entrepreneurship

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: I-push na ang pangarap na negosyo!

Bahagi na ng nakasanayan nating mga Pilipino ang maglatag ng New Year’s Resolution tuwing magpapalit ang taon.

Sabi nga, bagong taon, bagong simula.

Mula sa pagtanggal ng bisyo at pagdidiyeta, iba-iba ang maririnig mong mga pangakong gagawin sa bagong taon.

Ngunit madalas, napapako lang ang mga pangakong pagbabago. Hindi bale, mayroon pa namang susunod na taon, ang katwiran ng marami.

Mga Kanegosyo, isa sa mga magandang resolusyon para sa bagong taon ay ang pagtupad sa pangarap na bagong negosyo.

Marahil ito’y mabigat sa unang tingin pero mas magandang simulan na ang pangarap ngayon. Ayon nga sa kanta, “kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?”

Lahat ng malaking negosyo sa bansa ay nagsimula sa maliit. Ngunit kung hindi ito sisimulan, mananatili na lang itong pangarap.

Ang pagnenegosyo ay parang sugal. Kailangan mong sumugal ng panahon, pawis at higit sa lahat puhunan upang makapagsimula.

***

Isang magandang halimbawa rito ay si Jennylyn Antonio, may-ari ng EHJE’s Peanut Butter.

Dati, siya ang nagsu-supply ng produkto para sa carinderia ng kanyang pamilya.

Ngunit dumating sa punto na hindi siya binabayaran ng mga kamag-anak, maging ng sarili niyang ina, kaya nag-isip na lang siya ng ibang kabuhayan.

Isang araw, habang nag-iikot sa palengke ay nakakita siya ng mani. Doon niya naisip na gumawa ng sariling peanut butter.

Sa una, isang kilong mani lang ang binili ni Jennylyn para gumawa ng home-made peanut butter, na nagustuhan naman ng kanyang pinagbentahan.

Nang dumami na ang order, nangutang si Jennylyn sa isang microfinance institution upang mapalaki ang negosyo. Ngayon, ang EHJE’s Peanut Butter ay isa na sa mga kilalang produkto sa bansa.

Kung hindi tayo susubok, walang mangyayari sa ating pangarap. Malay ninyo, ang susunod palang pinakamalaking negosyo sa bansa ay magmumula sa inyong bakuran.

Kaya i-push na iyang pangarap na negosyo!

 

First Published on Abante Online

Scaling up support

In 2007, I co-founded the Hapinoy program with the goal of helping women micro-entrepreneurs in the Philippine countryside by creating a solid business network through their sari-sari stores, providing them rigorous training and mentorship, and giving them access to financing, markets, and more business, opportunities.

My experience working with them has deeply shaped my principles on poverty alleviation, inclusive growth through business and empowerment through enterprise.

Our nanays were asked to invest time and energy developing their entrepreneurial and financial management skills to be well equipped to seize the opportunities available to them.

Being a witness to their dedication to uplift their lives and of their family members’ as well, I have deep respect and hope for the micro-entrepreneurs in our country.

Watching them make the most out of their new-found knowledge and business network to expand their stores and sales, I was sold to the belief that if we are able to provide the right opportunities and give them the right break, they would do everything with that opportunity to succeed.

I have seen how our fellow Filipinos with humble backgrounds transformed themselves to astute entrepreneurs with the right support mechanisms in place.

Take the example of Nanay Lani Rebong from Laguna. She started with a table and 3,000 to 5,000 pesos worth of diaper supplies and the will to grow her business to make a better life for her two children.

Since joining the program in 2009 and undergoing business training, she has had three expansions and renovations.

She was given the opportunity to run a mobile money business and now offers money remittance and airtime loading – services that attract regular customers and provide more capital for her store.

From a store-front sari-sari operation, she was able to convert the entire first floor of her home to cater to her growing enterprise. Her store has grown to supply other smaller ones in her area.

She was able to buy a house and lot, a motorcycle, and a tricycle. Most importantly, she was able to send her two children to school and provide a comfortable life for her family.

Nanay Lani and many others are evidence that, given proper training and exposure to opportunities, Filipinos have the grit to better their own lives. Given the chance, the poor themselves can overcome poverty.

