How did your business fare in 2007?
By Margie Quimpo-Espino
Inquirer
First Posted 19:46:00 12/16/2007
BUSINESS MONDAY’S Executive Forum asks executives -- How did your company fare in 2007? How much did you grow? What projects, if any, did your company undertake? What are your expectations and plans for next year?
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Specialty coffee growing
The specialty coffee segment continues to grow. We have expanded our store network and will continue for the next year and hopefully beyond.
Projects we have started: our environmental initiatives from eco-compliant store designs and through our supply chain.
Environmental concerns are top priority.
The whole coffee industry as an agricultural sector is vibrant due to increases in coffee prices making our farmers interested in growing coffee again.
We expect next year to still be bullish for the food and beverage industry, particularly the specialty coffee segment.
Chit U. Juan
CEO, Figaro Coffee Co.
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Good year
“GMA 7’s year-to-date total revenues closed at P9.813 billion or 9 percent higher from comparative figure in 2006. Similarly, year-to-date October revenues of QTV and international operations (GMA PinoyTV) rose by 63 percent and 48 percent, respectively.
Return on equity was at par with last year’s 30 percent. This ratio was achieved despite the abrupt increase in total stockholders’ equity as a result of the public listing of the network last July 30.
GMA Network Inc. launched its first international television channel, the GMA PinoyTV last February 2005. GMA PinoyTV is a 24-hour general interest channel broadcast in the Filipino language, with Filipino migrants and overseas contract workers as its target audience.
The network is also set to launch its second international channel, the GMA Life TV which is intended for distribution in platforms where GMA PinoyTV is carried. Its programming will largely be from QTV, which the network also operates. GMA Life TV will be skewed toward the female audience, and the channel will carry a movie block.
GMA Network continues it expansion projects in the regions such as the Bicol Region, Visayas and Mindanao. The network is set to complete both its Batangas and Naga transmitter facility upgrades by mid-January 2008. Likewise, the studio complex in Dagupan is targeted to be operational by end of January 2008, while the studios in Davao and Naga are set to be completed by February and third quarter next year, respectively.
The company is also constructing two state-of-the-art studios within its compound in Quezon City. The bigger studio targets to accommodate 800 to 1,000 persons, and the other one will house 300 to 400 persons. Both are expected to be finished by June next year.
The sister channel of GMA 7, QTV, is evolving into a more specialized channel with much improved programs to address all facets of womanhood.
GMA Network expects a much stronger patronage of the Kapuso Channel from its viewers, here and abroad. It hopes to generate bigger income from the many projects it will launch next year and from its expansion in both the international and regional networks. It targets to close the gap or even surpass the ratings competition with its closest TV network rival.
Felipe L. Gozon
President, GMA Network Inc.
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Albert MG Garcia
President & CEO, Whealth Inc.
Eventful, fruitful year
2007 was pretty much an eventful and fruitful year for us. We’ve developed and introduced into the market several products from our existing product lines. This year, we introduced Godiva Home BodyFresh, our first-ever product made specially for men. The new Godiva breast firming cream has been very well received by the market and has reaped very good reviews as well. We’ve also added to our roster of highly trusted products the Godiva LicoWhite gentle facial wash and the Godiva Vitamin C facial scrub—both turning out be breakthrough products.
Same goes for our services as well. This year Godiva Skin Station has expanded with the opening of four more outlets. To date, Godiva Skin Station has now a total of seven branches all over the metro. New skin treatment services have been introduced catering to specific skin care needs and individual lifestyles. ThermaFirme and ThermaShape treatment programs are both on top of our list.
Godiva is definitely moving forward in 2008. We’re expanding the business with more breakthrough products coming in the pipeline. More Godiva Skin Station branches are opening up as well and we’re definitely looking into putting up branches in key provincial areas.
Advanced technology
We advanced our education services with advanced technology. With our technology partner, we created an online enrollment and payment system. We created Ahead Interactive so we can teach students anywhere in the world. We have also sold a franchise of our tutorial and review center.
We have become more aggressive in serving the corporate market. Ahead Professional Network is also now in full gear. We are now training St. Luke’s managers and professionals from other companies. We put our training needs analysis online and tapped IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) as our strategic partner in English training.
To improve our management system, we enrolled our company in the AIM Master in Entrepreneurship program. We renovated our office and created a corporate headquarters.
For next year, we expect more students from all over the Philippines to use Ahead Interactive. We are preparing to serve more corporate clients. We will grant more franchises. We will put up two more offices, hire more people, increase salaries and offer more benefits.
Rosanna Llenado
Founder, Ahead Tutorial and Review Center
Interesting
We found 2007 a very interesting year in the preventive healthcare market from several perspectives. Primarily it confirmed that a brand, when properly positioned, marketed, nurtured and given the right amount of advertising and promotional support, will provide the anticipated commercial returns. Ultimately it is the consumer who will validate and confirm that the product in fact performs according to their expectations and if the brand satisfies these conditions, then the brand will become the brand of first choice. Industry players are likely to recognize this success and act accordingly.
Whealth Inc. continued its planned growth with the introduction of four new brands in different market segments, in new categories and with “first in the market” products all with interesting brand names. ABW Leaves of Life, an internal anti-aging anti-oxidant, Gargol oral wash made from natural essential oils and flavored, CranUTI Nature’s Relief for the remedy of urinary tract infection and Nyte-E, an all natural face and neck lotion made from essential oils and natural vitamin E.
Whealth Inc will continue to develop products which we believe will likely have a latent consumer demand. In addition, we aim to identify existing segments which have traditionally remain unchallenged and will aim to raise the standard of product performance and delivery of products where existing brands have become complacent in their marketing.
Whealth Inc. looks forward to another interesting year in 2008 with the changing of consumer attitudes toward a more direct control of their wellbeing and that of their families with emphasis to preventive health and the affirmation that in fact health is wealth.
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