Likability is the art of business networking

Life is all about the relationships that we build with those around us, be it on a personal or business level. This relationship is what helps develop or weaken our network with others. A quote sums this up perfectly – “Our net worth depends not in the wealth we have but the network we have” – and there’s a lot to learn from this. If you reflect on this, it’s easy to understand that networking is basically the way we forge new relationships and finally, it comes down to liking someone or making them like you.

Similarly, business networking is all about cultivating and nurturing relationships. The goal isn’t to connect with others for short term results; rather, the focus should be to build trust and attain mutual benefits through stable, long-term relationships.

From what I have learned, there is a golden rule when it comes to networking and this is in the way you interact with others during any networking event. In such a gathering, try to recognize what people tend to like, identify the characteristics and specialties of the people you meet and learn more about those around you by observing them. While likeability differs from person to person, the basic rule remains pretty much the same. If you want to become a smart networker, then you should make people like you. It’s just that simple.

Or is it?

There are some basic aspects of likeability that can be condensed into a few observations and I’ll be discussing them here:

To be authentic, you have to be focus on simplicity. 

You can never get people to like you if you aren’t true to yourself. If you want to be likeable, you should be genuine and treat people with the same attitude. Learn to help people and approach them without any biases. While everyone will obviously have their own attitudes, beliefs and ideologies, be sure to maintain your own authenticity. Don’t try to be what you’re not – just be who you are.

“The beauty of the law of authenticity is in its simplicity: Don’t try, just be”.

If you can’t be authentic, don’t be there

We have all faced situations where we just had to go to an event although we genuinely didn’t want to. So if you find yourself in a similar spot, then it’s better that you skip such events where you fell you can’t be authentic. A person’s authenticity will become visible when you make choices that you want to or not when you make forced choices. Being genuine is the only way to build meaningful relationships with others.

Consistency and confidence in communication

Let’s face it – talking to something who is fake just makes you want to walk out of the conversation and this is true to everyone. When the body language is not in sync with the words, then it’s hard for others to listen to you. As far as networking is concerned, there are three aspects which will make you more likeable to others. This is also known as the three Vs:

1. Verbal – The choice of words
2. Vocal – The tone of your voice
3. Visual – Your body language

Always remembers these three Vs whenever you’re communicating with anyone. Maintain the same message across your words, tone and body language and this will make you a more genuine individual inside out.

Psychologists have backed this up too. Albert Mehrabian, a psychologist says that a person will like another individual based on 7% verbal, 38% vocal and 55% visual. This naturally means that your choice of words will have no effect if your speech is not backed up with a pleasing tone and body language.

The bottom line is that ‘It’s not in what you say but in howyou say it’.

Being curious is good and asking questions helps maintain good conversations 

Picking up a conversation with a total stranger can be frightful for many people. Even when the silence might feel deafening, we avoid talking if we don’t know what to talk or out of fear of saying something stupid. So if you don’t know what to say but want to break the ice, then show some genuine curiosity about another person in a healthy way.

Asking something about his/her interests, hobbies, likes and so on is a wonderful way to get started on a conversation. However, bear in mind that the effectiveness of your conversation will depend largely on the type of questions you ask. There are two ways of asking:

1. Asking open ended questions
2. Asking probing questions

Open ended questions are a great way of starting a conversation. For example, if you’re attending a training program, you could simply ask the person sitting beside you, “Hey, how did you get to know about this program?” This will encourage the other person to give you a response and build a conversation.

On the other hand, if you ask the person sitting next to you, “Did you get to know about this event on the newspapers?”, then he/she would simply say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and that would be the end of it. So if you want to hold a conversation, stick to asking open ended questions.

As far as probing questions are concerned, this makes for great follow-ups to the questions you have asked previously. This falls into three categories:

1. Clarifying questions. For example, “Do you mean….?”
2. Rational questions. For example, “I’m curious as to why you think that ….?”
3. Expansion probes. For example, “Please elaborate….

You see, curiosity may have killed the cat, but I can tell it never killed a conversation!

Good conversation is about being a good listener

When speaking about having a conversation, we tend to think about what we should talk most the time. But did you know that having good listening skills can enhance conversations too? As far as business networking is concerned, there are three levels of listening:

1. Inward listening- This is the basic level of listening where you listen to what the other person says and relate that to your own experience. For instance, if a person tells you, “I love Indian food”, you may answer “Me too!” or “I actually prefer Chinese”.
2. Outward listening- This is where you relate what you hear to what you know about that particular subject. For example, if someone tells you “I love Indian food”, you could respond by saying, “That’s interesting. Why do you like it? Did you go to any good Indian place recently?” This way, you can hold a prolonged conversation and get to know about the other person’s likes, interests and perspectives.
3. Intuitive listening- This focuses on not only the words but also the tone, voice, body language and even the energy. When someone tells you that he/she loves Indian food, you could reply in an enthusiastic or genuinely curious way by saying, “You really seem to love it! Thinking of maybe visiting India to try more of their awesome food?

Elaborate on similarities

As social beings, we humans are naturally comforted by what we know and finding similar subjects of interest to talk about will make your partner more comfortable with you. This will enhance their likeability and increase their comfort level with you. This way, the conversation flows without any difficulty.

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going

It was five thirty in the morning and I was rudely awakened by the sound of my alarm clock. I knew I had to go the gym, but I was tempted to lie down for a little longer. There were days when I greeted the morning alarm by hitting the snooze button until I eventually postponed the gym but thankfully, I had changed this habit two years back and now, instead of hitting snooze, I start the day by counting down five..four…three..two..one. In fact, I jump off from the bed to go to gym now before I have the time to change my mind.

Being an entrepreneur is pretty much like that. It’s always about learning new things, adapting to new changes and getting used to new habits. And so while I was driving to the gym, I thought of writing my long awaited blog post by adding some of the useful habits I learned over a few year in the hope that it might help some people out there.

 

Habit 1 : Five second rule

This is a simple rule which prevents you from acting on detrimental urges. This rule simply distracts you from your anxieties and redirects your attention to what you should be doing, instead of submitting to instantly gratifying urges. By continually doing this, you can break the negative cycle and create new and better habits. Personally for me, even in terms of dealing with workplace conflicts, irresponsible workforce etc, this rule helps and gives me time to think and react positively to control the environment.

 

Habit 2 : Writing everything you want to do

If you want to reach any goal, write it down as this makes it easier to achieve the goal easily. It’s important that all the goals are very precise. Rather than saying I want money, you should say I want exactly this particular amount to start a business.

Being so specific might sound extreme, but if you want to achieve your goals, you need to know what exactly you want. When I look at my goals for the year 2017, I was very precise about my travel to countries. I had written that I want to travel to four countries and even made a point to mention the countries as well and did the same by visiting India, Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore. Before 2017, I didn’t get enough chances to travel with my new ventures, but with the new team set up, I wanted to begin my travel diary which I actually did. This will help you to recognize opportunities that will help you to reach your goals.

