Despite the challenges of the global health crisis, the country's small business ecosystem continues to thrive as resilient entrepreneurs make the shift and explore the opportunities of going into digital.
In its commitment to help build and enable this business sector through digital acceleration, PLDT Home Biz recently held a launch event to introduce its latest Asenso Fiber Plans featuring bigger, better, and faster digital solutions tailor-fit to the needs of the home-based entrepreneur.
“Nation-building starts with a strong economy to which everyone benefits with opportunities to live and earn better. We can surely create more entrepreneurs by helping them win in their pursuit. That is the core goal of PLDT Home Biz – to build successful businesses, one entrepreneur at a time. With our Asenso Fiber Plans, we aim to help entrepreneurs establish a strong foundation to help them succeed,” said Patrick Tang, Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Biz.
In addition to providing high-speed and unlimited connectivity, PLDT Home Biz equips micro-entrepreneurs with e-commerce solutions in partnership with industry leaders Paymaya, UnionBank GlobalLinker, LBC Express through SoShop! By LBC, Grab Madiskarteng Boss Club, Sqanly and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
PLDT Home Biz, in partnership with DTI, also gives home-based entrepreneurs direct access to the latest business trends, learning opportunities, and events organized by the department. “One of the major challenges of the pandemic is that a lot of our entrepreneurs have closed their physical stores. Together with DTI, PLDT Home Biz is focused on how we can help them to get back into the game by enabling them to shift their businesses to their homes, and in turn contribute to economic recovery and growth,” adds Tang.
Mastering cashless transactions
As businesses continue to shift to digital, buyers have become more tech-savvy and are now more confident in completing their transactions—from purchase to payment—online, choosing it for its convenience, security, and safety.
PLDT Home Biz partnered with digital financial services leader PayMaya to enable subscribers to set up digital transactions for their businesses. PayMaya allows users to enjoy the convenience of digital payments through QR codes, bank transfer, e-wallets, as well as credit and debit cards. Aside from the security and hassle-free cashless payment system, this also eliminates the need for subscribers to make frequent bank visits which allows them to do business safely from home.
“For many Filipinos, cashless is their default payment preference. And businesses need to be where their customers are,” said Raymund Villanueva, PayMaya Head of Business for QR Ecosystems.
Indeed, business operations in the era of a ‘new normal’ remains driven towards better and safer customer experience. According to Sqanly Head of Product Bryan Seno, “QR codes are increasingly used everywhere and that should include small businesses. Always offer customers an easier way to order and pay you — before your competitors do. Why? Because these services tell customers that you care for and understand their needs.”
Wider reach, bigger network
Businesses can also boost their growth potential by creating their own online storefronts through the UnionBank GlobalLinker. This connects them to over 300,000 MSMEs through GlobalLinker’s network, where they may find other business owners who could be their potential supplier, partner or customer.
“Aside from network expansion, our platform can enable more efficient business management,” shared Jaypee Soliman, UnionBank GlobalLinker Vice President for SME Segment. “It comes with inventory management and data analysis tools, and offers access to various webinars, which can help businesses gain more knowledge about the local landscape and potential customers.”
Get your business moving
Customer satisfaction is top priority for business owners. Having a trusted logistics partner such as Grab Madiskarteng Boss Club and LBC, PLDT Home Biz subscribers are assured of quality, safe and fast shipment of their goods.
“We want to empower every FIlipino to become bosses of their own enterprises. Through Grab Madiskarteng Boss Club, we are providing a safe and reliable platform to help entrepreneurs better reach and serve their consumers, while helping them better unlock the unique benefits of digitalization— enabling them to resiliently grow and thrive amidst our current market condition. Apart from providing meaningful support to our local entrepreneurs, our MBC Program also enables them to create a positive impact on the lives of many Filipinos who rely on on-demand delivery platforms such as GrabExpress for their everyday needs and livelihoods,” says Jacq Lim, Head of GrabExpress Philippines.
“From your courier needs and to money remittance services, we got you covered with a roster of digital services to help your business thrive,” said Juan Manuel Liwag, Brand Head for the Philippines for LBC Express. “Among them is the Rider Pickup option, which you can use to plan ahead and schedule the time that your products need to be picked up from your home.”
Enabling PH Recovery with Home Biz
The partnership of the public and private sector supports small entrepreneurs through measures and solutions that help them navigate the challenging business environment of the new normal.
In partnership with DTI, PLDT Home Biz brings virtual trade expos and public forums that connect entrepreneurs to business opportunities by building networks, learning from the business experts, finding new trends they can adopt, and linking them with potential clients and customers.
“Our strength as a nation has always been our ability to continually stand our ground and stand together through adversities. This same steadfast, community spirit holds us fast in these uncertain days, with us and the private sector working together to help regain our economic losses due to the pandemic,” said DTI Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga.
With PLDT Home Biz, Filipino home-based entrepreneurs are empowered to earn better as they master their businesses at home. Visit PLDT Home Biz and check out their latest video to know more about the new Asenso Fiber Plans.
