View at the Top of Gomtu Valley!

"Failure is Journey and Road to Success" 

To me, Failure is a necessary experience if we want to eventually be successful. That may seem like an illogical statement, since failure and success are generally considered complete opposites. However, the experience of failure is both enlightening and motivating as long as we view it with the right perspective; learning from our mistakes and working harder to achieve our goals are both important ingredients in finding success.

In the moment, failure can range from disheartening to devastating, depending on the severity of the experience. As a young professional, or an entrepreneur, or anybody trying to achieve something significant, failure has the potential to hold us back indefinitely--but only if we let it.

I failed several times in my life to the extend where I was ever ready to give up everything and end my life. Yet I still had that hope and determination in me that kept me alive and helped me move forward in my life. 

I was several times rejected by organizations for employment which was disheartening for me but with the time, as saying goes time heals everything, So did it to me and welcomed by CDCL after 240 Days of looking for job. Beside that i was delayed to complete my degree on time (2015- Attendance Shortage).  Yes! During that terrible phase, I experienced bitter taste of life. Most of the time I even had to travel without a single penny in my pocket. Forget about having money to have lunch I didn’t even have taxi fares. So I had to walk up and down in search of help in crowded city like Thimphu. I do have relatives and friends at Thimphu but only few turned up to help and encouraged me during my hard times. But now when I think I am successful, there are so many people to help me. So from these I have learned that when we are a failure no one is willing to help us, instead people de-motivate and discourages but once we are successful, everyone joins us in celebrating our successful and happy moments.      

 So, let me share very short story about Akio Morita, I think everyone knows him.

Akio Morita was a Japanese businessman and co-founder of Sony, a multi-billion dollar company. But the company's beginnings were not so rosy. Their first product was a rice cooker, but it burned the rice. However, this didn't stop them from moving on to building bigger and better things.

To all of those like me, who didn’t reaped the fruit of success, I would encourage you to give it another shot. Failure once, does not mean failure permanently, it just means success is delayed. Those delays only become failures when we choose to give up on reaching our goals. Don’t give up, pick ourselves up and give it another go, but be aware of exactly what we’re committing to when we do make that decision.

So I would like to end my thought with a thought for the day.

“Success always hugs us in private,
but failure slaps us in the public...” that’s our life.

Trashi Delek

True Facets of Man

Truth be told, I was traced by bank for not being able to repay the loan. Nothing to feel ashamed of it since life itself comprises of so many challenges and obstacles.

Never dreamt to become civil servant as an entrepreneur…………

There are so many complications and different phases of life for individuals. Some face worst in the beginning and some at the end. But unfortunately, for some people it continues till the end of life. People initially get disturbed and some few are also victim of life. Actually all those challenges are not dreamt and not planned even.

When we are brighter everybody comes together to celebrate the victory and when someone is in trouble, nobody takes care. Rather than pulling out of trouble people make themselves deaf.

Life is collectively moving with latest technology where we tend to even forget our parents and families. We can sacrifice our 24*7 in playing online games and facebook but if we are asked to work for at least 1 hour extra, everybody expects overtime allowances.

If I was financially sound I could have waited for at least 5 years to start my new venture. I regret for not being able to implement my ideas that was already planned well. Bad situations and financial constraint pressurized me to join in service but simultaneously I was lucky to join Construction Development Corporations Limited (CDCL). CDCL saved me from trouble and thank you for your generous welcoming. I feel confident that I can make significant contribution to the company, and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

Thank you for the confidence that you have expressed in me. I look forward to a long and productive career at Construction Development Corporation Limited.

I was brutally rejected by Government Organization, Private and Non-Governmental organization. Loden Foundation Heartlessly  rejected my business plan for second time. Comprising of all those challenges, I became bold and experienced many new transitions of life to prepare well for future. All financial institutions didn’t expressed interest to invest into my business for not having collateral. 

As a youngest among many, I can’t simply ignore my two old parents (78 Father and 70 Mother). At this later stage of their life, parents love to stay with their children rather than staying idle back at village. I prioritize myself to serve my parents well hereafter.

I couldn’t even make to go Australia (Money Making Place) where everybody dreams to go. Money and properties can be build but we can’t spent our precious life again with our two old parents. Better not to regret later and I prioritize myself to serve them well.

