by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 28, 2018 | Business
Asian Institute of Management
KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. (KPMG RGM & Co.), the Philippine member firm of KPMG International, recently held Let’s Talk Tech – a series of IT discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Process Automation (RPA), Data & Analytics (D&A), Blockchain and Tax Intelligence Solution (TIS), at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City.
It also launched its 2018 annual investment guide entitled IT Report: Philippines which highlights the dynamism of the IT-BPM industry which has proven to be among the country’s economic game changers for the past 20 years or so and will continue to provide support for strong growth in the years to come.
Present during the event were: (from left) KPMG RGM & Co. vice chairman and chief operating officer Emmanuel P. Bonoan, KPMG Australia’s Michael Rochanakij, KPMG RGM & Co. chairman and chief executive officer Sharon G. Dayoan, IT veteran Joel H. Garcia, KPMG RGM & Co. tax partner Leandro Ben M. Robediso, advisory partners Jallain S. Manrique and Michael H. Guarin.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 27, 2018 | Business
The Philippines’ first public-private sector initiative for startups, QBO Innovation Hub (QBO), will launch its own app where startups can connect with top-notch mentors and consultants who can help them grow their business on March 1 at the City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati.
QBO (‘ku-bo’) was formed through a partnership between Ideaspace Foundation Inc., J.P. Morgan, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
It is a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. Spurred on by the vision of Filipino startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines. The QBO App is an extension of QBO’s on-ground efforts.
Katrina Chan, Director, QBO Innovation Hub
“In this fast-paced, always-on world, we saw the need for startups to get easy access to our services and resources. This is why we created the app,” said Katrina Chan, Director, QBO Innovation Hub.
The QBO App is downloadable on iOS and Android devices (search for ‘QBO Innovation Hub’).
It is a digital space where startups and entrepreneurs can come together to connect and collaborate with other players in the startup ecosystem and contribute their own knowledge with the community.
Access to top-notch mentors
QBO recently launched its impressive mentor roster, consisting of successful startup founders, experienced venture capitalists, and veteran company leaders, among others. They were selected to provide mentorship to startups that qualify for the INQBATION program, which was created in partnership with J.P. Morgan.
The INQBATION program was designed to support highly promising yet underserved Philippine startup companies. Once selected for the program, startups gain access to a customized development program that provides targeted interventions to help them achieve their unique goals, overcome barriers to growth, and scale.
Rene “Butch” Meily, President, QBO Innovation Hub
“A significant number of startups fail, and the reasons vary. Among the most common include lack of focus and lack of motivation or commitment. However, there is one factor that proves to be even more dangerous to the success of a startup: the lack of mentorship,” said Rene “Butch” Meily, President, QBO Innovation Hub.
“We didn’t want to waste the great potential we see in a lot of local startups. And we believe that our mentors can help them move forward and grow,” Chan said.
Here are the seven mentors, and why they’re perfect for Philippine startups:
- Chito Bustamante, CEO, Chikka Asia, Inc. The Silicon Valley engineer has enabled Chikka to grow and develop into what it is today. During his term, Chikka was awarded triple ISO certifications and a rare CMMI maturity level 5, which is the highest in the industry. Aside from being a CEO, Bustamante is actively taking on mentorship roles to help young startup founders succeed.
- Ambar Machfoedy, Managing Partner, Rekanext Venture Capital Partners.
In his current role, Machfoedy manages a Singapore-based Venture Capital firm that is focused on a portfolio of technology ventures that target Southeast Asian markets. Machfoedy is also well versed in analyzing and assessing deals, conducting due diligence, and executing exit strategies via IPOs/M&As, all of which are important for any startup founder.
- Joey Vilar, Head of Marketing Services & OIC of Market Education, Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). Running a successful startup requires a good understanding of financial matters. Recruiting a mentor who has a strong background in finance spells the difference between a successful startup and a floundering one. Vilar, who has been at the helm of the PSE’s marketing services and market education for 10 years, is the perfect match for any startup that wants access to financial knowledge.
- Jojy Azurin, Founder and CEO of Horsepower.ph. Azurin has co-founded a number of startups as well as IT companies. He has pioneered tech companies in the fields of BPO, IT outsourcing, online content publishing, and eCommerce. He is also co-director at Manila Chapter of Founder Institute, the world’s largest startup incubator. A seasoned leader and entrepreneur like him can definitely help any startup founder navigate the choppy startup waters.
