by Ferry Bayu | Sep 7, 2023 | Business
Lazada hiking investments in PH operations amid e-commerce boom
Southeast Asia’s e-commerce giant Lazada Group is ramping up its investments in the Philippines following a pandemic-driven demand from Filipino shoppers.
Lazada Chief Executive Officer Carlos Barrera said the group has been “heavily investing in its Philippine operations amid the robust demand from millions of Filipino shoppers, who have enjoyed the convenience of buying goods online.”
“We have been focusing our investments in key areas that will allow our partners to grow faster and gain more market share,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
The official did not specify the total amount of investments. However, he noted that Lazada has been financing networking events, training, and development of advanced marketing tools to equip and set its seller community apart in the online marketplace.
To further dominate the local e-commerce market, the executive said Lazada is banking on its name known for delivering orders much faster across the country.
Supporting this, Barrera said in March that Lazada would build “hundreds” of delivery hubs to be closer to customers.
As the pandemic forced the government to limit mobility, businesses nationwide turned to e-commerce to keep their operations afloat. The Department of Information and Communications Technology earlier said that 83% of Filipinos are internet users.
by Ferry Bayu | Sep 7, 2023 | Business
Powerhouse International Sets Eyes on COD:M World Championship with New Acquisition
Singapore brand, Powerhouse International acquires Zhig Zhag, former Almghty team as 2023 CODM roster and aim to make her mark in the esports competitive scene by qualifying for CODM World Championship 2023 Stage 5 tournament in December.
Powerhouse International Sets Eyes on COD:M World Championship with New Acquisition
New Singapore esports brand, Powerhouse International acquires Zhig Zhag as 2023 Call of Duty:Mobile (COD:M) roster to make her mark on the competitive esports scene.
Zhig Zhag, former AMT is a high performing professional team in the COD:M multi-player mode. On top of the numerous achievements they have obtained in various Garena and regional tournaments, the team also qualified back to back in the COD:M World Championship in 2021 and 2022, representing Southeast Asia and Singapore.
The team is made up of the original line up – Incendio, IrfanJ, Sh4d4p, former blacklist ultimate members – Skerd, FDx as well as former SEM9’s B1ngo. When asked about his confidence level of the new line up’s ability to perform, team captain Incendio said, “I am extremely confident that this line up will excel because it is made up of individuals who really want to win.”.
The acquisition of the team represents a bold step forward for Powerhouse International and underscores their commitment to building a formidable presence in the esports arena. This acquisition is expected to propel both parties to new heights and create exciting opportunities for fans, sponsors, and players alike.
Don Dave Buenafe, Co-founder at Powerhouse International, expressed their enthusiasm about this groundbreaking acquisition, saying, “In the world of business and esports, the acquisition of this team is not just a move, but a strategic symphony. It’s the harmony of shared vision and goals that compose the future of victory.”
Director of Powerhouse International, Faith Lau added, “What we see in the team is a desire to consistently improve and play to win. These are the traits that will win them championships. We believe strongly in the team and we are ready to take on some of the greatest teams in Garena, Asia and the World.”
The team just finished the Garena Masters V group stage with a perfect 7-0 match score and are due to face off against their long time rivals such as Smart Omega and EZR Booky in the playoffs. Meanwhile, they have set their eyes to qualify for the COD:M World Championship Stage 5 third time in a row.
Zhig Zhag will now play as Powerhouse.
Officially established in 2023, Paramount Gaming Pte Ltd is an Esports organisation dedicated to promote and elevate esports. The company has two brands under her belt – Paramount Gaming Esports, an esports event management and production brand and Powerhouse International, an esports talent brand.
Faith Lau
+65 90297653
fa***@*******rt.com
by Ferry Bayu | Sep 7, 2023 | Business
Cebu Pacific offers piso fare in 9.9 seat sale
MANILA — Cebu Pacific is offering P1 seats for selected flights as part of its 9.9 Super Seat Fest.
In a tweet, the budget carrier said seats to destinations like Bacolod, Coron, Bohol, Tacloban, Boracay, Puerto Princesa, and other local destinations are available for a P1 base fare.
The piso fare is also available for flights to Jakarta, Macau, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Beijing, Taipei, and other Asian destinations.
Passengers must book their flights from September 7-10 to avail of the promo, then travel anytime from April to August 31, 2024.
Cebu Pacific’s net income reached P2.7 billion from April to June 2023, a reversal of the P1.9 billion net loss it recorded in the same period last year.
