Using Vanity as Your Business Capital: e-commerce on Facebook

Friends, countrymen, lend me your ears!!

                  Bear with me as I make yet another attempt at providing you an interesting read. This time, and for the next few posts, I will be writing about the latest IT trends coming out in our very rapidly advancing world (at least technologically). Seriously though, this will be as techy as I can ever get – not very much.

                  For my first assignment, I will be writing about the latest trend on e-commerce using Facebook as the main medium for conducting one’s business. Since social media has become a hit, a lot of business men have opted to transfer their main business operations online. Why? Some reasons I can think of would be because  a.) it saves them the expense of having to rent physical stores, b.) data mining and customer relations is made easier with a more open and real-time communication line, and c.) it can be managed easily even with just a handful of people, maybe even alone. Naturally, Facebook, being the number one social media platform at present, was also used for e-commerce for a lot of different businesses – shout out to Alfons Joson and his shoe business Kick Starter on Facebook  (pay me, this is advertisement). Actually, I’m sure some of my readers are aware of Ateneo’s very own ‘Ateneo Trade’ FB group which allows Ateneans to buy and sell their own things. There are a lot more Ateneo affiliated groups which serve the purpose of conducting e-commerce, but I will not delve into that anymore.

                     There is one problem though with using Facebook as an e-commerce site. It updates too much, and therefore aren’t Facebook-dependent businesses on constant risk of change management issues every time such updates on the platform are implemented? Yes they are. This is what Nicholas Carlson discussed in his article in Business Insider (link: http://www.businessinsider.com/this-kid-makes-his-whole-living-off-facebook-traffic-2014-1#ixzz2pERRmuEw). With the latest update of Facebook, the newsfeed of each people are programmed so that the ‘hottest’ topic will bump up the top automatically. This is made so by cumulatively and comparatively sorting which posts, images, and such are liked, viewed, and/or commented on by a lot of your Facebook friends. The issue then is that online businesses don’t generally make a buzz big enough to stay on each customer’s newsfeed. Personally, we only follow Facebook business groups which sell items we are interested in. Chances are that most of our friends are not into the same interests. For example, I follow the Ateneo Book Market, but since only a handful of my close friends actually read books, I never get to see any posts from this group on my newsfeed. Get it, get it?? :3

                  So what then, is this the death of Facebook e-commerce as we know it? Not according to one Koby Conrad who successfully runs his business, Hippies Hope Shop, on Facebook even with the latest newsfeed implementation I stated above. I will only summarize his points because you can read the whole thing on the link I put on the previous paragraph. Basically what he’s saying is that business men should use the world’s vanity as their main capital to push their e-commerce business. According to him, the most common mistake that most Facebook businesses do is posting too much infomercial. The trend now is the ‘Self’ (hence, selfies). People use social networks to share a piece of their self to the world – their thoughts, whereabouts, interests, selfies. With that said, businesses should capitalize on this vanity by means of making their customers feel that the number one for you is them. Post frequently, but not just boring infomercials. Have your customers participate by asking questions, replying to their answers, facilitating games. Do this regularly a few times a day to give your customers something to get back to. As per inter-business relations online, there’s also vanity involved here. Arrange with other businesses a deal wherein one and all will benefit! This can be done through networking. Use the “I will promote you on my page, if you promote me on yours” card.

                  In conclusion, I would say that the quick advancement of technology, while it is in itself the very symbol of progress, also poses a threat to businesses which are heavily reliant on IT. Business processes can easily be shifted in accordance to the regular IT updates. Although one such as Mr. Conrad find a way to still make it work in this scenario, is not easy to say that social networking sites give off too many risks to be the main base of operations of any business? Would you consider putting up your business on Facebook?

                  To answer the question, type CHO ANSWER Chochowariwariwap, and post as comment. My blog ended with a question. See, I’m learning.

Outdated Signs of Times

             I write this paper as a person with a Catholic upbringing, as a student with Catholic education from start to finish, but as a Catholic with a renewed sense of Catholicism with the calling to reach out for the common good where one and all will benefit. Undertaking my Theology and Philosophy classes in the Ateneo de Manila University really opened my eyes on matters concerning the social strata in the country where those below and those on the edges are in need of people who can voice out their cries. Furthermore, I learned from this Catholic education from the Ateneo that I have the power, the freedom, and the responsibility to make it happen - to carry, on top of my cross, the cross of those who are too weak to carry theirs.

            It is very sad to think that the argument on the Catholicism of an institution has reduced the whole meaning of the word Catholic to a mere conceited adjective. Catholicism, as I’ve learned from the little I understand of it, is neither a title, nor a pedestal by which those under its embrace will lift themselves up apart from those who are not and they have to do all in its bidding to keep this pedestal to them. As exemplified by our own savior Jesus Christ, son of God made man; it is a way of life. However, people, especially those who use this word as a pedestal often times fail to differentiate the meaning of living apart from merely existing.

