Unexpected Opportunities Are Welcome

Let me tell you about January 8. I like it. It is so symbolic. And many people pretty much think that way too I suppose! People choose it as wedding date, business launch date, or a date to file important documents and make big decisions. January is the first month of the year, while the number eight is circular and thus "it never ends" as it is written like the infinity symbol, only upright. What day could appear luckier than that?

I myself have reserved that date for the launching of my education project, but the year is an open date. Nonetheless, January 8 of this year has become remarkable for me too because Shoppersguide.com.ph (SG) has been launched! But if I had been rigid, I wouldn’t have seen it launched and skyrocketing now, albeit with some bumps as it is only in its beta stage, but nevertheless! Does the success have to do with being launched on a lucky day? Perhaps, but I think it has to do with preparedness and taking a leap of faith. That’s what happened to me when I joined SG.

Shoppersguide is “the one-stop national online directory and guide for shoppers, diners, and travelers to find stores, restaurants, and resorts offering specific brands, food, or services with just a few clicks.” I work part-time at SG and have been rendering editorial services for them.

I shop often and I love dining out every now and then, but traveling hasn't really been my priority for some reasons. When I was offered the gig, for awhile, I thought I would be a misfit. And besides, what would happen to the project I am working on?

Fortunately, I had the chance to weigh things over and went on to accept the job. They wanted someone who can write and edit have knowledge and interest in shopping, dining, traveling, and web writing. I am all that except for the traveling part, but I am quite an armchair expert on that. I have explored many places in my reading and watching. And now, thanks to this project, I have already been traveling for work assignments and have gone to Bacolod and Cebu City. Closest friends say it's my luck, and they are right, but I would like to consider it more than anything else a blessing waiting to arrive when I have found my courage and the timing is right.

Take a leap of faith and fly!

Two months since it has launched, Shoppersguide has been ranking No. 1 for many of its articles. We couldn't be prouder. I have a learned a lot and have shared so much of my knowledge too. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) have been my greatest passions (with arts and sciences trailing closely behind), which I intend to focus on in my dream project. But now, with SG, I am able to do it already together with intelligent friends and colleagues. SG is a dream project by itself. I believe in its mission of giving chances for small businesses around the country, even those from the remotest of places, a chance to be heard of and reached online.

I guess the learning to be taken here is that I should be more open to opportunities that come my way. I shouldn't limit myself to my comfort zone or to what other people will say. Even money to be earned shouldn’t be my primary motivation, but the experiences to be gained: if the opportunity will be a great vehicle for learning and improving myself, even if the income isn’t very appealing, I should take it! That’s Robert Kiyosaki speaking too.

In welcoming unexpected opportunities, no matter the date or time of year, we should choose those that will make us grow. Ultimately, we’d be surprised where the experience will take us, and often it could even be beneficial in attaining our "fixed goals."

How Busy People Are Finding Time to Care

PRESS RELEASE

The trick is to make it a part of your busy-ness.
By night, DJs Sunny Bonner and PJ Paradise of the Las Vegas-based duo WeRWolvz are making clubs come alive with their powerful music. But once in a while, they find themselves in Manila not just to energize the local club scene but also to help children by volunteering their time and talents. The current editor-in-chief of Good Vibes PH, Kai Magsanoc, established her own start-up to spread positive news amidst today’s sea of dismal messages. Brian Bantugan, an educator, artist, and nature builder, is in the best position to spread progressive ideas and concepts among his numerous students in St. Paul University. EJ Miranda, Red Bull marketing executive, shared his time and musical abilities to teach children how to play the piano. While independent music and visual artist Amiya Velayo, who sings for and about children, expressed the importance of sharing her own time and that of her future child to help these underprivileged children.

They are some of the people who spent an entire morning with Virlanie Foundation’s young beneficiaries on June 20, 2015 in Makati City, Philippines. They are busy, highly-creative, jet-setting individuals who are finding time to care for others by making helping not just a one-time activity, but a part of their hectic lifestyle. They have realized that a strong culture of caring is worth more than fame or money.

