Category: Business & Lifestlye

  • Three Shopee Sellers Gear Up for 9.9 Super Shopping Day to Scale their Business

    Three Shopee Sellers Gear Up for 9.9 Super Shopping Day to Scale their Business

    MSMEs demonstrate that e-commerce is for everyone in Shopee.

    The current global situation brought about significant lifestyle changes: more people are working from home, consumers are shopping online for their convenience, and business owners are transitioning to online and e-commerce platforms to stay afloat. Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, shares three sellers who found success online with Shopee and how they are preparing for the much-anticipated 9.9 Super Shopping Day.

    Obra Ni Juan: Supporting Employees and their Families

    Obra Ni Juan, a local clothing store, halted their operations inside a leading mall when the pandemic hit. They decided to shift to online selling to continue their business, launching their Shopee store last June 2021. Obra Ni Juan started to make their products available to a bigger and wider audience while continuously generating sales even with their physical stores being closed. “Because of Shopee, our employees are able to continue providing for their families despite these trying times.”

    They are content with the Shopee Seller experience as Shopee provided them with an assigned Incubation Manager who guides them through the onboarding process and supports them in maximizing the different tools they can use to increase sales and foot traffic. With 9.9 approaching, Obra Ni Juan says, “We are bolstering our stocks for our existing products and we have been continuously preparing new items and designs to offer to our Shopee customers. We will also utilize other Shopee marketing incentives such as free Shopee Ad Credits; which leads to clicks that are converted to actual sales and continue to utilize the available marketing tools to scale our business.”

    Cleanstar: Building Customer Loyalty

    Cleanstar is a one-stop shop for all dental floss needs that supplies affordable, innovative, and high-quality dental floss pick products. During the early stages of their business, they saw Shopee as an opportunity to extend their reach. “By regularly attending the online webinars organized by Shopee and accessing helpful resources on educational hubs, we managed to set up our Shopee online store. The key is utilizing everything that Shopee offers and to just be consistent in what you are doing.”

    Cleanstar leverages Shopee Live and In-App Business Insights the most. “Through Shopee Live, we can discuss our product line to our customers and also educate people regarding oral health which helped us gain more followers. Through In-app Business Insights, we also get to monitor the overall performance and health of our store through data and inform us on which aspects we can improve on, and allows us to reply to customers’ feedback about our products. It’s really humbling to see the growth in our follower numbers, and how they give feedback every time they order.”

    With the number of orders they were receiving, Cleanstar eventually decided to hire a team just for fulfilling Shopee orders. This coming 9.9, Cleanstar is preparing its stocks early to fulfill orders without the hassle. They also put up ads on the site to improve the visibility of the products.

    Martipaps Gift Shop: Increased Daily Orders

    Martipaps Gift Shop started selling on Shopee in 2016. They sell various kinds of toys from building blocks and toy cars to mini kitchen sets and pop-up tent playhouses. In the past, they used to do meet-ups and pick-ups, but it took up too much time. “The time spent on doing meet-ups was transformed by selling on Shopee because of its free shipping and Shopee guarantee. A door-to-door cash-on-delivery service where buyers can feel at ease with their purchase. Martipaps saw an increase in sales as they managed to save time on doing meet-ups to focus on managing their store on Shopee.”

    Ever since joining Shopee, her orders grew from one shipment a day to about 100 packages daily. She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to try being a Shopee seller. “Start small. Start from the things you love, because if you love what you are doing you will never get tired of it. You will look for more exciting things, improvements, and additions to make your shop better. Utilize all the tools that Shopee offers – they are like helping hands that can support us to succeed in the online selling business.”

    Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day

    The Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day is one of the much-anticipated sales of the year. Aside from cost-saving deals, Filipinos can enjoy added rewards and convenience by going cashless with ShopeePay. It is an all-in-one e-wallet that shoppers can use to Buy Load, Pay Bills, and Scan to Pay at thousands of merchants nationwide. This September 9, users can enjoy exclusive ShopeePay promotions such as up to 50% cashback on bills payment; up to 50% off on mobile load; and ShopeePay ₱1 Deals from Puregold, Seaoil, Potato Corner, and many more.

