Meeting Mishaps

Today I went to a special meeting of minds. I met some of my masters in photography and checked a lot of their work. I have to learn and emulate some of their techniques. I try to at least see if we can get some of our businesses to grow since they probably have more connections than me. If you think about it, I will need another day with them to close some deals. I literally had no time for this hobby but I did my best to attend these big ones since almost everyone in the fashion industry is there. That's the ideal place to meet people. One of my biggest mistakes though is not getting enough business cards. I wish I had 123 print make them for me so I wouldn't be problematic. In times like these you need a lot! The office just makes generic ones that are not related to what I'm actually doing. It'll be funny how they'll find out that a geek would actually be their photographer. They'll probably say "It's a weird day!" and I wouldn't tell them otherwise.

I met the best photographers, fashion icons, designers, stylists and make-up artists. I love how the day ended because I definitely learned a lot. I got a couple of people in my phone book and we're doing bigger projects in the next few months. My regret though is not having that much cards to give out to prospective clients. I learned the hard way. It could have been more money for my business. I will have to rethink my strategy next time. Here's hoping for more transactions with the greatest people in the industry! Let's rock!

Proud to have Yellow Cards

I am so humbled to be of service in this government of President NOY and I will do my best to be a great part of this change he wants to inculcate to his countrymen. I also wanted to have my own yellow business cards so everything would jive to the symbolism of hope and change in his regime. I want to be a part of the solution by doing my job well and that requires so little effort since I have been doing that for the last 6 years of my professional life.



I remember the time when I met some of my former colleagues in Social Security and my former boss asked me if I had a business card so we can get together sometime soon. I immediately panicked and checked my wallet for some extras but lo and behold I didn't have any. I was really humiliated and felt very unprofessional that exact moment and wished that I had those unique ones I saw on line. That would have been impressive with the titles and all.

If I had myself inspired with the President's official color and the great attitude towards change in the government then I would be the envy of my peers. Envy in a good way that they will try their best in whatever they do even in the private sector. If I had my way I'd be getting mine customized since I want to represent a generation of people. Yellow is my color of choice, you should do the same!

The Card Incident

It was a warm Saturday afternoon when I went to the mall with my Mom and Dad. I do food reviews for some of the best restaurants in the country and I must say I get a lot of my friends to see them. I recommend the good ones and ask to try the not so bad ones. I have more readers in Manila than outside the country and I get some surprises every now and then. I went to one restaurant on the top floor of EASTWOOD MALL. These posh establishments are what mostly get rave reviews on my site and I was surprised when we sat in the Manager literally knew me. I haven't met him nor have I ever stepped into the restaurant before so I was really surprised. I think he got to see my photos in the site but that and the DSLR camera probably was a giveaway that I review restaurants. I tried to keep a low profile but on some instances they kind of talk to you even if you don't want to. He asked for my business card but I didn't have one that time. I only have one for work but not for my site. I know I need to get custom business cards so I would be able to identify my self every time I get to review institutions like that. They had a cooking school together with the restaurant and I am impressed about how it looked like. Though the next time I get there, I know I have to identify my self after wards. It was kind of awkward I did not have any cards with me that time. I looked very unprofessional. I want to go back there one day and present my self differently I guess. It's a hard day but I think I'll try and solve it one at a time. The card would have solved it all.

Calling India Better

I have my cousin Quincy in India. She got married last year to a man we haven't met before. I think she met him in the same corporation she works for that caters to international clients. I literally had no idea when she transferred residency from New Jersey to Mumbai. I know it was kind of abrupt and thinking about it, it was like a whirlwind romance; ones that you only get to read off romance novels. It just started with long distance calls and a couple of email exchanges. She told me it was nothing serious when we talked because I know it would be impossible with the distance. After a few months she just contacted me and told me the circumstances... she called using calling cards that made everything look like the guy was next door.

Reliance India call also provides this service and they are better. Other ordinary VOIP services have everything metered and literally costs too much. Much to my surprise, they don't have any hidden costs for hang up/disconnected calls. They do not even charge anything for maintenance or long usage. That to me is a number one requirement when doing business. I applaud my cousin for getting this far with her relationship and business because we know how important hearing a person's voice is. It makes you feel the other person on the line and empathize in real time. I know things would have been never possible if not for this technology. I love how it works and from the looks of it, I'll recommend this to my colleagues in the BPO industry so they can call India better.

I Should Have Brought Cards!

Have you ever felt something might go wrong in a business meeting? When was it? Have you finished presenting projects and sometimes think they are not enough even for your standards? Were you unsure about some deals you made in the past? You wish you could follow up with supporting documents but it's too late. I was not able to leave contact numbers because I ran out of business cards too. All that just happened yesterday. This was one of the most humiliating days in my entire life.

Remember a few articles ago when I wanted to get a little serious about my photography? I tried breaking a deal yesterday in covering an event for a former boss. He saw my work on a social networking site and got impressed enough to ask for it. If only I had some cheap business cards then I could have managed things smoothly when we parted ways. Of all the things I should forget, it was that minute detail that made it all miserable for me. If I got one, then I would not have looked unprofessional to clients. They might think I am not ready to go main stream. I just hope I did not lose this opportunity; or worse made an impression that I could not do it at all. I don't know how important business cards were until yesterday. I am willing to make amends with myself now. Where do you think I should get one? Do you have any suggestions?!

Calling Costs A Lot!

I've been trying to call my cousin in the Canada and Japan helplessly because I was trying to fix matters concerning money sent over some banks in the Philippines. I was using the services of local cellular phone companies that charged me a couple thousand of pesos in order to get a decent conversation going. It was doubly hard if they were unavailable because they still charged me the same rates.



I was trying to get a cheaper deal than the usual because discounted rates here were still costing a lot compared to what I could have had when I was in the US. Good thing there are a couple of online shops that transact calling cards that can work here and wherever I may be elsewhere in the world. Now for a few cents, I can call Canada, the US and other countries. I think 23.9 cents which the site http://www.getmecallingcards.com offers is the best one I could find. Imagine that... the rates are better! Where else should we get reasonable prices at this side of the globe? I guess I'll have to tell my friends too because it even did beat the rates of Philippine Phone Cards available at local telecommunication companies. Now its going to be easier to call from 153 countries around the world. Need I say more? We all have choices, but there never will be a better deal than this phone card company that knows how things could get easier for you.