Considering that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make up 99.6% of all businesses in the Philippines and 91.6% of MSMEs are micro-enterprises, we can only imagine what sort of impact we can generate by growing these businesses and sustaining their success.

Empowering the micro-enterprises around the country is a key to unlocking inclusive growth and shared prosperity.

With this in mind, I authored the Go Negosyo Act, which was signed into law last July 2014. It mandates that a Negosyo Center be established in every municipality, city, and province in the Philippines with the hope of replicating the success of our nanays.

Each Negosyo Center is aimed to be a comprehensive support system for entrepreneurs. Patterned after our experience in Hapinoy, Negosyo Centers will offer training and mentorship, access to financing, and market linkages to help all our small businesses get to a level of sustainability.

This year alone, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is tasked to open one hundred Negosyo Centers around the country, and by 2019, we hope to have over a thousand of these centers equipped to provide valuable support to our MSMEs.

This year, we have already launched Negosyo Centers inDaet, Camarines Norte, Albay, Aklan, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Zamboanga del Sur, and Surigao.

There is no better time than now to push for a massive scale-up of MSME support. We have a proven model for success, a policy to back it up, a substantial base of micro-enterprises, and eager Filipinos just waiting, clamoring to develop their skills and grab at any opportunity.

There is no better time than now to push for inclusive growth and to empower our countrymen to climb out poverty through enterprise development.

The Hapinoy nanays have proven that they can become successful, and my hopeful heart is certain that there are more Filipinos out there who yearn to prove to themselves and to the world that they, too, can succeed, given the right push and support.

***

First Published on Manila Bulletin

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Expertise

Mga Kanegosyo, noong nakaraang linggo, tinalakay natin ang kaha­lagahan ng ­integridad sa pagnenegosyo — na ang pagiging tapat sa pag­pa­patakbo nito at ang hindi panloloko ng mga mamimili at supplier ang isa sa mga susi para magtagal at maging matagum­pay ang ating mga negos­yo.

Ngayong linggo nama­n, pag-usapan natin ang tungkol sa ­pagiging bihasa natin sa ­larangan na ating papasukin upang mas maging malaki ang bentahe ng itatayo ­nating negosyo o pagkaka­ki­taan.

Mas mahirap kasing magsimula at umasenso kung wala tayong alam o mangangapa pa sa negosyong itatayo. Baka mas matatagalan ang pag-a­ngat ng negosyo kung hindi kabisado ang linya ng papasukin.

Halimbawa, kung ang linya natin ay may ­kaalaman sa ­computer ngunit laundry shop ang ating papasukin, mas maraming detalye ang kailangang ­pag-aaralan bago magkaroon ng gamay sa pagpapatakbo ng isang laundry shop.

Sa isang artikulo sa Forbes.com, isa sa mga website na tumatalakay sa matatagumpay na negosyo, ang pagiging bihasa sa larangan ay ang pinakamalaking sandata ng isang entrepreneur.

Sa paliwanag ng nagsulat na si Kevin Ready, isang negosyante, manunulat at marketing specialist, kapag bihasa na tayo sa larangang pinasok, makakabisado na ang pasikot-sikot nito at mas madali nang malusutan ang kahit anong uri ng problema.

Maliban dito, ­dahil alam na ang sistema ng pagpapatakbo sa negos­yo, mas madali nang mailalatag at mapagha­handaan ang mga plano’t programa para sa hinaharap.
Magiging kabisado na rin ang galaw ng merkado; mas madali nang makapag-adjust sa mga produkto o serbisyo na ipapasok.

Puwede rin namang pumasok sa mga negosyong wala tayong karanasan. Mas magiging malaki nga lang ang kailangang habulin.

***

Natapos ni Dra. Vicky Belo ang Bachelor of Science sa UP Diliman noong 1978 at nakumpleto ang kanyang degree sa Medicine and Surgery sa University of Sto. Tomas noong 1985.

Nagtrabaho muna siya ng isang taon bilang resident doctor sa Makati Medical Center bago pinursige ang kanyang diploma sa Dermatology mula sa Institute of Dermatology sa Bangkok, Thailand noong 1990.