Without source of income I survived 8 months roaming in the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. Everybody feels Thimphu is heaven on earth but for a low income group of people, it really squeezes when things turns up costly.

When you are in problem, problem is ours and when there is solutions, all come together to celebrate.

Life seems to be colorful when tough keeps going. Can’t wait to see what it will happen next.

“Success Always Demands Sacrifice “

Tragic Life of Poor Guy!

Life is so complicated and incomplete for me. I was born in one of the very remotest place in Gyalgong under Mongar Dzongkhag still not access to electricity and farm road facilities. I was privilege to attend modern education in boarding school at Nagor Lower Secondary School in the year of 1990s. With the free education policy of Bhutan, I successfully completed Bachelors of Business Administration from Gaeddu College of Business Studies, Royal University of Bhutan. After successful completion of my studies, I am now here at Thimphu capital city of Bhutan looking for job. Everything seems hard for me here lingering around the streets and begging for job opporuntities. I was quiet hopeful to apply in various organizations about job but very difficult to get shortlist at first and to select at the end. I applied more than 10 organizations looking for jobs and all rejected me. When we are rejected by many, it really kills hopes and aspirations of a person. Everything is costly at Thimphu now. My old parents always have faith on me and my friends always keep their trust alive on me. But every time and again, I couldn’t fulfill their dreams. Every time we get rejected and every time I m removed from the list of selection. Sometimes I feel m death nor alive. When we saw people growing and well settled it really aches my heart and soul. My life is now getting more terrible than shining. When days passing by my debt at bank are increasing and interest will multiply every day. This really disturbs my mind.

What criteria behind success in life? 

Do I doesn’t meet criteria of success or m I incapable of getting succeed? God must come forward to see and share happiness to me too. My good prayers and wishes always gets disturbed and fade in vain. 

Alternative to ease unemployment is business. Starting new business is also very difficult in Bhutan. First of all, availing financial service from financial institution is complex and difficult because of collateral and mortgage. I was even rejected by financial institution for not having collateral. I belong to humble parents depending upon rural livelihoods……………..

I would love to update simple thoughts to all readers……………….

Small Business Management in Bhutan- a lesson

“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of our life like most people won’t, so that we can spend the rest of our life like most people can’t” 

                                                                                              -Anonymous

Acknowledgement

I would like to heartily Thank Mr. Ugyen Lhendup module tutor of EDP:304 (Small Business Management) for initiating this field visit to Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdue. Also, I would like to thank the College Management for permitting us to make field visit which is part of academic learning.  It was very fruitful for us by exploring the ground realities of real entrepreneurs in the nation.

Gaeddu College of Business Studies under the Royal University of Bhutan is the only government, business premier learning institutes in the country. I would thank college management for developing young minds as an human assets which will shape the economy and sustainable development of the country. Entrepreneurs plays pivotal role in imparting the nations development through promoting the local products and diminishing the huge quantities of imports of products from other countries. Local entrepreneurs will also help to ease the unemployed youths and provide young professionals working platform. Now let me share you a story............................

Field Visit Experience

Small Business Management Module offered us unforgettable field visiting experience. This experience is completely a new knowledge for business management students. It was not only an experience, but also a vital tool for all management students. As an future entrepreneurs, this is going to guide us a lot. Our first field visit was at Paro (Wangchuk Wood Tech Unit), giving a wide opening to attract our target customers and being competent in our business towards last visit at Lhawang Dedhen Incense based at below Wangdiphodrang Dzong with much more experience on employe management skills.   

On May 12, 2017 final year Major in EDP (4 Males and 3 Females) guided by our mentor Mr. Ugyen Lhendup and Mr. Tenzin Norbu (GCBS Faculty), we have happily started our journey from Gaeddu College of Business Studies to Paro.

The next day, it was on 13^th May 2017 we were so curious to meet with true and experienced entrepreneurs in our country.

Wangchuk Wood Tech Unit, Paro

Wangchuk Wood Tech Unit is based at Paro just few kilometers away from Paro main town towards Paro regional hospital. Mr. Wangchuk is the owner of this Wangchuk Wood Tech Unit. He belongs to Nagor, Silambi Gewog under Mongar Dzongkhag. Opportunity of setting up his business lets him to bring up at Paro. Wangchuk Wood Tech Unit was established in the year of early 2000. He was a civil servant before he started his Wood Craft unit at Paro. He shared his personal stories from challenges to opportunities.

