XAVERIAN'S CORNER

Strictly Business?
Walther Hontiveros (H4A)

Posted Friday, 06-Jan-2006 8:54 AM

The following is Walther's reflection after the H4Entrepreneurial Project for Economics.  In the siad project, students were asked to put up their small scale businesses which were featured in the Wish Bazaar last December.

     When it comes to engaging in any form of financial operation, monetary risks are not merely the risks involved; even relationships can sometimes be compromised whether we like it or not.

     Putting up a business is demanding and certainly takes time. Cramming when it comes to putting together a corporation isn’t quite the good way to go. Doing this would only lead one to be placed in a situation where opportunities are more likely to be lost and crucial decisions are more prone to go out of hand. In addition, relationships too find themselves being cruelly tested as they experience clashing ideas, opinions and beliefs critical to the success of the project being blown their way. As more vital decisions are discussed, relationships too are more harassed, if you may call it.

     Based from my own experience, I found it hard to adhere to this so called rule in commerce more commonly dubbed as “strictly business,” which means that anything involved in entrepreneurial matters should not be taken personally. I guess it is even harder to follow this rule when the people involved in your corporation are not simply people you consider as mere classmates or group mates. Abiding by this law becomes even more challenging when good friends are involved. Extra caution and sensitivity are very much needed so as to avoid emotional and explosive conflicts which might spring forth from misunderstandings, crushed self-confidence or obstinate pride.

     Inaction in response to one’s obligation is also one deadly disease to watch out for. Some people end up blowing their heads off out of anger; losing control of their emotions as they end up doing most of the work with only a few members of the group. I guess, if only menial group projects were involved, relationships would not be shaken as much to the point of damage; however, seeing that in this case, a business is involved, things would definitely change as more crucial matters are discussed that affect the people concerned more. As people put more effort into their work when it comes to business, they, too, get hurt more easily.

     Business is business, but more than the money involved or tasks being done for a corporation, I believe that developing one’s relationships with the people involved and learning from the experience as a whole, are more important things to consider when it comes to doing business in the future.

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