![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/world-vision-02-300x169.jpg\")
Encouraging children to get one step closer to achieving their dreams is the goal for a humanitarian organization that recently launched its 2024 back-to-school campaign.\u00a0
\nDubbed #OneBagOneDream, World Vision Philippines aims to raise enough funds to provide learning kits worth P1000 to about 24,000 Filipino children.\u00a0
\n\u201c[This initiative] provides opportunities for people to escape poverty, so they can become better versions of themselves,\u201d Jun N. Godornes, World Vision Philippines\u2019 interim national director said in the July 16 media launch. \u201cIt provides opportunities for sustainable change.\u201d
\nWorld Vision Philippines raised P2.5 million last year, according to Precious Hope T. Basco, its resource development director officer-in-charge.\u00a0
\nThe funds, Ms. Basco said, were used to distribute school supply kits for 24,000 children nationwide.\u00a0
\n\u201cWe\u2019re hoping to reach at least the same amount this year – or even more,\u201d she said in the same event.\u00a0
\nWorld Remit, a digital remittances brand, found in 2023 that Filipino families must set aside at least 51% of their monthly income to cover essential school items, including pencils and notebooks.\u00a0
\nAccording to the report, the average number of children per household is between two to three, and the cost of sending each child back to school is P2,661.\u00a0
\nThis year, the Department of Trade and Industry\u2019s (DTI) 2024 price guide for school supplies showed that nearly a quarter (24%) of the stock keeping units (SKUs) have increased prices this year.\u00a0
\n\u201cWe increased to P1000 per school kit this year, up from P1000 for every two school kits last year, because school supplies cost more now,\u201d Ms. Basco said.\u00a0
\nThe organization\u2019s priority areas include Aklan, Leyte, Cebu, Misamis Occidental, and North Cotabato, she added.\u00a0
\n\u201cWe stay until several kids graduate at least from K-12. That already elicits a significant change in the lives of Filipino families,\u201d Mr. Godornes said.\u00a0
\nAbout 18.6% (7,856,000) of children aged 5 to 24 years were not attending school, based on the Philippine Statistics Authority\u2019s Annual Poverty Indicator Survey of 2023. Of those who were not attending school, 9.9% said the reason was the high cost of education or financial concerns. – Patricia B. Mirasol
\n", "content_text": "Encouraging children to get one step closer to achieving their dreams is the goal for a humanitarian organization that recently launched its 2024 back-to-school campaign.\u00a0\nDubbed #OneBagOneDream, World Vision Philippines aims to raise enough funds to provide learning kits worth P1000 to about 24,000 Filipino children.\u00a0\n\u201c[This initiative] provides opportunities for people to escape poverty, so they can become better versions of themselves,\u201d Jun N. Godornes, World Vision Philippines\u2019 interim national director said in the July 16 media launch. \u201cIt provides opportunities for sustainable change.\u201d\nsource: World Vision Philippines\nWorld Vision Philippines raised P2.5 million last year, according to Precious Hope T. Basco, its resource development director officer-in-charge.\u00a0\nThe funds, Ms. Basco said, were used to distribute school supply kits for 24,000 children nationwide.\u00a0\n\u201cWe\u2019re hoping to reach at least the same amount this year – or even more,\u201d she said in the same event.\u00a0\nWorld Remit, a digital remittances brand, found in 2023 that Filipino families must set aside at least 51% of their monthly income to cover essential school items, including pencils and notebooks.\u00a0\nAccording to the report, the average number of children per household is between two to three, and the cost of sending each child back to school is P2,661.\u00a0\nThis year, the Department of Trade and Industry\u2019s (DTI) 2024 price guide for school supplies showed that nearly a quarter (24%) of the stock keeping units (SKUs) have increased prices this year.\u00a0\n\u201cWe increased to P1000 per school kit this year, up from P1000 for every two school kits last year, because school supplies cost more now,\u201d Ms. Basco said.\u00a0\nThe organization\u2019s priority areas include Aklan, Leyte, Cebu, Misamis Occidental, and North Cotabato, she added.\u00a0\n\u201cWe stay until several kids graduate at least from K-12. That already elicits a significant change in the lives of Filipino families,\u201d Mr. Godornes said.\u00a0\nAbout 18.6% (7,856,000) of children aged 5 to 24 years were not attending school, based on the Philippine Statistics Authority\u2019s Annual Poverty Indicator Survey of 2023. Of those who were not attending school, 9.9% said the reason was the high cost of education or financial concerns. – Patricia B. Mirasol", "date_published": "2024-07-17T22:17:57+08:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-17T22:19:05+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/blexticauldulack/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/blexticauldulack/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1311207d4ac1996cb586666fe3d56418ca9f007d735b74eb19d3fa440df5c8b4?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/world-vision-01.jpg", "tags": [ "back to school", "children", "Patricia B. Mirasol", "world vision philippines", "Community" ] }, { "id": "/?p=345305", "url": "/spotlight/2021/02/18/345305/empowering-filipino-entrepreneurs-with-access-to-global-opportunities-through-collaborative-partnership/", "title": "Empowering Filipino entrepreneurs with access to global opportunities through collaborative partnership", "content_html": "Early this week, Draper Startup House Ventures and QBO Innovation Hub announced that they are partnering to support the Philippine startup community with access to opportunities beyond geographical borders.
\nBetter together: A partnership to drive progress through levelled access to opportunities
\nThrough collective action, this partnership between Draper Startup House Ventures and QBO Innovation Hub fosters a well-supported, resilient, entrepreneur community.
\nApart from access to local opportunities through QBO’s partnerships and accelerators, Draper Startup House Ventures complements by bridging these startups to opportunities beyond geographical borders. Leveraging on Draper Startup House Ventures’ network of global partners, comprising of the Draper Ventures Network with access to 23 global funds, accelerators, incubators, Angels, VCs, PEs, niche investment firms, alternative debt firms, consulting firms and corporate investment arms who are interested in various opportunities not limiting themselves to physical borders, Filipino startups have the opportunity to launch and successfully scale their startups. Draper Startup House Ventures took off in May this year, to help connect entrepreneurs who were raising capital with relevant investors, looking to modernize the current venture capital model by democratizing the fund-raising process.
\nCollaboration is at the core of what we do. In partnering with Draper Startup House Ventures, we\u2019re excited to expand our support, and boost access to funding for Filipino startups that are scaling up and changing the world. \u2014 Katrina Rausa Chan, Executive Director of QBO Innovation Hub
\nQBO has been integral in elevating the Philippine startup ecosystem. We look forward to this partnership, and to helping local entrepreneurs access both global capital and strategic opportunities through the Draper Startup House ecosystem. \u2014 Cristian Munoz, Founder of Draper Startup House Manila\u00a0
\nWith this collaboration, diverse-minded individuals in the Philippines now have borderless access to support, and opportunities to connect with the rest of the world to raise capital.
\nTo learn more about QBO, visit https://www.qbo.com.ph. Meanwhile, to find out more about Draper Startup House Ventures, visit https://den.draperstartuphouse.com/ventures.
\n", "content_text": "Early this week, Draper Startup House Ventures and QBO Innovation Hub announced that they are partnering to support the Philippine startup community with access to opportunities beyond geographical borders.\nBetter together: A partnership to drive progress through levelled access to opportunities\nThrough collective action, this partnership between Draper Startup House Ventures and QBO Innovation Hub fosters a well-supported, resilient, entrepreneur community.\nApart from access to local opportunities through QBO’s partnerships and accelerators, Draper Startup House Ventures complements by bridging these startups to opportunities beyond geographical borders. Leveraging on Draper Startup House Ventures’ network of global partners, comprising of the Draper Ventures Network with access to 23 global funds, accelerators, incubators, Angels, VCs, PEs, niche investment firms, alternative debt firms, consulting firms and corporate investment arms who are interested in various opportunities not limiting themselves to physical borders, Filipino startups have the opportunity to launch and successfully scale their startups. Draper Startup House Ventures took off in May this year, to help connect entrepreneurs who were raising capital with relevant investors, looking to modernize the current venture capital model by democratizing the fund-raising process.\nCollaboration is at the core of what we do. In partnering with Draper Startup House Ventures, we\u2019re excited to expand our support, and boost access to funding for Filipino startups that are scaling up and changing the world. \u2014 Katrina Rausa Chan, Executive Director of QBO Innovation Hub\nQBO has been integral in elevating the Philippine startup ecosystem. We look forward to this partnership, and to helping local entrepreneurs access both global capital and strategic opportunities through the Draper Startup House ecosystem. \u2014 Cristian Munoz, Founder of Draper Startup House Manila\u00a0\nWith this collaboration, diverse-minded individuals in the Philippines now have borderless access to support, and opportunities to connect with the rest of the world to raise capital.\nTo learn more about QBO, visit https://www.qbo.com.ph. Meanwhile, to find out more about Draper Startup House Ventures, visit https://den.draperstartuphouse.com/ventures.", "date_published": "2021-02-18T08:00:28+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-04-02T23:37:09+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Draper Startup House Ventures", "QBO Innovation Hub", "startup", "Community", "SparkUp", "Spotlight" ] }, { "id": "/?p=296713", "url": "/community/2020/05/28/296713/sparkup-community-dost-submits-proposal-for-virology-institute/", "title": "DOST submits proposal for virology institute", "content_html": "COVID-19 was nowhere near the first virus to upend our world, and it will very likely not be the last. From influenza to HIV to dengue, mankind has long grappled with the devastation of viruses, actively studying these public health threats to keep outbreaks at bay.
\nIn the midst of the current pandemic, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has submitted a proposal for the establishment of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP). Announced by DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Pe\u00f1a in a May 22 Facebook post, it is envisioned to be the premier research institute in the field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in humans, plants, and animals.
\nThe institute will \u201cconduct innovative scientific research on viral agents requiring high or maximum containment (biosafety level-2 to biosafety level-4) following the World Health Organization\u2019s guidelines on the establishment of a virology laboratory in developing countries. Research studies on viral agents will focus on vector/reservoir transmission, viral ecology, clinical virology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and host immune response to these viral pathogens.\u201d
\nIn the same post, the Sec. de la Pe\u00f1a said that the institute may explore the fields of:
\nThe establishment of this institution may help develop our nation\u2019s capacity to contribute to global efforts such as the development of a vaccine to viruses such as COVID-19. Currently, there are no local efforts to create such a vaccine due to the lack of proper facilities and resources.
\n\u201cThe development of vaccines requires very good research on viruses, particularly those that are circulating in our environment,\u201d said Secretary de la Pe\u00f1a. \u201cThis will also require the establishment of a virus high containment laboratory for the study of viruses.”
\nVIP will be a space for scientists to collaborate and study viruses that are crucial in the agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental spheres.
\n\u201cWe have to be prepared because pandemics, such as what we are experiencing now, can occur again in the future,\u201d said Secretary de la Pe\u00f1a in a May 26 interview with CNN Philippines\u2019 New Day. \u201cI think it is not only the vaccines that we have to pay attention to; it is also diagnostics as well as the therapeutics that will be needed.\u201d\u00a0
\n\u201cMay I just add that when we talk of the viruses, it is not just those that attack humans but also those of animals,\u201d he said. \u201cFor example, we have the problem of the African Swine Fever and the viruses that attack our important crops like abaca, papaya, mango, banana, etc., so this is very important.\u201d
\nThe Philippines is currently seeking to collaborate with institutions in China and Chinese-Taipei (Taiwan) in the creation of a COVID-19 vaccine. \u201cSo we communicated with them and we are in the process preparing what is needed to execute the collaboration,\u201d the Secretary shared.
\nThrough other such strategic partnerships, the hope is for VIP to be a venue for pioneering virology research advancing the frontiers of virology in the country.
\n", "content_text": "COVID-19 was nowhere near the first virus to upend our world, and it will very likely not be the last. From influenza to HIV to dengue, mankind has long grappled with the devastation of viruses, actively studying these public health threats to keep outbreaks at bay.\nIn the midst of the current pandemic, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has submitted a proposal for the establishment of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP). Announced by DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Pe\u00f1a in a May 22 Facebook post, it is envisioned to be the premier research institute in the field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in humans, plants, and animals.\nA lab for ground-breaking research\nThe institute will \u201cconduct innovative scientific research on viral agents requiring high or maximum containment (biosafety level-2 to biosafety level-4) following the World Health Organization\u2019s guidelines on the establishment of a virology laboratory in developing countries. Research studies on viral agents will focus on vector/reservoir transmission, viral ecology, clinical virology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and host immune response to these viral pathogens.\u201d\nIn the same post, the Sec. de la Pe\u00f1a said that the institute may explore the fields of:\n\nenteric infections,\nrespiratory infections,\ncentral nervous system infections,\nviral infections in the immunocompromised host,\nantiviral and antimicrobial resistance,\nviral diversity,\nplant pathology,\nplant\u2013virus interactions,\nand major plant viruses.\n\nThe establishment of this institution may help develop our nation\u2019s capacity to contribute to global efforts such as the development of a vaccine to viruses such as COVID-19. Currently, there are no local efforts to create such a vaccine due to the lack of proper facilities and resources.\n\u201cThe development of vaccines requires very good research on viruses, particularly those that are circulating in our environment,\u201d said Secretary de la Pe\u00f1a. \u201cThis will also require the establishment of a virus high containment laboratory for the study of viruses.”\nThe necessity for preparedness\nVIP will be a space for scientists to collaborate and study viruses that are crucial in the agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental spheres.\n\u201cWe have to be prepared because pandemics, such as what we are experiencing now, can occur again in the future,\u201d said Secretary de la Pe\u00f1a in a May 26 interview with CNN Philippines\u2019 New Day. \u201cI think it is not only the vaccines that we have to pay attention to; it is also diagnostics as well as the therapeutics that will be needed.\u201d\u00a0\n\u201cMay I just add that when we talk of the viruses, it is not just those that attack humans but also those of animals,\u201d he said. \u201cFor example, we have the problem of the African Swine Fever and the viruses that attack our important crops like abaca, papaya, mango, banana, etc., so this is very important.\u201d\nThe Philippines is currently seeking to collaborate with institutions in China and Chinese-Taipei (Taiwan) in the creation of a COVID-19 vaccine. \u201cSo we communicated with them and we are in the process preparing what is needed to execute the collaboration,\u201d the Secretary shared.\nThrough other such strategic partnerships, the hope is for VIP to be a venue for pioneering virology research advancing the frontiers of virology in the country.", "date_published": "2020-05-28T12:30:24+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-28T12:30:24+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "biosafety", "COVID-19", "DoST", "Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines", "Community" ], "summary": "The Department of Science and Technology has submitted a proposal for the establishment of a virology institute, envisioned to be the natuon\u2019s premier research facility encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in humans, plants, and animals. " }, { "id": "/?p=296321", "url": "/community/2020/05/26/296321/sparkup-community-huawei-global-analyst-summit-discusses-business-results-and-vision-for-the-future/", "title": "Huawei Global Analyst Summit discusses business results and vision for the future", "content_html": "Last May 18, Huawei kicked off its three-day 17th annual Global Analyst Summit to discuss how the industry \u201ccan work together to weather the difficult times, achieve win-win outcomes, and accelerate the arrival of the intelligent world.\u201d
\nGuo Ping, Huawei\u2019s rotating chairman, shared business results of the past year. The company reported \u00a5858.8 billion (P6.1 trillion) in revenue, with a net profit of \u00a562.7 billion (P445.6 billion). In order to help cope with Huawei\u2019s inclusion in the US government\u2019s entity list, they invested \u00a5131.7 billion (P936.8 billion) into their research and development, a significant 29.8% more than the amount last year.\u00a0
\nThis investment and innovation falls into three domains: connectivity, computing, and smart devices. One of the technologies that the company is exploring, naked-eye 3D, displays capable of creating 3D images without the need for specialized eyewear, is believed to have great value in entertainment, healthcare, and education. It also has the potential to create a new market worth hundreds of billions of US dollars.
\nIf accurate, this new technology, along with AI, Internet of Things, and 5G, will contribute to the digital economy estimated to be worth $23 trillion by 2025. \u201cThe ICT infrastructure is the cornerstone of the intelligent world\u2026 They will promote sustainable development, become new drivers for economic growth, and enable better consumer experience, smart cities, and industrial digitization,\u201d said Guo Ping.
\nHuawei believes that this is possible only with continuous collaboration. \u201cWe now live in a highly-integrated, globalized world\u2026 there are more opportunities for cooperation than competition. Huawei calls for the industry to make certain efforts in strengthening IPr protecting IPR protection, safeguarding fair competition, protecting unified standards, and promoting a collaborative supply chain.\u201d
\n", "content_text": "Last May 18, Huawei kicked off its three-day 17th annual Global Analyst Summit to discuss how the industry \u201ccan work together to weather the difficult times, achieve win-win outcomes, and accelerate the arrival of the intelligent world.\u201d\nGuo Ping, Huawei\u2019s rotating chairman, shared business results of the past year. The company reported \u00a5858.8 billion (P6.1 trillion) in revenue, with a net profit of \u00a562.7 billion (P445.6 billion). In order to help cope with Huawei\u2019s inclusion in the US government\u2019s entity list, they invested \u00a5131.7 billion (P936.8 billion) into their research and development, a significant 29.8% more than the amount last year.\u00a0\nThis investment and innovation falls into three domains: connectivity, computing, and smart devices. One of the technologies that the company is exploring, naked-eye 3D, displays capable of creating 3D images without the need for specialized eyewear, is believed to have great value in entertainment, healthcare, and education. It also has the potential to create a new market worth hundreds of billions of US dollars.\nIf accurate, this new technology, along with AI, Internet of Things, and 5G, will contribute to the digital economy estimated to be worth $23 trillion by 2025. \u201cThe ICT infrastructure is the cornerstone of the intelligent world\u2026 They will promote sustainable development, become new drivers for economic growth, and enable better consumer experience, smart cities, and industrial digitization,\u201d said Guo Ping.\nHuawei believes that this is possible only with continuous collaboration. \u201cWe now live in a highly-integrated, globalized world\u2026 there are more opportunities for cooperation than competition. Huawei calls for the industry to make certain efforts in strengthening IPr protecting IPR protection, safeguarding fair competition, protecting unified standards, and promoting a collaborative supply chain.\u201d", "date_published": "2020-05-26T16:08:56+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-26T16:08:56+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "5G", "AI", "Guo Ping", "huawei", "Huawei Global Analyst Summit", "Internet of Things", "Community" ], "summary": "The company reported increased investments and called for collaboration." }, { "id": "/?p=296313", "url": "/community/2020/05/26/296313/sparkup-community-navigating-the-curve-how-to-market-during-covid-19-2/", "title": "Navigating the curve: how to market during COVID-19", "content_html": "As the population continues to stay indoors in the hopes of flattening the COVID-19 curve, they are becoming increasingly dependent on the Internet for information and connectivity. Usage has shot up to 70% since the pandemic started, creating a huge opportunity for marketers to raise awareness on their brand.
\nBut with heightened usage, comes higher scrutiny as well\u2014with consumers paying more attention to what brands are saying, and doing, more than ever before.
