Hi everyone! I'm Armila Shakya, macs2005 in the forums and one of the MODs at GTP.  Many of you who frequent the forums know a lot about me already.  So let me reveal a few more little secrets.

I was born in Quezon City, and live in Kathmandu, with my husband and 10-year old son. I met by husband in a UN sponsored international workshop seminar in Hong Kong.

MACS are the initials of my full name; 2005 is when I turned social and business entrepreneur after a long career in international development and also a few years with the government of the Philippines. Since becoming an active member at the forums in late September 2006, I've enjoyed and learned a lot here from the exchanges of all sorts, both serious and insightful as well as friendly, hilarious and silly.  Gained a few good virtual friends as well and just recently made a few business deals, after some months of persistent, creative hard work. I am into handcrafted products and cater to a niche market, so it's be an uphill task.

My advice to newcomers, make good use of the resources available here, especially at My Alibaba and the trade forums. For the older members, who are about to give up, don't!  Just keep learning and improving your business plans, marketing strategies and approaches, and even your English communication, as it really helps a lot in doing business. And remember to practice your due diligence! Pretty soon I'm sure you'll be making your first deal, then another and another...

 

Welcome Armila. I agree on your point of view that is business only grow by learning, there is no quick way.


And for those start ups, higly recommend search topics in the trade forums, a lot of basic question you can find our old member's very helpful tips there.


Looking forwad to see more members who contribution their own experience & knowledge here.


JMS

Replying to [JMS wei]:

Thank you for sharing my views about growing in business by learning, JMS.

I share your wish that others may contribute more of their experience and knowledge in the forums.

Wish you all the best in your business as well as family affairs,

Armila

Replying to [macs2005]:

Hi Armila, it is really very nice to see you here, thanks for sharing us with these nice secrets and also for useful advices, I admire your knowledge, your manner and your good job here, you are a good leader for all business women in the world.

Wish you all successes in your life and your business

Replying to [Usama El Kady]:

Thank you Usama! The feeling of admiration is mutual. I do also appreciate your thoughtful efforts at your own and other forums that help enhance knowledge and/or entertain. Keep up the good work!

Armila

Replying to [ResourcesAdmin]:
Hi,Armila,
thanks for your advice, i know promotion is by learning ,but i feel tired in this line as a newcomer, whatever i try my best to reply the inquiry , but it didn't work. i don't know why, could you give me a answer dispite i know no one can really help me , everything is really depended on by myself , i just want to listen your opinion.

Karen

Hi Armila and indeed all of you,

I'm a new comer here and my real name is Jack Kinobe Sserunkuuma. I'm the founder and Director of *edited* a new sourcing company based in Kampala the capital of the Republic of Uganda.

Like you Armila I have had a relatively long period in development, theatre and film. I'm a playwright, actor and filmmaker specialising in Theatre For Development -TFD ie the use of theatre, music, dance, drama, poetry and storytelling in community based development mobilizations. As a film maker, I specialise in educational feature and documentary films produced with a purpose of causing change to our local communities.

After complition of my Masters degree in International Development in 2005, I retreated back to Africa from England to make full participation in the development process of the local communities in Africa. When I got back home I realised that the rate of unemployment is too high in Uganda and indeed in all the neighbouring countries in East and Central Africa. A big number of graduates have migrated to wealthier countries for employment and better career development opportunities. This labour mobility and skilled labour migrations have hindered development in African local communities. The challenge that faces the governments in Africa now is to create strategies to retain the highly skilled labour force within Africa.
*Edited*

Please do not advertise your company in the forums. Especially somebody else's Member Spotlight. Moderator

Replying to [karenkatherine]:

Hi Karenkatherine (any nickname?)!

Would be glad to offer advice but haven't got a clue which line of business you're in. Contact me at TM.

On a general note, when you respond to an inquiry do your best to address the specific concerns of your prospective buyer, as creatively and sincerely as you can. It is not always that you can meet all the other party's demands but it is how you communicate and connect with her/him that makes a difference. And you don't need to answer every inquiry. After sometime you learn by instinct which ones match with your type of company and also which ones are serious inquiries (often those with more details).

I don't know if that makes sense to you, if not, contact me at TM please.

Glad to meet you here.

All the best,
macs2005

Quoting from [ResourcesAdmin]:

It is very glad to see you with all detalis about you: I find your articles,answers and other details in the forum especially in GTP very usful, current and informative: Giving the details a fresh is not possible by all: It is possible only by the people who have involvement and knowledge: That all you have: My best wishes with prayers for a happy journey here and in life:

Replying to [ResourcesAdmin]:

sorry Armila ..I didn't observe your member spotlight ..but I am sure that you know how I love you and your topics ..nice to see you here Armila

3 flowers ..one for you , one for your husband and one for your smart child ( I said smart because Iam sure that he is as his mother )


Mohamad Alkady

Replying to [macs2005]:
hi,macs2005. nice to know you and thanks for your concern
We are speicalizing in footwear in China.such as EVA , PVC , and PU leather shoes. the quality of our shoes is high, i know i need to use my special way to convince foreign clients to buy our products.i'm a graduate, so i don't have any customer before. now i feel confused ,and just want to find somebody talk about it , release my work pressure .Absolutely, if somebody is interested in our products , you can contact me.

best regards

karen