Today's Issue
- Editor's Take: The Art of Schmooze
- SME Power Quote
- Wanted: Finance Assistant
- The SME Toolkit Road Show Update
- Events: Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (Monday 5 – Friday 9 May); Hair and Make-up Trends (Thursday 8 May ); Advanced MS Word (Thursday 8 and Friday 9 May); HACCP Auditor's Course (Thursday 8 and Friday 9 May); Data Privacy Event: Do you know where your data is? (Friday 9 May); Understanding Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights (Friday 09 May); Corporate Culture: Filipino Values in the Workplace (Friday 09 May); Food Safety (Monday 12 May); Disaster Recovery and Business continuity (Monday 12 – Friday 16 May ); and Webpage Development: Creating Interactive Content and Animation Using Flash (Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 May)
- Tax Calendar
SME Power Quote
“… By living wages I mean more than a bare subsistence level—I mean the wages of decent living.”
-- Franklin Roosevelt
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
Monday 12 May- e-Filing/Filing & e-Payment/Payment of 1600 together w/ the Monthly Alphalist of Payees (MAP) for the Month of April 2008; e-Filing of 1601C & 1602 L & SNL Taxpayers (Groups D & E) for the Month of April 2008; and e-Filing of 1601E & 1601F together w/ the Monthly Alphalist of Payees (MAP) L & SNL Taxpayers (Groups D & E) for the Month of April 2008
Source: Bureau of Internal RevenueSME Toolkit Road Show Update
La Union: 17th Stopover for SME Toolkit Road Show!
The SME Solutions team headed to La Union on Thursday, April 24 for its 17th run of SME Toolkit Road Show.
Simultaneous with the summer heat, Plantersbank La Union branch manager, Ms. Eloisa Chan eagerly welcomed the seventy-four (74) local entrepreneurs.
In his presentation at the Hotel Ariana, in Bauang, La Union, PDB SME Solutions Incorporated president, Adonis Yap pointed out several advantages or having SME Toolkit as a day-to-day partner in their businesses.
“It does not only give you tips on business, but also gives you essential tools for Accounting & Finance, Business Planning, Human Resources, Legal & Insurance, Operations and Technology” Mr. Yap said.
To read full story, click here
Editor's Take
While, the Internet has boosted chances of encountering new and interesting people, there is still no substitute for the good, old-fashioned face-to-face meeting in doing business. If you take little comfort in meeting new people, it is in your best interest to hone those schmoozing skills in order to boost your chances of personal and business success.
Getting into networking is a critical step in growing any business. For starters, scan the internet, newspapers and community boards for information about organizations, events, professional groups and social clubs in your area for ones which match your customer demographics.
Networking is more than saying “hello”, so we’ve put together these tips to help get you started in the art of schmoozing for success.
To meet key people, join committees and attend trade shows. If you are a wedding planner, you will naturally seek out travel agents, hoteliers, caterers, floral arrangers and bridal designers.
At business conferences, don’t waste time in between presentations lounging in the coffee shop or bar. Actively seek out participants like yourself. Have your business card ready when you introduce yourself. Prepare a standard 30-second spiel about yourself and your business.
Learn the art of small talk, and always be a courteous and active listener. After laying out your short spiel in a small group, engage the person next to you or the one you are most interested in by posing open-ended questions like: “What is it you enjoy most about your work” or “What is it that you do during your spare time?” Avoid topics like politics and religion, which are bound to be contentious. Stick to safe themes like sports, professional issues, hobbies, business or vacation plans.
Build a reputation as an “expert”. Volunteer as a resource speaker, contribute articles to club newsletters or trade journals, or offer professional opinion during forums. This gets you a lot of opportunities to be recognized and invited to future events.
Treat networking as a means to explore the market, not just as an opportunity to close a sale. Use social events to pick up business ideas and trawl for information about your competitors and market trends while enjoying your self. There is a proper time and place for sales calls. Observe the three Ps in socializing with people: be patient, polite and pleasant.
When you have gathered names and information from the networking events—do stay in touch with your most meaningful contacts. Usually, after a comfortable span of time, have the courtesy of sending a note or card to let them know you had a delightful time meeting them. Include an item like a brochure, a magazine clipping, or referral that you know will be of interest to them in their business.
A word of caution, do not mix networking approaches with the hard-core sales pitch. Networking is only the start of a fruitful investment for developing more business. Later, when your contacts make introductions, pass on referrals and contacts, consider them as gifts. Thank the person who helps you in your networking, and whenever possible, consider an appropriate referral fee.
Be properly generous, and your business will be prosperous!
What's your take on this? We want to hear from you! To participate in the discussion, click here!
