E-Commerce Entrepreneurs Summit Experience

Last Jan 7, 2017, I attended the E-Commerce Entrepreneurs Summit held at A. Venue Hotel Makati. I'm very much honored and grateful for the good deed of Ms. Janette Toral, the event organizer, an e-commerce advocate in the Philippines for inviting me to join the event.

What is E-Commerce?

E-commerce " is a transaction of buying or selling online" (Wikipedia). Nowadays 80% of the online population has used the Internet to purchase something.  This will result to faster buying/selling and easy to find products. As an entrepreneur, you want to attract more customer.

With online presence of your business, the consumer will easily find your business or get hook with the product you're into. There will be more reach to customers because there is no geographical limitation when it comes to online. You can actually sell products across the world.

It is easy to start a business with e-commerce because it doesn't need a physical store or company set-ups. Your business can run 24/7 that increases your sales even when your sleeping.  The entire payment transactions are done online. It makes every transaction a lot cheaper.

The fast adaptability of Filipinos when it comes to technology opens the opportunity of E-commerce industry in the country. " THE PHILIPPINES ranked 89th out of 137 countries and territories worldwide in terms of readiness to support online shopping and other business-to-consumer electronic commerce (or B2C e-commerce), according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad)." (Inquirer.net)

In 2016, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launch an aggressive e-commerce advocacy after its release of the Philippines E-Commerce Roadmap (2016-2020). Pushing the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to do business online.  Its target is to get 100,000 businesses to do e-commerce by 2020.

Filipinos were known for their innovative ideas that deal mostly with digital startups. The DigitalFilipino E-Commerce Entrepreneurs Summit, on its 8th year, has served as an important forum tackling developments in this space with relevant and emerging players. A hotspot for e-commerce advocates and digital influencers in this field.

Overview of the event

Mr. Arturo Boncato Jr., Assistant Secretary of DTI talked about the updates on the E-Commerce roadmap progress and 2017 E-commerce programs.

Dr. Nick Fontanilla of i-Metrics Asia-Pacific Corp., shared the 2016 year-end report and forecast for 2017. He stated that our country have the talented filipinos combined with entrepreneurs that can be used as a foundation to grow the E-Commerce in the Philippines.

Achilles Reyes, COO of CheckMeOut discussed the Logistics and Last Mile Delivery Network. For E-Commerce to do well, we need a cross-border shipping, logistics, and domestic services.

Inanc Balci of Lazada explains The Future of Marketplace around the world are now maturing, changing, and adopting to local and global developments. He talked about Lazada in the future becoming into a social platform, where customers can talk to each other, to merchants, and to the brands.

Miguel Warren, the country manager of Payoneer Philippines, mentioned the cross-border payments and using escrow services when doing E-Commerce business internationally.

Rachel Tolentino, CEO of PhilYES, illustrate that more B2B  sites are expected to rise in the Philippines from 2017 onwards.

Coach Genesis Reonico, the founder of Online Jobs University, highlights the growing number of freelancers in the country and how the world shows the changing trend in workplace environments.

For the Advance E-Commerce Marketing Strategies, Search Engine Advertising, and Performance Marketing, three gorgeous gentlemen reveal their experiences and understandings, namely: Mannix Pabalan of Hashtag Digital, Glen Dimaandal of GDI Online marketing, Jun Baranggan of PTB Digital hub.

Coach Genesis Reonico, one of the speaker of the event

Students of Certified E-Commerce Specialists, Entrepreneur, and Professional Program by Ms. Janet Toral proudly presented their projects. They are scheduled to visit Singapore and Malaysia to showcase their marketplace project there.

Of course, the event would never be possible with the support of generous sponsors: Payoneer, BlogADia, Volkswagen, Alfox Printing Services, CheckMeOut.

The event opens the mind of every Filipino for innovation and is ready for the great opportunity of what the future technology brings. E-commerce industry in the country is still in its infancy stage.

Filipinos are known to be skilful on their own and using their own resources. With that attitude working for online market industry and developing E-commerce businesses will be less difficult. Though the Philippines is developing fast,  we are left behind in some technology aspects.

