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Gov’t action needed to spur firms’ use of regional trade agreements

2010-02-19T12:27:00.001+08:00

THE GOVERNMENT should streamline export certification processes to dramatically boost Philippine firms’ use of regional trade agreements, experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.

This will help firms cope with the downturn and catch up with counterparts in neighboring economies that are taking more advantage of Association of Southeast Asian Nations Free Trade Area (AFTA) mechanisms, they added at a presentation of a study yesterday.

"The AFTA usage rate in the Philippines is 20%," Ganeshan Wignaraja, the ADB’s principal economist at its Office of Regional Economic Integration, said at the sidelines of the event, reiterating earlier reported results of a study he coauthored with ADB consultants Dorothea C. Lazaro and Genevieve DeGuzman.

The team surveyed 155 firms from the food, electronics and automotive industries in 2008.

"In Thailand, it is around 27% while in Malaysia it is 25-26%," Mr. Wignaraja told BusinessWorld, citing results from similar studies.

The presence of larger firms and a more diversified export sector in other ASEAN countries could explain their higher usage rates but government support could likewise be responsible, Mr. Wignaraja said.

"From our findings, a more pro-active approach to free trade agreements makes more sense for the Philippines," he said at the forum.

The government should make it easier for exporters to obtain the needed certificates aside from tackling firms’ lack of awareness of the regional pact, Mr. Wignaraja said.

The country should also consider negotiating for a reduction in the value content requirement -- a measure of how much of product components are locally made -- to 30% from 40%.

Systems that will allow self- or third-party certification should also be implemented instead of having the Bureau of Customs being the sole authority.

Local firms surveyed -- the portion that did not use the trade pact -- said they would more likely take advantage of the deal and thus increase the overall utilization rate to 54.2% from the 20% measured in 2008, the ADB study had found.

Source:
Jessica Anne D. Hermosa, Business World

Isenberg Entrepreur Test: Should You Be An Entrepreneur?

2010-02-19T09:46:00.003+08:00

by Daniel Isenberg
Some of your friends are doing it. People who do it are in the front pages and web almost every day. Even President Obama is talking about it. So should you do it? Should you join the millions of people every year who take the plunge and start their first ventures? I've learned in my own years as an entrepreneur — and now an entrepreneurship professor — that there is a gut level "fit" for people who are potential entrepreneurs. There are strong internal drivers that compel people to create their own business.

I've developed a 2–minute Isenberg Entrepreneur Test, below, to help you find out. Just answer yes or no. Be honest with yourself — remember from my last post: the worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves.

   1. I don't like being told what to do by people who are less capable than I am.
   2. I like challenging myself.
   3. I like to win.
   4. I like being my own boss.
   5. I always look for new and better ways to do things.
   6. I like to question conventional wisdom.
   7. I like to get people together in order to get things done.
   8. People get excited by my ideas.
   9. I am rarely satisfied or complacent.
10. I can't sit still.
11. I can usually work my way out of a difficult situation.
12. I would rather fail at my own thing than succeed at someone else's.
13. Whenever there is a problem, I am ready to jump right in.
14. I think old dogs can learn — even invent — new tricks.
15. Members of my family run their own businesses.
16. I have friends who run their own businesses.
17. I worked after school and during vacations when I was growing up.
18. I get an adrenaline rush from selling things.
19. I am exhilarated by achieving results.
20. I could have written a better test than Isenberg (and here is what I would change ....)

If you answered "yes" on 17 or more of these questions, look at your paycheck (if you are lucky enough to still get one). If the company that issued the check isn't owned by you, it is time for some soul searching: Do you have debts to pay? Kids in college? Alimony? Want to take it easy? Maybe better to wait. Do you have a little extra cash in the bank and several credit cards? Do you have a spouse, partner, friends, or kids who will cheer you on? If so, start thinking about what kind of business you want to set up. It doesn't matter what age you are: research by the Kauffman Foundation shows that more and more over–50s are setting up their own businesses. Talk to people who have made the plunge, learn how to plan and deliver a product or service, think about that small business you might buy, talk to people with whom you would like to work, and talk to customers.

