RajahJun

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to irritate you and you're finding it hard to control your emotions?  You keep asking yourself questions as to why a person ticks you off like: Why does he act this way? What was he thinking?  That's not a good situation to be in, especially in the workplace and you're the manager. It can also be the same as your family members. In cases like this, it pays to know more about emotional intelligence to help you out in those kinds of situations. People would probably wonder about emotional intelligence if they were born with or can they learn it. Some people, though, do have the knack to control their emotions and use them to their benefit. However, there are a lot of instances where we seem to lose it with someone; and afterward felt bad and wished that we had responded differently. Online references say that emotional intelligence, "is the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and

Mel Fonollera, blogger What are today's millennial managers' thoughts on the importance of "Character" in leadership and management? Do they really understand the significance of character concerning their role as managers? I had a chance to see their perspective on this when I gave a one-day training to "millennial" supervisors and managers about leadership and management development last July 22. Almost all agree that character is important. It was also a great opportunity to present the merits of Character to this younger generation of managers. When I was doing the outline for the training I asked myself - "What would be the contents of my training that would benefit them the most?"  There were so many choices, so I decided to look into how military academies develop young men to become leaders; because these future leaders will face the most challenging and stressful situations imaginable for leadership. I saw a common thread between

Have you had your share of reading fake news on social media lately? These days some news on social media is distorted and is becoming widely known as "fake news". It has become a local as well as a global phenomenon on the internet.  Social media is a democratizing space available to all both young and old. Sadly, this open space has now become surreptitiously available to "fake news". That's what I honestly feel; and as a blog writer, I vehemently reject "fake" news. The rampant spread of fake news is very disconcerting.  It can be more insidious than mudslinging used in politics, gossips, or "blind items" and even censorship. It is a lie that is consistently upheld and eventually becomes the truth. It can lead to readers as blind followers.  When I read articles on social media, I can sense fake news. It reeks of twisted lies in the guise of breaking news. Another less insidious type of fake news look-alike is the use of "c

Are you excited about the coming movie the "Dark Tower" which will be shown on August 30? Do you know who Roland the gunslinger is? Well, I'm way ahead of you for those who haven't read the book the movie was based on. I bought a Stephen King book entitled "The Drawing of the Three - The Dark Tower II" last May at SM Manila, at a book kiosk selling second-hand books.  I paid a bargain price of 99 pesos for it. This is going to be my first time to read a Stephen King creation. I'm not sure if I'm going to like it.  I think Stephen's novels are best appreciated on the big screen. Like the movie "The Mist" which was really scary and the story was really twisted.  I did some online research about the book and I found out that the Dark Tower is a saga. Stephen King began writing "The Dark Tower" saga in 1978 and introduced Roland of Gilead, the gunslinger, to the world. Anyway, I told myself to finish the book but not in one r

Pop and rap music combined. Cool!  Try listening to this duo. I had a chance to listen to them when I took a break from the rat race. I've been having some health issues lately probably due to stress; manifested through cough and skin rashes. Anyways, the self-imposed break did some wonders. My irritating cough, which bothered me almost daily, simply went away and my skin rashes didn't bother me that much anymore. The benefit I got from this break was to get the required amount of sleep which I think is really good for the health. When I was commuting to Makati going to work every day from Monday to Saturday, I made it a point to wake up early (4 am..yawnnn), so that I won't be caught in the early morning rush hour.  I was always early at the office arriving at 6 am. Although I was spared of the traffic it took a toll on my health because I was only getting around 5-6 hours of sleep. In my case, I probably needed about 8 hours of sleep. Also during this respite, I s