One of the challenges is that a lack of cooperation among government leaders to improve online industries in the country. In order to promote E-commerce to Filipinos, the Department of Trade and Industry took the initiative to start the E-commerce Roadmap together with E-commerce players and digital industry leaders.

We are now heading to compete globally. We have to have the right knowledge and right skills to to be achiever. As a Virtual Assistant, I'm dreaming and hoping that I can be a part of our nation's hope to boost our economy to the fullest.

How To Be A Miss Universe Virtual Assistant

TIPS TO RISE ABOVE THE OTHER

• Rev Up Your Skills

          Staying on top of the right skill sets in a crazy-fast changing online world.  Stick to the skills your ideal clients are asking for AND the skills that you ENJOY the most.

• Reliability

             Reply the soonest possible you can when a client ask something. 

             Professionalism is paramount in our industry so if a client calls you then ring them back,  if you get an email then reply! It doesn’t have to be immediately but do it the same day

• Marketing

            Marketing can be learned!  I think Marketing is one of the MOST important skill you can have as a Virtual Assistant.  Invest in learning about online marketing and other related stuff. 

• Good communication skills

             When you improve how you talk and present yourself, you reap the benefits of communication. You boost your confidence, self-esteem, and social life – all universally attractive qualities.

• Resourcefulness

            It is  the ability to find and use available resources to achieve goals. Being Resourceful person  start by being a better problem solver. Resourcefulness is about thinking about all the different ways you might possibly be able to get the outcome you want on your own. By finding shortcuts on your own.

Now stand up and Get that CROWN!

Make your RESUME SHINE!

Make your RESUME SHINE!

Give a short description of yourself. 

Make your Profile appealing to employers. 

Highlight your Resume with the following details:

• Contact details (phone / cellphone number, skype ID, Email, etc)  
• Social Media Accounts
• Summary of your Technical skills ( list of all your Software / Applications / Tools )
• Related Training Attended
• Major Accomplishments
• Summary of your Work Experience
• Results of your Online Skill Assessment Test. 
• Take an Online Skill Assessment Test.
  
  

Working while on PJs

Have you imagined yourself working in your PAJAMAS?

I DO! That's how I work. Working online doesn't need you to wear a formal dress or put on your makeup. Just a plain house dress and slippers.

Attending a meeting without brushing your teeth?

It sounds Ewwww but it's true! When I'm late on my online meeting with my client I didn't find time to brush my teeth or wash my face. From my bed, I will go straight to my lappy, turn it on, and head on to my meeting.

Why not try it!

The Reality of Working at Home

No everyday driving to office – No rush hour; No smoke from vehicles ; No heavy traffic

Big opportunity for higher pay – You will be earning Dollar when working at Home.

More Quality time – This especially for your family. Working online doesn't need to wait for 5pm to go home.

Freedom to do what your passion – You don't need to drag your feet to go to office because you didn't love what you are doing. 

Working on your pajamas everyday is possible – Wear anything that makes you comfortable while working at home.

Online Jobs Sites

YOU're wondering where YOU can find to apply for Online Jobs?
Here is my recommendations base on my own experience.

1. UpWork

For me, this is a good place to start. Most of the job posts don't require job experience. Once you get hired YOU need to give feedback by giving comment and rate to your client and vice versa. YOU need to maintain the highest rating as possible and good comments from your client. This will be the basis of your future clients.

2. OnlineJobs.ph

Here, I can say that is not for newbies. Many of the job posts require minimum of 6 months work related experience. The best thing here is they don't have any service fees. When you get hired, YOU will receive your salary whole with no service fee deductions.

3. Virtual Staff  Finder

They were the provider of dedicated and experienced Filipino Virtual Assistants. First, you will be interview by friendly and very accommodating VSF staff . Then they will shortlist you to your chosen client. 

4. My Outdesk

They were more focus on Real State Virtual Assistants. It is a good site to cater them. They will also provide training that covers what you need to know. 

5. Fiverr

It is a short-term basis job. It is a fixed rate job regardless how long you spend on a task, you'll earn $5.  

These were only a few of many places where to apply and showcase your skills. 

Walis at Lappy

Walis ( tagalog word for "broom") and Lappy (laptop).

