Dearest MrkMn 4 2011 Professional Salesmanship students,
Allow me to conclude our semester with this letter. It would be give me an opportunity to synthesize our Four week Business Market Selling Exercise in relation to our three month classroom instruction. Beyond the obstacles, challenges, adversities, doubt and questions that came your way in the simulated selling exercise, one fact remains, my sincere intention to impart selling skills and my firm belief that Experiential Learning approach is the best method of gaining competence in Salesmanship. Though many of you excelled in the theoretical midterm, morally I am duty bound as you Instructor to design a Module within the parameters of the Department’s resources that would effect the best result in terms of competency development. If I have pushed you out of your comfort zones, caused you uneasiness, caused you to re-evaluate your level of competence, your attitude and your passion for marketing – I hope you will demonstrate the lesson we discussed on the manner we should approach adversities in life – keep a positive attitude, see how you can make pearls out of these irritants, and discern what lesson you can derive from the situation. Rest assured, your grades are fair measurements of your attitude, competence and passion you demonstrated in the Exercise but will never be a measurement of your real potential. In your hands rests what adventure and greatness awaits you.
Learning is a process. We learn in different ways and the challenge to each one is the realization that learning is a lifetime process. School is a phase. If one has the discernment, the right attitude and passion for a particular interest, one can find knowledge everywhere. The challenge for every student is to go beyond the structures that confine you and reach for your life’s passion – reach for the stars. Ad Astra Per Aspera! And it’s a fact, it all goes back to attitude in the same way 2,000 years ago the Gordian Knot was resolved by Alexander with his forwarding looking positive attitude. As they say, “knowledge comes with the acceptance of our ignorance” and the desire for knowledge - the desire for competence. What is your attitude towards your life? What is your attitude towards your family? Community?University?Your mentors and teachers?Your beloved country? If you recognize the labors of your parents, your teachers and take into heart what grave challenge awaits you outside these walls – where a nation deteriorates, unable to remedy its social and political ills despite decades of graduating lawyers, managers and leaders in various fields. You are the hope of a nation that awaits salvation. And a hopeful teacher’s aspiration is, if not 200 competent manager, at least 1 will take up the challenge. Armed with attitude, competence and passion a student will be able to muster the obstacles ahead.
If there are habits we need to address in our journey towards competence, we can count so many in our daily undertakings as students which many are guilty of and no less than I have learned the hard way with much pain which I desire you will not have to go through. Habits which reflect what attitude, competence and amount of passion we have for our precious life. Let me count:
1. The mortal sin of cramming
2. The importance of initiative
3. Failing to realize the grave significance of Planning which we have discussed so many time in different context in different perspectives
4. The skill of communication
5. The traps of a wrong attitude
6. The necessity of courage in a country which needs competent leaders
7. The traps of arrogance of some of our supposed gifted students. There is much value in humility. There is much to be received in generosity.
Time and again, I will say audacity is the first requirement. “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”. Time and again, I will say “ Moral and intellectual faculty of man is decisive in battle” . The opportunities to gain competence in the selling exercise is tremendous for the student with the right attitude. Attitude and competence demonstrated by Django, Martin Cabrera, Ms. Patalinghug. The passion demonstrated by Solis and Antiga who had extra ordinary numbers in their selling operation. The teamwork played by Richel Mosqueda’s team demonstrative of competent and participative leadership. The cool persistency and grace under pressure of Ms. Camat who had worries in her eyes but kept her cool in managing her group requirements and was able to represent herself effectively. The skills demonstrated by Faeldon, Manreal, Ms. Ramirez, Ms. Felicelda, Ms. Uy, Mr. Maneja, Nalipunguit, Ms. Alaan , Mr. Pana, Ms. Feliciano, Ms. Salvaleonand Ms, Escalderon. The able leadership of Ms. Lopez who has consistently demonstrated her competence in achievement and leadership orientation. And of course, we recognize the leadership of Ms. Oblina, Ms. Bongcayao, Inserto, Ms. De los reyes, Ms. Pengson, Ms. Schwander, Ms. Zambrano, Ms. Alcala, Mr. Pepino, Ms. Karina Go, and Mr. Bravo. We give merit as well to Ms. Gala and Mr. Tero who might have short changed the exercise but demonstrated their passion in other ways as Student Leadership in their effort for the Central Student Government. Ms. Aban who despite her situation fought well and fought hard.
If there is something I have to clear with, it is my firm position that I teach to equip my students with the necessary competence in their pursuit of proficiency in the Marketing profession. As I have preached about purpose in existentialism, this I demonstrate by pursuing excellence in teaching. I have preached about attitude ”ang taong gusto ay maraming paraan, ang taong ayaw maraming dahilan” so shall I demonstrate the same attitude by finding remedies and making use of creativity and resourcefulness in enriching the manner we expose our students to the reality of Professional Marketing – the reality of business. The competence of a Marketing Professional is measured against his/her ability to deliver results. Thus, achievement orientation is a competence each Marketing graduate must possess for him to ascertain that he is a Marketing Professional in as mush as Accountants ascertain their competence by demonstrating their ability to report Financial Statements and maintain the integrity of Financial Records and Reports. Your principles and concepts in Marketing will be for nothing if you cannot translate this into numbers. If we may quote Peter Drucker on this “ we can only manage what we can measure”.
We only have one life. You will have your youth only this once. Pursue knowledge, we have a great XU Library. Read and put into heart 1 Marketing book and perhaps take time to appreciate The Art of War, a Chinese classic, translated by Fr. Amiot. It has solid time tested principles in Business and Marketing which can prepare you for the real battle that awaits you outside these walls. Venture into marketing business. Pursue competence. Respect your teachers, they have much wisdom to share. If I may have called your attention on some gaps or glitches on our exercises, it is with the intent that you may learn from it. Later in life, you will realize that the price for negligence and incompetence is much higher in the real world. It is a price a battle worn teacher desires his student will not have to pay.
Best regards and Godspeed to everyone!
RCB
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