917Ventures launches FreebieMNL, a social gateway to discounts and vouchers

 917Ventures, the country’s largest corporate incubator and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe, has launched FreebieMNL, a one-stop platform that combines your favorite social messaging apps with amazing deals and vouchers from the country’s top brands. 

With FreebieMNL, you get full access to tons of vouchers - from discounts to established online stores like Zalora, Shoppee, BeautyMNL, Boozy, and PoundIt, to coupons and special treats from famous brands, shops, and restaurants such as Bo's Coffee, Shake Shack, The Red Crab Group, The Store Specialist Group, Digital Walker, GNC, Discovery Hotels and Resorts, among others. And all of these are free as long as you sign up to their channels on Facebook Messenger and Viber.

"917Ventures is constantly looking for ways to serve and delight our customers, especially under current circumstances where many people are staying at home. By providing our customers the best deals around the country, all in one page, we’re giving them a way to discover new things and enjoy life even while on quarantine,” said Vince Yamat, 917Ventures’ Entrepreneur in Residence. “When you sign up to FreebieMNL, you’re signing up to a lifetime of freebies.”

On top of the discounts, you can also expect numerous giveaways and raffles with a chance to win by simply answering surveys, referring friends, or sharing posts. In the last few months alone, FreebieMNL raffled off awesome gift baskets, free prepaid load, a year’s worth of delicious pizza, and a whole year’s worth of fruits and vegetables.

To top it all off, FreebieMNL is further complemented by its awesome website - https://freebiemnl.com/ which features useful life hacks, guides to living your best digital lifestyle, and spotlights on some of the biggest trending topics of our time. It also features cool brands and up and comers that everyone should pay attention to. Of course, the website is also home to deals and vouchers.  

FreebieMNL offers users a world of vouchers, discounts, and freebies all accessible through social media messaging platforms and their website. It is currently available on both Viber and Messenger. To subscribe, just click the Get Started button. Join FreebieMNL on Viber today at https://bit.ly/FreebieonViberNow and subscribe to FreebieMNL on Messenger at https://bit.ly/FreebieOnFBM.

FreebieMNL is a brand under 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom.  Visit https://freebiemnl.com/ for more information.

Skip the line and get your Sony products from LazMall

(MANILA, PHILIPPINES) With the new normal, alternative ways to shop like online shopping has become more popular and efficient.  Sony created a way for you to skip the line and have your favorite Sony products - delivered right to your doorstep just by clicking that checkout button in LazMall. You can now cop great deals and bundles suitable for your lifestyle!

The Sony Centre Flagship store in LazMall assures you that all products are original and are covered with warranty so you can enjoy, be creative, and have peace of mind.

Save yourself from boredom and save 15% on these Sony headphones

People working from home need something that will help them focus and be on point in doing their tasks. Hence, Sony is offering a 15% discount on a couple of headphones to keep you company in working.

If you are the type that is active and loves to move around and run errands, the WF-1000XM3 is for you. It has an advanced audio technology that delivers quality sound with noise-canceling features.

If you’re feeling upbeat and you need intense focus, the WF-XB700 is here to save your day.  It’s all about that bass that will move you and boost your mood to high productivity. You can also choose the right size for you as it comes with four sizes of hybrid silicone rubber earbuds so you can find the perfect fit for your ears to maximize sound quality and minimize outside noise.

Hassle-free delivery

Need time to chill? Enjoy binge-watching your favorite films and TV shows at home with the 65-inch X75H high dynamic range HDR Smart TV with a 4K resolution for a maximum viewing experience. The X75H Smart TV is also perfect for weeknight bingeing with the family. Complete your home cinema experience with HT-X8500. An all-in-one soundbar with Dolby Atmos technology that gives you surround sound for an immersive viewing experience Shop now in LazMall and get a discounted delivery fee!

Mic drop for Sony’s bonus treat

Being physically active is easier than you think if you have a home audio system to pump you up. With its powerful sound from its Sound Pressure Horn, Sony’s Shake-X70D will make you feel the adrenaline pumping perfect for online Zumba sessions. If you’re looking for an audio system that you can use to hone your singing skills, getting ready for your next singing contest, or just missing your go-to karaoke singing partner, then the MHC-V21D is right for you. Sony is giving out a free Karaoke USB when you add to cart any of these select home audio systems.

Whether you pay cash or card, you get a free SD card!

Don’t forget to add to your cart the Sony A6100 and create beautiful images and videos. For only Php 49,000, you can get a free 32GB SD Card. With its exceptional AF speed and performance, and enduring subject tracking, the A6100 lets you hone your creativity at home.

So what are you waiting for? Check out the Sony Centre Flagship Store in LazMall and get awesome deals and exclusive discounts.

