88DB Philippines & Go Negosyo: A Partnership Made for Easy, Successful Business
To provide easier ways to start and grow a business. This is the goal of the partnership between 88DB Philippines and Go Negosyo Philippines. With the groups’ commitment and advocacy to help Filipino entrepreneurs, the current tie-up aims to give more Filipinos free and quick access to more business and livelihood opportunities.
88DB.com, the country’s leading service portal, endeavors to provide entrepreneurs with the means to connect effectively with their target market online. Go Negosyo (www.gonegosyo.net), an advocacy and a business resource site of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) contains articles, news, mentoring programs, forums, classifieds, and a directory that can help Filipinos start a business. PCE, a non-stock, non-profit organization that advocates for a change in mindset and attitude, believes that engaging in entrepreneurship and developing an optimistic, passionate, creative, innovative, resourceful, diligent, and persevering character would help more Filipinos.
88DB.com’s search widget is now available on the GoNegosyo website, making access to useful information from the online classifieds portal more widely available to micro, small and enterprises; freelancers; and home-based entrepreneurs in the country. The partnership also makes it easier for Filipino entrepreneurs to tap a wider client range via online marketing.
Read More »Businesses Heat Up This Summer
The much-awaited summer season is here. The warm breeze and the scent of sun and sand fill the air. Everyone is in the mood for a vacation and travel agencies are buzzing with hundreds of queries all over the country.
With a lot of people wanting to set off to another place, business owners take this opportunity to reel in customers. Travel agencies compete in offering the best travel deals, for both domestic or international trips.
Travel businesses make use of several marketing strategies to make their deals more compelling. They tie up with known airlines, cruise ships, hotels, resorts, tour agencies, and transport services to make package offerings more attractive. Advertising is also an important tool to attract more clients.
Vacation seekers take this opportunity to get the best possible deals that they can get their hands on, researching on the Internet for special promos that fit their budget. Finding travel packages online is made easy by the growing number of businesses with online shops.
Mr. Zenon Cabrera, General Manager of Blue Chips Travel & Tours, is one of those who look forward to summer. “Summer is a peak season and we have numerous inquiries. Many people are travelling locally and internationally. We have promos for local and international tours,” Mr. Cabrera said.
Mr. Cabrera has embraced online advertising and owns an online shop
(http://www.bluechipstravelandtours.com). “The Internet is a powerful tool for every kind of business. When we put up the business, we discussed the necessity of being known in a wide scale. This is possible through the Internet. Online advertising has unlimited opportunities resulting in revenue,” Mr. Cabrera shared.
Ms. Ma. Lourdes Alunan, General Manager of Great Getaways Travel and Tours online shop (http://www.greatgetaways-travel.com/) also makes the most of the summer season and the power of the Internet to reach a wider market.
“Summer break is a peak season. This is the time when families gather and travel. The demand is great in our country. Doing good service and helping people find packages that suit their budget are still the great things to do in our business. We usually tailor fit our packages to the needs and requirements of our clients,” Ms. Alunan shared. “The Internet creates an open market to online consumers and it helps raise more revenue. Anybody could do online marketing but we consider the risks and other factors that go with it. We look for good price and a good company to do our site,” Ms. Alunan said.
Recognizing the importance of online marketing, Ms. Alunan engaged the services of 88DB Philippines in developing her website. “We see the importance of starting good. People in different parts of the globe would usually ask if you’re legitimate and if your website is good. If you start good, business opportunities follow,” Ms. Alunan added.
Ms. Evangeline Espino, General Manager of Greenways Travel and Tours Corporation (http://ph.shop.88db.com/greenwaystravel) also shares her thoughts on taking advantage of this season and the benefits of online marketing. “We are doing good. Summer is a very busy season for travel agents. A lot of passengers are looking for a good place locally or out of the country to spend their hard-earned money. Promos are always there. You have to take advantage of the early bird rates,” Ms. Espino said.
