Christmas is just around the corner and what better way to prepare for it
than to start thinking of ways to share and celebrate, with only the best
cakes and pastries one can enjoy.

Scouting for goodies as gifts or own treats can be a chore for those who do
not know where to find them.  MBCI would like to launch its Baker’s Fair
Series to make this easier for us by bringing all the best things right
before us.

*The Ground Floor of Trinoma will transform into an avenue of mouthwatering
desserts and pastries from sixteen (16) of the metro’s favorite home-based
bakers.*
WHAT: Baker’s Fair @ Trinoma
WHEN: November 12 to 15, 2009 (10 AM to 9 PM)
WHERE: Ground Floor, Trinoma near VNC and Gift Gate

Trinoma also has a scheduled Mall-wide Sale on these dates.  Thus, assuring
you of a good crowd.

Bazaar space has an area of 2.0m x 2.0m. We will provide a booth system, one
square table with linen and 2 chairs. Each Concessionaire will provide their
own net (trapal) and signage. Bazaar fee is Php 18,000 for two-sides open
booth and Php 17,000 for one-side open booth.  Pay on or before October 27,
Tuesday and get a Php 1,000 discount.

Payments can be made through Bank of the Philippine Islands under Lourdes
Myren M. Garcia, Savings Account # 3029-0246-09. We also accept major credit
cards.

Reservations should be paid within three (3) working days, otherwise, said
slot will be open and the reservation will be voided.

Interested parties must accomplish and register online at
www.mbcievents.multiply.com. If you do not have a website, we may possibly
ask you to present your products. For inquires, you may call Myren at
710-3711 or 0917-5408697 / 0922-8821075.

Kindly call or send a message if you wish us to e-mail you the lay-out.

Regards,

Myren Garcia
MBCI
Making It Happen
Design, Print, Training and Event Management
Tel. No.: 710-3711
Mobile no: 0917-5408697 / 0922-8821075
Website: www.mbcievents.multiply.com

Suki: A business networking website for SMEs
(The Philippine Star) Updated October 12, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrating the inherent Pinoy entrepreneurial nature, PLDT-SME Nation is launching Suki (www.suki.net.ph), the first business-networking site that enables entrepreneurs to interact and transact with their digital customers in a social community-networking set-up.

The launch will happen at the Legazpi Sunday Market grounds in Makati City on Oct. 18, which is open for everyone.

With the onset of the digital market scene, small and medium enterprises (SME) now have the opportunity to tap into a wider customer base, both locally and globally through the Internet.

“SMEs right now are very competitive so they need to pursue every available channel to address their expanding market, and they should take advantage of all the help they can get,” says PLDT-SME Nation vice president and head Kat Luna-Abelarde.

“With Suki, SMEs can try to compete with the big companies in promoting their products online. This social community website also strategically places entrepreneurs in touch with possible business clients and customers,” she added.

PLDT-SME Nation’s Suki is a specialized networking site dedicated to entrepreneurs who want to go into selling and promoting their products and services online.

The Suki site serves as a venue for a user-friendly online community of SMEs, allowing them to do business with customers and fellow SMEs.

After payment gateways become fully operational, Suki will eventually help entrepreneurs increase their profits through secure and easy transactions online — using a networking database of other entrepreneurs in a variety of industries.

SMEs can also take advantage of SWUP, a wireless payment solution, which they can use to accept credit and debit card payments.

Though the site practically is in tune to marketing someone’s business, Suki also incorporate the basic features of an online networking site like blogging, event shout-outs, forums, and networking, among others.

“Doing business has evolved with the changing times and PLDT-SME Nation is addressing this change in the market,” says Abelarde. “With Suki, consumers will be ultimately assured of secure and legitimate transactions from online sellers since membership to this site is strongly filtered and monitored.”

Doing business with Suki

The Suki site lays out features that are specifically appealing to one starting their business without the need for much capital. With the Internet being used as a viable means to promote one’s business, the site is free for any SME owner to register in.

“Suki makes it easy for someone to manage his business even if he doesn’t have an actual physical set-up,” says PLDT-SME Nation marketing head Amil Azurin. “Features in the site are designed to address the basic online activities necessary for SME owners.”

Marking up business-to-business transactions, the different features allow for business owners to make transactions for their day-to-day operations. Business owners can make legitimate orders from different suppliers and vice-versa.

Personalized digital store

Netizens who are registered to the site can actually have full control of how their online store would look and appeal to their potential customers.

Products can also be managed into catalogs for easy viewing, attaching images and certain product information that would make it easier for customers to view and later on purchase in their digital store.

Customers can also check for a history of transactions made by previous customers to assess the reliability of an online store. Other reports that would prove useful for owners and customers alike are Best Sellers, Highest Rated Product, and Sales Performance, among others.

“Suki can enhance any business’ sales performance given that in order for you to naturally sell your products, you’ll only need to register and start doing business here for free,” says PLDT-SME Nation product manager Christian Lim.

PLDT-SME Nation’s Suki not only benefits new entrepreneurs, it also practically provides a digital portal for businesses that are already established, enabling it a kind of online showroom or an online extension office.

With the introduction of Suki, profit is just a click away.

For more information on what PLDT-SME Nation offers business, call 101-888 or visit www.pldtsme-nation.com.ph or www.suki.net.ph.

Propagating a culture of financial responsibility
By Reyna L. Tabbada
(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Money remains a sensitive topic for Filipinos.
Considering the important role it plays in everyday life, ample discussions
about its proper use and conservation remain scant. Such uncomfortable
silence leads to misconceptions and costly mistakes, often to the detriment
of families and individuals.

