Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

Crisis overcoming and development both begin with “what I have,” not “what I have lost.” “What I have” consists of [everything I possess now, including what I lent to others] minus [what I’ve borrowed from others], [what I’ve inherited], [what I’ve received as gifts], and [what I’ve taken unlawfully]. [What I have] + [What I’ve inherited] + [What I’ve received as gifts] is referred to as [own assets] or [net assets], which includes [something I borrowed], and subtracting [something stolen] in my possession, it is called [asset]. To pay off the liabilities (debts), you must have [net assets] or possess [something I borrowed from others]. The only other way to do this is to repay with [something I stole]. The ultimate goal of any business activity is to acquire [assets]. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Business isn’t about making an idea come true; it’s about validating it. No ideas or plans are perfect from the beginning. The market’s reaction develops and refines the idea over time. Many individuals mistakenly believe that a business idea will be perfect if they tinker with it repeatedly or that this will enhance their chances of success through their efforts. We may not know ourselves well, but how should we know our business intimately? Don’t gamble; try, correct, and adapt quickly. A business doesn’t start with knowledge; rather, knowledge is gained through starting. So, begin by breaking it down into smaller parts from the outset. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The most important virtues a business person should possess are, first, keeping my word by myself, even if it seems small; second, not being afraid; and third, having the ability to build structures. Since credit is the essence of money, it plays a crucial role in the exchange of value, beginning with keeping one’s word. If you’re afraid, it becomes easy to lie or distort your true self, which can lead to losing credibility with those around you. To collaborate with others, which you can’t do alone in your business and may not fully trust, you must be able to create and manage structures to help grow your business, although with less trusty traits. The most critical of these abilities is keeping one’s word. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

What is the difference between an owner who believes that the company should never close in any situation and an owner who believes that our company can shut its doors at any time? Certainly, there are many differences. Fear stems from something that has yet to occur. The awareness sense to which work has yet to happen is a crucial perspective because it profoundly affects business philosophy. The crisis was tied to the range of fear. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

It’s not that there is no money, but rather that people can’t find a worthwhile entity to invest in. The businessman misunderstands that he can’t do what he wants simply because he lacks money. However, just as water flows to a low place, money naturally gravitates toward where it’s valued, even if you have no cents. In other words, it’s not that they don’t have money; it’s that they don’t instill the kind of trust in investors that encourages spending it. No matter how dire the situation in the country may be, money doesn’t simply evaporate. You miss opportunities because the conditions aren’t right for investment. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The scariest customers in the world are regulars, not picky or complaining customers. Regulars pay a fair price. However, there is no such thing as ‘natural’ in the world. When regulars change their minds, not only do businesses suffer significant financial damage, but they also suffer emotionally. There are traps in naturalness, seeds of failure, and wounds caused by conceit. The older and closer people are, the more cautious you should be. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