- Francis Simisim, CEO of Social Light, Inc. Simisim’s experience as an entrepreneur through various startups such as WhenInManila, Blogapalooza, and Social Light, Inc. is valuable to any fledgling startup. His current position as partner at a Philippine-based VC firm, Original Pitch Venture Capital, can give startup founders invaluable insight when it comes to pitching to potential investors and coming up with out-of-the-box creative solutions.
- Noel Lorenzana, a Venture Capitalist with years of experience in key leadership positions. Insight from someone who has successful experience in various posts as CEO, COO, President, and Managing Director and served in various roles across functions in General Management, Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Innovation Management is gold for anyone who is just starting out. Lorenzana has weathered many challenges as an executive, making him the perfect mentor for newbie founders.
- Joseph Lacson, Chief Investment Officer at Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Lacson has accrued various leadership experiences spanning a wide range of departments in his 20 years of professional experience. Currently, he is the CIO of Metro Pacific Investments. He has also been at the helm of many sales and marketing departments, as well as strategy and business development. Insights from someone who has experience in moving and growing various companies can prove helpful to anyone just starting out.
Starting March 1, QBO startups will have unfettered access to these mentors and more through the QBO App.
For more information about QBO’s INQBATION program, please visit www.qbo.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 25, 2018 | Business
Asian Institute of Management
KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. (KPMG RGM & Co.), the Philippine member firm of KPMG International, recently held a series of events to start off the year at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City.
These were a series of IT discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Process Automation (RPA), Data & Analytics (D&A), Blockchain and Tax Intelligence Solution (TIS) dubbed Let’s Talk Tech, as well as the launch of its 2018 annual investment guide, entitled IT Report: Philippines.
KPMG Australia’s Michael Rochanakij started the Let’s Talk Tech session by giving an overview of current IT trends and disruptions, as he expounded on changes brought about by the fourth industrial revolution—digital—and how companies must adopt new ways of thinking in order to stay competitive and relevant.
This was followed by an engaging panel discussion on the subject, moderated by KPMG RGM & Co. vice chairman and chief operating officer Emmanuel P. Bonoan, with esteemed panelists form the banking and IT sector: UnionBank of the Philippines’ Henry Rhoel R. Aguda, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation’s Dennis C. Bancod, 25-year IT veteran Joel H. Garcia, and Mynt’s Anthony Thomas Garcia.
Then, a series of break-out sessions on AI and RPA, Blockchain and Tax Intelligence Solution took place, with advisory partners Jallain S. Manrique and Michael H. Guarin together with partner Leandro Ben M. Robediso, leading the dialogues.
Capping off the event was the launch of the annual investment guide IT Report: Philippines held in partnership with the Wallace Business Forum. The report also highlights the dynamism of the IT-BPM (Business Process Management) industry which has proven to be among the country’s economic game changers for the past 20 years or so and will continue to provide support for strong growth in the years to come.
“Our government has realized the importance of IT and is now catching up. We now have a Department of Information and Communications Technology or DICT that aims to strengthen the country’s IT Infrastructure.
Coupled with the Data Privacy Act and the push to strengthen Cybersecurity – we are going in the right direction to make the Philippines globally competitive, especially in the digital space,” said Sharon G. Dayoan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KPMG RGM & Co.
For more information on KPMG in the Philippines, or to download of hard copies of the investment guide at no cost, you may visit www.kpmg.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 21, 2018 | Business
The country’s leading global bank recently held its annual Chinese New Year market outlook, focusing on wealth management opportunities in both local and global perspectives. Centering on the theme, “Navigating a Maturing Bull Market”, Citi’s financial analysts along with senior resource speakers presented:
- investment opportunities and risks;
- global earnings growth and inflation rates; and
- effects of the ongoing administrative and economic developments on the financial markets, among others.
These events held in the cities of Taguig, Mandaluyong and Cebu were attended by more than 600 Citigold clients. As the preferred wealth management partner in Asia and in the country, Citigold helps clients grow, manage and protect their wealth, and secure their financial future with its team of experts, unmatched research services, world-class products, global access, and exclusive privileges and rewards.
