Q1: You recently returned from working in Beijing. Can you tell us about the Online TV phenomenon in China? A1: China is the largest smart phone market and with the biggest number of internet users in the world. With such scale and having around 40% of its population under 30, this generation has all but abandoned TV with more than […]
interviews
Q1: What have you observed as trends in the size and format of new retail stores and why do you think this is happening? A: The trend towards bigger stores has reversed the past 10 years. We now see the big organized chains building smaller formats, while small and medium size entrepreneurs continuing to open groceries and sari sari stores. […]
Q1: Joey Concepcion and you are the movers behind Go Negosyo. You also work together in RFM as his VP for Corplan. What are the secrets of working well together for over 20 years? These are not really secrets but I guess it is more of having shared vision and goals on what we want to achieve, both for RFM […]
Q14: What are commonalities franchisors look for in franchisees other than having the money to franchise? Potato Corner CEO Jose Magsaysay: For new franchisees and partners, we look for a connection. Every communication is an evaluation or a test of how we connect to them. From an email to the first meeting, we probe and if there is a connection we […]
Q5: Some companies do not franchise their businesses because of quick ROI and significant positive cash flow. A few have been able to successfully expand quickly. What are pros and cons of this approach? Fruit Magic President Dr. Alan Escalona: A business that wants to increase its market reach and advance its brand value needs to expand rapidly. If the said business […]
Question 1: Is franchising a better option than starting your own business from scratch? PFA Chair Emeritus & BLIMS President Samie Lim: While it is true that starting a business creates jobs and may even open more opportunities for other businesses, the sad reality – not only in the Philippines but throughout the world – is that many start-ups end […]
Q5: You have launched the BDJ Beauty Box. Is this your response to seasonality in your planner business A: We launched BDJ Box, our online beauty discovery service for women, in our desire to help our 30,000 plus members to explore their own definitions of beauty. Feeling beautiful and relating it to confidence has been an increasing concern of our […]
Q1: You created a new category – the first planner for women. What inspired you to launch the Belle de Jour planner in 2006? A: When we introduced the first Belle de Jour Power Planner in November 2006 (2007 BDJ Planner), my motivation was as simple as – there was no planner in the market that I felt could really help […]
Q1: You are an industrial engineer and you started as a methods officer in the finance function in 1977 for Unilever (then PRC). How did this influence your thinking process in your long career in Customer Development? A: Industrial engineering, in my view, is the application of science in business. The professional advance of Customer Development (previously called Sales) from […]
Q1: East West Seeds is the dominant market leader in vegetable seeds in the Philippines controlling majority of the market. How was this made possible in your industry? A: This was made possible by a strong research and development, being close to the market (localized breeding and variety development), understanding the needs of our customers (farmers), excellent technology transfer services and […]