    For more deals this 9.9 Super Shopping Day, visit https://shopee.ph/m/99

    Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

    REFERENCE:

    Pao Oga

    Shopee | Marketing | Public Relations (Media Relations)

    Mobile: +63 917 650 1835 (Viber/Whatsapp)

    Address: 15F Asian Century Center (ACC) Building, 27th St. Corner 3rd Ave. BGC, Taguig 1634

  • Build a Home Business with the right digital and e-commerce solutions

    Build a Home Business with the right digital and e-commerce solutions

    Achieve your entrepreneurial success with PLDT Home Biz program

    Amid economic difficulties brought about by the pandemic-induced lockdowns, more Filipinos are now looking for ways to earn from home either through selling or re-selling anything from face masks to food packs and succulent plants or peddling their skills online such as graphic design or teaching a new language.

    The key to making this new breed of homepreneurs successful is connecting them to digital platforms so that they can reach their target customers and provide safe ways to transact business online.

    PLDT Home Biz, PLDT Home’s newest program for micro entrepreneurs operating at home, provides more than the fastest and reliable internet connection by equipping subscribers with the right partner e-commerce tools that are vital in the operating business in the new normal.

    “We have packaged our PLDT Home Biz KaAsenso plans with partner e-commerce solutions that provide a complete digital ecosystem for our subscribers from creating your very own on-line store, accepting secure on-line payments, expanding your reach with high traffic marketplaces and lastly providing delivery in the comfort of your home,” said Patrick Tang, PLDT Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Biz.

    Total E-commerce Ecosystem

    For a secure and hassle-free cashless payment system, PLDT Home Biz subscribers can accept digital payments through QR, bank transfer, and e-wallets, as well as credit and debit cards in partnership with digital financial services leader PayMaya, which is changing the game from high-risk cash-on-delivery to safer and more convenient contactless options for consumers.

    “With many Filipino entrepreneurs launching their business from their homes and going online, PayMaya helps them get paid with a wide array of cashless payment options–whether it’s via e-Wallets or through credit/debit cards. We are there to take care of their payment needs so that they can focus on growing their business and running it smoothly and efficiently,” noted Raymund Villanueva, PayMaya Head of Business for QR Ecosystems.

    PLDT Home Biz has also partnered with UnionBank GlobalLinker, allowing MSMEs to create their own online store-fronts for their business, and be connected to over 300,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) through GlobalLinker’s network.

    “With our diverse network and leading edge platform, we’ll be able to connect our MSMEs with potential suppliers and customers, provide them opportunities to learn from other entrepreneurs through the various webinars, provide them with business solutions to help their businesses growth further, and more,” said Jaypee Soliman, UnionBank GlobalLinker Vice President for SME Segment.

    PLDT Home Biz subscribers are also linked to the popular Sulit.ph online marketplace, enabling them to reach out to even more customers. “The community lockdowns have drastically changed the buying behavior of consumers. Everybody is now buying and selling online, from the tech-savvy millennials to elders who are using the internet for the first time,” Sulit.ph CEO Jay Adevoso pointed out.

    “We also aim to enable safe and reliable on-demand delivery – and avoid physical meet-ups between sellers and their customers; through GrabExpress. PLDT Home Biz subscribers will also be part of the GrabExpress Madiskarteng Boss Club where they get exclusive Grab perks and discounts that they can use to grow their businesses online,” said Jacq Lim, Head of GrabExpress Philippines.

    Virtual trade expos and events

    Through its partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), PLDT Home Biz KaAsenso subscribers can have access to the government agency’s virtual trade shows and caravans that can open up more opportunities and wider networks for aspiring MSMEs.