 

Habit 3 : Give and take

I have met so many people in my life, and we all know people who seem to care only about themselves in business as they completely disregarding the needs of others. They are the takers and they are self-centered by focusing only on what benefits they can get from others. Givers, on the other hand, are driven by the desire to help others and create success in the group.

When I started my own venture, of course the mind always thinks about the business, how to get more clients, how to achieve more sales revenue, how to take clients from competitors and so on and franky, the entire thought circles around focusing on ourselves. By being the part of a global community called BNI (Business Network International), which is based on the philosophy of givers gain, the concept is that when you give business, more business comes around. I started helping others in business without expecting a return. This habit now launched me into opening up the venture in Cambodia and Vietnam by exploring new business opportunities and creating new contacts ad network.

Habit 4 – Not worrying too much about what others think

No matter what path you follow in life and no matter what business you do, there will always be some people who try to make your life more complicated. Or to put it simply, there’s always a jerk in every group.

So how do we deal with this uncomfortable truth? Well, there’s only one thing you can do: accept that jerks will be jerks and deal with them.

When you start worrying about what others think, you are simply losing your real potential. In business or in normal life, there are so many factors that influences a forward move. When you are doing the right things in life, not worrying about what others think is a better way to perform. When our brain starts thinking about others – which is often not something positive – it takes subjective assumption about their thoughts and starts worrying about it. Avoiding this unwanted strain can make your life easy and allow you to move forward towards your goals.

 

Habit 5 – Being radically candid with the staff and coworkers

Being radically candor develops strong and beneficial relationship with your staff members. Running a small organization with a small team requires lots of personal attention towards employees. Knowing them personally well is crucial for any small business success. It is very important to establish personal relationship that proves that you genuinely care. This means opening up, sharing and talking about more than just business. With this, you can always challenge their talent by giving them more responsibility to take risk.

 

Habit 6- Controlled breathing to overcome fear

As entrepreneurs and business owners, we always get a chance to present ourselves in front of a group of decision makers or in front of a larger audience and take tough decisions which creates a fear. But the techniques I follow to overcome my fear whenever I feel something challenging me is that I always take a deep breath which eases out the fear. This is a great technique to overcome anxiety and fear.

 

Habit 7 – At any cost do not point people’s mistakes

Pointing out people mistakes doesn’t encourage them to change their behavior, and it certainly doesn’t help them to learn anything. This is because most people are not primarily driven by reason but rather by emotion.

The person to whom you point out the mistake won’t really listen to what you’re saying because they will feel attacked and their natural reaction will be to immediately defend their own position by fighting back. This will also make others like you less in the long run. Benjamin Franklin claimed that the secret of his success was to “speak ill of no man.”

Pointing out someone’s mistake is easy, but it takes character to be understanding and to forgive others for their mistakes and shortcomings.

 

Habit 8- Show your appreciation frequently

 How can you get someone to do you a favor? You must ensure that they want to do it. And how is that possible? You must motivate the other person with a simple reward: your sincere appreciation.

One of the strongest drivers of human behavior is the desire to be appreciated by others. We all like being complimented and hearing we’re doing a good job.

 

Habit 9 – Forget about arguments

Never tell others they are wrong – whenever you tell they are wrong that will naturally offend them and by telling this, you are basically saying “I’m smarter than you:. Their feelings will be hurt, and they will want to retaliate.

To get the other person to reevaluate their view, it’s much more effective to be humble and open-minded.for example I always use the words “Correct me if I’m wrong”, or “I thought differently but I might be wrong”, etc.

That’s end of part one and all these points I have mentioned are necessarily not the perfect techniques, but during my day to day life, these techniques have helped me to overcome lots of issues and to handle people effectively. Until I finish writing part 2, good bye for now.

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going”

ប្រឈមនឹងភាពងងឹត មុននឹងឃើញពន្លឺ

ជីវិត គឺពោរពេញទៅដោយភាពប្រែប្រួល និងការផ្លាស់ប្តូរ រីឯក្នុងអាជីវកម្មក៏មិនខុសគ្នាដែរ។ ជាក់ស្តែង ជីវិតរបស់សហគ្រិន គឺជាផ្លូវធ្វើដំណើរដ៏វែងឆ្ងាយមួយ ហើយមនុសភាគច្រើនយល់ថាជាការលំបាក ទើបត្រូវសំរេចចិត្តបោះបង់ទាំងកណ្តាលផ្លូវ។ រឿងមួយដែលខ្ញុំបានសិក្សា គឺថាការក្លាយជាសហគ្រិនម្នាក់មិនមែនជាភាពងាយស្រួលឡើយ។ ប្រឈមនឹងបញ្ហាជាច្រើន ការបោះបង់គឺរឿងងាយស្រួល ប៉ុន្តែចិត្តមួយនឹងប្រាប់អ្នកថា បរាជ័យគឺជាការចាប់ផ្តើមនៃជីវិតអាជីវកម្ម ដែលមិនគួរឲ្យជឿ។ អាជីវកម្ម គឺថាមពលនៃកំលាំង និងការតស៊ូ សម្រាប់អ្នកដែល​មិនព្រមបោះបង់ ក្នុងស្ថានភាពដែលលំបាកបំផុត។ ជារឿងរ៉ាវនៃអ្នកតស៊ូរស់រាន និងអ្នកឈ្នះ ដែលខ្ញុំគួរដឹង។ ហើយខ្ញុំក៏មានបទពិសោធន៍ផ្ទាល់ខ្លួន នៃរឿងរ៉ាវទាំងពីរ ដើម្បីចែករំលែកដល់អ្នកគ្រប់គ្នាដែរ។

មនុស្សម្នាក់ៗមានក្តីសុបិន្តនិងគោលដៅរបស់ខ្លួន ទៅតាមកាលៈទេសៈ ឱកាស និងព្រេងសំណាង​រៀងៗខ្លួន។ អ្នកខ្លះចង់ធ្វើជាវេជ្ជបណ្ឌិត អ្នកខ្លះចង់ធ្វើជាគ្រូបង្រៀន ឯអ្នកខ្លះទៀតចង់ក្លាយជាគណនេយ្យករ ជាដើម។ តែធ្លាប់សម្គាល់ឃើញទេ តើមានអ្នកណាខ្លះ ដែលចង់ក្លាយទៅជាសហគ្រិន? ក៏ព្រោះតែជំនាញនេះ វាមានការផ្សងព្រេង និងប្រថុយប្រថានខ្លាំង។ ទាំងគណនេយ្យករ ទាំងគ្រូបង្រៀន ទាំងគ្រូពេទ្យសុទ្ធតែអាចដំណើរការនៅក្នុងអាជីពរបស់ពួកគេ។ ចំណែកសហគ្រិនវិញ ម៉េចក៏ត្រូវបោះបង់អាជីវកម្មរបស់ខ្លួនចោល?