Summer is not just about personal enjoyment and for travel agencies to make money. It’s also a great time for the country to promote tourism. Through various campaigns, newer tourist spots now share the limelight with the likes of Boracay, Camarines Sur, and Palawan. This makes tourism a crucial component in the entire country’s economic growth.
The summer heat is truly on!
Read More »Internet empowers women entrepreneurs
For many years now, women have proven that they can succeed in many of the fields previously dominated by the opposite sex. Entrepreneurship is one example. And, thanks to the Internet, more and more women are reaping the benefits of venturing into business.
As early as 2008, the National Statistics Office and the Department of Trade and Industry already reported more women business registrants than men.
Although it is generally believed that stay-at-home mothers accounted for the majority of early investors in online businesses, women from all age groups have now joined the bandwagon. Majority of the Filipina entrepreneurs today come from the middle class and operate small-and-medium-sized enterprises as a start.
Regardless of formal business training, they have proven to be efficient in business management as they help in providing more jobs and livelihood opportunities in the country.
Investing in one’s passion
The majority of women entrepreneurs invest in industries that are related to their skills, interests, and preferences. Some of these industries include fashion, food, and event management.
In the case of Lulu Domingo, owner of Cooking Pot Catering Services, it is simply a matter of entering a business where one’s strength and passion lie.
It is in the food industry where is most knowledgeable, which is a very important factor to consider in putting up a business. “So I pursued it because it’s the field where I know I will do well. I look up to the pioneers/veterans in the catering industry and use as inspiration what they have achieved. Find the industry or field where you believe you will excel and succeed. It is important that you have an extensive know-how of the ins and outs of what you’re going to venture in,” Ms. Domingo said.
Overcoming limitations
In this fast-changing world, women who are likely to succeed are those who do not only aim to lead, but also those who want to get the best out of themselves in spite of the limitations they face.
One of those risk-takers is Michelle Victoria, owner of Golden Eagle Travel & Tours . She is also the President of Quezon City Travel Agencies Association (QCTAA). Not hindered by the different challenges that her business encounters, she manages to stay on top of things.
“We had to work our way to get the right connections and clientele,” Ms. Victoria shared. Her ability to multitask as a woman has been very rewarding. “Clients go back to you and commend you for a meaningful and well-planned travel and recommend you to others as well,” Ms. Victoria added.
Ms. Victoria has proven that women can rise above the challenges of a male-dominated business world with hard work, courage, and inspiration. “Women have proven their capacity and drive. As long as we strive to be the best in every field we are engaged in, there’s no question that we can survive, excel and be successful,” Ms. Victoria said.
Word of mouth
Rhea Ledesma, a home-based entrepreneur who own Dress Code, an online shop shared, “The challenge in selling fashionable bags and dresses online is convincing people to buy my products based on what they see on my website. The big reward is when clients get hold of the items they bought and appreciate the quality of service you have given. They eventually become your ‘sales persons’ and refer you to their family and friends.”
Dress Code’s clientele continues to grow and Ms. Ledesma attributes this to her attitude towards risk. “Don’t be scared to venture into business. It’s true that online business is risky but you will notice that your fears will diminish once you have established trust with your online clients,” Ms. Ledesma adds.
Empowerment
The entry of women in business has helped widen and improve the entire sector. Their success has also helped in elevating the status and credibility of women in general. Living proof of this is a good mix of successful Filipina businesswomen, from big business owners to home-based entrepreneurs.
Women, observers often say, have the innate ability to balance responsibilities at home and in business. Empowered by the Internet, they have now become an important force that drives our economy and society forward.
Editor’s Note: 88DB endeavours to provide aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs with helpful tools and tips on doing business online. For this summer, we are coming up with what we think is the best deal in town when it comes to web design and hosting. We are also lining up more interesting articles for our newsletter and would love to get feedback and suggestions from our valued members. To share your thought with us, please email editorial@88db.com.ph.
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Starting early on entrepreneurship
For many graduates, one of the most difficult challenges they face is figuring out what to do with their lives after leaving school. For some, entrepreneurship can prove to be more than just a viable back-up plan, particularly in times when finding a job can be difficult.