\nThrough the lockdown, consumers are becoming hyper-aware of corporate reactions towards the crisis, and are quick to drop their thoughts and criticisms online.
\nWith such delicate conditions to consider, how can marketers ensure that they are communicating helpfully and respectfully?
\nExperts weighed in on the matter during “Staying Sensitive: How to Communicate during COVID-19”, a webinar organized by media production agency Near Creative, held last May 8.
\nHere are some of the insights they shared:
\nWe\u2019ve seen the likes of KFC receiving backlash for some ill-timed messaging in the face of the pandemic. And when local influencer Cat Arambulo-Antonio went on a tirade against minimum wage workers stranded during the lockdown, netizens quickly demanded accountability from the brands she was endorsing, prompting some of them to clarify that her thoughts did not reflect theirs.
\nWith millions of people struggling through real crises, marketers and their partners should keep updated with current events and the sentiments of consumers across all segments. For example, you may want to avoid sales-driven content considering the financial troubles experienced by many.
\n\u201cCompanies should\u2026 focus on building that brand, that relationship\u2026 on content that helps the community,\u201d said Roxi Biribicchi, co-founder of Near Creative. \u201cIn that sense you don\u2019t concretely promote your product, but at the same time, you still deepen that relationship by providing relevant content.\u201d
\nCamille Co, content creator and entrepreneur, also advises to double-check the timing of your material. \u201cSometimes, it\u2019s not really offensive to say a certain thing at a certain point in time, but because of something that happened, it could be misconstrued or people might get hurt.\u201d
\nOf course, this practice of listening and keeping informed also extends to your customer communications. \u201cSo much has changed about the way that we interact with the world, with each other, and with brands,\u201d said Aika Lim, managing director at Bridges PR. “And we\u2019ve been so accustomed to a set kind of communications blueprint [which] is not going to apply in the future.”
\nTo keep your finger on the pulse, regularly ask your customers about their needs and experiences with your product using a tool that best suits your capacity. Lim says it can be as simple as a social media poll, while Samuel Jeanblanc, market lead at Google Philippines, suggests using CRM platforms such as Salesforce and HubSpot.
\n\u201cMake sure that you have this database of clients that you can interact with and re-engage, reach out to, and delight,\u201d he said.
\nThis pandemic has seen every able hand doing their part to help\u2014and companies aren\u2019t exempted from this expectation.\u00a0
\nBrands like Ligo were lauded for their huge efforts in helping frontliners. But even if your brand can\u2019t match these large-scale relief efforts, it’s enough to simply invest in a better communication strategy, one fit for the times.
\n\u201cIf you can directly help, then the messaging should be around \u2018Talk to me\u2019, meaning [it]\u2026 has to be around, \u2018How can my brand help you as someone struggling with the crisis?\u2019\u201d said Jeanblanc. Angkas exemplified this when they launched Angkas Food to support their riders.
\nOn the other end of the spectrum, your messaging can also revolve around \u201cTalk to we\u201d, meaning the community. Lots of brands have been doing this through social media posts reminding people to practice good hygiene and social distancing.
\nYou can also explore other ways\u2014and even specific communities\u2014 to provide help to those in need. \u201cFor instance, a lot of beauty professionals are struggling. So some [beauty] brands have been using their platform to support those professionals, like stylists, and giving them a platform to share their expertise,\u201d said Lim.
\n", "content_text": "As the population continues to stay indoors in the hopes of flattening the COVID-19 curve, they are becoming increasingly dependent on the Internet for information and connectivity. Usage has shot up to 70% since the pandemic started, creating a huge opportunity for marketers to raise awareness on their brand.\nBut with heightened usage, comes higher scrutiny as well\u2014with consumers paying more attention to what brands are saying, and doing, more than ever before.\nThrough the lockdown, consumers are becoming hyper-aware of corporate reactions towards the crisis, and are quick to drop their thoughts and criticisms online.\nWith such delicate conditions to consider, how can marketers ensure that they are communicating helpfully and respectfully?\nExperts weighed in on the matter during “Staying Sensitive: How to Communicate during COVID-19”, a webinar organized by media production agency Near Creative, held last May 8.\nHere are some of the insights they shared:\n1. Fill yourself in on what\u2019s going on around you\u2014and respond sensitively.\nWe\u2019ve seen the likes of KFC receiving backlash for some ill-timed messaging in the face of the pandemic. And when local influencer Cat Arambulo-Antonio went on a tirade against minimum wage workers stranded during the lockdown, netizens quickly demanded accountability from the brands she was endorsing, prompting some of them to clarify that her thoughts did not reflect theirs. \nWith millions of people struggling through real crises, marketers and their partners should keep updated with current events and the sentiments of consumers across all segments. For example, you may want to avoid sales-driven content considering the financial troubles experienced by many.\n\u201cCompanies should\u2026 focus on building that brand, that relationship\u2026 on content that helps the community,\u201d said Roxi Biribicchi, co-founder of Near Creative. \u201cIn that sense you don\u2019t concretely promote your product, but at the same time, you still deepen that relationship by providing relevant content.\u201d\nCamille Co, content creator and entrepreneur, also advises to double-check the timing of your material. \u201cSometimes, it\u2019s not really offensive to say a certain thing at a certain point in time, but because of something that happened, it could be misconstrued or people might get hurt.\u201d\n2. Engage with your consumers so that you know what they need.\nOf course, this practice of listening and keeping informed also extends to your customer communications. \u201cSo much has changed about the way that we interact with the world, with each other, and with brands,\u201d said Aika Lim, managing director at Bridges PR. “And we\u2019ve been so accustomed to a set kind of communications blueprint [which] is not going to apply in the future.”\nTo keep your finger on the pulse, regularly ask your customers about their needs and experiences with your product using a tool that best suits your capacity. Lim says it can be as simple as a social media poll, while Samuel Jeanblanc, market lead at Google Philippines, suggests using CRM platforms such as Salesforce and HubSpot.\n\u201cMake sure that you have this database of clients that you can interact with and re-engage, reach out to, and delight,\u201d he said.\n3. Support the community in your own, genuine way.\nThis pandemic has seen every able hand doing their part to help\u2014and companies aren\u2019t exempted from this expectation.\u00a0\nBrands like Ligo were lauded for their huge efforts in helping frontliners. But even if your brand can\u2019t match these large-scale relief efforts, it’s enough to simply invest in a better communication strategy, one fit for the times.\n\u201cIf you can directly help, then the messaging should be around \u2018Talk to me\u2019, meaning [it]\u2026 has to be around, \u2018How can my brand help you as someone struggling with the crisis?\u2019\u201d said Jeanblanc. Angkas exemplified this when they launched Angkas Food to support their riders.\nOn the other end of the spectrum, your messaging can also revolve around \u201cTalk to we\u201d, meaning the community. Lots of brands have been doing this through social media posts reminding people to practice good hygiene and social distancing.\nYou can also explore other ways\u2014and even specific communities\u2014 to provide help to those in need. \u201cFor instance, a lot of beauty professionals are struggling. So some [beauty] brands have been using their platform to support those professionals, like stylists, and giving them a platform to share their expertise,\u201d said Lim.", "date_published": "2020-05-26T15:24:07+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-26T15:24:07+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "COVID-19 curve", "lockdown", "Near Creative", "webinar", "Community" ], "summary": "Consumers are becoming hyper-aware of corporate reactions towards the crisis, quick to drop their thoughts online with one touch of a button. With such delicate conditions to consider, how can marketers ensure that they are communicating helpfully and respectfully?" }, { "id": "/?p=296095", "url": "/community/2020/05/25/296095/sparkup-community-farmers-and-fisherfolk-share-covid-19-stories-from-the-field/", "title": "Farmers and fisherfolk share Covid-19 stories from the field", "content_html": "The Philippines has been in various forms of a lockdown since March 16, when the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases set quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. These measures have included restrictions on travel and movements within and outside of communities. And while food is supposedly able to pass through checkpoints unimpeded, small-scale food producers say this is not always the case.
\nCathryn Leonaga, a fisherfolk woman from PANGISDA Bataan, said that despite being declared by government agencies as frontliners allowed to pursue their production activities, fisherfolk in their locality who tried to go out to sea to fish were arrested by \u201cbantay dagat\u201d (local sea patrol).
\n\u201cInstead of buying food, the money they earned is posted as bail for violating the quarantine. If they don\u2019t have money, they are forced to borrow money from other people,\u201d she said.
\nWhile food and relief measures are becoming scarce in many areas, some food-producing provinces like Benguet and Tarlac experience an oversupply of vegetables, resulting in both income loss and food wastage.
\nAs our country continues to grapple with the health and economic issues brought about by the current pandemic, another issue looms on the horizon: food security.
\nIn addition to the restrictions they\u2019ve experienced out at sea, fish sellers and fisherfolk like Leonaga have also incurred massive losses from fish spoilage due to the closure of some ice plants. Ven Carbon of the Cebu Tanon Strait Fisherfolk Federation, shared that these losses have been further compounded by limited transportation and other logistical challenges like checkpoint queues lasting hours.
\nMeanwhile, farmers bringing their produce from farms to the market face similar challenges due to the quarantine. Farmers in Benguet, Tarlac, and Antique reported that they could not bring their produce to major cities.
\nMonina Geaga, a vegetable farmer from Capas, Tarlac, shared that her high-value crops intended for the Quezon City market couldn\u2019t be shipped, prompting her to sell the vegetables in her village at 1/3 of the original price.
\nThese insights were shared at the recently concluded webinar, \u201cKwentuhuan Tayo\u201d which fielded stories from the food producers at the frontlines of COVID-19. This was the first in a three-part webinar series titled \u201cThe Better Normal: Re-imagining our food and agriculture system in a post-COVID-19 Future\u201d.
\nIn response to the plight of our nation\u2019s food producers, the Philippine government is providing Covid-19 aid to fisherfolk, farmers, and farm laborers through the Php 2.8 billion Survival and Recovery (SURE) Aid Program of the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC).
\nSURE provides loans of up to Php 25,000. each at zero interest for farmers and fisherfolk affected by calamities and disasters.
\nThe Department of Agriculture, through the Financial Subsidy for Rice Farmers (FSRF), is also providing aid to farmers in 24 provinces who are not covered by the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program, for those tilling one hectare and less.
\nFarmers and fisherfolk have complained, however, that too many of them are \u201cunqualified\u201d to avail of these aid programs.
\n\u201cOnly those who till one hectare of land and below can avail of the aid,\u201d Randy Cirio, a member of the National Council of Pakisama in Bula, Camarines Sur said. Cirio, like other agriculture advocates, point to poorly crafted and poorly communicated rules and guidelines as the problem.
\nDespite these challenges, local government units continue to partner with the stakeholders and the civil society organizations to mitigate the effects of the lockdown due to Covid-19.
\nThe province of Laguna executed an Executive Order encouraging all LGUs to buy farm produce from local farmers for relief packs distribution to their affected constituents. Quezon province likewise signed a MOA with Las Pi\u00f1as City, allowing the LGU to assist the fisherfolk and farmers in transporting and selling their products to urban centers. Davao City\u2019s city government introduced the buyback \u201cTabang sa Mag-uuma (Buy Back Scheme): Purchase, Repack, and Distribute.\u201d This activity supports the farmers against the loss of livelihood amid the current crisis.
\nIn a post dated May 21, the Department of Agriculture Communications Group particularly emphasized the importance of local chief executives (LCEs) in their key role as \u201cfood security czars.\u201d The LCEs are deemed crucial in cascading national policies and sectoral interventions of food production and the entire value chain. \u201cWhile we rally and steer the agri-fishery industry to propel and reach its optimum potential, it is really the LGUs and respective local chief executives or LCEs that do the rowing, making sure that support mechanisms at the local level are in place and in sync with the priorities at the national level,\u201d Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.
\nDILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-080 directs the offices of the provincial agriculturist and the city or municipal agriculturist to conduct an information drive to make farmers aware of all the ongoing interventions of the DA, and to ensure that support mechanisms have been cascaded and are in place.
\nEdlyn Rosales of PANGISDA Bataan noted in the aforementioned webinar that Covid-19 highlighted the significant contribution of their sector to society. This is something Secretary Dar affirmed in an earlier statement: \u201cThe country\u2019s farmers and [fishermen], who we consider as food security \u2018frontliners,\u2019 play a crucial part in our fight against Covid-19,\u201d Sec. Dar said. \u201cThat\u2019s why it is important that we continue to empower them to ensure continued production and delivery of food to our countrymen.\u201d
\n", "content_text": "The Philippines has been in various forms of a lockdown since March 16, when the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases set quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. These measures have included restrictions on travel and movements within and outside of communities. And while food is supposedly able to pass through checkpoints unimpeded, small-scale food producers say this is not always the case.\nCathryn Leonaga, a fisherfolk woman from PANGISDA Bataan, said that despite being declared by government agencies as frontliners allowed to pursue their production activities, fisherfolk in their locality who tried to go out to sea to fish were arrested by \u201cbantay dagat\u201d (local sea patrol).\n\u201cInstead of buying food, the money they earned is posted as bail for violating the quarantine. If they don\u2019t have money, they are forced to borrow money from other people,\u201d she said.\nWhile food and relief measures are becoming scarce in many areas, some food-producing provinces like Benguet and Tarlac experience an oversupply of vegetables, resulting in both income loss and food wastage.\nAs our country continues to grapple with the health and economic issues brought about by the current pandemic, another issue looms on the horizon: food security.\nIn addition to the restrictions they\u2019ve experienced out at sea, fish sellers and fisherfolk like Leonaga have also incurred massive losses from fish spoilage due to the closure of some ice plants. Ven Carbon of the Cebu Tanon Strait Fisherfolk Federation, shared that these losses have been further compounded by limited transportation and other logistical challenges like checkpoint queues lasting hours.\nMeanwhile, farmers bringing their produce from farms to the market face similar challenges due to the quarantine. Farmers in Benguet, Tarlac, and Antique reported that they could not bring their produce to major cities.\nMonina Geaga, a vegetable farmer from Capas, Tarlac, shared that her high-value crops intended for the Quezon City market couldn\u2019t be shipped, prompting her to sell the vegetables in her village at 1/3 of the original price.\nGovernment aid for farmers and fisherfolk\nThese insights were shared at the recently concluded webinar, \u201cKwentuhuan Tayo\u201d which fielded stories from the food producers at the frontlines of COVID-19. This was the first in a three-part webinar series titled \u201cThe Better Normal: Re-imagining our food and agriculture system in a post-COVID-19 Future\u201d.\nIn response to the plight of our nation\u2019s food producers, the Philippine government is providing Covid-19 aid to fisherfolk, farmers, and farm laborers through the Php 2.8 billion Survival and Recovery (SURE) Aid Program of the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC). \nSURE provides loans of up to Php 25,000. each at zero interest for farmers and fisherfolk affected by calamities and disasters.\nThe Department of Agriculture, through the Financial Subsidy for Rice Farmers (FSRF), is also providing aid to farmers in 24 provinces who are not covered by the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program, for those tilling one hectare and less. \nFarmers and fisherfolk have complained, however, that too many of them are \u201cunqualified\u201d to avail of these aid programs.\n\u201cOnly those who till one hectare of land and below can avail of the aid,\u201d Randy Cirio, a member of the National Council of Pakisama in Bula, Camarines Sur said. Cirio, like other agriculture advocates, point to poorly crafted and poorly communicated rules and guidelines as the problem.\nDespite these challenges, local government units continue to partner with the stakeholders and the civil society organizations to mitigate the effects of the lockdown due to Covid-19.\nThe province of Laguna executed an Executive Order encouraging all LGUs to buy farm produce from local farmers for relief packs distribution to their affected constituents. Quezon province likewise signed a MOA with Las Pi\u00f1as City, allowing the LGU to assist the fisherfolk and farmers in transporting and selling their products to urban centers. Davao City\u2019s city government introduced the buyback \u201cTabang sa Mag-uuma (Buy Back Scheme): Purchase, Repack, and Distribute.\u201d This activity supports the farmers against the loss of livelihood amid the current crisis.\nIn a post dated May 21, the Department of Agriculture Communications Group particularly emphasized the importance of local chief executives (LCEs) in their key role as \u201cfood security czars.\u201d The LCEs are deemed crucial in cascading national policies and sectoral interventions of food production and the entire value chain. \u201cWhile we rally and steer the agri-fishery industry to propel and reach its optimum potential, it is really the LGUs and respective local chief executives or LCEs that do the rowing, making sure that support mechanisms at the local level are in place and in sync with the priorities at the national level,\u201d Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.\nDILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-080 directs the offices of the provincial agriculturist and the city or municipal agriculturist to conduct an information drive to make farmers aware of all the ongoing interventions of the DA, and to ensure that support mechanisms have been cascaded and are in place.\nEdlyn Rosales of PANGISDA Bataan noted in the aforementioned webinar that Covid-19 highlighted the significant contribution of their sector to society. This is something Secretary Dar affirmed in an earlier statement: \u201cThe country\u2019s farmers and [fishermen], who we consider as food security \u2018frontliners,\u2019 play a crucial part in our fight against Covid-19,\u201d Sec. Dar said. \u201cThat\u2019s why it is important that we continue to empower them to ensure continued production and delivery of food to our countrymen.\u201d", "date_published": "2020-05-25T13:33:30+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-25T13:33:30+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "COVID-19", "farmers", "fisherfolk", "IATF", "Community" ], "summary": "Food security is becoming a problem as the country passes its 60-day lockdown mark. Farmers and fisherfolk share their stories in a Greenpeace-organized webinar as stakeholders look for possible solutions. " }, { "id": "/?p=295788", "url": "/community/2020/05/22/295788/sparkup-community-our-new-normal-should-be-a-green-one-wwf/", "title": "Our new normal should be a green one\u2014WWF", "content_html": "Businesses have ground to a halt and whole industries have dried up as we enter into the third month of modified lockdown measures. As we progress ever further into our quarantine journey, the question remains \u2013 what will our post-pandemic world look like? With all this talk about shifting to the new normal, we also have to think about the bigger implications in terms of making economic recovery more ecologically-responsive and sustainable.
\nAtty. Angela Ibay, WWF-Philippines Head of Climate and Energy, lays out three arguments for businesses and cities to become more sustainable:
\n\u201cFirst, we need to be more self-reliant as a country, even in terms of our energy needs,” she said. Much of the coal we use to power our plants is imported. With whole countries in lockdown, this importation has stopped. Meanwhile, we have abundant indigenous and renewable energy sources right here in the Philippines, that are ready and available for use whenever we need them.”
\nAccording to the Department of Energy, the country\u2019s renewable energy potential is vast with at least 4,000 megawatts (MW) for geothermal, 76,600 MW for wind, 10,000 MW for hydropower, 5 kilowatt-hours per square meter per day for solar, 170,000 MW for ocean, and 500MW for biomass. The recent proposed auctioning of 2,000 MW and identification of competitive renewable energy zones (CREZs) of renewable energy capacity is a good start, Atty. Ibay says.
\n“However, we need to be able to support ourselves, which is why we must continue to explore and use these renewable sources of power. ”
\nAtty. Ibay continues by outlining a second need: To address our looming power needs.