ហេតុផលទីមួយ ភាពភ័យខ្លាច នៃការទទួលបានបរាជ័យ។ “ដួល ៧ដង ក្រោក ៨ដង” នេះជាសុភាសិតដ៏ល្បីរបស់ជប៉ុន ដែលប្រជាជនជប៉ុនរស់នៅពឹងផ្អែកលើឃ្លាមួយនេះ។ ហេតុនេះហើយ បានជាប្រទេសជប៉ុនក្លាយមកជាប្រទេសដែលជោគជ័យ។ បរាជ័យ គឺជាផ្នែកមួយនៃជីវិត បើអ្នកមិនធ្លាប់ជួបបរាជ័យ មានន័យថា អ្នកមិនធ្លាប់សាកអ្វីថ្មី។ បើអ្នកចង់ធ្វើអ្វីខ្លាំង ធ្វើវាទៅ ទុកភាពភ័យខ្លាច និងអសុវត្ថិភាពមួយដុំ ហើយព្យាយាមធ្វើរហូតបានទៅដល់ចំនុចដែលអ្នកចង់បាន។ 

ហេតុផលទីពីរ ភាពភ័យខ្លាច នៃការទទួលរងការរិះគន់អំពីសង្គម។ "តើមានអ្វីកើតឡើងបើខ្ញុំបរាជ័យ?" "តើមានអ្វីកើតឡើងបើទំនាក់ទំនងរបស់ខ្ញុំទាមទារឱ្យខ្ញុំបោះបង់ចោលមុខជំនួញរបស់ខ្ញុំ?" "តើមានអ្វីកើតឡើងបើសិនជាមានអ្នកខ្លះនិយាយថាខ្ញុំនៅក្មេងខ្ចីពេកសម្រាប់ប្រកបអាជីវកម្ម?" ។ សំនួរទាំងអស់នេះ នឹងស្ថិតនៅក្នុងគំនិតរបស់អ្នក ប៉ុន្តែអ្នកត្រូវតែមានភាពរឹងមាំល្មម ដែលអាចនឹងប្រឈមដោះស្រាយវាបាន។

ខ្ញុំចូលចិត្តអានអំពីរឿងរ៉ាវនៃការបំផុសគំនិត ហើយក្នុងចំណោមរឿងរ៉ាវទាំងនោះ ខ្ញុំបានដកស្រង់នូវពាក្យមួយឃ្លាដែលខ្ញុំចូលចិត្ត គឺពាក្យសម្តីមួយឃ្លារបស់លោក Bill Cosby-បាននិយាយថា "ដើម្បីទទួលបានជោគជ័យ បំណងប្រាថ្នារបស់អ្នកដើម្បីទទួលបានភាពជោគជ័យនោះ គួរតែខ្លាំងខ្លាជាងការភ័យខ្លាចរបស់អ្នក នៃការទទួលបានបរាជ័យ" ។ នេះគឺជាគោលគំនិតដែលខ្ញុំយកមកអនុវត្ត​ សម្រាប់ជីវិតការរស់នៅរបស់ខ្ញុំ។ សម្រាប់អ្នកគ្រប់គ្នា ដែលកំពុងធ្វើការតស៊ូដើម្បីបង្កើតកេរ្មិ៍ឈ្មោះល្អនៅក្នុងមុខជំនួញ សូមអានរឿងរ៉ាវរបស់ខ្ញុំ ដែលនិយាយអំពីជីវិតសហគ្រិនរបស់ខ្ញុំ ក្នុងនោះមាននិយាយអំពីបញ្ហាប្រឈមនានា ដែលខ្ញុំធ្លាប់បានប្រឈមមុខ មុនពេលខ្ញុំបានបង្កើតក្រុមហ៊ុនអេប៉ីទប។ https://ragulan.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/life-as-an-entrepreneur/ 
តើវាយ៉ាងណាវិញ ចំពោះអ្នកដែលមិនមានភាពភ័យខ្លាច នៃការទទួលបានបរាជ័យ និងភាពភ័យខ្លាច នៃការទទួលរងការរិះគន់អំពីសង្គម? ចំណែកហេតុផលទី៣ គឺជាការខ្វះមូលធនដើម្បីចាប់ផ្តើមធ្វើអាជីវកម្ម។

យ៉ាងហោចណាស់យើងធ្លាប់បានអាចរឿងមួយ ស្ដីពីក្លាយពីអ្នកក្រតោកយាក ទៅជាអ្នកមាន ឥឡូវនេះខ្ញុំនឹងរៀបរាប់រឿងរ៉ាវបីរបស់មនុស្ស ដែលមានសមតុល្យធនាគារ 0(សូន្យ) ហើយតើពួកគេធ្វើដូចម្តេចទើបក្លាយខ្លួនទៅជាមហាសេដ្ឋីដូចនៅសព្វថ្ងៃនេះ។ យើងមិនចាំបាច់មើលទៅណាឆ្ងាយក្រៅពីប្រទេសដ៏តូច របស់យើងទេ។ H.K Dharmadasa ឬត្រូវបានគេស្គាល់ច្បាស់ថាជា 'Nawaloka Mudalali' ។ គាត់បានចាកចេញពីផ្ទះរបស់គាត់នៅអាយុ13ឆ្នាំ ក្នុងពេលនោះគាត់មានលុយតែ75សេននៅក្នុងហោប៉ៅរបស់គាត់ប៉ុណ្ណោះ ។ សព្វថ្ងៃនេះគាត់ បានក្លាយជាបុគ្គលម្នាក់ក្នុងចំណោមបុគ្គល ដែលមានបុគ្គលិកលក្ខណៈកំពូលក្នុងវិស័យជំនួញក្នុងប្រទេស ហើយគាត់ក៏ជាមនុស្សម្នាក់ក្នុងចំណោមអ្នកគាំទ្រដ៏អស្ចារ្យបំផុតរបស់​ប្រទេសស្រីលង្កាទៀតផង។ ឧទាហរណ៍ជាកស្តែង ដូចជា គាត់បានបង្កើតមន្ទីរពេទ្យឈ្មោះ Nawaloka ហើយសព្វថ្ងៃនេះមន្ទីរពេទ្យនេះប្រែក្លាយទៅជាមន្ទីរពេទ្យមួយ ដែលល្អបំផុតក្នុងប្រទេស។

ឧទាហរណ៍មួយទៀតគឺ Mark Cuban ដែលជាពាណិជ្ជករ និងអ្នកវិនិយោគិនអាមេរិចដ៏ល្បីល្បាញ ដែលជាម្ចាស់នៃ ក្រុមហ៊ុន Dallas Mavericks របស់ NBA និង Magnolia Pictures និងជាប្រធានទូរទស្សន៍ AXS ។ គាត់បានបង្ហោះអត្ថបទមួយ ដែលអាចនឹងធ្វើឱ្យសហគ្រិនរាប់ពាន់នាក់នៅជុំវិញពិភពលោកមានអារម្មណ៍ភ្ញាក់ផ្អើលយ៉ាងខ្លាំង ដោយខ្លឹមសារក្នុងអត្ថបទនោះបានសរសេរថា "វាគឺនៅក្នុងខែវិច្ឆិកា​ដែលត្រូវនឹងកាលបរិច្ឆេទ ពេលនេះ ដោយកាលនោះខ្ញុំមានអាយុ 27 ឆ្នាំ តាមការចងចាំរបស់ខ្ញុំ ពេលនោះខ្ញុំកំពុងសម្លឹងមើលសាច់ប្រាក់ នៅក្នុងគណនេយ្យធនាគារ ដែលមានចំនួន 0 ដុល្លា(សូន្យដុល្លា) នៅលើម៉ាស៊ីនអេធីអឹម ... ​​"

