NU2 #2 "Carrot" for Plastic by Ed Vargas

Hi Prof. Jorge,

Re-sending my NU12#2 submission just in case it didn't reach you blog.

Regards,

Ed V

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Ed Vargas <ed_vargas08@yahoo.com.ph>
To: "profjorge.entrep.nu12@blogger.com" <profjorge.entrep.nu12@blogger.com>
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2013 4:02 PM
Subject: NU2 #2 "Carrot" for Plastic

"Carrot" for Plastic

by Ed Vargas 3.5

It's rainy season once again and because of climate change, monsoon rains known locally as Habagat has become longer periods of torrential rains and thunderstorms in the Philippines. Habagat has been dumping large volume of rainfall submerging Metro Manila and affected provinces in floods never seen before; remember Ondoy? But that was nature; we really cannot do so much about it. 

So whom do we blame for this mess we are in that affects the country's productivity and hit us economically. You may point to nature and climate change, you may say government for being inutile or us the citizenry. The DPWH has been putting a lot tax payer's money in flood mitigating infrastructure projects. The DILG and local government units have been clearing the esteros of squatters whose shanties obstruct the free flow of flood waters. MMDA has been dredging our rivers and tributaries. But wait, we've been doing these things for years but it we see no solutions in sight.

But have we identified the true root cause of the problem?  What do you see every time MMDA does dredging operation on esteros and rivers? What do you see floating at Manila Bay, after a thunderstorm? Answer: Garbage. Yes, garbage, garbage, garbage and tons of it. Looking closer you'll see that 99% of this trash is plastic, plastic and plastic. These plastic trashes ranging from candy wrapper, straw, bags, container, caps and bottles and what have you clog our sewers, waterways, esteros and rivers all the way to Manila Bay. With large volume of rainwater nowhere to go, there you are a perfect recipe causing flooding in practically all intersections and making Metro Manila in a stand still.

Okay, how do we then solve a problem like plastic garbage?  Answer: Discipline. Filipinos by nature will only follow if threaten with penalty or will say WIFM (what's in it for me). So I propose a "carrot and stick" approach. 

For the "stick" - the strict implementation of environmental laws like PD 825 which provides penalty for improper disposal of garbage. Government agencies task for the enforcement of these laws should be made accountable for environment disasters we have now like flooding. It's about time, we tax payers file a class suit against this government agencies for sleeping on their job.

For the "carrot"- a Project called "Balik-Palit Plastic" a reward system for the amount of plastic trash recovered, surrendered and recycled. The objective is to marshal the community and reduce the amount of plastic trash going in to the sewers and waterways and we have to start from the grass root: us, all of us.

The mechanics is simple by going back to the old-fashioned "bote-garapa" system. Individuals surrender their plastic trash from the smallest candy wrapper to the biggest plastic wares. The barangay or homeowners association collect these plastic trashes and pay the individual according to the weight and volume of plastic trash surrendered.  That's the immediate "carrot" for the individual.

Schools can also participate by requiring their students to collect their plastic trash and surrender them as part of their environmental protection education.  Students earn additional points and the school earn additional cash. At the end of the school year, the top ten students who have surrendered the most volume of plastic trash gets an "Environmental Hero Award" and cash reward.

Plastic manufacturing companies will then buy the collected plastic trash from the barangays, homeowners associations and the schools to be used as raw materials for producing new plastic products such as school desk and chairs.

An annual "Environmental Hero Award" in individual, community, school and business categories to recognized individuals and groups who have contributed the most to the recovery and recycling of plastic wastes and keeping them from clogging our sewers, waterways, rivers and tributaries.

Will this work? A 50% is reduction is victory enough. The entire supply chain is here. We have the garbage collectors, the junk shops and the plastic manufacturing companies. The barangays, community and the schools may just have to provide space for their plastic recovery stations. Since the plastic companies pays for the recovered plastic, the project is self-sustaining.  The government may just contribute to the cash rewards for the annual awards. The cost of this project may be minimal and self-sustaining compared to the billions of pesos wasted and opportunity loss due to flooding. 

In order to ensure success, an NGO with environmental advocacy will be designated to manage this project.

The proposed "carrot and stick" approach may not solve the flooding problem entirely but would certainly substantially lessen the amount of plastic trash that clogs our waterways. More importantly, it will instill environmental awareness and discipline to the citizens. 

