Uniquely Singapore

An exciting and fascinating nation, Singapore is indeed a proof that success has nothing to do with size. In fact, not having its own fresh water supply (since they’re getting most of their supply in Malaysia) doesn’t matter either.

I spoke before around 180 secretaries, administrative and personal assistants, and support staff during the 9th Annual Secretaries’ Summit 2011 on the subject, “Why Am I Working?”. I was the only Filipino who spoke at the event. I take some pride to represent the Philippines.

Just like other impressively successful nation, Singapore is amazingly always-in-a-hurry. Every second seems to be so important that one can’t afford to lose it. It cannot be just “a second.” It IS a second.

Having this scenario for me is both an advantage and a disadvantage. It becomes an advantage because seemingly, everyone works at par with the development. Working in a fast-growing economy requires speedy working people. It becomes a disadvantage when people forget that they, too, are human beings, who deserve rests.

The truth is it’s very hard to pause in a lightning speed economy. I can understand how difficult it can be for a secretary to do her job not because the nature of the job is difficult but because one simple mistake can actually mean disaster.

Setting appointments, doing follow ups, screening phone calls among many others are not that easy to do. it takes some incredible amount of patience and attention to details to do this.

While I was on stage, I mentioned about the job of a confidential secretary. I jokingly asked them what exactly does a confidential secretary do? Is she allowed to unveil her identity? And then people the audience laughed.

Really, a secretary’s job isn’t easy. Imagine being a gate-keeper. You should know every person who’s getting in and out of your boss’ private office. You should be able to screen these people and make sure your boss’ time isn’t spent in a worthless meeting or conversation.

After my talk, I was approached by two ladies. One, a 52-year-old and the other one a 26-year-old. The 52-year-old was thinking about getting another job. Are you kidding me? At that age, you’re still thinking of going somewhere else? Well, yes. And it’s because even if she lasted that long, she’s still part of the political nature of corporations.

My advice to her, pick another one if you’re no longer happy about what you do because we only have one life to live and nothing more.

The second one is dealing with the age issue. True, it’s hard to exert a sort of authority when you are young. Many people who aged with the company would really love to tell something bad about you. They may even try to discredit you or challenge your credibility.

My advice to her is that she should learn to manipulate things, learn more about vocabulary so she can communicate effectively and that she won’t fall in the trap of these old people. I also told her not to explain too much because she doesn’t owe anything to anyone. While someone recommended her, she must have something that made the recommendation possible.

Singapore will be part of those memorable speaking engagements I do all over Asia. It’s an experience I can never trade off with something else. I love the audience, and I love this country. I learn from them and really, we all had great fun and learning experience together.

Best Motivational Speaking Experience in Asia

I’d like to think that there’s no other job that I’d like to do that to share whatever knowledge and experience I have, motivate people in most parts of Asia (as of the moment), and inspire them to be more productive members of their own community.

I know it is challenging but I think at this early age, I’ve proven one important point: People can perform miracles in their lives—no matter how small it may be.

Motivational moment in Seoul, South Korea

I’m always privileged to be invited to speak in seminars, conference, and conventions in Asian countries. And when I tell you that I’m happy and honored to speak in front of these wonderful audience, I really am. I’m only 28 years old (as of this posting). Yet, I already share stage with the world’s sought-after and highly popular motivational speakers.

For a guy like me who started from the gutter, I’m grateful for the what I’ve made for myself and for my family. What I mean is, I feel a sense of pride for a job very well done. It’s not always that a guy from the Philippines can speak and match those of the western part of the world in terms of corporate speaking and training.

But sure I did learn (and have been learning) many new stuff as I travel the world especially Asia. These are the countries that I can only see in my primary school textbooks. When I was still a kid, I thought it was far. Well, not at all.

Guerrilla Entrepreneurship Speaker in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

From Malaysia, my first major Asian speaking tilt, I take pride at sharing my expertise in motivational speaking through Thomvell International, a Kuala Lumpur-based organization which organizes trainings and seminars. It was a unique conference for secretaries and administrative professionals. I really enjoyed it.

Well, my audience enjoyed the seminar as much as I did. After that, in fact, I had three more speaking engagements for Thomvell. It seems to me like the opportunities opened up after that first seminar.

BI also got a chance to speak in Bandar Seri Bagawan in Brunei. Oh, it was another lovely experience. I spoke on entrepreneurship at a popular Entrepreneurship Awards in Asia. I was privileged to speak at the forum of the awardees prior to the awards night. It was a spectacular speaking portfolio for me!

Motivational Speaker speaks in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

And then I had to go to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, another historic Asian country. I spoke during the Asian Publishing Convention. I loved the city and toured around it. But I was able to share my knowledge on Internet marketing. I’m thankful for having the opportunity to share my knowledge on digital publishing.

Years ago, I was in Bangkok, Thailand. It was an experience that I wouldn’t forget because that where I met Richard Gere, the American actor. I was a delegate of a Science Development Network project in coordination with UNESCO. As a writer, it was great to motivate my fellow journalist.

