Promoting nation building through entrepreneurship

MANILA, Philippines - Merging cutting-edge ideas and entrepreneurship, PLDT-SME Nation recently played host to TEDx (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) Fort Bonifacio’s “Imagine-Nation Philippines” for inspiring and informative talks on innovative nation-building held at the STI Academic Center.

With PLDT-SME Nation linked with the generation of ideas and ideas worth spreading — TEDx’s key goal — guests and small-and-medium business owners were treated to inspirational discussions from free thinkers heading the talks.

“PLDT-SME Nation is committed to helping SMEs be successful – but we are also working to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship among a new generation of entrepreneurs. It’s heartening that we are able to do this by spreading ideas such as that of TEDx,” says PLDT-SME Nation vice president and head Kat Luna-Abelarde.

TEDx is an annual international event. Its conferences bring in passionate speakers who are experts on a wide range of topics to inspire more like-minded individuals. CEOs, scientists, creatives, innovators, and philanthropists such as Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Sir Richard Branson, Philippe Starck, and Bono, among its long listing of guest speakers, have participated in TED.

Leading the discussions were Reyes Barbecue co-owner Inez Reyes, detailing the struggles they went through in turning their business into one of the top franchises in the country.

“Before any business can succeed, an entrepreneur must survive the struggles of that could make or break one’s venture during the start-up stage. You always have to evolve with the changing times to ensure your business stays on top of a cut-throat market,” says Reyes.

Knowing how to harness what the changing times have to offer – such as information technology, for example, could prove advantageous for an SME.

“When we started out, we didn’t have the technology that business owners could avail of today, like the products from PLDT-SME Nation for example. It’s ideal to always make use of available resources to keep your business at premium in the competitive market,” adds Reyes.

Other speakers included Deaf advocate and first Magna Cum Laude of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Ana Arce, award-winning photojournalist VJ Villafranca, National scientist and advocate for the rural poor Dr. Lourdes Cruz, Inventor Dr. David Manalo, and husband and wife team of Dr. Christopher Bernido and Dr. Ma. Victoria Carpio-Bernido who are both respected physicists and educators.

“The SMEs are the backbone of the economy, making up more than 90 percent of economic activity. Since technology plays a vital role for this industry, we at PLDT-SME Nation are providing SMEs with products that will enable them to start their business and help their business grow,” says PLDT-SME Nation marketing head Amil Azurin.