Green Road

Green Road is social venture initiatives founded by Mr. Rikesh Gurung after completion of Bachelors in Business Administration from Madras University, India. Green Road is environmental friendly road construction through using plastic waste. Green Road collects plastic trash and they use plastic for road construction which is much more doable. Mr. Rikesh was struggling for  the last 4 years to convince Royal Government of Bhutan and now he proudly said, “I own the Intellectual Property Rights for the next 18 years without competitions in the markets.” Green Road is having more projects in the pipeline.  

Tshejores Azey

Ms. Tshewang Lhamo is founder of Tshejores Azey productions. Tshejores Azey is based at Thimphu Motithang near BCMD office. Tshejores Azey was established in the year of 2000 and she was working in Tourism Council of Bhutan. She was managing her business and job until 2013 before she officially resigned from Tourism Council of Bhutan. Currently Tshejores Azey has 22 varieties of Bhutanese local Azey commonly consumed by Bhutanese. She also shared her personal stories from Challenges to opportunities.

After a successful visit at Paro and Thimphu, we started our journey from Thimphu to Wangdue on same date.

It was on May 14, 2017 after enjoying the sound hospitality at College of Natural Resources, under Royal University of Bhutan, we headed towards Lhawang Dedhen Incense Factory below Wangdiphodrang Dzong.

Lhawang Dedhen Incense

Mr. Sonam Tobdhen graduated from Sherabtse College under Royal University of Bhutan with Geography Honors. Lhawang Dedhen Incense factory was established in the year of 1998 by his father. His father was Drungtsho by profession and he started this incense production in small scale.   

In 2010, father handed over this enterprise to his son Mr. Sonam Tobdhen. Sonam expanded his business with 34 employees. Now Lhawang Dedhen Incense is also available in other Asian countries. Incense is manufacturing based on their own set of formula which adds fragrance to their products. Lhawang Dedhen Incense focuses on the quality of products.

Skills Developed

1. Feasibility Study

As said above, the field trip was a great pathway to experience new things and learning a lot out of practicality. Before visiting different small enterprises, most of us thought that a perfect plan will lead to the success, but after experiencing the practical feasibility in creating a product and giving economic value to it, my belief was slowing broadened. At present, I consider feasibility planning as also a vital tool for success. The main reason behind this correction of belief is by experiencing the various reactions of people in understanding our product. At first, we consider that our plan as a great innovation and thought that is going to work out really well in the market. That is the point were I use to feel, planning is the only path to success. When transforming our innovation into a product with a lot of hard work in manufacturing our product and taking to people to see their reaction towards it. That is the moment we were lacking with feasibility of our innovation.

2. Consolidation of idea

It is just a waste of time thinking about an idea that doesn’t work. So we must encouraged our self and start working on a new innovation, which had a considerably good response from the people. 

Now I came to know the ground realities of an entrepreneur and got several motivations from different people with different perspective. Geographical locations and nature of products plays a pivotal role in establishing our own business.

3. Safety and Security for employees

Another important skill that I really feel will help in my future is the employee management skill. It is very important for entrepreneurs to develop the employee management skills. As Mr. Sonam Tobdhen said, “I pay Nu. 10,000/- per month to our employees and also I have registered them in group accidental insurance for their safety.” which in return low employee turnover. Employees demands security beside their monthly payment. Nowadays employee must be treated well because they will be first person to meet with our daily customers.

4. Time Management

There is a major issue needs to be discussed at this moment, which is the Time Management. I personally feel that we must make proper use of time in order to succeed our business. Time is very important as suggested by entrepreneurs during our field visit. I remember a famous Chinese proverb “No amount of money or gold can buy our time back”. This proverb and my improper managing of time taught me a great lesson and the method of deciding my future with proper time management skills.

5. Behavior and Smartness

Rikesh Gurung said, “When we try to act smart, people don't listen”. This words really alerts upcoming entrepreneur like me to think beyond and plan properly. So, it was a very fruitful and productive field visit and we would like to thank our module tutor again.

