In times when a person may dream of starting a business, franchising is and may be the right alternative. Ever heard of how a young man from Iloilo became a billionaire and was included in the top 40 Forbes List? He engaged himself into franchising… and look where Mang Inasal is!

The Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc., being a non-profit organization, is now launching an aggressive campaign to reach those who would like to begin a business. Mr. Armando Bartolome, also known as the Philippines’ Franchise Guru and President/CEO of AFFI, shall be rendering seminars on “Expanding Your Business via Franchising” and “The Right Way To Select A Franchise Business”. These are highly recommended for those with existing businesses.

Together with him are known franchisers, as they share how franchising made a difference in their businesses and in their lives.

Find out more about these on the following dates:

Expanding Your Business via Franchising
May 19, Saturday - Two Sessions to Choose
Morning 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Afternoon 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Fee: Php. 500 per person/ First Pay First Serve Basis

The Right Way To Select A Franchise Business
May 26, Saturday - Two Sessions to Choose
Morning 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Afternoon 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Fee: Php. 500 per person/ First Pay First Serve Basis

For more information, contact:
Telefax: (02) 654.0345
Mobile: 0906.2456.045 / 0922.8149.882
Mondays thru Fridays
9:00am to 4:00pm
Look for Ms. Leslie / Ms. Joey

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Map to AFFI:

Download the reservation form HERE.

Owning a franchise is now easy!

BPI Family Ka-Negosyo invites you to the Ka-Negosyo Expo at Elements at Centris, EDSA cor Quezon Ave on April 25 and 26.

The two-day expo aims to grow the franchising sector in the country. It will harp on BPI Family Bank’s support for the franchising sector by making it easy and accessible to start one.

The expo’s highlight would be the launch of the Ka-Negosyo Best List, which is a guide of the hottest BPI Family-accredited franchise brands in the country today. Included in the list are Aquabest, Generika, Bodgea Site, Fruitas, Hungry Juan, Lydia’s Lechon, Razon’s, Julie’s, PR Gaz, Ministop, and Phoenix Petroleum.

BPI Family Ka-negosyo Franchising Loan enables would-be entrepreneurs to get affordable funding for their business today. Entrance to the expo is free. Aside from that, processing fees will be waived and the no-collateral option for loans will be available to those who will attend at the expo.

The 6th Manila Foods and Beverages Expo (MAFBEX) is going back to basics at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and WTCMM East Wing on June 13 to 17, 2012 from 10am to 8pm.

Food and beverage industry professionals and enthusiasts will be treated to a 5- day expo of craving and organic living as they watch culinary experts compete in cook-offs, get taught by the best during seminars, and get to try out all sorts of cuisines from internationally and locally-renowned chefs.

This year marks the biggest show yet with the international pavilion highlighting the different countries that offer their ethnic delicacies and ingredients from around the world. Let MAFBEX take you in for the yummiest experience as you savour ready-to-buy products that define the global basket of flavours in a one of a kind grocery extravaganza.

Catch live competitions, free seminars and demonstrations of some products that may prove useful in certain food-related businesses. Feast on the FCAP Pavilion where top caterers showcase their healthiest recipes and cooking techniques. Witness the country’s top food distributors as they sell their imported goods at discounted prices.

For more information, contact WORLDBEX at 531.6374, 531.6350, 531.5044, 533.6988, or fax 533.2026.
Email info@worldbex.com or info.worldbex@gmail.com.
Visit the WORLDBEX Facebook page at facebook.com/wsifanpage, or follow them at twitter.com/worldbex.

What are you waiting for? Let MAFBEX fulfill the cravings of your palate!

Following the success of the 1st Philippine Home Based Business and Career Summit/Expo 2011 (PHBBACS) last year August 12-14, PhilEvents Management & Advertising Corp. proudly brings you its second year in behalf of the Philippine Home Based Business Association.

This three-day event shall be held on May 25-27 at SM Megatrade Hall 2, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City from 10AM – 9PM.

PHBBACS aims to gather businessmen working from home and provide for them a platform to network, market and share their ideas together. It shall strive to enhance and improve various industries and benefit retailers, entrepreneurs, industries, and companies as well as the unemployed, entrepreneurial candidates, newly graduates, housewives and/or anyone who wish to have a business at the comfort of their homes.