NU 12 # 2 by - Anna Mae Dela Cruz pet friendly malls/establishments

Anna Mae Dela Cruz 3

S10

What pisses you off at malls

Half-way measures, that's what.  Let's take the example of Eastwood and BGC's dog-friendly policies.  Both establishments began welcoming canine companions in the recent years.  Both allow responsible owners to tow along their pets as long as these register with mall security and submit vaccination records.  As a result, individuals and families frequent these malls more often and stay there longer, whether it's because they can bring the whole family along, have their leisure without worrying about the morose and hungry animal at home, or enjoy the added eye candy.  I don't have the numbers, but I am certain these new policies have brought in more revenue than a bunch of other marketing tactics, especially as there are only two open-air, dog-friendly, park-like establishments in Metro Manila.  There are more social media posts featuring these malls too, thanks to people taking pictures of cute dogs.

This has certainly been a welcome change, but there is still much to be done.  I once brought a dog to the Fort and felt confident she'd be welcome there.  Her presence was tolerated, unfortunately I could not bring her into the restaurants (and there were no outdoor tables at this particular restaurant strip).  So she was chained to fence outside, and though I was thrilled to see the waiters dote on her and give her water (with ice!), I was less than happy to find her miserable and muddied later on.  She barked throughout lunchtime because she's not comfortable having us out of her sight.   Somebody had knocked her water over and she sat in a dirty puddle for an hour.  I still had errands to run but we had to head home because not even the most disciplined dog can hold her bladder for so long.  Apparently places that allow dogs don't think about the fact that they need designated toilets too.  Eastwood is an improvement.  There's a watering hole for dogs, and a special trash bin for poop bags.  One wonders why they don't have a designated lamppost for peeing as everybody knows that excrement comes in two forms.  What makes it worse than Fort, however, is that restaurant choices for people with pets are even more limited, as is the strolling space.

I'm not about to ask for a first-aid animal clinic to be constructed at every commercial area, or to have provisions for aquatic, reptilian, and avian pets too.  I am merely asking for the essentials—a place to eat, drink, poop, and pee.  I'm glad about these pet-friendly policies, but if we must try to be more inclusive, then can we try to be truly inclusive.  Welcoming new species must mean more than simply allowing them entry.  The thought process is good exercise for other things too:  Welcoming new target markets—whether it's a different specie or a different demographic—means more than allowing them entry.  It means reconfiguring what we offer in order to accommodate their needs and preferences, and being determined to provide an experience that will keep them coming back and staying with us longer.  It's called customer orientation.

NU 12 # 1 by JCD - What pisses you in the office

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: john carlo de galicia <jcdegalicia@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 16, 2013 at 3:49 PM
Subject: Re: Reminder on Assignments

Hi Prof Jorge,

NU 12

 What pisses you off in your office/ What do you think must be done?

The world is never perfect. There are things that are indeed beyond our control and expectations. But, without the big picture, dream of what we would like to have and where we want to be, there is no driving force to aspire for and keep us passionately moving. Mediocrity and status quo will just persist.

For a dreamer and conqueror, things will never be enough, there is always a room for improvement. Life will change and the world evolves whether we permit it or not.

Thinking of things needing change in the office is countless. What pisses me off, (even though I don't normally dwell on the downside that will just hamper my productivity, so I focus on solutions) includes the following:

Facilities/ Technology

1.    Unavailability of computer printers at times when you need to print few  business proposals intended for new clients. This happens almost everyday since there are just two PCs connected to the printer being used by 128 visiting agents/ advisors. In a first come first serve basis, it is indeed difficult to secure a time that you could use the printer. Once the unit manager's personal secretaries also queue, it is difficult, if not impossible, for us to have a seat and access to the printer.

What cause annoyance on my end? Seeing people that they are not even using the printer yet they occupy the seat to do their personal and admin works.

What must be done? Allow other laptops and/or computers to have access to the central printer. This will save everyone's time in waiting. Currently, we are also using our individual laptop and prepare our paper works at home using our own printers to facilitate the business need.

2. Absence of branch wide wi-fi to facilitate speedy work. Working nowadays are mostly dependent on the use of internet. Maintaining your own internet access is another cost,

What must be done? It is normally the company's responsibility to provide the necessary tools and equipments that will assist and promote at work. As a resolution, we escalated the concern to our branch manager for his appropriate action. However, since it takes some time before the desired resolution takes place, to fasten the work and keep our productivity, we provide and pay for  our own wi-fi access.

