Author Topic: Disgusted by corruption in Bohol, British businessman moves shop to Davao  (Read 2943 times)

benelynne

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Is it really so bad? Apparently, this British businessman-philantophist left our island in a huff because of corruption and found a place that accorded him better treatment.

If his plaints are true, how can we attract investments and provide more employment opportunities to Boholanos?

Sudoku-loving expat shows how it's done
By Joel B. Escovilla   Published : 2008-02-02

A RETIRED British expat in the city is proving that business and philanthropy are not two opposing forces locked in a perpetual tug-of-war.

In fact, even if his little restaurant sticks out like a bent thumb from among the rows of beauty parlors, barber shops and ukay-ukays (surplus clothes) along Crooked Road, it does serve an altruistic purpose.

The concept is short of revolutionary, said 60-year-old Alan Barnett, as he took a page out of a regular and profit-oriented business model, tore it to pieces. The result is this equation: Income – expenses = profits – charity.

Now, if that doesn’t make any difference, maybe this will: 50 percent of the diner’s profits will go to the purchase of brand new computer sets for public elementary school children in the city. So the next obvious question is: did he suck at math when he was a child?

“I’m a very good at math,” he said. “I was brilliant but did not know it because everything came easy to me. I’d get the lesson in five minutes and the rest of the time I’d be fooling around.”

Of course, with an I.Q. of 160, there’s no reason to doubt him.

Barnett spent the better half of his life in the United States. After riding the bandwagon during the computer boom in the 80s and building his own company in England, then advising big businesses on human resources and setting up their own computer systems, he “retired” a millionaire at the age of 40 and relocated to Miami, Floria and decided to take it easy.

But boredom pushed him to put up another consultancy firm, and his reputation as a quick-thinking troubleshooter grew that he was able to corner big name clients like Kodak and Ford. That challenge, however, quickly dissipated and he found himself in a dilemma. He now has enough money in his pockets to retire ten times over and nothing to do.

So in 1999, he decided to put into practice the equation that he has been perfecting in his head.

“It took three years of planning and researching but it boiled down to a choice between Philippines and Vietnam because of the high level of English competency,” he said.

After mustering all his courage along with the confidence that his plan would work, Barnett packed his bags and set up the very first Al’s Diner in Bohol in Central Visayas. It didn’t last however because the few bumps he expected turned out to be much bigger than he anticipated.

“I started doing something like this in Bohol but I was hit with a lot of corruption,” he said, adding that he was so disappointed he immediately decided to transfer his business to Vietnam.

A friend from Davao City, however, persuaded him to visit the place so Barnett again packed his bags and converted a local hotel as his base of operations while they scoured for an ideal place for business. Despite his bad experience, Barnett was convinced that a restaurant is the way to go.

“All Filipinos love to do two things, karaoke and eat and I have a pretty good burger recipe in the states,” he said.

Good marketing sense

In February of 2006, and with P1 million as seed fund, Barnett officially opened Al’s Diner in Davao City.

The diner seemed anachronistic with its 50’s themed design. The splashes of red, blue and white underscores the fact that everything — from the architecture, leatherette benches, down to the menu – is American. On top of the door reads a sign: “The Little Restaurant that Cares.”

If not for the Davaoena waitresses, you’d catch yourself speaking in English when you give your order.

“It’s a very good marketing sense because at the end of the day, we run projects for the community.” Barnett said. “We started to make real profits in the last three or four months,” he said.

He said 50 percent of the profits of the diner is earmarked for his “A Bite for a Byte” program, 25 percent for the operations and another 25 percent for the expansion.

As part of the “self-help” concept, the program seeks to provide computers for elementary school kids but the number of units lent out will depend on how much school principals and teachers put out.

While the program does not ask for financial collateral from the potential school-beneficiary, Barnett does require their students to visit the diner at “1 point” per order.

“They don’t have to order the most expensive food, just 20 pesos will do. The visits will depend on the population. So if the school has 600 students, that would mean 300 visits,” he said.

That prerequisite is important, he added, so that the donated computers would not seem like dole-outs and the school will take better care of them because they now have a stake in the project. “This is not an aid program, you support the diner and the diner will provide the computers.”

Although he said that employees, high school and college students, can also adopt a school whenever they eat at the diner so each order will amount to one point.

On August 2, 2007, the Agdao Elementary School became the 2nd recipient of the Bite for a Byte program, after Bunawan Elementary School two years ago, when it was awarded with two sets of computers along with licensed softwares. Barnett also volunteers to oversee the training of the teachers and the maintenance of the equipment.