For more information:

https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/sony-ph-official-store/

Globe urges LGUs to explore e-commerce, cashless payments

 With the need to pivot to the new normal, Globe encourages Local Government Units (LGUs) to boost their e-commerce for convenience and safety of their constituents and to help SMEs in their online business. 

In the recent Liveable Cities Challenge (LCC) Webinar Series: E-Commerce in the New Normal, Frances Caluya, Globe Industry Marketing Manager for Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes, Globe MyBusiness,  said the pandemic has spurred consumers to rely more heavily on online purchases and services. Recent statistics show that due to COVID-19, 23% of the Philippine population is spending more time shopping online.

 

Caluya says it's about time the LGUs maximize e-commerce, to help their constituents, and to support SMEs by ensuring that connectivity and access to the internet are present.

 

“Now is the right time to invest in electronic commerce (e-commerce) in the Philippines. We should harness the power of the internet because selling online now means reaching more people. And reaching more people, without the risks of the old ways in selling products or services, means more opportunities for SMEs to grow and thrive,” Caluya explained.

 

Caluya added that more establishments and retail shops are now using the internet to sell and to survive the economic downside of the pandemic. The demand for online services has increased. 91% of online Filipinos have visited an online retail store. Of this number, 71% have bought a product online. 

 

Before the onset of the pandemic, only 2% of SMEs in the country sold online. Worldwide, e-commerce sales are expected to increase from $1B in 2019 to $5-6B by 2025.

 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) likewise recognized the sudden increase of activities in e-commerce in the country.  DTI Asec. Jean Pacheco acknowledged the contributions of Globe and GCash in making this a reality especially that the economy is among the many sectors hit by the pandemic.

 

“E-commerce is here to increase accessibility. You don’t have to be physically present and you can do business with anyone, anywhere at any time to sell your products. Even if you are outside the Philippines, Pacheco added.

 

Pacheco assured that the government and the DTI want to promote e-commerce so that there will be more merchants and small-medium enterprises which will take advantage of the new technology especially during the pandemic.

 

Justin Yap, Head of Acquisition for Non-Traditional Merchants of GCash, said LGUs can improve their services in so many ways by using the GCash app. He cited the example of the challenge being imposed by physical distancing. 

 

“By using the app, people can register their businesses through their mobile phone in just a matter of 8 minutes instead of waiting in line and run the risk of contracting the disease. It is not only a platform but a way for business and the LGUs to rethink their current approach in handling their needs. How will they pivot to the new normal?,” Yap said.

 

GCash is currently the number one e-Wallet provider in the Philippines with at least 23 million customers and 75,000 QR merchants. Downloading the app is free of charge. Aside from ease of doing business, using GCash likewise promotes transparency and minimizes red tape and corruption in LGUs dealings with their constituents. It is also a good way to avoid contracting COVID-19 because a user doesn’t need to physically touch paper bills that might be contaminated with the deadly virus.

 

For his part, Paco Magsaysay, CEO of Carmen’s Best, recognized the help of Globe and GCash in paving the way towards doing business online that enables even the ordinary entrepreneurs to have a fighting chance in these trying times.

 

“We are lucky that there are a lot of options ongoing on the e-Commerce platform. We have chosen to work with 0917 Ventures of Globe to help us set up our e-Store or e-Commerce store. The great thing about it is it ties in logistics for our e-Store with Globe. For the ice cream business, logistics is very critical because our products have to be frozen all the time,” Magsaysay said.

 

Hosted and moderated by Bill Luz, chair of the Liveable Cities Challenge, the second session of the eight-part LCC Webinar Series drew the participation of close to 400 attendees including 14 mayors, one Vice Governor and representatives of 66 cities and municipalities all over the country.

 

The LCC Liveable Cities Labs Webinar series’ next session is dubbed Digital Transformation in a Post GCQ World: Building Healthy Cities and is set 3-5pm on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

PLDT Enterprise lays the groundwork for business resilience under the ‘new normal’

The world has felt the negative effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the economy and society at large, pushing organizations and businesses to adapt to new ways of operating in order to survive. 

The difficulties brought about by the global pandemic challenged the business climate: some businesses faced bankruptcy risks while most businesses halted operations completely. Other businesses, however, were able to persist as they shifted towards online and digital. 

Technology has become a critical tool for businesses wishing to thrive during and after the pandemic. PLDT Enterprise—the b2b arm of the Philippines’ leading ICT and digital services provider—aims to support businesses in this endeavor with its latest strategic thrust. 

"We at PLDT Enterprise stand with all the organizations in the private and public sector. As an ICT provider, we place it upon ourselves to help businesses rediscover and reinvent themselves using technology,” said Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups. 

PLDT Enterprise welcomes the starting point of a new age for business where digital adoption becomes key. In order to operate under the ‘new normal’, enterprises have to invest in digital technologies that would strengthen their business resilience and enable them to mitigate disruptions in the future. 