ឧទាហរណ៍ចុងក្រោយ គឺជារឿងរបស់ដេមម៉នចន ដែលជាសហគ្រិនអាមេរិច បុគ្គលិកលក្ខណៈទូរទស្សន៍ អ្នកនិពន្ធ និងអ្នកនិយាយ ដែលគាត់កំពុងរង់ចាំតុនៅភោជនីយដ្ឋានមួយដើម្បីទទួលយកប្រាក់ មុនពេលដែលគាត់ទទួលបានទឹកប្រាក់សុទ្ធចំនួន 300 លានដុល្លារ។

តាមរយៈតួយ៉ាងខាងលើ អ្នកត្រូវយល់ថា កុំឱ្យព្រោះតែកង្វះមូលធន ហើយធ្វើអោយអ្នកត្រូវបញ្ឈប់ជំនួញរបស់ខ្លួន ។ ជាទូទៅអ្នកអាចធ្វើការរៃអង្គាសមូលនិធិពីអ្នកវិនិយោគ ឬមួយអាចចាប់ផ្តើមប្រកបអាជីវកម្មមួយ ដោយគា្មនការ​វិនិយោគ។ ប្រសិនបើអ្នកមានមធ្យោបាយដើម្បីទៅអោយដល់នោះ អ្នកនឹងទៅដល់គោលដៅដែលអ្នកចង់ទៅ។

ចំណែកហេតុផលទី៤ ក្រៅពីការខ្វះមូលធនដើម្បីចាប់ផ្តើមធ្វើអាជីវកម្ម មានមនុស្សដែលមានមូលធនគ្រប់គ្រាន់សម្រាប់ធ្វើការវិនិយោគ ប៉ុន្តែពួកគាត់ក៏នៅតែបោះបង់ចោលក្ដីសុបិន្តរបស់ខ្លួននៅពាក់កណ្តាលទី ការបោះបង់ចោលរបស់ពួកគាត់ ដោយសារពួកគាត់រំពឹងថាការបណ្តាក់ទុនរបស់ពួកគាត់ នឹងទទួលបានលទ្ធផលល្អ​ត្រឡប់មកវិញយ៉ាងឆាប់រហ័ស។ អ្នកត្រូវដឹងថា ការស្ថាបនាសាងសង់អាណាចក្រមួយ វាមិនអាចធ្វើរួចក្នុងរយៈពេលតែមួយយប់បានទេ។ ប៉ុន្តែវាអាចធ្វើទៅបាន ដោយការរៀបឥដ្ឋឡើងម្តងមួយៗ - នោះហើយជារបៀបនៃការសាបនាដើម្បីសាងសង់បានអាណាចក្រមួយ។ មានន័យថាអ្នកត្រូវ​ចំណាយ​ពេល​វេលាក្នុងការស្ថាបនាវាឡើង។ មនុស្សភាគច្រើនរំពឹងថានឹងអាចរកបានប្រាក់រាប់លាន ក្នុងរយៈពេលត្រឹមតែប៉ុន្មានខែប៉ុណ្ណោះ ហើយប្រសិនបើពួកគេមិនអាចរកបានតាមការរំពឹងទុកទេនោះ ពួកគេនឹងបោះបង់ចោលនូវការរំពឹងនោះ។ ភាពជោគជ័យកើតឡើង ការបរាជ័យក៏កើតឡើងដែរ។ ដើម្បីទទួលបានជោគជ័យអ្នកត្រូវតស៊ូនិងអត់ធ្មត់ជាមួយនឹងពេលវេលា​ បន្ទាប់ពីនោះអ្នកនឹងអាចរកប្រាក់បានគ្រប់គ្រាន់ ដែលវានឹងអាចកាត់សងថ្លៃការខូចខាតខុសបំណងទាំងអស់របស់អ្នក។

"ប្រសិនបើអ្នកពិនិត្យមើលអោយបានស៊ីជម្រៅ​ ភាពជោគជ័យក្នុងពេលពេញមួយយប់ភាគច្រើន វាបានចំណាយពេលវេលាយ៉ាងយូរ" ។ - ស្ទីវចបប

ប៉ុន្តែវាជារឿងពិបាកណាស់ ហើយការបោះបង់ចោល គឺជាជម្រើសតែមួយគត់! គំនិតបែបនេះ គឺវាមិនមែនត្រឹមត្រូវទេ។ ត្រូវដឹងថាការលះបង់មិនមែនជាជម្រើសទេ។ ប៉ុន្តែវាក៏អាចជាជម្រើសមួយ សម្រាប់អ្នកដែលបរាជ័យ ព្រោះតែការបោះបង់ចោល។ ពិតណាស់ ជីវិតគឺមានការពិបាក ចំណែកជីវិតរបស់សហគ្រិនក៏ពិបាកដូចគ្នា - ខ្ញុំធ្លាប់ឆ្លងកាត់វា ទើបខ្ញុំដឹងពីវា។ ប៉ុន្តែសូមកុំបោះបង់ចោល ទោះបីវាមើលទៅឃើញថាពិបាកណាស់ - ប៉ុន្តែអ្នកត្រូវរប្រាប់ខ្លួនឯងថា អ្នកមិនអាចបោះបង់ចោលបានទេ ហើយសូមធ្វើឱ្យបំណងប្រាថ្នាដើម្បីទទួលបានភាពជោគជ័យ ជួយជំរុញអ្នករហូតដល់ក្លាយជាអ្នកឈ្នះនៅទីបំផុត។ សូមជឿលើខ្ញុំចុះ ការធ្វើដំណើររបស់អ្នកនឹងមានតម្លៃនៅទីបញ្ចប់។

សូមសម្លឹងមើលបែបនេះ ព្រួញមួយគេអាចបាញ់វាបាន ដោយការទាញវាទៅក្រោយប៉ុណ្ណោះ។ ដូច្នេះនៅពេលដែលជីវិតកំពុងអូសទាញអ្នកឲ្យត្រឡប់មករកការលំបាក គឺវាមានន័យថា វាកំពុងតែរុញច្រានអ្នកទៅរកអ្វីមួយដែលកាន់តែអស្ចារ្យ។ ដូចនេះអ្នកត្រូវតែចេះផ្តោតអារម្មណ៍ និងរក្សាអោយបាននូវគោលដៅរបស់ខ្លួន!