Personnel/ Staff

3. A negativist and complacent staff. I minimize encounters with this kind of people. I challenge their ideology but most often, since it looks to be imbedded on their personality and attitude that is hard to change, I normally resolve the problem on my own to stay productive. Keeping the positive attitude and protecting my aspirations from detractors, I succeed and learn from experience and people's attitude. I feel sorry to those who fail to constructively listen to my thoughts and suggestions.

What must be done? Like a shark, I love and keep on moving forward. I tend to celebrate, mingle an surround myself with people whose energy, passion and goals are promising enough get on higher heights. To be of help to our staff, I give constructive feedback pertaining to their attitude, then,  I walk the talk. Little by little, even so hard that it may seem, things get better.    

Procedural/ Policies

4. I find it distasteful to be reprimanded and suffer due to lack of proper information caused by other party or department in the office. Left with no choice than to comply with the management team: quality and risk management, turnaround of events whether good or bad is always charge to experience

What must be done? Gone were the days that we just keep on complaining. Now, I challenge myself to learn more day by day— be it a process of another department or of my immediate circle and influence at work.

  

Thanks

--

John Carlo "JC" De Galicia 3.5
Field Manager, Sun Life Financial
Ivy New Business Office

Second: NU 12 of JCDG on the Topic What pisses you off at GSB? What must be done?

Hi Prof.

Here is my 2nd NU12 on the topic: What pisses you off at GSB? What must be done?


NU12 on the Topic:
What pisses you off at GSB? What must be done?


The University has been promoting and advertising its position as the leading business school in the country. Walking the talk as it preach things that makes a better business: from product concept, design to services and servicing after purchase, it is inevitable that we also expect that the pillars of the school and its faculty are living by example. In general, the School of Business is expected to continuously challenge itself in innovating its product as a center of excellence in business education. Yet, there are things that need immediate attention to address the demand of time.

The following are my personal opinions on current challenges that need to be addressed:

Academic/Processes

1. During enrolment, the so called ELECTIVES are not immediately available as an option to chose from.  Once you log in on your personal student portal, it will only give you a few (if not only two) out of the 18 Elective Class options that you should be able to chose from. Yet, prior to enrolment, as made available on GSB website, we are all proud that we offer an array of18 elective that will develop the skill, expertise and need of the aspiring MBA Student on his chosen field. You are lucky enough should you have an option of more than 5 to chose from, regardless of the MBA program you are in. In addition, there are cases when after enrolment and your class did not meet the minimum requirement—  number of students—the class will be dissolved and you are left with no option than to look for an alternative class even the least you prefer or suffer a delay on your academic graduation.

What must be done? This concern should be raised to the administrators in a closet door meeting or an avenue of collaborative review on school's program and services. Through the Student Council's intervention, this must be resolved in a way that the school must be able to device means to offer and open the electives it promote to the general public/ its students and customers.

           

The school may survey in advance the next term's preferred class of the respective batch to take electives, so as be prepared with the professor needed and his/her expertise as required by the subject. With that, the school is able to attend to the needs of its market and keep satisfied customers.  

2. Students are having difficulties in choosing the professor for their preferred elective class. Respecting the academic freedom of every professor, it is just proper that we know their achievements, work experience and expertise so as to know what to expect and get the value of what we are paying for. At the same time, it could lessen the subjectivity of our friends and senior peer's feedback about the professor and the quality of his/her teaching methodology vis a vi efficiency and effectively.

What can be done? For us to know the expertise of the professor handling the offered class, it is just reasonable that we are able to read through his credentials and experience. His/her short personal profile should be made available to the enrolling student since it is also proper that the customer knows what education he is about to get from the class he is about to take. We can have it through the use of every student portal to make it accessible or posted on the AGSB website. This gives the student an opportunity to use his critical thinking into why, what and with whom he/she is taking his next term with. Also, it is a good motivation and challenge to all AGSB professors to continuously equip and involve their selves in various learning opportunity being academic or actual business— here and abroad. Thus, bringing the quality of our teaching personnel to the next level of global competitiveness.

3. In accessing the school Wi-Fi ( in Rockwell), should you have new gadgets/reformatted laptop, ipads, smart phones and the likes, you need to personally bring your laptop to the IT personnel before 6PM or else your access and/or request will be processed the next office day. It is a complete dismay on the side of the student as this normally happen since we have office works from 8AM -5PM and we normally arrive at school few minutes before the 6PM class starts.

