2009 Recipients of Presidential Citations for Best Practices

During the Negosyo MSME (Micro Small and Medium Enterprise) Summit held last July 8, 2009, President Gloria Arroyo cited and awarded entrepreneurs and officials who have helped greatly in the sustainability of the thriving MSMEs in the country. The Summit deliberated on new policies and program initiatives to promote more innovative and vibrant MSME’s. Listed here below are the people who received special citations from the President herself during the event.

* Dr. Volker Steigerwald, German Technical [GTZ Private Sector Promotion (SMEDSEP) Program]

* Mayor Arturo Angara, Municipal Government of Baler, Aurora [Streamlining of Business Permits and Other Licenses]

* Mayor Bartolome Ramos, Municipal Government of Sta. Maria, Bulacan [Streamlining Program on the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit]

* Mayor Marcial Vargas, Municipal Government of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija [Streamlining Program on the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit and Business Licenses]

* Mayor Nenito Santos, Municipal Government of Talavera, Nueva Ecija [Streamlining Program on the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit]

* Mayor Efren Cruz, Municipal Government of Hermosa, Bataan [Streamlining Program on the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit]

* Gerald Patrick Nepomuceno, City Government of Angeles, Pampanga [Business Permit and Licensing System in the B.O.S.S. of the Angeles City Government]

* Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, City Government of San Fernando, Pampanga [Streamlining Program on the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit]

* Vice Mayor Rene Gaudiel, City Government of Bayawan, Negros Oriental [Simplified Procedure for Business Permits and Licenses Renewal Project]

* Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr., Provincial Government of Camarines Sur [Tourism Development Project]

* Sy Yap Chua, Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. [Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) SME Center]

* Sr. Preciosa Rusiana, RVM, St. Mary’s College Tagum City, Davao del Norte [SMC-Business Resource Center]

* Julette Botor-Lacuin, Baao Multi-Purpose Cooperative [Aflatoun, Agricultural, Salary, Damayang Pangkalusugan and Social Financing Programs]

* Gerry Lab-oyan, Cooperative Bank of Benguet [MSME Financing Programs]

* Fr. Jose Victor Lobrigo, Simbag sa Pag-Asenso, Inc. [Microfinance Programs]

* Vicente Paterno, MASICAP MSME Development Foundation, Inc. [Medium and Small Scale Industries Coordinated Action Program II (MASICAP II)]

* Dolores Torres, CARD Bank, Inc [CARD e-System]

* Aurelio Luis Montinola III, Bank of the Philippine Islands [For overcompliance as per R.A. 9501 of its mandatory lending to MSMEs]

* Ambassador Jesus Tambunting, Planters Development Bank [For overcompliance as per R.A. 9501 of its mandatory lending to MSMEs]

* Gil Verallo, Fair Bank [For overcompliance as per R.A. 9501 of its mandatory lending to MSMEs]

* Jenifer Cruz, Cebu-GTH Foundation and DTI Region VII Office [Subcontracting Partners for Innovation (SPIN) Program]

* Mayor Jerry Pelayo, Municipal Government of CANDABA [FARM FRESH (Bagsakan ng Bayan)]

* Mayor Wilfredo Paraiso, Municipal Government of Lumban, Laguna [Burdang Lumban Festival]

* Dir. Edmund B. Benavidez, St. Louie University Extension Institute for Small Scale Industries Foundation, Inc. [Benguet Beekeeping Project]

* Engr. Michael Cases, Inglass Sardines of Dipolog Association [Productivity and Efficiency Program for ISDA under its Clustering Program]

* Ciriaco Lagunzad, National Wages and Productivity Commission and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards [ISTIV Productivity Program]

Read More

Go Negosyo Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2009

Go Negosyo of Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) has been very aggressive in campaigning for the entrepreneurship awareness in the Philippines. They are driven by the advocacy that "Negosyo" or Entrepreneurship is the only way in this trying times to escape poverty. And the current administration has adopted Go Negosyo as their flagship program . Various caravans and roadshows has drawn a lot of business fanciers and has acknowledged successful businessmen in every field. And this year Go Negosyo is sponsoring yet another great opportunity for the aspiring entrepreneurs and this time focusing on the youth. The Go Negosyo Youth Entrepreneurship Summit is a one-day forum/expo which hopes to spark that entrepreneurial spirit among the youth. There’ll be forums with experienced Go Negosyo entrepreneurs and mentors who will be sharing tips and advice on opportunity-seeking, marketing, financing, product development, and all the basics of going into business. Government leaders will also be sharing their views on the need for entrepreneurship development in the country. And in this event they'll be awarding the Go Negosyo Most Inspiring Young Entrepreneurs.