ខ្ញុំដឹងថា នឹងមានពេលវេលាមួយដែលសមតុល្យប្រាក់ក្នុងគណនេយ្យរបស់អ្នក អាចធ្លាក់ចុះដល់លេខសូន្យ ពេលនោះអ្នកនឹងឈឺក្បាលគេងមិនលក់ ទទួលរងការបដិសេធ ប៉ះពាល់ដល់បញ្ហាទំនាក់ទំនង រហូតដល់ការបែកបាក់គ្នា។ ទាំងអស់នេះគឺជារឿងធម្មតានៅក្នុងជីវិតរបស់សហគ្រិនម្នាក់។ មនុស្សជាច្រើនបោះបង់ចោលក្តីសុបិន្តក្នុងមុខជំនួញរបស់ពួកគេដើម្បីរក្សាចំណងមិត្តភាព ប៉ុន្តែអ្វីៗទាំងអស់វានឹងធ្លាក់មកលើអ្នកឥឡូវនេះ - សូមធ្វើការសម្រេចចិត្តដោយប្រើប្រាជ្ញា។

កុំប្រៀបធៀបអាជីវកម្មរបស់អ្នកជាមួយអាជីវកម្មរបស់អ្នកដទៃ។ អ្នកគឺមានតែមួយគត់ ចំណែកអាជីវកម្មរបស់អ្នកក៏ដូច្នេះដែរ សូមកុំធ្វើការប្រៀបធៀបគ្នា។ ព្រោះការធ្វើដំណើររបស់អ្នក សម្រាប់តែខ្លួនអ្នកម្នាក់គត់ ដូចនេះសូមកុំអនុញ្ញាតឱ្យអ្នកដទៃមកបំបាក់ទឹកចិត្តអ្នក។ ទោះបីជាអ្នកមិនមានជំនាញត្រឹមត្រូវក៏ដោយ តែអ្នកនឹងអាចអភិវឌ្ឍវាបានទាន់ពេលវេលា។ អ្វីទាំងអស់នេះ គឺអាចបង្ហាញអំពីជីវិតរបស់សហគ្រិនម្នាក់ ដែល​ត្រូវសម្របខ្លួនទៅនឹងការផ្លាស់ប្តូរ។

ដើម្បីទទួលបានជោគជ័យក្នុងមុខជំនួញរបស់អ្នក អ្នកត្រូវតែមានភាពច្នៃប្រឌិតថ្មី រក្សាទំនាក់ទំនងរឹងមាំ និងទំនាក់ទំនងផ្ទាល់ខ្លួនជាមួយអតិថិជនរបស់អ្នក។ កុំមើលស្រាលលក្ខណៈពិសេសណាមួយនៃអាជីវកម្មរបស់អ្នក។ អ្វីដែលអ្នកឃើញជាទិដ្ឋភាពតូចមួយអាចមានផលប៉ះពាល់យ៉ាងធំធេងចំពោះមុខជំនួញរបស់អ្នក។ វាអាចនឹងមានការសោកស្តាយមួយចំនួន ដែលកើតឡើងនៅក្នុងការធ្វើដំណើរអាជីវកម្មរបស់អ្នកផងដែរ ប៉ុន្តែប្រសិនបើអ្នករស់នៅក្នុងអតីតកាល អ្នកនឹងមិនអាចមើលទៅឃើញអនាគត។ ចូរយកឧបសគ្គទាំងអស់ជាខ្សែកោងសម្រាប់ធ្វើការសិក្សា ហើយត្រូវដឹងថាប្រសិនបើគ្មានការឈឺចាប់ទេ វាក៏គ្មានការចំណេញឡើយ។

ខ្ញុំពិតជាស្រឡាញ់រូបភាពនេះណាស់ ព្រោះវាសង្ខេបពីអ្វីដែលខ្ញុំបាននិយាយនៅទីនេះ អ្នកគ្មានថ្ងៃដឹងថាអ្នកបានចូលទៅកៀកក្បែរភាពជោគជ័យកំរិតណានោះទេ នៅពេលដែលអ្នកបោះបង់ចោល។ និយាយប្រាក់ខ្លួនឯងថា "វាគ្រាន់តែនៅសល់បន្តិចបន្តួចទៀតប៉ុណ្ណោះ" ហើយអ្នកនឹងទៅដល់គោលដៅរបស់ខ្លួន។ សូមបន្តរក្សាការផ្តោតអារម្មណ៍លើគោលដៅ ហើយនឹងមានថ្ងៃមួយ ភាពជោគជ័យដែលអ្នកកំពុងរង់ចាំនឹងក្លាយជារបស់អ្នក។

ពេលខ្លះអ្វីដែលយើងមើលឃើញថា វាជាការជំនុំជម្រះដ៏អាក្រក់បំផុតរបស់យើង បានក្លាយទៅជាអ្វីដែលយើងត្រូវការនៅក្នុងពេលនោះ ដើម្បីជួយយើងអោយក្លាយជាមនុស្សរឹងមាំ និងមនុស្សឆ្លាតវៃជាងមុន។ យើងទាំងអស់គ្នាមានចំណែកនៃបញ្ហារបស់យើងនៅក្នុងក្រុមហ៊ុនរបស់យើង ហើយដោយសារបញ្ហាទាំងអស់នេះ ទើប​យើងបានរីកចម្រើន។ នៅចុងបញ្ចប់នៃជីវិត ជីវិតគឺលំបាកណាស់យើងត្រូវតែទទួលយកវា។ សម្រាប់អ្នកខ្លះប្រហែលជាពិបាកខ្លាំង ហើយវានឹងមានឧបសគ្គជានិច្ច។ អ្នកអាចមើលមនុស្សជោគជ័យរួចហើយឆ្ងល់ថាតើពួកគេអាធ្វើវាបានដូចម្តេច។ ប៉ុន្តែការពិតវាជាញឹកញាប់ ដែលយើងមើលស្រាលសមត្ថភាពរបស់ខ្លួនឯង។ អ្នកក៏អាចមានវានៅក្នុងខ្លួនរបស់អ្នកផងដែរ គ្រាន់តែសូមអោយអ្នកកុំបោះបង់ចោល​។ ឆ្លងកាត់បញ្ហាប្រឈមវានឹងធ្វើអោយអ្នករីកចម្រើន ឆ្លងកាត់រាល់ការសំរេចជ្រើសរើសវានឹងប្រែក្លាយអ្នកអោយទៅជាមនុស្សឆ្លាតវៃជាងមុន ហើយឆ្លងកាត់ឧបសគ្គក្នុងជីវិតវានឹងធ្វើអោយអ្នកកាន់តែរ៉ឹងមាំ។ ជាចុងបញ្ចប់ នៅពេលដែលអ្នកឈានដល់ភាពជោគជ័យ អ្នកនឹងក្រឡេកមកមើលផ្លូវខាងក្រោយដែលអ្នកបានធ្វើដំណើរ  ហើយអ្នកនឹងប្រាប់ខ្លួនឯងដោយមោទនភាព និងស្នាដៃ "គឺខ្ញុំនឹងហើយដែលបានធ្វើវា ហើយ វាមានតម្លៃលើសអ្វីគ្រប់យ៉ាង។

Refer the english version here - https://ragulan.wordpress.com/2016/11/08/face-the-darkness-before-the-dawn/

Biggest Business Trends That Will Drive Success In 2018

With everything – from technology to lifestyle – moving at such a rapid pace, trends are naturally bound to crop up. And in terms of business, it’s always wise to think about the years ahead so you can plan your strategies and goals and therefore, beat your competitors to the finishing line. In a nutshell, it can improve your business in more ways than one and it can definitely give you a leg up. The last thing you need is to lag behind in the fierce rat race of the corporate world.

