Phone Home

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

For most of us, the holiday season is the time when family members get together and celebrate the occasion with a feast. But for more than a million Filipino Overseas Contract Workers (OFW), this year will be another season away from their love ones. They would have to contend themselves with a phone call or webcast just to get in touch. Thanks to modern technology.

Speaking of phones, did you know that there are now land line phone units that is equipped with spy-bugs? They are called Phone-007. They can record phone conversations in progress and even ambient noises with in the phones range.

I was also surprised when I learned about such phones. They can be hooked to an internet connection and you can listen to conversations by dialing a local Phone-007 access code. That would be eavesdropping in the truest sense of the word. In addition, you can even log-in to my.PurpleGoods.com to access all previous recordings made.

As I always say about technology, they are here to improve our way of life. Its a choice how we use such technology. Our individual intentions and motives will dictate how we dispense of them...good or bad.

Well, its the start of another year. We can always change for the better. And for our OFW's, yes they are lonely, but who knows, they just might have sent home a Phone-007 just to stay connected. (",)

HERE'S TO A BETTER 2009 FOR ALL OF US!!!

Delivering on Commitments

After opening a new plant in the northern part of Mindanao (Southern part of the Philippines), the immediate concern that our operation experienced was the issue on logistics. Freight cost are high inspite of the continuous roll-back of fuel prices. Apparently the distance and the terrain play a major obstacle.

Cagayan de Oro City is around 300KM (186 Miles) away for Davao City and some 450KM (280 Miles) for General Santos City (Manny Pacquio's home town) travelling south. It would take a 10-wheeler truck 2-3 days to complete a round trip. Considering the wear and tear of the truck including tires, fuel consumption, and driver's fee, Most of the truckers are charging a considerable sum of money.

Nonetheless, since our commitment to our customers is to deliver their requirement on time, we have to carry the freight burden. In any kind of business, delivering to what has been committed is foundational to building trust and the first step for a repeat sale. Nothing can prosper if such commitments are violated.

Almost for the whole month of December, my team and I hurdled the hick-ups of a start up operation. There were a lot of sleepless nights and internal challenges. But in the end, by putting the customers first, everything went fairly well.

All thanks to the relentless efforts of an engaged team.

The Face & The Baptism

wordless wednesday