"I like to take risks" is not on the list. People don't choose to be entrepreneurs by opting for a riskier lifestyle. What they do, instead, is reframe the salary vs. entrepreneur choice as between two different sets of risk: the things they don't like about having a steady job — such as the risk of boredom, working for a bad boss, lack of autonomy, lack of control over your fate, and getting laid off — and the things they fear about being an entrepreneur — possible failure, financial uncertainty, shame or embarrassment, and lost investment. In the end, people who are meant to be entrepreneurs believe that their own abilities (e.g. leadership, resourcefulness, pluck, hard work) or assets (e.g. money, intellectual property, information, access to customers) significantly mitigate the risks of entrepreneurship. Risk is ultimately a personal assessment: what is risky for me is not risky for you.

"I want to get rich" is not on the list either. All else being equal (and all else is rarely equal in the real world), on the average, people who set up their own businesses don't make more money, although a few do succeed in grabbing the brass ring. But the "psychic benefits" — the challenge, autonomy, recognition, excitement, and creativity — make it all worthwhile.

Daniel Isenberg is a Professor of Management Practice, Babson College

Source: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2010/02/should_you_be_an_entrepreneur.html, 3:10 PM Friday February 12, 2010

RP among ‘over performers’ in WB trade logistics survey

2010-01-16T16:08:00.000+08:00

ANGELES, Pampanga – The Philippines ranks 44th among countries considered to be “over performers” by a new World Bank logistics survey that measures how efficiently countries trade their goods around the world.

Germany emerged on top and Singapore second while Sweden was adjudged the next most trade-friendly nation in the study hailed by the Washington-based institution as "the most comprehensive world survey of international freight forwarders and express carriers."

Aside from the Philippines, other most significant "over-performers" among developing countries are China, which emerged 27th in ranking, India (47), Uganda (66), Vietnam (53), Thailand (35), and South Africa (28).

Renewal of business registration with local gov’ts and the BIR

2010-01-06T16:22:00.002+08:00

[Pubsliher's Note: following article was first posted in and copied from the Inquirer.Net, Let’s Talk Tax -- By Roy N. Relato]

Happy New Year!!! I hope everyone is safe and well after the customary revelries to welcome the year 2010 -- the year of the Tiger.

At the start of the New Year, business establishments are tasked to comply with one of the statutory requirements -- the renewal of business registration with the local government units (LGUs).

As a general rule, all local taxes, fees and charges shall be paid within Jan. 20, or within the first 20 days of each subsequent quarter, as the case may be (Section 167, Local Government Code or LGC).

These include business tax, mayor’s permit fee, sanitary inspection fee, garbage fee, building inspection fee, electrical inspection fee, mechanical inspection fee, plumbing inspection fee, fire inspection fee, personnel fee, business plate registration fee and other charges imposed by the different LGUs.
Local business tax is imposed on the amount of gross sales or receipts of the business establishment for the preceding year using the rates of taxes provided under Section 143 of the LGC for each type of business.

"Gross Sales or Receipts" include the total amount of money or its equivalent representing the contract price, compensation or service fee, including the amount charged or materials supplied with the services and deposits or advance payments actually or constructively received during the taxable quarter for the services performed or to be performed for another person excluding discounts, if determinable at the time of sales, sales return, excise tax and VAT (Section 131(n), LGC).

For purposes of computing local business tax, business establishments are required to submit a Declaration/Certification of Gross Sales/Receipts, Income Tax Returns (ITRs) and Financial Statements (FS) for the preceding calendar year.

Failure to pay local business tax, fees and other charges within the prescribed deadline will result in the imposition of 25% surcharge of the amount of taxes fees or charges not paid on time and 2% interest per month of the unpaid taxes, fees or charges, including surcharges, but the total amount of interest shall not exceed 36 months.

Furthermore, business establishments will not be allowed to operate within the territory of the LGU if they fail to renew their business permit and license.

In addition to the renewal of business registration with LGUs, every separate or distinct establishment or place of business, including facility types where sales transactions occur, is also required to pay an annual Registration Fee of P500 on or before Jan. 31 with an authorized agent bank of the Revenue District Office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that has jurisdiction over the business establishment.

