Russelle Trinidad, head of marketing of SME.com.ph, said the company will be very active in promoting the SME Toolkit to SMEs around the country. In a very competitive business environment, she added SMEs will find the SME Toolkit very useful because it gives the user proper tips in business.

Developed by SME.com.ph, the SME Toolkit has become a main resource for SME entrepreneurs with inquiries on business concepts such as accounting, human resource, among others.

To keep pace with the constant changes in the business horizon, Trinidad said the content will have regular enhancements so that entrepreneurs can access the tools that they need in their business. Furthermore, SME.comph will form partnerships with Ateneo Graduate School of Business, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to beef up more formats relevant to the SMEs.

Through SME.com.ph, the toolkit is made accessible to SMEs of today via its site and through SME Toolkit Road Show where it distributed the said helpful toolkit via CDs for free.

The SME Toolkit is a joint undertaking of the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank with IBM and Planters Development Bank. (Plantersbank). SME.com.ph conceptualized SME Toolkit Road Show in 2007 and has continually opened doors for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country. Its aim is to fully bring more opportunities for the said sector through the emerging technologies that would enhance their businesses to be productive and profitable at the same time. The event was born out of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) to enable SMEs, which is aligned with Planters Development Bank’s thrust is to empower the country’s SMEs, it partnered with International Finance Corporation’s SME Toolkit in 2002.

Established in 1937, IBM Philippines has evolved to become as the top information technology partner in the country and has the most extensive IT services network, servicing the most number of clients across all sectors and industries. Meanwhile, privately owned and managed Plantersbank has been active in supporting the needs of the SMEs for the past forty years. Acclaimed as the bank for the SMEs, Plantersbank, is one of the top 250 among the Philippines top 1,000 corporations.

“The SME Toolkit website gives our Filipino small and medium enterprises the necessary tools and applications in managing and running their business better. Our role is more than just manage the contents of the SME Toolkit website but we also want our Filipino SMEs to know that there is such a site that they can go to and for them to really benefit from the various information, tools and applications made available,” said Bernadette Ratcliffe, treasurer of PDB SME Solutions in a media briefing.

The SME Toolkit (http://philippines.smetoolkit.org) is a program that gives opportunity to entrepreneurs and small businesses to learn how to implement the sustainable business management practices needed for growth in areas such as finance, accounting, business planning, international business, marketing, human resources or legal free of charge.

Among the specially designed free tools are:
an online calculator that helps small businesses determine their readiness for financing;
Free software to build a web site;
Free business forms used for employee performance evaluations;
Community tools such as online conferencing, blog capability, group calendars;
Survey and quiz builders to help small businesses make decisions and
a multilingual business directory to help small businesses link in the local,regional and global levels.

Dr. Luc Vaillancourt, program manager of International Finance Corporation (IFC), said the SME Toolkit is a step in the right direction because many of the SMEs around the world lack access to good business management practices. “Giving small businesses the information and new collaborative technologies they need will help them grow and prosper,” he said.

On a global scale, IFC has joined with local partners to launch the Toolkit in more than 17 languages through 32 countries, all of which can now take advantage of the more powerful version.

James Velasquez, country general manager of IBM Philippines, said information technology (IT) can be a powerful tool in transforming the lives of people especially belonging to the lower strata. By joining the World Bank through the IFC, Velásquez said IBM has developed a platform to enable SMEs around the world including the Philippines to access to tools that can grow their business. “Poverty still lingers despite the growth the country has achieved in the past years,” he said.

“IBM believes growth in the economy can be fueled by supporting the SME,” he added.

Since 2006, IBM has alloted more than $5 million to transform the previous site with open source technologies and interactive tools, business forms and management material. The enhanced platform now has social networking tools such as chat rooms and blogs to create a venue where SMEs can collaborate anywhere around the world.

Ratcliffe said the partnership with IFC was a right because its shares the same objective in empowering the SMEs. Furthermore, she said the technological capabilities of IBM Philippines is a big boost to enable to develop a robust platform.

To complement the SME Toolkit, Ratcliffe said PDB SME Solutions has been promoting the platform since 2007 to key cities nationwide in a series of road shows to spread the word about SME Toolkit.

“As an affiliate of Plantersbank, the country’s lead bank for SMEs, all our efforts are aligned with the bank’s thrust of enabling the Filipino SMEs,” she said.

