It’s a given that in entrepreneurship, a conceived concept must be transformed into an operational business. However, what’s not obvious is the motivation behind generating ideas and diligently working towards their realization.

Motivation can stem from three factors: inspiration, aspirations, and situation.

Inspiration encompasses ideas that can deeply resonate with a person which they want to turn to reality. Aspirations involve objects of desire that individuals strive to attain, while situations—particularly unfavorable ones—act as circumstances that compel a person to break free from their current state.

To be inspired, to aspire, and to envision an improved situation, one must hold the belief that everything has the potential to surpass its current state. This notion of “better” doesn’t imply a change in inherent nature. For instance, water can never transform into a rock, but it can be bottled or combined with another element to become juice, all while maintaining its liquid form.

Faith involves believing in what is possible, in what a person hopes for. And it is the act of faith that moves people. This attribute makes every entrepreneur a person of faith, as they don’t perceive the complete picture of their destination, only fragments of clues. They rest their faith on a potential fortuitous outcome, even as they move forward with only a partial view of the road.

In entrepreneurship, the triumvirate of inspiration, aspiration, and situation serves as the lifeblood for those who, powered by faith, aspire to better horizons and take decisive steps toward them.

What is effective, what’s efficient, and what is productive are the modern man’s constant basis for his decisions. There always has to be a result. However, when the view is purely economic, the richness of the human experience risks being reduced to a mere transactional equation. While striving for outcomes is important, solely focusing on economic returns overlooks the immeasurable value of intangible connections that define our shared humanity.

It’s imperative to remember that the most profound and lasting impacts often stem from endeavors rooted in a deeper understanding of human needs, aspirations, and the collective well-being. As modern individuals, we must transcend the confines of a purely economic lens and embrace the intricate tapestry of human existence, weaving together efficiency and empathy, productivity and purpose, to craft a narrative of fulfillment that transcends numbers and ushers in a more profound era of human progress.

When discussing entrepreneurs, the initial association for most people is that they are successful individuals who amass wealth and are accountable only to themselves. Those who offer this perspective are likely drawing it from media portrayals, as this interpretation doesn’t align with the word’s dictionary definition. Dictionaries describe an entrepreneur as someone who initiates, operates, and takes on risks.

However, establishing a definition doesn’t immediately translate into understanding their societal role. Entrepreneurs may be initiators or organizers, yet simply engaging in these actions doesn’t elucidate the full impact of their endeavors. What truly matters is how their actions influence society, unveiling their role therein. The effects of their actions can be evaluated from a couple of vantage points.

One such perspective is the realm of employment. Entrepreneurs possess the ability to generate jobs and distribute wealth, thus enhancing the lives of those they employ and their extended families. Moreover, entrepreneurs devise groundbreaking products and services that offer convenience and solutions for those with unmet needs. Nonetheless, in today’s post-modern society that challenges established truths and emphasizes relativism over traditional values like family importance, the entrepreneur’s role extends beyond mere job creation and innovative solutions.

By solely considering the impacts of job creation and product innovation as the exclusive sources of an entrepreneur’s role, we inadvertently restrict their scope to the economic sphere. Consequently, entrepreneurs are pigeonholed as economic figures functioning within econometric models. However, entrepreneurs and everyone else around them are more than economic agents who are restricted by the laws of economics; they are humans with inherent value (dignity) and values (morality). Therefore, the manner in which they conduct their business should not be devoid of values.

What modern society necessitates are entrepreneurs who acknowledge the principle that both business value (money) and values (morality) can coexist harmoniously. This implies that entrepreneurs take on the role of social stewards—individuals responsible for the welfare, growth, and positive influence of society. However, this doesn’t mandate that entrepreneurs become solely focused on social matters. Instead, they leverage their unique platform to shape societal attitudes and behaviors for the better. Through their products and services, they influence consumer decisions and can champion values that align with the common good, all while maintaining profitability.

