Braveheart

This post is not about Mel Gibson’s movie in mid-90s. It’s about three professionals and their one common denominator.

(Drum Roll)

Meet The Entrepreneurs. According to the website http://www.forbes.com/ business tycoons Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Andrew Tan and Tony Tan Caktiong are the Philippines’ richest wiith hundred millions or billions net worth. And by the way it’s in US dollars.

What do you think are the factors to their success?

Y – Yes

N – No

M – Maybe

Super powers – N
Monetary asset – M
Family background – M
Government connectivity – M
Good looks - M
Educational attainment – M
Good Health – M
Foreign blood – M
Job Experience – M
Communication skills – M
Braveheart – Y

Have you ever heard the statement “kaya yan nakapagtayo ng business kasi mayaman sya(he/she is able to put up a business because he/she is rich).” Any objection?

No doubt about it. Financial consideration is really one of the most important ingredients in putting up a business. But hey, let us not forget that business is not just about having financial capital or being rich. The problem with most people is when an entrepreneur succeeds we tend to focus on the externals but we seldom reflect on their internal assets.


Meet The OFWs. The Overseas Filipino Workers are called “Bagong Bayani (modern-day heroes).” Various reports prove that their high remittances play vital role in economic sustainability.

What are the possible reasons why these OFWs are able to work abroad?

Super powers – N
Monetary asset – M
Family background – M
Government connectivity – M
Good looks - M
Educational attainment – M
Good Health – M
Foreign blood – M
Job Experience – M
Communication skills - M
Braveheart – Y

Have you met people who once said “Magaabroad na lang ako kc di naman sapat ang kinikita ko dito (I will look for a job abroad because my income here is not enough)” Years passed and they are still here. Why?

Sometimes people may have plans in their mind but only those who are faithful in their plans get the opportunity. There are people who get nailed to their plans because they don’t proceed to the next step. Others procrastinate (ehem). Maybe a part of their unconcious mind is fears. Going abroad is a crucial decision that requires serious contemplation; that entails aggresiveness; that demands a braveheart. So even though opportunities scatter, we don’t pick it up because we lack the will. To some people there is a way but there is no will.

Meet Veteran Salesmen. Sales is said to be the ultimate life blood of any business. “Sir/Ma’am, bili na po kayo…” is the salesman’s common script when a possible consumer reaches a store. No sales means no income for the business.

What does it take to be a good salesman?
Super powers – N
Monetary asset – M
Family background – M
Government connectivity – M
Good looks - M
Educational attainment – M
Good Health – M
Foreign blood – M
Job Experience – M
Communication skills – Y
Braveheart – Y

In a seminar that I attended in 2004, the speaker said “Sales is the highest paying difficult job and the lowest paying easy job.” I’ve been part of the sales department a couple of times. It’s complicated and frustrating field on bad days but on good days the euphoria can’t be beat. Expectation is very high. It’s a very challenging career that only those who are sincere to take it seriously last in the rat race. And definitely, I still have a lot to learn.

So, what does The Entrepreneurs, The OFWs and The veteran salesman have in common?

Braveheart.

For businessmen, they need a braveheart in order to conquer risks, uncertainties, or any difficult situation that any business encounters. Otherwise, in a simple adversity you might easily collapse; you might give up; you might divert your attention into something else – perhaps go back to your old job and be contented with earning a living during 15th and 30th day of the month. And then suddenly all the efforts are all gone. Real businessmen are not quitters. They are very resilient. In every failure they stand up quickly and fight again.

For OFWs, they need a braveheart to stand boredom and sadness; their longing to receive a sweet embrace from their loved onea. To some people who work abroad, being an OFW means higher income and perhaps better living. However, along with it is a huge sacrifice. To work in a foreign land requires an enormous adjustment. But to be miles away with your loved ones is even more difficult. It’s a risk which OFWs are experiencing in pursuit of a selfless dream.

.For the salesmen, they need a braveheart to be able to face possible clients; to be able to close a lucrative deal. Clients have different attitude. Some are nice and considerate; some are very arrogant and demanding probably because they know their value to company’s stability. Without a braveheart, sales will not come in and a high commission will remain an illusion.

Actually, in any kind of field a braveheart is an essential. Most people who succeed in their chosen career are those who take things seriously; those who do their job by heart; those who have the strong desire to be victorious; those who are driven by big dreams; those who respond to problems with optimism; those who are courageous to withstand sufferings (simple to the most convoluted) and finds solution to alleviate the harsh condition; those with a braveheart.