Under Revenue Regulations 11-2008, the term "separate or distinct establishment" includes a branch, as well as the following:

a. sales outlet or establishment covered by one business/trade name situated in one location or building;

b. every line of business of an individual covered by a separate business name approved by the Department of Trade and Industry even though situated in one and the same location;

c. facility with administrative office;

d. each franchise/Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) which the transportation operator owns or operates, regardless of the number of units under each franchise/CPC;

e. real properties for lease with administrative office;

f. each "exit/entry" gate, regardless of the number of booths accepting toll fees thereat;

g. unmanned sales outlets/service equipments such as automated vending machines (AVMs), automated ticket dispensing machines, automated teller machines (ATMs), and the like;

h. mobile store/stall/booth/kiosk which does not maintain a fixed place of business; and, i. other separate or distinct establishments which conduct sales transactions independent of the head office.

Under Section 258 of the Tax Code, any person who conducts business without paying the registration fee shall be punished by a fine of not less than P5,000 but not more than P20,000 and suffer imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than two years.

Recently, the BIR, the Bureau of Local Government and Finance (BLGF) and the Philippine Association of Local Treasurers and Assessors, Inc. (PHALTRA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to improve the service to taxpayers and enhance tax collection and administration.

Under the MoA, the BIR shall establish Taxpayer Service Areas or BIR Help Desks in city and municipal halls to assist taxpayers in securing their Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs), registering with the BIR, and paying Registration Fees, and to respond to queries of taxpayers during the application or renewal of mayor’s permits and business licenses.

The BIR shall also share information with local treasurers on the names and addresses of the taxpayers.

Furthermore, the MoA provides that treasurers of LGUs, through PHALTRA, shall require the presentation of the BIR Certificate of Registration (BIR Form No. 2303) and proof of payment of Registration Fee (BIR Form No. 0605) for the preceding year in securing or renewing business permits.

Presentation of TIN shall also be required not only in securing and renewing business permits and licenses, but also in all applications for government permit, license, clearance, official paper or any other similar document.

Lastly, treasurers of LGUs are required to share information with the BIR on the declared amount of gross sales or receipts and other data provided by taxpayers.

Complying with the requirements of renewing the business registration with LGUs and the BIR is a good way for business establishments to start the year 2010.

As the saying goes, "it is better to start the year right so that you’ll end the year right."

(The author is a tax manager at Punongbayan & Araullo, a member firm within Grant Thornton International Ltd. Readers may e-mail Roy.Relato@pna.ph or call 886-5511 for comments or inquiries.)

China-ASEAN Free Trade

2010-01-04T10:22:00.002+08:00

MANILA, Philippines—As today’s global economy offers unparalleled opportunities for all countries across the world, continuing to expand trade by lowering barriers of goods and services is in the common interest of China and Asean countries.

Our concerted and unremitting efforts during the past decade will soon reap fruits with the full establishment of China-Asean Free Trade Area (Cafta) on January 1, 2010.

This means that more than 7,000 zero-tariff commodities could be traded among China and Asean countries. The removal of trade impediments will lower the costs of transactions, further increase China-Asean trade volume, and enhance economic efficiency. With market risk and uncertainties lowered, more investments would be generated from both Chinese and Asean companies into an integrated and rewarding market.

While we shall never forget that we have come a long way for “today,” New Year’s Day would be the first day we are to enjoy substantial gains from freer trade.

The comprehensive China-Asean cooperation dates back to early 1990s. Since then, economic relations and trade among us have been increasing with each passing year.

When the financial crisis struck in 1997, China held out by not depreciating RMB yuan, which served as a strong force for the recovery of the regional economy. Together with similar cultural tradition and history, complementarities and inter-dependence define the China-Asean bond which enables us to reach consensus towards common prosperity. Therefore, it is fair to say that we have secured a solid foundation for Cafta.

In September 2000, at the 4th China-Asean Summit in Singapore, the then Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji first came up with the proposal of Cafta, which was well received and applauded by Asean countries. In November 2001, the leaders from China and Asean countries declared the goal of full establishment of Cafta in 10 years at Brunei Summit. On 4 November 2002, the China-Asean Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation was signed to kick off the endeavor towards Cafta. There were doubts among Asean countries that opening domestic markets to the Chinese goods may bring in tough competition. The Early Harvest Program was therefore put in place in 2004 to offer preferential arrangements in advance to Asean countries by unilaterally opening the Chinese market to the Asean agricultural produce. Words were put into actions and benefits were materialized. 2004 witnessed China-Asean trade volume topping $100 billion.