What can be done? To value everyone's time, and to have a reasonable control on Wi-Fi Access, it is beneficial to use our Student ID as access/password. A computer system should be used to facilitate this kind of technology as taught in Information Technology Class. Or, the schedule of the IT personnel handling    Wi-Fi access should be managed to be until 7PM, good enough to consider the arrival or an MBA student prior to his/her class.

4. Enrolment period (Registration and Payment) normally last until 8PM on a regular school day. In cases when you and your class are waiting and requesting for an elective class to be opened and offered (at the school's mercy should it have an available faculty to handle and teach the subject) you should run before the clock beats the 8PM mark or else, you will need to return the following day, stand again on queue and spend your time to register and pay at the cashier. Worst comes to worst, you might be fined for a late enrolment should you fail to finish on the prescribed enrolment period.

What can be done? Online request and/or registration especially on an elective class should be made available to student log-in/portals. All Admin staff and personnel (or even just few staffs concerned on the enrolment process) should have an Over Time work to cater its customers and students. Having them serve until 9PM won't hurt the school income, while at the same time would lead to happy customers (students.)

Tuition and Other School Fees

5. The school enjoys a smooth imposition of 5% Tuition Fee increase every year across all MBA programs and year level. Without educating the member of the Student Council (SC) of the legal basis into why certain consultation meeting is being made. It has been a practice of the school to verbally advise the SC into what are the developmental plan and the likes into which the tuition fee increase is to be used. Yet other requirements of the Batas Pambansa Blg. 232, Republic Ac  (RA)  7722 otherwise known as  the Higher Education Act of 1994  through the Commission on Higher Education's Policies,  Guidelines and  Procedures Governing Increases in Tuition  and other School Fees (Public or Private) are not being met.

                Legal considerations should include:

-       Transparency and compliance with the requirements as provided by law and CHED regulation.

-       Information dissemination—NOTICE: that must be sent to all parties involved and conspicuously posted on the Higher Education Institution's (HEI) Bulletin Boards at least 15 days before the dates of consultation.

-       HEI's latest audited financial statements shall be made available to authorized parties… .

This improper information dissemination leads to our surprise that we are paying a higher fee upon enrolment every start of the Academic Year- July.  Having no other choice in order to finish our program, we are compelled to pay the higher fee.

What can be done? Unless the Tuition Fee Increase only affects the incoming Freshmen, prior to any consultation, the school should also practice transparency and/or being ethical in nature as it promotes on our Ethics class ( even at least legalistic in matters like this.) Through the Student Council, a letter should be sent to the AGSB Dean requesting for the abovementioned considerations to be complied on for proper understanding and knowhow of the paying consumers into why there is such change on their school fees.

Indirectly, discussions like this helps in developing the next generation of leaders and managers to be socially responsible and aware of their roles and responsibilities as citizens.

Being on the top is so great that everyone is looking at you as a leverage point, something that school is also proud of. In my observation, it is a partnership between stakeholders: the business administrators and clients that we should both benefit on our undertakings. Hence, we must work together in keeping the pride and the quality of GSB education.

Thanks,

JC  4

The same write ups are being made in every class;  the U is an archaic conservative institution and is slow if not resistant to change (entrepreneurship?)

--

It's time for a brighter Life!

--

Prof Jorge Saguinsin

PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURALISM

+639228730181

To view assignments, please click:

www.profjorgenentrep-ateneo.blogspot.com

www.profjorgeentrep-jorge.blogspot.com

www.profjorgentrepdev.blogspot.com  - for inspirational videos

www.entrepnew.blogspot.com -  for NU 12 submission

Prof Jorge entrep slideshare presentations

Blogsend emails (for submission of assignments)

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NU12 #2: Submitted by Ermel Retuta - Adjustable Cars

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ermel Retuta <ermelr@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 16, 2013 at 5:15 PM
Subject: Re: NU12 #2: Submitted by Ermel Retuta
To: "profjorge.entrep@gmail.com" <profjorge.entrep@gmail.com>

Hi Prof,

Re-sending in case you were not able to receive on the other e-mail address.