“It’s time that we talk about our finances and the proper way to plan our
future,” declares financial advocate Bam Aquino. Bam is one of the advocates
of It’s Time!, an advocacy led by Sun Life Financial Philippines to promote
financial responsibility and proper financial planning among Filipinos.
Through the advocacy the amiable, bespectacled youth leader and social
entrepreneur shares his thoughts on saving, investing, and living within
one’s means.

*Similar experience*

‘It’s Time!’ wants to provide information and encourage a lively exchange of
ideas and strategies on how best to grow one’s hard-earned money. Aquino
pointed out that his exposure to the local rural lifestyle, through his
social enterprise called Hapinoy, revealed that Filipinos don’t really plan
their finances.

However, what convinced him to join Sun Life’s financial education campaign
was the fact that he could easily relate to young professionals struggling
to find a way to manage their money.

“You have your expenses, a certain lifestyle, and at the same time you sort
of think *ganito na lang ba ‘to?* Is there a way for my money to actually
grow? Is there a way for me to actually handle my finances wiser? I feel
that I’m in a similar situation with a lot of people that the campaign is
targeting. *Hindi kami nagkakalayo*. In that sense, I’m a fit for the
campaign,” explained Aquino. He then talked about his journey to financial
well-being, which surprisingly started during his childhood.

*Modest upbringing*

Though coming from a prolific family, Aquino’s parents taught him to be
sensible and prudent about his money. Remembering the discipline instilled
in him, he fondly reminisced how he learned to save at an early age in order
to get a certain *luho* like a new toy.

“Things were always very simple. We never got anything for free. We have to
save up for it. That’s the way we were brought up, so *kahit papaano sanay
ako mag-save* to get something you want,” said Aquino.

Soon, saving became a habit, even when he was already working. He makes sure
that he sets aside a certain amount of his earnings every month. This is one
of the lessons that the It’s Time! advocacy espouses – that is, to save and
invest first before spending on unnecessary items. Candidly, he admits that
there is no mathematical formula behind his savings, just a conscious effort
to lead a simple life. Such a mindset was further encouraged by his venture
to social entrepreneurship, where his Hapinoy initiative helped women in the
countryside who run their own businesses. He feels that living lavishly
while working with the underprivileged just “doesn’t jive.”

*Within one’s means*

Even with his role as a financial advocate, Aquino is quick to admit that he
is no expert in investment or finances. It’s Time! advocacy makes it clear
though that one does not need to be an expert to start the habit of saving
and investing. All it takes is a decision and a commitment to start, plus
the right information to guide you. “My Sun Life advisor was advising me of
options where to put my money. But to be honest I have to read up on it too,
look at the Internet to learn more,” he revealed. With the guidance of his
Sun Life advisor and his interest in making his money work for him, Aquino
is enjoying the fruits of his investments. He now plans to diversify his
portfolio.

Still, the potent secret behind Aquino’s sound financial management is plain
and surprisingly down-to-earth: live within one’s means. He lamented that
Filipinos cannot control their purchases, spending money as soon as they
receive their paychecks. He even observed that some are even ashamed of
being frugal and spendthrift, less they become subject of teasing and
ridicule.

Aquino counts on the ‘It’s Time!’ campaign as the much needed catalyst to
change the present mindset about money. He knows that Filipinos are worried
about their finances, but are unwilling to do anything. Someone has to start
the discussion, and he is determined and honored to be one of the first to
speak up.

“The more empowered route is not to stop with worrying but to actually do
something about it, then back up that action with discipline and commitment.
Hopefully the campaign will start that. I hope it will start people to get
thinking,” aspired Aquino.

All it takes is a little at a time, every time.

Brothers Burgers are made only from 100% imported beef patties and oatmeal encrusted buns with an abundant selection of toppings to choose from. Specially prepared toppings and burger dressings are also available and are guaranteed fresh daily. Also on the menu are gourmet sandwiches, deep-fried, cholesterol-free french fries, and milk shakes.

Brothers Burgers is fast becoming a popular hang-out of those in search of great tasting burgers not found in regular, run-of-the-mill fast food chains.

The Franchise is designed for high-yielding success that is anchored on our reputable brand and image. A total support package awaits franchisees, providing them the tools and guidance to run a franchise smoothly.

* Use of name, trademark and proven system
* Pre-opening and opening assistance
* Equipment, fixtures and facilities
* Architectural design & construction
* Detailed franchise operations manual
* Classroom and hands-on training
* Site evaluation and selection assistance
* Marketing and promotional support
* Grand opening assistance
* Initial inventory good for one month
* Access to commissary supplies and products
* Continuing support and development
* Regular field visits and communication

FRANCHISEE Profile
We are looking for the right partner with a background in managing a business, a strong motivation to succeed and a commitment to professionally run the business full time, working within the franchise system and quality standards.

Site Criteria
We require a maximum floor area of 100 sq.m. located in malls or high foot-traffic commercial areas outside malls such as university or school zones, office buildings and free standing locations.

Contact details:

2&3 V&O Bldg. Don Bosco St.
Pasong Tamo, Makati City
Tel.: 891-1784, 815-0732
Fax: 815-0736
Email: franchise@brothersburger.com.ph
Web: www.brothersburger.com.ph

The ASSOCIATION OF FILIPINO FRANCHISER, INC. (AFFI) is pleased to announce the staging of the 8TH FILIPINO FRANCHISE SHOW on Sept. 04-06, 2009. will be held at the WORLD TRADE CENTER, Metro Manila, Philippines.

AFFI EXPO is a one stop shop of homegrown franchising and business opportunities specifically catered for SMES. This event is definitely a showcase of big and successful franchisers to new and promising franchise concepts consisting of food, retail, service, systems and technology.

Good news also for aspiring entrepreneurs! This is also an opportunity to have a face to face meeting with the franchisers themselves and learn a lot from their own experiences