For a lot of young entrepreneurs, the Internet has provided a good place to test an idea and build a promising business. With very little capital, they can create a website and use many forms of digital marketing to spread the word about their product or service. It also gives them a means to communicate directly with potential customers globally and round-the-clock.
Today, online marketing experts believe that a business (whether big or small) has to employ three kinds of media to fully harness the power of digital marketing – owned media (a website or any form of online presence that the company owns and controls), paid media (online advertising), and earned media (buzz generated through social media).
Ideally, it all starts with owned media or your own website and choosing the right partner to get you started is very important. Be sure to deal only with a company that has a proven track record of doing business online. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a website that is hard to maintain or update. As a budding entrepreneur, you will need a provider that offers value-for-money services so you can manage your investment and have enough room to grow your business.
Ms. Allaine Sicat and Myleen Manalan, promising businesswomen in their 30’s and owners of D’Andreas Catering, are among those who started early on entrepreneurship. Their catering business started operations in April 2011 and immediately embraced opening an online shop in October 2011.
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“Myleen and I are friends and we were culinary students at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies. We decided to put up a catering business to continue our passion for food. Aside from enjoying what we love most, we get to earn money,” Ms. Sicat shared. “Going online is one of the most powerful marketing tools now. Aside from people in our place, people from other places can check out our services.” Ms. Sicat added.
Ms. Aira Hernandez, a budding entrepreneur in her 20’s and owner of Big Tummy Cakes, has also utilized the power of the Internet to reach to a wider market. She took up a crash course in baking and decided to put up a cake business in 2010. Thereafter, she opened an online shop in 2011.
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Sometimes, doing business entails a bit of trial and error. Starting early on entrepreneurship then gives you more room for improvement when several attempts might fail. Ultimately, doing what you’re passionate about, investing in your own talents, and committing to continuous improvement will go a long way in making your dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur come true.
Editor’s Note: 88DB endeavours to provide aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs with helpful tools and tips on doing business online. For this summer, we are coming up with what we think is the best deal in town when it comes to web design and hosting. We are also lining up more interesting articles for our newsletter and would love to get feedback and suggestions from our valued members. To share your thought with us, please email editor@88db.com.ph.
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That Big Leap!
Having 366 days in one year is already special; but do you know what makes a leap year more extraordinary? It’s the thought that the love month is extended by a day and that women have the license to initiate that big leap of love and pop the question. In business, things also get a little more exciting as marketers have learned to take advantage of that extra day.
According to some accounts (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/2012-a-few-tidbits-on-leap-year/216680-69.html), the leap year takes us back to the time when the Romans first acknowledged February 29 as a leap day. It was then adopted by the Gregorian calendar, which gave us exact calculations as to when a leap year must occur.
However, it was St. Patrick who conceived the idea of allowing women to propose to men back in the fifth century after St. Bridget complained to him about women waiting too long for men to propose. In the past, when women make proposals on leap day, men weren’t allowed to say no. If they did say no, women had the right to haul out a fine or a dress of some kind.
Women are not the only busy bees preparing for the leap day. Some businesses, such as gift stores, restaurants, and travel agencies may take advantage of the occasion to promote their own products and services. Flight bookings and reservations often peak by March but travel agencies may offer special rates and packages for couples and for women planning to make the proposal somewhere beautiful and romantic.
Restaurants and bars may also run a special buy-one, take-one promo on Leap Day by turning an extra day of work into an extra day of fun. This promo can add some spice into the usual “Happy Hour” or “Wednesday Humpday” (because February 29 will fall on a Wednesday this year).
Specialty stores and jewelry shops may also join the bandwagon and offer affordable deals for couples who are planning to extend their Valentine’s Day celebration until the leap day. Women may not look for the best diamond rings in town but they will definitely look for something to give their partners as a sign of their love and affection.
