Five winners of the recently concluded #SaludoStories Promo was announced in conjunction with the Globe Business Saludo SMEs campaign, in which MSMEs were celebrated, honored, and paid tribute for their unwavering efforts to move forward amidst the pandemic.
In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negosyo Center, the #SaludoStories social promo aims to recognize the SMEs’ best digital adoption story. Targeted to all MSMEs, they are encouraged to participate by sharing their stories about the business challenges they experienced and how technology has helped them to overcome these challenges. The promo is part of Globe Business’ Saludo SMEs which aims to support Filipino MSMEs as their partner who will help them uplift their businesses through digital solutions.
248 SMEs with real-life tales took part in the promotion and shared their "Best Digital Adoption Story" about how technology helped them overcome problems in their businesses during the pandemic. Business owners narrated how they were greatly affected by the pandemic but at the same time told their bounce back stories of how technology and innovation gave a new life for their businesses and employees. Their stories are great inspirations for all SMEs experiencing the same challenges for the past few months. There were 10 qualifiers who were chosen before the announcement of the best #SaludoStories winners.
The best 5 #SaludoStories winners are:
FR SOLID PRINTING SERVICES - https://www.facebook.com/globemybusiness/photos/10160164778906318
FR SOLID PRINTING SERVICES discovered a special fabric through online research and was able to manufacture water repellent face masks during the pandemic. Their product, which is also Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) Certified and passed the Water Repellency Spray test, was a big help for them since they were also facing a difficult time. Pro+tek Fabric is also a registered trademark, approved by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. Their water repellent face mask eventually acquired international clients through online marketing.
“Our small business was greatly affected by the pandemic. Thankfully through technology and digital adaptation, we discovered a water repellent fabric that is currently trending. It is called Pro+tek Fabric and is also DOST PTRI Certified. Because of that, we discovered a new line of products, which is the WATER REPELLENT FACE MASK CUSTOMIZED. We also attended online training and free webinars for small businesses like us. We also got new clients online and our face mask even got exported to the USA, Australia, Dubai, Papua New Guinea, and other local cities.”
DESSERT FACTORY CEBU - https://www.facebook.com/globemybusiness/photos/10160164775971318
Dessert Factory Cebu was the first store in Cebu to use QR code for ordering with a curbside pickup and has 24/7 online customer service to stay connected with their customers. Aided by technology, Dessert Factory Cebu’s QR code system helped the business keep running without losing human interactions during the pandemic.
“When we closed our stores, we did different strategies to keep business going and engage customers. The first is to revisit a core value of purposeful innovation. We were probably the first in Cebu to use the QR code for ordering with a curbside pickup in front of our stores. More importantly, we made sure our customers could connect with us not via chatbots but through personal interaction, even if it meant having staff on 24/7. We understood early on that we Pinoys find happiness in human connections, so we put that human touch to the technology employed,” said owner, Kenneth Lim.
FULL CIRCLE EVENTS ASIA, INC. - https://www.facebook.com/globemybusiness/photos/10160164779226318
Full Circle Events Asia, Inc. (FCEAI) maximized digital technology using virtual platforms and other marketing tools to shift to online events. Digital adoption helped FCEAI to continue their services and innovate swiftly during these challenging times. FCEAI offers marketing campaigns for their clients from the safety of their homes.
“Use of technology has helped us thrive in the new normal, from trying to be visible online, to keep both projects and employees safe, to learning how to run and operate virtual platforms. Digital adoption has helped us change our business model successfully and innovate swiftly, enabling our clients to execute their marketing campaigns from the safety of their homes with our reliable Virtual Events and Marketing Services,” narrated Founder and CEO, Anna Solis-Crespo.
HOMIEGRAB HARDWARE TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT - https://www.facebook.com/globemybusiness/photos/10160164779766318
HOMIEGRAB HARDWARE TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT sustained their online selling activities through Globe's internet plan and Amber solution as they keep in touch with their customers. They also maximized the use of GCash to send commission to their staff.
“We pivoted our business and built Homiegrab Hardware Tools and Equipment Trading. We upgraded our Globe Broadband Plan to serve our online selling activities. We also trained our staff to be online sellers and taught them to activate their GCash app and to send their commission every week. We’ve become successful and we were able to open our physical store along Marcos Highway last June. With Globe Amber, we were able to keep in touch with our clients to send our thank you, send our promos, and send greetings. Globe Amber Plan, Globe Internet, and GCash services helped us a lot.”
VIBES MASSAGE - https://www.facebook.com/globemybusiness/photos/10160164780866318
VIBES MASSAGE shifted to online reservations to help book their client's appointment and used mobile apps and software to help their blind staff use technology to continue their services. Technology helped the blind staff to be able to work and cope during these trying times.
“Digital technology helped us in managing our clients’ safety in our massage clinic. We utilized online reservations and booking through text, call, and chat on our Facebook page. Also, it is also helpful for us, blind people, to use technology like TALKS or software that helps us read through our phones, especially that we also want to be part of the internet era. We can search/google the things we want to know like normal people. Thanks to technology, we are not behind, and we were able to cope,” shared Dante Tiosan, President, VIBES MASSAGE.
All five winners were chosen by a panel of judges based on a set criterion: what were the problems they were trying to address, their strategy on the use of technology to address the problem, and the results or impact to business. The judges were Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona - Department of Trade and Industry, Regional Operations Group (ROG); Mr. Hanky Lee - The Innkeeper at The Henry Hotels and Globe Business Ambassador; Mr. Francis Kong - Director at Inspire Leadership Consultancy, Director at Funworks, Inc. and Director at Success Options Inc.; and KD Dizon - Head for Globe Business MSME Group.
This promo ran from July 12 to August 31, 2021, where Globe Business chose the TOP 10 SME finalists for audience voting in the second phase of the campaign. The best 5 #SaludoStories based on the criteria won an SME showcase worth 50K that included a Macbook Air and Globe Business prepaid internet kit with 6 months load.
For more information, you can see the full mechanics on Globe Business’ Facebook page.