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philstar.com - Business Life

Welcome, Cebuano entrepreneurs

Economy

Aug 312014

The 10 Inspiring Young Cebuano Entrepreneurs and the award presenters: (front row, from left): Nico Ybanez and Carlo De Asis of Aframe Surf Company, Christian Paro-an of RC Goldline Salesshop, Mark Ynoc of Ynoc International Trading, Nico Nimor of Nick Automatic, Gabino Abejo Jr. of Abejo Waters Corporation, Erica Neal of Zoet Cakes and Pastries, Koh Onozawa and Franz Ignacio of Loudbasstard, Lorenz Florendo of Tatang’s Extra Crispy Boneless Lechon, Pearl Sarcauga of Dollface Cosmetics, Stephen Ferolino and Cham Lopez (on behalf of Anya Lim) of Anthill Fabric Gallery; (top row) Gabby Cui of PLDT SME Nation, RJ Ledesma, James Bernas of Smart Communications, Jay Aldeguer of The Islands Group, Justin Uy of Profoods International Corporation, Yati Abdullah of DHL, Mayor Michael Rama of Cebu City, author Joey Concepcion and Mon Lopez of Go Negosyo Despite the heavy traffic due to an unexpected downpour, over 300 Cebuano entrepreneurs, institution representatives, government officials and Go Negosyo partners joined us in our gathering on Aug. 28 in Laguna Garden Cafe, Cebu. This gathering welcomed Cebuano entreps to the big network of Go Negosyo entrepreneurs. We also awarded 10 Inspiring Young Cebuano Entrepreneurs who are serving as role models for future generations to follow. These young entrepreneurs maximized their creativity and properly incorporated innovation into their respective business. Aside from the awarding ceremony, we also had a productive dinner forum with Cebuano entrepreneurs Justin Uy, Jay Aldeguer, Kenneth Cobonpue, and Manny Osmeña. Along with Sen. Bam Aquino, Yati Abdullah and Josiah Go, I joined Read More …

Making ‘lovemarks’

Economy

Aug 242014

The classic Mac vs. PC debate: Why do consumers behave this way? Why do they profess undying patronage despite possible product flaws or criticism from others — even becoming spokespersons and evangelists of the brands? MANILA, Philippines – These are truly interesting times for global consumerism. In the telecommunications arena, for instance, we are amid an endless and sometimes vitriolic debate between iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users on which smartphone is better. This is reminiscent of the deep chasm created between PC and Mac users decades back. The keen marketer will not focus on the issue itself but, rather, on a commonality that runs across the consumers involved — and that is their undying loyalty and passion for their chosen brand. We have all experienced and seen such consumer behavior — whether it involves teenagers lining up for the latest Nike Jordans or society matrons clawing to be included on the waitlist for an alligator Hermes Birkin. The anticipation, excitement, hysteria and pleasure derived from owning these products — the first to have among peers — drive consumption. Why do consumers behave this way? What dictates their preference? Why do they profess undying patronage despite possible product flaws or criticism from others — even becoming spokespersons and evangelists of the brands? Clearly, this happens when products have gone beyond being a mere product or brand. They have achieved what Saatchi and Saatchi CEO Kevin Roberts calls “lovemarks.” Simply put, these brands have now transcended into a manifestation of a consumer’s Read More …

You can’t coach desire

Economy

Aug 172014

MANILA, Philippines – Iam at heart, nothing more than a coach. A teacher. A mentor. All I ever wanted to be was a coach. In business I can teach many things: how to deliver a great presentation; how to write a concise business recommendation; how to build a brand; how to develop advertising that builds the business; how to manage complex projects… the list goes on and on. In sports, I can teach an athlete how to eat properly; how to build muscle; how to high jump, or how to run a marathon. Again, it is a pretty long list! All of these skills are important in their context. And all are coachable. But the irony is, the most important attribute of all is not coachable. Desire. I can’t coach desire. This has to come from within. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: Either your want it, really want it, or you don’t. If you have desire, that burning desire to be better, to improve, to take feedback and coaching, to never, ever give up, well, you are already halfway to a very successful endeavor. If you don’t have it, well, no matter what kinds of “breaks” you have in life, how much wealth and opportunity you have had, you will lose out, to someone with more desire. Desire has to come from within. I was a 21-year-old fitness instructor majoring in Psychology and Physiology from the University of Cincinnati when I tried to join prestigious Procter Read More …