Virlanie Foundation, Inc. wishes to thank friends who supported the event: Paris Delice, Wasabi Warriors, Taters, Good Vibes PH, Glaiza of www.moomymusings.com, Shalene of www.purplepieces.com, Lani of www.kamikazeegirl.com, and Red Bull Philippines.

Supporting Virlanie’s #HelpOurBabies campaign
Last June 1, Virlanie launched a fundraising drive to raise support for its Babies and Toddlers Home, the residence for its child beneficiaries aged 0-5 years old. As part of the Foundation’s strategy, Virlanie organized an open-house activity for bloggers, members of the media, and artists. The 3-hour event was made memorable with musical performances from the artists and Virlanie’s very own French volunteers. The guests also picked books to read to the young listeners. And right before meal time, they spent some time outdoors playing with the children.

Virlanie Foundation continues its call for support for #HelpOurBabies. This campaign will run until June 30, 2015 as it aims to gather more financial donations to help the Foundation continue its work with the babies and toddlers. All donations will go towards providing the children with three square meals a day, milk and snacks, healthcare, clothing, shelter and other basic needs. For details on how you can help, please visit www.virlanie.org/HelpOurBabies
Virlanie invites everyone to strengthen our culture of caring, not only to raise money for its own programs, but to influence more people to make helping a part of their lifestyle.

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For more information, please get in touch with:
Ime Morales, Head of Communication
info@virlanie.org / 895-3460

Social Enterprise: Negosyong Makalipunan (English Translation)

(Note: This is an English Translation of my article on Social Entrepreneurship which I posted here last January 29, 2014. I have done this for the benefit of you non-Filipino speakers around the globe who might chance upon this blog!)

Here is my first article about social entrepreneurship. Although we often  hear the term "social entrepreneurship," many of us still find its meaning quite vague or confusing. Even I myself who wants to be a social entrepreneur am still confused over its meaning as well. Sometimes I ask myself if I could already consider myself as a social entrepreneur since I purposefully make my products in my online business to be inspirational for young people. So I thought it best to study first the concept of social entrepreneurship and here I am sharing to you what I have learned so far.

Social Entrepreneurship: Definition

Social entrepreneurship is a way of establishing and operating an organization by using business approaches and principles but with the main objective of creating a positive change or providing solutions to the problems of a community, often with regard to its on the social, cultural, and environmental aspects. This concept can be used by philanthropists, social advocates, co-operatives, charities, and any other organization or individual with activities that aim to uplift a community. However, there is often confusion over  its definition especially with regard to the question on whether a social enterprise should be for profit or non-profit. Still, most people who are active in this work might agree with this description: If the main measure of a regular entrepreneur to find out if his business is successful is how much he earned or how great his profit is, the social entrepreneur (the founder or manager of the social enterprise) is concerned over how many or how much his enterprise was able to help. (Social Enterprise Canada)

Cherrie Atilano is the president of social enterprise Agricool, "a movement which dreams to build the lifestyle of healthy food consumption while creating agricultural opportunities in the Philippines." - See more at: http://gk1world.com/from-eco-warrior-to-eco-entrepreneur#sthash.0wmDRiVp.dpuf

Social Enterprise: Definition

Social entrepreneurship can be used in a non-profit organization because it involves the use of business  principles and strategies to solve social problems. Now “social enterprise” in itself is the very organization that is established using the strategies of social entrepreneurship to address social or global issues but this time, profitability is an important mechanism to achieve these goals. The social enterprise, thus, through its income generating business or trade activities should be able to provide good social impact in his community.