    Some of the exciting expos that MSMEs should watch out for are the BUYanihan Resellers’ Expo 2020 Rise up and resell! Happening on December 5 to 7, 2020 from 10am onwards, the PLDT Smart Sustainability Fair that runs from November 23 to December 31, 2020, and the DTI Regional Operations Group and One Town, One OTOP Virtual Trade Expo Series of bazaars until 2021 powered by PLDT Home Biz. Joining these Virtual Trade Expos is FREE, MSMEs just need to register and log in to virtualtradeexpoph.com.

    “We bring in these partnerships to give our micro entrepreneurs the best chance of success for their home business. We believe that our MSMEs are a powerful economic force in our country’s recovery from this crisis,” Tang said.

    PLDT Home Biz KaAsenso plans start with the Asenso Plan 1888 with speeds of up to 20Mbps or the Asenso Plan 2199 with speeds of up to 40Mbps. All plans come with free installation and activation.

    Learn more about PLDT Home Biz and how you can grow your business online by visiting www.pldthome.com/biz.

    REFERENCE:

    JEAN RICELLE A. AQUINO

    Sr. Media Relations Officer

    StratWorks, Inc.

    0927 027 8975

  • URC-Thailand cited as among the best companies to work for in Asia

    URC-Thailand cited as among the best companies to work for in Asia

    Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) subsidiary in Thailand has been named as among the “Best Companies to Work for in Asia”, for a work culture that values its employees as key resources.

    The award was given by HR Asia, regarded as an authoritative regional publisher on human resources.

    URC (Thailand) Co. Ltd. was among 38 companies to be recognized out of a field of 138 firms.

    Matthew Dy, HR Director of URC (Thailand) Co., Ltd. receives the award from Virote Sirichanthanont, VP of Government and International Relations of the Personnel Management Association of Thailand (PMAT).

    The companies were selected through a survey that measured different aspects of employee engagement.  These covered culture and ethics, leadership and organization, active initiatives, emotional engagement, employee intention and motivation, behavior and advocacy, collective consciousness, workplace sentiment and team dynamics.

    “One of the reasons for our company’s sustainable momentum is the high priority we place on all our employees as key resources,” said Matthew Dy, URC-Thailand’s HR director, who received the award.

    “We promote a culture of openness and collaboration where all employees are always given the opportunity to develop their individual performance and contribute to the business objectives,” he said.

    Dy said this is done via a “robust performance management system, career planning and individual development plans” aimed at creating a “future-ready organization”.

    “We cultivate a sense of belongingness through relevant workplace initiatives, advocating social responsibility and consistently instilling our core values. This ensures that our employees continue to deliver high-quality products and services that genuinely bring delight and joy for our consumers,” he said.

    Established over 20 years ago, URC Thailand manufactures and exports brands such as Jack ‘n Jill Fun-O, Tivoli, Roller Coaster, Lausanne, Dewberry, Dynamite and Lush.

    It has a factory, research and development center and warehouses at the Samutsakorn Industrial Estate, and a head office in Bangkok.

    The URC Thailand team. In photo (L-R): URC Talent Management & Organization Development Manager Thinathip Sukpluem; Marketing Director Jane Bernardo; General Manager Tanant Suwanraks; HR Director Matthew Dy; Senior Advisor Premchai Navarasuchitr; QA and QMS Manager Boonyarat Chunet; and Media and PR Marketing Manager Pornsulee Piboonsatsanasakul

    URC is one of the Philippines’ largest food and beverage companies, producing popular brands such as C2, Great Taste, Piattos, Cream-O, Maxx, Nova and Nissin. URC is also a major player in agro-industrial and commodities.

    REFERENCE:

    JEAN RICELLE A. AQUINO

    Sr. Media Relations Officer

    StratWorks, Inc.

    0999 625 6319

  • BayaniJuan Caravan: Supporting our local sari-sari stores

    BayaniJuan Caravan: Supporting our local sari-sari stores

    To honor the bayanihan spirit of Filipinos and help support sari-sari store owners, Universal Robina Corporation (URC) launched its BayaniJuan Caravan.

