Lessons in business growth and sustainability from Lark Your Way to Success

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The recently concluded Lark webinar series aimed to help businesses adapt to changes in the workplace.

Lark strengthens its position as an ally for sustainability, growth, and success among businesses in the Philippines after completing three successful tracks of the Lark Your Way to Success webinar series. The webinars, which took place throughout November and December 2020, were well-attended by small business owners and entrepreneurs who are members of Lark's partner organizations, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines, Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI), and GoNegosyo. Representatives from partner media organizations, ABS-CBN News Channel, Business Mirror, CNN Philippines, Esquire, Inquirer.net, UnboxPH, and Yugatech were also invited to the webinars. 

Each track covered three topics and featured industry experts and key opinion leaders who shared their professional advice on how businesses can adapt, evolve, and innovate in order to thrive in the future. These are the highlighted lessons in business growth and sustainability that participants learned at the Lark Your Way to Success webinars. 

1. Businesses without a digitally-enabled workforce may be extinct by 2021

The first webinar session taught attendees the value of adapting to change, and how going digital is a key solution for this. The first speaker of the day was Joey Lim, Vice President of Sales, APAC in Lark. She discussed the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on businesses, and how a new digitally-driven work normal is the future of work. 

Entrepreneur and host RJ Ledesma was the next speaker. He talked about the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to find opportunity in crisis, in order for a business to succeed. The final speaker for the day was business technology coach Joey Gurango, who shared insights on the current workflow trends. According to Joey, a digital transformation is necessary right now for any business that wants to survive.

2. Connecting and collaborating is essential for business success

The second track focused on how businesses must evolve to stay afloat in the new work landscape. The session started off with a look at best practices in adopting new ways of work through local, regional, and global case studies shared by Cat Avelino, Head of Communications, Lark Philippines. 

The second speaker was entrepreneur, business consultant, and columnist Francis J. Kong, who shared some dos and dont's for managing teams and resources remotely. He explained how a crisis can make us both better and bitter, and how it can also push us to evolve faster. The last to speak was content creator and COO of The Canton Club, Camille Co, together with Charlotte Co. They explained why it is necessary to listen to the needs of consumers, and how true connection and collaboration can yield positive results. 

3. Business leaders must lead by example when embracing new ways of work 

Innovation is indispensable for success in the future landscape of work, and the third track of the Lark webinar series emphasized this. Regional Lark Product Specialist, Andeed Ma started off with a talk about how businesses can make technology work for them in moving towards the future of work, and how Lark is an example of a great tool to use for this purpose.

Digital entrepreneur Carlo Ople spoke next, on the topic of managing ang measuring employee engagement and collaboration while working remotely. According to Carlo, it might be best to focus on each remote employee's key performance indicators (KPI) rather than the on-screen time when assessing productivity. The final talk was by automotive journalist, events host, and CNN Philippines Anchor, James Deakin. He stressed the need for new normal leaders to lead by example, particularly when it comes to learning how to use digital tools, and showing employees how easy they are to use for work.

At the end of the webinar series, two business owners who joined the sessions were selected as mentees for Lark's New Normal Business Council and Mentorship Program. 

The chosen CEOs are Joyce Yu of True Blends Tea & Coffee and Mark Joseph David of Pal Maritime Corporation. Both will be granted a mentorship program by Lark, along with an additional 100GB Lark cloud storage for one year, and PHP300,000 worth of PR and marketing support.

To learn more about the other features of Lark, visit www.larksuite.com.

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A Much More Financially Mobile ‘Iponaryo’

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Cebuana Lhullier powers up their Micro Savings Account

 

As a champion for financial inclusion, Cebuana Lhuillier recently launched additional features to their existing Micro Savings Account, a product of Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank, to help more Filipinos become financially mobile, especially during the onset of the new normal. When the Micro Savings was introduced last year, in 2019, to be exact, it provided unbanked and underbanked Filipinos with easy access to basic savings, regardless of who and where they are. It further empowered the vast majority to jumpstart their savings and directly steer their lives towards a better future. But when the pandemic hit, the progress of the program, along with everything else, was literally brought to a standstill.

 

Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank (CLRB) saw this as an opportunity to make sure that account holders or “Iponaryos” as they’re called, continue to still have full access to their hard-earned money, at their convenience. CLRB president Dennis Valdes said that, “The many challenges and limitations in access, presented by the pandemic to our clients and countless Filipinos, made us look even harder for more opportunities in bringing Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings to the next level; pushing our myriad of services farther ahead to immediately answer the needs of our clients.”

And the challenge has been met successfully. The Micro Savings Account now has four (4) new features: Partnerships with two giant financial institutions; BancNet and UnionPay, a link to the eCebuana App, as well as, the addition of QR Technology, for added security.

