Alisangco's Blog

My career interest took a turn after I left college.

     At one time, I had a dream of becoming an attorney. Supposedly, after graduating from liberal arts, I would directly enroll to law school, but fate altered my career path, but instead, I enlisted in the United States Navy, and off I went to Recruit Training Center - Boot Camp, San Diego, California.

     After serving honorably in the military, I took lots of memorable fun time experiences with me. I would not trade these unforgettable moments - military training, discipline, vocational trades, port-calls overseas...for anything else. My military trades helped land my first job - industry. 

I did not find my industry interest.

     I consider myself academically successful. Although, I consider myself jack of all trades, but I am constantly in search of an ideal industry of my dream. In retrospect, I need to have more trade skills, and be par with latest technology and have the right tools needed to compete in this volatile market. I do have to focus on what type of job interests me the most and its demand. I have to ask myself the question of what is it really that motivates me? I would like to pause for a moment and compose my thoughts on the essential ingredients to sustain life...hard work, dedication, persistence, goal setting, etc....Life indeed is full of complex challenges and surprises.

     Let me contemplate, and reflect on what kind of industry fits me the most. Some suggested to take a look at Health Care - Nursing, IT, R&D, Law Enforcement, Paralegal, Entrepreneurship, Business Consulting, etc .... I don't know the answers yet, but in my opinion, before I jumped further, into an industry of my choice, I would like to reflect on how to visualize myself in that industry.

    Visualization could mean something that I like to see happen, or exactly how I want to see that particular industry make a contribution to my future. In order to make it happen, I have to take few strides so I can enhance my interest and become successful.

What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

     Owning a business is my industry of choice. Having said that, entrepreneurial opportunity gives me the drive and spirit to become successful. It opens more doors for growth and expansion, and thus, satisfy hefty profitability equals - financial independence.

     According to the Business Dictionary, "entrepreneurship is the capacity and willingness to undertake conception, organization, and management productive venture with all attendant risks, while seeking profit as a reward. In economics, entrepreneurship is regarded as a factor of production together with land, labor, natural resources, and capital. Entrepreneurial spirit is characterized by innovation and risk-taking, and an essential component of a nation's ability to succeed in an ever changing and more competitive global market place."

      Today, anybody can be an entrepreneur. If someone has a particular talent for instance very knowledgeable working around with computers or abreast with the latest software and hardware technology, then that skills gained could be turn into a resource that people would be willing to pay for cash. Then owning a computer business would be a venture.

     Opening a small business somewhat does appeal to me, and it does not require a large working capital in the beginning. Anyone can start operating out at their home. You don’t require a personal secretary to do your dictation, or make your coffee, but maybe ask local merchants around for referrals and good reliable support group.

     Maybe from time-to-time when business booms, buying a place, it is cost-effective and beneficial to hire someone to do extra work. Hiring extra help for a reliable admin support person can sometimes mean a lot more - between success, or failure in relation to acquiring more clients, or losing them.

     There are many advantages of having a temp working for business. By having an extra person working at your business operation: First, it can save you time and money. It will eliminate the hassle for you doing your routine tasks such as: filing, answering phones, opening mails, etc. Second, you can focus on inviting new clients. And third, someone does answer your incoming calls, instead of your answering machine. If you operate individually, it's difficult to be out on the streets marketing your services and at the same time worried about clients calling.

     Owning a small business venture can be rewarding and profitable. Among the benefits are: First: low overheads. It does not require you to pay expensive utilities and rent. Second: there is always flexibility. There is plenty of time to enjoy taking time off to refresh outdoors by setting your own time as needed. Third, there is no need to beat the rush hour commute. For you work in the comforts of your place of business. And lastly, you can write-off the taxes as business expense and claim as tax-deductible.

     In closing, these are the top 10 thriving business opportunities for consulting: First, “accounting - is something that every business needs, no matter how large or small. Accounting consultants can help a business with all of its financial needs. Second, advertising - this type of consultant is normally hired by a business to develop a good strategic advertising campaign. Third, auditing - from consultants who audit utility bills for small businesses to consultants who handle major work for telecommunications firms, auditing consultants are enjoying the fruits of their labor. Fourth, business - know how to help a business turn a profit? If you have a good business sense, then you'll do well as a business consultant. Fifth, career counseling - with more and more people finding themselves victims of a corporate downsizing, career counselors will always be in demand. Career counselors guide their clients into a profession or job that will help them be both happy and productive as an employee. Six, communications - consultants specialize in helping employees in both large and small businesses better communicate with each other, which ultimately makes the business more efficient and operate smoothly. Seven, - computer consulting - from software to hardware, and everything in between, if you know computers, your biggest problem will be not having enough hours in the day to meet your clients' demands! Eight, human resources - as long as businesses have people problems (and they always will), consultants in this field will enjoy a never-ending supply of corporate clients, both large and small. Nine, insurance - everyone needs insurance, and everyone needs an insurance consultant to help them find the best plan and pricing for them. Ten, marketing – it helps a business write a marketing plan. It gives ideas that you feel will help promote a business."