In 2018, it’s all about the bold and innovative moves that leading companies in the world are looking to implement. As of now, some of these trends are mere observations while others have already taken root. In this article, we take a look at the top business trends to watch out for in 2018.

Artificial Intelligence will drive customer experience

When we think of AI (Artificial Intelligence), we usually think of dehumanizing interactions when in fact, this is far from reality. AI experts point out that there are three levels of machine learning which is where machines do the tasks humans would usually do, machine learning in which machines learn on their own and deep learning where machine learning chains together to richer learning.

Leading companies in the world are already embracing the concept of AI and how it can process large amounts of data, perform repeated tasks and so on with minimum hassle. In fact, AI is becoming a norm for practical consumer experiences. All in all, AI is not a futuristic concept but it’s something that can certainly help a business by making a range of tools and technologies available and accessible.

Live interactions on Social Media

Since we are so glued on to our smartphones, we tend to think that social media interaction is a lot better than in-person interactions but top companies in the world have realized that building good communities translates to long-term brand loyalty. Nothing can create a stronger community than live or in-person interactions. This is why live videos are more engaging than a recorded video and we can understand its popularity through Facebook Live and Instagram Live Stories.

A truly smart business will be quick to realize that technology and social media does not have to replace in-person interactions; it only makes the interactions more valuable. Since most of your consumers are already connected in the virtual world, having in-person interactions can be fairly easy.

More remote team will be available

Remote work has expanded greatly in popularity and a lot of people are now choosing to telecommute or work online and it’s easy to see why since they can set up their own schedule and work at their own pace. In America alone, 43% of employed Americans spend some time working remotely and in almost all industries, the percentage of people who work from home have increased dramatically and companies are leveraging on the power of remote work. In fact, having virtual workers has become a huge trend now.

One reason for this is that companies can now hire skilled workers from across the world and it also makes employees more productive, loyal and happy. Start-up businesses, in particular, are hiring a good number of remote workers since it creates a better environment for people to work in, which in turns makes the business perform better. The reason for this is that today’s workplace can be very distracting and working from home eliminates this issue. Besides, start-up businesses don’t need to have a physical location so they don’t have to worry about having to pay any rent thereby significantly reducing business costs.

Wages and more will be on the rise

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, HR managers should expect a 3% increase in wages in all sectors and high demand jobs that include physical therapy, healthcare, virtual reality, drone technology and engineering can also expect an increased wage.

Since talented workers would naturally seek benefits, a good salary, flexibility and autonomy, companies should realize that they should increase wages of employees if they want their star performers to remain in their workforce.

Social learning will become more popular than remote learning

With more professionals now working remotely, companies have worked out creative ways to keep them connected and help them develop their talents outside the office. One such way among corporate training programs is social learning.

Social learning is the process of learning through peer social interaction which takes place in informal one-to-one encounters between teams in the course of real-time problem solving, communities, social softwares and so on by sharing their experiences, asking questions and engaging with each other. 50% of companies are already using social learning in some way and two thirds plan to use it in the future. Since social learning promotes autonomy and self-direction, it can increase learner engagement.

Marketing will become more interactive

Marketing is interactive as it already is but in 2018, it’s only going to be get more so. The bottom line in marketing is to get people’s attention and the only way you can do that is by earning it. Getting the attention of your customers is not easy given the fact that you’re bombarded with as many as thousands of advertisements every day. And standing out from the crowd is definitely challenging.

One way in which marketers can combat this competition is by using more interactive methods of marketing. As opposed to TV commercials where viewers cannot interact with the ad, other marketing venues such as Twitter marketing allows customers to interact with the company, paving way for two-way conversation.

Consumers have great control today so the only way you can please them is by interacting with them well. Manipulating or tricking them to buying your products just won’t work and if you want you brand to be recognized, you have to earn it. Only then can you earn your customers’ trust.

Don’t just serve your buyers – serve your community

Customers are very savvy and sophisticated now and before they actually buy something from you, they will do all the research they can by reading online reviews and asking for recommendations online. This is why companies should start thinking in terms of their community and reach out to audience who are not their customers as yet.

Smart companies will understand that the best thing they can do is serve their community, regardless of whether or not they are in the buying cycle. When you deliver consistent value, you are already a trusted resource for your audience.

Conclusion

If your business is not up to date with the latest trends in entrepreneurship, the time is now. While you should be aware of your business, keep an eye open for the latest trends too and it’s always a good idea to conduct competitor research so you can look at your competition and see what you can do to stay ahead of the game. Don’t stay in the dark about what’s new in the world of business. Rather, take some time out to look into the trends so you business can implement them for greater success.

New Year with hopes and dreams……..

My journey at Epitom has been an epic one, right from the moment we officially started it in January 2011 up until today. When I started the company, I had high ambitions but to see how far the brand has grown today truly humbles me. With a relatively short period of time, we have gained significant momentum in the industry and we have been privileged to have served many different clients under our separate segments.

As a young and a very ambitious entrepreneur, I always believed that businesses, even small ones, can build a huge brand. This was why I started out three different ventures under the brand Epitom, each dedicated to a separate area of marketing. Epitom Consulting is the consultancy portfolio where we serve entrepreneurs, both from Sri Lanka and also overseas who are looking to start their very own ventures in the country. Our consultancy services are handled by expert consultants who have a genuine passion about marketing, allowing our customers to enhance and progress their brand by taking it to great heights.

As a corporate training body, Epitom Training is another venture of mine where we offer in-depth training courses specifically designed for the Sri Lankan corporate world. Our training sessions are conducted by experienced trainers and our in-house and public workshops are designed with practical sessions too, as we help up-and-coming passionate marketers the ins and outs of the industry.

To offer a more comprehensive dimension, Epitom Trinergy is the brand that offers full service digital marketing solutions that are tailored to our individual client’s brand. The synergy of three (thus “Trinergy”), our solutions cover internet marketing, application development and web development and designing, allowing our customers to reach out to new avenues and take their business to a whole new level. Epitom Trinergy is further divided into two sub-brands which are namely Epitom Digital and Epitom Tech.

