The Missing Element

These past few years, I started my own business. Since I was hesitant to get a job and take away a job from someone who really needed it. I decided to start teaching Filipino Martial Arts. And for the longest time I had 1 student to 2 to even 3-5. But I wasn't consistent. I tried doing some seminars and some demonstrations for organizations but yielded little to no results.

I created a website, a facebook page, myspace, friendster, twitter you name it I was on it. And no matter what I did I was not getting the numbers I was hoping to get. And as a marketing guy, I was starting to have doubts as to what I was doing. I ask my fellow school owners to see what were they doing differently yet they aren't doing anything different. Just hang in there. But I felt something missing from my marketing strategy. Some key component that without it the engine wouldn't run. I even registered my company name in Riverside County. But it was then I remembered what my Mom taught me long ago about business was that the CEO must and always be God and He must get HIS share first.

Then I read this.

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! (Malachi 3:10 NLT)

That was the missing element. God, I forgot to put God first. And I forgot that in ALL things I must place GOD first.

Now business is great and that's all for the Glory of God. Best marketing advise I can ever give anyone is to put God first. I am
now over capacity and even starting a new class and a new little warrior class.




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When do we say enough?

What do you do when you have no more cheek to turn? This has been a constant struggle for me and even more as of lately. I thought I was the type of person that has a calmer demeanor. But it is easy to push my buttons.

This weekend I find myself thinking maybe there is something inside of me that is a giant sleeping dragon that the slightest of provocation will invoke the monster within me. I must learn to control that beast. And let the true me come out

something missing

The music plays, and it plays for me. It crescendos as it prepares for it's final piece. I think, I hope that sounds can come out. The only comfort I have is the spotlight as it focus my heart and my mind. The orchestra conductor weaving his wand as he rallies his mighty orchestra and again I think and I hope that sounds can come out, the others are there but are there for your moment and all eyes are on you. I think you hope sounds can come out. My heart race my palms sweat and the weeks and months come down to this. I just hope and pray that when I open my mouth sounds can come out. I miss being on stage.

As I was listening to some music of famous musicals (les miserables, miss saigon, wicked, etc...) I forgotten how pure a musical really truly is. I know that there are technologies out there, but you can't fake a stage actor. It's either you have it or you don't. There are no CGI and there are no cuts and re-shoot. To be a stage actor is to have the ability to turn it on at a moment's notice and leave it on till the play is done. And do it all over again the next night.

I miss being on stage, something put me in a freeking musical. I promise I have what it takes...

WEKAF USA to Raise Dues

It has come to my attention that WEKAF USA's board of directors are planning to raise the dues. As a former member of the board that thought has indeed crossed my mind, with all the things I wanted to do as the Marketing Director the number one issue has always been money.

But before they raise the dues I think a few fundamental questions need to be answered by the board before I agree to the raise.

1) Has the whole issue of who has the right to be called WEKAF USA been resolved?

2) If WEKAF USA is the largest WEKAF INTL member, than what has WEKAF INTL done to accommodate the USA team? For example,
a. Get special rates for USA team to be in one hotel
b. Shouldn't the USA group vote be worth more since we are a majority? I am not asking this to be a snob, but if 10 countries vote against the USA and each of those countries have only 1-2 members while the USA has 160+ then why is our vote only count as one?

3. What benefits do I get now as a WEKAF USA member?

4. What do you plan to add if we raise the dues?

5. Where are my ID cards or School Certificate?

6. How come there are no more ALL MEMBER meetings?

7. How can the board communicate with it's members?

8. What forum do we have to talk about how the last National was ran?

9. As a school member how are you helping me develop my business?

10. How are you making FMA more mainstream?

These are just some questions that need be answered irregardless wether they raise the dues or not.

I encourage all WEKAF USA board to ask their director these questions before they raise the dues.

Sincerely,
Francis Serrano
Former Marketing Director
WEKAF USA
2006-2008




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Constantly Improving

Its been hard trying to market FMASCHOOL.com, difficult because I am my own worst client. As someone with marketing experience, I know that its crucial that I follow up with any and all contacts I
might have made in my events. It's important to have a booth ready to go with staff ready to answer any questions that might arise. But it is also important to get their contact info. Just giving them my flyer or business care won't do any good. It is up to the vendor to follow up. I know this, and any marketing person worth his salt knows this. But I can't seem to do it. Maybe this is what keeps me from success. My own lack of follow through?

So with that to any and all who wants to market anything. Showing up isn't good enough anymore, its showing up everyday is what counts. Push for it and never give up on your dream.

Francis




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New Testament Survey

Last night (11/04) I started my second class at Vanguard University and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Last night again the Lord reconfirmed that Vanguard is the right place. But its kinda sad and scary at the same time that I only have 4
more weeks of class left. I don't even have time to adjust to it. But at the same time I don't have time to get bored. I have to just fix my student loans stuff. Pray for me.


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God Answering

On September 27, 2010 the Serrano house went through an upheaval Sunday morning. Finding a boy in my niece's room is surely something that this uncle wasn't prepared for.

But that is not what this blog is about. This blog is about doing what is right even when it betrays even myself. Surely this was a test from God. To have this same boy whom I just kicked out of the house invite back because he had nowhere else to go.

All throughout my thought process I kept pushing and pushing for let this BOY deal with his own problem. But Jesus was talking to me the whole time where He drown out my own voice and kept reminding me of my Christian Duties from my conscious aka GOD. Then if that wasn't enough I saw a license plate that said God Loves U and that was it.

Well he's staying with us. But I know God will not forsake us.


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