            Given the pressing social issues happening right now, I am happy to know that certain legislators are using their power to do something right to alleviate these problems amidst all negative commentaries directed to the current state of governance in the Philippines. As a result, the RH Act has been concretized to address concerns in hopes of raising the quality of living for the whole nation. Sadly enough, a certain body of power, the Catholic Church bars the Act’s passing, and this is what’s denying those in need of the provisions which they ought to have. My challenge is, if not RH, then what should be done to help the women who die giving birth, the teenagers who lose their heads when they unwillingly get pregnant thus resulting to medically improper abortion, and the babies who are born in such a fatal reality.

            With the promotion of the Academic Freedom in the university, I have learned to open my mind to both arguments in the dialogue between the pros and the antis. However, I am more proud that what the students of Ateneo are being taught is an active approach in being men for others. With that, I strongly believe that instead of finding ways on how to shoot down a possible solution to the onslaught of problems at present, why not provide a better alternative which fits your own cause? For two things are for sure - number one, we have a problem, and number 2, and we need a solution.

             Following a liberationist approach in matters of faith, I pray that those in religious powers and those who are against the solution, to first put themselves in the shoes of those who don’t have any. That is the first step to a faith which seeks understanding. Those with the Signs of Times must step down their pedestals and walk barefoot among and along the edges of the society to see the real signs of time. Above all, they should be the one bringing the Kingdom of God to the poor. For His Kingdom welcomes everyone equally, for His Kingdom is right now. With that, there is no other time to carry the cross of our fellow men, but now. Bring immediate social justice for the poor – pro-poor, pro-women, pro-life. Justice delayed is justice denied, pass RH now. 

Poetry Entry 7 -- Filipino Seasonal Symbols

For this week's assignment, we are asked to make either a Haiku or a Tanka about our country's seasonal symbols. Since I've done it before, I guess I'll just do lots of Haikus again :)) Yeah, poetz \m/

Ligo

Your sweat dripping down

Even right after a bath

I'll shower again

Halo-halo

I want something cold

I don't know what exactly

Just put everything

Aircon

My father will cry

The electric bill is so high

Turn it off, I die

Class Suspension

It's raining again

First thing I do, check the news

Please cancel classes

Class Suspension Part II

Who am I kidding

Suspensions are for weaklings

Go, Ateneo!

Class Suspension Part III

When we're all in school

That's when they'll cancel classes

Thanks for trapping us

Brownout

Thunder roars loudly

Silence, then my sister screams

Where are the candles

9/11 In the eyes of a blurry mind watching the TV

Over the window I watched a silver swallow
Descend on its flight swiftly past the first willow
It disappeared awhile until it landed on the second tree
It must've hit an anthive as little things ran on a spree
I wonder why the bird did what it did
But we each all have a different creed
Then I saw on the corner of the window
Figures with numbers they endow
Oh it's the birthday of my sister!
It's 9/11 does the window know her?

To you, you, you..

To you, my first ever crush, whose long blonde hair and tight grasp stops me from crying all throughout Kindergarten, I see you now have a girlfriend and I don’t.

To you, who I think I will still have a crush on if we see each other, I remember how your grandma only trusts me in our circle of grade school friends.

To you, who I don’t even want to consider my first, come on we were on the sixth grade, funny, no?

To you, who taught me that losing the person you like is much scarier than their parents, it’s been a long time.

To you, who I owe the knowledge of what love is not; that puppy love is almost as cute as the real thing, you’re the most beautiful.

 To you, who I’ve been classmates with all throughout high school, you were easily my ultimate crush when anybody asks.

To you, one of my best friends, I’m glad I chickened out. It wouldn’t have been worth it, you are, and will always be a sister to me.

To you, who I’m not sure about what we shared, I think ours would’ve worked out.

To you, who let me tried saving you, you taught me that I shouldn’t have tried saving, I should’ve been drowning with you; that love does not long to change, it accepts. I became a hero for the duration of your broken leg.

To you, who were ‘The First’, we meet again. I finally told you, after our classmate-hood survived four shuffling, and re-shuffling of high school sections. Don’t you think it would’ve worked out better if it started in high school, not college? Well, it doesn’t matter now, you are happy. You were the First. I loved you.

To you, who I would fall in line for in another life, God, you’re dreamy. I don’t think even a prince deserves you. Now you just have to realize this.

To all of you, I thank you. We didn’t work out for a reason, and I’m not even sorry because you all led me to you…

To You, wouldn’t it be nice to go for a long, long walk?