And then I also got a chance to see the wonderful city of Seoul, South Korea, where I accepted the Collegiate Ambassador for Peace award. It was another humbling experience to be chosen in this highly respected organization. I’ve met friends and new people from the other side of the world.

All these things, as I travel around Asia, happen because I speak on motivation. I am an author who writes motivational books, gives motivational seminar, and provides motivational materials so people can maximize their full potential.

Speaking in these countries, and surely to other parts of the world in the coming years, is a challenging job. But it is enjoyable, too! Sometimes it’s hard and the expectations are high. But the only option I have is to succeed in it and deliver my message in the best way I can.

So far, I haven’t disappointed anybody who got me to speak. That’s why they invite me over and over again. I’m not saying this to boast of anything. This is only to state a fact. I’m saying this because I believe that we all have the potential to inspire and empower people through our own works and contribution.

Motivational speaking on entrepreneurship in Malaysia, truly Asia

This is my fourth time to speak in a seminar in Kuala Lumpur and it definitely is another great one. This is certainly one wonderful addition to my list of international speaking career portfolio.

Motivational speaker in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Air Asia fleet touched down Kuala Lumpur International Airport at around 3:30pm and I was fetched by a limo service that took me to Grand Millennium Hotel. Limo here is not the limo but I think a local lingo that means “executive car service.” There are three types of car service from the airport to the city which an ordinary taxi is included.

The first night was excellent. It was a private dinner for international speakers. We tried authentic Malay food in a restaurant nearby. I’m happy to know other speakers coming from different parts of the world: New Zealand, Mexico, Thailand, and Malaysia. I must say it’s great to have a Filipino in this list, too.

(Side note: The pilot keeps on saying Clark Field and not Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. I wonder why.)

Back to the story.

I was the first speaker. There was a sudden change of schedule. I started to speak at around 10am. You see it’s not only in the Philippines do we have this “Filipino time.” They also have it in Malaysia and as an additional information, they also have it in Dubai, according to another speaker.

But I took the center stage and started my talk. It was a cozy environment with an audience who are either still employed or are now starting their own businesses. It’s basically a mix audience with a size of 50 I think.

Here are some key points in my inspirational talk.

If there’s one thing that entrepreneurs should know to succeed in life and in business, what would that one thing be? The answer is “there are many things that you should learn. Now this punch line got the crowd crazy. And I said, “Yes, I’m your motivational speaker. Why does it seem that you’re looking for somebody else. I’m Lloyd Luna!” And then therre was another round of applause.

I cited at least three discoveries that I made since I started my own business in 2005. One is, some parents are created to force their children o take this-and-that course in college. I asked them who are parents in the crowd and followed up another punch line: ok, you’re part of the problem. There was another big laugh.

I also said that as an entrepreneur, I realized how many people will reject your idea and judge you as crazy when you actually tell them about your plans, goals, or dreams. Third, I said that some may even laugh to death, some silently, and tell many others how crazy you are (sometimes even behind your back).

Many agreed.

Aside from my usual “Toilet Philosophy” slide, I actually asked three of my audience to join me up on stage and read something. That something i can’t put in here so in case you’d attend my seminar, you won’t have any clue. But when I asked them to read it, everybody read it incorrectly.

I proceeded with my lecture in a cry smooth and natural way, just like I always do in my other speeches and seminars. I engage my audience. I go around and ask, sometimes “bully them” in a very, very polite manner. In fact, I remember telling them how crazy they are because they paid for this kind of seminar! And I referred to the crazy organizer who brought international speakers in Kuala Lumpur!

Everybody had a great laugh.

Rather than speaking about concrete strategies, I spoke on motivation and philosophy on business success that I carry with me. I personally think that every one must start right and that should begin with having a right attitude towards work or business. For example, I mentioned that my inspirations was an adivise given to me when I was 23 years old that goes like this: Strive to make a fortune not for the money but for what it will make you become.

Money isn’t something that you pursue. It’s something that you attract by the person you become. I also stressed that it’s important to realize that one idea is worth way more than one million cash. I said it’s because money depreciates while idea stands the test of time.

But there was one lady from the crowd who said, “But what if your idea is wrong?” I answered, “There’s no such thing as a wrong idea. However, there such idea may be in a wrong timing, or it was not properly implemented, or it was taken by the wrong people.”

She said that makes sense. I said, “It should.” And the audience laughed once more.

(Off but event-related) While inside the limo, I was browsing The New Straits Times, the most popular newspaper in Malaysia, and I saw my name printed on it along with other speakers on Guerrilla Entrepreneurship.

Annual Summit for Secretaries and Administrative Professionals

Now, this is one big event I spoke recently. I think I had approximately 500 audience.

This year’s summit is my first appearance before this crowd. Ariva is very kind to have included me in the line up of great speakers and resource persons. They got me for this event, in fact they deliberately put me as the last speaker on the last day, because they wanted the event to close with a bang!

A bang we did have!

I had a great time speaking before this crowd. Every loved the presentation: Is There A Job Waiting For You? on how to create your own job description. It’s pretty interesting to note that these people really listened (and watched closely) my presentation.

As observed, nobody stood up to go and leave the seminar. In some instance, delegates usually leave early without finishing the last session. In this case, they stayed!