By using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, many small businesses have become more efficient and have since fast-tracked their digital transformation. A CRM for small businesses provides one-stop shop to record customer interactions, manage communications, and align internal processes for an improved customer experience. But with varying features – from business forecasting, contract management, to call center handling – how do you make sure that your investment in a CRM system is worth its buck? In terms of return on investment, G2Crowd‘s latest survey reported that it could var ..read more

Like a game that’s full of twists, turns, and challenges, you never know if the step you’re taking is leading you towards victory. Nevertheless, perseverance is a virtue. That’s why against all odds, you try. The same can be said of Theo Ignacio and Derick Cubangbang, captains of e-sports teams TeleTigers and Viridis Arcus, respectively, in successfully achieving their goals. A person playing a strategic game is no different from a person starting a business. As e-sports team captains, they share these tips on how to succeed in your online venture: Prioritize what’s important Starting at the b ..read more

The Philippine startup scene is booming, with around 500 promising companies recorded by the Department of Trade and Industry. Since technology is the focus of many of these startups, the business aspect is sometimes neglected to the detriment of their growth and long-term survival. To assist with this problem area, the Dado Banatao Incubator (DBI) officially opens at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) with support from Microsoft Philippines. “Our partnership with Microsoft is a strategic step in developing the startups at The Incubator,” said Prim Paypon, Executive Director of ..read more

What’s the first thing that you notice when you’re visiting online marketplaces? Is it the description of a certain item, or the image for the product? As humans, we’re visual in nature. For sure, most of the time, you remember product photography more than detailed description. Visuals can create an impact to get a response from a potential customer. It triggers a reaction – emotional, psychological, and even physical – among your audiences. Product photography can create a connection between the sellers and purchasers like you. Good product photography can grab attention easily. Due to a s ..read more

A cog, no matter how small, is necessary for a machine to function. Similarly, in an online business, although each person’s degree of involvement may vary, everyone in your virtual team contributes to making sure that goals are reached. An online business, just like any sort of business, is dependent on people. A team is necessary for a business to take off and scale. Employing the right kind of people is half of the puzzle. Setting expectations and keeping them engaged are equally important. Here are some tips to create and sustain a dream team for your online business. Make sure they’re tru ..read more

Businesses only become sustainable when its customers are happy. But even when it happens, this stage is still very temporary. When customers sense they’re worth nothing more than their money to you, they’ll shop around and go to where they feel they’re valued the most. Customer satisfaction should be a cornerstone of your brand. With the global market today, competition is everywhere. Since the market has gone online, it’s harder to build trust between the customer and the business. With a well-developed brand, it’s easier to spot if a certain product or service being offered is reliable, or ..read more

Content writing is writing for online audiences to engage them in different platforms. Businesses and branding agencies look for content writers because they help increase credibility and sell more through the stories they attach to products. If you want to earn money, content writing is one of the popular skills to offer online. But is the freelancing potential behind content writing worth pursuing? After finding lots of free time to spend while she’s still in college, Melissa Cabral discovered content writing. Now, she’s a freelance writer/editor, illustrator, and content strategist. On the ..read more

If you’ve been in an online business for quite a while, for sure you’ve already met “Joy”. She’s the one who would comment or message with all-caps and multiple exclamation points about how she loves what you’re selling. She would even tell you a back story on why she loves it, and then proceed on asking lots of questions. And of course, she would reserve the item enthusiastically, promising to pay next week. But she won’t. “Joy Reserver” is an online selling jargon that means a buyer who enthusiastically shows interest on an item, but will not actually buy it. As an online seller, you may hav ..read more

If you have a tech startup or an online business, you’re most likely doing most of your work right in your own bedroom, on a neighborhood cafe, or just about anywhere convenient. At one point, however, you might be asked by clients where you’re operating. Or maybe you’re ready to formally register your business. Does it mean that it’s time to reconsider your setup? Don’t move out and rent just yet! A virtual office might come in handy. A virtual office is a setup where a leasing company would allow you to use their address for a fee. You can officially use their address even in your business r ..read more

According to Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), Singapore took the crown as the most committed player in terms of cyber security, even beating out runner-up the United States. The Global Cybersecurity Index examines the defense capabilities in 134 countries based on five factors: technical, legal, organization, cooperation, and growth potential. The GCI also makes a fascinating observation that while wealth breeds cybercrime, it does not automatically generate cybersecurity. In the same index, it showed that only half of UN member states had a coordinated national cybersecurity strategy. Cybers ..read more