During the 90s, after buying Cosmos from the Wong family, we launched an ad campaign that led to the beginning of the success of Cosmos brands like Pop Cola and Sarsi. It was an ad campaign that also changed how advertising was done for consumer brands. “Bagong Tunog” and “Bilib sila sa Pinoy” were campaigns hatched by Minong Ordonez and Nonoy Gallardo.

Noynoy’s style is new music to our ears, which is nice and simple. Although I still don’t think it would be practical for him to have no “wang-wang”, his decision symbolizes that simplicity is a virtue that starts with government officials, specifically the president of the country. The Filipinos, or what I’d like to call the shareholders or stakeholders of Philippines Inc., are indeed the boss. Even Vice President Binay has apologized for the mistake of his security in violating a traffic light. The idea is simple and demonstrable. Cory did it for a while. But, after her government was hounded by so many coups, it became a security risk for her.

The choice of Cabinet members are also, so far, quite good. The announcement of monthly cabinet meetings may be a concern, since during the beginning one has to be hands-on. Ideally, there should be weekly cabinet meetings. Then, the meetings can be rescheduled every two weeks to allow cabinet members more time in the field. But then again, I am sure there are going to be adjustments.

How long will this “Bagong Tunog” last? We don’t know. However, I believe Philippines Inc. is off to a good start, which is important as we head towards being a well respected nation in the world.

Let me share with you some advice from Go Negosyo entrepreneurs to P-Noy.

“Courage and determination will make a great leader. Change will not happen overnight and pray regularly for guidance from the Lord.” – Lamoiyan Corp. president and CEO Cecilio Pedro

“The change that PNoy can initiate is to make Small and Medium Entrepreneurs the foundation of the new Philippine economy. He should make it easier for SMEs to start and thrive with less distraction, regulation and fees from local and national government. Currently only micro entrepreneurs enjoy this from local/national government not because there are laws or regulations but because the government chooses not to enforce it upon them. They enforce it upon legitimate/registered SMEs and in the process make the SMEs uncompetitive with micro and large enterprises. Needless to say, large enterprises have the scale to absorb the cost of dealing with local and national government.” – Angelpreneur and Entrepreneurship Guru Andy Ferreria

“He (PNoy) still has to prove that he is worth the trust the people gave him. He has to buckle up and start working. It’s no longer about the showbiz of campaigning on all sorts of promises. I Hope he will not maintain the attitude of partisan politics. Unite the country and work together. Enough of the bickering. PNoy needs help from everybody, not only from the friends that he knows and trusts. There is a long list of people who can help him, even from the opposition. PNoy needs all the luck and above all God’s blessings.” – Ever Bilena president and CEO Dioceldo Sy

“The best thing that happened after P-Noy won is the ‘Hope’ he gave to our c0untry. We hope P-Noy will make initiatives to level the playing fields, especially for emerging businesses in the countryside.” – Mang Inasal president and CEO Edgar “Injap” Sia

Go Negosyo continues to partner with the Department of Trade and Industry under the leadership of Greg Domingo, who was formerly an undersecretary during the time of then-Secretary Mar Roxas. Our partnership with DTI has been ongoing for the past four years now, working closely with Usec. Merle Cruz and her dynamic Regional Directors. We have been empowering the micro and small entrepreneurs in the many regions in the Philippines through our relevant Negosyo Seminars (Negosems), forums and caravans.

This week is MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise) Development Week. Together with DTI, Go Negosyo is holding free Negosyo seminars in SM Megamall (5th floor Megatrade Hall, from July 7 to 11, from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.). Aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs should take advantage of these learning sessions to know how to take their life and business to the next level.

People have been asking me what will happen to Go Negosyo under the P-Noy administration. Well, Go Negosyo is an advocacy under the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, a non-stock non-profit private entity that we started together with other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to share with the Filipino people their experiences and knowhow in growing their businesses. We will continue to be a strong advocacy that will help empower any Filipino to succeed, to develop the right enterprising mindset, to be entrepreneurial, market-oriented, innovative and financially literate. These to us are keys to move up in life. If done for all Filipinos, it will be the lasting solution to poverty. We need to create a vibrant negosyo climate, or what others call an entrepreneurial nation.

Many Go Negosyo advocates want to help fellow micro and small entrepreneurs succeed in life. They have joined our cause. After all the learning in seminars, the participants get to access our wide network of entrepreneur-mentors for their follow-thru queries. Mentorship is important, plus the networking with other entreps in our community. Our Tagumpay book was a bestseller in National Bookstore for the month of June. Our other Go Negosyo books have also been recognized as bestsellers.

During the celebration of the MSME Week a 10 percent discount will be given to our selected books in National Bookstores. Have a Go Negosyo week.

I would like to congratulate Elizabeth Lee, a very enterprising woman who has brought Universal Motors Corp. to greater heights. She has been a Go Neogsyo advocate for quite some time. She has been launching new car models this year. Last night, she also just launched the Royal Series of Nissan. Again, congratulations to Elizabeth.

Send feedback: gonegosyo@yahoo.com, Joey Concepcion Facebook account, or 09189656333. Visit www.gonegosyo.net. Watch GO NEGOSYO: Kaya Mo! Show in QTV, Saturday and Sunday 8 to 8:30 a.m., with replays in NBN every Thursday 11 to 12 a.m.