Paving the way for the digitalization of Baguio-based micro, small, and medium enterprises’ (MSME), Globe myBusiness Academy, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held a whole-day event where entrepreneurs from various industries were invited to seek advice, motivation, and inspiration from experts in different fields.
“The inability of our MSMEs to maximize the potentials of the global market is one of the current challenges for business owners here in Baguio. Mas maraming magagandang produkto ang ating MSMEs na highly competitive sa iba. It’s either ‘yung know-how nila ay limitado or the resources available [are limited] in order to bring their products globally,” says Andrea Palaez, OIC for the Business Development Division of DTI Benguet.
This statement proved to be the case for Andrea Apagna, a business owner of knitted goods who attended the Globe myBusiness Go Lokal event, supported by DTI. “Noong nakuha ko ang invite, may nakalagay na DTI, so siyempre interesado ako kasi about business. Pero noong nakikinig na ako, naisip ko, parang millennial business ito ka’ko. Dapat pala anak ko ang nandito,” she said.
Like Ms. Apagna, many business owners find it intimidating to embrace the digital age, but through the program laid out by Globe myBusiness Academy, they went home fully informed about the various ways they can grow their business in today’s digital world.
“We recognize the big contributions that MSMEs give to drive growth in our economy. That is why we were excited to bring the Globe myBusiness Academy in Baguio City where businesses in various industries are emerging fast. We want to be part of every MSME’s business journey. We want to provide them with affordable and tailor-fit digital solutions previously available only to big companies, to help make their business successful,” said Celeste Porto, Globe myBusiness Marketing Head.
Motivational speaker Anthony Pangilinan began the session by encouraging the participants to “open every area and level of your organization for innovation” by remembering the five Cs – Change, Consistent, Constant, Cost, and Customer.
Entrepreneurs, he said, must be willing to change constantly but at the same time, remain consistent. They must also invest in changes which will in the long run, benefit the customers.
One way to utilize technology is to go online to reach more customers without incurring large expenses according to Alvin Ching, Lazada VP and Head of Seller Engagement. “Now is the right time to get into [doing business online]. If you have a business or you’re already selling something, then sell it online. If you don’t have a business, consider going online,” he said.
Ching’s statement was supported by Joey Flores, Ad Spark Associate Director, and Eugene Jose Arboleda, Taxumo and Manila Workshops Subject Matter Expert.
To become digitally-ready, Flores said businesses should have a website or social media page for people to find their products, create the right advertisement and advertise to the right audience, and deliver the right content.
For those who want to have a website, Arboleda advised to “to be clear about your website’s purpose” by asking what role does it serve in the whole consumer decision journey and how will it help boost their business.
Anton Andres, Samsung Product Manager/Solutions Architect for Enterprise Mobility, on the other hand, said entrepreneurs should also take advantage of the popularity of mobile devices which are effective tools to do business and collaborate with like-minded people anytime and anywhere. “I think that the future is already here and the future is mobile,” he said.
But while digitalization is good for the business, Es Salomon, Go Canvas APAC Sales and Product Engineer, warned that it should not be done just for the sake of digitizing.
“Remember the three things when you’re looking for a technology: It has to be flexible, it has to adapt to the user, and it has to have value for your customers,” he stressed.
Finally, Mikee Magsaysay, Carmen’s Best Sales and Marketing Executive, said whatever challenges they may face, businesses should always use what is unique to them while keeping an eye for any opportunity that could be beneficial for them.
Globe myBusiness Academy is part of Globe Telecom’s mission to inspire, empower and provide learning for MSMEs all over the Philippines. It does this first and foremost by being a source of expertise and guidance for startup owners as well as experienced business entrepreneurs.
To know more about how Globe myBusiness Academy can help your business, please visit https://mybusinessacademy.ph/