Another separate venture of mine, which is yet fairly new but highly promising, is ODD Digital, where we redefine brands and offer digitally forward solutions. Established as a brand of ODD Digital is LAR, or Life After Retirement, which is a lifestyle portal for senior citizens in Sri Lanka that offers several facets and concepts under one platform. LAR aims at educating the senior citizens of our country on many different fields and also connecting them to professionals, corporations and individuals both locally and globally.

APIDM is another venture which is an incredibly proud to be a part of. APIDM (Asia Pacific Institute of Digital Marketing) was initiated in 2009 and it an educational institute that offers professional training and qualifications in the fields of eMarketing, eCommerce, Social Media Marketing and Business Analytics. With a range of certification courses and corporate training workshop modules, APIDM possesses the best team of resource persons in this region for Digital Marketing training.

Needless to say, starting out on all these ventures were indeed and challenge and were it not for the support and help from my team and a lot of other people, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am today. I’m incredibly lucky to have a wonderful team that is passionate about the work they do, setting the perfect platform for all my ventures to create significant impact in the industry within a very short period of time.

I take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped me on my journey so far, even in the smallest ways, because for me, even small gestures can bring about a huge change so thank you so much for making it possible!

Our passion for innovation, the creative solutions that we provide to our clients and the willingness to grow ourselves with each opportunity has allowed us to create great waves in the industry within a very short span of time.

HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL TEAM PLAYER IN A CORPORATE ENVIRONMENT

We all know how competitive the corporate environment of today is. All companies are stepping up their game to stay ahead of their competitors and no corporation can afford to lag behind in this fierce race. And the only people who can ensure that a company is running successfully and is achieving the desired success are the team members. And this, particularly, includes the youngsters who are working in the corporate and public sectors.

Entering into the corporate environment is a challenge in itself and with so much of competition that revolves around this sector, the pressure to excel is paramount. This is why I believe that only those who are willing to work with passion, explore new ideas, come out of their comfort zone and push to learn and adapt should enter into the corporate or public sectors. They should work with passion and if that is lacking, then they should explore other options.

Go the extra mile

An employee who is willing to go the extra mile is a gem for any company. There aren’t many who are actually willing to put in the extra effort but those who do are an invaluable asset to an organization. I’d like to share a story that sums this up quite perfectly.

Two brothers joined a company together a few months after their graduation from university.

After a few years of work, their Manager promoted elder one to a position of Senior Sales Manager, but younger remained in his entry level Junior Sales Officer position.

He developed a sense of jealousy and disgruntlement, but continued working anyway.

One day he felt that he could not work with elder brother anymore. He wrote his resignation letter, but before he submitted it to the Manager, he complained that Management did not value hard working staff, but only promoted only the favoured!

The Manager knew that he worked very hard for the years he had spent at the company; even harder than elder one and therefore he deserved the promotion. So in order to help him to realize this, the Manager gave him a task.

“Go and find out if anyone is selling water melons in town?”

He returned and said, “yes there is someone!”

The Manager asked, “how much per kg?” He drove back to town to ask and then returned to inform the Manager; “they are Rs 13.50 per kg!”

The Manager told him, “I will give your elder brother the same task that I gave you.

So the Manager said to elder, in the presence of younger ; “Go and find out if anyone is selling water melons in town?”

He went to find out and on his return he said:”Manager, there is only one person selling water melons in the whole town. The cost is Rs 49.00 each water melon and Rs 32,50 for a half melon. He sells them at Rs 13.50 per kg when sliced. He has in his stock 93 melons, each one weighing about 7kg.

He has a farm and can supply us with melons for the next 4 months at a rate of 102 melons per day at Rs 27.00 per melon; this includes delivery. The melons appear fresh and red with good quality, and they taste better than the ones we sold last year. He has his own slicing machine and is willing to slice for us free of charge. We need to strike a deal with him before 10 a. m tomorrow and we will be sure of beating last year’s profits in melons by Rs 223 . This will contribute positively to our overall performance as it will add a minimum of 3.78% to our current overall sales target.

I have put this information down in writing and is available on spreadsheet. Please let me know if you need it as I can send it to you in fifteen minutes.”

Younger one was very impressed and realized the difference between himself and elder one . He decided not to resign but to learn from him. Let this story help us keep in mind the importance of going an extra mile in all our endeavors.

You won’t be rewarded for doing what you’re meant to do, you only get a salary for that! You’re only ​rewarded​ for going an extra mile; performing beyond expectations.

To be successful in life you must be observant, proactive and willing to do more, think more, have a more holistic perspective and go beyond the call of duty!!!

Successful people don’t simply stop with their job. They are attentive, proactive and willing to think out of the box, explore more options and go beyond the call of their duty. And this is why they achieve the success they deserve. If you, on the other hand, are content with just submitting your work and you feel it’s not your duty to do anything beyond that, then you are in fact restricting yourself from latching on to promotions and amazing new prospects.

Let me explain a scenario for you. An individual is pulling a heavily laden cart forward and it joined by another person who helps him to push it. Then comes along a person who casually tries to help them but ends up making no difference. To this group, then enters a person who actually slows down the process of pulling the cart and to add to the trouble, another person joins the group who actively tries his best to stop the cart from being pulled. Do you think that this team can be successful if there are even a couple of people involved who deter the progress of the rest? Obviously, such individuals who pose as a threat to a company’s success needs to be eliminated.

Every company has employees who fall into one of these categories:

• The Performer

He/she takes the work seriously and has a clear vision as to where to go and what direction to take and pushes towards achieving those goals. You could call them go-getters. Such people take complete responsibility of their job roles and they benefit the company greatly.

• The Highly Effective Doer

They are willing to learn, work and improve themselves. They may need a slight push and with the right training and guidance, such people will soon become a future performer.

• The Less Effective Doer

These individuals are somewhat willing to help but they don’t put in their full effort. As a result, their contributions are not making much difference to the overall results.

• PTS (Potential Trouble Source)

These are the people who alternate between helping and destroying a company and naturally, such people’s influence makes it harder for the other members to work.

• SP (Suppressive Person)

Such people are detrimental to an organization as they are actively involved in destroying the work operations. Not many managers may notice this as such people hide their deeds behind a ‘nice’ social mask. However, if undetected, such employees can be a very dangerous threat to a company.

Therefore, for a company to move positively in the path of success, destructive people should be removed from the organization and the productive ones should be encouraged and motivated to perform better. If you have a team of productive members and even if they don’t amount to a large number, they can positively contribute to a company’s overall success.

Have the right mindset

Having a mind swirling with negativity can adversely impact any work environment. Stay away from people who have a negative mindset and de-motivate others as well. Their negativity can rub on to you and destroy your performance as well.

Take calculated decisions

One wrong decision can be enough to destroy a company so always, always ensure that you take carefully calculated decisions at work. Always think in the interest of the company and be far sighted as to the outcomes of your decisions.