Agreement on Trade in Goods and Agreement on Trade in Services between China and Asean countries were signed respectively in November 2004 and January 2007. On 15 August 2009, the Investment Agreement was signed, marking the successful completion of main Cafta negotiations. With a population of 1.9 billion and a combined GDP of $6 trillion, Cafta would be the biggest FTA not only for developing countries, but also in terms of population and market size. We have every reason to believe that the full inception of Cafta will not only bring benefits to the Chinese and Asean peoples, but also contribute to the economic growth in Asia and the world at large.

Cafta will bring greater opportunities to the Philippines. With strong export potentiality in electronics, agricultural produce, fruits, fishery products, and minerals, etc, the Philippines will enjoy considerable comparative advantages and expand market shares of its competitive goods. Furthermore, with the agreements on trade of services and investment coming into force, the Philippines would be well poised to boost service trade and attract investments. Tourism, English teaching, eco-medical and retirement care services are those areas where the Philippine government can really turn potential into profits. More incoming investments from both China and other Asean countries will give driving impetus to infrastructure development in the Philippines.

Cafta will open broader vista for China-Philippine trade and economic cooperation. China-Philippine trade has registered relatively rapid growth in recent years, with the record high of more than $30 billion in 2007. With Cafta functioning in a full-fledged manner, both China and the Philippines should do more to press ahead with exchanges among prominent enterprises and to facilitate more effective bilateral cooperation in trade. China and the Philippines should work to strengthen our cooperation mechanism among authorities in charge of respective areas

Cafta will spur two-way investment flow between China and the Philippines. The Chinese companies are willing to bring their infrastructure investment up to higher level in various fields such as transportation, power generation, water supply, and telecommunication. At the same time, China will do its utmost to get its policies well understood by Philippine companies in terms of foreign investment in China. We remain ready to invite Philippine enterprises to tap investment potential in China.

Cafta will serve as catalyst for China-Philippine economic cooperation. As part of package plan to boost China-Asean cooperation, China has set up in 2009 China-Asean Investment Cooperation Fund totaling $10 billion. The first $1 billion will soon be made available for project orientation. The Philippine government stands in a good position to make full use of this fund and determine on candidate projects according to its strategy of economic development. The Chinese side is looking forward to seeing the related application be filed at an earliest date.

There have been, is, and will always be some concerns over the Philippines’ future after Cafta is up and running. Some voiced challenges in more fierce competition in manufacture industries, some stressed the vulnerability of domestic agriculture under price impact, and some even went as far as saying that free trade is not fair at all.

However, the idea that free trade is fair only if countries share identical labor costs and economic regulations or if domestic producers are compensated for market losses to more competitive foreign producers does not hold water. The economic benefits of free trade derive from the fact that trading partners are different, allowing any country embracing world markets a chance to be competitive. Free trade is fair when countries with different advantages are allowed to trade with a minimum of restriction and capitalized on those differences.

The Philippines is the case in point. As I’ve just said, the Philippines is endowed with comparative advantages in terms of natural resources, wage costs, language skills, education levels and etc. And what is more, as I observed, this country has a very dynamic private sector which keeps growing even in times of the on-going crises. China held similar worries when standing at the threshold of entry into the WTO. When something new comes, it always takes time to learn, try and finally excel. Therefore, Cafta for the Philippines is more than just cloud’s silver lining, but a blessing in disguise.

Free trade allows China, the Philippines and other Asean countries to compete in Cafta on the basis of our fundamental economic strengths and to reap the productivity and efficiency gains that promote long-run wealth and prosperity for all the peoples in the region. In reality, there is no distinction between free trade and truly fair trade. On the road to recovery, China and Asean countries share common fate and shoulder common responsibility. To advance regional economic cooperation in unprecedented width and depth is particularly significant at the moment. Putting Cafta into place is surely something in the right direction. Let’s work to turn this blessing in disguise into benefits in real.

IBM sets up first Innovation Center in the Philippines

2009-12-09T13:57:00.001+08:00

QUEZON CITY, Philippines: IBM has put up an Innovation Center (IIC) at the University Philippines-AyalaLand Technohub in Diliman, Quezon City. The first in the country, aimed at providing a testing and training facility for the technology firm’s business partners. The location gives the IIC access to the technical and manpower resource from two nearby major universities, the University of the Philippines and Ateneo De Manila University.

IBM Philippines Chief Technologist Lope Doromal, Jr. said the Philippines has a one of the fastest growing sources for knowledge workers who can provide technical and development skills to local and international markets. Doromal said developing for the IT industry requires access to vast resources, as well as knowledge of the business terrain so that suitable technologies are developed.