MB Fonollera, author Revised 05/02/2019 I saw a former colleague of mine at the Puregold headquarters located at the Tabacalera compound in Manila.  She was happy to see me and we updated each other on what's going on with our respective jobs and companies. She also asked me when will my book be published.  She earlier requested to have a copy. Another former office mate of mine was also asking when the book will come out because he'd like to get one.  That was way back in May 2017, I know both of them were already excited to get a copy.  But unfortunately, it took some time for the book to be finally published. Anyways to provide an idea about my book entitled "How to Sell to Modern Trade in the Philippines" now hot off the press, I'd like to share with you that the book has a total of 15 chapters. Parts of the book covers modern trade retailers operation; operations of vendors to modern trade; and the future of selling to modern trade.  It is packed with

Beware of heatstroke! Here is one story about it. The whole family went on a trekking trip down a canyon.  The heat was already unbearable at the top, and it was getting hotter as they all negotiated the trail downwards.  Worse, they brought just enough water with them to drink. Midway down the canyon, one of the children, a young boy of seven, fell face downward.  He sweated profusely and his heartbeat raced rapidly.  The boy was slowly slipping into unconsciousness. Worse, they ran out of water to drink. What we are seeing are the ominous signs of heatstroke.  Don't take it lightly. Heatstroke can be life-threatening. People who suffer from heatstroke risk the chance of losing their life if it is not treated immediately.  But it is always better to go for prevention rather than experiencing personally. It is simply hotter today than it was fifty years ago. The noonday sun is so unbearable this summer. There is a big chance of folks falling victims to heatstroke. So you

Every year during the Lenten season, a pageant is held on a Philippine island where the local residents, mostly menfolk, wear Roman-inspired centurion costumes putting on colorful paper masks. These centurions would go running around the town square trying to catch one of their kind and scaring children with their imposing masks.  Who are they after? How did this pageant reach our shores? I've decided to write a piece about a little known saint who played a nondescript role during the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Later on, this saint would play a major role in spreading Christianity to Cappadocia in Turkey. The saint's influence has also reached Philippine shores. During his earthly ministry, Jesus Christ has touched the lives of many men and women. He continued to touch lives even in his passion, death, and resurrection.  There was one such person whose life Jesus has touched. His name is  Longinus. He had never been a part of Jesus' inner circle of apostles whi

Do you know that there is a route through an old city in the Middle East known all over the world and is deeply venerated by different faiths? "La Via Dolorosa" or Way of Suffering is the actual route in Jerusalem where Jesus carried the cross from the house of Pilate to Mount Calvary where he was crucified. This has become a popular and most revered pilgrimage destination of Christians from the west, east, and from all over the world.   I did some research and found out that in the mid-4th century, Constantine the Roman emperor legalized Christianity, and pilgrimages to the famed route started. The Christians went there and felt it was safe and didn't worry that they might be impaled on the cross the same as Jesus. The Byzantine pilgrims walked the route from the actual events but did not stop along the way.  It was only in the 14th to the 16th century, where the 14 stations of the cross were introduced along the route because of the trend developing in Europ

Mel Fonollera, blogger Today, I'm going on a long vacation and take a break from work.  The reason why? - Holy Week in the Philippines.  It starts on Palm Sunday last April 9. It reminds us of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem with crowds cheering and waving palm fronds.  However, days afterward, the events would turn bloody and messy because of his execution by nailing on the cross instigated by the same crowd that cheered him earlier, quite ironic. Every Catholic Filipino will be reflecting on these events that happened two thousand years ago. As part of my break, I'll be writing some blogs about this most observed and revered week. Spanish priests, centuries ago, introduced the observance of the holy week.  The Catholic church in the Philippines, which has strong ties with the Vatican, leads the flock in observing the holy week yearly. Painting by Fernando Amorsolo Activities during this week are centered around the community Catholic church

Compiled by Mel Fonollera, Blog Writer Supermarkets and Hypermarkets SM Supermarket Puregold Price Club Inc. Robinsons Supermarket Rustans Supermarket S&R Philippines Shopwise Waltermart Landmark Super 8 Grocery Warehouse Ultra Mega Wholesale and Retail South Supermarket Unimart Cash & Carry Supermarket Convenience Stores Philippine Seven Corporation MINISTOP Philippines Circle K Philippines Lawson Philippines Family Mart All Day Convenience Store Northern Luzon City Supermarket, Inc. Central Luzon Magic Supermarkets Southern Luzon Citimart Supermarket Bicol Region LCC Supermarket Visayas Metro Retail Stores Group Mindanao NCCC KCC Supermarket