Plus, they’ll be featuring possible negosyos that the youth could go into:

BPO Business Process Outsourcing; products and services
Business Publications - Business publications, whether online or on paper
Cars - Cars (brand new, pre-owned), accessories, services and rentals
Clothing - Clothes, accessories and everything you wear; for women and men
Computers - Hardware, software, services and everything about computers
E-Commerce - E-commerce sites, whether B2B, B2C, etc.
Education - Schools and all matters of learning – training, review, books
Finance - Banks, financial institutions and services relating to money
Food - Food products or services (anything you eat or drink)
Gadgets - Cellphones, ipods, PDAs and all gizmos out there
General Merchandise - Various goods and supplies
Government - Agencies that you regularly deal with
Handicrafts - Handicrafts, furnitures and related products
Home - All goods, supplies and services for the Home
Office - Office equipment, supplies and services
Party Resources - All parties: birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
Real Estate - Apartments, houses, companies and agents, etc.
Sports - All products and services relating to hobbies and sports
Travel & Tourism - Transportation, hotel and accommodation, resorts, vacation places
Web Dev - Web development, web programming and software, web hosting
Weddings - A million and one products and services relating to weddings

The said event will be held on August 28, 2009 September 11, 2009 at SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia starting at around 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM.

For more information visit Go Negosyo's official website at http://www.gonegosyo.net

Read More

Masigasig Magazine: A Free Mag for Entrepreneurs

Globe has been very intuitive in its rage to help businesses especially to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Thus borne its essential division dedicated to give services to all businesses. With its commitment to aid and further SMEs Globe Business played a great role in the establishment of many SMEs and made it big in the industry. And one of the manifestation of such commitment is the Masigasig Magazine. Masigasig is a monthly special publication produced by Globe for SMEs. Masigasig means determined, persistent or motivated, with strong sense of direction in terms of goals to be achieved as defined by Globe. It is a very ministrant mag that gives practical yet profitable tips, fresh and brisk business ideas and savvy features among others. One of its best portion is the featuring of entrepreneurs from SMEs to inspire people in the industry and to entice those who are yet to taste the pie of entrepreneurship.

Since I've known of this magazine, I always make it a point to drop off at Globe Business Centers where I can get a free copy of it every month. Masigasig comes also as a complement when you buy an Entrepreneur Philippines mag. And I've posted some articles from the magazine into this blog to share it to other people who are searching for those practical industry tips from the experts of Masigasig. Not to mention its hip cover features and chic look inside, it is also a very informative mag for a business savvy and aspiring entrepreneur. (Photo Courtesy: http://mb.com.ph)

Read More

Makro re-branded as SM Hypermart

SM Investments Corp. will soon convert its Makro stores into hypermarkets—outlets combining a supermarket and a department store—because the concept of wholesale buying no longer appeals to consumers, an official said yesterday.

The Sy family’s holding firm initially would convert three Makro stores in Novaliches, Makati and Mandaluyong into hypermarkets, said Robert Kwee, executive vice president of SM Hypermarkets.

“We will see first how things will develop,” he said.

Makro has 15 outlets that cater mostly to restaurants, caterers and mom-and-pop stores, but the idea of getting a membership card to buy wholesale in a Makro store was no longer attractive because of the economic slowdown, Kwee said.

Pilipinas Makro, which operates the Makro stores in the Philippines, originally was a partnership between the Sy family’s SM group, SHV Holdings N.V. of the Netherlands, and the Ayala group.

But in 2004 the Ayala group sold its 28-percent interest in Makro to its joint-venture partners, and in late 2007 SM Investments folded the Makro stores into its operations after it increased its ownership of Pilipinas Makro to 60 percent.

Makro also has outlets at the North Harbor, Cubao, Las Piñas, Cainta, Imus, Sucat, Cebu City, Davao City, Pampanga, Batangas City, Cagayan de Oro City and Iloilo City.

The three Makro stores aside, SM Investments also plans to put up three other hypermarket outlets in Fairview, Las Piñas and Quezon City this year.

The group will also open 14 more Savemore stores—smaller outlets that cater to customers’ day-to-day needs. Jenniffer B. Austria | Manila Standard Today

Read More

Go Negosyo Upcoming events

July 8 - Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Entrepreneurship Summit

We will be holding the Go Negosyo Entrepreneurship Summit on July 8, 2009: the first day of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Week which we are co-organizing with the Department of Trade and Industry. For this day, we hope to present the framework for entrepreneurship development, as well as plans which can be adopted by the regions nationwide. This will be held at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall. For inquiries, e-mail us at gonegosyo@gonegosyo.net or call our PCE Hotline +63 2 6379229.

August 20 -- Go Negosyo Youth Entrepreneurship Summit

We are organizing the country's BIGGEST negosyo summit for the youth where we aim to bring in influential and inspirational role models, allow for mentorship opportunities with our pool of Go Negosyo experts, and showcase the possible business models and tools that the youth can use for their negosyo. This will be held on August 20, 2009 (Thursday) at the World Trade Center. Interested partners and exhibitors may e-mail us at youthsummit@gonegosyo.net or call our PCE Hotline +63 2 6379229.

Read More

The search for the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines program recognizes the achievements of Filipino Entrepreneurs who develop businesses that influence the way we live, transform local communities and support the economy as it moves forward. Some of the 2007 awardees were Margarita A. Fores of Cibo, Inc., and Raymund Joseph T. Laurel of Rajo Laurel Enterprise to name a few.
The search for the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines 2008 has been extended!

