When you look at how much time people spend online and on social media, you will understand how much potential it holds for your business. According to a 2021 report, the Philippines spends an average of 10 hours and 56 minutes on the internet daily via any device. We also spend the most time on social media, averaging four hours and 15 minutes一almost double the worldwide average.
How are you using this to your advantage? Although social media has long been used for promoting brands and expanding customer reach, it is also emerging as an independent online sales platform. Leading sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok, for instance, are frequently updating and introducing their latest features to create a more business-friendly vibe.
You need a solid plan to integrate social media into your sales strategy. Start with these steps:
You need to go where your customers are to determine which social media platforms can give you more product visibility. Monitor these to learn where they discover and engage with your brand the most. Then select the top sites where you can sell your products or services and increase your online presence there.
You can also survey your target audience on different social media platforms and find out where most online shoppers would highly make purchases. Once you have decided where to sell, maximize the social media platform’s features to improve your online storefront.
A shopper experience index in 2021 revealed that nearly a third of consumers rely on social media to learn about new products. This is why it’s important to provide relevant information that will help potential customers understand your products without having to go to a separate page to find what they are looking for. Indicate and update prices. Add short and snappy product descriptions about its features and uses.
Make sure to curate your photos and make them visually appealing as well, to entice others to purchase your products even more. Give them ideas by sharing practical tips on how to use your product. This type of shareable content will likely make its way to their friends’ inboxes, too.
Build the credibility of your brand by adding a star rating widget, and allow users to provide their feedback for social proof.
According to Hootsuite, 59% of customers expect to message businesses to make purchases.Take time responding to all customer queries as soon as you can. Likewise, humanize your replies with a pleasant tone to show your brand’s personality. This way, you can foster genuine connections with prospects.
Rather than giving a simple answer to a question, take the opportunity to recommend specific products, share a direct link to purchase, and offer a promo code as a way of securing the sale assertively.
The rise of social media as a direct selling tool is ushering in the development of multi-channel commerce platforms. Integration with the latter makes it possible for businesses to create a central hub for its various sales channels to streamline business processes, eliminating the need to transfer from different portals every now and then.
ChatGenie is a perfect example of a multi-channel E-Commerce platform. It is an all-in-one solution that provides businesses the opportunity to create their online store through social media. ChatGenie’s numerous functions help businesses sell products, automate orders, process payments, and track deliveries to provide customers a hassle-free buying experience with just a few clicks.
Social media analytics tools offered by Hootsuite, BuzzSumo, and Google are crucial in determining the best platforms that followers use to engage with your brand. These confirm the effectiveness of your strategy in selling products directly from social media by calculating the number of likes, shares, and comments about your content.
If necessary, analytics results could also suggest the need to adjust your sales approach and make your content more compelling to prospects. Take note that social media analytics can gauge customer behavior to understand the customer journey aside from measuring sales.
As more business owners realize how vital social media is to increasing sales, Globe Business sees the need to help MSMEs build their capabilities in social commerce. ChatGenie is among many digital solutions that help simplify the sales journey for both customer and seller, and give businesses the ability to make data-driven decisions. To help you set up your shop, Globe Business offers different payment options plus free onboarding sessions from our training experts.
Learn more about ChatGenie by talking to a Globe Business agent today.
Today, reaching out to customers on every available platform isn’t enough. When it comes to text messages in particular, it’s important to distinguish yourself from the deluge of other messages they receive.
Chances are, your customers’ inboxes are already filled with both legitimate text blasts and scams or spam messages. These days, businesses who use SMS to keep in touch with their customer base must be able to craft and brand their SMS messages well in order to assure receivers that the messages are legitimate一otherwise, their message might be left unseen (or worse, in the trash).
Customer behavior is changing, and it applies to the simple act of sending and receiving SMS messages. Here are a few reminders on how to maximize this powerful and accessible platform in order to better and more authentically engage with your customers.
Let customers know who you are. The last thing you would want is to be tagged as spam or scam. Let them know who’s texting them right away by having a customizable sender ID. Not only does it assure recipients of the legitimacy of the messages they’re getting, but it also adds to your brand recall. Make yourself known right away so they would know that it’s from a credible sender.
No texting before six and after eight. Don’t text customers before 6 in the morning when they are most likely a few hours away from getting up from bed or are busy preparing for the day. Sending a message past 8 in the evening might also bump your message off their radar as they’ll be too busy doing chores, or are looking forward to relaxing. However, when it comes to time-sensitive messages, you don’t want them to miss out on important dates and limited-time promos. Send those messages at around 10 in the morning so there is time to make decisions during the day, and not when the details are already stale. You have better chances of producing repeat purchasers if you get the perfect flow when it comes to text blasting.