Indian giant firm makes water filter for poor

2009-12-08T09:42:00.000+08:00

In yet another example of creating wealth from the bottom of the pyramid, the Indian industrial conglomerate Tata Group has launched a new low-cost water purifier, aimed at lower-income households in rural areas.

The Tata 'Swach' purifier is less than one meter tall, and does not need running water or electricity to work.

Tata is hoping to revolutionize the business of providing clean water, a lack of which affects almost one billion people globally. The health consequences of poor water quality are enormous.

Tata says the device is the result of a decade of research and development.

The Tata Group includes India's largest carmaker Tata Motors, and also has interests in steelmaking, IT, and chemicals.

Its Swach water device - named after the Hindi word for clean - will cost under 1,000 rupees ($21.50; £13), according to one Indian report.

“ This is opening up a complete new market ” -- Tata Chemicals' chief R. Mukundan

The Swach uses ash from rice milling to filter out bacteria, and also uses tiny silver particles to kill harmful germs that can lead to diseases like diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid.

PLDT will use MERALCO powerlines to deliver broadband

2009-12-04T19:35:00.000+08:00

MAKATI, Philippines -- Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) said it will launch, in 2010 its “broadband over power lines (BPL)” service. The new technology, will allow PLDT to efficiently bring broadband services to virtually all of Meralco’s 24 million customers concentrated in Metro Manila and nearby areas using Meralco’s network of power lines. Click to Read story

Freedom of Free

2009-12-03T09:24:00.000+08:00

Information wants to be free. The availability of free content online has already made the old news-business model -- in which readers paid for information and advertisers paid for access to those readers -- obsolete. So what's next? In Chris Anderson's new book, Free: The Future of a Radical Price, Anderson argues that, instead of fearing it, we need to revel in the freedom of Free. Anderson urges us to embrace a new world in which digital technology drives down the price of goods "made of ideas," but meanwhile affords new possibilities for things to sell and ways to sell them. His argument builds on that of his 2006 book, The Long Tail, which explained how novel possibilities for selling a vast range of niche products opened up as the Internet and online retail slashed promotion and distribution costs to near zero. The future, Anderson believes, is selling "less of more."

Editor's Note:
(Chris Anderson, editor | Wired Magazine | Berkeley, Calif.)

Para sa Micro at Small Entrepreneurs: Tatlong Free Web Services Na Maaari Mong Magamit

2009-11-25T10:32:00.038+08:00

Drop.io Still copying large files to your flash drive, then walking the drive over to your co-worker’s PC (or, horrors, Fedexing it to a client)? The better way is to upload your files to a temporary, password-protectable “drop,” then give anyone who needs it the link to that drop. Free. Easy. Awesome.

Google Docs If you have a document, spreadsheet, or presentation that needs to be shared with other people, there’s no easier mechanism than Google Docs (or Zoho Docs, if you prefer). It’s a snap to invite others to view and/or collaborate — even at the same time. Documents reside in the cloud (web), so you can access them from anywhere.

Meebo Instant messaging. Meebo is a free, Web-based solution that lets you connect with every IM service (AIM, GTalk, MSN, Yahoo, and even Facebook). There’s nothing to install; just sign in at whatever computer you happen to be using.

Dropbox, Not to be confused with Drop.io, Dropbox makes it easy to share files between multiple PCs and devices (including the iPhone). A free account nets you 3GB of storage space This video explains it all:

Kung kailangan niyo ng assistance sa setting-up ng mga nabangit para sa inyong enterprise requirements maaring makatulong ey-o team, please do not hesitate to contact.

Time to rethink and do someting about your workplace lighting

2009-11-22T09:34:00.005+08:00

Whether or not you are a business owner working either at home or the office, it makes sense to put attention on your workplace lighting as suggests by various studies on the subject of ergonomic lighting like the one made by Cornell University.

In the last decade, during which personal computers have proliferated in the office, researchers have paid increased attention to lighting. Several studies have investigated the relationship of modern office lighting to the visual health, satisfaction and productivity of office workers. Read full story...

Recommended Best Podcasts for Business Users

2009-11-20T09:33:00.000+08:00

Habang nasa daan while commuting to and from work or wherever, maari niyo i-download and stock your phone or MP3 player with podcasts that can enrich your business brain, narito ang roundup ng anim na favorites:

Harvard Business IdeaCast [iTunes link] Ideas and commentaries from some of the top folks in business and management. Recent topics include Winning in a Turbulent Economy and Get More from IT — for Less.