You heard it right! This two word represents my everyday life as a mom and as a Virtual Assistant. As the two word implies: on my left hand is my Walis and on the right is my Lappy.

I can do household chores while working online. How I do that?

When I wake up every morning. First I will cook our breakfast, while doing so, I turned on my lappy and browse for what will be my to do list for this day.
After our breakfast and my kids where already on their schools, I will now start cleaning our house. While cleaning our house, I'm downloading all the files sent by my client. They were my tasks for today. After I cleaned our house, I will go and freshen up myself. Then I will sit down in front of my lappy and start working. You don't need to put on your make-up, wear fancy clothes, and wear your stiletto. The most important thing is that You don't need to travel just to reach your working place. All you need is to open your lappy.

After several hours of working your task. It's time that your kids were about to go home.

That is how convenient to work online.

You earn without abandoning your quality time for your family.

YOUR Online Tools to Start Your Virtual Assistant Career

I will share with You some Online Tools to get started with Your Virtual Assistant career.

1. Skype

This free tool can be used to speak to your clients like interview and meetings.

2. E-mail Account

You must have first had your E-mail account set up. This is most commonly used for communication with your client. Basically, when you apply for online jobs first thing you need is your E-mail account. The two most common and free E-mail Account were Gmail and Yahoo mail.

3. Google Apps for Work 

Google Apps for Work offers you some sort of One Stop Shop Apps. Services that it offers that will give you a big help are professional email, online storage, shared calendars,  shared documents, shared spreadsheets, shared presentations, and even video messaging.

4. Dropbox

With this tool, You can share links with your colleagues and clients to all your folders. It also serves as your good backup files.

5. Social Media Platforms

There were lots of Social Media Platforms available on the internet. What I will share to You are the very basic. Facebook, Goggle+, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Slideshare and so on.


What I have mentioned were all the basic online tools needed to start Your career as a Virtual Assistant. You must continuously learn different online tools. The more online tools you know the more productive You will become.

Basic Skills of a Virtual Asisstant

Many of my friends were asking me how to start working as a Virtual Assistant. They were very curious about what am I doing? Here in the Philippines, once you said that you're working online - one thing that enters the mind of Filipinos: chatting with foreigners and  online dating.  I feel so sad for that level of thinking. They missed the many opportunities of working online. For those whose, their mind was open to start their career online. Here are the Basic skills of a Virtual Assistant

1. Can work on their own

Working online seems like you have your own world. Some will tag you as: "May sariling mundo". Unless you will be working as a team, which is not that a frequent case. Mostly you will work on your own.

2. Reliable

You must be very reliable anytime and anywhere. The only key that you're client knows that you're still there is to answer quickly on their messages. Even though you didn't finish yet the task , you must explain or answer them.

3. Time Management / Multi-tasking

Being a Virtual Assistant, especially for moms, juggling between working online and taking care of your family is very tough. You must have a to-do list every day. You must know what's on your topmost list to do.

4. Procrastination

For me, this is a Big word. It's hard to battle procrastination. Whenever there's something you need to do. Do it now! Even if the deadline is still far.

5. Technical Skills

Technical skills like Typing, Data Entry, Searching, etc. I will talk more of these skills on my next blog.

If you notice some will say the Basic skills of a Virtual Assistant are more of Technical but for me, the most important skills to hone are the Attitude skills. One must have the Passion for working online. And the all the rest will smoothly follow.

Home Remodeling

Remodeling is a huge event, whether it's a room or your whole residence, and most projects require comparable steps. in case you’ve in no way renovated—and maybe more so if you have— the manner is daunting. Our unique guide will walk you through tackling a preservation, getting rid of the tension.

photo credit

Stage Guide to Remodeling The Home

First step - Decide if remodeling is worht it

Before you begin, think about how precisely you utilize your house. It will go a long way toward shaping your redesigning plans.

Ask These Questions for Your Home Makeover

photo credit

Second step - Design

Determine if you need to use an architect, a designer-builder, or other professional to change your remodeling vision. Arrive up with a design which you love and that is within your price range.

In case you designed the space yourself, decide on a builder with whom you have a solid working partnership.

