Category Archives: Aha!

Products & Services: What’s the Difference and How Do We Maximise Their Value?

What’s the difference between a product and a service?  A product is an item of value that benefits a user.  A service is an activity that leads to the benefits for those availing of it.           Products are tangible, i.e., as in solid, liquid, gas, or energy, or as virtual (e.g. software, streaming videos, speeches,Continue reading “Products & Services: What’s the Difference and How Do We Maximise Their Value?”

Why Responsibilities are Important in Time Management

We don’t control our time.  Every morning I wake up at 5am.  It doesn’t matter what time I sleep.  My eyes open at 5am. Sometimes I oversleep but that’s more of the exception than the rule.  I wake up at 5am, Mondays to Sundays, and holidays.  It’s rare I don’t.  I wake up at 5amContinue reading “Why Responsibilities are Important in Time Management”

Five (5) Lessons from Frescoes

The Sistine Chapel is a highlight for visitors at Vatican City in Rome, Italy.  Located adjacent to St. Peter’s Basilica, the relatively small chapel attracts thousands of tourists who wish to get a glance at its frescoes especially the ones painted by the renowned medieval artisan, Michelangelo, from the years 1508 to 1512.  In aContinue reading “Five (5) Lessons from Frescoes”

Is Honesty Really the Best Policy?

The boss was angry.  She just had an argument with a board member.  She then told me not to sign documents the board member forwarded me for my signature.  But I had already signed the documents.  When she asked if I did, I said, “no.”  Meanwhile, I put away the documents in my desk drawer. Continue reading “Is Honesty Really the Best Policy?”

Six Reasons Why We Don’t Need A Purpose in Life

My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I’m happy. I can’t figure it out. What am I doing right?  –Charles M. Schulz Do we need a purpose in life? Many so-called gurus would say yes.  We need to have one in order to have a direction.  A purpose givesContinue reading “Six Reasons Why We Don’t Need A Purpose in Life”

Delegating is a Subset of Teamwork

The following are some lines I’ve heard bosses tell their subordinates when the latter are feeding back about difficulties in their jobs:  “Be creative.” “Just do it.” “Don’t give me problems.” “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” “I can count on you.” “That’s what I pay you for.” “That’s what I hired you toContinue reading “Delegating is a Subset of Teamwork”

Can’t Fight City Hall

Can’t fight city hall is an idiom for any futile effort against a large institution like government.  If you’re just one among millions of citizens who has a complaint about a government law or regulation, chances are you’d be unsuccessful, if not dismissed at the start.  Paying taxes and fees to the Philippine government isContinue reading “Can’t Fight City Hall”

There’s Air Up There

The scuba dive instructor was teaching us first-time divers what to do if we run out of air underwater.  He pointed his finger to the sky and said, “Go up! There’s plenty of air up there.”  It does not deserve any thought.  If we scuba divers run out of air underwater, we simply go upContinue reading “There’s Air Up There”

Being Proactive Requires Reviewing Our Values

My boss asked me to finish a report by Monday morning.  I was planning to submit it by Wednesday next week but my boss wanted it earlier.  Because he asked me on Friday, I had to cancel my weekend plans.  Some bosses pile on work on their employees.  The bosses would believe there is goodContinue reading “Being Proactive Requires Reviewing Our Values”