphil.com to buy Phiten
items online safely and securely.

Despite the popularity of the Internet among Filipinos, Colmenar noted that the Philippines is still a haven for on-floor sales. Most Pinoys according to him are tactile buyers. “They want to touch and examine the product. They even smell it especially when it is a food product – that is the Pinoy culture”, he said. Online communities nonetheless are a very active market. Engaging with them do not necessarily mean convincing them to buy online, rather more on getting them to support and understand the product regardless of where they buy it.

The proprietary technology behind 
Phiten products, the Phild Process

Colmenar said the Phiten team are cooking up very exciting online promos that Phitenatics can look out for. He urged consumers to visit www.phitenphil.com for all product listings, description and prices. He also urged them to like their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/phitenphilippines & be a follower of their Twitter page Phiten_Phil for exciting promos and contest.

The Rakuwa X30 3 line bracelet
is a hot Phiten item

Colmenar further reiterates that Phiten is not a product that will magically enhance its users’ physical abilities. What is actually does however is that it balances the ions in the body properly in order to enhance the well-being of the individual. Phiten affects wellness. not the performance, “and when a person feels better, they tend to perform better”, he said. Whatever they can do when they feel better is beyond the effects of Phiten already.

Visit a Phiten store just like this in
Rustans Shangrila mall and you might run
into these friendly, helpful and very
knowledgeable sales staff

Buy Phiten products through its website www.phitenphil.com or just visit any of their stores and kiosks in major malls.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda