Amid economic difficulties brought about by the pandemic-induced lockdowns, more Filipinos are now looking for ways to build a home business and earn from home either through selling or re-selling anything from face masks to food packs and succulent plants or peddling their skills online such as graphic design or teaching a new language.
The key to making this new breed of homepreneurs working to build a home business successful is connecting them to digital platforms so that they can reach their target customers and provide safe ways to transact business online.
PLDT Home Biz, PLDT Home’s newest program for micro entrepreneurs operating at home, provides more than the fastest and reliable internet connection by equipping subscribers with the right partner e-commerce tools that are vital in the operating business in the new normal.
“We have packaged our PLDT Home Biz KaAsenso plans with partner e-commerce solutions that provide a complete digital ecosystem for our subscribers from creating your very own on-line store, accepting secure on-line payments, expanding your reach with high traffic marketplaces and lastly providing delivery in the comfort of your home,” said Patrick Tang, PLDT vice president and head of PLDT Home Biz.
Total e-commerce ecosystem
For a secure and hassle-free cashless payment system, PLDT Home Biz subscribers can accept digital payments through QR, bank transfer, and e-wallets, as well as credit and debit cards in partnership with digital financial services leader PayMaya, which is changing the game from high-risk cash-on-delivery to safer and more convenient contactless options for consumers.
“With many Filipino entrepreneurs launching their business from their homes and going online, PayMaya helps them get paid with a wide array of cashless payment options–whether it’s via e-Wallets or through credit/debit cards. We are there to take care of their payment needs so that they can focus on growing their business and running it smoothly and efficiently,” noted Raymund Villanueva, PayMaya head of business for QR Ecosystems.
PLDT Home Biz has also partnered with UnionBank GlobalLinker, allowing MSMEs to build their home business by creating their own online store-fronts, and be connected to over 300,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) through GlobalLinker’s network.
“With our diverse network and leading edge platform, we’ll be able to connect our MSMEs with potential suppliers and customers, provide them opportunities to learn from other entrepreneurs through the various webinars, provide them with business solutions to help their businesses growth further, and more,” said Jaypee Soliman, UnionBank GlobalLinker vice president for SME Segment.
PLDT Home Biz subscribers are also linked to the popular Sulit.ph online marketplace, enabling them to reach out to even more customers. “The community lockdowns have drastically changed the buying behavior of consumers. Everybody is now buying and selling online, from the tech-savvy millennials to elders who are using the internet for the first time,” Sulit.ph CEO Jay Adevoso pointed out.
“We also aim to enable safe and reliable on-demand delivery – and avoid physical meet-ups between sellers and their customers; through GrabExpress. PLDT Home Biz subscribers will also be part of the GrabExpress Madiskarteng Boss Club where they get exclusive Grab perks and discounts that they can use to grow their businesses online,” said Jacq Lim, head of GrabExpress Philippines.
Virtual trade expos and events
Through its partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), PLDT Home Biz KaAsenso subscribers can have access to the government agency’s virtual trade shows and caravans that can open up more opportunities and wider networks for aspiring MSMEs.
Some of the exciting expos for MSMEs are the BUYanihan Resellers’ Expo 2020 Rise up and resell! happening on December 5 to 7, 2020 from 10am onwards, the PLDT Smart Sustainability Fair that runs from November 23 to December 31, 2020, and the DTI Regional Operations Group and One Town, One OTOP Virtual Trade Expo Series of bazaars until 2021 powered by PLDT Home Biz. Joining these Virtual Trade Expos is FREE, MSMEs just need to register and log in to virtualtradeexpoph.com.
“We bring in these partnerships to give our micro entrepreneurs the best chance of success for their home business. We believe that our MSMEs are a powerful economic force in our country’s recovery from this crisis,” Tang said.
PLDT Home Biz KaAsenso plans start with the Asenso Plan 1888 with speeds of up to 20Mbps or the Asenso Plan 2199 with speeds of up to 40Mbps. All plans come with free installation and activation.
Learn more about PLDT Home Biz and how you can grow your business online by visiting www.pldthome.com/biz.