Industry heavyweights share their expertise at 3-day MSME Fiesta Sulong Negosyante

ICSB & UnionBank-powered event focused on empowering entrepreneurs through knowledge-sharing.

The International Council for Small Business Philippines (ICSB PH) and Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) recently held a three-day conference and expo for micro, small, and medium enterprises or MSMEs to empower the entrepreneurs and enable them to thrive in the digital economy. The event was held at the Resorts World Manila in celebration of the United Nations' (UN) International MSME Day, observed annually every 27th of June.

Prior to the fiesta, several experts from the public and private sectors as well as the academe gathered at The Sheraton Hotel for a panel discussion that tackled the most pressing issues concerning the MSME industry.

On day one, keynote speaker Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian stressed how important it was to hold activities such as the Sulong Negosyante giving attention and recognition to MSMEs. Being an entrepreneur himself, he shared valuable learning.

“We need to keep on innovating. We need to keep on finding new products and new services. We need to adapt.” ~Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Keynote Speaker

Asian Institute of Management President and Dean Dr. Jikyeong Kang; Mansmith and Fielders Inc. Chief Marketing Strategist Josiah Go; and Wong + Bernstein Advisory Group Managing Director Prof. Enrique Soriano led the discussions on the importance of lifelong education and training for MSMEs.

Other presenters focused on digital and media, supply chain and delivery, research, as well as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and good governance.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Jose Victor Chan Gonzaga talked about how they and other government organizations put in effort to promote Filipino MSMEs globally. Asian Consulting Group's Founding Chairman and Chief Tax Adviser Raymond Abrea highlighted the significance of practicing good tax management. 

UnionBank's SME and Micropreneurs Segment Head Jaypee Soliman touched on understanding the needs and challenges MSMEs face to be able to help them succeed. He pointed out the necessity for entrepreneurs to prioritize.

“We need to identify the things that we have to continue doing and the things that we need to start doing. We have to stop thinking we are the solution, but start engaging MSMEs and collaborate on how we can be a solution for them. At UnionBank, we know how critical knowledge-sharing is to ensure that our MSMEs are able to thrive in the digital economy. This is one of the reasons we organized this event together with ICSB. We want our attendees to learn from the best, so they can be at their best in their businesses.” ~Jaypee Soliman, UnionBank's SME and Micropreneurs Segment Head 

Philstar Media Group Executive Vice President Lucien DyTioco’s talk was on why Filipinos should support local businesses. For his part, Airspeed Express President Rick Cruzado explained the role of delivery and logistics in today's digital economy, while Hotbox Philippines Founder Romeo Joven shared about innovation using his company's self-heating box meal product as an example.

Synergy Market Research and Strategic Consultancy President Germaine Reyes discussed consumer behavior and its relation to sustainable businesses and products. To cap off the presentations, Avanza Inc. President Yayu Javier talked about sustainability and the need for MSMEs to consider aligning their goals with that of UN's 17 SDGs.

For day two, Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Mary Jean Pacheco presented the current MSME landscape in the country. UnionBank's Head of Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway Gerry Austria focused on the various digital banking solutions offered by UnionBank to MSMEs, while Aboitiz Foundation's Program Manager for Enterprise Development Gero Torres outlined how the Aboitiz Group has been helping MSMEs become more digitally capable.

On day three, PLDT Enterprise Head of Small and Micro Business Armie Sason underscored the value of digital business tools and reliable business internet connectivity; Insular Life Head of Customer Relations Mia Gonzales shared the benefits of taking care of employees to improve business productivity; and UN Women's Consultant for Women's Empowerment Principles Jen Dingalan enlightened entrepreneurs with the need to build a business that works for women.

Continuing the discussions for day 3, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines' Assistant Division Chief Emmelina Masanque gave an overview of the intellectual property system for MSMEs and startups; Globe Business ICT Portfolio Marketing Director Anne Leonardo touched on digital transformation for MSMEs through ICT solutions; and finally, UnionBank's Chief Information Security Officer Joey Rufo provided MSMEs tips on how they can stay #CyberSure.