It is also expanding its fleet after facing complaints over flight delays and cancellations that have led to calls to suspend its franchise.
by Ferry Bayu | Sep 7, 2023 | Business
Embrace the Joy of Reunion with FarEastFlora.com’s Enchanting Mid-Autumn Collection
The Mid-Autumn Festival, a cherished time for family reunions, is just around the corner on September 29, 2023. As you gather your loved ones for a night filled with heartfelt conversations and delectable mooncakes, FarEastFlora.com invites you to make this occasion even more special with their thoughtfully curated Mid-Autumn Collection of flowers and gift pairings, featuring both traditional and snowskin mooncakes from renowned brands like Marriott, Kele, and Chang Ho Sek.
Singapore – [9 September] – The Mid-Autumn Festival, a cherished time for family reunions and moon gazing, is just around the corner on September 29, 2023. As you gather your loved ones for a night filled with heartfelt conversations and delectable mooncakes, FarEastFlora.com invites you to make this occasion even more special with their thoughtfully curated Mid-Autumn Collection.
At FarEastFlora.com, we understand the importance of celebrating moments that matter. This Mid-Autumn Festival, we bring you an exquisite selection of gift sets and pairings that blend tradition with uniqueness, offering you the perfect way to show your appreciation and love.
“Our Mid-Autumn Collection is all about bringing people closer, creating beautiful memories, and making gifting easier,” said Jolene, Assistant Marketing Communications Manager at FarEastFlora.com. “We believe in the power of thoughtful gestures, and our collection is designed to help you express your love and gratitude in the most meaningful way.”
Explore our thoughtfully curated collection of gift sets and pairings featuring both traditional and snowskin mooncakes from Marriott, Kele and Chang Ho Sek. To complement the mooncakes, we offer beautiful blooming teas from Petale Tea, as well as fresh fruits that add a touch of health and freshness to your celebrations. Additionally, our collection includes phalaenopsis and alluring blooms, like this a charming bunny crafted out of fresh flowers that will undoubtedly make this Mid-Autumn Festival a memorable one.
To make gifting even more delightful, FarEastFlora.com is offering a special promotion. Gift a family member, friend, or business partner, and enjoy up to $25 OFF when you order from our Mid-Autumn Festival Collection by September 29, 2023. And to make your experience hassle-free, we provide reliable same-day delivery services, ensuring your gifts reach their recipients promptly and in perfect condition.
This Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrate the joy of reunion and create lasting memories with FarEastFlora.com’s enchanting collection. Explore our offerings, choose the perfect gift, and let us help you express your love and appreciation in the most delightful way.
For more information and to explore the full range of Mid-Autumn Festival gift sets, visit https://www.fareastflora.com/occasion/mid-autumn.html.
FarEastFlora.com (FEF.com) is Singapore’s leading online florist that offers a wide range of over 1,000 all occasion flower bouquets, floral arrangements, plants, gifts and hampers. Established in 1999 as an extension of Far East Flora Pte Ltd, FEF.com is an e-commerce company with retail stores conveniently located at Thomson Road and City Square Mall.
Through constant innovation and commitment to service excellence, FEF.com has since anchored itself as a local e-commerce pioneer and the authority on all things floral. Aspiring to become a regional florist and brand, we have sowed our seeds in other parts of Asia. At FEF.com we believe that it is the unwavering commitment to satisfy our customers’ needs, together with the enthusiastic gift-designing team that has brought us to where we are today. Our achievements and milestones have fortified our resolve for better service to provide beautiful creations, and memorable gifts worthy of our customers and their loved ones.
Jolene
Assistant Marketing Communications Manager
9230 5051
jo*******@**********ra.com
by Ferry Bayu | Sep 6, 2023 | Business
Managing the tempo of technology change
Innovation is vital for businesses to thrive. Whether the goal is operational efficiency gains, improving consumer access, or creating entirely new products and services, innovation and better businesses go hand in hand.
At BDO Unibank, innovation is driven by the Bank’s focus on customer needs, understanding available technology in developing solutions, while remaining cognizant of the local business landscape.
We believe that the future of financial services will see a coming together of technological efficiency and analytical capabilities with human insight, judgment, and relationships. Technology will work in tandem with, not replace, people, bringing the best of both to businesses and consumers.