6. Passion and Business

Mrs. Tshewang Lhamo also encourages us to start our business from small scale and than to expand our business. We must have passion to grow our business slowly than towards large scale. “Never try to implement your idea over night” said Aum Tshewang

7. Quality and Its Importance

Mr. Wangchuk the founder of Wangchuk Wood Tech Unit said, “I always focused on quality of my products and there is no compromise in price.” Customers are now really conscious about the qualities of the products and durability. 

8. Financial Management

As suggested by Mr. Rikesh Gurung, we must make proper financial management in order to sustain in the market. He also mentioned about the financial challenges that he have faced during his initial startup stage. “I sold my bike to make payment to my employees. It was very painful for me”. Said Rikesh Gurung. This painful experience stitching my wounds today and I came to know his depth commitment to his business (Green Road).

 

Future Plan of Training and Development

Our college must maintain good relationships with those enterprises for the practical visiting opportunities for our upcoming entrepreneurs. Student will be able to link our theoretical knowledge in practicality of new ventures. Once they graduate from the college, students should be confident to start their own venture. It will help them to explore further beyond their closed class room learnings.

Beside the theoretical knowledge in the class, students must take in different places where there are more opportunities for them to grow and start their own business. Particularly to listen some inspirational stories of experienced and real entrepreneurs really motivates us to kick off of our ideas.

Bhutan is having weak student’s entrepreneur culture. As Gaeddu College of Business Studies being only government Business College under Royal University of Bhutan, we must develop this culture and support our student’s entrepreneurs by providing incubation center within the college campus. If college management could have mentoring systems, young minds are ready to start their businesses during college days.

Students must also provide platform to attend national events like Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), Startup Weekend, QED and BICOB organized by Loden Foundation, MOLHR, Techpark and etc for the intellectual development of young entrepreneurs and let them to link with investors.

Thanking You

My Entrepreneurial Journey

 I am Dorji Tshering a student of BBA (entrepreneurship) from Gaeddu College of Business Studies, Royal University of Bhutan and an entrepreneur from Bhutan. I come from Gyalgong, a remote place with no road, electricity, and telephone line connectivity. However, the free education policy of Bhutan has made all the difference and I am no longer a resident of remote area. My zeal together with the government’s education policy has paved my way of success and to pursue further my dreams aligned with my mission to establish a market access for a common man from Bhutan.   Bhutan is a small country in the Himalaya’s where our fore fathers has gifted us with pristine environment and better known having become a subject of curiosity for way in which our development process in the last three and half decades has been guided by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). GNH is based on believe that the purpose of development and the role of the state is to create conditions within which people can pursue and find what they aspire for most in life happiness.It is holistic development paradigm to make human society resilient. It motivate an individual society to consciously balance material wants with spiritual growth wherein the needs of the body and those of mind are addressed in equal measure within a stable and sustainable environment business. So, keeping this philosophy in my mind, Dorjee Souvenir Shop, Environment friendly business has been established.    With the sole objectives of helping others and to gain experience in my life, I decided to be an entrepreneur. Starting and maintaining business at my own and meeting the challenge of unemployment amongst the youths of Bhutan that has gained the highest attention of the Government was not easy.I always had social mandate of my life to help others in my own little ways. The bitter flashbacks of early days in my schools made me to emerge as a young entrepreneur in the college. I cannot imagine me walking 5 hours on daily basis to reach to school for my primary education. Such hardships and experiences only dictated me to look into the possibilities of making life, hereon, better for myself and for others. To become an entrepreneur is not only for making profit but also to help and support society at large by providing what is meaningful to the societal needs along with the philosophy of GNH. Therefore, I chose to become an entrepreneur in making it happen.Dorjee Souvenir Shop was established on 13^th March 2015 and formally incorporated on 19^th August 2015. To preserve our culture and identity, Dorjee Souvenir Shop has been come up with an idea of supplying beautiful varieties of souvenir items like Gifts, Bhutanese Indigenous Handicrafts and label printed items.