ICSB PH and UnionBank target to pursue the Negosyante MSME Fiesta events on an annual basis. Stay tuned for the next leg of events!

UnionBank updates MSME banking app; VISA, Mastercard debit, credit now available with UPAY

"The app helped me a lot during the pandemic because I didn't have to go to the bank to deposit checks. All I needed to do was take a photo of it. Also, the "request payment" feature assisted me in collecting payments easily. We've been using this facility for quite some time now and it's also convenient for my customers.” ~Engr. Justin Padilla, owner of CE Padilla Construction

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), the leading banking partner of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country, has rolled out the latest update for its MSME Business Banking app, introducing new features that will give business owners more flexibility when it comes to collecting payments from customers and managing their account.

First is an added payment option in the app's "Request Payment" feature, which allows business owners to collect payments through a link that they can send to customers. Users can now collect payments via VISA and MasterCard Debit and Credit cards, on top of Instapay, GrabPay, Gcash, Palawan Express, Cebuana Lhuillier, and ECPay Partner Outlets. 

Second, the app now has a dashboard – designed to improve user experience by making navigation easier, as well as improve the app's overall performance. The new feature is UnionBank's way of addressing customer feedback related to the app's user interface and performance --ensuring customer satisfaction.

The app also features access to the UnionBank GlobalLinker (UBGL) platform. Customers are now able to sign up to UBGL right inside their banking app, providing them the ability to reach 500,000 MSMEs locally and globally, to grow their business network. What’s more, customers can take advantage of registry to various business-focused webinars and learning sessions, build a FREE online e-commerce store, and tap technology partners that would bring their businesses to the next level of digitization. All these are made available with the refresh and the new MSME Business Banking mobile app.

"Simply put, it was smooth and fast - UnionBank is quite ahead compared to the other banks in terms of incorporating modern technology and application to its system; so my experience was really great.” ~Kenn Ong of KLOCO Corporation

Since the launch of the app in January last year, UnionBank has enabled countless MSMEs to digitize their business -- from the way they collect payments, to how they meet their business banking needs. The move into the digital space and to capitalize on the recent e-commerce boom as a result of the pandemic has been easier for MSMEs.

“With the addition of the new payment option, the “Request Payment”, and the introduction of the dashboard to improve the overall user experience, MSMEs will now be able to do their banking needs more easily and conveniently, allowing them to focus more on growing their business. This is all part of UnionBank’s commitment to our country’s MSME sector, bolstering our ‘Tech-Up Pilipinas’ advocacy.” ~Jaypee Soliman, UnionBank VP and SME & Micropreneurs Segment Head

To know more about MSME Business Banking, and UPAY for MSMEs, please visit our website: unionbankph.com/msme. Interested to start now? Please contact any of our Relationship Managers at branches near you.

UnionBank GlobalLinker partners with Lazada to help entrepreneurs expand their online presence

“Right now, we are, without a doubt, in the golden age of e-commerce in the country. We want more enterprising Filipinos to thrive in this period of exponential growth for online shopping, which is why our enhanced partnership with Lazada is very timely. This is all part of our efforts to support the country’s MSME sector, bolster our “Tech-Up Pilipinas” advocacy, and promote inclusive prosperity for Filipinos.” ~Jaypee Soliman, UnionBank Vice President and Head of SME and Micropreneurs Segment

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), has again teamed up with one of the major e-commerce platforms Lazada, enabling online sellers to have more options when it comes to bringing their products closer to customers.

With the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed last 10 March 2022, UnionBank through its digital MSME online platform UnionBank GlobalLinker (UBGL), will create a special site for all Lazada sellers and the latter will do the same for UBGL sellers. 

According to UBGL and Lazada, the joint initiative aims to encourage more sign ups in both of their respective marketplaces. It will help entrepreneurs expand their online presence much easier, as enlisting with either platform automatically opens up another virtual storefront for them, resulting to more opportunities in doing business with customers.