      I hope anyone will gain valuable information from my blogs.

     First of all, I would like to remember my parents who passed away years ago, and acknowledged them for their relentless support and inspiration. They gave me hope amidst despair, and guidance when in doubt. Again, thank you for instilling the value of education, use of time management, and taught me how to embrace human values.

This is my road trip to re-integration....

     My childhood was centered on a small town of Southern Luzon, where my mother  worked for the Department of Health as a head nurse, and my father a business person traveled a lot to Manila. We had a simple life; both my parents and I loved nature and enjoyed the outdoors. On most occasions, we would go to the beach, flew kites, and watched the sunset. They were religious and practiced Catholicism. 
 
My high school experience shaped my future....

     During the 70's political unrest roared, and later Marcos proclaimed Martial Law in the Philippines. My parents did the right decision to enroll me in a local seminary. The seminary was secluded from the main town and the town had population of less than 20,000 people. My parents had envisioned that enrollment in a seminary was safer, and the best place for me to study. Besides, the school had the reputation for academic excellence.

     What I learned from the seminary were lifelong valuable knowledge taught by the priests, but has been deeply rooted by my parents when I was a child. In my opinion, I can compare my life to operating a business, where it requires accounting, planning, marketing, time management, sales, and risk. These elements must have a balance to achieve goals and satisfy a good return on investment. My parents were excellent versatile pedagogues.

     My parents imparted me with the greatest gift that any son could ask for - perseverance. My perseverance did not make me God's servant, but I learned lifetime valuable training such as: discipline, self-reliance, independence and how to meet life's day-to-day challenges. My parents used to say, “life is full of uncertainties, have faith and don't lose hope." There are times when I could not live-up to life's standards, but I tried not to give-up hope easily.

     Right after high school graduation, I stayed at my parent’s house and hang-out with my childhood friends. I figured out this the best time to bond with them since I spent four years inside the seminary.

     Few months later, I went to Manila, from where I lived it was a grueling twelve hours bus ride from the province to the city of Manila. The first time I saw Manila was a sprawling city and it was glittering at night with colorful lights and throngs of diverse people and tourist alike.

     I stayed at my uncle's dormitory. The next day after passing the college entrance exam, I enrolled myself at one of the oldest prestigious catholic university in the world. In 1611, University of Santo Tomas was founded by the Dominican friars. And during World War II, it saw wartime engagement in the Pacific Arena. The university was the home of allied forces during the Japanese occupation of Manila. They used the campus to treat wounded American soldiers and their allies. They stayed for periods of recuperation.

     I started my freshman years with difficulties adjusting to the real world environment. I was used to the routine schedules in the seminary and now, I was exposed to a real life challenged. My adjustment to the university life was so hard that I had to call my parents to bail me out and have me shipped back to the province.

     Later, I did adjust to the college life, worked part-time at a five star hotel in Manila and joined college fraternity. I did fond memories during my college days. Besides my academic life, I went to attend social fraternity functions and enjoyed what typical college students do to be wild and care-free.

     When the 80's came, when I got closer to graduation, I saw an opportunity to enlist in the United States Navy. I took a test at Subic Naval Base in Olongapo City, which was an hour and half drive from Manila. After three weeks of waiting, I finally enlisted in the US Navy. I flew out of Clark Air Force Base; Pampanga by chartered military commercial plane called Flying Tigers, and off to Recruit Training Center, in San Diego, California. After Booth Camp, I went straight to Naval Technical Training Center, Great Lakes, Il., for Machinist Mate Class "A" school - ship's propulsion engineering.

     My sea-duty assignments were the USS Flint (AE-32), and USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37). both based in Northern California. I made four deployments to the Western Pacific. Port calls included: Hawaii, Guam, Hong Kong, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Diego Garcia, Perth, Western Australia, Bahrain, and Dubai. I enjoyed the navy life and especially the foods and experience other cultures from different countries. One of the deployment, I participated in the Shellback Ceremony when the ship crossed the equator from the Philippines to Perth, Western Australia.

