Archive for April 2008
Marketing Awards in Philippines, Good While Supplies Last
Just this evening, I get off late from work and plan to have dinner in one of the best tasting chicken restaurant here in davao. This is one of my favourite place. I clapped my hands twice to call the waiter’s attention. I had chicken wings, soup, and green mango shake. And not far from me is a banner with the excellence awards the restaurant received. Wait, Received?
Everytime I see this excellence in marketing award etc. marked on different products or displayed in large format tarpaulin in restaurants, and service provider companies, I can’t help myself not to get irritated. No body deserve it actually.
The story… Two years ago, I was working in a very small start-up software development firm in Makati. A company of less than 10 members, quite profitable and comfortable to work with, but definitely not luxurious. We work in mezzanine of less than 100 sqm. While I serve as chief software engineer of the firm, I must say I don’t get much($) out of it. We shared a vision to build our products, the company, and we will reap the rewards after. At many cases, we opt not to buy things that are not necessary to cut costs down. While we need more people we decided not to as to high rate of senior engineers and we just extend our time and work hours. A company where everyone’s involved, I can view some financial reports also as I own some shares on it. We’re pretty performing well. My friend, the owner of the company and her girl friend works as developer too. Marketing is something we don’t do as we live thru our client’s referrals. This expense is way out of our strategic plans!
The one night, I received a fax message. The message is remarkably decent and legimately looking and nice. We are being awarded for our excellence in MARKETING. Whatta… Imagine that!
But but but…. We have to pay 15,xxx.00 PHP “subsidy fee” at specified deadline upon acceptance. Aba, at may deadline pa ha.
Given these metrics as stated in the document, I must say we definitely failed to represent:
- Market-share Dominance
Back then, we only have I think less than 20 clients. Less than five are big clients. - Well Researched Market
Yes we are aware of the market, but we keep this research just on us. How come they know that huh? - Innovative Marketing Strategies
We don’t market. Basically because we’re not ready yet. - Mass Media Publicity
The only print ad we printed as far as I rememer is a tarpaulin we used for Software Innovation Phils. in Makati Shang-rila, that’s just it. - Customer Service Quality
Alright, we’re good at it
.
- Quality of Service
We’re not perfect, but we have this. - Value for Money
Our pricing varies. Several factors are concerns like licenses, service agreements, maturity, trial sites etc. Something confidential. Take not, we have not talk with them not even one ha. - Likability
We struglle still to deliver the best product. On release of our version 6 that time, that serve as beta. I can tell you, we had several revisions then. - Truthful Advertising
We don’t mislead our customers. We don’t advertise. - Customer Confidence
True. - Awards Received
N-O-N-E so far. - Market Acceptability in Overall
We don’t have concrete market research report. If this awards committee have this market acceptability report, I guess every awardee deserve to have a copy, don’t we?
IMO, for an entity to get an excellence award, you have to be either nominated and/or selected by person or committe from a government body, organization, or general public. It is not something you get from yellow pages, put on fish bowl, pick the unlucky one.
By the way, this ploy is not just in marketing, but also in shopper’s choice of products and services, etc. Usually three you can get in batch. Grandslam lol.
Don’t be mislead by everything you see as it can be deceiving, don’t be a victim, or conspirator. I only trust awards given by an NGO, legitimate consumer group, government body, and the general public. For trusting product quality, food safety, and manufacturer best practices, look for ISO/TUV certifications and DTI seal.
As I write this post I tried not to disclose anything specific as we have this stupid and mostly abused Libel Law. If you experienced the same, we’re glad to hear your story.
Analysis: Intel to leave RP in 2010?
Philippine Daily Inquirer website reported that Intel Technology Philippines plans to ramps down their 10-year old assembly and test facility network in Cavite. One of the most admired companies in PH where employees received computers free in x yrs of service, high salary, shuttle service in as far as Manila, health care et. al. But these will not be for long as this statement conveys:
“In an effort to keep employees informed, Intel has updated its employees that significant investments would be required to ensure the long-term viability of its factory building in Cavite” Intel replied on press inquiry.
The Electronics Industry
The electronics industry is just like a roller coaster. It goes to the peak very fast, but make a high head first fall when the consumer demand is low. Thus, most employees were hired on a contractual basis. Fujitsu, Samsung, and Epson is not immune to this fluctuations, there were many times they have to declare no work or reduce work hours of employees to stay competitive. The case of intel, IMHO, its not purely high cost of labor, corporate taxes, or facility problems. These all can be resolved thru negotiations. Its the consumer demand for new Intel Chips that forced Intel to change strategy to stay competitive. The peso appreciated sharply in the past 5 years thus reducing Intel’s spending power.
In Germany, last year several companies including Nokia closed down their plant and offices and move the facility into other locations where labor and cost of doing business are low. Shell also plans to ramps down its software development division and departments in favor of outsourcing the tasks into other countries including the Philippines.
Facing Domino Impact
While we are concern with Intel employees, other smaller and weaker companies that supplies parts to Intel also has to face the impact. Not everyone knows, in a technology park, there are companies dedicated to just manufacturing chip boards, little fuses, silicon wires, packaging, thermal instruments. Companies exclusively working with Intel on recruitment process, training services, food concessionaire, shipping and handling, and shuttle services.