\n“The lockdown has caused a delay in the construction and commissioning of several fossil-fueled power plants that had been slated for operation,” she said. “This could lead to supply challenges in the future. Commercial and industrial power demand may have decreased during the lockdown, but this has been offset by an increase in power demand from our own homes. Once community quarantines are lifted or eased, we can expect a surge in demand. There is immense opportunity, therefore, for us to plug our growing gaps in local power production, if only we were to tap into our bountiful sources of clean, renewable, and indigenous energy and implement stronger energy efficiency initiatives.”
\nFinally, Atty. Ibay says we need to stray away from thinking that our economic recovery will be a choice between livelihood and the environment.
\n“The dichotomy… does not exist,” she said, stressing that sustainable business can easily meet our needs as a country.
\n“We\u2019ve seen that investing in natural capital for ecosystem resilience, especially in climate-responsive sectors such as sustainable agriculture, does not only come with the associated environmental and health benefits, but can also provide a much needed economic boost,” she said. “It is possible for our economy to recover on the back of green industry, so long as companies are innovative and we create the environment for sustainable businesses to thrive. It is not a choice between the economy and the planet.\u201d
\nAccording to Atty. Ibay, we can look to investments in clean energy infrastructure, clean research, and the greenification of private and public spaces as a way to expand the economy while addressing the looming climate crisis.
\nThe Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas recognizes this with their recent sustainable banking framework, which integrates sustainability in the banking sector with increasing financing flows and investments to green and sustainable economic development.
\nThe pandemic has forced us to dramatically rethink and recalibrate our way of life, Atty. Ibay said. Hopefully, we will see this crisis as an opportunity to rebuild our economies for a better and more equitable future, one that is more resilient to systemically disruptive factors such as pandemics and climate change.
\n", "content_text": "Businesses have ground to a halt and whole industries have dried up as we enter into the third month of modified lockdown measures. As we progress ever further into our quarantine journey, the question remains \u2013 what will our post-pandemic world look like? With all this talk about shifting to the new normal, we also have to think about the bigger implications in terms of making economic recovery more ecologically-responsive and sustainable. \nThe argument for sustainability and environmental responsiveness\nAtty. Angela Ibay, WWF-Philippines Head of Climate and Energy, lays out three arguments for businesses and cities to become more sustainable: \n\u201cFirst, we need to be more self-reliant as a country, even in terms of our energy needs,” she said. Much of the coal we use to power our plants is imported. With whole countries in lockdown, this importation has stopped. Meanwhile, we have abundant indigenous and renewable energy sources right here in the Philippines, that are ready and available for use whenever we need them.”\nAccording to the Department of Energy, the country\u2019s renewable energy potential is vast with at least 4,000 megawatts (MW) for geothermal, 76,600 MW for wind, 10,000 MW for hydropower, 5 kilowatt-hours per square meter per day for solar, 170,000 MW for ocean, and 500MW for biomass. The recent proposed auctioning of 2,000 MW and identification of competitive renewable energy zones (CREZs) of renewable energy capacity is a good start, Atty. Ibay says. \n“However, we need to be able to support ourselves, which is why we must continue to explore and use these renewable sources of power. ”\nAtty. Ibay continues by outlining a second need: To address our looming power needs. \n“The lockdown has caused a delay in the construction and commissioning of several fossil-fueled power plants that had been slated for operation,” she said. “This could lead to supply challenges in the future. Commercial and industrial power demand may have decreased during the lockdown, but this has been offset by an increase in power demand from our own homes. Once community quarantines are lifted or eased, we can expect a surge in demand. There is immense opportunity, therefore, for us to plug our growing gaps in local power production, if only we were to tap into our bountiful sources of clean, renewable, and indigenous energy and implement stronger energy efficiency initiatives.”\nFinally, Atty. Ibay says we need to stray away from thinking that our economic recovery will be a choice between livelihood and the environment. \n“The dichotomy… does not exist,” she said, stressing that sustainable business can easily meet our needs as a country. \n“We\u2019ve seen that investing in natural capital for ecosystem resilience, especially in climate-responsive sectors such as sustainable agriculture, does not only come with the associated environmental and health benefits, but can also provide a much needed economic boost,” she said. “It is possible for our economy to recover on the back of green industry, so long as companies are innovative and we create the environment for sustainable businesses to thrive. It is not a choice between the economy and the planet.\u201d \nMaking the new normal green \nAccording to Atty. Ibay, we can look to investments in clean energy infrastructure, clean research, and the greenification of private and public spaces as a way to expand the economy while addressing the looming climate crisis. \nThe Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas recognizes this with their recent sustainable banking framework, which integrates sustainability in the banking sector with increasing financing flows and investments to green and sustainable economic development. \nThe pandemic has forced us to dramatically rethink and recalibrate our way of life, Atty. Ibay said. Hopefully, we will see this crisis as an opportunity to rebuild our economies for a better and more equitable future, one that is more resilient to systemically disruptive factors such as pandemics and climate change.", "date_published": "2020-05-22T11:34:17+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-22T11:34:17+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Atty. Angela Ibay", "Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas", "Covid-19 pandemic", "Department of Energy", "lockdown", "WWF-Philippines", "Community" ], "summary": "Atty. Angela Ibay, WWF-Philippines Head of Climate and Energy, opines that we have what it takes to make our post-COVID world a sustainable one. Here are her three arguments for a greener normal." }, { "id": "/?p=295602", "url": "/community/2020/05/21/295602/sparkup-community-local-brands-get-online-boost-as-lift-lokal-goes-live/", "title": "Local brands get online boost as Lift Lokal goes live", "content_html": "As stay-at-home orders temper consumer demand and mandatory lockdowns shutter stores and establishments, many small and independently-run businesses are feeling the pinch of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
\nTo help ease the strain and provide a lifeline for local businesses, Veronica Eala and her team (in partnership with Luxx Lash and The Good Trade PH) created Lift Lokal, a non-profit initiative and online portal that aims to serve as an avenue for local businesses to promote their respective brands and trades.
\nGrounded in the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, Lift Lokal aims to assist local and independent businesses by giving everyone easy access to brands they can support. Through the online platform, visitors can learn about not only these brands’ products, but also the social impact initiatives they’re championing. After choosing a product, visitors will be redirected to the partner brand’s online store to make a purchase.
\nSo far, Lift Lokal has partnered with brands like Numad, Habi Home Shop, Tropik Beatnik, Orlas Studios, Luxx Lash, and Kool PH.
\n\u201cThrough this initiative, our goal is to foster a community of support to both local independent brands and groups that are strongly impacted by the pandemic,\u201d said Eala.
\n\u201cOur country is held together by medical and service frontliners who fight to keep us safe and at home,” she said. “By closing the loop, we can support local brands while simultaneously helping them strengthen their initiatives towards these people who protect us. We want to send the message that this change can start with anyone. And that together, we can close the loop.”
\nBrands looking to partner with Lift Lokal must have their own online storefront from facilitating purchases, as well as an initiative that supports groups greatly affected by, or are at risk, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lift Lokal\u200b does not charge any fees from brand partners.
\nInterested parties may register anytime at https://bit.ly/liftlokalreg or learn more about the platform at their website.\u00a0
\n", "content_text": "As stay-at-home orders temper consumer demand and mandatory lockdowns shutter stores and establishments, many small and independently-run businesses are feeling the pinch of the current COVID-19 pandemic.\nTo help ease the strain and provide a lifeline for local businesses, Veronica Eala and her team (in partnership with Luxx Lash and The Good Trade PH) created Lift Lokal, a non-profit initiative and online portal that aims to serve as an avenue for local businesses to promote their respective brands and trades.\nGrounded in the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, Lift Lokal aims to assist local and independent businesses by giving everyone easy access to brands they can support. Through the online platform, visitors can learn about not only these brands’ products, but also the social impact initiatives they’re championing. After choosing a product, visitors will be redirected to the partner brand’s online store to make a purchase. \nSo far, Lift Lokal has partnered with brands like Numad, Habi Home Shop, Tropik Beatnik, Orlas Studios, Luxx Lash, and Kool PH.\n\u201cThrough this initiative, our goal is to foster a community of support to both local independent brands and groups that are strongly impacted by the pandemic,\u201d said Eala.\n\u201cOur country is held together by medical and service frontliners who fight to keep us safe and at home,” she said. “By closing the loop, we can support local brands while simultaneously helping them strengthen their initiatives towards these people who protect us. We want to send the message that this change can start with anyone. And that together, we can close the loop.”\nBrands looking to partner with Lift Lokal must have their own online storefront from facilitating purchases, as well as an initiative that supports groups greatly affected by, or are at risk, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lift Lokal\u200b does not charge any fees from brand partners.\nInterested parties may register anytime at https://bit.ly/liftlokalreg or learn more about the platform at their website.\u00a0", "date_published": "2020-05-21T16:58:12+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-21T16:58:12+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "bayanihan", "Covid-19 pandemic", "Habi Home Shop", "Kool PH", "Lift Lokal", "Luxx Lash", "Numad", "online platform", "Orlas Studios", "Tropik Beatnik", "Community" ], "summary": "Homegrown virtual platform helps keep indie brands afloat amid the pandemic" }, { "id": "/?p=295538", "url": "/community/2020/05/21/295538/sparkup-community-immap-offers-free-webinar-to-jumpstart-your-digital-media-strategy/", "title": "IMMAP offers free webinar to jumpstart your digital media strategy", "content_html": "\n
Web Wednesdays is a webinar series organized by the
Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines, designed to support digital education in the country.\u00a0\nPushing for Digital Marketing Transformation, each webinar is a live one-hour session online that features industry experts and leaders discussing a variety of digital topics. Last year, the series was guided by four pillars: e-commerce, content marketing, digital media, and analytics.
\nThis leg of the series will explore topics like the basic principles of digital media strategy, the rise of hyperlocal communities, and tips on how to deal with post COVID-19 scenarios.
\nJoining next Wednesday\u2019s session are resource persons:
\nSpearheaded by the IMMAP education committee and co-presented by ABS-CBN and the Certified Digital Marketer (CDM), the series aims to spread awareness on the latest digital data, trends, and best practices that can be adapted to different kinds of businesses.\u00a0
\nIMMAP’s Web Wednesdays series is free and open to everyone. Their next session is slated for May 27, 2020 at 6PM.
\n", "content_text": "Web Wednesdays is a webinar series organized by the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines, designed to support digital education in the country.\u00a0\nPushing for Digital Marketing Transformation, each webinar is a live one-hour session online that features industry experts and leaders discussing a variety of digital topics. Last year, the series was guided by four pillars: e-commerce, content marketing, digital media, and analytics.\nThis leg of the series will explore topics like the basic principles of digital media strategy, the rise of hyperlocal communities, and tips on how to deal with post COVID-19 scenarios.\nJoining next Wednesday\u2019s session are resource persons:\n\nDennis Perez, Media Director for Philippines & E-Commerce Media for SEAA,\nLana Macapagal, Business Development Manager of Rakuten Viber,\nAbhishek Gupta, Managing Director of Mindshare,\nTin Amper, Executive Director for Media of The Nielsen Company\nand moderator, Bea Lim Managing Director of TeamAsia.\n\nSpearheaded by the IMMAP education committee and co-presented by ABS-CBN and the Certified Digital Marketer (CDM), the series aims to spread awareness on the latest digital data, trends, and best practices that can be adapted to different kinds of businesses.\u00a0\nIMMAP’s Web Wednesdays series is free and open to everyone. Their next session is slated for May 27, 2020 at 6PM.", "date_published": "2020-05-21T11:21:24+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-21T11:21:24+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "digital media", "IMMAP", "Mindshare", "Rakuten Viber", "SEAA", "TeamAsia", "The Nielsen Company", "Web Wednesdays", "webinar", "Community" ], "summary": "Learn how to jumpstart your digital media strategies with tips on how to deal with post-COVID-19 scenarios in the next IMMAP Web Wednesdays webinar. " }, { "id": "/?p=295116", "url": "/community/2020/05/19/295116/sparkup-community-four-highlights-from-the-2020-philippine-startup-survey-covid-edition/", "title": "Four highlights from the 2020 Philippine Startup Survey: COVID Edition", "content_html": "Last May 12, PwC Philippines, together with the Department of Trade and Industry, QBO Innovation Hub, and IdeaSpace, shared the 2020 Philippine Startup Survey: COVID Edition, which aims \u201cto understand the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the tech startups in the Philippines.\u201d The effort follows a previous report released in February that mapped out the same landscape pre-pandemic.
\n\u201cThis crisis is really forcing us to make decisions quickly and to act with urgency,” said Jade Roxas-Divinagracia, deals and corporate finance managing partner at PwC Philippines. “And while it brings with it numerous challenges, admittedly, we sense a lot of opportunities especially for startups.”
\n\u201cGiven the right support, founders and startups with the ability to seize these opportunities and to make the necessary adjustments or pivot will survive this crisis and will be well-positioned to thrive thereafter.\u201d
\nHere are four important highlights from the report.
\nOut of the 90 founders interviewed for the survey, 48% felt threatened by the pandemic\u2019s impact on their startup, while only 23% consider it as an isolated concern. Their top concerns include the financial impact and effects on operations, a potential global recession, and difficulties in funding.
\nOf the respondents surveyed, 36% also expressed concern about reduced workforce productivity, which may be partially attributed to the country\u2019s slow internet connection.
\nBut according to Atty. Alexander Cabrera, chairman and senior partner at PwC Philippines, this may be a case-to-case basis. \u201cFor instance, in our business, I think the productivity level is up\u2026 for the primary reason that people don\u2019t have to travel. So the travel time going to the office and to clients are no longer needed.\u201d
\nHe also believes that productivity spans a wide array of activities that don\u2019t only achieve revenue generation. \u201cIt\u2019s also upskilling people and activities\u2026 R&D, thought leadership, [and] even developing critical relationships.\u201d
\nThe crisis has challenged many founders\u2019 creativity, employing various ways to keep their startup afloat. 51% reduced their level of operations, while 36% implemented cost reductions (aside from employee costs) and prepared a business continuity program. Almost half of the surveyed startups even started offering a new product or service.
\nOn top of these internal measures, startups are also looking to acquire funding from other sources. These include government grants and subsidies, equity financing, and bank loans and financing.
\nHowever, the situation isn\u2019t completely bleak for several startups, with 21% saying that they even experienced an increase in demand for their products and services.
\nIt may be assumed that these are startups from the logistics, education technology, enterprise services, financial technology, and healthcare sectors, since they have been critical to making life convenient for consumers under quarantine.
\nThe pandemic also saw new players such as food market startups and on-demand delivery service platforms. For Ellard Capiral, CEO of sniper advertising firm AdMov, it will inspire further innovation among budding entrepreneurs.
\n“This situation will create a new breed of startups, and will probably change how we do business in the long run,\u201d he said. \u201cStartups need to adapt to the new needs and behaviors of people. They should not expect that things will go back to as they were before COVID-19.”
\nA harrowing 20% of the surveyed startups found that they only have enough cash and capacity to sustain their business for more than a year. Given this, they\u2019re calling to the government to implement helpful measures that will help boost and bolster their operations.
\nTheir top suggestions include loans with a longer grace period and relaxed credit requirements, tax incentives, and incentives for startup investors, such as tax holidays, that will encourage them to accelerate fundraising activities. \u201cI hope the government will provide strong and deliberate financial assistance to all startups in the same way it has implemented its strong enforcement of the ECQ,\u201d one founder said.
\nFounders are also carrying other kinds of considerations on top of funding. 76% need a wider customer base to secure more possible revenue sources, while 61% that are experiencing growth in their startup require additional talent to support it.
\n\u201cThe negative effects of the pandemic may persist up to a year after the lifting of the ECQ,\u201d said a founder. \u201cIt is therefore important to develop support systems as well as funding options and collaborations with big firms to support the SMEs, since SMEs account for more than 66% of employment in the Philippines.\u201d
\n", "content_text": "Last May 12, PwC Philippines, together with the Department of Trade and Industry, QBO Innovation Hub, and IdeaSpace, shared the 2020 Philippine Startup Survey: COVID Edition, which aims \u201cto understand the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the tech startups in the Philippines.\u201d The effort follows a previous report released in February that mapped out the same landscape pre-pandemic.\n\u201cThis crisis is really forcing us to make decisions quickly and to act with urgency,” said Jade Roxas-Divinagracia, deals and corporate finance managing partner at PwC Philippines. “And while it brings with it numerous challenges, admittedly, we sense a lot of opportunities especially for startups.”\n\u201cGiven the right support, founders and startups with the ability to seize these opportunities and to make the necessary adjustments or pivot will survive this crisis and will be well-positioned to thrive thereafter.\u201d\nHere are four important highlights from the report.\n1. Majority of startups are worried about the long-term effects of the pandemic.\nOut of the 90 founders interviewed for the survey, 48% felt threatened by the pandemic\u2019s impact on their startup, while only 23% consider it as an isolated concern. Their top concerns include the financial impact and effects on operations, a potential global recession, and difficulties in funding.\nOf the respondents surveyed, 36% also expressed concern about reduced workforce productivity, which may be partially attributed to the country\u2019s slow internet connection.\nBut according to Atty. Alexander Cabrera, chairman and senior partner at PwC Philippines, this may be a case-to-case basis. \u201cFor instance, in our business, I think the productivity level is up\u2026 for the primary reason that people don\u2019t have to travel. So the travel time going to the office and to clients are no longer needed.\u201d\nHe also believes that productivity spans a wide array of activities that don\u2019t only achieve revenue generation. \u201cIt\u2019s also upskilling people and activities\u2026 R&D, thought leadership, [and] even developing critical relationships.\u201d\n2. Startups are implementing countermeasures to compensate for loss.\nThe crisis has challenged many founders\u2019 creativity, employing various ways to keep their startup afloat. 51% reduced their level of operations, while 36% implemented cost reductions (aside from employee costs) and prepared a business continuity program. Almost half of the surveyed startups even started offering a new product or service.\nOn top of these internal measures, startups are also looking to acquire funding from other sources. These include government grants and subsidies, equity financing, and bank loans and financing.\n3. Some startups have uncovered opportunities amidst the crisis.\nHowever, the situation isn\u2019t completely bleak for several startups, with 21% saying that they even experienced an increase in demand for their products and services.\nIt may be assumed that these are startups from the logistics, education technology, enterprise services, financial technology, and healthcare sectors, since they have been critical to making life convenient for consumers under quarantine.\nThe pandemic also saw new players such as food market startups and on-demand delivery service platforms. For Ellard Capiral, CEO of sniper advertising firm AdMov, it will inspire further innovation among budding entrepreneurs.\n“This situation will create a new breed of startups, and will probably change how we do business in the long run,\u201d he said. \u201cStartups need to adapt to the new needs and behaviors of people. They should not expect that things will go back to as they were before COVID-19.”\n4. Startups need additional funding and other forms of support to normalize their post-quarantine operations.\nA harrowing 20% of the surveyed startups found that they only have enough cash and capacity to sustain their business for more than a year. Given this, they\u2019re calling to the government to implement helpful measures that will help boost and bolster their operations.\nTheir top suggestions include loans with a longer grace period and relaxed credit requirements, tax incentives, and incentives for startup investors, such as tax holidays, that will encourage them to accelerate fundraising activities. \u201cI hope the government will provide strong and deliberate financial assistance to all startups in the same way it has implemented its strong enforcement of the ECQ,\u201d one founder said.\nFounders are also carrying other kinds of considerations on top of funding. 76% need a wider customer base to secure more possible revenue sources, while 61% that are experiencing growth in their startup require additional talent to support it.\n\u201cThe negative effects of the pandemic may persist up to a year after the lifting of the ECQ,\u201d said a founder. \u201cIt is therefore important to develop support systems as well as funding options and collaborations with big firms to support the SMEs, since SMEs account for more than 66% of employment in the Philippines.\u201d", "date_published": "2020-05-19T14:33:10+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-19T14:33:10+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "2020 Philippine Startup Survey: COVID Edition", "COVID-19 outbreak", "DTI", "IdeaSpace", "PwC Philippines", "QBO Innovation Hub", "startups", "Community" ], "summary": "PwC Philippines, DTI, QBO, and IdeaSpace shared the 2020 Philippine Startup Survey: COVID Edition" }, { "id": "/?p=294901", "url": "/community/2020/05/19/294901/sparkup-community-healthtech-startup-jojocare-offers-new-telemedicine-platform-for-filipinos/", "title": "Healthtech startup JoJoCare offers new telemedicine platform for Filipinos", "content_html": "First Shoshin recently announced its healthtech venture JoJoCare as a response to the general public\u2019s limited mobility brought about by the enhanced community quarantine. JoJoCare, a holistic healthcare app that helps people connect with qualified practitioners and get expert advice fast, is now in its soft launch.