SMS is not extinct. SMS messages can also be a gateway to your other communication channels. Far from being extinct and outdated, text messaging continues to be one of the most accessible and reliable forms of keeping touch with your customers, which is why each message must be crafted well and purposefully. If you’re going to include a link in your text message, make it count. Providing more ways to get in touch with you will make your message bear more weight especially for customers whose interest is already piqued but would like to know more.
Customer feedback is a gift. The opportunity to provide feedback is a gift best given when it’s well-wrapped. As opposed to one-way messages that feel robotic and cold, having the option to collect customer stories and provide real-time virtual assistance gives your business the edge it needs to retain the connections you’ve worked so hard for. Letting them know that you want to improve and serve them better lets them know that you’re willing to go the extra mile to keep your customers happy.
While this all sounds rewarding, planning and implementing it is manually tedious. Luckily, there are digital solutions that help business owners maximize the platform with ease and flexibility. Globe Business M360 helps business owners solve the most common challenges to SMS blasting by providing a multi-channel messaging platform that ensures all areas mentioned above are covered. With bespoke and thoughtful features, it helps business owners optimize, automate, and enhance their text messages according to their needs.
Ready to get a head start on your SMS marketing with Globe Business M360? Visit our website to know more.
Investing in digital solutions may seem like a daunting step due to the perceived complexity and steep costs of integrating it into business operations. However, Globe Business, in partnership with the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA), assures micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that there are affordable solutions that can boost and protect their business especially during challenging times.
Along with other expert panelists from the ICT industry, Globe Business participated at the recently held PSIA Fireside Chat on “Digital Transformation for SMEs” to provide an in-depth look at how digital solutions play a role in addressing operational, marketing, and security challenges brought about by the pandemic and in creating business growth and efficient systems for MSMEs in the Philippines.
“We are committed to help MSMEs realize the value of investing in new technology or digital tools: how it allows them to reach new customers, increase engagement with existing clients, and facilitate collaboration among their staff and employees while streamlining operations, leading to overall business growth and optimistic performance,” said Anne David, Marketing Acquisition Head, Globe Business MSME Group.
During the virtual learning session, the different ICT experts identified some of the key challenges MSMEs face today such as declining customer engagement, limited financial service accessibility, outdated operational processes, and cybersecurity threats, to name a few—which continue to hamper their growth and success. However, they were quick to point out that these issues can now easily be addressed with the rise of digital technology shaping the world today.
According to Jowie Alcala, Business Development Manager for Rhipe PH, one of the leading cloud solutions distributors locally, “digital automation is imperative for businesses to grow because this allows us to allocate the time that was used for answering customer inquiries to strategizing and developing plans for the business.”
Caloy Ang from Suds Premier Franchising Corp. echoed, “businesses that survived [the pandemic] were the ones who were able to provide excellent customer experiences through digital channels. It is important that we are able to quickly respond to customers’ inquiries especially when they need us most.”
Globe Business, through its affiliate Globe Labs, offers various API solutions to facilitate faster communication and increase engagement between businesses and customers. Some of the solutions include the SMS API, Voice API, and Sponsored Access API.
MSMEs were faced with the challenge of working around social distancing measures enacted by the government. To cope with the ever-changing mandates, businesses turned to online digital payment to sustain operational efficiency.
Through GCash’s Powerpay Plus Platform, companies can transition from tedious manual payroll systems to enjoying a fast, secure, and easily accessible digital payroll solution for salaries, allowances, incentives, and more. On top of that, customers can also conveniently transact with MSMEs through GCash.
In fact, one of the panelists pointed out that their most utilized mode of payment is GCash because of its convenience. Their customers pay them through the app and they transfer the money into their bank account, giving them the flexibility to access their money anytime and anywhere.
As remote work continues to be the norm, it is imperative for organizations to foster an environment where employees can continue to collaborate and see-through projects together even while apart. This is made easier and more efficient with Globe Cloud Solutions, allowing enterprises to quickly adapt to shifting workflows because processes remain the same, files and services continue to be accessible, and resources are intact despite weather or mechanical interruptions.
MSMEs can also utilize cloud-based productivity solutions, some of which you may check out here. These applications store information and run servers on the cloud so users can access them anytime without installing them in their machines
Now that everything’s becoming more digital, it is more important now than ever for companies to stay vigilant and proactively protect their business and customer data from any vulnerabilities. Cyberattacks can easily be triggered these days by innocently clicking on spam emails from unsecure or public networks, compromising confidential data and important company information in a snap.