---

Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2013 10:06 PM
Subject: NU12 #2: Submitted by Ermel Retuta

NU12 # 2  - Adjustable Cars

Submitted by Ermel Retuta

MBA – MM, SPENTREP

September 15, 2013

ADJUSTABLE CARS

MMDA in its mandate continuously look for ways on how to ease up the traffic congestion in the metro especially in EDSA. Aside from undisciplined drivers for both public and private transportation we may need to look at capacity and the ideal volume that the road can handle. What's the vehicle capacity of EDSA? If EDSA is exceeding its limit then chances are we would really expect traffic all the time.

So while we are pursuing the regulations on how we can lessen the volume of vehicles traversing EDSA, through different schemes and policies, why can't we focus at the same time on increasing its capacity by decreasing the size of the vehicles itself?

How many cars can you find in the morning, where capacity is maximized, that all of the seats are used? Most of the time, it's just the driver himself on his way to work.

My recommendation is to build a car that features the capability to adjust its size depending on its load. It can be used as a normal sized sedan car if passengers including the driver reached five. The same idea when only the driver is present, it can be adjusted half the size of the car.

Isn't that great? We can lessen the space a standard car size usually takes and at the same time increasing the capacity of the road.   4 < Can this be done>

--

Prof Jorge Saguinsin

PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURALISM

+639228730181

To view assignments, please click:

www.profjorgenentrep-ateneo.blogspot.com

www.profjorgeentrep-jorge.blogspot.com

www.profjorgentrepdev.blogspot.com  - for inspirational videos

www.entrepnew.blogspot.com -  for NU 12 submission

Prof Jorge entrep slideshare presentations

Blogsend emails (for submission of assignments)

profjorge.entrep.nu12@blogger.com  for new 12 submission

profjorge.entrep.selfdev@blogger.com

profjorge.entrep.ateneo@blogger.com

NU12 - Serendepity Walk - by Jaime Mendejar

I was rather bored this afternoon and too tired to do anything productive (before this post) and I thought to buy myself merienda in our local talipapa or market in Kalayaan Makati.  A lot of things have changed since I was a kid growing up in the same streets, the roads and drainage for one have been much better than my flood-stricken childhood.  The same old suspects are roaming the streets, shirtless, jobless, day in and day out. One big difference though is the abundance of entrepreneurial vibe that I found in the streets, I used to just see small carinderias a bakery and sari-sari stores when I was a kid, but now, left and right you would see computer shops, sit down tapsilog and pares places, a couple of siomai stores, a hardware, banana cue, ginataan, palabok, lumpia and all kinds of merienda, I even saw a walk-in videoke room charging 5 pesos per song.  And all these in just 1 busy street, you tend to think how these businesses actually survive given that their only market are those who live in our barangay.  Got me thinking, if I were to start something here, what could it be?

- party needs store (chair rental, balloon making, clowns)

- cellphone repair shop

- motoryclcle/tricycle repair shop (for the TODAs)

- coffee vendo machine

- travel agency

- basketball/intrams jersey making

- mr quickie (the services eg. key duplicate but not a franchise)

By Jaime Mendejar  3

NU 12#2 by Gio Mendoza - Regular Paper Bag Easy Holder

Regular Paper Bag Easy Holder 

by: Gio Mendoza

Plastic Bags are not being allowed in a growing number of cities in the metro currently and its really a big inconvenience for shoppers at times, especially when the paper bags they give you are without something to grab on, like a handle or "ears". You sometimes buy things unplanned and may not have carried with you your re-usable tote bag. Well, tote bags can also occupy some space in your body bag or it won't fit nicely your pocket, it gives a big bulge, and so oftentimes you leave it in your car so you unintentionally forget to take it with you as you go to the shopping mall or supermarket. While you shop, you realized also that you have parked very far from where you are or it's raining or blazing hot outside so you don't want to go back to your car and get your tote bag. You also do not want to buy more tote bags offered at the counter and you are forbidden to push a shopping cart around the mall and into the parking lot. So you will just have to hold all the paper bags in your hand or hug them on your way out which is very annoying or stressful sometimes, especially if you have both hands carrying all the paper bags and they have also a tendency to get torn. My idea is to have a sort of a "paper bag holder" which will be something like a "net" (with wider or bigger mesh size of course) that will engulf the paper bag with strings made of nylon (flexible and durable) and will also act as support to the handle-less paper bag. The good thing with this paper holder is that it has a rigid handle too with holes where you can slid your hand/fingers into. The handle resembles an "ATM" card, only slightly longer and the nylon cord or strands which are intertwined forming a "net" are securely fastened to it and can be tucked into it nicely and neatly retracts like having two slightly larger ATM cards with nylon cord in between. It can fit into your handbag, or body bag conveniently so you wouldn't mind having it with you all the time. It would not also give a big bulge when you put it in your pocket or even in your purse. So now, you can carry a regular paper bag with less stress using "Easy Holder" which you can easily retracted after each use and conveniently have with you all the time.    3