Differences between Non-profit Organization and Social Enterprise

A non-profit organization (NPO) aims to provide service to a community that has specific needs or to support an advocacy or groups who are working on  projects that will create favorable impact on society. The funds of an NPO often comes from donations given by private organizations, individuals, and the government. In contrast to social enterprises, an NPO does not need to develop activities to earn or generate funds, but sometimes they may also conduct fundraising projects and similar methods to raise additional funds for their operation or to create public awareness about their cause. Nevertheless, the main goal of a non-profit organization will always be to espouse  its advocacy. Members of NPOs may receive salary but many non-profit organizers or supporters are volunteers. However, although social enterprises are often likened to NPOs, social enterprises must have the capacity to earn. It should be self-sustaining in order to carry out its purposes. A social enterprise can also be established by an NPO, however its  operation must be separate from the NPO itself because a large part of its operations is related to activities concerning the financial aspects of the business. The NPO-run social enterprise cannot simply involve itself in charity works or advocacy campaigns unless the aim of such activities will serve as marketing activities resulting in more revenue for the social enterprise. Any private individual can also establish a social enterprise. He can be a sole proprietor who has a clear advocacy or has placed a socially relevant facet in his  business. He may also encourage his neighbors or the members of his community to put up a social enterprise or, form a cooperative, a known type of social enterprise. Therefore,  it can be deduced that a social enterprise is a mix of  profit and non-profit since the enterprise is established for profit, but the earnings are allocated not to increase the wealth of the organizers but to give support to the people in a community, service to those in need, or positive change in people or even the whole world.

Social Enterprise: Self-sufficient

A social enterprise may also receive donations just like NPOs. However, it is important for it to be able to stand on its own feet or be "self-sustaining" because its operation requires continuous funds in order to serve its selected community or advocacy. It is usual for social enterprises to employ workers from the community they serve. One of the main objectives of most social enterprises is to provide good and regular pay to their employees (who are members of the community that they serve) thus social enterprises cannot rely on donations alone. It is the priority of social enterprises to reinvest its earnings to the organization. The social entrepreneur earns only in accordance with  his/her role in the organization, similar to  how the workers’ wages are computed. Sometimes though, a social entrepreneur works for the enterprise pro bono because her only aim in working for a social enterprise is to help others and support a  cause (and that the social entrepreneur may in fact have another job or sources of income).  Social enterprises also welcome volunteers and participation from non-profit organizations and the government to ensure that they can properly serve the community they selected. But clearly social enterprises cannot rely on donations or grants.  A social enterprise should be a revenue-generating business.

Answer to My Personal Question

I believe that I am  not yet a social entrepreneur  although my goal in building an online business seems to include solving a particular social need. I have come to this conclusion because I have not yet found a concrete community that will benefit from my business. But this does not mean that my business is not good, only that today my business is still in an area of entrepreneurship that is different from social enterprise. Nonetheless, I would like to believe that my business is anchored on doing good and has a corporate social responsibility (CSR). (Later I will discuss what CSR is.) On the other hand, I have realized and thus would also like to emphasize that, in my opinion, not everyone should aspire to establish a social enterprise to become a good entrepreneur. It is already a great help to society when businesses provide employment for its people while engaging in trade with sound principles, noble intention, and fair practices.

Paano Ayusin ang Contents sa Isang Website?

Noong nakaraang linggo ay pinag-usapan natin kung ano ang business website at kung ano ang mga dapat na nilalaman nito.

Ngayon naman ay tatalakayin natin kung papaano aayusin ang mga content sa isang website.

Tulad ng brochure, ang isang website ay mayroon ding pages. Ang bawat page ay dapat mayroong specific na purpose at nilalaman. Narito ang mga common na pages na dapat mayroon ang isang business website:

1. Home Page  - ang home ay ang pinakacover page ng website mo. Ito at tinatawag rin na "landing page" dahil ito ang unang makikita ng mga bibisita sa website mo.

a. Name and logo of business. Dito sa home page dapat makita ang pangalan at logo ng iyong negosyo. Dapat itong nasa pinakaprominenteng puwesto (sa taas) upang makita agad ng bibisita sa website mo na tama ang website na napuntahan niya. Ilalagay mo rin ang logo at business name mo sa lahat ng pages mo kaya dapat rin ay pareho ang logo at font style ng pangalan sa website mo sa kasalukuyan mong ginagamit na design sa iyong physical na shop. Ito ay para ma-establish ang look ng business mo at magkaroon ng recall sa customers. Kung napansin mo ngayon na baduy o kaya ay hindi pala akma sa negosyo mo ang logong ginagamit mo, then it's about time for you to make a new one. Pwede kang magpadesign sa mga fine arts students. Marami ring nag-aalok ng logo design sa internet.