    Until October 11, 2020, the BayaniJuan Caravan is visiting several barangays in Manila to offer Baker John, Robina Farms products, Great Taste, C2, Payless and other URC products with discounts.

    Sari-sari store owners can save up to Php 77 when buying special bundle packs offered by URC. They also have a chance to take home useful items such as a store protective barrier.

    URC continues to provide support to local entrepreneurs such as sari-sari store owners through the BayaniJuan Caravan.

    The BayaniJuan Caravan project is running with strict protocols to ensure everyone’s safety throughout the run, such as social distancing, wearing of masks, disinfecting of products, and temperature checks upon entry.

    Check out the schedule of BayaniJuan Caravan by visiting URC’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/URCPhilippines.com.

    REFERENCES:

    JEAN RICELLE A. AQUINO

    Sr. Media Relations Officer

    StratWorks, Inc.

    0927 027 8975

  • Shopee and Globe myBusiness Empowers MSMEs to Go Digital and Adapt their Businesses to the New Normal

    Shopee and Globe myBusiness Empowers MSMEs to Go Digital and Adapt their Businesses to the New Normal

    Last September 15, Shopee and Globe myBusiness conducted the Sellers’ Masterclass Webinar, empowering sellers with skills to grow and expand their online business.

    Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, and Globe myBusiness, held a Sellers’ Masterclass Webinar for Globe myBusiness Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) clients last September 15. The one-day exclusive masterclass featured key speakers from Shopee and Globe myBusiness, equipping sellers with in-depth e-commerce knowledge and skills to help them scale and succeed online.

    Nicola Ebrada, Industry Lead for Supply Chain at Globe myBusiness, said, “We at Globe myBusiness, are the digital solutions partner of MSMEs. Guiding our customers towards digitalization has always been our focus, even before the pandemic. We believe that having this Sellers Masterclass with Shopee, who is also one of Globe myBusiness’ valued customers, will enable us to further support our MSMEs in transitioning to the online retail space.”

    As digitalization takes on greater significance for SMEs and entrepreneurs in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, this initiative serves as a vital stepping stone for both Shopee and Globe myBusiness sellers to understand and utilize the platform to achieve long-term success online. During the masterclass, sellers learned how to tap on marketing tools on Shopee and use effective advertising tactics to amplify their online presence and boost online sales.

    Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines, said, “Our partnership with Globe myBusiness reflects one of our key commitments for this year, which is to help economic recovery for our local MSMEs, sellers, and brands. Undoubtedly, this pandemic affected the Filipino community and brought about many challenges, especially to business owners. Together with Globe myBusiness, we will continue to accelerate our seller empowerment efforts and provide them with opportunities to sustain and grow their businesses.”

    Shopee and Globe myBusiness will launch the Shopee Live Super Seller Rewards campaign to build on the success of the Sellers’ Masterclass Webinar. The upcoming initiative encourages sellers to leverage Shopee Live as a useful marketing tool to boost online sales and amplify their online presence. With Shopee Live, brands and sellers can interact and connect with their fans and consumers in real-time, offering an interactive shopping experience.

    Shopee is committed to further helping small business owners recover from the aftermath of the pandemic and will continue to partner with Globe myBusiness to help uplift, educate, and support Filipino MSMEs this year.

    Manage your business efficiently wherever you are with Globe myBusiness’ mobile and broadband offers. Visit the Globe myBusiness Shop to know more: https://www.globe.com.ph/business/sme/shop/gallery.html

    Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

    REFERENCE:

    Catherine Llanes

    Media Relations Manager

    T. +63 2-332-10-31 loc. 103

    M2COMMS  | M2SOCIAL  | M2LIVE  | PROI

  • 021 Maker Space Dream Incubator Opening Soon in Binondo

    021 Maker Space Dream Incubator Opening Soon in Binondo

    Do you consider a modernized with innovative technology co-working space suitable to your business needs for meetings and other related work or personal activities as part of growth and success of your business or career in the community?