Held on May 26, 2010, the event was initiated by IBM and partners such as SME.com.ph to provide insights and tools for small and medium-sized enterprises so they can be more productive and profitable and to contribute towards the building of a smarter planet.

During the roadshow, the following topics were discussed.
* Smarter City: Building a Smarter Planet, City by City
* Smarter Business Infrastructures
* People & Process Transformation
* Information and Analytics
* Security and Risk
* Small and Medium Enterprises Toolkit

Established in 1937, IBM Philippines has evolved to become as the top information technology partner in the country and has the most extensive IT services network, servicing the most number of clients across all sectors and industries.

SME.com.ph is the first investment of its kind in Asia by the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank, it is envisioned that SME Solutions will be “recognized as the developmental partner of Philippine SMEs who are harnessing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to build global competitiveness, to strengthen diverse SME communities and to create enduring difference in their business”.

Adonis Yap, President of PDB SME Solutions Inc, gave the main presentation of the roadshow. In his talk, Mr. Yap explained to the audience that business nowadays whether big or small are on an equal playing field because of the Internet. The emergence of cyberspace, according to Mr. Yap, gave entrepreneurs a big opportunity to penetrate new markets never imagined during the pre-Internet era.

“We can conduct these roadshows to stress the importance of the internet to the SMEs,” said Mr. Yap.

To remain competitive in a very competitive business environment, Mr. Yap said SMEs must always be in the forefront of innovation specially in the aspect of technology. He added technology allows SMEs to achieve growth, productivity and efficiency. “The internet must be in the forefront of innovations by SMEs,” said Mr. Yap.

He said the internet offers a wide avenue of opportunities for SMEs to promote their products and services. One of the most popular venue is social networking through Facebook. In this newest craze, businesses from different locations and lines promote their products and and services.

Mr. Yap also mentioned YouTube, also known as the online video encyclopedia, to be an effective vehicle for marketing, promotion and advertising programs. “The beauty is that all these offerings are for free,” said Mr. Yap.

The SMEs just need to tap the offerings of the internet to get going,” he added.

Mr. Yap also emphasized to the audience the importance of having a group to enable SMEs to interact. SME Biz Talk, one of the sections of SME.com.ph, provides a space for SME to interact, and network with each other.

He said enlisting in the SME.com.ph program also gives a chance to access topics on business solutions such as accounting and finance, business planning, human resources, legal and insurance; marketing and sales, operations and technology.

Aside from enabling SMEs from the technology side, it is also important for them that a financial institution is ready to help them achieve growth.

Ms. Winky Argamaso, Product Manager of Loan Products Group of Plantersbank, said the bank is ready to complement the technology component by providing financial services to grow the business. She added loans play an important role in the growth because it can help in the acquisition of new equipment and facilities.

“This is part of the handholding idea of the Bank to help SMEs,” she said.

On her part, Crissy Cruz, territory manager, corporate and SME segments of Globe Telecom Inc, presented to the audience the different product offerings of Globe for the SMEs.

For the Mobile segment, Cruz said Globe has the BlackBerry, BizMAX (SIM), Employee Prepaid Plus, Company Capped, Mobile Deskphone GSM PBX Module and the Corporate Load Allowance Plan.

Further, Cruz said it has mobile add-ons such as ONEcallBusiness Loop, Corporate Ringback Tone and Duo.

Other services offered by Globe include broadband, Tattoo broadband, wired broadband, data services, domestic data, international data access services, managed services, solutions, bundles and voice.

This was pointed out by Mr. Tambunting in his remarks during the 32nd SME Toolkit Roadshow held November 12 at the Palmeras Garden Restaurant. “It’s open picking for using these technologies,” says Mr. Tambunting.

Mr. Tambunting also added Plantersbank through the SME Toolkit program is willing to help SMEs on how to utilize the technologies for their respective businesses. “You can call and talk to us anytime regarding the deployment of technology for the business,” he says.

On his part PDB SME Solutions Inc. Vice President Adonis Yap gave a comprehensive presentation on the various benefits of the Internet to SMEs that will apply it to their businesses. In this regard, Mr. Yap stressed that PDB SME Solutions has the appropriate technology-based solutions to help SMEs grow their business. He cited the advantage of having an online presence.