                No, you’re not fat

                Yes, I’d listen to you sing all day

                Yes, you fell asleep.. you've been sleeping for two hou.. oh okay, go sleep again

                Sure, put more cheese than tomato sauce in the spaghetti

                Okay, for you I’d sit in mall chairs as you fit clothes just to be with you

                No, I did not hang up. It was the twelve-minute phone call limit

                Yes, I’ll wait for you to get home so we could sleep at the same time

                Thanks, for doing the same when I’m the one who’s out

                No, I don’t get jealous! Not always

                Sorry, I don’t feel ‘kilig’. I’m sure there are countless of times when I would’ve if I do

                No, I did not wait that long

                Yes, don't worry the rat went out of the room already, get off the bed

                No, you're not yet full, two more plates of rice                

                Right, we don’t know what the future’s got in store for us

                But maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t hurt to wish for everyday with you

                Yes, I love you, I have been loving you, I will always love you

                

For all the working mothers

So we were asked to send a message in a bottle in the form of haiku or a poem, so I made a haiku-poem! I send this message in a bottle to the sea, the Internet, for my mom and to all the working mothers. Her enduring of the pains of life never, even for a second, escape my notice. I love you, ma. 

Endure sleepless nights

To no end she hopes and fails

Only gold in sight

How with crumbling might

She survives to ease their wails

Barely holding tight

Pray she sleeps tonight

And the angel in her hails

Resting from this fight

Is it time for flight

Freedom from these cyclic jails

Hear this woman’s plight

I Don't Even Care Even If I Didn't Get A Proper Vacation

If you are an Atenean, you probably know by now that Summer Classes are part of the curriculum of some courses offered in our university. Unfortunately the course I'm currently taking up, MIS, is one of those. I don't know why they have to make us suffer like this #drama. I'm trying to be a man for others. I see light in the Lord. Is it because I'm not practicing magis? Why do I have to be deprived of the privilege to feel the sand in my skin and later on have a hard time removing them, tangled in my hair, as I try to wash them off? Bah, kidding. I'd rather have my curriculum this way instead of graduating one or two years later if I'd prioritize my vacation. Besides, would I even get the chance to sign up for TNT had it not been for my attending my summer classes during my first year in Ateneo? 


Non-Ateneans would probably be wondering why would I even sign up for TNT. No, nerd, I'm not referring to Trinitrotoluene. But see, like that kind of TNT, we too are explosive. For one to fully understand that, he or she must be a fellow TNT, a freshman, or basically someone who sees us in action. 


TNT stands for the Talks and Tours committee of Ateneo's Orientation Seminar held once a year for the freshmen to formally welcome them into the college life. Yes, hanep sa introduction. As the name implies, introducing buildings, facilities, trivias, and other functions to the freshies is part of the job. That's the Tours part there, so what about the Talks? Well, think more like CNT; Craziness and Tours. 

What defines TNTs and sets us apart from the other committees is our excuse, right, and privilege to let it all out. No exaggeration here when I say ALL OUT. For the three days of OrSem, we find ourselves, our being, completely irrelevant. It is not about us. It is not for us. OrSem is for the freshmen, it is for our children. We become parents for three days, if not forever, to the block we're handling. Our only aim is for them to feel the joy, the energy, the enthusiasm. For them to actually have something to look forward to in embracing a new chapter in their lives as they enter the tough life of a college student. We dance even if our legs are about to fucking fall off. We sing till our throats run dry, shout even if we already sound like the breeze, and barely. We smile until our cheeks develop abs, or at least until someone from DnP notices us. And despite feeling what would seem like the sensation of running out of anything else to give, we see our family, a fellow TnT on top of that monoblock chair doing just all those. Yes, we get consumed along the process, but we never get drained. We have each other to draw strength and energy from. There is nothing more selfless than being part of this experience, and it feels so damn good.

As we leave our blocks, our children, we welcome each other with open arms and with faces where evidence of the confusion brought about by the mixed emotions of happiness, sadness, and triumph is showing. In the end, we celebrate with sweat, tears of joy, and smile. Knowing that we gave it our all, is reason enough to think deep within ourselves that we did a job well done. A job worthy for three cheers.

Best fucking person in the world, my partner, Quinto 'Quintits' Lutero.

You know, there is actually a reason why we all keep coming back to do this. No, not the three OrSem shirts. Possibly but improbably, the smell of TNTs after each OrSem day, if you know what I mean. If you still don't get the reason why this thing is something you'd definitely come back for after what I've written here, then I must be way worse a writer than what I originally thought. Well pweds din if you are what we call the letter T. 

What we call the TNTs are people who started with just plain volunteerism, that eventually evolves into an ultimate passion.

TNT STRONG. TNT WALANG JUDGING. TNT FAMILEH. 

Too lazy to proofread sorry! :))