‘Iponaryos’ now have access to the latest functions transforming their Micro Savings account from just a basic cash deposit account to an even more powerful and reliable, full-service savings account.  By partnering with BancNet, they now have unrivalled easy access to their finances beyond CLRB's cash agent, Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 2,500 branches nationwide, using BancNet's roster of 21,000 ATMs, and 114 member banks.

A tie-up with UnionPay further allows account holders to make debit payments through over 350,000 POS terminals, as well as partner merchants nationwide. ‘Iponaryos’ can now get the benefit of an enhanced payment security with UnionPay chip cards’ quick payment process with just a tap, using UnionPay Contactless technology, plus the convenience of not having to carry cash and coins.

Full online access is likewise afforded to Ka-Cebuanas with the more efficient and more powerful eCebuana app allowing money transfers via Instapay, bills and utility payments, eLoad feature, insurance purchase, and coming soon are pawning ticket renewal and jewelry purchases. All these are made even more convenient since the adoption of online sign ups, now being allowed in the eCebuana app.

Lastly, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings steps into the future by enabling QR Technology within the eCebuana app. This feature will be able to make money transfers and retail payments seamless and secure. Money transfers and retail payments via QR code will be available by March 2021.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO announced, “We are now shifting into a tech-brick company, where our network of branches will take advantage of our proprietary technology to step into new grounds by adapting to the new normal using our enhanced digital business transformation.  This will provide unprecedented financial access to millions more of Filipinos wherever they may be, anytime.”  

Lhuillier further talks about how they plan to take Filipinos to the next step of their ipon journeys. “Our dream is to digitally and financially include Filipinos by implementing world-class and innovative digital financial solutions for them. This, we believe, is what the future of financial inclusion should be – a future where there is financial mobility for every Filipino, a future where we provide them the capability to manage their finances whenever and wherever they may be, at any time.”

 

The Queen of the Kitchen, Helen Gamboa returns to Colours for the 3rd Season

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Cignal TV, the country’s #1 Pay TV provider with over 3 million subscribers welcomes back the Queen of the Kitchen, seasoned actress Helen Gamboa Sotto, with the Season 3 launch of “From Helen’s Kitchen” on Colours and TV5, premiering this December 19.

This season kicks off with two holiday-themed episodes: Noche Buena Traditions and Family Favorites for Media Noche where Tita Helen will share holiday traditions and create their family’s signature noche buena and media noche family favorites alongside her husband, Tito Sotto, and their children: Apples, Lala, Gian and Ciara Sotto.

The program will not only showcase Tita Helen’s exquisite culinary skill, but will give viewers unique stories behind recipes that go beyond average comfort food. She’ll be working on international entrees with a twist and the usual ‘pamana ni Nanay/Lola’ heirloom recipes with celebrity guests such as Joey de Leon, Gelli de Belen and many others.

From Helen’s Kitchen Season 3 sees Tita Helen opening up her kitchen once again. She aims to impart a sense of comfort and holiday cheer through hearty and delicious meals that Filipino families can recreate to bring their family together. 

“We live in a world that is unlike any other. Many families are miles apart from one another and are not able to physically be together due to these unprecedented times. Through our third season, we want to bring the holiday spirit to our viewers by sharing our family’s Noche Buena dishes and traditions,” the cooking aficionado shares. “Lahat kami ng family ko ay happy na maibahagi ang kahit kaunting kasiyahan na dala ng pagluluto sa ating mga viewers.” Tita Helen shares. 

From Helen’s Kitchen Season 3 is just 1 of the 3 new programs premiering on Colours this December, so viewers at home can expect high-quality shows and entertainment premiering this holiday season.

“From Helen’s Kitchen” Season 3 premieres this December 19, and will air every Saturday at 8:00PM on Colours, available on Cignal TV CH. 60 SD and CH. 202 HD. Catch-up airings will also be available on TV5 starting December 20, 7:00AM and continues every Sunday. Viewers may also access Colours and TV5 on the Cignal Play app, available for Android and iOS users. 

To subscribe to Cignal TV contact 8888-5555, 0949-9977600 to 7603. You may also email us at sales@cignal.tv or follow Cignal TV’s Official Facebook page! For more information, visit the Colours Official Facebook Page!

Bike for Good: Baker John partners with GMA Kapuso Foundation for Livelihood Project

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Baker John, Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) brand of bread, recently teamed up with GMA Kapuso Foundation for the “Bike for Good” project. Through this partnership, 30 beneficiaries will receive bikes and bread products from Baker John.

