Competitive Advantage

There are basically two generic strategies to achieve competitive advantage according to Michael Porter: Cost leadership and Differentiation strategy.   Companies that fail to adapt any of these two strategies will end up in the middle of everything with no competitive advantage at all.  And that, my friend, is the doomsday for any organization in any type of industry.

With these, firms can be then generally classified into three types:  first, those that adapt one of the strategies, either, cost leadership or differentiation; second, those that opt to adapt both strategies and, lastly, those that are stuck in the middle.

Allow me to associate organizations and firms with people just like you and me in order to provide a simplified explanation for the abovementioned classifications which can spice the way we understand these generic strategies and competitive advantage.

           I_______________________________________________I

Cost Leadership                                                                  Differentiation

Type 1:  Those who choose to stay at one end and focus on one strategy

These are people who are, literally and figuratively, very focused and have roadmaps, if not, cost benefit analysis, in every step that they take in their lives.  These people are those who know themselves really well.  They utilize their strengths to transform their weaknesses in achieving victories.   They can identify their personal qualities which help these individuals in successfully positioning themselves in this world.   These people choose one road and choose to remain in that road because they are quite certain that this will lead them to their aspirations and dreams.

Type 2:  Those who want to be on both ends

These are the people who want to have the best of both worlds.  They aspire for the perfect state by owning everything and believing that they can have the best of everything in this world.  This state, however, is very difficult, if not, impossible to achieve.  One may argue that this is possible given his/her resources and capabilities as an individual.  Yes, one can attain such state but it is often temporary and never permanent.  At a certain stage, a person will reach his/her saturation point where one is overly exhausted of trying to have both worlds.  At which time, he/she will be forced to choose and strongly capitalized on just one end of the continuum. 

Type 3:  Those who are stuck in the middle

These are people who fail to adapt any strategy at all.  They have the wait-and-see attitude because they are, generally, afraid to take considerable risk to choose which road to take.  In fact, they stay in the crossroads long enough that cost them huge and missed opportunities.

These three types may not capture the entirety of man’s classification but one cannot possibly ignore that most of us fall into one of these types.   So, what is the bottomline of the thoughts and arguments which I presented above?

It’s just that overanalyzed things again, I guess…   hahahaha  J

02.01.08

Being Pretty

You’re pretty.

When someone sincerely says these words, rock bottom spirits are suddenly lifted high and suddenly, everything becomes colorful again. 

It feels nice when a person admires you despite of the few but huge breakouts on your face and dark rings around your eyes.   And, it feels good when someone notices you not because of the academic achievements attached to your name.

Yes sometimes, it feels great when someone appreciates your face instead of your brains.   Because at those times, you’re just a girl with a pretty face.

It makes you realize that you can be a head-turner, if you want to.  Somehow, all the insecurities of being undervalued and being taken for granted vanish because of the realization that in the eyes of someone, you are not just a plain girl with brains after all.

It is an incredible feeling, indeed… J

Journal Entry  03 July 2009

Toy Cars

Little toy cars in different sizes and models were scattered in the brightly colored playroom.  The set up was designed such that, each boy is entitled to have only one car of his choice. 

One little boy in particular decided to have two cars.  One was red sports car bearing the most expensive brand and the other one was a plain but functional toy car. 

He then asked himself, “Which car should I choose?”

“I love the red car but I also love the simple one.  The sports car will run the fastest while the simple car may not be as fast as the other one,” he thought.

The boy stared at both cars and was so confused which car to choose until his teacher affectionately tapped his shoulder.

“Son, you have to choose which car to take.  One little boy may be looking for his toy car because you have taken them both,” said his teacher.

The little boy again took a good look at the two toy cars on his hands.  Finally, he said to the plain car, “Is it okay if I choose the red car?”

He looked up at his teacher, kissed the plain car and gave it up.  As his teacher took the plain car away from him, he stared again at the red sports car on his hands.  Without the plain car, his red car looked bare.  And then, he felt empty and incomplete.

He ran to his teacher and asked, “Teacher, can I please have the plain car back and keep them both?”

“That is not possible, son.  You see, every little boy in this room should only have one toy car for him to love and to keep.  And in your case, you have chosen the red car.  If you decide to keep them both, there will be one boy in this room who will be waiting and looking for one of the cars.  One of the cars may be very plain to you but for one particular kid in this room, the plain but functional car is the world to him.”

J

2007 August

Untitled

It feels great…

when someone gives us sincere compliments and reminds us of our good qualities that we may have forgotten,

when a person beamingly introduces us to his family and is eager to meet our families as well,

when one is concerned and asks: how’s  your dad and mom,

when a person proudly introduces us to his friends,

when someone sees us as the most beautiful person on earth despite of the unwanted fats around our tummies and few breakouts on our faces.

It reminds us that while others treat us as an ordinary being, there are those who think that we are special and perfect despite of our imperfections.

And then, we realize that we are worthy to be loved the way that we should be.

Perfect Day

A perfect day does not necessarily start with a perfect morning.  It can start in the late afternoon with someone whom you would like to share the day with.   

It can be: 

.. as crazy as one-and-a-half motorcycle ride in a heavy rain just to have a Pizza Hut’s Cheezy Pops experience.

.. a casual conversation of different types of mushrooms which will make you a millionaire.

.. a simple argument whether little baby boys can undergo ballet lessons.

.. a simple trip to the Burger Machine stand for a cheesy bacon delight.

.. doing stupid things together and then, laugh about them later.

.. listening to music while joking around.

.. a three-hour spur of the moment drive just to have a taste of Starbucks.

And, it can be just looking at someone’s face.

Just like any other day, the perfect day has to end.  It is how the system works to keep things in their perfect balance.  At the end of the day, all we have is the memory that will make an ordinary day perfect for as long as we live.




** from my journal dated 07.21.2007

Chocolates, Balloons and Red Roses

Photo By Nico Salas

Chocolates, balloons and red roses on February 14…

I admit that at one point in my life, I have wished for these things.  During my college years, I envied the girls who have unexpectedly received red roses in class.  I even once wished for someone who would openly profess his love for me on the grounds of Sunken Garden.

For weeks, I have been wondering what my February 14 would be this year as I gladly watched one of my students gave his valentine gift to the girl of his dreams in my  lecture class.

As always, there are no red roses or chocolates for me this year.

I had more.

I had the opportunity to glimpse and see a person’s life in a different light which made me understand and value the person even more.  Finally, it hit me.  I just had my chocolates, balloons and red roses.  They, however, are wrapped differently but the impact is thousand times greater than what I have been yearning for.

NLEX, SCTEX, Hen Lin, Starbucks and a meaningful talk:  This is my version of chocolates, balloons and red roses on my 2009 Valentine’s Day.

** from my journal dated 02.18.2009

Globe vs. Smart

Elements of Retail Mix:

• Type of Merchandise/Service
• Variety and Assortment of Merchandise/Service
• Price
• Level of Customer Service

Have fun! :)