Focus on time management

There is a fine line between being a dedicated worker and being a workaholic. While it’s beneficial to work at your very best for your company, you need to manage your time between work and family as well. Staying late and working isn’t the right solution because that would mean abandoning your family. So ensure that there is a healthy balance between your work and family life.

Be a team player

When you join a company, it is no more only about yourself; you are now a member of an extended team and their success means your success as well. So always encourage your colleagues, be empathetic towards them and whenever possible, lend a helping hand to them.

Take the lead

If you are waiting until someone takes the lead, that time may never come, so it’s up to you to stand up and take the lead. If you have an idea that can help your company, then take the initiative and let your manager know about it.

10 IDEAS TO KICK-START YOUR VERY OWN SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS – Set 5

Entering the world of business is very challenging but the fruits of labor that come with establishing a business is truly worth it when we see the rewards of our work. In today’s dynamic business world, more people are considering starting a home-based business and for good reasons too. It’s a calculated risk to take but one that could very well pay off. Below, I have compiled a list of some creative business ideas that have the potential to become a flourishing investment in Sri Lanka. Most of the below mentioned businesses can actually be started by anyone and would require a certain level of specialized knowledge in that specific designation but it could certainly take you on the right path or even inspire another business idea in you.

1. Human Generated Electricity

nPower PEG was the very first human powered charger for devices in the world. It uses kinetic energy that we create as we walk or run or even move around, thereby giving us 100% green electricity whenever we need it. In Sri Lanka in particular, where the electricity bills are constantly on the rise, there is no doubt that something like this could actually be a massive hit among fitness enthusiasts, those looking to cut down on additional costs and for anyone who are passionate about going green.

2. Incredibly sturdy butcher blocks

Housewives would certainly relate to the scenario of purchasing a wooden block for kitchen use and then having to discard it soon due to the lack of quality. Owing to this, people are willing to pay more if it means that the product will be both, durable and beautiful. If you can manage to manufacture the highest quality wooden kitchenware made out of solid hardwood, women in particular, would love it. Ensure that the pieces highlight the natural grain of the wood so it adds to the aesthetic appeal. This idea drew inspiration from the Vermont Butcher Block and Board Company that manufactures premium quality butcher blocks that have four rubber feet at the bottom which are secured with stainless steel screws to make sure that the board stays in place and doesn’t slip. Additionally, these boards are also gentler on the knives and are more resistant to damage.

3. Balance bicycle with no pedals

All of us love to pedal bicycles and in our childhood especially, we were been obsessed with riding one. Children between the ages of 2 ½ and 5 ½ usually ride a bicycle balanced on training wheels. However, a balance bicycle without pedals such as the KaZAM Bikes offers a wonderful and safe alternative. These bicycles take the focus away from paddling and places it on the balance and steering, making it a very easy and safe way to teach our kids how to ride a bicycle. These balance bicycles actually don’t depend on the pedals for movement; rather, kids would use their feet in order to propel themselves forward and as they generate more momentum, they can focus on the steering.

4. Filtered water bottle

Water, as we all know, is the most important resource in the world and having fresh and clean drinking water is exceptionally crucial for our health. However now, with various pollutants contaminating the water, the need to drink filtered water is very important. This is why I believe a filtered water bottle can be a very successful business in Sri Lanka. Something like the Gobie H20 filtered water bottles is truly a great idea. The bottles are designed with a built-in filter that is ergonomic and is capable of removing any harmful elements from tap water. The carbon-based filter removed chlorine, odors and minerals from tap water, leaving it refreshing and clean water that is safe to drink. These filtered water bottles are a great option for school-going children, those who go to work, and basically for everyone who would like to drink safe, clean and healthy water.

5. Natural sugar skin care products

Women love cosmetics and they are happily willing to splurge money on skin care products that actually work. Simple Sugar is a popular line of skin care products that are designed for those with sensitive skin and the natural sugar scrubs are very effective in gently exfoliating and nourishing the skin. Introducing a skin care product such as this is Sri Lanka has great potential and the ladies would truly love it. The sugars can successfully remove dead cells and allows oils to penetrate through so the result with be smooth, moisturized and great looking skin without having to use too many products.

6. Beanbag chair and bed in one

Having to prepare a good place for guests to relax at home is a worry most homeowners have. With Corda-Roy’s Beanbag chair and bed, you can now offer a very comfortable experience for your guests and your family members to lounge, sit back and even sleep in total comfort. This is a very stylish accessory that can be easily converted from a beanbag chair to a comfy mattress with an easy zip. Kids can hang out in the beanbag chair as they play their favourite games or watch TV and when it’s time to sleep, they just need to lay it flat and it becomes a soft and plush mattress. The beanbag is a great addition to take on a family vacation too.

7. Acupressure wristband for nausea

Acupressure is a technique that has been successfully used for centuries and is gaining global recognition as a very effect drug-free way of managing nausea caused by anesthesia, morning sickness, motion sickness and chemotherapy. The Psi Bands are a line of acupressure wristbands that can prevent nausea and it comes with a pressure dial with over fifty setting so you can fine tune and find the best fit for you. A product such as thing can certainly be very beneficial for the pharmaceutical industry of Sri Lanka.

 

8. Airtight plate topper to cover leftovers

 

Many housewives in Sri Lanka use plastic containers and wraps to store or cover food but these products can actually cause a number of problems. Tupperware lids can easily crack and cling wrap, as we know, can be very messy most the time. However, a convenient cover such as the plate topper can transform any plate into an airtight container so food can be stored with no hassle. All you need to do is hold and press down the handle to create an airtight seal that is strong enough that you could even suspend the plate in mid-air. To release the seal, the tab has to be lifted and pulled and the food is ready to serve. It works on china, plate and even the kitchen counter and I’m sure housewives would fall in love with a product like this because it can go a long way in preventing messy spills and simplify your kitchen work for you.

 

9. Organic Laundry Soap

 

Many people are looking for healthy safe and organic alternatives t the daily products they use because it’s definitely better for you, your family and the environment. There are numerous green household cleaners in Sri Lanka but it’s hard to find an organic laundry detergent. Something like Eco nuts could work very well. This is an organic, all-natural laundry detergent that does an impressive job is cleaning while reducing the impact on the environment and removing any residual chemical buildup. This product is also a good choice for people who suffer from allergies or sensitive skin problems. What’s more, this product is available in a small box that does as much laundry as a standard bottle of laundry detergent.

 

10. Modern wall planters

 

Contemporary interiors are picking up in popularity in Sri Lanka and wall planters are a key component of modern home décor, a magnetic wall planter and organizer can add a very modern and sleek look to your house while at the same time, save space. The steel construction board can be easily mounted to the wall and it serves as a canvas for you to either, add plants, arrange books, or basically anything. It is also perfect for hanging plants in your living room, organizing tools in the kitchen or garage and store products in the bathroom.

 

I hope the above ideas have sparked some kind of inspiration for you to start our own business successfully. The key is to offer unique, helpful and good quality products without compromising on quality. If such is the case, customers would fight to grab your offers!