Raymond Alberto's business in geodetic engineering and survey RASA survey is bigtime and nationwide. It is a leader in survey and geomatics. He spoke simply but if you analyze his speech, it was deep and insightful. He started in just in 1994, right out of UP and after passing the board exam.
He started with the a DREAM and PASSION. He said he had nothing. All he had was his degree and his dream. His business concept was about his profession - surveying. And he thought, why not make his initials the name of the company.
He bought a fax machine (as was the strategy of Pastor Salvador in his Magic businesses beginning with car magic) and faxed 10 messages to probable target market: developers, land owners, contractors. If he can fax 300 messages, and 3 becomes his client, at P15,000 each he gets something for his needs. Simple math for market estimate.
But you also need INSTINCT AND TIMING.
Some of the lesson from Raymond Alberto:
I. For a start up:
l. Knowledge of the business by heart
2. Financial literacy
3. Marketing - Here he mentioned the example of an inlaw whose dentistry practice was not flourishing. He was just waiting for patients to come in. Considering that there are many dentists in the area, he suggested conducting a free prophylaxis (teeth cleaning) to draw in prospective patients. Ingenious. Eh....
2. Setting up mission and vision statement
3. Sometimes you have to fail a lot in order to succeed.
4. Live as if it were the last day of your life
5. Believe in your product and your service, even if at times it is inferior.
6. Innovate always. He goes to many international conventions abroad to get at the latest and best in surveying. His most advanced is the low flying drone for disaster assessment and aerial survey
7. When your business is big you need:
l. Systems and structure (procedures, organization, forms, reports)
2. Optimize human capital (make the best use of talent)
3. Gathering data - having your subordinates make constant and updated reports which should include competitive activities and even chizmis.
4 Priorities (urgent vs important. You have a hundred things to do in a day. Which ones are more impt; what should take precedence over others.
5 Predictability
6. Sharing and helping others.
He wrote this in the form of a pyramid.
He has gone a long way he has 200+ employees, 40 service vehicles and customers all over the country. From Dream to reality of being big.
We were fortunate to have him in the class; time was not on our side however. There should have been more interaction between the speaker and the class.
This should be a comprehensive experiential guide, just like that of Dr Gary and Nelly, on how to put up a business.
I agree that real time report really helps the manager/CEO make timely and right decision. In so many people ventured in business only few were become wealthy, many did not succeed for various reason but those who triumph have so much inspiring stories to tell.
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