Partnered with the best global cybersecurity providers, Globe Business offers a holistic suite of cybersecurity solutions and services that help enterprises identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover from cyber threats to avoid severe damages to the income and reputation of the business.
“Technology should be an organization’s best friend especially during this point in time. By investing in digital solutions, businesses can reach more customers while saving on cost and keep the operations running regardless of what will happen,” said David.
To learn more about the exciting products and services Globe Business offers, sign up at https://go.mybusinessacademy.ph/ICTMonthOffers-PSIAArticle.
Even if the past two years challenged tried-and-tested business practices, industries found ways to adapt to the new normal. Last September 18’s Globe Business conference, G Summit: Opportunities Unlocked, intended to uncover these key learnings so micro, small, and medium enterprises can discover and take opportunities to grow their businesses. Opportunities relevant to the business topics Leadership, Productivity & Remote Work, Practical Marketing, Human Resources & People Engagement, and Technology & Digitalization were the highlight of the conference.
Inviting over 20 industry experts and acclaimed entrepreneurs, the G Summit aimed to empower and inspire event attendees to take charge of their growth through in-depth talks vital in today’s business climate. Here are insights from the event every MSME should be aware of.
A critical highlight of this year’s G Summit is recognizing that businesses succeed better when they work as one. Surviving challenges wouldn’t have been possible if not for local businesses helping, sharing, and collaborating with each other. This was at the core of the plenary speakers’ messages, hosted by Sonjia Calit. Issa Cabreira, KD Dizon, USec. Bles Lantayona, and Fernando Zobel de Ayala share G Summit’s goals of reclaiming success and sparking social good to uplift communities, unveiling ongoing programs that highlight the same objectives.
Renowned analyst and international speaker Brian Solis drove this point further, sharing, “As a community of entrepreneurs, we can move; we can do things that others can’t. This is your time to unlock opportunities and explore new ways to grow your business. Your customers were disrupted in this time too. They were also digitally-transformed. Let’s look at it from their perspective. That’s a growth mindset. We have to be human-centered, digital-first, and technology-enabled. As an entrepreneur, this is your time. You are the architects of the future that didn’t exist before the pandemic.”
Famous actor and entrepreneur Marvin Agustin reminded participants that resilience is inherent in our culture, inspiring them to embrace the Filipino characteristics: sipag, tyaga, diskarte, kapal ng mukha. “Either we grab the moment and put all of ourselves into it, or else we cannot turn a crisis into an opportunity. New models for businesses will emerge very quickly. How best we adapt to these emerging trends will determine our success,” he said.
True leadership is tested when business owners and managers must navigate unfamiliar situations with limited resources, and a team needing their guidance. Spring Valley CEO Jonathan De Luzuriaga covered the ways to do so in his talk Engage for Impact: Leadership in Times of Crisis. He left attendees with this important thought: “Anyone can lead when the plan is working. The best leader is when the plan falls apart.”
Head of Business Banking for Bank of the Philippine Islands Eric Luchangco followed this up in his talk, Leading in a Transitional Period. Luchangco mentioned, “Don’t rely purely on past experiences to solve current problems or identify new opportunities created by the change in the environment.” This encapsulated his talk on helping transform key personnel into decision-makers who can steer their businesses towards further growth.
In Role of Digitalization on MSME Growth, Mynt Head of Product Ferdie Perez discussed how technologies like GCash have helped communities bounce back from the pandemic’s economical hit. Introducing GCash Pro for businesses, which features easier access to merchant loans, attendees learned how to use tech like this for productivity, profitability, efficiency, and competition. “Regardless of your size, your skill, whether you’re formal or informally doing it, we want to offer the solutions. We want to offer the answers to the pain points that businesses are experiencing today,” Perez mentioned.
In times of a shifting workforce setup and economy, maintaining the same level of productivity is the priority. This is tackled in Employee Experience and Hybrid Work headed by Vett Watson, Modern Work & Security Business Lead at Microsoft Philippines. He gave tips on efficiently maintaining workforce performance and keeping team morale up, saying, “When we invest in people and we invest in the employee experience, we can directly impact engagement, retention, employee satisfaction, and profitability.”
Stephen Liu, Carrier Channel Sales Leader APAC at Zoom, touched on these themes as well in his session Remote Work and Changing the Game for Business in the New Normal. He shared, “Providing the workforce the autonomy over where, when, and the amount of work can actually increase the number of high performers.”
