Globe creates innovative solutions to boost, empower MSMEs

Their size is by no means a measure of their significance to global economic growth.

Micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs), which have taken center stage in discussions among member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), have in fact been touted as the “next frontier of international trade growth” and as a strategic component to achieving an inclusive and sustainable economy.

“MSMEs will be the next frontier of international trade growth. By enabling MSMEs to participate as direct exporters or as service providers in the global value chain, we are looking at increased trade flows globally, and we are optimistic that there will be more people who will benefit from trade,” said Trade Assistant Secretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo.

The significance of these small enterprises was further highlighted when trade ministers from Pacific Rim economies adopted last May the Boracay Action Agenda to Globalize MSMEs, which identified four priority areas for cooperation and action namely, trade facilitation, e-commerce, financing, and institutional support.

APEC officials acknowledged the fact that critical barriers such as lack of market access and financing, however, continued to dampen and impede greater participation of MSMEs in international trade and global value chains.

Fortunately, these realities are now being addressed aggressively by both the private sector and the government through increased technical and financial cooperation, best practices sharing, and by leveraging on the opportunities offered by technology and the digital economy.

Internet connectivity

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura Q. del Rosario, for one, has stressed that Internet connectivity should remain high on the list of priorities of the country and other member economies since this was deemed crucial in driving forward the region’s agenda on inclusive growth and sustainable communities.

“The Internet is instrumental in helping Apec member economies implement the strategies that would boost the quality of growth in the region. These strategies revolved around institution building, social equity, and environmental sustainability,” Del Rosario explained.

“The big picture is the issue of connectivity. Our economies will be connected whether we want it or not. We are faced now with the realization or reality that the Internet economy is here and that the digital economy is here. We are just making sure that in discussing issues, the Internet connections and Internet connectivity will be a priority for our government planning,” she added.

In the Philippines, companies like Globe Telecom have been contributing significantly to helping local enterprises harness and maximize the benefits offered by the Internet, through various innovations and products that cater to MSME requirements.

“All Globe myBusiness products are designed especially for MSMEs. We are offering business solutions that are intended to help MSMEs run their operations more efficiently for increased profitability helping them grow their business,” said Globe myBusiness Senior Vice President Martha Sazon.

“Our portfolio currently has 11 business solutions and we are on the lookout for more useful digital solutions to grow and enhance it further. We also provide reliable and fast connectivity from mobile, broadband, landline and dedicated leased lines customized to fit the unique needs of MSMEs,”  Sazon explained.

Changing mindset

The biggest challenge that both the government and companies like Globe are now trying to address is a change of mindset and the way MSMEs conduct their business. Most MSMEs today continue to be reliant on traditional ways of running their business, which included manual encoding and monitoring among other things.

“Proper education on digital solutions is vital for business owners to understand that limited funds are not a hindrance to improving business efficiency and productivity. Globe myBusiness’ portfolio of solutions addresses these apprehensions with cloud-based and digital solutions that allow them to automate their operations while giving them increased mobility. Now, they don’t have to stay in their office or store to run their business. They can stay on top of their operations wherever they are,” Sazon related.

“Globe myBusiness is also making solutions accessible to MSMEs that initially only big enterprises could afford in the past. These solutions are packaged with a monthly subscription fee so they don’t need a big initial cash out to use these business solutions,” Sazon further noted.

Regarded as the number one mobile provider in the Philippines, Globe Telecom has long provided reliable and fast connectivity to its subscribers. Through its Globe myBusiness product offerings, it has managed to serve and help grow the MSMEs.

Recently, it launched its latest partnership with Shopify, one of the leaders in eCommerce platforms, which will allow enterprises to increase their presence in the digital space by enabling them to set up their own online store in five easy steps, in as fast as five minutes. Initial cost is only P429 per month.

“In the next few months, we will further enhance this product by offering them end-to-end operations services to help them setup their store. We will link them up with content management services, payment gateways, logistics companies and even offer advertising packages to help them drive more traffic to their online stores,” Sazon shared.

Aware of the critical role technology and the Internet plays in helping propel the growth of MSMEs, Globe has meanwhile committed to continuously innovate products and solutions that would boost the competitiveness of MSMEs.

These new offerings are expected to help MSMEs become a vital player in the international trade and global value chains.

“Globalization has really stiffened the competition for MSMEs and we believe that we will even out the playing field by digitizing these business owners. We will continue to be their trusted business partner as we provide them with necessary digital tools that increase their opportunity for growth and expansion. This way, we provide them with a better chance to become successful in their business venture,” Sazon concluded.

Meanwhile, here’s a quick look at the different solutions that Globe Telecom has since introduced to the market to cater to the specific needs of an MSME.

AdBlast: branded and targeted (by demographic or location) SMS ads to Globe subscribers

Txt Connect: branded SMS blast to database of customers myWebsite:  development and hosting of company website

Simply Cast:  allows one to create a customized and professional direct emailers and send it out to  database of customers in one easy-to-use online tool

Globe Charge:  accept credit card payments through a mobile card reader that can be attached to any smartphone

WiFi Hub: a device that allows store owners to offer WiFi through a hub with a built-in printer to generate and print individual log-ins and passwords for customers for better security and management. It can serve up to 20 simultaneous users and business owners can modify access to either time- or volume-based Internet connectivity

Google Apps for Work: allows one  to work anytime, anywhere through a professional business email, Google hangouts for offsite meetings, document creator/ editor and cloud-based storage drive

myShopkeeper: inventory and sales monitoring solution that allows one to monitor all transactions in stores anytime, anywhere

Canvas: digital forms builder and submission solution that allows MSMEs to digitize all their forms and submit, file and store all their forms (i.e. sales order, purchase order, petty cash request, SL/VL request) from any mobile device.

Dental Pal: allows dentists to manage their clinic through a mobile device. It organizes appointments, dental records, supplies tracking, sales tracking and receivables tracking