What entrepreneurs and professionals can learn from Jack Welch

Economy

Aug 102014

What entrepreneurs and professionals can learn from Jack Welch

Control your own destiny or somebody else will. —Jack Welch Who are your personal heroes or people you admire the most and wish to emulate in terms of success? Whether it’s tycoons John Gokongwei Jr., Lucio C. Tan or revolutionary Andres Bonifacio, reading about the exploits and lives of achievers in biographies will inspire you as well as give valuable lessons. At a recent luncheon, I was seated beside entrepreneur JR Palomo of Be/Loved boutique photography and his parents, Robert Palomo and Evelyn “Toots” Palomo, who own 40 outlets of Great Image Studio, which has been in SM malls for the past 30 years. When I asked who they most admire as a business icon or role model, former Ayala Group investment banker Robert Palomo replied: “Jack Welch.” The 79-year-old retired businessman John Francis “Jack” Welch Jr. is a chemical engineer who became one of the most legendary business leaders in the history of capitalism. He served as chairman and CEO of General Electric from 1981 and 2001, changing GE and leading it towards explosive growth as one of the world’s most valuable companies. Under his leadership, GE’s value rose 4,000 percent! Fortune magazine in 1999 hailed him as “Manager of the Century.” When I asked for five reasons why he admires Jack Welch, Palomo enumerated the following, and I am adding my personal comments to each: 1. Jack Welch looks at the bottom line. I agree. No matter how colorful or impressive a chief executive officer can be, one Read More …

The Agri-Negosyo Summit

Economy

Aug 032014

Agri-entrepreneur awardee Senen Bacani, author Joey Concepcion, Secretary Francis Pangilinan, Senator Cynthia Villar, Undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, Dr. Jaime Alip and New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore with the over 7,000 participants and delegates inside the World Trade Center The first Agri-Negosyo Summit was a huge success! Over 7,000 participants showed their keen interest in this sector. The various speakers showed that there’s money in agriculture, as exemplified by their respective negosyo models, and how several institutional enablers can assist them. Over 40 resource persons/ agripreneurs and enablers surely empowered all the participants that day. The learnings and opportunities have been provided and it is now up to the participants to make good use of them. The choice is ours. And, as we say, success is for those who want it most. That is why Go Negosyo is promoting agripreneurship, because millions of Filipinos live near lands dedicated to agriculture and they should maximize it. With the Go Negosyo bill now signed into law, agri-negosyo should be a major component in the development of the economy of this country.

Flip bags & more at Robinsons Entrep Corner

General

Jul 202014

Flip bags & more at Robinsons Entrep Corner

MANILA, Philippines – Fifteen business-minded students enrolled in the ET Yuchengco School of Business and Management, Mapua Institute of Technology, Makati campus, will be part of Robinsons Malls’ Entrep Corner, which will be held at Robinsons Galleria’s Digi World, Level 1, from Aug. 8 to Sept. 8. During the one-month run, the students will have a chance to showcase and sell their own products, which range from “flipbags” to comfy men’s shorts, to reasonably priced men’s suits, ice cream, wood and steel works, handy nail guns and an online store. Currently taking up BS Entrepreneurship, the students are under the mentorship of Professor Marthinson Villanueva, MBA.