“The beauty of the Internet is that all businesses are on equal footing regardless of status. He adds going online also provides SMEs the speed to respond faster to the customers,” says Mr. Yap.

The good news, as far as PDB SME Solutions is concerned, is that many SME entrepreneurs have responded positively. “We are averaging 40,000 hits a day for our toolkit materials,” says Mr. Yap.

Aside from the online books on different topics, PDB SME Solutions offers website design services for SMEs. In his presentation, Mr. Yap cited some of their clients who started small but later developed into robust business units once they started having a web presence.

He cited the case of egg distributor and SME.com.ph client Goldnest. At first, Mr. Yap says egg and the internet do not make a good combination. However, Goldnest hit big-time when major hotels and supermarkets saw its website. Since then, Goldnest has become the major supplier of the top hotels in the country.

Meanwhile, Ms. Winkie Argamaso of the consumer banking group of Plantersbank also gave a presentation on the different loan programs that Plantersbank has to offer.

Sander Guevarra, territory manager of Globe Telecom, discussed the company’s mobile and broadband services for SMEs. He stressed Globe has developed business solutions such as the Tattoo to make their more competitive and nimble.

A total of 79 guests composed of existing and prospective clients from San Pablo, Lucena and Los Baños attended the event joined by officials of the south Luzon branches of Plantersbank.

The ambiance can be described as festive as the participants were treated to a feast courtesy of the management and staff of Palmeras.

To add more thrills to the Roadshow, Globe Telecom, the partner of Plantersbank, raffled five major prizes to the participants of the event. Among the prizes were an iPod speaker, Globe Tattoos and a brand new Nokia mobile phone.

The 32nd SME Toolkit Roadshow was made possible by the support of officials such as South Luzon Region Head Mon Rivera, branch manager Myla Mapalad of Sto. Tomas, branch manager Cherry Pamplona of UP Los Baños, branch manager Edwin Guevarra of LB-Crossing, branch manager Willie Maranan of Lucena, cluster head Randy De Luna of San Pablo, Ogie Viray and Ms.Nova Gisalan of SME Banking Group and Globe Telecom.

It was a good start as 54 local entrepreneurs attended the event. Initially, the atmosphere was quiet as the participants were familiarizing themselves with the topics in the forum. However, things started to perk up once the audience showed their eagerness by being active in the discussion. “I am very interested to learn new businesses strategies to boost the competitiveness of my business,” said one Bulacan-based entrepreneur.

In his remarks, Plantersbank Vice Chairman Steven Tambunting told the audience that the Bank through its affiliate PDB SME Solutions Inc. continues to champion the cause of the small to medium enterprises by providing them internet-based solutions to enhance their productivity and competitiveness. “We are always consistent with the vision of the Bank to help empowering the SMEs,” said Mr. Tambunting.

PDB SME Solutions Inc. Vice President Adonis Yap presented the various technology-based trends and business solutions that Plantersbank can provide them. After Mr. Yap’s presentation, Plantersbank’s partner Globe Telecom through its territory manager for Globe Business Roy Divino disclosed the different product offerings of the company.

Plantersbank Executive Vice President and Branch Banking Group Head Randy Aruta expressed enthusiasm over the interest shown by the participants. In her speech, she underscored the importance and benefits of having a website.

While working previously for the biggest Canadian bank, Ms. Aruta’s colleagues would often seek her comments on Filipino companies because of her ethnic roots. She recalled that nine out of 10 companies that her Canadian colleagues inquired were not familiar to her. When she asked them what was their source of information about the Filipino companies, Ms. Aruta’s colleagues told her they got it all from the internet and the website of the respective companies.

Meanwhile, Rechilda Rosales, owner of Rosales Tannery and one of the 54 participants of the 1st SME Toolkit Roadshow for 2009, immediately knew that the solutions being offered by PDB SME Solutions Inc perfectly fits her business. Being an active client of Plantersbank, Rosales was introduced to the program by Plantersbank Meycauayan branch manager Roberto Evangelista.

Rosales appreciates very much the efforts of Plantersbank in looking after the welfare of SMEs. She also pointed out that Plantersbank played a major role in developing the business of a sister company.”We appreciate what Planters Bank is doing for the small and medium enterprises and we benefited from it. Actually, our sister company started with a loan from Plantersbank long time ago. I do not have big expectations as of now but, I am very sure there is a gain in all advances for better business growth,” she said.