     My first shore duty station was in Naval Air Training Station, Kingsville, Texas, where I completed my Associate degree at Georgia Military College, an off-campus school inside the base. And my second shore duty station was at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California.

     In 1991, after the first Gulf War, (Desert Shield / Desert Storm), I left the service after serving honorably over four years, did reserve, and pursued more of my academic aspirations.

     In August of 2002, I did obtain my 4 year college degree in Human Resources Management at Dominican University of California, San Rafael, California. In 1890, the university was founded by the Dominican Sisters. According to U.S. News and World Report Dominican University ranks as one of the top schools in California.

     In June of 2007, after due diligence, I obtained another degree my Master's in Business Administration, (MBA), at University of Phoenix, San Diego, California.

     Aside from taking care of my youngest daughter on weekends, I attend church functions. I am affiliated with the Knights of Columbus at our local council.

     To this date, I owe my academic achievements to God, my parents, and to my family for their patience and understanding, and without them I can't define who am I.
    

According to the English dictionary, the word orientation has different connotations, but I choose - an adjustment or adaptation to a new environment, situation, custom, or set of ideas. .

     In my opinion, it is an impression, or a trial period to conforming adjustment, or adaptation to a new environment. However, people can assimilate to a new environment, but after considering first uncomfortable situation can reject the environment. 

     I did recall what the HR said, at my first day of orientation at previous job,"that the first initial step the newly hire must do is to adjust to the new environment and the rest will follow.” And he continued saying, “it is important that new employees learn right away what is expected of them.” And that saying is still true.

     Seasoned presenter can influence listeners by transmitting subliminal messages through word of mouth incantation expressed during orientation process. This can directly impact psychologically the sub-conscious mind of a person.  And can drastically change employees work behaviors, and attitudes. Also, management and HR act as role models to encourage and motivate employees to engage their full work potential, and thus can increase production. As a result, it can also boost employee morale, job satisfaction, growth, and enhance retention and low turnover. It makes a huge difference in a work place.

     The orientation was conducted by CEO, and Founder Albert R. Renteria, at Southwest Veterans Business Resource Center, (SWVBRC), Fallbrook, California. The theme was somewhat related to what I experienced at my previous work.

Mr. Albert R. Renteria, brought new important topics to the table….

     Aside from his warm welcome remarks; he did provide a 10-to-15 minutes snapshot about his life. Then he did introduce the "14 Step Program, " followed by the introduction of another "Business Model" concepts. And they are not in chronological order namely: "4-9 Options of Life, the Pie Factor. Three Pillars of E-Commerce, Tile-to-Carpet, Science of the Hunch, and Domain of the Brain." It caught my attention on "Three Business Pillars of E-Commerce model" which he discussed the interaction between Information, Relationships and Transaction." He explained that in order for a business to transpire, “there must be an open market and bond between Information, Relationships and Transaction to exist and establish connection to penetrate the existing market.” Also, he did mention the PIE Factor, which means Physical, Intellect, and Emotion. The rest of the business models I ponder along the way.

     Then he went on to elaborate on SWOT Analysis where businesses use it a lot as viable tool to audit an organization and its relation to environment. It is definitely a tool for marketing analyst to identify key market issues and plan business approach.

     By definition, SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. SWOT has two factors: Internal and External. Internal factors are strength and weaknesses. External factors are opportunities and threats. Examples of SWOT are; "Strength - new innovative products, or services. Weakness - poor quality of goods, or services. Opportunity - mergers, joint ventures on strategic alliances. And Threat - price wars with competitors." 

     And the most captivating topic of the orientation was learning SWVBRC’s, mission statement.  

     Like any other business, a "Mission Statement" tells a business what it does, and how it projects the image to the public. Also, it relates about their products and services. On the other hand, it is important for a business to have a "Vision Statement" as well. It entails future vision – “It describes the future situation that a company wishes to have, and the intent of the vision is to guide, to control, and to encourage the organization as a whole to reach the desirable state of the organization.”

     I did agree with Mr. Albert R. Renteria's point of view at the orientation. As a new learner, I gain valuable information that I can share with fellow learners and in addition, will keep in my tool box of knowledge. It was a time well spent.

     Lastly, Albert's biggest concern is finding ways to prevent future homeless veterans and eliminate homelessness among our veteran force.