Beside the souvenir items I have observed that students had been facing several problems with regards to printing and photo copy as It was mandatory for the students to submit minimum of five print outs in a week for assignments, case study, business plan, reports and projects to their respective mentors and thus an urgent need for printing and photo copying facilities in the college. So I added the provisioning of Printing and Photo Copying facilities at my small shop in the campus of my college which was proved to be beneficial not only to the students but also a boon for the community around.   Gradually, I started looking at myself as a successful entrepreneur down the line ten years from now with the following Vision, Mission and Objectives. Vision: To provide a eco-friendly services and to meet the day to requirements of the people.

Mission: To capture the market access through preservation of culture, pristine environment and customer friendly service by 2030

Objectives
1.To create employment opportunities

2.To create learning platform for the youths

3.To make availability of products and quality services for the people of Bhutan

4.To preserve culture

 I identified the need of the villagers which in turn and opportunity for me to open up a General shop in remote area where people use to travel three days to buy one kilogram of salt. However, the financial challenges where there and I was also challenged by time management as I was to look after business together with my continuing education.Besides, another challenge was to maintain the link of supply chain and the logistic requirements owing to the fact that shop was to be operated in remotest area. However, I did not give up and I continued with endeavor having taken small support from the local financer, family and friends. I said my priorities and allocated my time accordingly to operate business and study. I made proper notification the business hours and availability of goods in the stock. For the logistic support I tied up my business purchases with the local transporter on fort nightly basis.  In order to utilize my time while being in the college campus  and having noticed several problems regarding the telecommunications network in the college, I thought of extending my business into communication segment. I started working as Tashi Cell Agent (a private telecommunication agent dealing with mobile SIM cards, data cards, memory card, hand set phones, net connection, etc). The challenge I had while starting Tashi Cell agent was to get the approval from college management and support from the Tashi Cell Company. However, I convinced college management teams and Tashi Cell Company in terms of benefit to the student and community at large. My initiative not only addressed the issue of net work problems but also gave the community an alternative for enhanced telecommunication services. 

The glimpse of business that I have carried out so far can be obtained from the financial statement and the growth as mentioned below.

 In my business, I prioritize in making timely payment to supplier and attending to the customers’ complain etc. Taking the customers’ feedback constructively helped me improve my business and deliver the services unfailingly. Financial discipline is also important because business fund and owner’s money should be considered separately. So I don’t divert the funds meant for business for personal uses. I adhere the policy of fair pricing and thus always charge the just price. I gained several entrepreneurial skills by coordinating and taking many enterprising initiatives in my life. I have coordinated and constructed one stupa worth Nu. 25, 00, 000 (Twenty Five Lakhs). By coordinating this project, I learned to manage and engage the labors in an effective and efficient manner. It also taught me to become a competent manager in mobilizing and managing project funds and materials in most accurate way. My creativity, patience and how to communicate with different classes of people kept enhancing.Having established a general shop, my learning experiences kept blossoming. In addition to this, I inculcated entrepreneurial qualities such as having patience, commitment, persistence, perseverance, coordinating skills, leadership quality, and financial discipline, how to maintain book keeping and most importantly it made me a risk taker. With this business, I learned to provide unfailing services on time which helped me not only retain the customers but also attract more of them.Besides, my voluntary works in conducting awareness programs on affect of marijuana, consequences of night prowling (which was a common man to woman approach in remote Bhutan), fund raising activities through showcasing cultural events are some of my foundational values for building confidence and public relationships.While advertising for my business I found out that human behaviors are not same. Just advertising is easy but convincing them to buy the goods and services is difficult. Different people have different taste and preference for the products and services. So I have learned the skills to convince the customers to buy my product. To convince them one has to be honest to customers; one has to show proper attitude and have to be committed to customers.Having understood the intricacies of business and also having realized that immense opportunity are lying to run profitable business with all corporate social responsibility and also having realized my business strength as established brand name of my business I am looking forward to have franchisee retail counters in remote areas at my standards and parameters with my business values and ethics I have invited for the later of interest for which I getting a good response from the interested parties. So 2016 I am hopeful to have ten retail counters across Bhutan and I am sure I will be able to provide ample guidance to the franchisee retailers and the same will be replicated in years to come.  

THANK YOU

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This our Bhutanese church which we pray and where people can recite the prayers for the benefit of sentient beings. Bhutanese culture is very unique and different from other country and it plays pivotal role in strengthening the Bhutanese culture.

Let me take my way.