Signing up offers numerous benefits to sellers. First, they will have access to a dedicated Lazada Onboarding Team. This crew can provide guidance on a number of ideas ranging from selling to strategies; help those who have questions or concerns; and notify sellers about the latest initiatives within the Lazada platform.

In addition, sellers can utilize the following campaign features for free: Members Exclusive Campaign (Home Page Banner, Landing Page, and Lazada Live), New Seller Campaign Access, and Mega Campaign Access. The first 150 signups also enjoy service marketplace packages amounting to more than PHP 1 million in support. These include Product Photography, Product Upload, and Store Builder Design, among others.

Lazada will likewise be promoting the UnionBank GlobalLinker platform to its own Lazada Seller Community, so that they too, can reap the benefits of the UBGL Platform.

"With more MSMEs going online, the partnership with UnionBank is definitely a great step forward in enabling Filipino businesses to grow and scale their e-Commerce presence. As we go into our 10th year of empowering MSMEs to go digital, we share an equal mission with UnionBank to continue to uplift Filipino entrepreneurs and further fuel the local digital economy.” ~Carlos Barrera, Lazada Philippines Chief Operating Officer

Lazada has been a reliable partner of UnionBank in backing the country's MSME sector and making online shopping easier for customers since 2020. During the peak of the health crisis, the two companies provided an emergency credit lifeline to Lazada sellers who were heavily affected by the pandemic. In August of the same year, they launched the UnionBank Lazada Credit Card, providing numerous perks to Lazada shoppers.

Sustainability requires diversity, people-profit balance, says UnionBank’s transformative leader

"When you talk about connection, it's all about people. UnionBank has been known as a digital bank but actually, we're more of a people organization, and diversity is big on our agenda. It's something that we feel is also a key part of ESG. But beyond ESG, we believe in diversity in an organization. And when you have that (respect), connection comes easy. It's important because if an organization is not connected to one another, it will never be engaged to its customers and stakeholders. So, that's how we do it. We don't put digital as the primary goal. We use digital as the enabler. We use digital means to connect with one another. To us, metrics on leadership are more about balance. Like most companies, we do have a balanced scorecard, but we always ask ourselves, 'Are we still seeing too much on the profit side, or are we building too much on the feel good side? Would you rather have a very profitable but toxic company, or not too profitable but people are so happy and healthy? You can be profitable in the short term, but if you don't take care of your employees, the long-term viability of the enterprise will not be assured. But then, if you don't have profit in the short term, you won't reach your long-term targets." ~Henry R. Aguda, UnionBank Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Operations Officer, and Chief Transformation Officer

Panelist Henry R. Aguda, UnionBank Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Operations Officer, and Chief Transformation Officer, shared insights on the challenges and rewards of leadership in a fast-growing industry; and the significance of innovation, reinvention, and resilience amid crises during the recently concluded CBRE Connect Series’ Perspective in Leadership Webinar: Navigating through Challenges & Uncertainty.

Aguda related that for UnionBank, digital transformation is not an end goal, but more of a means for people within the organization to be able to connect with each other, and ultimately, with the Bank's customers and stakeholders. More so, the Bank considers diversity as key to establishing a stronger connection, over and above being a necessary component of its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts.

As companies commit to sustainability, diversity and balance are among the most important focus areas that they must prioritize. This was highlighted by UnionBank during the recently concluded CBRE Connect Series’ Perspective in Leadership Webinar: Navigating through Challenges & Uncertainty.

According to Aguda, the diverseness is crucial to UnionBank's digital transformation as it allows ideas to flow from collaborators with various skill sets and experiences, enabling more innovation. He added that people’s respect for each other's ideas allows individuals to be more connected.

Aguda also underscored the importance of leaders being able to juggle both the needs of the company and its people. At the end of the day, it comes to balancing people and profit, an integral part of sustainability.