At the end of the day, the event was satisfying for both participants and organizers because of the healthy exchange of ideas. .

With the warm response of the participants during the initial SME Toolkit Roadshow, PDB SME Solutions Inc. is looking forward to entice more SMEs to be internet-enabled to make their businesses grow.

Robert Buhain, executive vice president of Planters Development Bank, the brainchild of SME.com.ph opened up the affair with his detailed backgrounder of the bank’s journey as a preferred deposit partner for SMEs. Over the years, he pointed out that the bank brought recognition to the SME sector as a backbone of the country’s economy.

“We are glad that with Plantersbank’s efforts, we have helped a number of SMEs that grew to large-scale companies,” Buhain beams with pride in the bank’s achievement.

“We go create opportunities for SMEs beyond banking,” he adds.

Since Plantersbank ventured into bringing cutting-edge technologies for SMEs, the road show is a way to introduce the bank’s affiliate’s offering.

Adonis Yap, president of SME.com.ph reveals the company’s latest business solutions, “Today, running a business is highly a jungle. One has to be ahead in everything and here at SME.com.ph we make sure that we provide business solutions that enhance the SMEs ventures. Not only that we make sure that our clients, which are mostly SMEs have the biggest advantage in marketability and raking in profits by using the latest gadgets.”

SME.com.ph has partnered with technology giants like Globe Telecom and IBM Philippines to provide the SMEs of today with the groundbreaking products and services.

Stevie Tambuting, vice chairman of SME.com.ph and assistant vice president of Plantersbank paints a fitting scenario of the newly elected US president, Barack Obama who used to be an underdog, but has risen to the top and made him the first Afro-American leader in the history of US politics. He likens the former black senator’s fame to SMEs using the technological advancement to boost their competitiveness in the business world and succeed in their respective industries.

The 27th SME Toolkit Road Show was made possible through the concerted efforts of Metro Manila area headed Joy Gochangco. The last leg of this business caravan hopes to empower even more the growing SMEs in the country to make it big not just in the local scene, but in the global arena as well.

Though not in its original line-up of itinerary for the road show this year, Urdaneta City was likely the next ideal destination after the 17th stop of the business caravan in La Union, which started since 2007. The city, which was speculated to be named after a famous aide of Magellan, Father Simon de Urdaneta, who was a soldier, navigator, cosmographer and evangelist proved to be a commercial center of Pangasinan’s eastern portion and the province’s fifth district with more popular name as the ‘Bagsakan’ (trading post) City of the Pangasinan due to being a drop-off point of the various fruits and vegetables coming from the different Pangasinan municipalities and nearby provinces. Also, people from other Luzon provinces visit the city to purchase pure-bred cattle and ‘bagoong’ (fish sauce) from Lingayen town. Today, the large cattle market is situated in Barangay Anonas and is known to be Northern Luzon’s biggest cattle market.

The regal but antique-looking venue, interspersed fruits on each table accommodated the enthusiastic 98 entrepreneur-participants to the said Urdaneta road show, who are ready to embrace the information technology and become globally competitive through doing business solutions online. These guests were painstakingly gathered by team of Plantersbank Urdaneta branch, Ellen Gacutan.

Through Plantersbank’s commitment to SMEs, its executive vice president, Roberto Buhain who opened up the said road show with his bank’s backgrounder and further detailed how the bank started as an SME as the CEO and chairman Ambassador Jesus Tambunting claimed it. It started with an asset base of only Php500, 000. Currently, it has grown to become the 19th largest banking institution among 38 universal and commercial banks and over 800 thrift and rural banks.

“We are proud that the bank is among the top 250 corporations in terms of revenues with a nationwide network of 70 branches. Over the years, its returns have consistently been at par or even higher than the average of the banking industry,” Buhain reveals.

SME.com.ph also added, “Businesses have seen the advantage of doing business online, thus our road show is our way to bringing closer the solutions to pump-up Urdaneta’s local businesses.”

