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Resilient MSMEs in the PH: Rising from Disruption
Disruptions as opportunities
Before the pandemic on COVID-19 enveloped the world and disrupted many established systems, there were already warnings from many scientists about the future changes that the world is headed for:
- climate change and what it can cause,
- imbalances in the ecosystem caused by industrialization,
- extinction of plant and animal species,
- new species evolving from changing ecosystems,
- technological innovations that affect labor and supply-chains
- civil unrest and conflict in many parts of the world
- new systems of education and health services
To adapt to these new realities, a proactive mindset that is open to opportunities and progress is key to solve new problems that arise from work and life.
Example: COVID-19 and what it disrupted
Last , the Philippines set the country’s Covid-19 health emergency to Alert Level 3. A source mentioned that Kapitolyo, Pasig, had a population of approximately 9,203 residents. The Department of Health mentions that 18.4% of Kapitolyo's residents had contracted Covid-19. But there were only 21 deaths at the time. The reason? Local barangay leaders enforced all health protocols required by the national government of the Philippines. And the residents were cooperative and respectful, aware of their responsibilities towards themselves and their neighbors. Kapitolyo had succeeded in stemming the infection in .
To go directly to the video clip explanation on the MSME AI Adoption, click The Digital Survivor: An MSME's Guide to AI.
COVID-19 hit the MSMEs but did not bring them down
Though Kapitolyo's residents did not succumb to the pandemic, it was the retail establishments that were taking the hit – especially the MSMEs of the barangay. Many restaurants that offer high-quality & specialty dishes were closing shop or perhaps move somewhere else. Even one highly patronized "sari-sari store" that had strong daily sales, had also decided to close shop. Those who decided to continue and were determined to stick it out, "morphed" their stores and
- added fresh produce,
- ready-to-eat meals,
- and even casual apparel like shorts & t-shirts.
One bakery I frequented, followed suit, & even added
- a photocopier,
- an ID laminator,
- & a QR Code smack right near the entrance for e-money payments.
An ingenious move! In Tagalog, "magaling na diskarte." This is a concrete example of having a positive and proactive mindset - open to new opportunities. "Where there’s a will, there’s a way". This is Filipino MSME resilience at its best.
Actual photo of intersection between Sta. Rosa Street and East Capitol Drive in Kapitolyo, Pasig
Standing on the shoulders of industry giants
The Philippine Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) through its training arm, the Philippine Trade Training Center - Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA) , reports that 99.51% of the nation’s economy is comprised of MSMEs – Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. They are the backbone of the country’s breadbasket and are the ones bearing the brunt of the pandemic’s force. The DTI responded by spearheading a program to encourage MSMEs in the country to rise up again. In , during the height of the pandemic, they gave a series of webinars in partnership with Google, to train pandemic-struck MSMEs and startups with the tools necessary for business operations in a technology-driven world [1][2].
- The DTI develops the skills of MSMEs for nation-building.
- Their skills development programs encourage all MSMEs to upskill and contribute to the digital economy.
- They coach all MSMEs to create a future not only for themselves but to contribute to the building of the Philippine economy.
DTI programs in partnership with Google
One program of the DTI was a series of webinars that gave detailed instructions for implementing Google apps for business, such as:
- Google Ads,
- Google Analytics,
- YouTube channel creation,
- Google Workspace,
- Google Trends,
- Google Merchants,
- and Google Prime (now Google Shopping or Performance Max).
In addition, the webinars instructed those who attended with the use of
- Social Media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest,
- Website development,
- Search Engine Optimization,
- & fintech apps that are linked with delivery services - important during a pandemic.
The DTI's speakers encourage every MSME owner to adopt a positive mindset even in a time of adversity.
Connecting online in a time of disruption
- The DTI has an official account on LinkedIn.
- They are also on Facebook and have an official channel on YouTube.
- The speakers they assign for every webinar spoke more like coaches than teachers. They create a learning atmosphere that is encouraging and highly interactive through Zoom’s chat facility.
- All speakers have sufficient hands-on experience in the topics they taught.
- They are experts in their own right - coaching webinar attendees from both knowledge and experience.
- The webinar speakers of the DTI PTTC GMEA supported and strengthened the Department’s goal of "Training For Nation Building".
The program’s content mentioned above is available online
I highly recommend the program, which is a series of 9 webinars with a duration of more or less an hour and thirty minutes. You can watch the recorded videos of the webinars. They are on the DTI’s official YouTube channel. If the DTI were to give webinars for another time of disruption, take the opportunity to participate since it is profitable. You learn not only from the speakers but also from your co-participants. Some webinars give an e-certificate of completion & a handbook in PDF file for you to review.
Paid courses are even more profitable
The DTI also provides paid courses. These paid courses are of higher quality. I enrolled and paid for a course on Financial Risk Management and it proved most helpful and applicable to our family business. Paid courses are highly recommended.
Video on How to Start a Business given by the DTI
This is a free YouTube video from the DTI-PTTC. The video presents steps on how to start a business in the Philippines. The speaker coaches not only from knowledge, but also from hands-on business management experience in the Filipino context. (The language used is "Taglish": bilingual mix of Tagalog & English.)
Watch this video to get a clear understanding of strategies for AI adoption