The "pen is mightier than the sword." Those were the words of Edward George Bulwer Lytton, an English novelist who wrote it in 1839. The proverb means that words are more powerful than action; a more modern translation. Let me ask you this - what if the power can be harnessed for business writing? Do you know that there is a simple tip to tapping into that power? In my long years of working in sales, I've written thousands of business letters to customers. Some letters were templates and others were customized. In writing business letters, especially the customized ones, I picked up a writing tip a long time ago.  It's easy to remember because it's an acronym that goes by the letters - K.I.S.S. Photo courtesy of ClipartFest The acronym means "Keep it Short and Simple".  I've followed this rule every time I sit in front of a computer and pound away at the keyboards.  If you can put down your letter on one page that would be great. More

I'll be coming out with my first ever written book entitled "How to Sell to Modern Trade in the Philippines." I wrote this book because I've been in the FMCG industry for 25 years.  I've collected substantial experience selling to Modern Trade.  I guess I can say that I live, eat, and breathe selling to Modern Trade. Hence, the reason for writing this book. Hopefully, it's going to be published before the end of the 1st semester of 2017.  I hope this book will serve as a useful reference to those who sell and intend to sell to Modern Trade.  There are a lot of things that you need to know about selling on this channel.  A popular maxim says that the "devil is in the detail" and that is what selling to Modern Trade in the Philippines is all about. The book aims to help those who want to sell to this channel and not be buried with overwhelming detail and still prevail. Another thing, I'd like to share with you this early, the design of

Thousands of everyday dumb objects that we use are becoming smart with implanted chips. These machines will then transmit information that can do a lot of useful stuff for us humans. Like solving the metro traffic. Get real! This scenario looks like one of the surreal sci-fi stories we read in books and watch in movies. Time to wake up. This is not a dream. It is becoming a reality; and it's all happening digitally. I came across the subject of "Internet of Things" or IoT when I bought a book entitled: Ready or Not" authored by WinstonDamarillo and published by Summit Books.  It was in Part III of the book. I read through this chapter and vaguely absorbed the meaning  of IoT.  I didn't give it much serious thought because it seems that the writer was talking about a far too distant future concept. Meanwhile, I'm almost finished writing my book about "How To Sell To Modern Trade in The Philippines", and I thought of inserting the idea of th

In tennis shot, basketball throw, and golf-swings, follow-through is as important as the actual swing that is intended to hit the ball. It will determine how effective the shot will be.  In sales,  follow-through is important to reinforce the sales process and help steer it until the sale is finally closed.                                                                                               Photo courtesy of capitaltennis.net Follow through in sales is as important as the other steps in the sales process. In prospecting, follow-through is imperative because a salesperson needs to persistently make follow-ups on prospects at some future date until they are ready to buy the product or service.  Follow through consists of giving prospects a call every now and then, or paying them a visit. During sales presentation, the follow-through consists of a probing-listening-probing process to handle objections until it leads towards the closing of the sale.  Trial close is ano

The internet has made parenting very  challenging. It's changing the way we do things at work, business, school, entertainment , family life,  and especially on parenting . Th e pervasiveness of the internet is affecting families in both good and bad ways.  So the question is: As parents are we going to fear it or are we going to embrace it? Photo credit - Samien Hope Jose (my Grandson) I solicited comments on my Facebook page about this topic and got a few responses. Which I'm posting on my blog site. “ Both good and bad. There's more pressure on parent's role in supervising, guiding and disciplining children on the appropriate info or games and time spent ” ...... Auntie Sarah Nono Eguna   ” My two cents on this, I think parents should set the tone on the way they want their family to shape their life especially the children. The word disciplining is a broad term.  It could be based on respective formulated values, values set by your parents that