He said two more computers sets are lined up for release.

His expertise in human relations came in handy as the staff are well-trained in assisting to the needs of customers, still patterned after the American way of service, and multi-tasking. The diner attempts to create a homey feel where the waitresses not only serve but engage you in a conversation.

Though Barnett quickly added that the waitresses know when to back off when you need your space.

From the giant burger which boasts of one pound of 100 percent lean Australian beef, to the milkshakes and the fries, the menu is all American. The only anomaly in the menu is the affordable rice and viand dishes. This is still the Philippines, after all.

“We take the Philippine taste and added an American kick to it,” he said.

Lesson learned, lesson imparted

With his ubiquitous cap, Barnett is a regular fixture at the diner, never failing to greet bystanders and familiar faces with his gap-toothed smile; unless he is busy networking with other restaurants to buy into his campaign to help schools or solving two Sodokus at a time.

His cap has another function. In order to amuse little kids or break the ice, Barnett takes it off, exposes his bald head, and cry out: “Siopao, Mami!”

His voice drops to a whisper, perhaps worried that one of his waitresses might hear him, as he admits he prefers to drink his chocolate at his usual watering hole in Agdao Public Market, “because it’s cheaper there.”

Believe it or not, Barnett pays for his own food when he eats at his own diner. “When you open a business, you don’t abuse it,” he said.

The British national intends to put up five more diners in the cities of Davao, Zamboanga, General Santos, Digos and Cotabato.

His only regret is when the challenge dissipates once his vision to provide computers to every public elementary school throughout Mindanao takes off. And when that happens, he hopes he still has some energy left to solve another equation.

Where did get his sense of charity?

“Probably from my father; he told me that I won’t get a single cent when he dies because it’s all going to charity.”

That’s the same lesson he told his only daughter, because when he dies all his money will fund the Bite for a Byte program.

As our interview ends, Barnett stood up and lights up a cigarette.

“This is my only vice,” he said, raising his cigarette as he puffs out a lungful of smoke.

“You sound like you’re making an excuse to yourself.”

“Yeah,” he said, “My only luxury is when I travel I have to go first class especially on long trips so that I’ll have a good night’s sleep and not wake up grouchy.

I have no intention of getting married again because I get more kick in helping people.”

I remember him telling me that he was married four times in four different continents: North and South America, Antarctica and Asia. But I did not ask whether or not that could be the reason.

Night fell and a group of beauticians coming from the neighboring salon passed by. They were talking animatedly as their shift ended.

As their voices were drowned by the blare of a speeding jeepney, Barnett greeted them a hearty “good evening” and the intrusion earned him a defiant glare from the group.

He laughed like it was the most natural thing in the world.

http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/story.php?id=19054



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Ben, I remember a friend who for two years cannot open his mini-hotel in Tagbilaran. His papers were stalled at the Fire Department. One can't run a business without fire clearance. We all know the reason why the clearance was never processed.

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Under the table is the answer.

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Sayang  :( ! Mao ni giingon ug wapa gani makasugod gikasinahan na.  As heard....he is not the only businessman who escaped from Bohol.  My husband and I were despirately looking with that good/friendly English businessman married to a Filipina who had his Coffeeshop corner in BQ.  We've been almost everyday there enjoying the friendly atmosphere and services (Pinay ladies as waitresses)  that Coffeshop serves delicious banana cakes, different kinds of shakes, pizzas and other little snacks/merienda. It was not only fully-visited with residents foriegners, tourists but with many Bol-anon students because of their reasonable prices.  That little business corner was really successfully expanding as observed in a short period of years we've been there. We had heard from some others Germans and Swiss residents there that they moved to Manila due to a big rate of rental increased based from the success of his establishment.  :(

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Best regards
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Yet another problem that compounds the corruption is the system maintained by entrenched businesses to protect their own interests and prevent the entrance of other players into the local business scene.

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Buno!  Bangko-lamesa, tinidor-kutsara, plato-platito, sud-an, adobo, pahawa ka!

Macky Ferniz

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Mr. Bennelyn,

This is a lesson for beginners like Bohol Inc.

My advise is to keep a low profile/conservative approach and register as a small business. Do not register as a big enterprise because it is easier to upgrade a business than to start big and then down-size. Use your resources conservatively. Take baby steps and do not rush. Plan before stepping forward and plan in closed doors. Do not advertise to be popular. Advertise only to support a promo campaign or expansion campaign. If possible, run underground. Word by mouth and reputation is the best advertising.