\nThe founders shared that they named the platform after their go-to friend for sourcing goods from the United States. Like their ever-reliable pal, JoJoCare bridges barriers, connecting users with licensed doctors and lawyers, yoga teachers, fitness trainers, and tutors ready to accept virtual bookings.
\nSally Ponce-Enrile, JoJoCare Chairperson, sees the app as an opportunity to make these essential needs accessible to all. \u201cWe want to help more people by offering holistic health and wellness-related services at competitive prices under one platform. At the same time, we want to help professionals to continue earning and providing their services even when in-person visits aren\u2019t possible,\u201d explained Ponce-Enrile. The company says it does not get a cut from professional fees; practitioners get the complete amount of whatever they charge for their virtual consultations.
\nJoJoCare is set to onboard more vetted professionals to make the platform comprehensive and all-embracing. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to bring something that\u2019s never been done before and that\u2019s making JoJoCare as the all-in-one platform for accessing and offering a variety of virtual care services that will ultimately allow everyone to experience what better, faster, and holistic care means on the verge of a new era,\u201d added Ponce-Enrile.
\nTelehealth services is about providing service when people need it most, as well as protecting life in new ways. JoJoCare is among a growing number of providers that seeks to ease the healthcare strain brought about by the pandemic.
\nYou can now sign up for JoJoCare and book a virtual visit with its professionals. Membership fees start at Php 250. per month. Those interested to join and become a JoJoCare professional can visit my.jojocare.io.
\n", "content_text": "First Shoshin recently announced its healthtech venture JoJoCare as a response to the general public\u2019s limited mobility brought about by the enhanced community quarantine. JoJoCare, a holistic healthcare app that helps people connect with qualified practitioners and get expert advice fast, is now in its soft launch.\nThe founders shared that they named the platform after their go-to friend for sourcing goods from the United States. Like their ever-reliable pal, JoJoCare bridges barriers, connecting users with licensed doctors and lawyers, yoga teachers, fitness trainers, and tutors ready to accept virtual bookings.\nSally Ponce-Enrile, JoJoCare Chairperson, sees the app as an opportunity to make these essential needs accessible to all. \u201cWe want to help more people by offering holistic health and wellness-related services at competitive prices under one platform. At the same time, we want to help professionals to continue earning and providing their services even when in-person visits aren\u2019t possible,\u201d explained Ponce-Enrile. The company says it does not get a cut from professional fees; practitioners get the complete amount of whatever they charge for their virtual consultations.\nHealthcare in the digital era\nJoJoCare is set to onboard more vetted professionals to make the platform comprehensive and all-embracing. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to bring something that\u2019s never been done before and that\u2019s making JoJoCare as the all-in-one platform for accessing and offering a variety of virtual care services that will ultimately allow everyone to experience what better, faster, and holistic care means on the verge of a new era,\u201d added Ponce-Enrile.\nTelehealth services is about providing service when people need it most, as well as protecting life in new ways. JoJoCare is among a growing number of providers that seeks to ease the healthcare strain brought about by the pandemic.\nYou can now sign up for JoJoCare and book a virtual visit with its professionals. Membership fees start at Php 250. per month. Those interested to join and become a JoJoCare professional can visit my.jojocare.io.", "date_published": "2020-05-19T14:08:08+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-19T14:08:08+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "First Shoshin Holdings", "healthtech", "JoJoCare", "startup", "Telehealth services", "Community" ], "summary": " First Shoshin launched its health tech app, JoJoCare, last April 6 as a response to the limited mobility imposed by the nationwide enhanced community quarantine." }, { "id": "/?p=294592", "url": "/community/2020/05/15/294592/sparkup-community-lessons-from-the-valley-twitter-allows-work-from-home-indefinitely/", "title": "Lessons from the Valley: Twitter allows work from home indefinitely", "content_html": "While Twitter has long offered work-from-home arrangements to its workforce, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant expansion of that model, with more employees conducting more critical functions remotely. In an internal email sent yesterday, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey announced that employees looking to continue working from home may do so indefinitely.
\n“We were uniquely positioned to respond quickly and allow folks to work from home given our emphasis on decentralization and supporting a distributed workforce capable of working from anywhere,” Twitter representatives confirmed in an email to TechCrunch.
\n“The past few months have proven we can make that work,” they said. “So if our employees are in a role and situation that enables them to work from home and they want to continue to do so forever, we will make that happen. If not, our offices will be their warm and welcoming selves, with some additional precautions, when we feel it\u2019s safe to return.”
\nJennifer Christie, Twitter’s chief human resources officer, outlines the company’s plans:
\nTwitter’s move is in line with similar setups being extended by other major companies like Google and Facebook, all towards building more resilient systems for the current pandemic. Beyond COVID-19 and in the years to come, these may lead to new opportunities for global tech workers interested in joining top firms but unable or unwilling to relocate to expensive US cities.
\n", "content_text": "While Twitter has long offered work-from-home arrangements to its workforce, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant expansion of that model, with more employees conducting more critical functions remotely. In an internal email sent yesterday, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey announced that employees looking to continue working from home may do so indefinitely.\n“We were uniquely positioned to respond quickly and allow folks to work from home given our emphasis on decentralization and supporting a distributed workforce capable of working from anywhere,” Twitter representatives confirmed in an email to TechCrunch.\n“The past few months have proven we can make that work,” they said. “So if our employees are in a role and situation that enables them to work from home and they want to continue to do so forever, we will make that happen. If not, our offices will be their warm and welcoming selves, with some additional precautions, when we feel it\u2019s safe to return.”\nJennifer Christie, Twitter’s chief human resources officer, outlines the company’s plans:\n\nOpening offices will be our decision; when and if our employees come back, will be theirs.\nWith very few exceptions, offices won\u2019t open before September. When we do decide to open offices, it also won\u2019t be a snap back to the way it was before. It will be careful, intentional, office by office and gradual.\nThere will also be no business travel before September, with very few exceptions, and no in-person company events for the rest of 2020. We will assess 2021 events later this year.\n\nTwitter’s move is in line with similar setups being extended by other major companies like Google and Facebook, all towards building more resilient systems for the current pandemic. Beyond COVID-19 and in the years to come, these may lead to new opportunities for global tech workers interested in joining top firms but unable or unwilling to relocate to expensive US cities.", "date_published": "2020-05-15T15:09:43+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-15T15:09:43+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Covid-19 pandemic", "TechCrunch.", "twitter", "work from home", "workforce", "Community" ], "summary": "\"If our employees are in a role and situation that enables them to work from home and they want to continue to do so forever, we will make that happen. If not, our offices will be their warm and welcoming selves, with some additional precautions, when we feel it\u2019s safe to return.\"" }, { "id": "/?p=294579", "url": "/community/2020/05/15/294579/sparkup-community-women-leaders-shaping-ai-honored-by-ibm/", "title": "Women leaders shaping AI honored by IBM", "content_html": "You hail rides using your phone; you rely on algorithms to decide what food to order; you get help from Siri and Alexa with your tax computations\u2014artificial intelligence (AI) has become as regular a part of our days as the Internet. But despite its prevalence in the lives of nearly every person in the world today, the development of this technology is hardly inclusive.
\nA global study by Morning Consult of more than 3,200 AI professionals found that women in AI worldwide were nearly five times as likely as men to say their career advancement was negatively impacted by their gender. Moreover, 74 percent of AI professionals who believe diversity hasn’t improved say the industry must become more diverse to reach its potential.
\nIn a Think Digital 2020 pre-conference event, Rob Thomas, Senior Vice President of IBM Cloud & Data Platform, noted the current gender gap: \u201cOnly 26% of professionals in AI are women, according to the World Economic Forum, and that needs to change. We need more diversity of thought.\u201d
\nIBM\u2019s Women Leaders in AI program was created last year to help provide visibility to women leading in AI, encourage increased female participation in the field of AI, and provide honorees a network for shared learning. Recognizing leaders spearheading AI initiatives and learning from their experiences in building AI that\u2019s inclusive and transparent becomes even more crucial in this time of digital transformation.
\nThis year\u2019s Women Leaders in AI list recognizes 35 exceptional female business leaders from 12 countries who are using artificial intelligence to drive transformation, growth, and innovation across industries.
\n\u201cArtificial intelligence will be at the center of business transformation over the next decade, and for us to mitigate bias moving forward we need women and diverse teams at the forefront of AI. That\u2019s why we are proud to share the stories of 35 remarkable women who are driving progressive use of AI using Watson,\u201d said Michelle Peluso, IBM’s Senior Vice President for Digital Sales and Chief Marketing Officer. \u201cTheir accomplishments are an inspiration to all of us.\u201d
\nThe 2020 women leader honorees include:
\nThe full list can be found here.
\n", "content_text": "You hail rides using your phone; you rely on algorithms to decide what food to order; you get help from Siri and Alexa with your tax computations\u2014artificial intelligence (AI) has become as regular a part of our days as the Internet. But despite its prevalence in the lives of nearly every person in the world today, the development of this technology is hardly inclusive.\nA global study by Morning Consult of more than 3,200 AI professionals found that women in AI worldwide were nearly five times as likely as men to say their career advancement was negatively impacted by their gender. Moreover, 74 percent of AI professionals who believe diversity hasn’t improved say the industry must become more diverse to reach its potential.\nIn a Think Digital 2020 pre-conference event, Rob Thomas, Senior Vice President of IBM Cloud & Data Platform, noted the current gender gap: \u201cOnly 26% of professionals in AI are women, according to the World Economic Forum, and that needs to change. We need more diversity of thought.\u201d\nWomen Leaders in AI\nIBM\u2019s Women Leaders in AI program was created last year to help provide visibility to women leading in AI, encourage increased female participation in the field of AI, and provide honorees a network for shared learning. Recognizing leaders spearheading AI initiatives and learning from their experiences in building AI that\u2019s inclusive and transparent becomes even more crucial in this time of digital transformation.\nThis year\u2019s Women Leaders in AI list recognizes 35 exceptional female business leaders from 12 countries who are using artificial intelligence to drive transformation, growth, and innovation across industries.\n\u201cArtificial intelligence will be at the center of business transformation over the next decade, and for us to mitigate bias moving forward we need women and diverse teams at the forefront of AI. That\u2019s why we are proud to share the stories of 35 remarkable women who are driving progressive use of AI using Watson,\u201d said Michelle Peluso, IBM’s Senior Vice President for Digital Sales and Chief Marketing Officer. \u201cTheir accomplishments are an inspiration to all of us.\u201d\nThe 2020 women leader honorees include:\n\nTiphanie Combre, Senior Director, AI Assisted Service and Automation, ADP (U.S.)\nAmy Shreve-McDonald, Lead Product Marketing Manager for Business Digital Experience, AT&T (U.S.)\nMara Reiff, Vice President, Strategy and Business Intelligence, Bell Canada (Canada)\nTammy Lucas, Vice President of Marketing, Best Western Hotels & Resorts (U.S.)\nSheila Ambruster, Senior Manager, Strategic Architecture, The Boeing Company (U.S.)\nClaire Lucas, Head of Artificial Intelligence, Bouygues Telecom (France)\nRosa Martinez, Cognitive Project Manager, CaixaBank (Spain)\nMich\u00e8le Brengou, Cognitive Factory Business Leader, Cr\u00e9dit Mutuel (France)\nAshley Lawrence, Research and Innovation Project Manager, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (U.S.)\nMaiga Bishop, Director of Business Intelligence and Analytics, Dillard’s (U.S.)\n\nThe full list can be found here.", "date_published": "2020-05-15T12:42:18+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-15T12:42:18+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "AI", "IBM", "Think Digital 2020", "Community" ], "summary": "At their recent Think Digital conference, IBM unveiled its list of Women Leaders in AI, recognizing 35 exceptional female business leaders who are using artificial intelligence to drive transformation, growth, and innovation across industries." }, { "id": "/?p=294167", "url": "/community/2020/05/14/294167/sparkup-community-facebook-invests-2m-in-support-of-asia-pacific-newsrooms/", "title": "Facebook invests $2M in support of Asia-Pacific newsrooms", "content_html": "Despite the rising need of verified, trusted information through this pandemic, newsrooms are no exception to the COVID-19 crunch. Just last month in Malaysia, Blu Inc Media shut down after a 46-year run. Earlier in Thailand, Kom Chad Luek announced cessation of its operations. Over in Australia, Bauer Media announced that it was suspending the printing of \u201ccertain titles\u201d as the virus continues to impact their local advertising industry.\u00a0
\nIn the face of flagging profits, and in the spirit of helping publishers address immediate and critical business needs, the Facebook Journalism Project is announcing a $2 million investment in grant funding, coaching, and training to support Asia-Pacific news organizations\u2019 COVID-19 stories. The following initiatives enables media outfits to receive funding and business support:
\nJournalists are also joining remote training sessions across the region. The Project has restructured WAN-IFRA\u2019s Newsroom Transformation 2020 into a five-month Newsroom and Business Transformation 2020 online curriculum. More than a thousand media professionals across the region have also joined a Digital Media Bootcamp: COVID-19 Edition to learn Covid-19 coverage best practices for products.
\nCo-founder & CEO of Splice Media Alan Soon said, “It’s important that news orgs not only survive, but are in a stronger position when COVID-19 passes. The funds that the industry is gathering and distributing are key if we’re to build more sustainable and more relevant media next year.”
\n“Asian newsrooms were the first in the journalism field to feel the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d added Johanna Carrillo, ICFJ\u2019s vice president of programs. \u201cWith this new grant from the Facebook Journalism Project, we can build on our work together helping newsrooms and publishers in the region at this difficult time.\u201d
\n", "content_text": "Despite the rising need of verified, trusted information through this pandemic, newsrooms are no exception to the COVID-19 crunch. Just last month in Malaysia, Blu Inc Media shut down after a 46-year run. Earlier in Thailand, Kom Chad Luek announced cessation of its operations. Over in Australia, Bauer Media announced that it was suspending the printing of \u201ccertain titles\u201d as the virus continues to impact their local advertising industry.\u00a0\nIn the face of flagging profits, and in the spirit of helping publishers address immediate and critical business needs, the Facebook Journalism Project is announcing a $2 million investment in grant funding, coaching, and training to support Asia-Pacific news organizations\u2019 COVID-19 stories. The following initiatives enables media outfits to receive funding and business support:\n\nRedirection of a portion of the Splice Beta Fund to aid more than 50 news organizations\u2019 business operations.\u00a0\nAdministration of a financial support program for news publishers in Australia and New Zealand through The Walkley Foundation.\nPartnership with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) to offer a combination of grants, webinars, and professional mentorship.\nLaunch of a virtual edition of its Reader Revenue Accelerator grant and training program to strengthen reader revenue strategies.\n\nJournalists are also joining remote training sessions across the region. The Project has restructured WAN-IFRA\u2019s Newsroom Transformation 2020 into a five-month Newsroom and Business Transformation 2020 online curriculum. More than a thousand media professionals across the region have also joined a Digital Media Bootcamp: COVID-19 Edition to learn Covid-19 coverage best practices for products.\nCo-founder & CEO of Splice Media Alan Soon said, “It’s important that news orgs not only survive, but are in a stronger position when COVID-19 passes. The funds that the industry is gathering and distributing are key if we’re to build more sustainable and more relevant media next year.”\n“Asian newsrooms were the first in the journalism field to feel the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d added Johanna Carrillo, ICFJ\u2019s vice president of programs. \u201cWith this new grant from the Facebook Journalism Project, we can build on our work together helping newsrooms and publishers in the region at this difficult time.\u201d", "date_published": "2020-05-14T11:30:52+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-14T11:30:52+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Blu Inc Media", "COVID-19", "Facebook", "Newsroom Transformation 2020", "Community" ], "summary": "Communities rely on news outfits to stay safe and informed. Facebook is helping these organizations stay afloat during the pandemic through a $2 million investment. " }, { "id": "/?p=294161", "url": "/community/2020/05/13/294161/sparkup-community-nasa-partners-launch-virtual-hackathon-to-develop-covid-19-solutions/", "title": "NASA, partners launch virtual hackathon to develop COVID-19 solutions", "content_html": "The U.S. space agency National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are inviting coders, entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, and technologists to participate in a virtual hackathon May 30-31 dedicated to putting open data to work in developing solutions to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
\nSince the start of the global outbreak, Earth science specialists from each agency have been exploring ways to use unique Earth observation data to aid understanding of the interplay of the Earth system \u2013 on global to local scales \u2013 with aspects of the COVID-19 outbreak, including, potentially, our ability to combat it. The hackathon will also examine the human and economic response to the virus.
\nDuring the global Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge, participants from around the world will create virtual teams that \u2013 during a 48-hour period \u2013 will use Earth observation data to propose solutions to COVID-19-related challenges ranging from studying the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and its spread to the impact the disease is having on the Earth system. Registration for this challenge opens in mid-May.
\n“There\u2019s a tremendous need for our collective ingenuity right now,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA\u2019s Science Mission Directorate. “I can\u2019t imagine a more worthy focus than COVID-19 on which to direct the energy and enthusiasm from around the world with the Space Apps Challenge that always generates such amazing solutions.”
\nThe COVID-19 Challenge will be the program\u2019s first global virtual hackathon. Space Apps 2019 included more than 29,000 participants at 225 events in 71 countries, developing more than 2,000 hackathon solutions over the course of one weekend.