    021 Maker Space Dream Incubator, a new coworking space and business incubator will open this September 2020 at the heart of Binondo, a busy commercial district in Manila City. It would be located on the 8th floor of Co Ban Kiat II building along Juan Luna Street, Binondo. The new coworking space, owned by 021 Group OPC, will be the company’s first and largest coworking space in Manila’s Chinatown district. 

    The Co Ban Kiat II building is one of the historical structures in Binondo. It was built during the Pre-War period and was previously called S.J. Wilson building, named after American Navy expatriate Samuel J. Wilson. The building, in the pre-war era, used to be the headquarters of the Manila Stock Exchange and many other prominent companies and firms, including the Standard and Chartered Bank, the Japanese Consulate General’s office, Bank of America, Sunlife of Canada, Phil Am Life Insurance, France Consulate, Switzerland Consulate, and many others. 

    The 021 Maker Space co-working and incubator would occupy over 836 square meters of office space. It would have 170 rentable private workstations, coworking desks, meeting rooms, nursery room, phone booths, and ample area for sitting and events venue. Noting the exceptional demand of a coworking space in the country, the 021 Maker Space Dream Incubator would offer competitive rates and would cater not only to startup companies but to companies of all sizes, freelancers, entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, influencers, and even students. 

    What sets 021 Maker Space different from other coworking spaces? Venture Capital is a term often thrown around when it comes to startups and new businesses. An entrepreneur’s genius business idea often will need business funding in order to grow and Investors may offer to make a venture capital investment in exchange for a percentage return. The 021 Maker Space will be serving as a bridge between the Entrepreneurs and Capital Investors and will help with the incubation of promising companies, countless startup businesses, and turning them into multinational giants. Therefore, with the creation of the incubator named 021 Maker Space, it will turn ventures from “zero to one”. 

    “Opening a coworking space during a pandemic?” It is indeed very challenging to open a coworking space in the current situation, but the owners of 021 Maker Space Dream Incubator believe that despite this pandemic, coworking is still the future on how people will work and that capital venture can have a huge contribution to the country’s economic growth. There are many companies that have asked their employees to work remotely and this kind of office space setup is expected to grow. At the same time, there are a lot of entrepreneurs and startups with amazing business plans who are not afraid to commence their venture and take risks even during this challenging situation. The 021 Maker Space has the potential to provide vital business services to startup businesses and support the remote workforce closer to where they are now. 

    What Services and Facilities will 021 Maker Space Offer its Customers? Aside from a modern and elegantly furnished coworking space, 021 Maker Space will be offering the following services to its clients:  

    Private Offices  

    Coworking Dedicated Desk and Hot Desk  

    Virtual Office Space  

    Meeting Rooms and Event Space  

    Wi-Fi 6 Connectivity with Up to 1 Gbps high internet speed  

    Cozy Lounges and Sitting Area  

    Phone Booths  

    Wellness Room  

    Professional/Business Events  

    Community Events  

    Round the Clock Cleaning Team  

    Complimentary Refreshments

    Reserve your 021 Maker Space Dream Incubator coworking space now while there are still spaces to choose from.

    For inquiries, contact: 

    Contact No. : 09171111921 

    Email Add: admin@021makerspace.com

    Website: https://www.021makerspace.com/

    FB Page : https://www.facebook.com/021MakerSpace

    IG Page : https://www.instagram.com/021makerspace/

    Twitter : https://twitter.com/021MakerLinkedn : https://ph.linkedin.com/company/021maker

    RERENCE:

    Cindy P. Dominguez

  • Three Fashion Sellers Share How Their Online Business Grew with Shopee Live

    Three Fashion Sellers Share How Their Online Business Grew with Shopee Live

    Shopee sellers share their experience on how Shopee Live has changed the way they do business.

    As e-commerce continues to grow in the Philippines, more sellers are exploring new ways to reach out and engage with potential customers online. In particular, Shopee online fashion sellers like Licel Manese, Alpha Joy Sto. Domingo and Nikka Solomon have leveraged live streaming as a unique and interactive way to showcase their products and engage with their consumers.