Welcoming guests were (left to right) Citi Philippines Consumer Business head Manoj Varma, Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed and Citi Philippines Retail Bank head Rene Aguirre.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 12, 2018 | Business
Reg Onglao and Gian Drilon
A blissful relationship and a strong business are two of life’s greatest achivements and if you find yourself able to merge these two, you are definitely doing something right.
Starting a business is not an easy decision to make but 26-year-old entrepreneur Gian Drilon took his savings and explored ways on he could start a business of his own.
He researched and read articles on online selling until he stumbled upon the Lazada selling platform.
In May 2016, he opened his first shop, Asenso Shop, where he sells products such as toys, games, and items for mothers and babies. The first few days were smoothsailing, but as months went by, it came to a point where he would get hundreds of orders a day.
His girlfriend of nine years, Reg Onglao, started helping out when she had free time after work. She does special projects for Gian, among which is to help automate processes in the business. With her help, handling the business became easier for Gian.
“Back when we started, I used to be the only full-time employee of the business handling everything — from product selection to packing. Within a few months, the orders quickly grew and became too much for me to handle alone, but like what others would say two is really better than one,” says Gian.
To date, Gian and Reg, with the help of their five employees, handle four shops aside from Asenso Shop. These are:
- Watch Me!, their main shop where they sell fashion accessories;
- Asenso Healthcare, which contains health and beauty products;
- Gold Panda, a shop under a special partneship with Lazada where they sell gold bars; and
- ZG Designs, where they offer graphic t-shirt printing.
“I have very big dreams for our Lazada stores, and I always want to keep on improving. Every month, I keep on adding more and more assortment and I also venture on new product categories. Just like my life together with Reg, our love steadily grows each day with more and more varying experiences. I dream of starting a family with her, having kids, and buying a house,” shares Gian.
By working together, their relationship and business grew together determining their mutual career plans. During Lazada’s Online Revolution Sale in 2017, the couple once received 7,000 orders in one day and this made Gian decide to take their relationship to the next level.
Gian proposed to Reg last December when he asked her to help him reboot his broken computer. When she opened it, she was surprised to see photos popping out with the question, “Will you marry me?” to which Reg replied with a sweet YES!
Through Lazada, Gian made his dream a reality. Not only does he get to spend his future with Reg, but he also is able to reach a nationwide pool of customers.
Juggling personal and business relationships altogether is no joke. “I remind myself that Reg and I are in a committed relationship—where two different people choose to become one, working together towards a common goal, and where each person complements and helps the other one grow,” shares Gian.
Gian and Reg plan to expand their business in the coming months and like them, you can do the same with Lazada Philippines’ selling platform. It offers a straightforward start-up process for merchants who want to start their own online selling business.
Selling on Lazada just takes three easy steps. Visit www.lazada.com.ph/sell-on-lazada/ to find out more.
About Lazada Group
Launched in 2012, Lazada is the number one online shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia – present in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
As the pioneer of the eCommerce ecosystem in Southeast Asia, Lazada helps more than 135,000 local and international sellers as well as 3,000 brands serving the 560 million consumers in the region through its marketplace platform, supported by a wide range of tailored marketing, data, and service solutions.
With over 210 million SKUs available, Lazada offers the widest range of products in categories ranging from consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion, sports equipment and groceries.
Focused on delivering an excellent customer experience, it offers multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery, comprehensive customer care and hassle-free returns through its own first and last mile delivery arm supported by more than 100 logistics partners. Lazada Group is majority owned by Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA).
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 6, 2018 | Business
Your journey, your future, your choice.
#vibe #visitbenilde #virtualbenilde
http://vibe.benilde.edu.ph
QBO (‘ku-bo’) was formed through a partnership between Ideaspace Foundation Inc., J.P. Morgan, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The QBO App is downloadable on iOS and Android devices (search for ‘QBO Innovation Hub’).
“Our government has realized the importance of IT and is now catching up. We now have a Department of Information and Communications Technology or DICT that aims to strengthen the country’s IT Infrastructure. 
Launched in 2012, Lazada is the number one online shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia – present in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
You must be logged in to post a comment.