"When the quarantine gets lifted, there is simply no way that our lives will resume as if this had never happened. Businesses can never return back to business as usual, and they will definitely need to assume new ways of working and connecting to their customers," Hernandez added.  

One of the disruptions brought about by COVID-19 was the recalibration of business models among organizations. For instance, digital learning has now been put into the mainstream, brick-and-mortar businesses were forced to adapt e-commerce platforms and multiple other industries sought to provide contactless transactions. And PLDT Enterprise intends to support more businesses in these digital transformation initiatives with its wide range of fixed, wireless, and ICT solutions. 

"Our ultimate goal at PLDT Enterprise to make a positive impact on every single business. And we wish to do that by providing the information and communications technology requirements of businesses across industries that will enable them to become more resilient and prepared for any other future disruption," Hernandez said. 

PLDT Enterprise is currently strengthening its fiber solution for businesses and is coming up with more tailor-fit digital solutions to ensure their continued operations while at home. 

And with the 'new normal' requiring heavy reliance on technology, businesses will need to start investing and digitizing their business processes and assets. Moving forward, they can offload to data centers and cloud-based services of PLDT Enterprise so they can focus on their core business. “They say recover, rebuild. No! We say rediscover, reinvent! And technology is the enabler,” Hernandez said. 

Furthermore, Hernandez stressed the importance of shaping a new ecosystem of business which he identifies essential for national development after the global pandemic. “When industries embrace digital adoption, we can create a resilient ecosystem where all of us synergize our capabilities to yield business outcomes that are far greater than what each of us could have achieved. Today marks that beginning. Let’s step into a New Day. Every day is a New Day!” Hernandez concluded.

To learn more about, visit pldtenterprise.com. 

ZILINGO TEAMS UP WITH PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK TO MAKE SHOPPING EASIER AND MORE REWARDING

Zilingo, the leading e-commerce platform for fashion and lifestyle today announced its partnership with Philippine National Bank (PNB) to make online shopping easier and more rewarding for customers. Fashion enthusiasts across the country can now enjoy a site-wide discount of up to 30% when they make purchases on the website or through the mobile app using their PNB credit and debit cards.

“We are very excited to be partnering up with PNB,” says Ryza Dipatuan-Razo, Marketing Director, Zilingo Philippines. “Alongside offering our customers epic discounts and freebies, this also represents a step forward in strengthening the e-commerce industry in the country through partnerships with institutions like PNB to elevate the user experience of our local customers.”

Recognizing the continuous growth and potential of the online retail market and the need to constantly provide its customers with new and exciting options, Zilingo aims to provide a unique shopping experience to its customers and enable brands to expand their reach to customers across the region.

“PNB recognizes that Zilingo, as a fashion and lifestyle e-commerce, is a unique channel that complements existing businesses that link customers to merchants and vice versa. Through this partnership, we not only incentivize the customers of Zilingo and PNB but also expand the profitability and reach of Zilingo merchants,” says Johann Gan, Philippine National Bank, Senior Assistant Vice President.

Zilingo customers who are using PNB cards can enjoy this exclusive deal from now till September 30, 2019, using the promo code ZILINGOPNB, with free delivery nationwide, no minimum purchase, and multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery.

Ways Technology is Changing our Lives

Since the turn of the century, internet use and the advent of Wi-Fi has shaped and changed our lives, both in the Philippines and around the world. An article by Time states that over two billion people worldwide are currently participating in online hobbies, making mainstream Internet use one of the most transformational changes that impacts people's social, cultural, and political experiences.

Of course, in the Philippines, plenty of day-to-day activities have also been vastly changed as more and more people continue to use the internet as a part of their lives. Here are some ways the average Filipino experiences the changes created by the Digital age.

Social media

The Inquirer reports that as of 2019 the Philippines tops the rest of the world on the average amount of hours spent online on social media, whether on a smartphone or on a laptop or a computer. Nowadays, we live out our daily routines being able to communicate with friends, family, acquaintances, work colleagues, or whoever it may be at just the touch of our fingertips, and with a variety of messaging apps and social media platforms.

Traveling accessibility

There are now also a lot of apps available to make booking your vacations easier. Apart from the information available on the web about your dream destinations, Rappler notes that a huge chunk of the changes on the global market for traveling are because of the accessibility of purchasing airline tickets, tour packages, accommodations, and the like through a simple click on your laptop or a tap on your smartphone. Because of this, it is now relatively easier for us to make our travel dreams a reality, since planning your next getaway can happen in the comfort of your own home, office, or wherever where you may have some downtime.