Note: Merong isa pang purpose ang logo. Ito ay maaaring gawing link pabalik sa home page. Kapag nasa ibang page ng website mo ang iyong visitor, iciclick lang nya ang logo at babalik na sya sa home page.

b. Tagline - Dito mo na rin ilalagay ang maiksing paglalarawan tungkol sa iyong negosyo. Ito ay tinatawg na tagline. Kumbaga sa pelikula, ito ay ang iyong subtitle na nagsasabi in as few words as possible what your business is all about.

c. Photos. Dahil ito ay ang cover ng iyong website, dapat mo rin itong lagyan ng kaaya-ayang larawan ng iyong shop o kaya ng iyong pinakapopular o pinakabagong produkto o serbisyo kasama ng maiksing description tungkol sa product. Pwede rin lagyan ng slideshow ng mga pictures. Medyo kailangan ng pag-aaralan mabuti kung paano gawin ito or sabihin sa iyong web designer na gusto mo ng ganito. Please click thairoyalspa.com for sample.

d. Promos. Maaari ka ring maglagay dito ng poster tungkol sa mga promo, discount o freebies na kasalukuyan mong inaalok sa iyong shop.

Sa ganitong paraan, maeenganyo mo kaagad ang bisita sa iyong website na bumili o pumunta sa shop mo para makuha ang iyong mga promo.

e. Maganda ring lugar ito para sa naihanda mong documentary video tungkol sa negosyo mo. Ang video ang isa sa pinakamadaling paraan para ipakilala ang isang negosyo sa mga tao. Maaari pang ilagay sa youtube ang naturang video.

f. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc. icons. Kung merong account ang iyong business sa mga naturang social media sites, puwede mong ilagay ang link ng mga iyon sa iyong home page. Kapag nag-click sila sa facebook icon ay mapupunta sila sa facebook page ng business mo at maaari nilang i-like iyon.

2. Products/Services - Dito sa page na ito ilalagay ang larawan ng iyong mga produkto o kaya ay ililista ang mga serbisyong inaalok mo sa iyong negosyo. Maaari mong ilagay rito ang presyo ng iyong mga produkto at serbisyo upang mas madaling makapagdesisyon ang bisita sa website mo kung bibilhin niya ang inaalok mo. Kung ayaw mo naman ilagay ang presyo ng iyong mga paninda (marahil dahil nag-aalala ka naman na baka makita ng mga kakumpetensiya mo ang presyo ng mga produkto mo at magamit nila ang impormasyong iyun para daigin ang negosyo mo), maaari kang magbigay na lamang ng range.

Halimbawa: Pagsasamasamahin ang larawan ng mga damit na halos magkakapareho ng presyo at ilagay ang range: Available at P2,000 to P4,000.

Puwede rin namang hindi ilagay ang presyo, depende sa strategy mo. O kaya ay maglagay ka ng ganitong note:
To know the prices or for any inquiries or orders, please call or text us at 0910Xxxxxxx or send us an email at forevermoreboutique@gmail.com.

3. About Us

Dito mo maaaring ibahagi kung paano nag-umpisa at ano ang nagsilbing inspirasyon sa iyo upang pasukin ang iyong negosyo. Kadalasan dito rin ikinukuwento kung sino-sino ang mga pangunahing personalidad na nag-umpisa o tumulong sayo sa pag-uumpisa at mga kasalukuyang katuwang mo sa pagpapatakbo ng negosyo. Mahalag ito dahil may mga bagong customer na gusto malaman ang pinagmulan ng isang negosyo bago siya magtiwala at kunin ang serbisyo nito.

4. Gallery - Ang kadalasang laman nito ay mga karagdagang pictures na maaaring maging interesante sa iyong mga kliyente. Halibawa ay mga larawan ng inyong business launch or opening day, ng inyong anniversary, ng mga kilalang personalidad na nagpunta sa store ninyo o testimonials mula sa inyong mga suki.