\nSince 2016, many Filipinos have participated in this annual hackathon. Recently, a dengue mapping forecasting system was developed by data scientists from CirroLytix using satellite and climate data with the goal of addressing the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. This web application, called Project AEDES won globally for the best use of data. “Earth observation data has the potential to be used in fighting epidemics and outbreaks threatening humanity nowadays, as well as to analyze its socio-economic impact,” according to software developer Michael Lance M. Domagas, who led the Philippine hackathon in collaboration with De La Salle University, PLDT, Department of Science and Technology, United Nations Development Programme, and the U.S. embassy.
\nThe very first Philippine winner used citizen science and environmental data to develop a smartphone application informing fishermen the right time to catch fish. ISDApp is currently being incubated at Animo Labs.
\nSpace Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized globally in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub and SecondMuse. The next annual Space Apps Challenge is scheduled for October 2-4.
\nRegistration opens May 12. You can learn more about the event here.
\n", "content_text": "The U.S. space agency National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are inviting coders, entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, and technologists to participate in a virtual hackathon May 30-31 dedicated to putting open data to work in developing solutions to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.\nSince the start of the global outbreak, Earth science specialists from each agency have been exploring ways to use unique Earth observation data to aid understanding of the interplay of the Earth system \u2013 on global to local scales \u2013 with aspects of the COVID-19 outbreak, including, potentially, our ability to combat it. The hackathon will also examine the human and economic response to the virus.\nDuring the global Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge, participants from around the world will create virtual teams that \u2013 during a 48-hour period \u2013 will use Earth observation data to propose solutions to COVID-19-related challenges ranging from studying the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and its spread to the impact the disease is having on the Earth system. Registration for this challenge opens in mid-May.\n“There\u2019s a tremendous need for our collective ingenuity right now,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA\u2019s Science Mission Directorate. “I can\u2019t imagine a more worthy focus than COVID-19 on which to direct the energy and enthusiasm from around the world with the Space Apps Challenge that always generates such amazing solutions.”\nThe COVID-19 Challenge will be the program\u2019s first global virtual hackathon. Space Apps 2019 included more than 29,000 participants at 225 events in 71 countries, developing more than 2,000 hackathon solutions over the course of one weekend.\nSince 2016, many Filipinos have participated in this annual hackathon. Recently, a dengue mapping forecasting system was developed by data scientists from CirroLytix using satellite and climate data with the goal of addressing the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. This web application, called Project AEDES won globally for the best use of data. “Earth observation data has the potential to be used in fighting epidemics and outbreaks threatening humanity nowadays, as well as to analyze its socio-economic impact,” according to software developer Michael Lance M. Domagas, who led the Philippine hackathon in collaboration with De La Salle University, PLDT, Department of Science and Technology, United Nations Development Programme, and the U.S. embassy.\nThe very first Philippine winner used citizen science and environmental data to develop a smartphone application informing fishermen the right time to catch fish. ISDApp is currently being incubated at Animo Labs.\nSpace Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized globally in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub and SecondMuse. The next annual Space Apps Challenge is scheduled for October 2-4.\nRegistration opens May 12. You can learn more about the event here.", "date_published": "2020-05-13T11:21:59+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-13T11:21:59+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "COVID-19 crisis", "European Space Agency", "hackathon", "Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency", "National Aeronautics Space Administration", "Community" ], "summary": "As the program's first global virtual hackathon, Space Apps will be putting open data to work in developing solutions to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic." }, { "id": "/?p=293946", "url": "/community/2020/05/12/293946/sparkup-community-mad-travel-launches-tree-planting-crowdfunding-platform-for-partner-communities/", "title": "MAD Travel launches tree-planting crowdfunding platform for partner communities", "content_html": "As a young entrant in the travel and tourism industries, Make a Difference (MAD) Travel and its network of indigenous communities it services have been greatly affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the sustainable travel platform has launched Feed the Farmers Today and Fund Tomorrow\u2019s Forest, a global crowdfunding project where participants purchase a tree for P150 or $3.
\nEach purchase pays Aetas of Yangil Zambales and Bataan, two of MAD Travel\u2019s partner communities, to plant the tree on behalf of the participant. Through the crowdfunding project, MAD Travel is able to help the Aetas earn income to provide for their daily needs. This also helps sustain their \u201cagricultural forest\u201d project for the communities, which aims to help secure their long-term food security goals.
\n\u201cWe need to pivot and make sure no one gets left behind,\u201d said Raf Dionisio, the social enterprise\u2019s co-founder. “The most marginalized are even more marginalized in this pandemic and we have to watch out for them.”
\nAs of writing, MAD Travel has been able to turn over their first P100,000 to the Aetas of Yangil Zambales, equivalent to 100 trees planted and 45 families earning income. MAD Travel aims to raise P2 million by the end of the project in September, an amount that will help tide the communities over as tourism continues to be an unviable means of support.
\n\u201cWe are extremely grateful for the outpour of support we have received globally\u2014with backers as far as Sweden\u2014coming together for communities that need us the most in this critical time,\u201d said Tom Graham, another co-founder. “We may be socially distant but we are more together now than ever.”
\nThose interested to purchase a tree may log on to www.gogetfunding.com/feedfarmerstodayfundtomorrowsforest/ and pay through Paypal, credit card, or bank deposit.
\n", "content_text": "As a young entrant in the travel and tourism industries, Make a Difference (MAD) Travel and its network of indigenous communities it services have been greatly affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the sustainable travel platform has launched Feed the Farmers Today and Fund Tomorrow\u2019s Forest, a global crowdfunding project where participants purchase a tree for P150 or $3.\nEach purchase pays Aetas of Yangil Zambales and Bataan, two of MAD Travel\u2019s partner communities, to plant the tree on behalf of the participant. Through the crowdfunding project, MAD Travel is able to help the Aetas earn income to provide for their daily needs. This also helps sustain their \u201cagricultural forest\u201d project for the communities, which aims to help secure their long-term food security goals.\n\u201cWe need to pivot and make sure no one gets left behind,\u201d said Raf Dionisio, the social enterprise\u2019s co-founder. “The most marginalized are even more marginalized in this pandemic and we have to watch out for them.”\nAs of writing, MAD Travel has been able to turn over their first P100,000 to the Aetas of Yangil Zambales, equivalent to 100 trees planted and 45 families earning income. MAD Travel aims to raise P2 million by the end of the project in September, an amount that will help tide the communities over as tourism continues to be an unviable means of support.\n\u201cWe are extremely grateful for the outpour of support we have received globally\u2014with backers as far as Sweden\u2014coming together for communities that need us the most in this critical time,\u201d said Tom Graham, another co-founder. “We may be socially distant but we are more together now than ever.”\nThose interested to purchase a tree may log on to www.gogetfunding.com/feedfarmerstodayfundtomorrowsforest/ and pay through Paypal, credit card, or bank deposit.", "date_published": "2020-05-12T13:10:14+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-12T13:10:14+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Covid-19 pandemic", "crowdfunding platform", "MAD Travel", "tree planting", "Community" ], "summary": "With each purchase, participants are able to help provide income for some of the country\u2019s marginalized communities." }, { "id": "/?p=293941", "url": "/community/2020/05/12/293941/sparkup-community-covid-19-accelerates-digital-transformation-for-companies-2/", "title": "Covid-19 accelerates digital transformation for companies", "content_html": "This Covid-19 pandemic has caused disruption, uncertainty, and even heartache for a lot of us. In a lot of other ways, however, it\u2019s also been a turning point for many companies in different fronts – including technological.
\nThe current pandemic has been a powerful force of disruption, and an unprecedented tragedy, said IBM’s Arvind Krishna during his company\u2019s Think Digital conference last week.
\n\u201cBut it is also a critical turning point,” he said, marking his first keynote address as IBM\u2019s new CEO. “It\u2019s an opportunity to develop new solutions, new ways of working and new partnerships that will benefit your company and your customers, not just today, but for years to come.\u201d
\nBecause the crisis has exposed many enterprises\u2019 vulnerabilities, organizations are now adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and hybrid cloud-based IT architectures. These key technologies enable them to build agility and resiliency into their networks now, as well as prepare them to embrace emerging technologies like 5G and edge computing.
\nCompanies that don\u2019t invest in AI and cloud computing will find themselves at a profound competitive disadvantage. \u201cI\u2019m predicting today that every company will become an AI company\u2014not because they can, but because they must,\u201d Krishna said.
\nThis prediction is something that Rob Thomas, Senior Vice President of IBM Cloud & Data Platform, agrees with. \u201cI like to think the crisis we\u2019re dealing with, it\u2019s going to accelerate perhaps what was going to happen anyway\u2014that\u2019s the opportunity in front of all of us,\u201d Thomas said in his Think Digital presentation, \u201cAct, Don\u2019t React: How AI and Automation Will Change the Way You Work.\u201d
\nDigital transformation means putting artificial intelligence at the center of workflows, Krishna explained, and using the insights generated from that process to constantly improve products and services. A hybrid cloud architecture powers this using open source software, making companies more secure and allowing them to quickly adapt to changing client demands and market conditions.
\nAmong the companies that are currently benefiting from this setup include the airlines operator Lufthansa, which employs AI to assist them in decisions both big and small. \u201cWe truly believe that if we provide the right data at the right point in time, enhanced with AI and analytics, we provide an even better experience for our customers,\u201d said Mirco Bharpalania, Lufthansa Group\u2019s head of Data & Analytics. \u201cWe also help our employees make the right decisions.\u201d
\nAI is also helping package delivery company UPS manage real-time data to cut costs and boost efficiency. \u201cGetting that culture of innovation is something that we see as key for the future of AI and data science at UPS,\u201d said Mallory Freeman, director of Data Science and Machine Learning at United Parcel Service Advanced Analytics Group. Through its smart logistics networks, UPS saves around 100 million miles each year, which conserves 10 million gallons of fuel and $50 million.
\nIt\u2019s a brave new world, and firms that invest in AI and automation will have an edge over the others that don\u2019t. \u201cPeople are more open to AI now. AI won\u2019t replace managers. It\u2019s managers who use AI that will replace managers who do not,\u201d Thomas asserted in a pre-conference event.
\n\u201cIf you\u2019re entirely dependent on in-person meetings and email in order to make decisions and evaluate progress and communicate, it\u2019s a pretty rough transition,\u201d noted Stewart Butterfield, chief executive and co-founder of the collaboration software company Slack.
\nBut the public health crisis has also created the impetus for \u201cdeliberately making some changes,\u201d he added. \u201cSo, hopefully for some companies, they actually come out with a better working culture on the other side of this.\u201d
\n", "content_text": "This Covid-19 pandemic has caused disruption, uncertainty, and even heartache for a lot of us. In a lot of other ways, however, it\u2019s also been a turning point for many companies in different fronts – including technological.\nThe current pandemic has been a powerful force of disruption, and an unprecedented tragedy, said IBM’s Arvind Krishna during his company\u2019s Think Digital conference last week. \n\u201cBut it is also a critical turning point,” he said, marking his first keynote address as IBM\u2019s new CEO. “It\u2019s an opportunity to develop new solutions, new ways of working and new partnerships that will benefit your company and your customers, not just today, but for years to come.\u201d\nInvesting in AI is not optional\nBecause the crisis has exposed many enterprises\u2019 vulnerabilities, organizations are now adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and hybrid cloud-based IT architectures. These key technologies enable them to build agility and resiliency into their networks now, as well as prepare them to embrace emerging technologies like 5G and edge computing.\nCompanies that don\u2019t invest in AI and cloud computing will find themselves at a profound competitive disadvantage. \u201cI\u2019m predicting today that every company will become an AI company\u2014not because they can, but because they must,\u201d Krishna said.\nThis prediction is something that Rob Thomas, Senior Vice President of IBM Cloud & Data Platform, agrees with. \u201cI like to think the crisis we\u2019re dealing with, it\u2019s going to accelerate perhaps what was going to happen anyway\u2014that\u2019s the opportunity in front of all of us,\u201d Thomas said in his Think Digital presentation, \u201cAct, Don\u2019t React: How AI and Automation Will Change the Way You Work.\u201d\nDigital transformation matters\nDigital transformation means putting artificial intelligence at the center of workflows, Krishna explained, and using the insights generated from that process to constantly improve products and services. A hybrid cloud architecture powers this using open source software, making companies more secure and allowing them to quickly adapt to changing client demands and market conditions.\nAmong the companies that are currently benefiting from this setup include the airlines operator Lufthansa, which employs AI to assist them in decisions both big and small. \u201cWe truly believe that if we provide the right data at the right point in time, enhanced with AI and analytics, we provide an even better experience for our customers,\u201d said Mirco Bharpalania, Lufthansa Group\u2019s head of Data & Analytics. \u201cWe also help our employees make the right decisions.\u201d \nAI is also helping package delivery company UPS manage real-time data to cut costs and boost efficiency. \u201cGetting that culture of innovation is something that we see as key for the future of AI and data science at UPS,\u201d said Mallory Freeman, director of Data Science and Machine Learning at United Parcel Service Advanced Analytics Group. Through its smart logistics networks, UPS saves around 100 million miles each year, which conserves 10 million gallons of fuel and $50 million.\nA better working culture\nIt\u2019s a brave new world, and firms that invest in AI and automation will have an edge over the others that don\u2019t. \u201cPeople are more open to AI now. AI won\u2019t replace managers. It\u2019s managers who use AI that will replace managers who do not,\u201d Thomas asserted in a pre-conference event.\n\u201cIf you\u2019re entirely dependent on in-person meetings and email in order to make decisions and evaluate progress and communicate, it\u2019s a pretty rough transition,\u201d noted Stewart Butterfield, chief executive and co-founder of the collaboration software company Slack.\nBut the public health crisis has also created the impetus for \u201cdeliberately making some changes,\u201d he added. \u201cSo, hopefully for some companies, they actually come out with a better working culture on the other side of this.\u201d", "date_published": "2020-05-12T11:50:49+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-12T11:50:49+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "companies", "Covid-19 pandemic", "digital transformation", "IBM Cloud", "Community" ], "summary": "The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis - with tragic consequences for a lot. But it\u2019s also been an opportunity to develop new solutions and new ways of working to thrive in this brave new world." }, { "id": "/?p=293720", "url": "/community/2020/05/11/293720/sparkup-community-shopee-and-billease-offer-seller-loan-program-for-msmes/", "title": "Shopee and BillEase offer seller loan program for MSMEs", "content_html": "FDFC, the fintech company behind digital credit app BillEase, and Shopee have launched their Seller Loan Program to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) registered on Shopee as they struggle through the country’s continued quarantine.
\nThe year-long program aims to help Filipino MSMEs cope with the adverse effects brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak and enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
\nInterested Shopee sellers must have been operating for at least six months and ramping up their working capital. If they fulfill these requirements, they can then apply on BillEase for Business, BillEase\u2019s financial service platform for small business lending, based on their sales record prior to the ECQ. Successful applicants can avail of P20,000 up to P2 million commensurate of their sales transactions, an extra one-month grace period for the loan repayment, and up to 12 months maximum loan term.
\nThe loan program comes after Shopee\u2019s announcement of its P200-million Seller Support Package, which will help up to 80,000 MSMEs. FDFC also has a tie-up with Lazada that offers interest-free financing, this time for consumers.
\n\u201cWe understand that Shopee sellers are still navigating the effect of ECQ and they are looking for partners that would look after their business financially,\u201d said Georg Steiger, CEO of FDFC. \u201cOur Shopee Loan Program will help these sellers who are either producing essential goods to continue operations amid the increasing demand or those preparing to recover after the quarantine.\u201d
\nShopee sellers can apply through this link.
\n", "content_text": "FDFC, the fintech company behind digital credit app BillEase, and Shopee have launched their Seller Loan Program to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) registered on Shopee as they struggle through the country’s continued quarantine.\nThe year-long program aims to help Filipino MSMEs cope with the adverse effects brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak and enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).\nInterested Shopee sellers must have been operating for at least six months and ramping up their working capital. If they fulfill these requirements, they can then apply on BillEase for Business, BillEase\u2019s financial service platform for small business lending, based on their sales record prior to the ECQ. Successful applicants can avail of P20,000 up to P2 million commensurate of their sales transactions, an extra one-month grace period for the loan repayment, and up to 12 months maximum loan term.\nThe loan program comes after Shopee\u2019s announcement of its P200-million Seller Support Package, which will help up to 80,000 MSMEs. FDFC also has a tie-up with Lazada that offers interest-free financing, this time for consumers. \n\u201cWe understand that Shopee sellers are still navigating the effect of ECQ and they are looking for partners that would look after their business financially,\u201d said Georg Steiger, CEO of FDFC. \u201cOur Shopee Loan Program will help these sellers who are either producing essential goods to continue operations amid the increasing demand or those preparing to recover after the quarantine.\u201d\nShopee sellers can apply through this link.", "date_published": "2020-05-11T13:04:09+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-11T13:04:09+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Billease", "COVID-19 outbreak", "Enhanced Community Quarantine", "FDFC", "MSMEs", "shopee", "Community" ], "summary": "The program offers loans and terms that will help ease Filipino MSMEs' struggles through the quarantine\u2019s negative effects." }, { "id": "/?p=293704", "url": "/community/2020/05/11/293704/sparkup-community-how-mad-travel-is-tackling-tourism-in-the-time-of-covid-19/", "title": "How MAD Travel is tackling tourism in the time of COVID-19", "content_html": "Travel is often hailed as the ultimate cathartic experience. Whether we see it on the silver screen or read it between the pages of a book, we\u2019ve heard some tale of an individual finding themselves and their purpose by embarking on a journey. But for some, this is more than just a tall fantasy. Just ask Thomas Graham and Rafael Dionisio.
\nTravel is universally held as the ultimate cathartic experience. Across films and books, we find countless examples of journeys that begin and end with characters exploring foreign worlds and, in so doing, find themselves. For avid travelers Thomas Graham and Rafael Dionisio, that passion for exploration paved the way to a shared adventure in the form of a startup, MAD Travel. And, fittingly, that journey began when they happened to meet on a trip.
\nGraham, a journalist from the United Kingdom, and Dionisio, an entrepreneur in the tourism industry, first crossed paths in 2013 on a volunteering trip for Gawad Kalinga. Dionisio had been setting up hostels across various provinces in the Philippines, but wanted to do something more meaningful. That piqued Graham\u2019s interest.
\n\u201cWe thought, \u2018Why not pull together our expertise?\u2019,\u201d Graham said. \u201cMine was really in storytelling and giving the outsider\u2019s perspective on how much we have to learn from these amazing communities that we were, at the time, volunteering for. [Dionisio] obviously brought more local expertise and the community development side of what we do.\u201d
\nAnd so Make a Difference (MAD) Travel was born.
\nGraham and Dionisio started Make a Difference Travel as a tourism platform offering tours to local destinations such as Zambales, Bataan, and Rizal.They work with marginalized communities, such as the Aetas in Yangil Village, in creating authentic experiences– from storytelling with the tribe to learning their traditional music and dances.
\nThe firm takes a clear stance on what they mean by authentic. They take extra efforts to ensure the worlds their travelers experience aren\u2019t just \u201cdifferent\u201d, but true to the experiences of the communities they meet.