Online shopping

For most of us, the boom of online shopping is perhaps something that rose out of convenience. With plenty of online shopping apps available with user-friendly interfaces, its no question why the majority of  Filipinos turn to ordering something online. Whether it's groceries, clothing items, bags, toiletries, or anything under the sun, most Filipinos would find that having the option to purchase something and have it delivered to your doorstep to be more convenient than having to brave through traffic. In fact,

E-sports and mobile gaming

Another booming trend right now is in-game purchases made in mobile or computer games. Mobile gaming has provided many Filipinos with access to a source of entertainment and stress relief. Additionally, with various gaming consoles being available to Filipinos, esports have also had continuous growth over the years. If you’re currently looking to take esports more seriously as a hobby, then it’s important you do you research. An article from Daydreaming in Paradise on e-sports in the Philippines, gives you the background that you need to understand the current state of the industry not only in the country, but also the rest of Asia. Whether it's a stress-relieving hobby or something you are serious about, rest assured, there are tons of choices of e-sports and mobile games for you to try out.

For more information on e-sports and related events in the country, check out the Lifestyle tag on Tekkie Pinas’s blog.

Find 100 Franchise Opportunities & Business Solutions at Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo 2019

The most awaited event in empowering the Franchise Businesses and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is back in its 6th year – The Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo!

With the tagline “Take Your Step to Success”, the 6th Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo will run for 3 days, from July 19 to 21, 2019, at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. The event will showcase over 100 top Franchise businesses, as well as innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

“This edition of Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo is very exciting because there will be a lot of new franchise concepts and innovative business solutions to watch out for,” said David Abrenilla, CEO of Mediacom Solutions Inc. CEO and Founder of Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo Philippines.

The goal of the event is to give aspiring entrepreneurs an overview of the franchising industry in the Philippines and to connect franchisors with interested franchisees. At the same time, the expo will showcase various business suppliers catering to small and medium-sized businesses that can help them grow their business.

“Franchising is here to stay and grow stronger and bigger in the third millennium not only in the Philippines but worldwide,” said Rudolf Kotik, Founder of Filipino International Franchise Association (FIFA) — the event Supporting Association.

6th Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo are sponsored by Tysons Global Exchange Inc., Alkaviva Waters Philippines, DV Boer Farm. Exhibiting brands at the expo include Julies Bakeshop, Crystal Clear, Adobo Connection, 3M Pizza, GNC Philippines and many more.

The event will also host the Entrepreneur Success Summit that will feature Top Entrepreneurs to share their entrepreneurial journey and insights on how to find success in Franchising happening only on July 20, 2019, from 1pm-5pm, at the Megatrade Conference Center, Meeting Room B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

To get updates and more details about the event, you can visit their website at www.efe.ph, or connect with them at www.facebook.com/efeph and www.insragram.com/efeph.

8th Philippine SME Business Expo and Conference to open on May 02, 2019

MANILA – Philippines’ Largest Business-2-Business Expo, Conference, and Networking Event for Small and Medium Enterprises – the 8th Philippine SME Business Expo & Conference [PHILSME] is now all set to open its 8th edition on May 02, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

The event provides growth opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through a 2-day interactive business event composed of an expo and a 2-day business conference expecting to draw over 10,000 small and medium-sized business owners, business professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs. It will run from May 02-03, 2019.  

A much bigger expo will be expected for this year featuring over 250 exhibiting brands offering various business solutions and opportunities such as IT solutions, business consultancy, logistics, financial technology, insurance, human resources & recruitment, office spaces, marketing & advertising, franchising, distributorship and many more.

The main highlight for this edition’s expo is the launching of the Innovations Village where technological start-up companies are now given the spotlight to showcase the latest technological business solutions to support SMEs.

“In this age of e-commerce, advancements in technology have been a piece of pivotal machinery for most businesses today. This is the reason why this edition’s PHILSME is different – we invested in technology through the launching of the Innovations Village. We are excited to meet and explore a wide array of new and even more technological business solutions that will strengthen and empower the Small and Medium Enterprises here in the Philippines.” says PHILSME Founder and Mediacom Solutions, Inc. Chief Events Officer, David Abrenilla.

In addition, this edition’s business conference will feature over 20 business talks on areas of digital marketing, e-commerce, logistics, operations, finance, sales, information technology, human resources, accounting and many more. Negash Devata, General Manager for Cross-Border Trade from Paypal Southeast Asia and Mr. Mikey Asiddao, the Chief Information Officer of Fexco Philippines will be among the notable speakers for this year.

The 8th Philippine SME Business Expo & Conference is sponsored by LBC Express, Spaces, Esquire Financing, Zoho Corporation, Easy Debit by Fexco Philippines, Epson Philippines, Canon Marketing Philippines, and Benchmark Email Philippines. PHILSME is also supported by the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Filipino International Franchise Association, Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Cassava Growers and Processors Association.

For visitor inquiries and conference tickets, contact Sunshine Sy at +632-218-9517. +632-266-0092, +63-928-732-5557, or +63-927-395-1575 or send an email to sunshine@philsme.com

Connect with the SME community via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PhilippineSMEBusinessExpo