Mr. Lax Mendoza, owner of Le Voyageur International, is one of those who look forward to these kinds of occasions. His travel agency started operations in December 2011 and Mendoza immediately embraced new marketing strategies, including opening an online shop (http://ph.shop.88db.com/levoyageur). “Due to the information technology era, it is very helpful that people can easily browse your business over the internet as we believe that each user spends approximately 10 hours a day over the internet and this serves as a powerful medium to promote and market your products and services,” Mr. Mendoza explained.
Ms. Cher Nuguid-Espiritu, owner of Gargantilla Jewelry Accessories & Headpieces, an online shop (http://ph.shop.88db.com/gargantillajewelry) that offers different designs of headpieces, earrings and more, has utilized the power of internet to reach a wider market especially during special occasions such as Valentine’s. “You could reach not just local but also international clients. Maximize the potentials of online business and reach as many market as you can,” Ms. Espiritu expressed.
There are many ways for businesses to take advantage of the special date. Leap year only happens every four years. This may bring luck not only to bride-to-be’s but also to aspiring entrepreneurs who will keep their eyes open for every opportunity coming their way, whether dictated by tradition or not.
Read More »In Full Bloom
Other than romance, the flower business is usually in “full bloom” in the month of February. Crowding the streets of Dangwa and flower shops all over the metro are people from all walks of life in search of the perfect bouquet to give to their loved ones. This is a common sight when Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.
Just as the flowers being sold turn from bud to full blossom, the flower business has also been growing and evolving with time. Gone are the days when you can only buy bouquets of red roses from flower shops on the streets. Now, flower shops can also be found online.
In this modern age, almost everyone relies on the Internet for a plethora of information. With this, flower shops that have websites have a wider market reach. Having an online presence likewise makes it more convenient for customers who now have another avenue by which they can get their hands on a bunch of flowers.
Showers of Blessing, owned by Rebecca Magisa, is one of the many online flower shops that you can find on the Internet. The business started sometime in 1998. Then with the rapid growth of the Internet and its market, Ms. Magisa engaged 88DB’s listing services in 2008 and shop services in 2011. Through the online presence of Showers of Blessing, she got more inquiries and sales not only locally, but also internationally. Going with the current market trend significantly boosted the flower shop’s business.
“If you own or hope to own a small business, particularly a flower shop, patience is the key to having a long-term business. You don’t need a degree to start a business but you need to learn about marketing, do research in the industry that you want to be in and make sure there’s a big market for you. Online advertisement is an effective way to build and expand your exposure, Ms. Maguisa said. To further improve its sales, Showers of Blessing (http://ph.shop.88db.com/showersofblessing/) will soon have a shopping cart feature, making it more convenient for its clients.
This February, sharing the beauty and wonder of flowers is easier. Whether you scout the flower stands in the busy streets of Dangwa, go to the flower shops inside the mall, or go online for a special flower delivery, make sure that you pick the perfect ones that contain all your heartfelt message and emotion.
Read More »Celebrating Chinese New Year in the Philippines
Philippines’ large Chinese population, the Chinese or Lunar New Year has become the “second New Year” for most Filipinos. For 2012, January 23 (declared by Malacañang as a special non-working holiday) marks the start of the Year of the Water Dragon.
And since Chinese traditions and customs are well-established in the country, many Filipinos also take note of practices to usher in a prosperous life with the coming of each Lunar New Year.
The celebration usually includes the dragon and lion dance believed to drive away negativities. Other popular traditions are the distribution of red envelopes, fireworks, and food festivals,. Red envelopes filled with money symbolize luck and wealth while fireworks are believed to ward off evil or bad spirits.
Celebrations are, of course, bannered by food. With the Chinese New Year, “tikoy” (sticky rice) is ubiquitous and a popular gift item, even in the corporate world.
Chinese-Filipinos design their houses with red scrolls and red paper lanterns as well as blooming plants and flowers. The said decorations are symbols of renewal and life. Flowers that are often associated with Chinese New Year are plum blossom (for courage and hope) and water narcissus (for good luck and fortune).
Writings that mean “good luck” are often seen in homes and business environments. These writings are often written by brush, usually on a diamond-shaped piece of red paper.
Businesses make use of the colors tangerine and orange for these are signs of luck and wealth.
