SM Weekend Market supports farmers
SM Weekend Market, a collaborative effort between SM Foundation and SM Supermalls, is a strategic move to integrate local producers into the retail ecosystem while bolstering economic resilience and community development.
SM Investments Corp. has championed the SM Weekend Market to empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) particularly local farmers.
“The SM Weekend Market provides MSMEs the strategic venues or marketplaces to showcase their products and engage directly with consumers,” said Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls.
Since its inception, the market has welcomed more than 100 local farmers, offering them a platform to connect with diverse customers, from weekend shoppers to mall employees and tenants.
This exposure has not only expanded their market reach but also significantly boosted their profitability.
At the heart of the SM Weekend Market’s success lies SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan — Sustainable Livelihood Program (KSK-SLP). This program spans 14 weeks, equipping participants with essential skills in agriculture, business management, and market readiness.
The success of the SM Weekend Market and KSK-SLP is amplified by collaborative partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Globe Business highlights collaboration, innovation in GSummit
Globe Business brings together the brightest minds and influential leaders from key sectors at GSummit 2024.
The premier on-ground event, with its theme “CONNECTED,” highlights the importance of building strong relationships, exploring how interconnectedness can drive business growth and improve lives.
GSummit 2024 showcased an outstanding lineup of speakers led by KD Dizon, VP and head of Globe Business. In her presentation, “Collaborative Ecosystems: Globe Business Partnerships for Digital Success,” Dizon shared how innovative solutions foster a collaborative environment, empowering companies to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
In his keynote “Thriving in a Connected World,” Rishad Tobaccowala, author and former chief strategist and growth officer of Publicis Groupe, offered insights on driving business growth through connections, innovation, and strategic foresight.
“Think from the perspective of the human beings you serve. Think solutions. Think accessibility. Think value. Think experience,” Tobaccowala said.
The event also included breakout sessions featuring technology leaders from Globe portfolio companies Inquiro, m360, Adspark, and global names in tech such as Fortinet, Genesys, Huawei, Google, Navagis, Orca, Samsung and Snowflake.
Palawan Group, eTap partnership
The Palawan Group of Companies has entered into a collaborative partnership with eTap, which offers self-service payment machines and kiosks, through their digital wallet, the PalawanPay.
PalawanPay’s sukis can now conveniently cash in their accounts by using any of eTap’s over 2,777 kiosks nationwide.
With the addition of eTap, their products and services have become more accessible to the Filipino people. Because of this, more people can be more aware about the services and features of the PalawanPay app and eTap kiosks, allowing more users to have easy access to sending and receiving money wherever they are in the Philippines.
ADI, REPCO NEX ramp up industrial AI
Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI) recently announced its partnership with REPCO NEX Industrial Solutions, a Thailand-based company specializing in asset performance management and digital technologies.
The partnership will leverage ADI’s expertise in artificial intelligence and REPCO NEX’s strengths in robotics and digital asset management to develop innovative industrial AI solutions for Southeast Asia, with particular focus on digital transformation and asset maintenance.
ADI will build on REPCO NEX’s expertise in artificial intelligence of things (AIoT), robotics, and turbomachinery diagnostics to strengthen its AI strategies and solutions, further expanding its capabilities for the industrial sector. ADI will also serve as REPCO NEX’s strategic partner for all things DSAI, bolstering their collective capabilities to innovate and deliver future industrial solutions – from optimising production processes to ensuring energy efficiency.
Through this collaboration, ADI and REPCO NEX look to expand their reach and offer their combined industrial AI solutions across Southeast Asia, as more markets in the region are looking to transit and adopt Industry 4.0 initiatives to transform the power and industrial landscape.
Igloo launches Ignite in PH
Marking Ignite by Igloo’s third year since its launch, regional insurtech Igloo has announced Ignite’s launch in the Philippines to help insurance sales intermediaries in the country digitalize and employ effective digital tools to enhance their sales processes, streamline client management, and provide superior customer service.
Ignite is a digital platform that helps agents sell easier, faster, and more effectively.
Ignite’s features aim to foster seamless processes in interactions with customers and teams, including a user-centric interface for faster browsing, a fast quote system for quick premium calculations and quote generation, secure payment processing for confident transactions, and team and data management tools to streamline manual reporting and analysis. Additionally, they can track and report referral fees in real time directly to their bank accounts.
Igloo is introducing a new feature called iLearn, which provides sales agents with access to training content in various formats, including PDFs, infographics, videos, and quizzes.
Igloo has also launched a new microsite to aid partner recruitment, providing a centralized platform to attract and inform potential partners about the platform and sign up to become full-time and part-time Ignite insurance sales intermediaries.
UnionBank Private Banking at 5
UnionBank Private Banking marked its 5th anniversary by hosting a thanksgiving gala night recently at the Westin Manila Hotel, Mandaluyong City.
Present at the event were UnionBank’s top Private Banking clients, high net-worth prospects, senior executives and board members, together with representatives from UnionBank Private Banking’s global partners Lombard Odier, J. Rotbart & Co., and Henley & Partners.
UnionBank Private Banking treated guests to a top-tier experience as an expression of gratitude for the trust and partnership accorded to them by their clients. Guests were given a first glimpse into UnionBank Private Banking’s enhanced propositions, including the soon-to-be-launched Private Banking Visa Signature Debit Card and access to the UnionBank Visa Reserve Infinite Credit Card, as well as an expanded suite of innovative investment solutions and offerings.
“UnionBank Private Banking is more committed than ever to helping our clients achieve their financial goals and build their own legacies, through tailored solutions that will safeguard their wealth and future,” said Arlene Agustin, head of UnionBank Private Banking.
Digital skills, access to technology for sustainable MSME growth
PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. are reinforcing support for micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises and farmers to help them thrive in the digital space, through access to technology and information.
In a recent webinar organized by Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP) titled, “Empowering MSMEs in Achieving Zero Hunger,” PLDT and Smart Stakeholder Management head Stephanie Orlino emphasized the importance of digital skills, access to technology, and market reach for MSMEs to achieve sustainable growth.
Among the programs featured in the online session was PLDT and Smart’s eBizNovation, which provides access to technology and upskilling trainings, and helps onboard MSMEs and farmers to e-commerce platforms.
PLDT and Smart have previously partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, local chambers of commerce, and various e-commerce platforms for this program.
“Under our eBizNovation program, we build the skills of our partner MSMEs on social media marketing. Then we help them take the next step by onboarding them to e-commerce platforms. Through the program, we help them expand their market reach, generate more income, and thrive in the digital age,” said Orlino.
“As the Philippines largest integrated telecommunications and digital services company, we recognize our role in championing digital inclusion. This means leveraging on our network and our digital services to ensure that no one is left behind,” she added.