   

Third step - Set your financial budget

It's easy to determine out what you want, but calculating how much you can afford is harder. Utilize this  four-step plan to help you. Established your remodeling budget.

1. Ballpark the costs

2. Work out how much you have to invest

3. Get quotes from contractors

4. Set goals and trim the job to fit your budget

Fourth step - Put into action

Meet with skilled professional to evaluate the design and style plan for functionality and/or recommendations that may enhance flow or sustain expenses.

Fifth Step: Set Up

Remove personal valuables from the workspace.

If appropriate, set up a small kitchen area in another part of the house.

Set in place a junk bin, convenient bathroom, and development barrier.

Make room for large provides, such as rafters or sheetrock, which are provided at this point.

Sixth Step: Demolish - Demolition: what's involved?

Seventh Step: Remodel

Whole  House Remodel - Before and After With Tips For Your Home

Dropbox Basic Tutorial

Sharing your stuff  to your collaborators will now be easier and faster and anywhere. Dropbox is a free service that let's you share ALL your documents. This can be also serve as your storage folder where in you can access it anywhere you are. Just login  your account. Here is a step by step Basic Tutorial that will surely help you to get started. Very logical and no technical words used. It is a tool that every virtual people need to know.

Google apps basic Tutorials

There were several tools  that can help us conserve time, and be more productive as well. They were called Google apps. They were cloud-based productivity suite that helps you and also your collaborators connect and get your work done. Accessible anywhere on any device. Here is a step by step Basic Tutorial that will surely help you to get started. Very logical and no technical words used. It is a tool that every virtual people need to know.

Hootsuite Basic Tutorial

Hootsuite is a must tool for a Virtual assistant who manages several social networking accounts. It is a social media management tool that manage MULTIPLE social profiles, analyze social media traffic, and a lot, lot more. This is one of the most used tools. Here is a step by step Basic tutorial that will surely help you to get started. Very logical and no technical words used. It is a tool that every virtual people need to know.

Last Pass Tutorial

Tired of filling up form and always login your account? Here is a tool that will help you manage all your accounts. 
Last Pass is an online password manager and form filler that makes web browsing easier and secure. You can now keep all your passwords to all your accounts in just one vault secured and safe. You don't need a sticky post to remember every details of your account. Here is a step by step Basic tutorial that will surely help you to get started. Very logical and no technical words used. It is a tool that every virtual people need to know.

Secure and Fair Election 2013

I made a video regarding 2013 May Election. The theme of my video is to remind people to vote wisely. 

Crazy Egg Basic Tutorial

Crazy to know what's this? Crazy egg is an analytic tool that creates a unique "heat maps" from the website visitor data. Heat maps is a visual representation showing you where users click and what they do. Sounds crazy? Here is a step by step Basic tutorial that will surely help you to get started. Very logical and no technical words used. It is a tool that every virtual people need to know.

Soundcloud Tutorial

Loves music? Loves creating music of your own. Soundcloud is here to help. It is a world's leading social sound platform where anyone can create sounds and share them anywhere. Here is a step by step Basic tutorial that will surely help you to get started. Very logical and no technical words used. It is a tool that every virtual people need to know.

Animoto Basic Tutorial

Animoto is a application tool that produces videos, from user. Here is a step by step Basic tutorial that will surely help you to get started. Very logical and no technical words used. It is a tool that every virtual people need to know. It can help you increase marketability when you have videos on your website. Start creating your own video here in Animoto. Happy watching!

Evernote Basic Tutorial

Evernote were products help you remember and act upon ideas, projects and experiences across all the computers, phones and tablets you use. Here is a step by step Basic tutorial that will surely help you to get started. Very logical and no technical words used. It is a tool that every virtual people need to know.

Google Security Settings Tutorial

Internet world is prone to different kinds of CYBERCRIME like: gain access to your information that includes your email password and hacking your account. This tutorial will teach you on easy step by step on how to secure your email account that includes: Securing your password; Enable 2-step verification; Keeping your device clean at all times; Installing software, browser, and OS updates; Checking your account for Unusual activity; and Preventing identity theft and avoid scams. Here is a step by step Basic tutorial that will surely help you to get started. Very logical and no technical words used. It is a tool that every virtual people need to know.