Get-It-Done Guy’s Quick and Dirty Tips to Work Less and Do More [iTunes link] Got six minutes? The self-proclaimed Get-It-Done Guy will show you how to deal with HR, set boundaries with your boss, beat procrastination, and more.

Inspiring Words of Encouragement [iTunes link] Sales legend Zig Ziglar offers tips on staying motivated, improving your self image, overcoming objections, and more in this extensive podcast series.

Manager Tools [iTunes link] What’s the best way to give feedback to team members? How can you delegate and manage projects more effectively? Bottom linke: If you’re a manager, you need this podcast.

Marketplace [iTunes link] If there’s a better business-news podcast, I haven’t heard it. This public-radio staple covers everything from jobs to the stock market, with every other money matter in between.

Planet Money [iTunes link] Though not particularly business-minded, this NPR favorite is a must-subscribe for anyone trying to get a grip on how money makes the world go ’round. It explains difficult concepts and situation (like the mortgage crisis) in plain English.
If you’re not an iTunes user, you can find almost all of these podcasts (and countless more) at Podcast Alley.

1st Bulacan Industrial City Locators

2009-11-18T13:26:00.002+08:00

Para sa kaalaman at reference ng mga negosyante at sa mga nais pumasok sa pagnenegosyo, na mga taga Bulacan at karatig Probinsya ng Luzon, makikita sa link ang ilang mga kumpanya (locators) na nag-ooperate sa 1st Bulacan Industrial City, na matatagpuan sa boundary ng Guiguinto at Malolos, Bulacan.

I-click itong link para sa detalye (contact number).

Echoes from the past: Vilfredo Pareto

2009-11-16T10:05:00.005+08:00

"At the bottom of the Wealth curve, Men and Women starve and children die young. In the broad middle of the curve all is turmoil and motion: people rising and falling, climbing by talent or luck and falling by alcoholism, tuberculosis and other kinds of unfitness. At the very top sit the elite of the elite, who control wealth and power for a time -- until they are unseated through revolution or upheaval by a new aristocratic class. There is no progress in human history. Democracy is a fraud. Human nature is primitive, emotional, unyielding. The smarter, abler, stronger, and shrewder take the lion's share. The weak starve, lest society become degenerate: One can, compare the social body to the human body, which will promptly perish if prevented from eliminating toxins.' Inflammatory stuff ."-- Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923)

PHILIPPINE TOLL MANUFACTURERS

2009-11-14T23:57:00.001+08:00

You have products, but don't want to or do not have the competencies and/or resources to manufacture/package, you may want to check our the services being offered by the following:

Consolidated Packaging Ent
183 Judge Juan Luna St., Quezon City Cpo - P.o. Box Nos. 1100 To 1199 1105, MNL
p: (632) 3710329 to 33 f: (632) 3717797
http://www.cpefoods.com

========

Company Name:     HALIYA ENTERPRISES
Street Address:     # 5 Paraluman Street, Isidora Hills, Brgy. Holy Spirit
City:     Quezon City
Province/State:     Metro Manila
Country/Region:     Philippines
Zip:     2117
Telephone:     63-920-8524761
Fax:     63
Website:     http://www.haliyaenterprise.multiply.com

Mr. DOMINGO BASILIO NAVERA

=======
STRASBOURG DES V CORPORATION
Main Office & Plant
Nery Compound, Interior 343
Km. 14.5 West Service Rd.
Parañaque City (near SM Bicutan)

Tel no: 7763862 / 4945027 / 9859675 / 4945027

Telefax: 8239566

HP: 09224961607

Email:strasbourgdesv@aim.com

Please look for Henry Lachica

===========

STRADDLE MERCANTILE
Address: 429 Daang-Hari St., Navotas City, NCR, Philippines 1485
Telephone No.: (+63)-9214965401
Fax No.: (+632)-3511134

http://www.straddle.biz/

Name:     Ms. Esther Tam [Sales]
E-mail:     esther.straddle@gmail.com and/or orders@straddle.biz
Mobile Number:     0639580022500
Phone Number:     0639580022500
Fax Number:     6322828901
Address:     429 Daang-Hari St., Navotas City, Philippines

GlobeLab and Berkspace released Gloo

2009-11-13T08:18:00.000+08:00

Here's an introduction from GlobeLab about the locally developed appplication, GLOO:

"Berkspace, one of the winning applications in the 2008 Globe Labs Challenge, is now available to users. We have been working with its developers to launch the application and today, we are proud to introduce it to the world. Welcome to Gloo.

