MICRO, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and other parts of the country are encouraged to use digital tools to remain competitive amid the crisis brought about by Covid-19.
Today, new kinds of businesses are expected to arise following the pandemic, according to Ginger Arboleda, chief operating officer of Taxumo and founder of Manila Workshops, as he identified digital marketing tools that can be used to run a business, such as Google for more complex products or services to create a content in the web, Facebook for brand awareness, and even bloggers and influencers.
"I foresee there are a lot of businesses that are new, different that will happen, or that will arise from all of these things (Covid-19). A lot of businesses will be open to digital workers so freelancing, which was not much talked about before, will become sort of an option already for small business owners or even big corporations," Arboleda said.
"Some 1.5 million freelancers in the Philippines having the skills and digital know-how can help entrepreneurs adopt technology which are tools to be used through teaching on how to maximize time at home, be more results-driven, how to go through the day and still have time for yourself after working," added Arboleda.
Vice President of SME Platforms of Unionbank of the Philippines Jaypee Soliman pushed the use of cloud-based systems in operating a business, noting such systems are not easily hacked.
"And actually getting more softwares into the cloud makes it cheaper, more accessible to everyone so consider cloud-based (technology)," Soliman said.
In the Cordillera, the e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries have been implemented to maximize the use of information and communication technology and creating an electronic and interactive bridge for MSME's engaged in farming, fisheries and other stakeholders.
The e-Learning is one form of distance education that includes online certificate courses and digital learning resources such as technology kits, video clips, and mini-tutorials available at the e-Learning portal.
Through e-learning, the Farmers' Contact Center delivers farm and business advisory services to the farmers, fishers, extension workers and partners which is manned by licensed agriculturists with different specializations, the e-farming services respond through voice calls, texts, e-mails or even online chat and discussion forum.
Rice Crop Manager (RCM) on the other hand is a computer and mobile phone based tool providing rice farmers with a personalized crop and nutrient management guideline. RCM uses results of research and existing knowledge to provide farmers in irrigated and rain-fed lowlands with "precise" field and farmer-specific recommendations.