\n\u201cEverything we do is aligned with their own values and vision for their community. We never dictate\u2026 \u2018You should always dress in your Aeta wear because it looks more authentic for photos.\u2019\u201d said Romina Na\u0148agas, communications manager. \u201cWe consult our partners and they have the right [to] say no.\u201d
\nThey also incorporate long-term initiatives within the tours that help foster inclusivity and sustainability among their partner communities, such as growing farms and forests in their Zambales and Bataan programs. \u201cThis is all in the backdrop of massive deforestation in the country… and the massive exclusion of countryside communities from better education, localized racism against them, [and lack of] access to water or electricity,\u201d said Dionisio.
\nIf it sounds like an ambitious set of goals for a tourism startup to tackle, that\u2019s because it is. But it\u2019s precisely the transformative role that Graham and Dionisio see travel playing in people\u2019s lives that they feel confident in taking them on. Through MAD Travel, the two believe they can exponentially grow their advocacies through the travelers that join their programs.
\nChef Chele Gonzalez, known for his acclaimed restaurants such as Gallery by Chele, started sourcing ingredients directly from some of MAD Travel\u2019s partners. Artist Issa Barte founded Fund a Forest, a reforestation effort for Philippine forests, after being inspired by the tour\u2019s reforestation activities. Even some members of MAD Travel\u2019s team were former tourists, including Na\u0148agas, who left the advertising industry to help the company.
\n\u201cThere are so many things that we know theoretically, and yet we don\u2019t [understand them] until we know it on an experiential level,\u201d said Graham. \u201cDon\u2019t just read about the communities, or hear a nice speech, or donate some money, but come be part of it.\u201d
\nBut, as with nearly every business in the tourism industry, the current COVID-19 crisis saw many of MAD Travels\u2019 projects come to a grinding halt. Faced with the responsibility of sustaining not just their team but also their partner communities, MAD Travel has had to pivot their services\u2014all while keeping them aligned with their vision.
\nOver the past few weeks, they launched a number of new programs based on the advocacies towards caring for local communities in their network. These include Feed the Farmers Today, Fund Tomorrow\u2019s Forest, a global crowdfunding project where each purchase of a tree pays for an Aeta\u2019s labor of planting it.
\nThere\u2019s also MAD Market, an online delivery service that sources produce directly from farmers and communities in areas like Benguet and Davao. They\u2019re group is even offering an e-learning program called MAD Courses which offers training into topics such as sustainability and social enterprise.
\n\u201cWe identified some time ago that\u2026 we\u2019re a platform that connects people,\u201d said Graham. \u201cWhen you look at it more broadly like that\u2026 then you see that even when tourism has dried up and we all remain pretty slow for let\u2019s say the next six months at least, we\u2019re now looking in a broader sense at our mission. We still believe that there\u2019s something very special in our communities and our community partners.\u201d
\nWhile these may not be the original services that MAD Travel planned out, the team is confident that they\u2019re delivering on their promise of affecting change through authentic experiences\u2014albeit through a different kind of experience.
\n", "content_text": "Travel is often hailed as the ultimate cathartic experience. Whether we see it on the silver screen or read it between the pages of a book, we\u2019ve heard some tale of an individual finding themselves and their purpose by embarking on a journey. But for some, this is more than just a tall fantasy. Just ask Thomas Graham and Rafael Dionisio.\nTravel is universally held as the ultimate cathartic experience. Across films and books, we find countless examples of journeys that begin and end with characters exploring foreign worlds and, in so doing, find themselves. For avid travelers Thomas Graham and Rafael Dionisio, that passion for exploration paved the way to a shared adventure in the form of a startup, MAD Travel. And, fittingly, that journey began when they happened to meet on a trip.\nGraham, a journalist from the United Kingdom, and Dionisio, an entrepreneur in the tourism industry, first crossed paths in 2013 on a volunteering trip for Gawad Kalinga. Dionisio had been setting up hostels across various provinces in the Philippines, but wanted to do something more meaningful. That piqued Graham\u2019s interest.\n\u201cWe thought, \u2018Why not pull together our expertise?\u2019,\u201d Graham said. \u201cMine was really in storytelling and giving the outsider\u2019s perspective on how much we have to learn from these amazing communities that we were, at the time, volunteering for. [Dionisio] obviously brought more local expertise and the community development side of what we do.\u201d\nAnd so Make a Difference (MAD) Travel was born.\nSetting direction\nGraham and Dionisio started Make a Difference Travel as a tourism platform offering tours to local destinations such as Zambales, Bataan, and Rizal.They work with marginalized communities, such as the Aetas in Yangil Village, in creating authentic experiences– from storytelling with the tribe to learning their traditional music and dances.\nThe firm takes a clear stance on what they mean by authentic. They take extra efforts to ensure the worlds their travelers experience aren\u2019t just \u201cdifferent\u201d, but true to the experiences of the communities they meet.\n\u201cEverything we do is aligned with their own values and vision for their community. We never dictate\u2026 \u2018You should always dress in your Aeta wear because it looks more authentic for photos.\u2019\u201d said Romina Na\u0148agas, communications manager. \u201cWe consult our partners and they have the right [to] say no.\u201d\nThey also incorporate long-term initiatives within the tours that help foster inclusivity and sustainability among their partner communities, such as growing farms and forests in their Zambales and Bataan programs. \u201cThis is all in the backdrop of massive deforestation in the country… and the massive exclusion of countryside communities from better education, localized racism against them, [and lack of] access to water or electricity,\u201d said Dionisio.\nIf it sounds like an ambitious set of goals for a tourism startup to tackle, that\u2019s because it is. But it\u2019s precisely the transformative role that Graham and Dionisio see travel playing in people\u2019s lives that they feel confident in taking them on. Through MAD Travel, the two believe they can exponentially grow their advocacies through the travelers that join their programs.\nChef Chele Gonzalez, known for his acclaimed restaurants such as Gallery by Chele, started sourcing ingredients directly from some of MAD Travel\u2019s partners. Artist Issa Barte founded Fund a Forest, a reforestation effort for Philippine forests, after being inspired by the tour\u2019s reforestation activities. Even some members of MAD Travel\u2019s team were former tourists, including Na\u0148agas, who left the advertising industry to help the company.\n\u201cThere are so many things that we know theoretically, and yet we don\u2019t [understand them] until we know it on an experiential level,\u201d said Graham. \u201cDon\u2019t just read about the communities, or hear a nice speech, or donate some money, but come be part of it.\u201d\nOff the beaten track\nBut, as with nearly every business in the tourism industry, the current COVID-19 crisis saw many of MAD Travels\u2019 projects come to a grinding halt. Faced with the responsibility of sustaining not just their team but also their partner communities, MAD Travel has had to pivot their services\u2014all while keeping them aligned with their vision.\nOver the past few weeks, they launched a number of new programs based on the advocacies towards caring for local communities in their network. These include Feed the Farmers Today, Fund Tomorrow\u2019s Forest, a global crowdfunding project where each purchase of a tree pays for an Aeta\u2019s labor of planting it. \nThere\u2019s also MAD Market, an online delivery service that sources produce directly from farmers and communities in areas like Benguet and Davao. They\u2019re group is even offering an e-learning program called MAD Courses which offers training into topics such as sustainability and social enterprise.\n\u201cWe identified some time ago that\u2026 we\u2019re a platform that connects people,\u201d said Graham. \u201cWhen you look at it more broadly like that\u2026 then you see that even when tourism has dried up and we all remain pretty slow for let\u2019s say the next six months at least, we\u2019re now looking in a broader sense at our mission. We still believe that there\u2019s something very special in our communities and our community partners.\u201d\nWhile these may not be the original services that MAD Travel planned out, the team is confident that they\u2019re delivering on their promise of affecting change through authentic experiences\u2014albeit through a different kind of experience.", "date_published": "2020-05-11T11:29:41+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-11T11:29:41+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "COVID-19 crisis", "MAD Market", "MAD Travel", "Community" ], "summary": "MAD Travel has always been in the business of creating meaningful experiences. But as global travel grinds to a stop, how has the tourism startup adapted to the times?" }, { "id": "/?p=293384", "url": "/community/2020/05/08/293384/sparkup-community-airbnbs-internal-memo-on-letting-go-of-a-quarter-of-their-workforce/", "title": "AirBnB\u2019s internal memo on letting go of a quarter of their workforce", "content_html": "Following an unprecedented global slowdown in travel that has sent related industries plummeting to a standstill, AirBnB CEO Brian Chesky announced on May 5, that he would be making the difficult decision of letting go of roughly a quarter of the travel giant’s workforce.
\nIt’s a decision many firms the world over are facing\u2014one necessitated by financial clampdowns (Chesky cited AirBnB’s revenue projections for 2020 being less than half of their 2019 numbers.), rising uncertainty over when the current crisis will come to an end, and what world we’ll be entering into once it does.
\nBelow, in full, is Chesky’s internal message to his 7,500 employees. It outlines the practical steps his company will be taking, expressing his sincere empathy, and at points sorrow, for those affected by the decision. For firms finding themselves at similar crossroads, it can serve as an example of how a leader that truly values their workforce navigates these difficult conversations.
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014
\nThis is my seventh time talking to you from my house. Each time we\u2019ve talked, I\u2019ve shared good news and bad news, but today I have to share some very sad news.
\nWhen you\u2019ve asked me about layoffs, I\u2019ve said that nothing is off the table. Today, I must confirm that we are reducing the size of the Airbnb workforce. For a company like us whose mission is centered around belonging, this is incredibly difficult to confront, and it will be even harder for those who have to leave Airbnb. I am going to share as many details as I can on how I arrived at this decision, what we are doing for those leaving, and what will happen next.
\nLet me start with how we arrived at this decision. We are collectively living through the most harrowing crisis of our lifetime, and as it began to unfold, global travel came to a standstill. Airbnb\u2019s business has been hit hard, with revenue this year forecasted to be less than half of what we earned in 2019. In response, we raised $2 billion in capital and dramatically cut costs that touched nearly every corner of Airbnb.
\nWhile these actions were necessary, it became clear that we would have to go further when we faced two hard truths:
\nWe don\u2019t know exactly when travel will return. When travel does return, it will look different.
\nWhile we know Airbnb\u2019s business will fully recover, the changes it will undergo are not temporary or short-lived. Because of this, we need to make more fundamental changes to Airbnb by reducing the size of our workforce around a more focused business strategy.
\nOut of our 7,500 Airbnb employees, nearly 1,900 teammates will have to leave Airbnb, comprising around 25% of our company. Since we cannot afford to do everything that we used to, these cuts had to be mapped to a more focused business.
\nTravel in this new world will look different, and we need to evolve Airbnb accordingly. People will want options that are closer to home, safer, and more affordable. But people will also yearn for something that feels like it\u2019s been taken away from them \u2014 human connection. When we started Airbnb, it was about belonging and connection. This crisis has sharpened our focus to get back to our roots, back to the basics, back to what is truly special about Airbnb \u2014 everyday people who host their homes and offer experiences.
\nThis means that we will need to reduce our investment in activities that do not directly support the core of our host community. We are pausing our efforts in Transportation and Airbnb Studios, and we have to scale back our investments in Hotels and Lux.
\nThese decisions are not a reflection of the work from people on these teams, and it does not mean everyone on these teams will be leaving us. Additionally, teams across all of Airbnb will be impacted. Many teams will be reduced in size based on how well they map to where Airbnb is headed.
\nIt was important that we had a clear set of principles, guided by our core values, for how we would approach reductions in our workforce. These were our guiding principles:
\nMap all reductions to our future business strategy and the capabilities we will need. Do as much as we can for those who are impacted. Be unwavering in our commitment to diversity. Optimize for 1:1 communication for those impacted. Wait to communicate any decisions until all details are landed \u2014 transparency of only partial information can make matters worse.
\nI have done my best to stay true to these principles.
\nOur process started with creating a more focused business strategy built on a sustainable cost model. We assessed how each team mapped to our new strategy, and we determined the size and shape of each team going forward. We then did a comprehensive review of every team member and made decisions based on critical skills, and how well those skills matched our future business needs.
\nThe result is that we will have to part with teammates that we love and value. We have great people leaving Airbnb, and other companies will be lucky to have them.
\nTo take care of those that are leaving, we have looked across severance, equity, healthcare, and job support and done our best to treat everyone in a compassionate and thoughtful way.
\nEmployees in the US will receive 14 weeks of base pay, plus one additional week for every year at Airbnb. Tenure will be rounded to the nearest year. For example, if someone has been at Airbnb for 3 years and 7 months, they will get an additional 4 weeks of salary, or 18 weeks of total pay. Outside the US, all employees will receive at least 14 weeks of pay, plus tenure increases consistent with their country-specific practices.
\nWe are dropping the one-year cliff on equity for everyone we\u2019ve hired in the past year so that everyone departing, regardless of how long they have been here, is a shareholder. Additionally, everyone leaving is eligible for the May 25 vesting date.
\nIn the midst of a global health crisis of unknown duration, we want to limit the burden of healthcare costs. In the US, we will cover 12 months of health insurance through COBRA. In all other countries, we will cover health insurance costs through the end of 2020. This is because we\u2019re either legally unable to continue coverage, or our current plans will not allow for an extension. We will also provide four months of mental health support through KonTerra.
\nOur goal is to connect our teammates leaving Airbnb with new job opportunities. Here are five ways we can help:
\nAlumni Talent Directory \u2014 We will be launching a public-facing website to help teammates leaving find new jobs. Departing employees can opt-in to have profiles, resumes, and work samples accessible to potential employers. Alumni Placement Team \u2014 For the remainder of 2020, a significant portion of Airbnb Recruiting will become an Alumni Placement Team. Recruiters that are staying with Airbnb will provide support to departing employees to help them find their next job.RiseSmart \u2014 We are offering four months of career services through RiseSmart, a company that specializes in career transition and job placement services. Employee Offered Alumni Support \u2014 We are encouraging all remaining employees to opt-in to a program to assist departing teammates find their next role.Laptops \u2014 A computer is an important tool to find new work, so we are allowing everyone leaving to keep their Apple laptops.
\nI want to provide clarity to all of you as soon as possible. We have employees in 24 countries, and the time it will take to provide clarity will vary based on local laws and practices. Some countries require notifications about employment to be received in a very specific way. While our process may differ by country, we have tried to be thoughtful in planning for every employee.
\nIn the US and Canada, I can provide immediate clarity. Within the next few hours, those of you leaving Airbnb will receive a calendar invite to a departure meeting with a senior leader in your department. It was important to us that wherever we legally could, people were informed in a personal, 1:1 conversation. The final working day for departing employees based in the US and Canada will be Monday, May 11. We felt Monday would give people time to begin taking next steps and say goodbye \u2014 we understand and respect how important this is.
\nSome employees who are staying will have a new role, and will receive a meeting invite with the subject \u201cNew Role\u201d to learn more about it. For those of you in the US and Canada who are staying on the Airbnb team, you will not receive a calendar invite.
\nAt 6pm pacific time, I will host a world@ meeting for our Asia-Pacific teams. At 12am pacific time, I will host a world@ meeting for our Europe and Middle East teams. Following each of these meetings, we\u2019ll proceed with next steps in each country based on local practices.
\nI\u2019ve asked all Airbnb leaders to wait to bring their teams together until the end of this week out of respect to our teammates being impacted. I want to give everyone the next few days to process this, and I\u2019ll host a CEO Q&A again this Thursday at 4pm pacific time.
\nAs I have learned these past eight weeks, a crisis brings you clarity about what is truly important. Though we have been through a whirlwind, some things are more clear to me than ever before.
\nFirst, I am thankful for everyone here at Airbnb. Throughout this harrowing experience, I have been inspired by all of you. Even in the worst of circumstances, I\u2019ve seen the very best of us. The world needs human connection now more than ever, and I know that Airbnb will rise to the occasion. I believe this because I believe in you.
\nSecond, I have a deep feeling of love for all of you. Our mission is not merely about travel. When we started Airbnb, our original tagline was, \u201cTravel like a human.\u201d The human part was always more important than the travel part. What we are about is belonging, and at the center of belonging is love.
\nTo those of you staying,
\nOne of the most important ways we can honor those who are leaving is for them to know that their contributions mattered, and that they will always be part of Airbnb\u2019s story. I am confident their work will live on, just like this mission will live on.
\nTo those leaving Airbnb,
\nI am truly sorry. Please know this is not your fault. The world will never stop seeking the qualities and talents that you brought to Airbnb\u2026that helped make Airbnb. I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing them with us.