Gloo is a new way to communicate online. It’s an online collaboration space where you can post Facebook pictures, web images and videos into spaces where you and your friends and family can collaborate in real-time. People can chat, doodle, write free form text, place post-its and even send SMS and MMS messages to mobile phones. Each element that you post can be moved and resized by you or by other people, and changes that anyone makes will be seen by other people IN REAL TIME. That’s the power and uniqueness of Gloo. It’s not only a place where you can post media and text, you can manipulate these elements with other people at the same time.

We invite you to try out Gloo at http://www.gloo.com.ph. It’s a new way of experiencing the internet. You won’t be disappointed.

You may visit our site at http://www.globelabs.com.ph to read more on this."

Human CEO

2009-11-11T23:54:00.001+08:00

Read... The Human CEO

Ready to be your own boss?...

2009-10-26T10:37:00.000+08:00

Check if you are, read "Are you to be ready by your own Boss?" by Mercedita Esguerra.

Three elements for a company...

2009-10-26T10:19:00.001+08:00

Three key components necessary for a company to achieve its full potential are:

     • respected leadership

     • good management

     • balanced and satisfied staff

Promote Your Resto Online

2009-10-17T10:14:00.003+08:00

WITH A lot of people turning more and more to the Internet for information, restaurant owners would be wise to tap online options to promote their restaurants. At the Restaurant Marketing Reloaded Summit 2009, an event organized by Courage Asia this year, online marketing experts shared their views on how this can be done. 1. Have your own website. “Make sure you have a good website,” said Edward David, director for business development at clickthecity.com. The site has to have the necessary useful information, from menu to contact details, and the content should be updated regularly. “Choose a content management system your people can be familiar with.” 2. Integrate online initiatives with your offline efforts. David advised entrepreneurs to promote their website address or URL in all their collaterals. Also, get listed in free online listings, explore priority and enhanced listings offered by online directories, and request to be featured in these websites. 3. Build communities; create followers. According to David, “Newsletters are becoming a thing of the past. Focus on growing your ‘followers’ instead of newsletter subscribers.” He recommended social networking sites Facebook and Multiply and microblogging site Twitter in doing this. 4. Explore and experiment with other options. Here’s where online advertising will come in and David suggested looking into pay-per-click, display advertising, pay-per-action, network buys and ad network options. In addition, Michael Rastas, consultant of myfoodtrip.com, mentioned joining forums and exploring iPhone applications to promote one’s restaurant. 5. Do your research. Howell Hay, managing director of munchpunch.com, said resto-preneurs should find out what their customers are searching for and reach the right audience. 6. Manage your reputation. Rastas said, “People will voluntarily tell you about a bad restaurant, but often will only talk about a good restaurant when asked.” Bad reviews of restaurants do get published online in blogs, but Hay offered hope by saying, “One bad review does not destroy your business for as long as there are plenty of people saying good things as well.” Hay advised, “Embrace reviews. They make us aware and provide us with an opportunity to fix a genuine problem.” Source: Galarpe, Karen, http://blogs.inquirer.net/openforbusiness/2009/10/16/promote-your-resto-online/

Philippines ranks 105th In Human Development Index (HDI)