The war on women… in the workplace

Economy

Jun 292014

MANILA, Philippines – As I sit typing this, anger is spewing out of every keystroke. Anger at my fellow man. Or “men,” I should say. In case nobody has noticed, there is an all-out war going on against women. All over the place. Don’t believe it? Well, you may want to remove your head from the sand and take a look around. Two hundred girls are kidnapped and forced into marriage in Nigeria, in a village I once traveled to when I worked there. They haven’t been found and the world has suddenly forgotten them. It’s now illegal in Nigeria to even demonstrate for them! When was the last time we heard of 200 boys being kidnapped and forced into marriages? A woman in Pakistan is stoned to death by her own family for marrying someone she loved, instead of marrying the man they had chosen for her. It’s called “honor killing” and is legal in many places. When did we last hear of a man being killed by his family for choosing a wife on his own? Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: A friend of mine last week asked me to help one of her friends by giving her some therapy advice for rehabilitating a fractured elbow. The woman is a highly educated optometrist and mother of a toddler, juggling a professional life, motherhood, and being a loyal spouse. What happened? Well, she was beaten by her husband and sustained the fracture when she was Read More …

A love affair that got me close to a great doctor

Economy

Jun 292014

A love affair that got me close to a great doctor

Dr. Rose Zeta-Capeding receives the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award trophy and gold medallion for research. I am blissfully married and a proud mother to three young men. My husband Leo knows that I am also engaged in another love affair, a sweet and enduring one. And he approves, so do my sons. This love affair is with research, and it started during my pediatric residency training. I can still remember vividly the excitement and the long nights, the discovery of meaningful developments, the joy of reading medical journals, the eagerness to prepare something thorough and relevant. The excitement I felt continued up to my postgraduate internship, my fellowship in infectious diseases and it has lasted till now. My husband was never jealous and my relationship with my sons never soured despite this other ongoing and never-ending love affair. I could not ask for more. This is the best life. So last May 23, the family accompanied me to Vigan, Ilocos Sur, to attend the 107th annual convention hosted by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA). Being included as one of the 15 finalists for the coveted Dr. Jose P. Rizal Memorial Awards is a proud moment for my family. With them around, I was the proudest wife, mom and doctor. While individual citations were being read on stage for the top awardees for Community Leadership (Dr. Purisima A. Bueno), Government Service (Dr. Maria Victoria M. Abesamis), Clinical Practice (Dr. Bonaleth M. De Vera) and Academe (Dr. Estrella B. Paje-Villar), I Read More …

Coke is it when it comes to giving students life skills

General

Jun 152014

Coke is it when it comes to giving students life skills

Experience learning: In the Coordinates for Life program, third-grade children are encouraged to learn through interactive activities. Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. —John Dewey MANILA, Philippines – Some 23 million Filipino students have started a new school year, but more than the usual exams and pop quizzes, young pupils face challenges like peer pressure, bullying, and unforeseen life choices that could greatly impact their future. Global beverage giant Coca-Cola is taking the necessary steps to enhance their schooling in the hopes of a lighter and brighter tomorrow. “As a company, we believe in developing all the communities where we are present,” said Coca-Cola FEMSA communications manager Cat Avelino. “As our corporate philosophy, we believe in the simultaneous generation of economic, social, and environmental values for everyone who comes across our business. Anything that we are able to do to improve the lives of the Filipino people, in the end, is going to be beneficial for our consumers.” While it has always been underlined in every CSR rulebook that investing in the consumer and its general sustainability constitute the greatest rewards, be it in business or societal impact, Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines’ recent P13-million endowment for its newest social responsibility program in the country turns to an often overlooked but urgent need: that of the education system. Taking a cue from its mother company, FEMSA (Fomento Economico Mexicano), the largest franchise bottler of the legendary brand all over the world, operating in nine Latin American countries, Coca-Cola Read More …

America’s role in Asia’s resurgence

Economy

May 182014

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario (left) spoke on the interests, investments, and continued aspirations of the United States as among the factors affecting the resurgence of Asia and the Philippines as a dynamic economy at the recent Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC) Spring Summit held at the New World Hotel in Makati City. Rick Santos, first vice president of AmCham Philippines and chairman/founder of real estate advisory CBRE Philippines, moderated the forum.

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