NU12 # 1 Anthony G. Parungao - solving the long lines at supermarket

Tuesday September 10, 2013

SPENTREP S10

Long waiting time for queuing is always a common problem that we will always see and experience in any business establishments especially supermarkets, groceries and department stores.  But the  grocery takes most of or time since the cashiers have to deal with numerous merchandise that you have to scan before payments are made.

Weekends are the most chaotic days in a supermarket.  Even with the numerous manned cashiers, whether basket lane, Preferred lane, senior citizens lane, these supermarkets/groceries does not seem to address the long queue problem.

Since SM Supermarkets have loyalty cards with specific identification number and names, the system can initially pilot a project for these regular customers and provide a staff who will be equipped with a wireless handheld scanner who  will assist in the queue and scan the bar codes of the grocery items and swipe their loyalty cards.  The list of grocery items together with the costs will be generated in the cashier system of SM Supermarket.

When it is already the customer's turn to pay, the cashier will only have to punch the identification number of the customer and the complete list will pop-up the scanned items with the total cost.  The bagger will only have to load them in their eco bags or just retain them in the carts for customers with private cars.  This in turn will save the cashier the time and motion of bar coding all the grocery items.  

This will shorten the waiting time of the customers since they will be dealing with the payment via debit cards, credit cards or cash transactions.  There will be a smoother flow of queue, less waiting time and more cool and smiling customers.   

The bar code readers within the cashier will still function and operate normally, customer service assistance will only be present during peak hours/days. 4

NU 12#1 - New Product/Service Beer "Pong" by A de la Cruz

Anna Mae Dela Cruz  4

S10

I was playing beer pong the other night when a friend made a comment that got wheels turning in my head.  He said that the beer pong must be great for the beer business.  We consume at least four bottles in every round, play a good ten rounds per night, and are surrounded by a crowd of people who likewise grab beers from the cooler.  A sensible conclusion, but one which I felt rested on some critical assumptions.  For instance, the game isn't very well-known within local circles, even among the bar-going twenty-somethings.  Patrons are mostly students or alumni from international schools, who even hold competitions on it.  That night we were also joined by a couple of Korean tourists who made us realize that our local beer culture isn't very well-developed either.  There are countless beer games in Korea, they said, and they shared common game mechanics that proved their games are certainly more structured than ours usually are.

What I'm trying to put forward is not a new product or service—beer pong—or even ways to promote beer sales through beer pong.  What the experience made me realize is that we need to look into the process of marketing new ideas.  Beer pong will only be great for the beer business if the local beer culture supports it.  We could have commercials showing people having a grand time playing the game, and thus indirectly drive beer sales up by promoting beer-consuming activities.  However that will not work if people cannot relate—if beer pong is perceived to be new and alienating rather than fun and familiar.  Therefore if marketing executives decide to use beer games to drive beer sales, they must begin by modifying the existing beer culture to make beer games more popular—say, by sponsoring beer pong tournaments, designing commercials in ways that introduce these games, or subtly putting photos and posts on beer games in social media.  A new product must fit the culture it's in.  If it doesn't, change the culture, or change the product.  One way or another, these two must fit.