    From Brick and Mortar to Online Store

    Before onboarding on Shopee, Licel Manese had difficulties getting sufficient sales from her physical store. With the encouragement of her supplier, she decided to set up an online store on Shopee. To her surprise, her online store grew in just less than a year. Licel was looking for a way on how she can acquire more buyers when she found out about Shopee Live while browsing through the Shopee app.

    Through Shopee Live, Licel is able to offer an immersive shopping experience for her consumers while showcasing her products and engaging with her buyers in real-time. 

    “I wish I had joined Shopee earlier. They are very accommodating and helpful during the entire process – and Shopee Live is a key feature in my business’ growth because it allows me to go live anytime, and I will always have an audience. I can give my buyers the ‘in-store experience’ as I can answer their queries about the product, just like when they’re in an actual shop,” she says. Licel adds, “When I started, I had a limited number of viewers, but now, I get about 100 to 200 comments on Shopee Live, mostly consisting of bulk orders from my resellers from Visayas and Mindanao.”

    From Youtube Vlogger to Shopee Live Star

    Alpha Joy Sto. Domingo has a full-time job in a BPO company and also sells on Shopee for additional income. As her online business grew, she quit her job and focused on building a career around online selling. Since then, she has dedicated all her time and efforts in promoting her products on Shopee. She tried video blogging on Youtube, but when Shopee offered a live streaming feature, she decided to switch to Shopee Live and focused there.

    Shopee Live has become an effective marketing tool for Alpha Joy to promote her products and connect with her buyers. What started as a part-time gig grew bigger each month, and she now receives bulk orders.

    “I was on my maternity leave and was very curious about the live stream feature. I tried it for my shop once, and it was effective. After doing it a few times, I realized that it’s an excellent platform to sell my fashion items and is the most effective way to connect with my buyers. With Shopee Live, viewers can easily place their orders,” she said. “Shopee Live helps me manage my inventory, and I get a lot of orders via Shopee Live since I get more than 200 viewers every time I go live. I highly recommend joining Shopee Live because it’s very easy and offers a seamless and convenient shopping experience for the viewers,” she adds.

    From Banker to Live Streamer

    Nikka recently left her work at a bank to focus on her shop on Shopee. As a new seller, she got inspired by other Shopee sellers who live stream their products on the app. Following their footsteps, she decided to use Shopee Live to connect and build a long-term relationship with her buyers and viewers. At the start of her Shopee Live experience, she streamed for four hours, but now,  she takes up to six to eight hours due to the high demand of her viewers.

    “I enjoy doing live streams. When I started, I only had 30 to 40 viewers, but the more I did it, the more viewers I gained. Now I constantly have more than 100 viewers per stream. With Shopee Live, I’m building an online community and connecting with potential friends. It’s not just about selling your items but rather building a bond with your buyers.”

    As she utilizes Shopee Live, Nikka’s orders have grown and she receives more than 100 orders per live streaming. Recently, she and her family celebrated a milestone as she reached 10,000 followers on Shopee.

    Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines, said, “With more sellers venturing online to grow their businesses, Shopee is redoubling its efforts to allow sellers to connect and engage with their consumers better. We are happy to hear uplifting stories from our sellers on how Shopee Live has benefited them. We will continue to innovate our platform and build on existing in-app features to help sellers accelerate their business growth online. ”

    Shopee 8.8 Fashion Sale

    From July 23 to August 8, shoppers can look forward to these three sellers’ live stream sessions at the upcoming Shopee 8.8 Fashion Sale. Users can enjoy free shipping for selected stores, deals as low as ₱8, mix-and-match bundle deals, and ShopeePay fashion vouchers. Users can also enjoy exclusive offers from leading brands such as Silver Kingdom, Hanford, Maybelline, Primer Group, Penshoppe, and iTrends.

    REFERENCE:

    Catherine Llanes

    Media Relations Manager

    T. +63 2-332-10-31 loc. 103

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