NU12 #1 - New Attitude/Paradigm - Lea Olegario

NU12 #1 – New attitude/Paradigm – Lea Olegario

Marking-up goods for profit always gives me a guilty feeling. I have never felt fully at peace when I try to sell goods to my friends and I know I marked it up. Although I think it is just right and I think everyone is expecting that anyway, I still feel a little bad about it especially when I sell to my friends.

There was one time that my contact (a relative), from whom I get my products, defined the selling price – it was already marked up. She had apportioned a profit for me but did not tell me how much as she knows how I am with marking up goods. She only told me how much I am getting after I remitted the money to her. It is only that time that I did earn something.

I took up MBA to gain a new perspective on things and in life – and these I have been getting. In business school, selling, pricing, and value of products are often discussed. With all the discussion on businesses, about creating value and adding more value to products, and how pricing plays a part in business strategies, I become more and more accepting of the fact that marking-up is normal in businesses. There is no reason to be guilty if the product you are selling has value to your customers. Profit is expected as businesses are meant to provide returns to stakeholders. Entrep class even mentions that one is able to earn much more when doing business as compared to remaining as an employee even with a big salary. I mean how can one do that if there will be no mark-up on the price right?  

Being exposed to the business world during all my MBA classes provided like a scab to an open wound I have on pricing and marking-up.  Now, I am excited with the idea of selling goods with a fair profit and can even say my offer price without a wince. 3