It is believed that cleaning one’s home or store before the Lunar New Year will “sweep away the bad luck” accumulated in the past year. However, people are discouraged from cleaning up during the New Year celebration itself because it would sweep away the good luck just received.
While the Chinese New Year is celebrated for good luck and fortune, it is also a time for happiness and goodwill. One should avoid engaging in quarrels or fights because it will bring bad luck for the rest of the year.
So start your Chinese New Year right by greeting everyone “Kung Hei Fat Choi!”
Read More »Welcoming the New Year with a Bang
The year is coming to a close. Before you say goodbye and let 2011 become a thing of the past, there are some things that you can do to your business to welcome the New Year with a bang.
For one, you can take this opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your current customers by writing to them. Summarize the milestones that your business achieved in 2011 and thank your clients for their support. Also, give them something to look forward to by sharing some of your exciting plans for next year.
Other than sending your New Year greetings, also include useful information such as tips and solutions. Invite them to share their feedback with you on the things they would want from your business in the coming year, like new products and offers. It is important that your customers feel that you are concerned about their interests by listening to them and giving them information that they need.
The end of the year is the perfect time to do some planning for the next.
As you would probably work on your personal New Year’s resolutions, evaluate your past business goals in order to devise a new one. You may also revisit your unique selling proposition (USP) and make a deliberate marketing and advertising plan based on this. Consider different marketing tools and strategies, such as updating your website and using social media to get closer to your market.
Make a resolution to put in more effort in providing better products and services to boost your business. In order to meet the needs of your clients, you should make an inventory of your products and services, strategically classify each one, and identify the ones that you can maintain and improve.
You might also want to do some year-end promotions as a way of giving back to your customers. This way, you can increase the chances of ensuring their loyalty and possibly attracting more clients.
Editor’s Note: 88DB endeavours to provide aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs with helpful tools and tips on doing business online. In preparation for the coming New Year, we are introducing what we think is the best deal in town when it comes to web design and hosting. We are also lining up more interesting articles for our newsletter and would love to get feedback and suggestions from our valued members. To share your thoughts with us, please email editor@88db.com.ph.
Read More »Pet-friendly malls and shopping centers in the Philippines
Imagine this: It’s your birthday and your family is dining out to celebrate your special day. As much as you wanted to bring your pet with you because he/she is part of the family, you leave him/her at home instead due to pet policies and restrictions set by malls and establishments.
The good news is you need not fret anymore. Several establishments in the country are now recognizing pets as part of the family and a reliable companion, thus branding themselves as “pet-friendly.” So next time there’s a celebration or you simply just want to go shopping with your pet, here’s a quick guide of the pet-friendly malls in the Philippines.
Eastwood Mall
Tagged as the first pet-friendly mall in the Philippines where pets are allowed even inside the mall. Pet owners need not worry as there’s a lot room for their pets to roam around and socialize with other pets. Just a tip though, don’t forget to get your Pet Pass at the concierge.
Image courtesy of www.ourawesomephilippines.com
Tiendesitas
Aside from its being shopper-friendly for its affordable prices and very nice lay-out of stores, this shopping center located in Pasig City boasts of a ‘Pet Village’ which houses around 50 pet shops, pet grooming centers and pet food and accessory stores. Here pets can walk with their owners and are allowed anywhere without requiring carriers or strollers. So far, Tiendesitas is the most pet-friendly among other malls and shopping centers.
Image courtesy of www.tiendesitas.com.ph
Bonifacio High Street
Another pet-friendly shopping center located in Taguig City, pet owners will love its huge open spaces and lush greenery that will allow their pets to freely roam and play, while shopping in their favorite stores and boutiques and dining in its chic restaurants.
Image courtesy of http://annalyn.net
Serendra
Mostly composed of high-end restaurants and boutiques, Serendra (located just across Bonifacio High Street) has this park right in the middle, which is perfect for hanging out with your pet. Stores and restuarants within the complex though have different policies on allowing pets inside their establishments.
