Abby Ongyanco-Lim

At first glance, I would not want to buy this book because it has a very long and weird title - “If you don’t have big breasts, put ribbons on your pigtails & other lessons learned from my mom” - see, it’s kinda long. And, I would not think that this is a business book at all. If not for my dad, who five years ago was telling my the success story of Barbara Corcoran and how she made in BIG in New York Real Estate business then I would not buy this book!

Well, I am grateful that I got hold of this book. It was full of lessons learned that any businessman could adapt. Barbara Ann shared how she built her real estate business from ground up to selling it BIG TIME! The books gave us a tour of how she face triumph, challenges/obstacles by applying what she learned from her mom.

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After so much ado about getting productive, I think I gave all my energy to getting a lot of work done. Now, I am experiencing tiredness, body pain and having a flu.

Yesterday, after being stuck in traffic for five hours! I decided to drop by at one of the Quezon City Spa - Soniare Club Spa. I came to know about it from a family friend. It was highly recommended so I decided to give it a try.

The spa is beside Starbucks along Tomas Morato and is located above Finio Restaurant. I am feeling tired and had a runny nose. The spa requires the customer to pay first before the service. Hmm, I don’t have a problem with that. Heard several time that some customer tend to run away.

After paying P400 for a Swedish Massage in a common room. I was led to a Ladies Locker Room to change. I took a steam bath, a quick shower and had my massage. I specifically requested for the therapist to concentrate on my back. By the way, if you want a 30 mins back massage from your 60 mins Swedish Massage you can request for that.

60 minutes later, I felt re-charged and rejuvenated. See below, I scanned the price list of their service.

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A day after the General Track Conference last Saturday, November 24, 2007. I started to implement a Personal Productivity workflow.
Here’s my system - I’m using a low-tech version by the way. Anyway, Im just getting used to it. Okay, so here’s goes my system.

I have the following headers

1. INBOX
2. ACTIONS
3. NEXT ACTIONS
4. WAITING
5. SOMEDAY/MAYBE

I jot down everyday that came across my mind into my “INBOX”. After clearing my head, I proceed to sort my “INBOX” by deciding if it can be done ASAP or less than two minutes. If it is, then I will do it right away. If not, I will decide if it will be today. If it is I will put that item into my “ACTION” then crossed out that item from my “INBOX”.

Now, if the item is doable for tomorrow, then I will put that into my “NEXT ACTION” and crossed that item out of my “INBOX”. Next, if that item is not that important but I just don’t want to forget about doing that if I have the time, then I will put that into my “SOMEDAY/MAYBE” lists. Finally, if that item needs a prior output from a person, then I will put that into my “WAITING”. My waiting list reminds me to follow up things that I delegate or actions from other people e.g. email response from a client/friend, text/call from people and etc.

Simple? Well, after a week I find it more and more useful. It give me a clear head and it’s like I am in control of what I’m doing.

Here’s a sample of my paper layout. I always had this bond paper under my keyboard and a pen. This helps me to easily take note of stuff that pop into my head, or instructions from my “BOSS”, or other things that demand my attention. =)

I divide my paper into 3 x 3 sections. First Column will be my Action List, Second Column is divided into three sections my Next Actions, Waiting For and Someday/Maybe List and Third Section will be my Inbox.

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I am grateful that I was able to attend the eProductivity Conference held at Cathedral of Praise. It was a big paradigm shift on how I handle and do my work.

Prior to that event, I am always stressed out. My everyday situation would deal with so many tasks to do and continuous demand for my attention left and right. I always end up dead tired and stress, still no accomplishment or major progress occurred.

Eric Mack gave me a tour on what concepts and tools are available to help one person get things done. He gave the main key points about Stephen Covey’s 7th Habit, David Allen’s Gettings Things Done and Tony Buzan’s Mind Mapping.

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Recently, Optical Media Board and Pilipinas Anti-Anti Piracy Task Force has been conducting a series of raids.

So internet cafe, should beware and should start complying by installing Licensed Softwares. My internet cafe, only have 7 licensed Windows Home Edition and the rest we have installed Ubuntu. Instead of Microsoft Office, we decided to install Open Office. With this move, I hope we are already complying.

Here’s another note, although you have already installed licensed Microsoft softwares. The end-user agreement does not cover “renting it out”, it is for sole personal use. Thus, to resolve this as an internet cafe provider, you need to submit to Microsoft a “Software Rental Agreement”. In submitting the “Software Rental Agreement” you need to list down all your software inventory, number of computers and etc. After this, you need to submit it to Microsoft Philippines upon approval Microsoft Philippines will sign and mail it back to you.

Alfox Computer Center: Microsoft Rental Agreement Form.

Note: I tried to look for the link to download an agreement form from Microsoft Philippines, but could not find any.

Further, aside from complying with the license softwares. If you’re offering a CD-Burning services or selling CDRs/DVDRs, then you need to get a Permit from Optical Media Board.

“ignorance of the law excuses no one”

Find out about this via Optical Media Board Website
Some Memo Circular to take note
1) Guidelines for Establishment Offering CD-Burning Services
2) Defining the Obligations of Replicators & Duplicators
3) Information Manual on Licensing of Optical Media Establishments and Issuance of Permits
4) Guidelines relating to Recordable CDS

Some Forms to take note
1) Requirements for Licensing
2) Application for Accreditation

3) Application in securing Commercial Reproduction Permit for Optical Media

There are several requirements listed. But I think any legitimate Small Business Owners can meet the requirement easily.

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