People working on these companies will most likely to suffer the pain of losing their jobs, shutting down their companies, retrench employees, declare a no-work weekdays. Intel is an American firm and there is always been good separation packages on all regular employees when US firm big chip firms shuts down. But smaller companies, like I mention cannot give the same.
I almost forgot these small Intel cyber schools that we visited when I was in Manila.
Technology Transfer
I believe that there is knowledge transfer but technology transfer is not guaranteed. We, Filipino workers learned the process automation and experienced the manufacturing assemblies from these Multi-National Companies (MNC) and expats. The technology in the process is still just their technology, their own patented technology. We may learn how to assemble cars, but we don’t know how to build those machines and PLCs that assemble cars. We may learn how to produce cola and soda, but they came here in syrup. We may learned how use robotics, but we’re not trained to build those robots. We simply became technicians, operators, and supervisors.
World Free Trade
We should not complain a lot on this sad event. It is a reality that every WTO-member country have to face. If not for now, it will surely be in the near future. Globalization is the term the best describes these changes that no one country is immune. Others will win, several will lose the game.
The responsibility is ours, the initiative to innovate in our hands, the creativity to invent in our mind. The opportunity is here, lets not waste it.
Field Trip: Canibad Cove, Island Garden of Samal
Davao never failed to surprise me every time I visited places here I have never been. Last friday, as I read feeds I got particularly interested in visiting an unexplored place in Island Garden of Samal (IGACOS), Canibad Cove. Having experienced several frustrating travel plans before, I learned and told myself I will never plan again as it is just frustrating. I have learned that I should have just he budget, and prepare same day or just few days ahead .
I searched the web for directions and prepare my usual to bring list.
What we have to bring
I read from other blogs that while the place is great, there are no restaurants or place to buy some food there. So the same night, we shop at NCCC department store to buy things to bring. If you don’t have any idea yet what should be on your day tour survival kit. Here’s my list:
- Banig / Hammock.
- Basket
- Digital Camera (Full charged), Extra Batteries.
I advise you to turn it on save battery settings mode as there is no electricity in canibad. Turn on only when needed. - Water, water, water.
While there’s water available for washing plates and rinsing body after swimming, there’s no water for drinking. - Shades
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Soap, shampoo
- Snorkling gear
- Books and reading materials (1Min Manager, First, break the rules…)
- Mobile phones, full charged
- Bath tower, extra shirts, swimming shorts
- Food canisters
How we get there
At 7:00 AM, we took taxi and drop off the Blue Carabao Eatery in Obrero to buy the foods. We just have our food canisters filled with rice and several variants. We had rice, chicken adobo, pork adobo, hotdog, and fried bangus.
Armed with printed email and directions, we took an Island City Express bus in Sta. Ana Wharf near Magsaysay Park. Bus fare is 30.00 PHP. The bus rode into a barge to transfer us from Davao City to Samal Island. We get off into their terminal at Central Warehouse Club in Babak.
Several motorcycles aka habal-habal are available here and they will ask you if you are going to Canibad. Travel from the terminal to Canibad took us 30-40 minutes and we’re charged 150.00 for the nature trip. Make sure sit confortably well before the travel as it was a long, winding, dusty road.
When you’re there, asked the same driver to fetch you. Make a note of your name, at least two contact numbers, the time he should fetch you. On your part, ask the driver his name, contact number and plate number. Advise him that whatever happen, he should commit to fetch you that in any case of emergency he should advise other drivers to fetch you on his behalf . This is because there are no available vehicles going back to the terminal. We’re fetch 4:PM, perfect time to travel, not yet dark and in case the motorcycle broke down we have enough time to find another one or walk the near house to wait for another. Were just that smart! LOL.
From top, it will take 10 mins to walkdown the beachfront. It would be safer to walk barefoot as it is very steep and risky steps.
The prestine beach
What you need to know
- Travel fare budget Davao City – Canibad
- 30.00 x 2 bus fare davao – bak-bak terminal
- 175.00 x 2 habal-habal/motorcycle fare terminal – canibad. Add 50.00 for fetching.
- Entrance fee is 20.00 each.
- Entrance fee for rockies part of the beach is 15.00
- Not enough rice, asked someone there to buy for you 20.00/kilo. Another 20.00 for cooking it.
- Very clean water, if you know how to swim don’t forget your snorkling gear as fishes is just few meters away you can actually see it near rockies.
More pictures
View more pictures from my shutterfly.
Davao is such a great place to live and explore. Expect more as I have list of beautiful places to visit this year. Thanks mindanao bloggers for sharing this.
Movie Review: The Mist
I have just watched the movie “The Mist” today. I can’t help myself but to blog my experience. It was superb, twisted, disturbing, and full of suspense. Not one second that I stop thinking what will be next, I just cant figure it out. It was really suspense thriller.
I only know Stephen King thru some books that I have seen some people fond of reading of. The author of the book from which the movie was based, and this definitely a piece of art to remember.
When all the people inside the store were sneaking around a small hole in the wall blockade, I almost thrown my cellphone when bugs bump into the glass window. I watched it alone as pangga is on duty tonight, I raised my legs, I told myself I should have wait for her.
Grrrr… The ending, its the ending!!! I hate it, i hate it, it took me couple of minutes to feel the reality that its not true, and should never be true.
With Vantage Point on my list, The Mist is one the best movies I have watched this year. The lesson I get from the movie… Never loose hope.
Watch it now.