Image courtesy of Deuts.net
Aside from these malls, the following establishments are also pet-friendly, but only allow small or toy pets and must be carried around in pet carriers or strollers.
1. Power Plant Mall (Rockwell, Makati City)
2. Greenbelt 5 (Makati City)
3. SM Mall of Asia (Pasay City)
4. SM North Edsa Sky Garden (Quezon City)
5. Cash and Carry (Makati)
START YOUR BUSINESS THIS CHRISTMAS BAZAAR SEASON
Christmas is a time for giving and it means spending to buy gifts for your loved ones but on the other hand it can be an opportunity to make extra income. Leveraging on the commercial side of the Christmas spirit, many have embarked on businesses that prosper during this season. Food specialties are always a hit, so are the toys for kids and the perennial clamor for new clothes especially for the young. There are many possibilities in terms of what to sell this Christmas, you just have to dig deep into your creative consciousness and let loose the artisan in you and you will come up with a distinct product that people will patronize.
Today more and more enterprising Filipinos think out-of-the-box and create products that are unique, functional and saleable. Usually they start their business from home and as they develop their products, they also explore a bigger market to sell to, from neighborhood to a bigger market outside their community. Most start-ups join bazaars and tiangges in their own village and even in other villages. With just small capital, you’ll be able to introduce your product to the public and see how saleable it is. This is also an opportunity for you to get feedback from your market and then find ways to improve it .
Joining tiangges or bazaars is not as simple as displaying your merchandise and waiting for customers to come. It takes creativity and imagination to be able to lure customers and make them buy. Here are some tips for you to make the best out of your bazaar business experience.
Start small but big in ideas
Joining bazaars would entail lots of research and decision making. Start by looking for bazaars within your community and try to experience it as a buyer then take note of the products available and how sellers attract their buyers. From there you can think of your own selling strategy. Surrounded by a multitude of products that competes for attention, the need to stand-out is crucial to keep the bucks coming. Being unique is a very big factor if you want to get the attention of customers. Design your space in such a way that it can easily be seen by the crowd. It also helps to be creative. Try to make your booth look interesting and inviting.
Let your voice be heard
Be courteous and sincere with your greetings. Shoppers are used to the noise of monotonous scripts of salestaff in bazaars. Let your voice be heard by customers with unusual and unique invitations. You may also have a led screen in your booth that showcase your products and its benefits, this way people will have a better appreciation of what you sell. It also helps if the staff that mans your booth, if and when you’re not available, knows your product very well so that he can answer any queries thrown at him at any given time. Make sure that you are aligned in your sales pitch and pricing to avoid confusion.
Prepare for discount seekers and hagglers
People go to bazaars because it’s a great place to get deals and discounts. Malls normally sell products at a higher price simply because they pay more for their selling space versus the booth space in tiangges or bazaars. So make sure that your items are reasonably priced. But more importantly, give some allowance for hagglers. Furthermore, train yourself and your staff on how to handle haggling situations.
Prepare your flyers and business cards
Be ready with your flyers to give to customers who wish to get in touch with you or those who want to know where to find you after the bazaar. Repeat customers often ask for business cards either for next purchase or for business transaction like getting you as a supplier or offering you their complementing business that may help you improve your product. Selling in bazaars and craft shows is a great opportunity to meet not only potential clients but also business contacts and suppliers.
There is a vast opportunity that’s waiting for you, trade fairs and bazaars are held year round all over the country, including established bazaars and expos that feature Filipino-made products ranging from Christmas decors to food specialties in big venues like Philtrade and World Trade Center. These have become the venue for Filipino businessmen who achieved world-acclaim thru their craftmasnship and astute business savvy. By now your just about ready to embark on your own entrepreneurial journey that many entre-Pinoys trail blazed and continue to inspire others to reach their dreams. With so many tools available and some helpful tips presented here you can already start your business and join the vast array of these great entrepreneurs who started their business in tiangges and bazaars but have now grown to be big exporters of their world-class products. Join your local bazaars now to showcase your products and enjoy the Christmas season while earning more.
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