Pagbalik niya ng Pilipinas, sinimulan niya ang pangarap na magtayo ng sariling clinic para sa liposuction at laser sa isang 44-metro kuwadradong espasyo sa Medical Towers sa Makati.

Malaking sugal ang ginawa niya dahil noong mga panahong iyon, bihira lang ang mayroong ganitong uri ng klinika sa bansa at kakaunti pa lang ang may interes na suma­ilalim sa tinatawag na enhancement.

Sa una, mabagal ang dating ng kliyente dahil puro mayayaman lang ang nagpupunta sa clini­c niya.
Ngunit ­dalawang ling­go ang nakalipas mula nang buksan niya ang klinika, bumisita ang isang sikat na singer na kanyang naging regular na kliyente at modelo.

Kumuha rin siya ng isang publicist na isa ring kilalang TV host upang ipakilala sa madla ang kanyang klinika.
Mula noon, sabi nga nila, the rest is history. Dahil eksperto si Dra. Belo sa kanyang negosyo, maraming serbisyo ang kanyang nailabas para sa merkado.

Dalawampu’t limang taon ang nakalipas, malayo na ang narating ng Belo Medical Group. Ito na ang itinuturing bilang numero unong medical aesthetic clinic sa bansa.
Mula sa maliit na klinika sa Makati, nga­yon ay mayroon nang siyam na klinika sa Metro Manila at tig-isang klinika sa Cebu at Davao.

Basta’s bihasa sa larangan na papasukin, hindi na mangangapa at kadalasan, mas magiging mabilis pa ang pag-angat ng negosyo!

 

First Published on  Abante Online

 

 

Dagdag na Trabaho sa Go Negosyo Law – Sen. Bam

 

The development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country has been given a major boost with President Aquino’s signing of the Go Negosyo Act into law.

 “The approval of the Go Negosyo Act into a law is a fulfillment of our commitment to push for MSME development in the country,” said Senator Bam Aquino, the law’s author and chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

 As the first inclusive growth-related and pro-poor legislation to be passed into law by the present administration, Aquino believes the Go Negosyo Act will further the growth of the MSME industry, which comprises 99 percent of all enterprises and 66 percent of jobs in the country.

 “With MSMEs getting all the help they need through the Go Negosyo Act, it will now be easier for them to start a business or expand existing industries,” said Aquino.

 On Sunday, Malacanang announced the signing of the R.A. 10644 or An Act Promoting Job Generation and Inclusive Growth Through the Development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

 Presidential Communications Operations Office secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the new law would help create new jobs and livelihood for more Filipinos.

 The Act mandates the creation of Negosyo Centers, under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in each city and municipality around the country. These Negosyo centers are meant to make it easier for entrepreneurs to register and start up their businesses, as well as gain access to sources of financing.

 In addition, the Negosyo Centers will provide courses and development programs, training, give advice on business conceptualization and feasibility, financing, management, capability building, human resources, marketing and other support services.

Easier Credit Access to Fuel Growth of MSMEs – Sen. Bam

Despite the key role they play in strengthening the economy, lack of access to financing remains as the biggest roadblock for the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

“The existing requirements for credit do not consider the nature and stature of these micro and small businesses,” said Senator Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Trade Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

The senator pointed out that current prerequisites for financing are marginalizing the MSME sector, which accounts for 99.6% of all enterprise in the country and employs about 62% of the workforce in the country.

To address this, Aquino has filed Senate Bill No. 2218 expanding and strengthening the current Credit Surety Fund (CSF) program of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to enable it to extend financial help to more micro and small enterprises all over the country.

“The CSF is seen as an effective program to address the financing gap that is affecting many entrepreneurs in the country,” Aquino said, referring to the BSP’s credit enhancement scheme that allows MSMEs, which are members of cooperatives to borrow from banks without collateral.

He emphasized that CSF must be supported by passing laws that will augment and enable it to help more small businesses who lack access to capital and other assistance.

“With our bill, we will institutionalize CSF and give it more funding to enable it to provide help to more MSMEs,” Aquino added.

The BSP recently launched three CSF programs in Cagayan de Oro, Aklan, and Tarlac, bringing the total number of credit surety funds established nationwide to 29 from 26 in the previous year.