\nBrian
\n", "content_text": "Following an unprecedented global slowdown in travel that has sent related industries plummeting to a standstill, AirBnB CEO Brian Chesky announced on May 5, that he would be making the difficult decision of letting go of roughly a quarter of the travel giant’s workforce. \nIt’s a decision many firms the world over are facing\u2014one necessitated by financial clampdowns (Chesky cited AirBnB’s revenue projections for 2020 being less than half of their 2019 numbers.), rising uncertainty over when the current crisis will come to an end, and what world we’ll be entering into once it does.\nBelow, in full, is Chesky’s internal message to his 7,500 employees. It outlines the practical steps his company will be taking, expressing his sincere empathy, and at points sorrow, for those affected by the decision. For firms finding themselves at similar crossroads, it can serve as an example of how a leader that truly values their workforce navigates these difficult conversations.\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\nThis is my seventh time talking to you from my house. Each time we\u2019ve talked, I\u2019ve shared good news and bad news, but today I have to share some very sad news. \nWhen you\u2019ve asked me about layoffs, I\u2019ve said that nothing is off the table. Today, I must confirm that we are reducing the size of the Airbnb workforce. For a company like us whose mission is centered around belonging, this is incredibly difficult to confront, and it will be even harder for those who have to leave Airbnb. I am going to share as many details as I can on how I arrived at this decision, what we are doing for those leaving, and what will happen next. \nLet me start with how we arrived at this decision. We are collectively living through the most harrowing crisis of our lifetime, and as it began to unfold, global travel came to a standstill. Airbnb\u2019s business has been hit hard, with revenue this year forecasted to be less than half of what we earned in 2019. In response, we raised $2 billion in capital and dramatically cut costs that touched nearly every corner of Airbnb. \nWhile these actions were necessary, it became clear that we would have to go further when we faced two hard truths:\nWe don\u2019t know exactly when travel will return. When travel does return, it will look different. \nWhile we know Airbnb\u2019s business will fully recover, the changes it will undergo are not temporary or short-lived. Because of this, we need to make more fundamental changes to Airbnb by reducing the size of our workforce around a more focused business strategy. \nOut of our 7,500 Airbnb employees, nearly 1,900 teammates will have to leave Airbnb, comprising around 25% of our company. Since we cannot afford to do everything that we used to, these cuts had to be mapped to a more focused business. \nA more focused business \nTravel in this new world will look different, and we need to evolve Airbnb accordingly. People will want options that are closer to home, safer, and more affordable. But people will also yearn for something that feels like it\u2019s been taken away from them \u2014 human connection. When we started Airbnb, it was about belonging and connection. This crisis has sharpened our focus to get back to our roots, back to the basics, back to what is truly special about Airbnb \u2014 everyday people who host their homes and offer experiences. \nThis means that we will need to reduce our investment in activities that do not directly support the core of our host community. We are pausing our efforts in Transportation and Airbnb Studios, and we have to scale back our investments in Hotels and Lux. \nThese decisions are not a reflection of the work from people on these teams, and it does not mean everyone on these teams will be leaving us. Additionally, teams across all of Airbnb will be impacted. Many teams will be reduced in size based on how well they map to where Airbnb is headed. \nHow we approached reductions \nIt was important that we had a clear set of principles, guided by our core values, for how we would approach reductions in our workforce. These were our guiding principles:\nMap all reductions to our future business strategy and the capabilities we will need. Do as much as we can for those who are impacted. Be unwavering in our commitment to diversity. Optimize for 1:1 communication for those impacted. Wait to communicate any decisions until all details are landed \u2014 transparency of only partial information can make matters worse. \nI have done my best to stay true to these principles. \nProcess for making reductions \nOur process started with creating a more focused business strategy built on a sustainable cost model. We assessed how each team mapped to our new strategy, and we determined the size and shape of each team going forward. We then did a comprehensive review of every team member and made decisions based on critical skills, and how well those skills matched our future business needs. \nThe result is that we will have to part with teammates that we love and value. We have great people leaving Airbnb, and other companies will be lucky to have them. \nTo take care of those that are leaving, we have looked across severance, equity, healthcare, and job support and done our best to treat everyone in a compassionate and thoughtful way. \nSeverance\nEmployees in the US will receive 14 weeks of base pay, plus one additional week for every year at Airbnb. Tenure will be rounded to the nearest year. For example, if someone has been at Airbnb for 3 years and 7 months, they will get an additional 4 weeks of salary, or 18 weeks of total pay. Outside the US, all employees will receive at least 14 weeks of pay, plus tenure increases consistent with their country-specific practices. \nEquity\nWe are dropping the one-year cliff on equity for everyone we\u2019ve hired in the past year so that everyone departing, regardless of how long they have been here, is a shareholder. Additionally, everyone leaving is eligible for the May 25 vesting date. \nHealthcare\nIn the midst of a global health crisis of unknown duration, we want to limit the burden of healthcare costs. In the US, we will cover 12 months of health insurance through COBRA. In all other countries, we will cover health insurance costs through the end of 2020. This is because we\u2019re either legally unable to continue coverage, or our current plans will not allow for an extension. We will also provide four months of mental health support through KonTerra. \nJob support\nOur goal is to connect our teammates leaving Airbnb with new job opportunities. Here are five ways we can help:\nAlumni Talent Directory \u2014 We will be launching a public-facing website to help teammates leaving find new jobs. Departing employees can opt-in to have profiles, resumes, and work samples accessible to potential employers. Alumni Placement Team \u2014 For the remainder of 2020, a significant portion of Airbnb Recruiting will become an Alumni Placement Team. Recruiters that are staying with Airbnb will provide support to departing employees to help them find their next job.RiseSmart \u2014 We are offering four months of career services through RiseSmart, a company that specializes in career transition and job placement services. Employee Offered Alumni Support \u2014 We are encouraging all remaining employees to opt-in to a program to assist departing teammates find their next role.Laptops \u2014 A computer is an important tool to find new work, so we are allowing everyone leaving to keep their Apple laptops. \nHere is what will happen next\nI want to provide clarity to all of you as soon as possible. We have employees in 24 countries, and the time it will take to provide clarity will vary based on local laws and practices. Some countries require notifications about employment to be received in a very specific way. While our process may differ by country, we have tried to be thoughtful in planning for every employee. \nIn the US and Canada, I can provide immediate clarity. Within the next few hours, those of you leaving Airbnb will receive a calendar invite to a departure meeting with a senior leader in your department. It was important to us that wherever we legally could, people were informed in a personal, 1:1 conversation. The final working day for departing employees based in the US and Canada will be Monday, May 11. We felt Monday would give people time to begin taking next steps and say goodbye \u2014 we understand and respect how important this is.\nSome employees who are staying will have a new role, and will receive a meeting invite with the subject \u201cNew Role\u201d to learn more about it. For those of you in the US and Canada who are staying on the Airbnb team, you will not receive a calendar invite.\nAt 6pm pacific time, I will host a world@ meeting for our Asia-Pacific teams. At 12am pacific time, I will host a world@ meeting for our Europe and Middle East teams. Following each of these meetings, we\u2019ll proceed with next steps in each country based on local practices.\nI\u2019ve asked all Airbnb leaders to wait to bring their teams together until the end of this week out of respect to our teammates being impacted. I want to give everyone the next few days to process this, and I\u2019ll host a CEO Q&A again this Thursday at 4pm pacific time.\nSome final words \nAs I have learned these past eight weeks, a crisis brings you clarity about what is truly important. Though we have been through a whirlwind, some things are more clear to me than ever before.\nFirst, I am thankful for everyone here at Airbnb. Throughout this harrowing experience, I have been inspired by all of you. Even in the worst of circumstances, I\u2019ve seen the very best of us. The world needs human connection now more than ever, and I know that Airbnb will rise to the occasion. I believe this because I believe in you. \nSecond, I have a deep feeling of love for all of you. Our mission is not merely about travel. When we started Airbnb, our original tagline was, \u201cTravel like a human.\u201d The human part was always more important than the travel part. What we are about is belonging, and at the center of belonging is love. \nTo those of you staying, \nOne of the most important ways we can honor those who are leaving is for them to know that their contributions mattered, and that they will always be part of Airbnb\u2019s story. I am confident their work will live on, just like this mission will live on.\nTo those leaving Airbnb, \nI am truly sorry. Please know this is not your fault. The world will never stop seeking the qualities and talents that you brought to Airbnb\u2026that helped make Airbnb. I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing them with us.\nBrian", "date_published": "2020-05-08T14:02:11+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-08T14:02:11+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Airbnb", "Asia-Pacific teams", "Brian Chesky", "RiseSmart", "Community" ], "summary": "For firms finding themselves at similar crossroads, it can serve as an example of how a leader that truly values their workforce navigates these difficult conversations." }, { "id": "/?p=292702", "url": "/community/2020/05/05/292702/sparkup-community-project-ark-conducts-pilot-run-at-mayor-iskos-manila/", "title": "Project ARK conducts pilot run at Mayor Isko\u2019s Manila", "content_html": "Project ARK has officially started its pilot run in the City of Manila. Launched last April 24, the massive rapid testing initiative in Sampaloc successfully conducted 854 tests out of the target 1,500 sampling size, and had consequently identified 31 persons as potential cases of Covid-19. A similar activity was conducted in Tondo, while the community went under a two-day hard lockdown last Sunday, May 3. A total of 1,409 successful tests were done utilizing the antibody rapid test kits donated by Angkas. Of these, 109 tests were potential cases.
\nThose identified are immediately directed to the appropriate hospital facilities for confirmatory testing.
\nProject ARK, an initiative led by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion bands together the country\u2019s biggest economic and business players to ramp up mass testing in order to safely and gradually reopen the economy. The gathered data will be used so everyone can gain a better visibility of\u2014and formulate better strategies to combat\u2014the virus.
\n\u201cOn behalf of the people of the City of Manila, thank you very much for your efforts,” said Manila Mayor aisko Moreno. “Malaking bagay ito sa amin. It was very timely when Project ARK was introduced to us because we had to address two districts of Manila: District 4 which is Sampaloc, and District 1 which is Tondo. We are very grateful to our donor Angkas, Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion, and all the groups who are part of this project kasi we were able to take the opportunity to do mass testing by rapid tests.”
\nBarangay implementation is part of the project\u2019s bayanihan core. In addition to encouraging the regular screening of employees to ensure safety at work, Project ARK is shorter by companies that are funding the voluntary testing of barangay residents.
\nIn a May 3 press briefing, Dr. Minguita Padilla, Medical Team Leader and Clinical Associate Professor at the UP College of Medicine, noted that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how often one should test employees and residents. Those who are tested to be positive for the IgG antibody, for instance, may have some immunity to the coronavirus already and thus do not have to be tested as frequently as those who have never had the disease (i.e., those who are negative for the IgG and IgM antibodies) and are thus more vulnerable. Those who belong to high-risk groups (such as client-facing staff and the elderly) and/or go home to barangays that have been identified as hot zones, on the other hand, may have to be tested with more regularity.
\n\u201cThis is a new virus. We are learning a lot of things,\u201d Dr. Padilla explains. “We are changing our protocol depending on what we learn everyday. It is a living protocol. So the possibility is every two weeks. If you’re high-risk or if you develop symptoms, then by all means test, even if wala pang two weeks.”
\nGeorge Royeca, Chief Transport Advocate of Angkas, also points out the other ways to mitigate risks. Employers, he says, can consider work-from-home schemes or shifting schedules for those who really need to report for work at a physical office. \u201cWe really have to change this mindset na pansamantala lang po ito\u2026 This is our new normal. Cost of doing business na ito ngayon sa ating ekonomiya.\u201d
\nConcepcion emphasizes the importance of both life and livelihood and of mass testing as a prerequisite to safely reopening the economy. Moreno agrees with the sentiment: \u201cBinabalanse talaga namin. If we are to lock it down, magugutom ang lahat. I-address ang Covid-19, i-address ang kabuhayan ng tao pero we should impose and follow regulations\u2026\u201d The mayor adds that his city could not afford another ECQ. \u201cWe may have different approaches but we must act in synchronicity. Flattening the curve is the minimum goal of every government unit… There is no right formula, but we have to try.\u201d
\nTo date, Project ARK has secured close to one million Antibody Rapid Test kits and is already prepping the cities of Makati and Antipolo for their own massive rapid testing endeavors this week. They are currently in talks with the local governments of Quezon City, Pasig City, and Region 4A in Batangas for possible collaboration.
\n", "content_text": "Project ARK has officially started its pilot run in the City of Manila. Launched last April 24, the massive rapid testing initiative in Sampaloc successfully conducted 854 tests out of the target 1,500 sampling size, and had consequently identified 31 persons as potential cases of Covid-19. A similar activity was conducted in Tondo, while the community went under a two-day hard lockdown last Sunday, May 3. A total of 1,409 successful tests were done utilizing the antibody rapid test kits donated by Angkas. Of these, 109 tests were potential cases.\nThose identified are immediately directed to the appropriate hospital facilities for confirmatory testing.\nProject ARK, an initiative led by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion bands together the country\u2019s biggest economic and business players to ramp up mass testing in order to safely and gradually reopen the economy. The gathered data will be used so everyone can gain a better visibility of\u2014and formulate better strategies to combat\u2014the virus.\nBarangay-level implementation\n\u201cOn behalf of the people of the City of Manila, thank you very much for your efforts,” said Manila Mayor aisko Moreno. “Malaking bagay ito sa amin. It was very timely when Project ARK was introduced to us because we had to address two districts of Manila: District 4 which is Sampaloc, and District 1 which is Tondo. We are very grateful to our donor Angkas, Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion, and all the groups who are part of this project kasi we were able to take the opportunity to do mass testing by rapid tests.”\nBarangay implementation is part of the project\u2019s bayanihan core. In addition to encouraging the regular screening of employees to ensure safety at work, Project ARK is shorter by companies that are funding the voluntary testing of barangay residents.\nRapid testing protocol\nIn a May 3 press briefing, Dr. Minguita Padilla, Medical Team Leader and Clinical Associate Professor at the UP College of Medicine, noted that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how often one should test employees and residents. Those who are tested to be positive for the IgG antibody, for instance, may have some immunity to the coronavirus already and thus do not have to be tested as frequently as those who have never had the disease (i.e., those who are negative for the IgG and IgM antibodies) and are thus more vulnerable. Those who belong to high-risk groups (such as client-facing staff and the elderly) and/or go home to barangays that have been identified as hot zones, on the other hand, may have to be tested with more regularity.\n\u201cThis is a new virus. We are learning a lot of things,\u201d Dr. Padilla explains. “We are changing our protocol depending on what we learn everyday. It is a living protocol. So the possibility is every two weeks. If you’re high-risk or if you develop symptoms, then by all means test, even if wala pang two weeks.”\nGeorge Royeca, Chief Transport Advocate of Angkas, also points out the other ways to mitigate risks. Employers, he says, can consider work-from-home schemes or shifting schedules for those who really need to report for work at a physical office. \u201cWe really have to change this mindset na pansamantala lang po ito\u2026 This is our new normal. Cost of doing business na ito ngayon sa ating ekonomiya.\u201d\nA delicate balancing act\nConcepcion emphasizes the importance of both life and livelihood and of mass testing as a prerequisite to safely reopening the economy. Moreno agrees with the sentiment: \u201cBinabalanse talaga namin. If we are to lock it down, magugutom ang lahat. I-address ang Covid-19, i-address ang kabuhayan ng tao pero we should impose and follow regulations\u2026\u201d The mayor adds that his city could not afford another ECQ. \u201cWe may have different approaches but we must act in synchronicity. Flattening the curve is the minimum goal of every government unit… There is no right formula, but we have to try.\u201d\nTo date, Project ARK has secured close to one million Antibody Rapid Test kits and is already prepping the cities of Makati and Antipolo for their own massive rapid testing endeavors this week. They are currently in talks with the local governments of Quezon City, Pasig City, and Region 4A in Batangas for possible collaboration.", "date_published": "2020-05-05T17:40:59+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-05T17:40:59+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Antibody Rapid test Kits", "Isko Moreno", "Manila", "Project ARK", "Community" ], "summary": "Project ARK, a massive rapid testing initiative by GoNegosyo and other private sector partners, has officially started its pilot run in the City of Manila." }, { "id": "/?p=292698", "url": "/community/2020/05/05/292698/sparkup-community-5-tips-to-help-startups-and-smes-navigate-the-covid-19-pandemic/", "title": "5 tips to help startups and SMEs navigate the COVID-19 pandemic", "content_html": "While the current pandemic has been a major challenge for businesses at large, it’s been especially tough for startups and SMEs. Keeping up with shrinking revenues and rapidly changing operational restrictions, these small firms need all the help they can get.
\nSpeakers from \u201cUnlocking the Lockdown: Startup and SME Challenges and Opportunities Amid the Pandemic\u201d, a webinar held last April 17 organized by regtech startup UNAWA, share some tips on navigating through these difficulties\u2014and hopefully also unearthing new opportunities in the process.
\nWith revenues of many startups and SMEs greatly affected since the lockdown, it may not be so palatable to look at one\u2019s books. But for Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, president and co-founder of fashion social enterprise Rags2Riches (R2R), it must be done or it could make things worse in the long term.
\nOne measure is to conduct daily cash flow planning and management. \u201cEvery time something goes in and out, check it. I created this Google Sheet that I track every single day and have a list of all the payables and receivables.\u201d
\nIt\u2019s also important to check how far your runway is. \u201cWhat I do is stretch it out up to two months, so that I have a two-month [window] at any given point in time. It\u2019s stressful because you can see, \u2018At this time, if nothing comes in, I\u2019m in a bad place.\u2019 But you have to know it so that you can find ways to stop it.\u201d
\nUnusual times create unusual situations, and therefore, unusual consumer needs. As a startup or SME, this is your chance to help address them.
\nRommel Ng, president and co-founder of Buffalo Wings N\u2019 Things, cited an example from the restaurant industry. \u201cAside from disposing of the inventory, the reason the big [restaurant] players are starting to sell ready-to-cook [products] is because people are confined in their homes, and it\u2019s cheaper if they cook it.
\n\u201cWhat drives our businesses now is what the customers need\u2026We\u2019re so blessed now because\u2026 [consumer] behaviors are being broadcasted by people. You\u2019ll get a clue, and you have to adjust.\u201d
\nWith the current situation making the present already so difficult as it is, it may be easy to raise one\u2019s eyebrows on this piece of advice. But the actions of now determine the results in the future.
\n\u201cYou can\u2019t pivot anymore \u2018after this\u2019, \u2018when things go back to normal\u2019, \u2018when this is all over\u2019. All of those sentences don\u2019t apply because you have to think about the things that you can do now,\u201d said Fernandez-Ruiz.
\n\u201cIf you do have cash, go on the offense also\u2026 investing in a little bit of R&D, designing things for use in the future. And by \u2018future\u2019, I mean the next two weeks, because that\u2019s what the future is during these times.\u201d
\nThe pandemic and consequent lockdown have inflicted different kinds of stress on employees. Now more than ever, it\u2019s vital to be there for them. \u201cWe prioritize people: taking care of their physical health, financial needs, and also their mental health, with the latter often being overlooked,\u201d
\nThis, of course, should also reflect on your cash allocations\u2014even if it may mean making sacrifices. \u201cOur team knows that I\u2019d be the first not to get paid my salary before everybody else,\u201d said Fernandez-Ruiz. \u201cWhen your people understand that, the trust is being built. You don\u2019t build trust during the good times; you build the trust during these times.\u201d
\nIt\u2019s also just as important to make your presence felt outside in the community. If you don\u2019t have a lot to contribute materially as a small enterprise, there are other ways to help.
