Sec Lopez to Franchisers: Create and Innovate

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez encouraged franchisers to be innovative and creative in their businesses during the 16th Business and Franchise Expo of the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) on 29 September.

“Through innovation and creativity, we are confident to see more local franchisers expand across the country’s borders”, said Secretary Lopez.    

The franchising industry accelerated by 20% in 2016 from Php16B total sales registered in 2015 and is expected to sustain the expansion in the next two years.

Meanwhile, the trade chief recognized the role of franchising as a tool in economic development and nation-building, particularly the opportunities it provides to the micro, small, and medium, enterprises (MSMEs).    

Secretary Lopez further shared that apart from the increasing number of large Filipino firms expanding in ASEAN, household-based micro-enterprises have now the capacity to penetrate the ASEAN market through the programs of the government.

The trade chief highlighted that the government continues to place the MSMEs at the front and centre of trade agenda and at the forefront of regional development to enable those at the bottom of the pyramid, achieve inclusive growth and shared prosperity for all.

He also cited DTI’s efforts to empower and provide opportunities to MSMEs through its 7Ms Framework (Mindset, Mastery, Mentoring, Money, Machine, Market Access, and Models).

Among the ASEAN Member States, the Philippines currently has 1,500 franchises where 65% are Philippine brands. Moreover, there are 140,000 franchise outlets with the Philippine franchise sector generating more than a million jobs.   

Secretary Lopez encouraged the members of AFFI to be entrepreneurs for others and be part of the continuing growth story of the franchising sector and Philippine economy.

“We are driven to empower local entrepreneurs and we will continue to work to meet the challenges of the market,“ Sec. Lopez said.

Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Cynthia Villar, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, and Go Negosyo Advisor Meryl Cruz were also present during the event.

Help find the next Blackwater Persona

Do you know a guy who has what it takes to be a social media ambassador? He may be “The Gentleman,” a woman’s “ideal guy” who is calm and unflappable; “The Jock” who is into sports and sporting culture; “The Heartthrob,” the campus sweetheart or the boy-next-door; or “The Artist,” unconventional and unique.

If you think he fits any of these, nominate him for Blackwater Persona, the online ambassador search of Blackwater, the fragrance and grooming line of leading homegrown brand Ever Bilena.

The lucky four personas will each get a P10,000 cash prize, a contract with Blackwater as a social media ambassador, the full Blackwater fragrance product line, plus “The Morning After” grooming service from contest partner The Urban Barber, which provides a complete “MANpering” experience and well-curated items to young urbanites. Nominators of the winners will take home P5,000 worth of gift checks and Blackwater or Blackwater Woman products.

Nomination is easy! Simply like Blackwater’s official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BlackwaterForMen, and upload a photo (filters of any sort are highly discouraged) of your friend in the comments section of whichever persona you think he qualifies for in “The Search for the next Blackwater Persona” album. Leave a short explanation why you think he embodies the persona. Use the hashtag #BWPersona at the end of every entry. Entries are due by October 9, 2017.

Shortlisted contestants – five for each persona – will qualify for the photo face-off round, where they must upload a creative shot of themselves as the persona for which they were nominated along with any Blackwater fragrance. Contestants with the most number of likes and shares per category will be named the Blackwater Persona.

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime chance! Nominate a friend now and help him become the next face of Blackwater on social media.

To learn more about Blackwater and its products, visit http://blackwater.com.ph/, and follow its social media accounts, www.facebook.com/BlackwaterForMen and www.instagram.com/BlackwaterElite.  

LBC Ensures Customers’ Welfare by Adhering to Data Protection Act

The value LBC gives to customers goes beyond the simple act of sending and receiving their precious “padala.” It also means making sure that their customers’ personal data is protected, especially from cyber threats.

In a recent forum with LBC’s top officials, Atty. Raul Cortez, Corporate, External and Legal Affairs Director of Microsoft Philippines, shares that due to the 4^th Industrial Revolution, technology has become ingrained in our lives and shape the way we live, work and interact. An established company, such as LBC, should be able to put systems in place so that they serve the needs of their customers while making sure that it is compliant with the requirements of the Data Privacy Act of 2012. This law protects the privacy of individual’s personal data while ensuring the free flow of information and growth of businesses, including the exchange of information via live and online transactions.

Atty. Cortez emphasizes that under the provisions of the law, an individual has the right to be protected whenever s/he decides to share personal information with any entity. This encompasses sensitive information such as an individual’s race, health information, education, religion, ethnic background, marital status, and even political affiliation.

For its part, the country’s leading name in remittance and cargo, underlined their efforts to combat cybercrime; guard themselves fully from breaches in cybersecurity and ensure that they are complying strictly to ensure the privacy of their customers’ data.  LBC is committed and more than ready in its journey of compliance to implement appropriate organizational, physical, and technical measures - as required by the Data Privacy Act.

Mr. Dale Jose, Modern Workplace Solutions Lead of Microsoft Philippines, adds that the security perimeter in the workplace has now been changed. He said that data breach can often be a result of weak or stolen passwords, or when sensitive data is accidentally shared to the wrong person. Given these risks, Jose adds that customers who do online transactions have the right to be informed, to object, to access, to correct or rectify, to block or remove data, to have data portability, to file a complaint, and to be indemnified.

Given this scenario, LBC has begun adopting measures to conform to the Data Privacy Act. In working closely with Microsoft, LBC’s IT and Compliance team has already adopted Microsoft 0ffice 365 for productivity and Azure. Microsoft designed Azure and Office 365 with industry-leading security measures and privacy policies to safeguard data in the cloud and can help on the journey to reducing risks and equiping companies with the necessary tools to help them comply with the Data Privacy Act.

LBC assures that while they are just in the infant stages en route to full compliance,  the measures they have begun implementing is a testament to the way they do business—and  the way they care for customers  who have entrusted them with vital information and transactions.

ABOUT LBC

LBC is the Philippines’ market leader in retail and corporate courier & cargo, money remittance, and logistics services. With a growing network of over 6,400 branches, hubs & warehouses, partners, and agents in over 30 countries, LBC is committed to moving lives, businesses, and communities and delivering smiles around the world. Listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange through LBC Express Holdings, Inc., LBC aims to deliver value to all of its stakeholders, as it has for over 60 years.  Founded in 1945 as a brokerage and air cargo agent, LBC pioneered time-sensitive cargo delivery and 24-hour door-to- door delivery in the Philippines. Today, it is the most trusted logistics brand of the Global Filipino. LBC can move it for you: visit www.LBCexpress.com, or call telephone +632 858599 (Metro Manila), 1 800 10 8585 999 (Provincial), +632 9086 522 (Solutions) and follow LBCExpress (Facebook and Twitter).