“Our goal is to provide assistance to those who are trying to adapt to this new, challenging situation in the time of the COVID pandemic. Through this partnership, we hope the beneficiaries selected by GMA Kapuso Foundation will have the will -- and the wheels -- to keep going,” said Ellison Lee, URC Flour and Bread Division’s Managing Director.

 According to Lee, the Bike for Good project provides each of the 30 beneficiaries with a bicycle and a negosyo starter package consisting of Baker John products. “We want to assist them in kicking off their community selling business which can help them with their livelihood,” Lee shared.

TEAMING UP FOR BIKE FOR GOOD. Rikki Escudero-Catibog, GMA Kapuso Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, (left) and Ellison Lee, URC Flour and Bread Division Managing Director sign the agreement formalizing the partnership for the Bike for Good livelihood donation.

In choosing the beneficiaries, the project prioritizes those who lost their livelihood due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as residents of Metro Manila and Rizal who have lost their source of income due to the typhoons Rolly and/or Ulysses.

PROVIDING LIVELIHOOD THROUGH WHEELS: GMA Kapuso Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (left) Rikki Escudero-Catibog together with URC Flour and Bread Division Managing Director Ellison Lee check the bread-and-bike livelihood package from Baker John for the Bike for Good beneficiaries.

Apart from this, GMA Kapuso Foundation chose beneficiaries who are physically able, have the can do spirit, and willing to use the bicycle to sell Baker John’s bread in their community as a source of alternative livelihood for their family.

“COVID and typhoon Ulysses brought economic devastation to residents of NCR. GMA Kapuso Foundation is happy to help Baker John and URC find beneficiaries. It is a very difficult time but in time of great adversity there is also opportunity. Do not lose hope,” stated Ms. Rikki Escudero-Catibog, GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Baker John is URC’s very own line of tasty premium bread products available in selected Robinsons, Rustan’s, Shopwise, and Walter Mart supermarkets, and Ministop branches nationwide. Visit www.urcflour.com today for more information.

  

4 must-try Noche Buena classic dishes with a twist

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Glazed Christmas ham

 

Food has always been a big part of every celebration. As Filipinos are known for having the grandest Christmas celebration in the world, there will surely be tables filled with unique and festive dishes to match the season’s merriments. Now, to help you get into the Holiday spirit, Solane, the leading LPG brand in the country, shares how to put appetizing and creative twists on some classic Filipino Christmas dishes to level up your Noche Buena.

Glazed Christmas Ham. A Christmas ham certainly completes a Noche Buena table. But instead of just taking it out of the box and putting it on a plate, make it more flavorful and enjoyable. First, place your ham on a roasting pan lined with foil then score it vertically. In a saucepan over low heat, make your glaze by melting a stick of unsalted butter then mixing in one cup of brown sugar, half a cup of orange juice, half a cup of honey, and two tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Once the sugar has dissolved and the glaze has thickened, pour half of it over your scored ham. Put the ham in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes per pound. Make sure to baste the ham with your remaining glaze halfway through.

Crispy Lechon Roll. Lechon is another Holiday favorite among Filipinos. First, get a slab of pork belly and lay it flat on a surface. Rub it with salt and pepper and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Next, arrange a pile of lemongrass, scallions, garlic, and red onions on top of the pork belly, and then roll it until it forms a spiral shape. Use kitchen twine to tie the meat and brush the outside with annatto oil. Place it on a roasting pan with a rack, then put it in a preheated oven at 350°F for two hours or until the meat is tender and the skin is crispy.

Extra Meaty Spaghetti. No matter what the occasion, Filipino-style spaghetti will always be present! So take it to the next level by adding a surprise ingredient – longganisa! In a pan, start by sautéing minced garlic and onions before adding the ground beef. You can also add finely diced carrots to up the health factor. Once the beef has turned brown, mix in your longganisa and hotdogs. Then, add salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the Filipino-style spaghetti sauce of your choice then let it simmer. Now, pour it over your cooked pasta noodles, grate some cheese, and enjoy!

Decadent Queso de Bola Cheesecake. After a hearty meal, your guests will surely crave for dessert. So why not make another Christmas staple with a fun twist -- queso de bola cheesecake? In a bowl, start by mixing one cup of crushed graham crackers, sugar, and a quarter cup of melted butter. Once combined, press it down to the bottom of a springform pan then chill. For the cheesecake filling, mix three packs of softened cream cheese and sugar before adding your special ingredient – a cup and a half of finely grated queso de bola. Next, beat in three eggs then pour over the chilled graham crust. Simply bake it for around 40 minutes or until the filling has set. You may also serve it with mangoes or blueberries for added sweetness.

If you want to prepare all those dishes and more, Solane can help you have a stress-free experience in the kitchen with its quality and safe LPG that you can now order online. For more information, visit www.solane.com.ph and https://www.facebook.com/solane.ph/.