Note: As we have just seen, Bohol is a hostile business environment. Therefore the key word is “conservative”, or you will draw the ears of corruption and become a big target. Don’t stay in one place. Open small but many strategic branches.

Make survey, do business as per the demand and do not overspend. Do not hang around with politicians.


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In addition to Macky's wisdom, let us remind ourselves of the adage:

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

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Romans 10:9
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B:)

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in other words guys, in the world of business, IT'S ALWAYS TRICKY!

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Macky Ferniz

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in other words guys, in the world of business, IT'S ALWAYS TRICKY!

B:),

Welcome to the colorful / unpredictable world of business. Like you'll never knew the two great tennis legends Andre Agassi and stefi Graf would embark into furniture / home fabric business partnering Michael Kreiss of KREISS Furniture. Or bad boy rapper Sean P. Diddy would engage into the world of fashion business (Sean John).

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O Mr.Macks, you are right about those peoples and we can add more and more popular worldwide people who engaged in business totally different from their careers like Sara Jessica Parker for Perfume and the Woman's tennis player champions the Williams sisters are also into fashions and many others.

Ikaw Mr.Macks, I think you should start now. I know you did a lot of business introductions here in TB, how was it by the way?

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Macky Ferniz

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O Mr.Macks, you are right about those peoples and we can add more and more popular worldwide people who engaged in business totally different from their careers like Sara Jessica Parker for Perfume and the Woman's tennis player champions the Williams sisters are also into fashions and many others.

Ikaw Mr.Macks, I think you should start now. I know you did a lot of business introductions here in TB, how was it by the way?

I am also a misfit Ms. B:), because I graduated in Engineering, but my profession now is Marketing and Logistics. I think I am over qualified right now.

Actually most of my introductions were not just ideas but existing and practised. However at the moment, my focus is still deviated and one day those will be consolidated in proper sequence. Time will come.

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Mr. Bennelyn,

This is a lesson for beginners like Bohol Inc.

My advise is to keep a low profile/conservative approach and register as a small business. Do not register as a big enterprise because it is easier to upgrade a business than to start big and then down-size. Use your resources conservatively. Take baby steps and do not rush. Plan before stepping forward and plan in closed doors. Do not advertise to be popular. Advertise only to support a promo campaign or expansion campaign. If possible, run underground. Word by mouth and reputation is the best advertising.

Note: As we have just seen, Bohol is a hostile business environment. Therefore the key word is “conservative”, or you will draw the ears of corruption and become a big target. Don’t stay in one place. Open small but many strategic branches.

Make survey, do business as per the demand and do not overspend. Do not hang around with politicians.


Sakto ka Sir Macks. Hinaot marealized ni nga project. Support ko ani.




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nahh na bad image ang Bohol tungod sa corruption..What a sad news!how could we attract more investors kung in ani ang ang image sa atong country ug atong province?

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benelynne

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Mr. Bennelyn,

This is a lesson for beginners like Bohol Inc.

My advise is to keep a low profile/conservative approach and register as a small business. Do not register as a big enterprise because it is easier to upgrade a business than to start big and then down-size. Use your resources conservatively. Take baby steps and do not rush. Plan before stepping forward and plan in closed doors. Do not advertise to be popular. Advertise only to support a promo campaign or expansion campaign. If possible, run underground. Word by mouth and reputation is the best advertising.

Note: As we have just seen, Bohol is a hostile business environment. Therefore the key word is “conservative”, or you will draw the ears of corruption and become a big target. Don’t stay in one place. Open small but many strategic branches.

Make survey, do business as per the demand and do not overspend. Do not hang around with politicians.

Hi Macky,

Thanks for sharing your practical wisdom. You seem like you've been through the rough and tumble of business in Bohol... I remember a similar advice given by Ben, my namesake who's also a regular here at TB, to be low-key... Hi Ben, I wonder how your software business is doing? If I am not mistaken, the British businessman alluded to in this article is his compatriot.

So Macky, if you're interested in my business plan, we can just discuss this in closed doors... When will you be in town? I'll PM you...

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Mr. Bennelyn,

This is a lesson for beginners like Bohol Inc.

My advise is to keep a low profile/conservative approach and register as a small business. Do not register as a big enterprise because it is easier to upgrade a business than to start big and then down-size. Use your resources conservatively. Take baby steps and do not rush. Plan before stepping forward and plan in closed doors. Do not advertise to be popular. Advertise only to support a promo campaign or expansion campaign. If possible, run underground. Word by mouth and reputation is the best advertising.