2009-10-06T09:38:00.002+08:00

LUZON, Philippines --

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines’ ranking in the global Human Development Index (HDI) has not changed while its neighbors have moved forward, according to a report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). In a UNDP presentation at the Edsa Shangri-La hotel in Mandaluyong City Monday, professor Arsenio Balisacan said the 2009 Human Development Report (HDR) showed that the Philippines ranked 105th out of 182 countries covered by the report that was based on 2007 data. “The Philippines showed a slight increase in the value of its (HDI) and ranked 105th among 182 countries… This places the Philippines in the medium human development bracket [of countries],” said Balisacan, president of the Human Development Network. “Earlier comparators of the Philippines in Asia show these countries have moved up faster in the rankings,” he said. Malaysia was ranked 66th and entered the high human development bracket in 2008, while China has overtaken the Philippines and is now ranked 92nd. China actually made the largest gain in rank, by 7 places, Balisacan said. Samoa ranks higher than RP Thailand is now ranked 82nd while the island nation of Samoa is ranked 94th, several levels better than the Philippines. In 1990, Samoa and Thailand had similar HDI values compared to the Philippines. But between 1990 and 2007, Thailand performed relatively better than the two. On the other hand, Indonesia is now ranked 111th and Vietnam is 116th, Balisacan said. “The rank of No. 105 puts the Philippines in the league of Fiji and Tonga in so far as Asian countries are concerned. Globally, this ranking would be comparable to that of Algeria and El Salvador,” he said. The HDI is a “summary measure” of a country’s human development and since the HDR was first published in 1990, the HDI rankings have provided a way of looking beyond the gross domestic product (GDP) and toward a broader definition of well-being. The HDI is based on a country’s life expectancy, adult literacy and enrollment in schools and standard of living (measured by purchasing power parity). Increase in life expectancy This year’s HDI includes three new countries—Andorra, Liechtenstein and Afghanistan—and was based on 2007 data and does “not reflect the effects of the global economic crisis.” While the ranking of the Philippines has not changed, its HDI value actually increased by 0.004 mainly due to updated higher estimates of adult literacy and higher estimates of GDP per capita “up by about 8 percent compared to previous values.” “The improvement in the Philippines’ HDI value is a result of increases in its HDI component indicators, a sign of real and steady progress in human development,” a UNDP statement said. The progress was also due to the increase in life expectancy in the country. From 61.1 years in 1980, this has gone up to 71.6 years in 2007. Adult literacy rates (for those 15 and above) also increased from 83.3 percent in 1980 to 93.4 percent in 2007 while the combined gross enrollment ratio improved from 73 percent in 180 to 79.6 percent in 2007. Also, the GDP per capita increased from $2,774 in 1980 to $3,406 in 2007, the UNDP said. However, the agency also noted that the Philippines’ 2007 HDI of 0.751 was below the average of 0.770 for East Asia and the Pacific but above the average of 0.868 for medium human development countries. The life expectancy of Filipinos is below the average of 72.2 years for East Asia and the Pacific. Its GDP per capita is also below the regional average of $5,733.

Managing Risk in Times of Crisis

2009-09-29T00:55:00.002+08:00

LUZON, Philippines --

In this time of uncertainty brought by the global recession when enterprises are forced to choose on ways of cutting costs or surviving the crisis, you may want to check this article by Geraldo Manalo posted at Entrepreneur Magazine about how an Entrepreneur by the name of Ramon Castillo managed his enterprise back to profitability. Read the Art of Risk Taking by Geraldo Manalo

Mobile Phone Ownership In the Phillippines Increased in 2009

2009-08-19T09:20:00.001+08:00

LUZON, Philippines --

According to the latest Synovate Media Atlas, a study of the behavior of Filipino consumers aged 15-64, mobile phone ownership in the country had risen from 60 percent during the 2007-2008 survey period to 69 percent this year for non-Internet-capable handsets. For mobile phones with Internet connectivity, ownership increased to 31 percent this year from 29 percent during the preceding survey period. Ninety-five percent cited staying in touch as their primary reason for owning mobile phones. Others usage included: Playing games (50 percent), taking pictures (40 percent), and listening to music (29 percent). The Filipinos’ appetite for new information as well as the popularity of social networking sites in the country also helped fuel an increase in mobile phone ownership. “For those who are heavily invested with their mobile phones, the results indicate how they have affected the Filipino lifestyle and how businesses can actually penetrate a huge chunk of the population via cell phones and SMS. Those who invest in understanding their consumers are the ones who will thrive in this increasingly competitive environment,’’ Synovate Philippines managing director Carole Sarthou said. The country currently has more than 35 million mobile subscribers.

2009-07-29T14:18:00.000+08:00

LUZON, Philippines --

Here's a great video that explains well the concept of upselling

Google Wave, next big thing in personal and or business communication and collaboration

2009-07-27T11:30:00.003+08:00

LUZON, Philippines --

Months from now, Google will launch Google Wave, e-mail as we know it today will become obsolete dahil sa mga useful and sensible features embedded sa Google Wave. Malaki maitutulong nito bilang isang tool para sa pang personal man o pang business na communication at collaboration.