The rapidly emerging network economy
Today, technology is the cornerstone of the rapidly emerging network economy. As of early this year, internet users in the Philippines grew by 13.4 per cent to 85.1 million. This equates to an additional 10 million plus users. The 6.6 per cent year-on-year growth of mobile cellular connections, to 168.3 million, is equally impressive. With the increased adoption of mobile phones in the Philippines, a corresponding uplift in digital payment acceptance using Mobile Wallets has been seen. Accepting digital payments reduces many businesses’ security and operational concerns when customers pay with cash. With similar benefits to consumers, it is not surprising to see digital payments to merchants increase from a 13 per cent share of volume in 2018 to 24 per cent in 2020.
Economic growth has resulted from technology growth in the Philippines. By 2025 the Philippine Internet Economy will be worth USD28 billion, up from USD7.5 billion in 2020.
Cultural and technological barriers to adoption remain
Despite technology being embraced by many in the Philippines, there are still barriers to even more widespread access and adoption. Geographic challenges include digital logistics and delivery difficulties and a need for more stable, affordable, and speedy internet availability.
Despite the impressive growth rate of digital payments, the fact remains that the Philippine economy remains mainly cash-based, despite handling and safekeeping costs. Currently, only five per cent of Filipinos pay utility bills digitally through bank accounts or mobile money accounts, compared to 22 per cent in Indonesia and 80 per cent in Malaysia. Even for online shopping, cash remains core, with 77 per cent of online purchases from sellers such as Lazada and Shopee settling with cash.
Cash dominance is one reason banks in the Philippines continue to invest in their branch and ATM network. As of the third quarter of 2019, there were over 12,500 bank branches and over 21,400 ATMs across the country, growing at 4.4 per cent and 1.6 per cent, respectively.
In addition, Filipino businesses still rely on long-term, trusted relationships and person-to-person engagement. In our world of financial services, Relationship Managers remain a critical sounding board and advisor to businesses on everything from managing financial processes to the latest cash management techniques.
Developing technology and people in parallel
The modern-day Relationship Manager brings to the table human-led service and support supplemented by the data insights, security and efficiency technology provides. Technology must therefore work alongside and facilitate human interaction.
This is why banks must continue to invest in branch networks and upskill their Relationship Managers. BDO Unibank, for example, has developed the only team of cash management and industry-specific Relationship Managers in the Philippines.
Our Relationship Managers work with our clients on their industry-specific current and long-term cash management issues and opportunities. From providing facilities for cover before revenue is received, to determining the best structure for payments and accounts, at BDO, we find ways for our clients to optimise their cash flow and working capital. Furthermore, BDO Unibank continues to operate and invest in a network of more than 1,600 branches – the largest in the Philippines. Meaning human help is never far away when needed.
Aligned with our co-development approach, in branches, the Bank connects the physical with the digital with online appointment booking, fully digital account opening, paperless in-branch cash and check transactions and cardless ATMs using biometric authentication. These blended digital, in-branch solutions supplement over-the-counter services offered by BDO’s experienced tellers. Digital branch services are one example of the new era of blended financial financials services – physical services with digital overlays.
To ensure we continue to advance and provide our customers with the most secure and convenient services, we also invest in digital services that make it easy for businesses to receive customer payments and settle accounts with suppliers. These include Auto Debit Arrangements, which seamlessly debit one account and credit the receiving organisation’s collection account. And our online business banking service provides easy and secure access to digital payments and account information through a range of devices.
An additional example is Virtual Accounts, which essentially provide separate ledger records or alias bank accounts, primarily used to categorise incoming cashflows and transactions. Virtual Accounts are accessible for corporations to manage and inexpensive to maintain and operate. They provide a unique identifier number, or Virtual Account number, for customers to use when making payments to a business. Virtual Accounts assist with liquidity management, reconciliation, and reporting as payments are sent to a single bank account. In addition, as there are fewer bank accounts to manage, security is enhanced, and fraud prevention is boosted. BDO Unibank Relationship Managers work with clients to understand their incoming flows, payment segregation needs, and reconciliation requirements, to develop an optimised Virtual Account solution for their business.
Managing the tempo of technology change
The fundamental issues hindering technology adoption will take time to address. It is also essential to ensure innovation improves the lives of people and communities and does not create new inequalities. Moreover, because technology creates a risk of leaving people behind and a digital divide, the pace of change and transformation to fully digital interactions for buying consumer goods, business-to-business transactions, and access to government services must happen concurrently with the continued provision of traditional cash and human-based financial services. Innovation, therefore, needs to be human-centric and considered, moving at a pace that balances embracing change while respecting today’s preferences and technology limitations.
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