Hence, just as entrepreneurs innovate industries, products, and services, they also possess the power to disrupt detrimental patterns and ideas by championing values that yield valuable outcomes.

In conclusion, entrepreneurs advocate for values that transcend mere job creation and innovation, ultimately contributing to the creation of value in society.

I saw Barbie movie, it was entertaining. I like the dance number, set production, and the outfit because it did look like the toys from Mattel but it is not as innocent as it looks.

Thanks to Barbie, I now know that the patriarchy, which subjugated women and made it challenging for them to be a woman (based on America’s speech), can be challenged by engaging men’s ego; by exploiting their egoistic and childish tendencies, making them jealous, and pitting them against one another. What a mature way to undo patriarchy, which by the way was mentioned in the movie till kingdom come.

And that in life, to have identity you need autonomy (self-government) because having a partner can influence one’s identity, which make one inauthentic based on their narrative. This is why Barbie doesn’t need Ken and Ken doesn’t need Barbie so each can create their own, true, and free-from-influence personhood.

However, all the success gained by the Barbies from going through the trouble of fighting the patriarchy and asserting autonomy to find oneself suddenly went to naught as the idea of “being ordinary is ok” was promoted in the end. This part confused me, what’s the message, equality and autonomy or being ordinary? Are there 2 or 3 messages?

There’s no problem with being ordinary because it is in the ordinary that we find meaning to life. We can even find our identity in the simple tasks we do daily. This brings me to ask the question: will Mattel spend its resources to make ordinary Barbies, bring back pregnant Barbies, sales lady Barbies, Brick layer Barbies, fat Barbies, cleaner Barbie, dishwasher Barbies, so they can be true and authentic to its message?

Additionally, the portrayal of the patriarchy (male dominated society) is totally one sided and only creates division between men and women. The movie failed to show the significant roles and contributions of women in society since time immemorial, including top positions in government and corporations, and the nurturing roles of mothers in the formation of great leaders who have contributed to society.

Furthermore, the suggestion of the need for Nietzschean autonomy is problematic. While autonomy is valued, it is crucial to note that autonomy cannot be absolute as no man can be entirely himself because man will always be a part of something.

Absolute autonomy, the assertion of one’s will and power, only leads to division and radical individualism and undermines the value of relationships that lead to the creation of families.

Injecting ideas that (young) women are disadvantaged because they live in a patriarchal society and autonomy is the answer to finding one’s identity harms not just the person but also the society as a whole. Society is not built by one person, one gender, or one race, but by a combination of strength and care from diverse people.

The movie appears to be harmless because it’s visually appealing but when you unpack the message, it’s full of harmful ideas. The movie is akin to a candy that looks sweet but turns sour when eaten. But do watch it and see for yourself.

This is a Facebook post from July 23, 2020

Today I had a wonderful time facilitating a webinar with Jeremy on sales opportunities and building customer relationship in the new reality. I also gave a lecture on customer avatar.

The attendees were top executives from different multinational companies and were there because they want to find opportunities in the new reality. Some attendees were from Manila and some from Cebu. Companies range from insurance to management services.

I am in my element when I teach about marketing, sales and entrepreneurship. It’s easier to teach something you know by heart and something you have experience in.

If there is one take away i want my audience to get in that class, or in any of my future classes, I wish it would be hope for those who are stuck and a spark of idea for those who would rather be in another place.

Both hope and ideas are strong forces that allow a person to move, and movement is what we want because movement is progress. All great revolutions were won because people either found hope or an idea sparked. Without hope Edison May have stopped on his 3rd failure. Without an idea, he may not have thought of the need for a bulb.

I think that to spark hope and ideas are the 2 reasons why I teach and it is only now that I realize this. Thanks to the pandemic, I have time to ponder.

Now I have an idea, I hope it works, so off I go.

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson

“No Matter What People Tell You, Words And Ideas Can Change The World.” – Robin Williams