Recognizing online success
Shopee recognizes sellers who go above and beyond in time for Shopee’s mega-sale days through its Seller Recognition Operations Awards.
Martin Yu, Shopee Philippines director, said through the Seller Recognition Operations Awards, the company is able to highlight top-performing sellers as well as their strategies and insights which their fellow sellers can learn from and apply to their businesses.
Jenna Indigado, owner of Small Wonders Page and a recent awardee, grew her reselling business into one that manufactures clothing for babies. Today, she employs more than 300 Filipinos.
Charles Barrientos of Mikana store, also a recent awardee, highlighted how Shopee’s user-centric platform helps sellers maintain a good relationship with their customers.
Master innovator
GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon was recognized as a Master Innovator for Digital Transformation Innovation during the recent 2nd Annual Mansmith Innovation Awards and Summit. Mansmith and Fielders Inc. is an advocacy-based training and consultancy firm.
Sazon was recognized for helping create innovative digital products and services to improve the lives of Filipinos.
During the summit, Sazon shared insights on how GCash was able to drive successful innovations by quickly responding to the demands of customers.
To address the pain points of the unbanked and underserved Filipinos, GCash introduced breakthrough financial services such as GSave for a savings account, GInvest for easy access to local and global funds for as local as P50, and GInsure for insurance in times of emergencies.
PLDT, Smart win big
PLDT Inc. and its mobile unit Smart Communications Inc. emerged as the top Philippine telco at the 2022 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, bagging gold, silver, and bronze citations for initiatives in brand and digital communications, customer service, and corporate social responsibility.
Bagging the Gold Stevie for Innovation in Entertainment Apps is Smart GigaPlay, a groundbreaking app that provides Smart subscribers with exclusive content attuned to their passions.
Silver Stevies were awarded to PLDT Enterprise’s Digicon 2021, a digital convention that gathers global industry mavens, thought leaders, and tech pioneers; MVP Bossing Awards, a program which celebrates Philippine entrepreneurs and businesses; and PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH–an online community of Filipina mompreneurs.
Smart also garnered Silver Stevies for #SimplyLove Digital Pride and for #FarmSmart. Three Bronze Stevies were awarded to the group for Smart Chatbot; Smart GigaFest; and Smart Battle of Legends.
7-Eleven minutes late
7-Eleven welcomes Pinoys back to work with its latest campaign “7-Eleven Minutes Late,” a playful rejoinder to the concept of Filipino time of always arriving past the agreed meeting time.
The series from MullenLowe Treyna features popular excuses–from traffic jams to train delays–often texted by those who are running late, yet still have the audacity to stop for an iced coffee anyway.
Among the famous lines are “MRT Na! Huhu”, “Huhu. EDSA Na!”, “Elevator na” and, “Lapit na.”
Posters of the screencaps of these texts are displayed, ironically, in 7-Eleven, the country’s largest convenience store chain, and a favorite stopover for those who are running late for work.
Internship program
TELUS International Philippines (TIP) launched its Digital Solutions Internship Program, Code Your Career, a 12-week course the company started this year to cultivate the next generation of job-ready software engineers, programmers, and IT professionals.
TIP internship program is currently made up of 39 junior and senior college students.
Throughout their 12 weeks of the program, the students have learned tech support, IT system analysis, software development, cloud infrastructure, cloud application management, data analysis and cybersecurity, among other skills. They completed the entire program virtually, and they recently met each other and their mentors in person when they attended an onsite meet-and-greet activity held at TELUS Discovery.
To some 73 TELUS International Philippines team members, the Code your Career program is a volunteer initiative as they take on the role of teachers and mentors, working hand in hand with the dedicated trainers hired specifically to support the program.
Code your Career program offers three unique training streams that incorporate mentorship opportunities with tech professionals, job readiness and interview training, a mix of individual and team-based innovation projects.
Virtual run
A group of Security Bankers run together to develop and embrace an active lifestyle amid the pandemic.
As part of Security Bank’s 70th anniversary festivities, Security Bankers — along with partners from MUFG Manila, the Bank of Ayudhya, Bank Danamon, and VietinBank — challenged themselves to run 70+ kilometers to support Security Bank’s mission to provide educational opportunities for Filipinos.
The event also celebrated the five-year partnership anniversary of Security Bank and MUFG.
Beyond building camaraderie among partners, the SBC Virtual Run also pushed participants to embrace an active lifestyle despite the pandemic. Further, proceeds from the Virtual Run contributed to the Transform and Family Academy Programs of the International Care Ministries’ (ICM) that uplift the lives of poor families in Iloilo City, Philippines.
“Transform” is a four-month community-based adult education program built on the foundation of values, health, and livelihood. The beneficiaries were underserved families in Balud, Liloan-Zaraga. The “Family Academy” is a parent-child community coaching initiative in Calahunan-Mandurriao and Botongan, Estancia that empowers parents to become their children’s first teachers.
Grab bares ESG goals
Grab announced three goals to drive sustainable and inclusive growth in Southeast Asia.
The new goals are doubling the number of marginalized individuals earning income on its platform by 2025; reaching 40 percent female leadership by 2030; and achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.
These goals were unveiled in the company’s annual Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) report released recently.
“We must confront two important realities in a rapidly growing digital economy. First, an unequal access to opportunities, and second, an acceleration of climate change. Therefore, we are focusing our ESG goals on driving inclusive growth and closely managing the environmental footprint of our ecosystem. Our journey to becoming a triple bottom line company reflects our strong belief that the long-term success of our business is intricately linked to the welfare of the communities we serve, and the health of our planet,” said Anthony Tan, co-founder and Group chief executive officer, Grab.
“Our ESG goals are vivid expressions of Grab Philippines’ deep and long-lasting commitment to the Filipino people, and we will continue to leverage our technology and expertise to help build safer, stronger, and more prosperous digital-first communities in the Philippines that everyday Filipinos can be truly proud of. Through the ESG Goals, we will strengthen our ongoing commitment to providing our kababayans access to meaningful livelihood opportunities on the platform, help Filipino talents become more digitally ready and competitive, and play our part in reducing our carbon footprint. We are optimistic that through our collective efforts – alongside our partners and the government, we can help uplift the lives of many Filipinos for the years to come,” said Grace Vera Cruz, country head, Grab Philippines.
Happy Life celebrates 5th anniversary with promo
It’s been five years since Happy Life Organics introduced its innovative and eco-friendly solutions for the home, pets, and unwanted pets.
Happy Life Organics provides all natural, sustainable eco-friendly solutions to homes across the country. The company promotes a healthier lifestyle based on a plant based organic view and by bringing home and pet product alternatives that are changing and improving lives for the better
To celebrate its fifth anniversary this month, Happy Life Organics has come up with various promos where shoppers can enjoy free shipping and discounts of up to 40 percent on certain bundles.
Happy Life’s best seller is its Waterless Shampoo, the first product of its kind in the Philippines which is 100 percent natural and pet friendly. It’s an innovative and plant bath alternative to the chemicals that are usually found in shampoos for pets.
The product provides less effort and less time in every bath. It saves 70 percent of bath time every time you use Happy Life Waterless Shampoo. The product is perfect for a quick bath and for those on the go. You can still groom your pets even if you are in a hurry.
Happy Life’s other featured products include the best seller 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner, Pet Neem Soap. Pet Home Cleanser and B’Gone LC Disinfectant.