For more information, please contact the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines secretariat at:

SGV Foundation, Inc.
5th floor, SGV 1 Bldg.
6760 Ayala Avenue 1226 Makati City
891-0307 local 7766 or 7799
eoy.info@ph.ey.com
www.eoyphils.com

 

Nominations will be accepted until April 30, 2009.

Read More

International study-assistance franchise KUMON changes the way we see supplementary classes

The founder of the well-known Kumon Centers, the late TORU KUMON,

was a Japanese high school math teacher who wanted to improve

his son’s math. The effective method he created in the 1950s,

which emphasizes individualized learning and repetition, quickly drew the

interest of parents worldwide. “It was in 1996 when KUMON PHILIPPINES

was established to franchise to qualified applicants,” says LAWRENCE

LAURETA, Communication Support Group Leader.

Lawrence notes that people at first weren’t accustomed to Kumon’s

individualized learning, or thought it was a tutorial program for the

academically-challenged. (Kumon focuses on Math and Reading programs

that are tailor-fit to suit the student’s ability.) “It’s more a supplementary

education intended to empower a student to be better,” he clarifies. “Our

students are living proof of the effectiveness—as families witness their

success firsthand, our credibility quickly spreads via word-of-mouth,” says

Lawrence. “In our 10 years in the Philippines, we’ve started seeing our

impact on society.”

Before a Kumon franchise is granted, instructors are required to

undergo orientation, tests, interviews, and

training. They must also secure a suitable location

in a commercial area that’s both accessible and

secure, submit a franchise agreement, and pay

a franchise fee of 16,800 per subject (Math

and Reading). Another 500,000 to 1 million is then spent towards commercial space,

facilities and furniture, and manpower. “Because the business provides services more than

products,” explains Lawrence, “we should invest highly in training our people—especially

this being the education industry.”

“We currently have over 180 Kumon Centers nationwide. The return-on-investment

varies, but generally can be achieved after about six months,” says Lawrence. “At the end

of the day, the profit isn’t gauged by monetary value, but by how we have reached and

changed the lives of the children.”

Read More

Globe I-Café Kit

As with any business, setting up an Internet café—and s u s t a i n i n g i t—c a n b e daunting. Which is why this business-in-a-box solution is no doubt a welcome solution to start-up entrepreneurs.

T h i s a l l - i n - o n e p a c k a g e eliminates the following problems commonly encountered by those who want to set up their own Internet café, and even those who want to improve their existing business.

  1.“There are too many technical requirements.”Admittedly, there are many technical requirements to consider in order to maximize the profit potential of your business: the ideal PC, software, and the right Internet connection. Solve all that in one go with the Globe I-café kit—it includes personal computers, genuine Microsoft Operating System (so you don’t have to worry about pirated versions), and fast and reliable Internet connection of up to 5 Mbps.

2.“How can my business compete when there are five other Internet cafes on the same street? Getting your business noticed can be challenging. You will need signages and posters to make your business and brand stand out. Luckily, if you happen to be a Globe I-café kit subscriber, you will also receive a dress-up program, consisting of an attractive lighted outdoor signage, colorful posters, and other peripherals that will help market your business. 

3.“My existing Internet café isn’t picking up. What could I be doing wrong?” Several factors may be pinpointed as the cause. Is your Internet connection fast and reliable? Are you using the right hardware and software? Chances are, it’s a combination of different things. Conduct an evaluation of your business system to get a definitive diagnosis so as to find the right solution.

  4.“It’s such a hassle to canvass prices from different dealers.” This unnecessary step is eliminated by this no-nonsense package from Globe. Since you get everything you need (hardware, software, broadband) in one go, you don’t have to negotiate with separate dealers for computers, Internet connection, and so on. An Account Manager from Globe is on hand to assist you.

  5.“I want to franchise but I don’t have that much capital. I also don’t want to get victimized by hidden fees and charges.” With Globe I-café, you can start your own business with as low as 100,000 for the hardware. The monthly recurring cost for broadband can be as low as 1,295. Best of all, there are no hidden charges and no franchise fee.

  6.“I’m not really Internet-savvy.” You can rest easy once you avail of the Globe I-café kit—it’s easy to understand and easy to set up, and since you’re dealing with a reputable company, you can be assured that you are getting the best specs at the best rate. You can even call the Globe hotline at (632) 730-1288 if you have any concerns. 

HOW TO AVAIL OF THE GLOBE I-CAFÉ KIT

To avail of the Globe I-café kit, simply submit the following requirements:

1. Proof of identification

2. Proof of billing address

3. Proof of income

4. Business permit

You can choose from two types of personal computers: the Internet Surfing and Gaming Model, which is designed for simple surfing and gaming; or the Mega Gaming Model, which is designed for heavy gaming because of its Dual Core processor and bigger LCD screen.

 

 

Read More