In addition, the bill is aimed at aimed at building the capability of MSMEs, cooperatives and non-government organizations in the areas of credit evaluation, loan and risk management, and good governance.

Also, the bill seeks to enhance the MSMEs’ credit worthiness and broaden access to credit facilities, and sustain the continuous flow of credit in the countryside.

“This will generate more employment and alleviate poverty through increased investments and economic activities,” added Aquino, stressing that the challenge is to grow the micro businesses into small enterprises and the small enterprises to medium enterprises.

“If it this is done, growth would not only be for the few rich, rather, it would be for everyone, even to the poorest Filipino,” Aquino said.

 

 

Bicam Approves Go Negosyo Act, Awaits PNoy’s OK


Go, go, go!

The Go Negosyo Act is now closer to becoming a law after it hurdled the bicameral conference committee.

Senator Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, and his House counterpart, Las Pinas Rep. Mark Villar, have adopted the Senate version of the Go Negosyo Act authored by Aquino.

On the last day of session, the Senate has ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the Go Negosyo Act. It will be transmitted to Malacanang for President Aquino’s approval.

 “No amount of words will get the people’s trust back in the Senate,” Aquino said.

“If our countrymen would see that we have been working for them despite the scandals, maybe at some point, we would be able to gain their trust again.”

 “With the imminent passage of the Go Negosyo Act into law, small businessmen – micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are given a much needed boost that will lead to job creation in different parts of the country,” Aquino said.

 Aquino stressed the importance of the Go Negosyo Act, saying 66 percent of jobs in the labor force are generated by the MSME sector, which in turn comprises 99 percent of all enterprises in the Philippines.

“The Go Negosyo Act gives Filipinos – from a simple housewife to ordinary employee – a chance to establish their own business that will help sustain their everyday needs and for their families,” the senator said.

The Act mandates the creation of Pinoy Negosyo Centers, under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in each city and municipality around the country. These Pinoy Negosyo centers are meant to make it easier for entrepreneurs to register and start up their businesses, as well as gain access to sources of financing.

In addition, the Pinoy Negosyo Centers will provide courses and development programs, training, give advice on business conceptualization and feasibility, financing, management, capability building, human resources, marketing and other support services.

Sen. Bam to Parents: Teach Financial Literacy to Children

Senator Bam Aquino calls on parents to put this two-month summer vacation to good use by introducing their children to financial literacy, saying it’s a good jump-off point to a successful career in business and entrepreneurship.

“Financial literacy is a good jump-off point in business and entrepreneurship. Who knows, maybe the owner of the country’s next big company could be your son or daughter,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship and Committee on Youth.

Aquino said parents should establish a small business that can be run by children, like a candy store, ice candy or a sago-gulaman stand.

“This way, we can teach our children the importance of saving and spending money wisely.  While doing the small business venture, we can have quality bonding time with them this summer vacation,” the senator emphasized.

Aquino believes that by starting them young, today’s children will be equipped with knowledge and foundation to become the next big names in business and entrepreneurship in the future.

“A sound financial knowledge and skill set is needed to start a good business and turn it into a success,” Aquino said.

As an example, Aquino cited the Tagum City Youth Laboratory Cooperative (Mindanao), which was adjudged as one of the Ten Outstanding Youth Organizations (TAYO) for its project: “Financial Literacy for Youth Program”.

The senator said that TCYLC went around schools in Tagum City to teach students the basics of saving and encourage them to join the cooperative.

TCYLC started with 48 members, with savings amounting to P8,000 four years ago. At present, it has more than 1,000 members and about P2 million in savings.

Recently, Aquino’s two committees conducted hearings on several measures seeking to teach students about financial literacy in schools.

During the hearing, Aquino was informed by the Department of Education (DepEd) that it has already started teaching financial literacy in elementary schools.

“According to recent studies, financial literacy should be taught in the elementary level, especially to Grade 3 and Grade 4 students,” Aquino emphasized.

Aside from the DepEd, other agencies such as the Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development backed proposal to teach financial literacy to young students.

Aside from financial literacy, these bills seek to establish funds where students can borrow seed money to start their own small business.

 

Photo source: DTI Website

Scroll to top