Note: As we have just seen, Bohol is a hostile business environment. Therefore the key word is “conservative”, or you will draw the ears of corruption and become a big target. Don’t stay in one place. Open small but many strategic branches.

Make survey, do business as per the demand and do not overspend. Do not hang around with politicians.






This is so true...

Are there more businesses moved out from Bohol?

or just his?

Mike, i learned something today, dili diay tuod isulod sa usa ka basket ang mga itlog noh?

sungkabon sa Halo ang basket hurot tood...

hahahhaha

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I would be leary to set up business here. No matter how good the food how friendly the help I just would not do it.

Especailly investing in business when it is crisis na?

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benelynne

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I would be leary to set up business here. No matter how good the food how friendly the help I just would not do it.
Especailly investing in business when it is crisis na?

Hi Precious,

Please elaborate. What pitfalls are you leery of? Are we in a state of crisis--economically or in terms of peace and order?

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ben

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Hi Macky,
Thanks for sharing your practical wisdom. You seem like you've been through the rough and tumble of business in Bohol... I remember a similar advice given by Ben, my namesake who's also a regular here at TB, to be low-key... Hi Ben, I wonder how your software business is doing? If I am not mistaken, the British businessman alluded to in this article is his compatriot.
So Macky, if you're interested in my business plan, we can just discuss this in closed doors... When will you be in town? I'll PM you...
Hi Benelynne,
  we're doing ok.  I'm setting up outside the city now.  One good tip for new business could be to do just that.  Many officials in municipalities outside the City are more welcoming, more efficient and they are happy for you to merely pay your local business taxes and occasionally contribute to barangay/municipal events.  If your business does not rely on a city-centre location then it seems the way to go.
  Akong business si technology export lang, dili complicado.  Morag inyong idea para ang call center.  Wai competition against established vested interests, siguro mas gami mga problema.



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benelynne

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Hi Benelynne,
  we're doing ok.  I'm setting up outside the city now.  One good tip for new business could be to do just that.  Many officials in municipalities outside the City are more welcoming, more efficient and they are happy for you to merely pay your local business taxes and occasionally contribute to barangay/municipal events.  If your business does not rely on a city-centre location then it seems the way to go.
  Akong business si technology export lang, dili complicado.  Morag inyong idea para ang call center.  Wai competition against established vested interests, siguro mas gami mga problema.

Hi Ben,

Thanks for being ever so helpful. I am not even there yet, but I have resolved to push through with my plans sometime this year. I'll keep this advice in mind.

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It is wise to open business in a fresh, but imerging market. Based on Philippine economic trend, we are going up. One of its advantage is cheap and enless opportunities being a fresh and unsaturated market. Second your money seeded will grow in exponential proportions being the economy base is growing. Why is it that the US is opening Mc Donalds and other businesses in Cuba? The answer is already explained here.

I met several Brittons with similar caliber as Alan Barnet and their basic principle are "Brand Building", "Management" and "Marketing".

Brought to you by Macky.

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benelynne

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It is wise to open business in a fresh, but imerging market. Based on Philippine economic trend, we are going up. One of its advantage is cheap and enless opportunities being a fresh and unsaturated market. Second your money seeded will grow in exponential proportions being the economy base is growing. Why is it that the US is opening Mc Donalds and other businesses in Cuba? The answer is already explained here.

I met several Brittons with similar caliber as Alan Barnet and their basic principle are "Brand Building", "Management" and "Marketing".

Brought to you by Macky.

My business friends here who have tried investing their money in the Philippines confirm this, Macky. The return on investment is indeed higher there than in mature economies.

The present political noise is a bit worrisome. But I guess if you stay out of the political whirl and do your work silently and diligently, you will do just fine.

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ben

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Hi Ben,
Thanks for being ever so helpful. I am not even there yet, but I have resolved to push through with my plans sometime this year. I'll keep this advice in mind.
I forgot to add that if you open up outside the capital then you're doing a good turn for the people in your vicinity.  Generating income in the poorer areas.  Good to be responsible at the same time as operating for a profit (should we ever reach that stage!).  If maximum money was the goal then I'd return to Europe for work. 
In summary, helping people to advance themselves is more satisfying than earning a lot.  Not as holy as philanthropy, but a more realistic and sustainable win-win situation.

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