Considering the local culture is second-nature to professional marketers, hence there is nothing new about this process in the corporate world (though some still mess it up).  However it's an idea that could sure use greater use in other industries—the development industry, for example, where business and management competencies are in short supply and where they must be applied to more complex situations.  Social health insurance, for example, only fits into a certain sociocultural environment—one where the sense of social solidarity is strong.  In fact a health systems forecast conducted by the World Economic Forum in partnership with McKinsey reveals that one of the "critical uncertainties" that will shape health systems in the future is attitudes on solidarity, precisely because it is a key factor in determining the selection and design of social health insurance mechanisms.  The choice of health financing mechanisms (of which social health insurance is only one) must consider the culture, lest we end up trying to fit square pegs into round holes.  That is exactly what we are doing here—trying to push for social health insurance in a culture where social solidarity is weak to non-existent.  Traditional means for promoting things like PhilHealth must change to either build a culture that supports social health insurance, or to bypass the problem.  The same goes for the internal problems faced by such government agencies:  Back then it was my task build a balanced scorecard for the corporation.  Another square peg in a round hole.  Such a scorecard cannot thrive in a culture and structure that is not conducive to performance, hence I designed the initiative to implicitly and explicitly transform attitudes and practices on performance—an approach that was lost when I left the company, and which I perhaps should have communicated better to the team that inherited my tasks.  Depending on the context, creating a product-culture fit can be as easy as putting together a few creative marketing tactics, or as hard as transforming entrenched cultures, fighting political battles, and modifying laws and institutions.  But the point is, that fit must either exist in the first place or first be created.  Otherwise, that we encounter resistance to good ideas should not surprise us.

See this link to rambutan trees that are fruit laden 

NU12 # 1 by Jaime Mendejar - new security checkpoint at malls

What Pisses you off at the mall? What do you suggest?

How many times would you encounter a mall with a so called 'security checkpoint' where you find male and female guards attempting to do a 'search' of everyone who enters the mall?  Often, these checkpoints just create a long line of people that causes inconvenience while people wait for their turn only for the guard to pretend to look at your bag or feel your pockets for any dangerous weapons or objects. Next thing you know, people are still able to enter even with restricted objects, evidence of this is a recent Megamall robbery of a Jewelry shop where guns were used. What happened to the checkpoint? Why were they able to get in with their weapons?

What do I suggest? I suggest a check similar to the airport where people would just enter their bags thru an xray scanner where an officer or guard can easily see if there are unusual things inside via cross-matching of prohibited materials to the images seen in the xray monitor.  The manual search would still be continued but the guards can now focus on what can be concealed instead of just touching people entering as if they had a disease.  By using an xray monitor, the line flow would be more fluid because the bags would continuously pass thru the machine 1 after the other.  Although it would be expensive to implement specially for smaller malls, I believe this is a necessary investment for other malls which have huge foot traffic not only for the line convenience but more importantly for security. We've had too many incidents where persons are able to slip pass by these checkpoints and abuse the people in the malls for casual hold ups and robbery.  The mall can invest in a number of xray machines and just limit the actual entrance points where people can line up and enter, while keeping exits the same. Although this might be inconvenient for some, I believe the results would be more important and the machine would still help the faster flow of the line compared to manual looking of humans that can easily account for an error.

Just my opinion, if the guard wont even look at my bag or search me properly, then what's their purpose to begin with? Sadly, there was a bill that tried to require xray machines in malls which has not materialized - http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/09/28/house-bill-requires-x-ray-machines-malls-banks-182027.

by Jaime Mendejar  3.5

NU12 # 1 - Eliza Guades Selling MRT cards to authorized retail outlets

NU 12 #1 – Selling of MRT/LRT Cards to Authorized Retail Outlet

By Eliza T. Guades

Every day we see long queue of lines in almost LRT/MRT stations and most of them are buying ticket to be able to ride the train. There are "stored value tickets" that are being sold but still it seems doesn't help. With this as a problem, I think the LRT/MRT administration could look into the possibility of selling the cards to authorized retails outlet. This would help lessen the lines and generate more income for them since they will have a bulk sales coming from these retail outlets. 3

NU 12#1 Crocery Cart with pedals by Gio Mendoza

NU12#1: Grocery Carts with Pedals

Giovanni P. Mendoza

Some working professionals usually does not have time during the day to do their groceries, weekends are also sometimes packed with our plans and besides you hate the grocery queue on weekends. So at times, we come to the supermarket after work on a week day; that's after enduring heavy traffic, maybe standing on the bus or has to go for  long walk to the supermarket after having an exhausting day at work. So you get an exhausted "shopper" who still wants to go get some supplies, who is for sure so tired to push the cart around, walk from isle to isle and might as well sit but still get his goods. Well, not a perfect solution but a grocery cart with pedals, which you can ride and operate like a bicycle would definitely come in handy. This not only allows you to shop "sitting down" but also hasten your travel from isle to isle. it would have the same speed and force required in pushing a cart as usual but this has a comfortable chair. This would also be good for senior citizens. Who knows, doing grocery can actually be more fun with this!  4