Some Photos from the Global Internet Summit

Thanks to everyone who have attended the Global Internet Summit and to my friends and business associates for supporting me on my first official speaking engagement as main speaker!

Global Financial Crisis – So What?

1. Originally, I was going to title this post “My Respond to Global Financial Crisis” but with all the wailing going on TV and many other people echoing doom into my ears, I feel very compelled to say, “so what?”

2. Truth is, this is nothing new. Although the economy worldwide is deteriorating aggressively since late 2007 (since when has our country’s economy been good anyway?) – and I admit I was initially afraid that this might put a dent on my business – but I have every reason to believe that there are always opportunities to be seized, in good times and bad.

3. Money is like energy. It doesn’t get lost or destroyed; it just transfers from one hand to the other (unless you deliberately set the pile of money on fire of course).

4. That being said, there will always be people profiting from what many others would call bad times. The only sad part is only very few can see and seize such opportunities.

5. And what if I were to tell you that many of the events the world is witnessing now is actually orchestrated and manipulated in front of our eyes right now? At the risk of going off topic, I’ll discuss this subject another time.

6. When the financial crisis hit Malaysia and several other countries in South East Asia in 1997 through 1998, I remember my father was cursing and getting frustrated that his business was severely affected by it. Being 12 at that time, I was too young to understand. Now that I am in business for my own, the current global financial crisis made me more determined to explore opportunities and increase my Financial IQ (yep, that’s the keyword).

7. To me it’s simple. If the shark doesn’t bite me, why should I scream? While I sympathize with relatives, neighbors and people who have lost their jobs or businesses affected by the global financial crisis, I’m puzzled: why many others who aren’t affected aren’t maximizing their blessings?

8. I don’t waste time passing around the bad news. It may be real, but parroting the bad news doesn’t solve problems. Responding to it does.

9. Looking on the other side of the coin, the tough times that the world is facing now can also be seen as a test to many of us. The strongest will survive, the weaker will be perish.

10. For many business owners, they will finally get to see what they have been unnecessarily spending on, and use this opportunity to cut out the ‘dead wood’ from their operations.

11. And the employed will see the moment of truth whether they are truly an asset to the company they are serving, or otherwise.

12. Speaking of employment, this is one of the many big proofs that seeking employment is just as risky as starting your own business. While there are odds of failing at running your own business, it’s no safer in the world of employment. A lot of fresh graduates my generation are either jobless or have landed themselves in jobs and pays that “weren’t quite part of their plan”. And not to mention the risk of being laid off today.

13. So my response to global financial crisis? This is motivation for me to get smarter with my money – make, leverage, protect.

14. I recommend reading Rich Dad’s Increase Your Financial IQ. Go find it in your nearest book store or order on Amazon. This book was published in late 2007, just before the major worldwide financial crisis that we have all experienced in 2008. A lot of what was mentioned in this book holds very true and applicable today, more than ever. I won’t spill everything out from the book, but in short the best response to today’s global financial crisis and building your own wealth in tough times is exhibiting a higher Financial IQ.

15. If you are in business of any kind, this is also the best time to explore other income streams in recession proof areas.

16. Despite of the ‘doom and gloom’ news we keep hearing on the media and from the people around us:

(a) Google reports strong sales despite recession [NEWS here]

(b) Some companies like Wal-Mart thrive despite recession [NEWS here]

(c) Check out the 10 countries least affected by the US Financial Crisis here. (Malaysians, you will be surprised to see that our country is in the list. Not as bad as you think after all, right?)

(d) Home video sales and rentals are strong despite recession [NEWS here]

(e) Ski sales stay hot – read here.

(f) E-Commerce? So far not a disaster. CNET NEWS report so.

(g) Really, it’s not. LightInTheBox.com, an online Chinese distribution channel, tripled its sales in the final quarter last year. Click here.

(g) Amazon.com reports best Christmas ever.

(h) I pulled off a $100,000 product launch in November 2008. As I was wrapping up the launch, I eavesdropped on the radio announcing that unemployment rates were going sky high, and the same “financial crisis” message I kept hearing about all year long. Hmm…

(i) I don’t know verifiable is this since I’m not in the MLM scene, but Amway has reported a big jump in their sales in 1997 through 1998, the same period South East Asian countries went through a big financial crisis. I suspect the same will happen again this time.

(j) Health care jobs growing even in tough times…. news here.

17. What did I just say about money being like energy? We can choose to wait and let it happen to us, or respond and make a difference for ourselves and the people around us.

Other Readings You Should Check Out:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recession
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_financial_crisis_of_2008

Chinese New Year – Gifts and Downloads

1. This is the 4th consecutive year I am doing a Give Away event on a Chinese New Year. When I did this for the first time in 2006, there were only gifts from 7 online business partners, myself included. As the Give Away event progressed I contacted more reputable business partners. And today, Awesome Fun Gifts return with more than 30 of us.

2. I am aware that a lot of beginning Internet Marketers visit this blog, and so are those who are still in the making. This is why I think you should pay Awesome Fun Gifts a visit: http://amloh.com/recommends/CNYGifts

3. I have contacted more than 30 business partners whom I’ve worked with online, and they have each agreed to put some of their finest wealth building tools and downloads up for grabs. And the condition is that they’re to be given away free of monetary charge, except for only a small catch, which is joining their list.

4. Many of the gifts displayed on that page are relatively new. And myself, I’m in the process of adding a new gift too.

5. So if you’re still building your Online Business from scratch, you will benefit a lot from downloading a wealth of business-building tools, products, membership passes, and downloads from this site. Take note though, it’s up for only 7 days starting today. After the 30th January 2009, I have to fulfill my promise in removing the gifts from the page:

Australian Internet Marketers: Meet Up in Sydney? (updated 3rd Feb)

1. I will be visiting Sydney, Australia on 7th – 14th February 2009.

2. I don’t have a fixed agenda for most of the trip since this is mostly a holiday trip. But I won’t pass up the chance to meet Internet Entrepreneurs who hail from Australia. If you’re free on the 8th, Sunday, then let’s meet up. My friend and business partner, Aurelius Tjin, is organizing an informal meet up:

3. Details below…

Date: Sunday, February 8th
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Blackbird Cafe, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour, Sydney
(http://www.blackbirdcafe.com.au)

Blackbird - Map

Confirmed Guests: Myself, Aurelius Tjin (host), Frank Bauer (ViralURL.com), Anna (Affiliate Marketer)
Might Attend: James Schramko, Derrick Siu + more…

4. RSVP by February 5th – so Aurelius can make final bookings for tables. Either post a comment to this blog post to confirm your attendance or if you’re a member of the Warrior Forum, reply to this thread here. You may bring along anyone you wish, just let us know how many will be coming.

5. Agenda of the Meeting: as said, this is an informal gathering. There will be brainstorming, sharing of ideas, potential partnerships and Internet Entrepreneurs socializing with each other.

6. Don’t be surprised if you strike a lucrative Joint Venture deal over a drink! Aurelius, Frank and James are already heavy hitters in what they do, and I have high regards for a lot of marketers coming from Australia; they are certainly in a class of their own and I too look forward to learning from you guys.

Other Related Posts:
http://frankbauer.name/hot-summer-meet-up-update

*** UPDATE: 3rd February 2009 ***

The location of meeting has now been changed to:

Adria Rybar and Grill: http://www.adriarybarandgrill.com.au/adriabarandgrill.htm

The Promenade, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour Opposite Lindt cafe where the small water fountain is.

The time and date are still the same i.e. 8th February at 1PM. So far 17 people, myself and Aurelius included, will be attending the informal meet up.