Dealing with intrigues

Author: Bibsy Carballo
Column: Meanderings

Fanny Serrano has been in the beauty and entertainment business for more than 40 years. He admits to having been blessed to be accepted by these two sectors and not having had to deal with much of the intrigues that plague these industries. However, lately, since his presidency of the Philippine International Cosmetologists Association (PICA) and their successful holding of the Cosmetologie 2009 beauty fair, Fanny has been the target of much intrigue of the worst kind, he says.

Cosmeto-logie 2009 is a one-stop shop event for Beauty, Wellness and Trends, an expo where various products can be tested from haircare, nailcare, cosmetics, fashion, gym equipment, massage, aromatherapy, plus seminars galore, and celebrities from Judy Ann and Pops to Gary V giving out awards. It has been billed as the biggest trade show of its kind in the Philippines.

These claims put together by PICA and its events partner Premier Events Plus (PEP) possibly incensed some practitioners in the trade said to have unleashed a tirade of unprintable statements regarding Fanny and his group.

Below is a letter from Joel Pascual of PEP to Fanny,

TF,

I decided to write you a brief note so that you would not be so affected by what you hear about Cosmetologie '09. We have done this many times before and let me give you my most honest opinion on the show and allow me to tell you how to properly take in all the comments, good and bad :

It was an awesome first year!

Sure there is much room for improvement but we at PEP have already opened many new shows and know what it is to be subjected to opinions on our first year. Believe me that Cosmetologie's first year was very good. Nobody could have expected us to be perfect given that it was your first time to do this, it was our first time in the beauty industry and some were fighting us unfairly.

Do not be bothered too much. We accept all the criticisms because that is how we will grow bigger and better. If all we got were praises, then we know that "BOLA" lang lahat 'yon because it is impossible to have perfection on a first year.

With our own show, WOFEX (World Food Expo), it is the biggest and leading show acknowledged internationally, we still cannot expect to be perfect and continue to appreciate good and bad comments because that is how we become better. Impossible to please everyone.

Impossible also for all exhibitors to sell. Syempre may happy and meron din naman lower than expected ang sales. It is the easiest way to blame the organizers or the event ...how-ever, in our experience, it is also about the product. Kaso nga, mas madali to blame us...that we have taken as the part of the risk of the trade.

With our good showing, TF, simply be happy with the fact that we are already bigger than any other similar show in the country only on our first year. We can only get better from here. It serves as a challenge.

Let us not expect that everyone will be on our side. Let us take the competition with dignity. Let others do their business by subtraction (negative criticisms to others) while we do our business by addition (slowly but surely we will get them to our side).

Other associations are already a brand and have been in the industry for so long...of course we will be compared to them. However, in as much as some comparisons are in their favor, madami din naman ang in our favour...that is again excellent for a first year...at least nakita nila na ibang putahe ang Cosmetologie event.

TF, think of it this way...ang strength natin ay ang exhibition for our sponsors and other beauty products plus their latest technology, seminars for our salon owners and new talents in the salon business and of course, your main goal na magkaroon ng pagkakaisa ang ating beauty industry...and I think this is much harder for anyone to equal because so many people are behind you. We will forever be the wind beneath your wings.

Rome was not built in a day...we will try to build it in 2 years...let's focus on 2010!

TF, I know what you are going through, we were like that in our first year of business, super affected by everything that we hear. Experience tells us that as long as people see us making the necessary adjustments to perfect our event, we shall continue to generate support.

Don't worry too much. Ang wrinkles, hehehe. - Joel

Source: People's Journal