Key industry personalities will share their knowledge to our exhibitors and delegates on topics vital to the success of having and even starting a home based business. For more info, visit www.philevents.com or call customer service hotline at 354 5596; 354 6998; 474 3195; 474 3216; 473 0940.

PLDT SME Nation launched its new campaign last March 22 at Opus in Resorts World Manila. Present during the launch are PLDT SME Nation’s AVP and Marketing Head Amil Azurin, PLDT SME Nation VP and Head Kat Luna-Abelarde, PLDT Executive Vice President Eric Alberto, and PLDT Bossings Joey Concepcion of Go Negosyo, Bobby Claudio of Toby’s, and Joe Magsaysay of Potato Corner.

PLDT SME Nation aims to assist our small and medium entrepreneurs through its digital business solutions. With services such as F.A.S.Track, PLDT Checkout, and Watcher, PLDT SME Nation empowers negosyantes to improve their operations and grow their businesses.

For more info on what PLDT-SME Nation can offer your business, you may call 101-888 or visit www.pldtsme-nation.com.ph.

The Search for Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines 2012 has officially commenced. The release of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) National Memorandum endorsing the Search effectively engages all Colleges and Universities to participate.

TOSP is an Awards and Formation Program that seeks to galvanize the youth into nation building through exemplary academic performance, change-making social involvement, and inspiring leadership services to their school, local communities, and the country.

Since 1961, TOSP has been a laboratory of great leaders. In its roster are the likes of church luminaries Bishop Antonio Ledesma and Fr. Manoling Francisco, good governance icons Rene Saguisag and Raul Roco, social development gurus Vicky Pineda-Garchitorena and Sonia Roco, renowned broadcaster Ricardo Puno, and the current chief of the country’s higher education mandate, Dr. Patricia Licuanan who is the first awardee of the Search.

This year, TOSP is in search of that BAYANi student who despite the demands and pressures of higher education, endeavours to serve his country and people; those whose service to the school, community, and nation springs from a genuine desire and passion to make a difference in the lives of many with Every Day Great Examples of heroism. TOSP is in search of the BAYANi within. Join us!

For inquiries and a copy of the Nomination Form, please contact your regional CHED Office; or the National Secretariat at phone nos. (02) 634 5604/07 or email us at tenoutstandingstudents@gmail.com. You may also download the form at www.tospac.org or www.rfmfoods.com or www.facebook.com/tospilipinas.

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Download the nomination packet HERE.

The British Council and Rappler are offering a FREE four-day seminar workshop featuring highly respected and world-class professionals to provide young leaders the opportunity to find their voice, gain new skills as facilitators of change, and grow their capacity for citizen action toward a more just world.

Our roster of speakers includes John Silva, Maria Resa, Chay Hofileña, Patricia Evangelista, Michael Josh Villanueva, CNN reporter Steve Lunt, and a creative mix of communicators and professionals who will:
- Teach you how to reach larger audiences and help you tell your story
- Challenge you to think out of the box and discuss innovative ways to make yourself heard
- Give you effective techniques to make you more convincing in obtaining resources and funding for your initiatives
- Show you the many possibilities how digital technology can be harnessed to create greater impact for your work

WHO CAN JOIN?
- 18 to 26 years old, Filipino
- actively engaged either as an initiator or a leader in community development work
- have a good track record of community service
- have strong desire to effectively advocate for social transformation

WHEN AND WHERE WILL IT BE?
24 to 27 March 2012
Magellan Room
Discovery Suites
ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center
Pasig City

WHAT’S ON OFFER?
- Participation to the seminar is FREE
- Meals, seminar kits and reference materials
- An unforgettable 4 days of learning!
- An opportunity to train under experienced and respected journalists from Rappler

HOW TO JOIN?
Submit a 2 minute video and fill out an application form (attached)
Note: Your video does not have to be professional; a video taken from your phone will do.

SLOTS ARE LIMITED TO 40. Take advantage of this rare opportunity! Make sure your application (application form + video) arrives by 12:00 midnight of 16 March 2012.

The British Council is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community particularly minority groups.
Click on the link for more details:

http://www.britishcouncil.org/philippines-common-about-us-our-events-communicating-for-social-change.htm

For enquiries, please contact:

Jennifer Domingo
Programme Coordinator

British Council | 10th Floor, The Taipan Place | F. Ortigas Jr. Road | Ortigas Center | 1605 Pasig City | Philippines
T +63 (2) 555 3000 ext 132 | F +63 (2) 555 3080 | M +63 (917) 887 0737 | BCTN 4113132
E jennifer.domingo@britishcouncil.org.ph | http://www.britishcouncil.org.ph

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Download the application form HERE.
Download the workshop schedule HERE.