With minimal experience in distance management and remote work, finding the right way to handle people is often confusing and stressful. Squadzip VP for Business Development Raymond Villanueva helped participants identify what their businesses need to focus on in Making Remote Work Productive. “It’s not that we do not communicate [well] digitally, it’s just that we need to adapt to work digitally — and to do this we need the right equipment for our teams and giving them the proper tools,” he said.
Among the most fundamental tools and strategies for any business is marketing. But has marketing evolved differently in the pandemic? And how can business owners adapt to this change strategically? Gino Pineda, Vertical Lead at Facebook, answered these concerns in Facebook Advertising 101. “It’s really critical that small business owners meet their customers where they are. As a business owner, you want to be able to connect with your customers wherever they are.”
“Any of our platforms [can] be made more useful this year when it comes to sharing optimism,” said Wunderman Thompson Executive Strategic Planning Director Pam Garcia, in Game-changing Business Trends in the New Normal. In this talk, participants were informed of top trends that can inspire business owners to create or reinvent their products and services.
When it comes to influencer marketing, Cathy Pumarega and Jhenice Alana, VP for Business Development and Account Director of GetCraft Inc., respectively, gave the rundown on choosing the right partners for your business, including a free Influencer Brief Template, in Influencer Marketing: Why Does it Matter to your Brand? “Creating a personification of influencers is important as they would have to match your brand’s values and ultimately represent your brand amongst their target audience or followers,” stressed Pumarega.
In order to help attendees understand how to go about establishing their brand and choosing influencers, Alana walked them through the Influencer Brief Template, which ensures teams are aligned with goals and executions to achieve successful campaigns. “As to anything, and much like how you do it with your businesses, you always need a proper foundation for everything,” she said.
Canva Philippines Community Manager Chris De Vera challenged businesses to think about their purpose and values and how best to communicate these to their markets through design in Branding for your Business. “Don’t risk watering down your brand’s personality. Sino ba ang brand ninyo? Think of your brand as a person. What connects you to it?” he asked. De Vera established this foundation before delving into design elements that will resonate with customers.
The Employee Experience During the Pandemic session with Globe Telecom Inc. Employee Engagement Manager Mark Dimaisip helped business leaders learn the ideal ways to care for their people. Understanding what employees — any company’s greatest asset — are going through in these challenging times benefits businesses as a whole. “There is not one program that will work for everyone. That’s why empathy and employee listening are very important. The more you listen to them, the more answers you get,” suggested Dimaisip.
In Leadership and Employee Engagement for the Future Normal, attendees learned that effective human resource management begins with an internal change in company culture. Mark So, CEO at Business Maker Academy, talked about keeping an open mind to help identify pain points within businesses’ workforces and ways to help. “Be inclusive. You cannot have fans as leaders. But friends — true friends can really be your fellow leaders.”
Atty. Kesterson Kua, Partner at SKY Law, pointed out the five emerging business shifts in Philippines HR Trends in the New Normal, which arevirtual work, digitization & technology, social media regulation, mental health, and compliance. He stressed that “digitization and technology will be [the] key. Data will be driving the new world. Your competitors will be data-driven. Their employees will be technology-savvy. What about you? Are your employees and systems ready to take on this challenge?”
First, businesses must cover their bases. Protecting virtual storefronts is paramount as competitions moves to the digital realm. The talk Jumpstart your Security Journey provided a roadmap for MSMEs to get started.Speaker Albert Dela Cruz, Founder & Director at Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team (PHCERT), emphasized how all businesses should take cybersecurity seriously. “There is a paradigm shift in terms of information security. Before we had a saying ‘trust but verify.’ Now, we say ‘never trust, always verify.’ Because of today’s cybersecurity threats, it’s not if you’ll get attacked, it’s when and how severe.”
In Business Continuity and Solutions to Boost Operational Efficiency, Globe Business Solutions Architect Timothy Genato discussed how technology and digitalization powers business continuity plans to mitigate crises and improve business resilience. He leaves attendees with an important thought: “We cannot afford to think and pretend that [companies] will never ever face a disruptive event or incident.”
For owners who’ve felt overwhelmed by the increasing business demands and changes, and felt frustrated about coping with technological advancements, Yashua Group General Manager Ron Bayron shared ways to aid MSMEs overcome challenges and promptly respond to new opportunities in IT Trends, Digital Transformation, and Critical Tips for Success in the New Normal. “You succeed by knowing, not ignoring,” he mentioned.
CEO of HYBrain John Dueñas talked about technology’s impact on the healthcare industry in Journey of Healthcare Institutions Towards Digitization. “In this kind of digital journey, your traditional digital house model, from being focused on security, will now be moving towards having created a network of trust,” he said.He also touched on how HYBrain’s partnership with Globe Business in forming a Hospital Information System helped facilities improve overall patient care.
