SME Community - Planters Development Bank

Herbert M. Sancianco has over 20 years of experience in advertising, marketing and sales
operations. He owns and manages Market Bridges, Phils. Inc., a full marketing services
company, with offices at 11-0 Burgundy Corporate Plaza, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue,
Makati City. The author can be reached at mbpidmbc@i-manila.com.ph or at Tel: (63-2)
886-4122 to 23.
marketing
INTERESTING IDEAS
FOR 2007
A new year is upon us and just recently, we celebrated the
Chinese Lunar New Year – the year of the Fire Boar.
2006 was a challenging year for many entrepreneurs. As
the peso steadily rose against the dollar, importing capital
equipment, raw material or items for retail became a winning
proposition. However, Philippine exporters found it a difficult
year as their profits shrank accordingly. The Overseas Filipino
Worker’s family likewise saw the value of their loved one’s
remittance decrease, forcing some to send a little more to offset
the currency exchange differential.
Since geomancers are hinting that service companies will
have better prospects of success in the Year of the Fire Pig, I am
devoting this column to services demand for which I see will
grow in the coming months.
Herbie’s Top Six Service Opportunities
With the increasing number of motorcycles racing around the
metropolis and key provincial cities, motorcycle repair service is a
simple yet rewarding small business idea. Motorbike ownership
growth was spurred by fuel prices that peaked in the second
quarter of 2006. In a random survey in Parañaque and Pasay City,
I noted one motorcycle service shop for every five automobile
repair shops. The motorcycle repair shops I saw are not visible in
many areas where auto repair shops are found.
Small internet cafés catering to the computer savvy—both
young and old—is a growing segment. PLDT offers a business
start-up package which I consider a good deal. Two major
considerations for setting up this type of business are location and
the number of users in the community who need internet access
for e-mail, schoolwork and research, music/video downloads or
net-based gaming and recreation.
Getting a CDR King franchise is a highly profitable business,
requiring a good location and small capital. From personal
experience, I have never been to a CDR King store without having
to wait in line to buy blank CDs or DVDs. The growing number
of computer literate Pinoys makes this computer supply store a
winning idea. Putting up a store near large universities is ideal.
Another good spot will be near the big public markets.
Given the continuously growing population of this country,
nursery or kindergarten schools are a great idea. Right now, many
of these schools are already filled with kids of this tender age
range. The cost of tuition continues to rise in lieu of the headcount
that they can actually serve. This is a good alternative for public
school teachers who would like to earn better income.
Mobile catering services for office workers is another
rewarding business idea. The cost of meals in many canteens
and small restaurants serving the business centers around the
metropolis are becoming expensive for the minimum wage
earner. Entrepreneurs who are able to deliver inexpensive hot
meals to these offices have an edge. The key success factors are
the entrepreneur’s ability to create a unique variety of meals and
vol. 2 issue 1 2007 / 17