Kids are in school for years and years learning about english, math, and science from a battalion of teachers. But when it comes down to teaching kids about money, their own parents are pretty much all they’ve got… until they start learning about this on their own though trial and error. What’s positive about this is that the sooner they start trying, the sooner they start making their mistakes; and the more equipped they’ll be as adults to face the greater challenges that come with financial freedom.

To this end, business journalist Maiki Oreta and her 6-year old daughter Brielle launched The Kiddo-preneur Bazaar – an exercise in entrepreneurship for young minds. It is the first of it’s kind, where kids can be entrepreneurs even for just a day.

The idea in its infancy
The idea for this project came late last year, when Brielle was learning about the peso denominations in school. While helping with her homework, Maiki realized that her daughter knew that money was important and that she needed it to buy her “so called essentials” such as ice cream and toys, but beyond that she wasn’t interested in the lesson or about money in general. Together, they decided that what was really needed is practical experience which comes with starting one’s own business.

Initially, the plan was to do something quick, temporary, and easy to execute such as a little lemonade stand. Soon, things took a shape of their own and eventually the business idea mushroomed into something much bigger. Since there wasn’t a venue for this type of business, they set up a place not only for her but also for all the other kids out there that want to try their hand at entrepreneurship early on.

The Kiddo-preneur Bazaar #1
The first Kiddo-preneur bazaar took place last December 4th at The Rockwell Club in Makati. The turnout was astounding and the bazaar was jam-packed from start to finish, loaded with hundreds of kid entrepreneurs, their families, and their friends. Kids from different age groups set up and decorated their booths, talked to customers, distribed change, and ultimately earned their own money!

One group of little boys in particular stood out. Their booth, “Cookies for a Cause” earned a cool P102,000.00 in sales that day! They sold boxes of cookies worth P100.00 each for just about 5 hours. Customers just couldn’t resist their charms and the good nature of their business as their proceeds went straight to their chosen charity, CRIBS.

The kid entrepreneurs were so thrilled, so eager, so dedicated and by the end of the day, extremely tired. Yet it taught them the value of hard work and a sense of appreciation for what their parents do, plus the fact that money doesn’t grow on trees!

The Kiddo-preneur Bazaar #2
Given the success of our first bazaar, we’re having another one this summer. The next Kiddo-preneur Bazaar will be on Saturday, April 14th at the event hall of the Aphaland Southgate Mall (EDSA corner Chino Roces Ave.)

If you’d like your child to join please contact kiddopreneur@gmail.com or 0917-580-0216. As an added bonus, the first 35 registered booths will earn one slot each to a Philippine Stock Exchange-sponsored field trip to the Makati bourse on March 30th. Bell ringing simulations, games, prizes, and a cartoon screening on investing await this lucky batch of Kiddo-preneurs!

Download the application form HERE!
Check out the floor plan HERE!

In an ever changing business environment, it is often those businesses – whether large or small – that keep pace with the dynamics of their industry and enable their people to succeed, which thrive. Providing employees with access to technology, modernizing to industry best practices and procedures, and even professionalizing the work environment can often spell the difference between closing a deal or losing a client.

In support of the Philippine SME, Microsoft has launched the Upgrade my Business contest, where organizations operating on anywhere from 5 to 249 PCs can win the latest Microsoft software such as the Small Business Server and Office 2010, laptops with Windows 7 and even an office makeover package! There is no purchase required; all one needs to do is to send Microsoft a video about your current workplace and the productivity or technology issues you face, and how Microsoft products can help your business improve. Witty, entertaining but convincing videos with the most views get greater chances to win! Details on how to join the contest can be found at www.itworks.ph.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the members of your organization: not just to win amazing prizes, but to provide feedback to Microsoft regarding their concerns that may be addressed through the adoption of technology. We hope that you can share this promo with the members of your association, and encourage them to participate!

The Upgrade my Business promo runs until March 31, 2012. For any questions, please call our Promo Secretariat at 310-5010 or email itworks@microsoft.com.