Gauging if Your Company can Safely Collect Data led by NADPOP Founding Chairman enlightened attendees on data collection’s do’s and don’ts. The two-time president of the Philippine Computer Society goes through every detail of data privacy, leaving attendees with this instruction: “What gets measured, gets improved. When you don’t measure anything, you don’t get to improve it. So you have to use measurement to be able to make sure that you understand where you are in this current time, and how you progress to the next level.”
Leaving no stone unturned, G Summit participants unlocked vital opportunities to persist, move forward, and uplift each other in the new normal through these vital insights.
You, too, can still learn from these seasoned industry experts! Just visit glbe.co/GSummit to register and get your ticket. Watch the videos on demand until October 18, 2021.
Enjoyed the tracks discussed at G Summit? Get invited to more Globe Business events and masterclasses by signing up to the Globe Business Upstart loyalty program here. The learning never stops, and neither does the success with Globe Business as your trusted partner.
The blended workforce of the future is here. With changing protocols, health and safety concerns, and COVID-19 vaccine rollouts affecting offices around the globe, many have embraced a mix of remote and in-office work so that businesses can continue without a hitch. The pandemic has eradicated apprehensions about this kind of employee management approach, making companies realize that overseeing their people is possible even when physically apart.
With the goal of making the blended work setup transition as smooth, fast, and practical for all, businesses are on the lookout for the best tools and equipment for their employees.
Globe Business is just as invested in helping address productivity and privacy issues in hybrid work conditions, giving options and strategies for employers to allow their team to mix their remote work and in-office times. To help business owners, here is a checklist to ensure that the necessary preparations are in place.
Vaccination programs are on the rollout in several workplaces, helping ensure the health safety of the employees in blended setups. To strengthen these precautions, it is important to install policies requiring the wearing of face masks at all times, proper social distancing, and sanitization. Hygiene supplies, medicine, and first-aid assistance must also be made available to help employees feel secure in returning to the physical space.
Pro-Tip: Make use of Google or Microsoft Forms to survey your team on health statuses, vaccination updates, and other health and safety needs you can address. Learn more about Google Workplace and Microsoft 365’s tools like Forms here.
This pandemic has taken major tolls on people’s health everywhere. Employers offering the hybrid work option to their employees must make sure they have the proper processes in briefing and helping their employees undergo necessary adjustments when it comes to being in the office once again. Some may need physical and mental health assistance, while others might seek emotional or even spiritual guidance. Therefore, having platforms or mechanisms in which employees can get help with ease would be beneficial not only to them but for the success of the company itself.
Pro-Tip: Get your employees KonsultaMD. The 24/7 medical hotline services reduces face-to-face visits and keeps your people safe for as low as one peso a day with unlimited medical advice. Learn more about KonsultaMD here.
A few businesses tend to overlook this seemingly trivial detail, but reorganizing the office is also crucial in preparing for the blended workforce. Employers need to make sure the traffic flow is spacious and safe enough for employees to move around in, avoiding unnecessary interactions that may lead to possible COVID-19 contact or spread. At the same time, determining every employee’s report days and log hours should also be a priority, for both productivity and safety purposes.
Pro-Tip: According to this Vicus Partners, work areas should be physically distanced with one meter apart. Keep an open floor plan with proper ventilation, imposing guidelines on personal hygiene and office cleanliness among others. We also share more tips in this article.
Employees that have been in work-at-home setups in the last 15 months may have a difficult time bouncing back into social situations at work. Alongside physical design and mental and emotional support, creating ways to sustain interaction and rebuild work culture is still key. Communicating and exchanging ideas in engaging approaches help boost performance, and the sense of belongingness to a community contributes to a more dynamic and efficient work system. With that, digital tools that seamlessly connect the in-office and remote employees continue to be crucial in hybrid setups.
Pro-Tip: Team-building doesn’t have to be face-to-face. With the use of video conferencing apps like Zoom, you can host fun activities like quiz nights, cooking classes, and more.
Hybrid work structures are better managed with the right tools and technology that keep employees connected, collaborative, and productive. Globe Business’ different mobile and connectivity plans can answer your needs as you transition your teams. You can also get GCash credits when you avail any of these offers!
Equipping both owners and employees with the necessary information and tools in this switch to blended workforce is a must. With Globe Business, they have access to these needs and more, helping them achieve a stronger and greater advantage in today’s fast-paced times and demands.
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