5. Contact Us

Ito ang lugar para sa iyong address, contact number, email address at map papunta sa iyong negosyo. Maaari ring maglagay ng email box o form upang doon makapag-type ng mensahe ang iyong kliyente at agad itong maipadala sa iyo.

So again, ang mga important page ng isang website ay ang Home, Products/Services, About Us, Gallery at Contact Us. Next topic naman natin ay paano gumawa ng website at paano ito ilalagay sa internet. Of course ang pag-aaralan natin ay iyung libreng website creator lang na madaling gamitin. Hindi dito kailangan ng advanced knowledge sa paggawa ng website at walang bayad.

If you want to read my previous article about websites, here it is: Kailngan ba talaga ng business mo ng website?



Hanggang sa muli! :-)

Kailangan ba ng business mo ng website?

(Note: Ang write-up na ito ay para sa mga nag-uumpisa pa lamang pag-aralan kung ano ang website.)

Oo. Kailangan ng negosyo mo ng website dahil ito ang isa sa mga pinakamahuhusay na paraan sa panahon ngayon para makakuha ka ng mga bagong kustomer para sa iyong negosyo. :-)

Ngunit, ano nga ba ang website?

Ang website ay ang sariling lugar mo sa internet kung saan maaari kang bisitahin o puntahan ng mga taong kilala at hindi mo kilala. Ang website ay maaaring pang-personal o pang-business. Maihahantulad ito sa isang brochure tungkol sa business mo ngunit imbes na nasa papel, ito ay nasa internet.

Ano-ano ba ang mga pangunahing bagay na dapat laman ng isang business website?

1. Ang pangalan ng iyong business. Halimbawa: Forevermore Boutique o Isa Spa

2. Isusulat mo rin kung anong klaseng negosyo ang meron ka. Kailangang mayroon kang nakahandang maiksing paglalarawan ng iyong negosyo na madaling maintindihan, mabilis basahin at interesante ring malaman. 

Halimbawa: Ang Forevermore Boutique ay isang dress shop na kung saan ang telang ginamit sa mga damit ay gawa sa mga pinya mula sa Benguet. 
Ang Isa Spa ay isang lugar kung saan maaari kang mag-relax. Mayroong steam baths at massage gamit ang Pinoy na Pinoy na mga kagawian at kagamitan.

3. Mga larawan ng iyong mga produkto o serbisyo.
Maaari kang maglagay ng larawan ng samples ng mga produkto mo o paraan ng iyong pagseserbisyo. Dahil sa mahilig ang mga tao na manood sa internet, maaari ka ring gumawa o magpagawa ng maiksing video documentary o advertisement  tungkol sa negosyo mo at ilagay rin ito sa iyong website. Siguraduhin lamang na pulido, angkop, at magaganda ang pagkakakagawa ng mga larawan at video na iyong gagamitin sapagkat maaaring iwan ng bisita mo ang website mo kung hindi sya nagandahan o naaliw sa mga nakita nya sa website mo.

4. Kung saan ka nila mapupuntahan o macocontact.
Kung mayroon kang physical store, office, o shop, natural lamang na gusto mong puntahan ka doon ng mga kliyente mo. Ilagay sa website ang address ng iyong shop.

Maaari ka ring maglagay ng map or gamitin ang isang image ng iyong lugar mula sa Google Maps.

Kailangan din ng contact number (landline man o cellphone) mo para matawagan ka ng mga kliyente o kaya ay iyong e-mail address upang madali ka nilang ma-contact kung may mga gusto pa silang itanong na hindi nila nakita sa website mo.

Ngayong alam mo na ang mga pinakamahahalagang bahagi ng isang business website, maaari mo nang umpisahang maglikom ng mga detalye at mga larawan. Itabi mo lamang ang mga ito dahil sa susunod, pag-uusapan natin ang pinakamadaling paraan para buuin ang iyong website at kung paano mo ito ilalagay sa internet.

Hanggang sa muli! :-)