For a business to succeed, kairos, situations, and relationships are all essential. Kairos is an aspect beyond human control, often described as ‘luck.’ It exists within a realm ruled by coincidence and timing. Situation pertains to the interests of the land, encompassing all resources except human resources. Relationships represent human resources that I can cultivate through human unity. Among these three elements, there is a saying that kairos accounts for 70% of success, leaving 30% to other factors. This underscores why we should avoid boasting about our abilities, even in the face of our achievements. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The prerequisite for working is to earn a profit. Profit is defined as revenues minus costs and expenses. In other words, you must incur costs and expenses before you can make sales. Profits arise when sales exceed costs and expenses. If I overlook this straightforward reason, the harder I work, the more I will struggle and negatively impact others. Behind the concept of generating significant revenue lies an oversight of the importance of making a profit. Increased revenue also leads to more significant expenses. The total costs and expenses associated with making sales are referred to as prime costs. Many businesspeople in this world are unaware of prime cost structures and focus solely on boosting sales. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The concept of “seed money” is crucial in business and investment; it is a notion that cannot be overemphasized. This “seed money” is termed “capital money” in accounting. If a person who is 50% profitable loses 40% simultaneously and continuously finds himself in this situation, will he become wealthy? No! Due to the 40% loss, the seed money will gradually diminish; as investments are repeated, profits will decline, leading to financial hardship. In any business or investment, it is essential to know how to preserve your seed money, and when you face losses, you must act decisively, understanding how to swiftly extricate yourself from the situation. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Only a few founders genuinely grasp the essence of their businesses from the start. After launching, they often start to grasp the core of their ventures as their customer bases expand. If startups had a clearer insight into their businesses from the outset, they could significantly lower their chances of failure. The sooner you identify your business’s essence, the greater your chances for success will be. Furthermore, if you can quickly pivot your business direction—even if you realize it later—the likelihood of failure diminishes. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Any business can succeed if it generates more revenue than it incurs in costs. When you achieve high sales volume with low expenses, a surplus occurs; only with a surplus can production and investment continue. “Replication” enables humanity to create surplus legitimately. Humanity has learned that surplus can increase if similar costs are incurred or if goods or services of equal quality are sold at minimal costs. The growth of a management organization demonstrates that it continues to replicate its members at the same level as the founder, and increased revenue indicates it can easily “replicate” the designated quality. The cells in our bodies also “replicate” to sustain life. For handmade products to thrive, they must prioritize scarcity over productivity since improvements in productivity can reduce scarcity. If you don’t grasp the principles of duplication, achieving success in your business becomes challenging. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Business isn’t just about “doing something” — it’s about “building trust.” In running a café, my focus should be on fostering customer confidence in my service rather than simply selling coffee without consideration. Before making sales, establishing trust as a business owner should be a priority. Gaining experience by working part-time in another café can facilitate this trust-building process. When you create financial credibility, running out of money can harm your reputation. However, if you earn money through established trust, you can regenerate funds even after they have been depleted. Trust serves as the foundation of money and is central to successful business operations. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

There are two types of businesses in this world when approached through the value of time and divided by the kinds of business: a business that requires discounting future value and a business that needs a surcharge. The bundle discount is a “future value discount business,” while the loan business is a “future value premium business.” Currently, it is unnecessary, but a bundle of sales is a business that offers customers incentives called “discounts” when they buy what they want in advance. The principal is not returned now in the loan business but must be returned in the future, providing the present incentive as a “delay repayment” in advance. Future discounts and surcharges can exist simultaneously in a business or a product; some enterprises will be ruined by mixing them if they change positions. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

There are two key meanings in the world: abstract meaning and conceptual meaning. Abstract meaning relates to values and philosophy, while conceptual meaning pertains to methodology. A successful businessman effectively understands abstract meaning in a conceptual context. Some businessmen struggle to grasp abstract meaning, whereas others have difficulty with conceptual meaning. It is essential to enhance understanding by collaborating with external experts, regardless of whether it involves developing internal organizations. Businessmen should excel at creating both abstract and conceptual representations. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In business, a “transaction” is essential. This transaction focuses on addressing human needs. To fulfill these needs, one must choose methods that align with one’s moral values while also recognizing the limitations in addressing them. Therefore, businesses should satisfy these needs within the bounds of morality. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In some cases, US real estate agents suggest that homeowners bake bread before potential buyers arrive for a showing. For many Americans, the aroma of fresh bread evokes a sense of family value. When the scent permeates the home, it creates an impression of a joyful household. Real estate brokers aren’t merely selling properties; they are in the business of selling “family love.” Their focus is on conveying “meanings” rather than selling mere products. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Most entrepreneurs do not charge their customers for the cost of self-emotional work. However, some business owners charge (or commercialize) their emotions and bill clients. There are various methods for commercializing appraisals, such as charging by the hour, charging by difficulty, and charging by the choice of conditions (options). This is because no culture in real life converts emotions into money. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Some question the need for ethics and a mission in business, even when the company is profitable. A transaction involves meeting needs and recognizing values, both of which connect to “morality.” Trust underpins all transactions, and morality is its foundation. While anyone can err, it is our moral obligation to make amends. Though it may be tempting to disregard that morality by persisting in trade, there are decisions that, without an ethical framework, can lead to irreversible consequences. This is not merely a mistake. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The two ways to move the rock are by cultivating your power or using a lever. Which is faster and more effective? It would be best to discover where the lever works to achieve a turning point in your life or business. Leverage changes your destiny. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Some businesses, such as education or fitness, can succeed if only the number of aspirants increases steadily. In a business that provides a service that acquires and develops, making new customers continue without giving up determines the business’s success or failure. No matter how hard you promote, if you do not create the persistence of the aspirants, passion, and effort will lead to damage. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”