Today's Issue
- Editor's Take: What's in store this Summer for the Enterprising Pinoys?
- SME TechZone: A Business Network Site is born!
- Wanted: Finance Assistant
- Events: Quality Management (Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 April); Putting Your Business Online (Tuesday 22 April); Build Your Own Website (Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 April); Corporate Culture: Filipino Values in the Workplace (Wednesday 23 April); Business Recording (Thursday 24 April); Business Expense Savings Training (BEST) Game Workshop (Friday 25 April); UCWorld.08 Conference (Friday 25 and Saturday 26 April);; The Network for Enterprising Women Bazaar (Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April); Comprehensive Course on Instrumentation and Process Control (IPC) Course (Saturday 26 April to Saturday 31 May); Advanced MS Excel (Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 April); Work Improvement Tools (Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 April); and Coaching for Success (Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 April)
- Tax Calendar
SME TechZone
A Business Network Site is born!
Based on the latest trend on online social networking sites, it shows that these are no longer just for kids and SME.com.ph has found an opportunity to enhance the experience of its client base—the SMEs via its newly-created site called, Bizster.com.ph.
Bizster.com.ph will foster from electronic-generated discussions and build web of relationships from exchange of thoughts among individuals who share a common affinity or common grounds, but differ in some ways like locations, time and more.
To read full article, click here!
We Want You!
PDB-SME Solutions Incorporated is looking for someone who can join our team as a Finance Assistant. Applicants must be:
- An Accounting Graduate; it is an advantage
- Should be tech-savvy, knowledgeable in any accounting software
- Has excellent oral and written communication skills
- Fresh graduates are welcome to apply
To apply, send résumé to info@sme.com.ph
Tax Calendar
Thursday 24 April- e-Filing of 2550M and 2551M together with the Summary Alphalist of Withholding Agents of Income Payments Subjected to W/holding Tax (SAWT) & BIR Form No. 2307/2306 to be filed manually within fifteen (15) days from e-filing - L & SNL Taxpayers (Group B) for the Month of March 2008.
Friday 25 April- e-Filing or Filing and e-Payment or Payment of 2550Q together with the Summary Alphalist of Withholding Agents of Income Payments Subjected to Withholding Tax (SAWT) - L,SNL & NL Taxpayers CQ ending for March 31, 2008.
Source: Bureau of Internal RevenueSMEComPh Mag Sneak Peek
In May this year, SME Community Philippines magazine talks about the Law of Supply and Demand. There’s that famous anecdote how a former Philippine president, when faced with a pressing economic issue, wanted to repeal the Law of Supply and Demand. We’re afraid Congress can’t do much about that, but a group of New York restaurant owners back in the 1980s decided it could bring in custom by creating demand regardless of supply. They admitted to author Harvey Mackay that when they open a new restaurant, for the first two months they tell about half the people who phone in for reservations that the place is full for whatever night they request and to please call back. The lesson here, Mackay avers, is not that people are sheep but that in a market economy everything is sold as a commodity, and no one wants anything if it is too easy to get. If they can’t get it, if it’s in demand, everybody wants to get it. Maybe it goes the same for rice as it does for ringside tickets to a Maroon Five concert.
To download previous issues of SME Community Philippnes, click here
Editor's Take
With soaring temperatures by day and high humidity at night, “summer” or the dry season is not something most city-bound Filipinos look forward to. Enterprising Filipinos of course see financial opportunity and are making hay while the sun is out.
This week, let me run down some business ideas that the business-minded Pinoys might just consider in delving into.
Resorts and other Vacation Places top the list. With thousands of islands, picturesque landscapes and colorful fiestas, the Philippines are just waiting to be discovered by her own people. More affordable sea and air fares have helped spark a revolution in local travel. Resort and hotel managers have tapped into the urban Pinoy’s thirst for excitement and discovery by weaving packages with community events. A good package in partnership with travel and tour agencies is ideal. Making such vacations as affordable as possible will encourage more budget travelers to return or recommend the place to others. A hotel doesn’t have to be right on the beach to bring in crowds. It shouldn’t take much for small boutique resorts and inns to leave an impression that summer is the best time to book and stay for an unforgettable experience. A hotel that arranges for regular water taxi or van to pick up and drop off guests at a choice of beaches or sights along a predetermined route with the rooms is definitely better than one that keeps you stranded in one inaccessible stretch of sand, if you care for a change of view.
Hit the Heat with Thirst-Quenchers. Take a cue from the successful fruit blends and other thirst-quencher stalls like Big Chill, Ice Monsters, Frutas and Fruit Magic in popular malls. The Philippines is rich in tropical fruits such as bananas, coconuts, sour sops, mangoes, jackfruits, avocadoes—are ideal refreshing treats for local and foreign palates. Operating a seasonal business out of your kitchen making and selling refreshments like juices, shakes, halo-halo, and snow cones promises good returns on a modest investment.
Summer attires are Hip! Wherever bakasyonistas are to be found, business opportunities abound. Beach lovers will definitely go shopping for a new pair of sunglasses, swim wears, sandals, caps, bandanas and other accessories. There was a time that espadrilles became a huge hit for travelers because it is comfy to wear; now the market is going crazy over scented Havaianas.
These attires are popular for women this summer: wrap skirts, shawls, halters, tanks, sarongs, beach cover-ups, tunics, beach miniskirts, Kaftans, Capris and the list goes on. With Filipinos creativity, these items can be modified or maybe a basis for a new end-product.
Unlimited supplies of Souvenirs. Most people when visiting places, souvenirs or keepsakes or mementos are always part of the package. Besides pictures, bringing back 'pasalubongs' or knickknacks are 'joys' that accompany a tourist's memorable experience. In fact, a Cebu-based entrepreneur capitalized on this by marketing colorful t-shirts of various Philippine cities or tourist spots as souvenirs. Such business model is a huge hit since shirts are also good 'branding' materials and 'walking advertorials'.
Offer meaningful workshops. School is out this summer, so kids and teenagers are looking for means to be productive. In this category, there are a bunch of creative ideas to help an enterprising individual or groups to start a summer workshop. Enhancement of communication skills, sports camps and other hobby-related activities are the most popular workshops around. These workshops are not just an opportunity to exercise the enterprising skills of Filipinos; it also encourages 'creativity'.
This summer, beat the heat with one-sweet, memorable and profitable venture.
What's your take on this? We want to hear from you! To participate in the discussion, click here!
