Text, photos and video my Monsi A. Serrano
The 2-day event organized and launched by the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) was a resounding success wherein thousands of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) gathered in PTTC Pasay City to celebrate the MSME Development Week, with “Leveling Up MSMEs for Success and Growth” as a theme.
Excitement cannot be contained from the participants as they all enjoyed the free seminars given by the PTTC.
The well-planned event kicked off on its first day with the topic of Digital Marketing led by representatives from the popular platforms Google PH/Singapore and Lazada PH. The entrepreneurs were taught the importance of being seen online and how to create an online presence. The event was streaming live over 12 DTI Regional Offices and selected Negosyo Centers nationwide.
“Because the world demands quality products and services, I would like to believe that Filipino buyers should not be anything less. It’s about being innovative and it’s a reality we have to face that there are certain tools needed to succeed in the business, to be found by investors, clients, and suppliers along with other millions of entries. Bringing here known brands like Google & Lazada, would be easier now to convince the MSMEs to level up,” said PTTC Exec. Dir. Nestor Palabyab.
Participants were so elated and inspired to hear from no less than Google Philippines Country Manager Kenneth Lingan and the French Manager from Google Singapore Sam Jeanblanc.
There was also an on-the-spot follow through workshop activity, like signing-up with Google My Business, which was taught also conducted by representatives from Google with the ultimate objective of being found on the world wide web.
In the afternoon, there was lecture series of Lazada, one of the country’s top online selling platform, started with basics of E-Commerce 101 for its opening topic, followed by a session on The Future of Shopping Using Facebook to Increase Sales, for MSMEs to take advantage of their social media accounts in showcasing and marketing their products and services.
The second day was also as exciting and attended by more than 500 MSMEs, with sessions on Entrepreneurship Development such as Enhancing Entrepreneurial Mindset, Establishing Market Niche, Developing Winning Product, and Creating a Brand.
Simultaneously, for the food manufacturers, there were sessions by industry gurus on Food Product Development, teaching participants the complex and dynamic process of new food product development starting from product definition, product implementation and product introduction. Other topics include Food Health and Nutrition, Food Engineering and Processing, and Sensory Evaluation.
“With the directive of the DTI Secretary for PTTC to become the Global MSME Academy, we shall embrace and enable all MSMEs from inception to eventual expansion, not just to export but to cover the whole value chain as they create value and compete in the marketplace,” Palabyab concluded.