SME.com.ph made a generous offer of taking the local businesses to the next level, to compete in the international market by creating their respective Web sites and profit from the advantages of this marketing tool that changes the business landscape here and abroad; giving them equal opportunities to earn more through online transactions. I not so distant future, more and more businesses in the said locality will flourish through the Internet and other business solutions that empower the entrepreneurs.
The 26th SME Toolkit Road Show visits the Queen City of the South. Watch out for its updates.

The municipality is 12 kilometers away from Pasig City and is accessible from various points of Metro Manila through the Ortigas Extension Avenue; Manila East Road; Felix Avenue (formerly Imelda Avenue); A. Bonifacio Avenue; Manggahan Floodway; and Sumulong Highway.
Taytay is known for its quality ready-made dresses and woodworks, which made it as the ‘Philippines’ Garments and Woodworks capital. Commerce and industry, is a much active economic sector contributing a substantial income to the municipal coffers.

Plantersbank officers were in full attendance during the gathering. Steven Tambunting, SME.com.ph’s managing director and Plantersbank’s assistant vice president shared some awakening words that the only thing constant today is change and in order to stay in the business’ ballgame, “Befriend technology. These days, it’s accessible and most of all affordable.”

Tambunting pertains to businesses ability to embrace the dynamics of information technology since it is phenomenal, powerful in enhancing ventures these days.

Roberto Buhain, Plantersbank’s Executive Vice President joined the Taytay caravan and capsulated Planters Development Bank’s role in uplifting the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector in the country.

“We are not just your ordinary everyday bank, but we are a bank that choose to lend to SMEs and are even prepared to go beyond banking,” Buhain said.

Through such vision and thrust, Planters Development Bank partnered with Globe Telecom and IBM Philippines to reach out to more and more local businesses in the countryside. The SME Toolkit Road Show is a way of bringing effective tools for businesses to enhance their operations.

Adonis Yap, SME.com.ph president also pointed out, “Businesses that are still not online may be lagging behind the competition.”

Yap encouraged entrepreneurs to have their own company websites rather than relying on the brochures and business cards for moving forward their businesses.

IBM Philippines’ general business marketing manager, Marian ‘Mini’ Cruz-Hormigos also shared how her company saw the potentials of the small and medium-scale businesses in the country by extending its products and services to the said society’s sector. While its value partner, 8Layer represented by its chief operating officer and marketing manager, Deng Silorio made a cutting-edge presentation on IBM’s Lotus Symphony software, an all-in-one autonomic IT infra solution that is installable in just 30 minutes and beneficial for SMEs today.

Also, Globe Telecom’s territory managers, Maan Panganiban and Jowell Peralta introduced mobile phones for local businesses in the area to keep up with the highly-competitive race to achieving efficiency and profitability. Melai Lazaro, Globe’s regional marketing officer also took part of the event.

This particular Lucena road show defined too many ‘firsts’ in the history of SME Toolkit Road Show since it started in 2007.

The city hosted for the first time the road show. Lucena branch proved to be the ‘first’ to challenge the rest of Plantersbank’s cluster due to its success in bringing in a huge number of guests to the road show headed by Randy De Luna, San Pablo’s cluster head. It was like One Team Lucena victory.

The 24th SME Toolkit Road Show was the ‘first’ event to be held in the 4,000 square meter resort and hotel’s newly-built Thai-inspired hall with its enchanting chandeliers hanging on the vast ceilings.

It was also for the ‘first time’ that a road show had a power interruption amidst a heavy downpour; but it remained focused in delivering its commitment to the guests—by providing the latest solutions for local businesses in the area.

Like the previous road shows, Globe Telecom and IBM Philippines, SME.com.ph’s technology partners joined to promote their respective business solutions-products and services.

“It is our pleasure to extend assistance for the ‘first time’ to Lucena entrepreneurs,” Adonis C. Yap, sme.com.ph president said.

“We have seen the great potential in this city since it is the home to significant and manufacturing businesses.”

Of the total 8,316.90 hectare land area of Lucena City, its 1,651.77 hectares cover the existing built up area; almost 3% of this or 46.62 hectares cover the industrial section, located in different barangays of the city. Industry in Lucena produces a sustainable amount of agro-industrial based products, dried and smoked fish, distilled liquors, bamboo and rattan furniture, ornamental flowers/plants, vegetable as well as meat products.

The 25th stop for SME Toolkit is slated in Urdaneta City on the 26th of this month.