\n\u201cWe don\u2019t have a lot of money. But I can contribute experience, knowledge, and insight,\u201d said Ng. \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to get intimate with people, the community, and all the stakeholders: the customers, your employees, and your investors.\u201d
\nFor Fernandez-Ruiz, it\u2019s also about making a stand. \u201cIt\u2019s very important to show your values right now\u2026 It\u2019s easy to live our values when times are easy. But living your values during the crisis, it\u2019s actually when values are most critical and most needed.\u201d
\n", "content_text": "While the current pandemic has been a major challenge for businesses at large, it’s been especially tough for startups and SMEs. Keeping up with shrinking revenues and rapidly changing operational restrictions, these small firms need all the help they can get. \nSpeakers from \u201cUnlocking the Lockdown: Startup and SME Challenges and Opportunities Amid the Pandemic\u201d, a webinar held last April 17 organized by regtech startup UNAWA, share some tips on navigating through these difficulties\u2014and hopefully also unearthing new opportunities in the process.\n1.\tIt\u2019s time to face the music\u2014or rather, the numbers.\nWith revenues of many startups and SMEs greatly affected since the lockdown, it may not be so palatable to look at one\u2019s books. But for Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, president and co-founder of fashion social enterprise Rags2Riches (R2R), it must be done or it could make things worse in the long term.\nOne measure is to conduct daily cash flow planning and management. \u201cEvery time something goes in and out, check it. I created this Google Sheet that I track every single day and have a list of all the payables and receivables.\u201d\nIt\u2019s also important to check how far your runway is. \u201cWhat I do is stretch it out up to two months, so that I have a two-month [window] at any given point in time. It\u2019s stressful because you can see, \u2018At this time, if nothing comes in, I\u2019m in a bad place.\u2019 But you have to know it so that you can find ways to stop it.\u201d\n2.\tListen to your customers.\nUnusual times create unusual situations, and therefore, unusual consumer needs. As a startup or SME, this is your chance to help address them.\nRommel Ng, president and co-founder of Buffalo Wings N\u2019 Things, cited an example from the restaurant industry. \u201cAside from disposing of the inventory, the reason the big [restaurant] players are starting to sell ready-to-cook [products] is because people are confined in their homes, and it\u2019s cheaper if they cook it.\n\u201cWhat drives our businesses now is what the customers need\u2026We\u2019re so blessed now because\u2026 [consumer] behaviors are being broadcasted by people. You\u2019ll get a clue, and you have to adjust.\u201d\n3.\tThink of the future.\nWith the current situation making the present already so difficult as it is, it may be easy to raise one\u2019s eyebrows on this piece of advice. But the actions of now determine the results in the future.\n\u201cYou can\u2019t pivot anymore \u2018after this\u2019, \u2018when things go back to normal\u2019, \u2018when this is all over\u2019. All of those sentences don\u2019t apply because you have to think about the things that you can do now,\u201d said Fernandez-Ruiz.\n\u201cIf you do have cash, go on the offense also\u2026 investing in a little bit of R&D, designing things for use in the future. And by \u2018future\u2019, I mean the next two weeks, because that\u2019s what the future is during these times.\u201d\n4.\tAlways put your people first.\nThe pandemic and consequent lockdown have inflicted different kinds of stress on employees. Now more than ever, it\u2019s vital to be there for them. \u201cWe prioritize people: taking care of their physical health, financial needs, and also their mental health, with the latter often being overlooked,\u201d\nThis, of course, should also reflect on your cash allocations\u2014even if it may mean making sacrifices. \u201cOur team knows that I\u2019d be the first not to get paid my salary before everybody else,\u201d said Fernandez-Ruiz. \u201cWhen your people understand that, the trust is being built. You don\u2019t build trust during the good times; you build the trust during these times.\u201d\n5.\tGo beyond your business.\nIt\u2019s also just as important to make your presence felt outside in the community. If you don\u2019t have a lot to contribute materially as a small enterprise, there are other ways to help. \n\u201cWe don\u2019t have a lot of money. But I can contribute experience, knowledge, and insight,\u201d said Ng. \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to get intimate with people, the community, and all the stakeholders: the customers, your employees, and your investors.\u201d\nFor Fernandez-Ruiz, it\u2019s also about making a stand. \u201cIt\u2019s very important to show your values right now\u2026 It\u2019s easy to live our values when times are easy. But living your values during the crisis, it\u2019s actually when values are most critical and most needed.\u201d", "date_published": "2020-05-05T12:21:03+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-05T12:21:03+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Covid-19 pandemic", "Rags2Riches", "SMEs", "startups", "UNAWA", "Community" ], "summary": "From handling resources to projecting for the future, industry experts share how startups and SMEs can survive during the pandemic." }, { "id": "/?p=292462", "url": "/community/2020/05/04/292462/sparkup-community-this-pandemic-is-posing-an-array-of-cybersecurity-challenges/", "title": "This pandemic is posing an array of cybersecurity challenges", "content_html": "While the eyes of the world are focusing on how the Covid-19 outbreak is threatening to overload the healthcare system and the global economy, bad actors are taking advantage of the pandemic by adapting and updating attack methods as the crisis unfolds.
\nWhile cybersecurity takes the backseat to more urgent concerns like workforce well-being, availability of financing, and the resilience of operations and supply chains, cyber criminals have found an opportunity to target already vulnerable firms.
\nA study from IBM Security and Morning Consult on 2020 Consumer & Small Business COVID-19 Awareness Study highlights that – since the virus was declared a pandemic on March 11 – IBM X-Force has seen a more than 6,000% increase in Covid-19-related spam campaigns. From phishing emails and WHO impersonations, to U.S. banking institutions offering relief funds, spammers and scammers are targeting small business owners pretending to offer anything from stimulus relief funds to small business loan applications, all in an attempt to steal these individuals\u2019 information and gain access to their bank accounts.
\nAnother report, \u201cCOVID-19 cyberwar: How to protect your business,\u201d shows that the coronavirus-themed spam include new threats such as virus-themed sales of malware on the dark web, and Covid-19-related domains that are 50 percent more likely to be malicious than other domains registered during the same time period.
\nEmployees working remotely can also make organizations more vulnerable. The shift to remote work has opened new loopholes for cybercriminals to exploit since many displaced workers lack the secure equipment or protocols to optimize digital safety. Employees aren\u2019t the only ones who are unprepared: enabling remote working is fairly new for many organizations. Security preparedness is uneven as organizations are making an unprecedented transition to remote working.
\nIBM notes from their cumulative research that organizations that are highly resilient tend to do three things well:
\nCybercriminals are seeing the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to exploit loopholes. Organizations can see it as an opportunity to beef up their critical security needs and iterate their business continuity plans even while in the middle of this pandemic. Steps can still be taken to mitigate the impacts of an uncertain environment plus use the experience for future crisis planning.
\n", "content_text": "While the eyes of the world are focusing on how the Covid-19 outbreak is threatening to overload the healthcare system and the global economy, bad actors are taking advantage of the pandemic by adapting and updating attack methods as the crisis unfolds.\nWhile cybersecurity takes the backseat to more urgent concerns like workforce well-being, availability of financing, and the resilience of operations and supply chains, cyber criminals have found an opportunity to target already vulnerable firms.\nA surge in cybersecurity threats\nA study from IBM Security and Morning Consult on 2020 Consumer & Small Business COVID-19 Awareness Study highlights that – since the virus was declared a pandemic on March 11 – IBM X-Force has seen a more than 6,000% increase in Covid-19-related spam campaigns. From phishing emails and WHO impersonations, to U.S. banking institutions offering relief funds, spammers and scammers are targeting small business owners pretending to offer anything from stimulus relief funds to small business loan applications, all in an attempt to steal these individuals\u2019 information and gain access to their bank accounts.\nAnother report, \u201cCOVID-19 cyberwar: How to protect your business,\u201d shows that the coronavirus-themed spam include new threats such as virus-themed sales of malware on the dark web, and Covid-19-related domains that are 50 percent more likely to be malicious than other domains registered during the same time period.\nClosing the loopholes\nEmployees working remotely can also make organizations more vulnerable. The shift to remote work has opened new loopholes for cybercriminals to exploit since many displaced workers lack the secure equipment or protocols to optimize digital safety. Employees aren\u2019t the only ones who are unprepared: enabling remote working is fairly new for many organizations. Security preparedness is uneven as organizations are making an unprecedented transition to remote working. \nIBM notes from their cumulative research that organizations that are highly resilient tend to do three things well:\n\norganize and deploy resources,\ncommunicate regularly,\nand coordinate responses.\n\nCybercriminals are seeing the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to exploit loopholes. Organizations can see it as an opportunity to beef up their critical security needs and iterate their business continuity plans even while in the middle of this pandemic. Steps can still be taken to mitigate the impacts of an uncertain environment plus use the experience for future crisis planning.", "date_published": "2020-05-04T11:58:53+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-05-04T11:58:53+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Covid-19 pandemic", "cybercriminals", "cybersecurity", "IBM", "Community" ], "summary": "The Covid-19 outbreak is having a significant impact on cybersecurity. Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the pandemic to lure businesses and individuals through spam campaigns, phishing emails, and the like. " }, { "id": "/?p=292039", "url": "/community/2020/04/30/292039/sparkup-community-the-final-pitch-heroes-edition-highlights-best-covid-19-solutions/", "title": "The Final Pitch: Heroes Edition highlights best Covid-19 solutions", "content_html": "The Final Pitch, CNN Philippines’ business reality TV show, is looking for non-profit organizations, startups, and innovators with solutions to address Covid-19 challenges. Themed the Heroes Edition, its sixth season is set to begin filming by the third quarter of this year.
\nThe Final Pitch is a competition where entrepreneurs and startups pitch their proposals and get the chance to fund their businesses with help from elite investors. The upcoming season aims to address the economic and social impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.\u00a0
\nEntrepreneurs, inventors, and startup teams are also invited to pitch their solutions towards the country’s new post-COVID-19 normal.
\n\u201cWe are hopeful as we introduce this relevant and timely format for The Final Pitch: Heroes Edition,\u201d says The Final Pitch host and creator John Aguilar.
\n“We have seen in our past five seasons the exponential effects of matching the right ideas with the right investments. We hope that through this season, we will identify the best high-impact advocacies and solutions to help turn around the economic and social ramifications of the Covid-19 crisis for the sake of our kababayans.”
\nSample target industries include retail, transport, and tourism. Ideas for employment of both locals and displaced OFWs, and MSME business solutions, are welcome as well.
\nApplicants may send their online entries and one-minute pitch videos through TheFinalPitch.ph/application. Investors and corporate partners may reach the show through submit@TheFinalPitch.ph or 0917 8136674. For more information, visit www.thefinalpitch.ph and follow its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
\nThe show is currently open for pitches from non-profits for support in the form of donations and grants.
\nAccording to showrunners, these pledges must come from reputable organizations that have a specific ask for beneficiary communities such as medical frontliners, farmers, indigent communities, and displaced workers.
\nInterested investors and conglomerate partners are also being called upon to assist in the show\u2019s selection process, refinement of proposals, and financial backing.
\n", "content_text": "The Final Pitch, CNN Philippines’ business reality TV show, is looking for non-profit organizations, startups, and innovators with solutions to address Covid-19 challenges. Themed the Heroes Edition, its sixth season is set to begin filming by the third quarter of this year.\nBest \u201cnew normal\u201d solutions\nThe Final Pitch is a competition where entrepreneurs and startups pitch their proposals and get the chance to fund their businesses with help from elite investors. The upcoming season aims to address the economic and social impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.\u00a0\nEntrepreneurs, inventors, and startup teams are also invited to pitch their solutions towards the country’s new post-COVID-19 normal.\n\u201cWe are hopeful as we introduce this relevant and timely format for The Final Pitch: Heroes Edition,\u201d says The Final Pitch host and creator John Aguilar.\n“We have seen in our past five seasons the exponential effects of matching the right ideas with the right investments. We hope that through this season, we will identify the best high-impact advocacies and solutions to help turn around the economic and social ramifications of the Covid-19 crisis for the sake of our kababayans.”\nSample target industries include retail, transport, and tourism. Ideas for employment of both locals and displaced OFWs, and MSME business solutions, are welcome as well.\nApplicants may send their online entries and one-minute pitch videos through TheFinalPitch.ph/application. Investors and corporate partners may reach the show through submit@TheFinalPitch.ph or 0917 8136674. For more information, visit www.thefinalpitch.ph and follow its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.\nThe show is currently open for pitches from non-profits for support in the form of donations and grants.\nAccording to showrunners, these pledges must come from reputable organizations that have a specific ask for beneficiary communities such as medical frontliners, farmers, indigent communities, and displaced workers.\nInterested investors and conglomerate partners are also being called upon to assist in the show\u2019s selection process, refinement of proposals, and financial backing.", "date_published": "2020-04-30T11:00:51+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-04-30T11:00:51+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "cnn philippines", "COVID-19 crisis", "Heroes Edition", "John Aguilar", "the final pitch", "Community" ], "summary": "The Final Pitch, a local business reality TV show, identifies the best Covid-19 response solutions with its Heroes Edition season." }, { "id": "/?p=291855", "url": "/community/2020/04/29/291855/sparkup-community-digital-bayanihan-on-facebook-in-the-time-of-covid-19/", "title": "Digital bayanihan on Facebook in the time of Covid-19", "content_html": "Bayanihan is a local concept that refers to the act of helping out one\u2019s neighbor as a community. This concept is manifest nowadays in digital form on
Facebook, the most popular social media platform among Filipinos. With the stay-at-home government directive still in place, Filipinos are flocking online to find ways to lend a virtual helping hand. From online concerts to game streaming for a cause, check out how we are supporting each other during this difficult time:\u00a0\nOrganized and led by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Bayanihan Musikahan brings together homegrown musicians to perform nightly online concerts on Facebook Live. With the participation of big names in the local music industry, they have raised P42 million and counting\u2014the proceeds of which go to providing food and health support for urban poor communities across Metro Manila.
\n\u201cThrough Bayanihan Musikahan we want to uplift the spirits of Filipinos everywhere with music and critical support. Seeing artists and people pitching in has been overwhelming and inspiring, so we will continue to raise funds for a community-based COVID-19 care center,\u201d says Mr. Cayabyab.
\nCreators on Facebook Gaming from across the world have been hosting charity streams for the United Nations Foundation\u2019s COVID-19 Fundraiser for WHO. The fundraiser\u2019s goal is to reach $10 million in donations, which Facebook will match to support the work to prevent, detect, and respond to the outbreak around the world.
\nLocally, 23 Pinoy creators participated in the #GamersVsCOVID and United as One campaigns for a cause with top game streamers Alodia Gosienfiao and ChooxTv\u2019s livestreams reaching 1.5 million and 1.1 million views, respectively. Continued efforts under the Work From Home Charity Cup are giving gamers a chance to show how they can do their share in the fight against COVID-19 both online and offline.
\nMembers of the LEP Association of Food Vendors & Restaurant Owners (LEPA) ![\"\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\udded\"](\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f1f5-1f1ed.png\")
are stepping up to aid our frontliners. Operating under their motto, #TulunganPare![\"\ud83e\udd19\ud83c\udffc\"](\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f919-1f3fc.png\")
, they have been able to provide full-day meals for 9 hospitals including The Medical City, Makati Medical Center, UERM Memorial Medical Center, and VRP Medical Center.
\u201cWe\u2019ve discovered that some hospitals already have enough meal sponsors but are seriously lacking in medical supplies,\u201d shared Mark del Rosario, founder of Let\u2019s Eat Pare. \u201cThis is a gap that we are trying to bridge.\u201d
\nIf you are in the food industry or if you have any leads in line with Let\u2019s Eat Pare\u2019s efforts, coordinate with them via lepassoc@gmail.com.
\nFacebook group Filipina Homebased Moms (FHMOMS) continues to take strides to help its community of moms keep up with parenting, freelancing, and entrepreneurship in the time of COVID by providing home-based work resources and learning materials.
\nThey\u2019ve so far set up webinars featuring guest speakers and volunteer hosts who discuss topics ranging from mental health to virtual learning, homeschooling, e-commerce, and a design thinking workshop to solve lockdown problems.
\nThey are also starting a paid workshop on Facebook Group Growth Hacking with a pay-what-you-can scheme\u2014all proceeds of which will go to supporting frontliners and people who need it the most.
\n", "content_text": "Bayanihan is a local concept that refers to the act of helping out one\u2019s neighbor as a community. This concept is manifest nowadays in digital form on Facebook, the most popular social media platform among Filipinos. With the stay-at-home government directive still in place, Filipinos are flocking online to find ways to lend a virtual helping hand. From online concerts to game streaming for a cause, check out how we are supporting each other during this difficult time:\u00a0\nFundraising concert series\nOrganized and led by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Bayanihan Musikahan brings together homegrown musicians to perform nightly online concerts on Facebook Live. With the participation of big names in the local music industry, they have raised P42 million and counting\u2014the proceeds of which go to providing food and health support for urban poor communities across Metro Manila.\n\u201cThrough Bayanihan Musikahan we want to uplift the spirits of Filipinos everywhere with music and critical support. Seeing artists and people pitching in has been overwhelming and inspiring, so we will continue to raise funds for a community-based COVID-19 care center,\u201d says Mr. Cayabyab.\nGamers\u2019 charity stream\nCreators on Facebook Gaming from across the world have been hosting charity streams for the United Nations Foundation\u2019s COVID-19 Fundraiser for WHO. The fundraiser\u2019s goal is to reach $10 million in donations, which Facebook will match to support the work to prevent, detect, and respond to the outbreak around the world.\nLocally, 23 Pinoy creators participated in the #GamersVsCOVID and United as One campaigns for a cause with top game streamers Alodia Gosienfiao and ChooxTv\u2019s livestreams reaching 1.5 million and 1.1 million views, respectively. Continued efforts under the Work From Home Charity Cup are giving gamers a chance to show how they can do their share in the fight against COVID-19 both online and offline.\nMeal drops for healthcare workers\nMembers of the LEP Association of Food Vendors & Restaurant Owners (LEPA) are stepping up to aid our frontliners. Operating under their motto, #TulunganPare, they have been able to provide full-day meals for 9 hospitals including The Medical City, Makati Medical Center, UERM Memorial Medical Center, and VRP Medical Center.\n\u201cWe\u2019ve discovered that some hospitals already have enough meal sponsors but are seriously lacking in medical supplies,\u201d shared Mark del Rosario, founder of Let\u2019s Eat Pare. \u201cThis is a gap that we are trying to bridge.\u201d\nIf you are in the food industry or if you have any leads in line with Let\u2019s Eat Pare\u2019s efforts, coordinate with them via lepassoc@gmail.com. \nWeb workshops for mompreneurs\nFacebook group Filipina Homebased Moms (FHMOMS) continues to take strides to help its community of moms keep up with parenting, freelancing, and entrepreneurship in the time of COVID by providing home-based work resources and learning materials. \nThey\u2019ve so far set up webinars featuring guest speakers and volunteer hosts who discuss topics ranging from mental health to virtual learning, homeschooling, e-commerce, and a design thinking workshop to solve lockdown problems.\nThey are also starting a paid workshop on Facebook Group Growth Hacking with a pay-what-you-can scheme\u2014all proceeds of which will go to supporting frontliners and people who need it the most.", "date_published": "2020-04-29T16:40:22+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-04-29T16:40:22+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Bayanihan Musikahan", "COVID-19", "Digital bayanihan", "Facebook", "FHMoms", "frontliners", "GamersVsCOVID", "LEP Association of Food Vendors", "TulunganPare", "Community" ], "summary": "Digital bayanihan, in the time of COVID-19, is being manifested in all forms on Facebook." }, { "id": "/?p=291627", "url": "/community/2020/04/28/291627/sparkup-community-upskill-with-e-tesdas-free-courses-while-on-quarantine/", "title": "Upskill with e-TESDA\u2019s free courses while on quarantine", "content_html": "The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is encouraging Filipinos to register and enroll in the online courses available on their platform e-TESDA or the TESDA Online Program.
\nThe authority says taking advantage of this free opportunity allows workers to remain productive despite the mobility restrictions issued by the government to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
\n\u201cWe are enjoined to stay at home, as this is among the ways to prevent the spread of the virus,”TESDA chief Secretary Isidro Lape\u00f1a said. “We encourage those with available time to make good use of this period, while Metro Manila is under community quarantine. I invite the students and workers to try enrolling in our online classes.\u00a0 This is offered for free.”
\nThere are a total of 68 online courses on e-TESDA, which is also accessible through the TESDA app in Google Play and Apple Store. Among the offerings available are courses in Agriculture, Automotive, Electronics, Entrepreneurship, and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration. There are also resources on Human Health/Health Care, Information and Communication Technology, Lifelong Learning Skills, Maritime, Social, Community Development and other services, Tourism, and Technical Vocational Education and Training.
\nThere are no requirements to enroll apart from computer literacy and an Internet connection. Enrollees are required to pass the quizzes that accompany each course. A certificate of completion will be given to successful enrollees, but assessment tests that require one\u2019s physical presence at the technical schools are required for those who also wish to receive a national certification.
\n\u201cOnce na mag-normalize ang sitwasyon, kailangan mo magtake ng assessment kasi kailangan ng physical presence para ma-assess nila yung paggamit mo ng equipment at kung ang skills ay kwalipikado na,\u201d explained Lape\u00f1a.
\n(“Once the situation normalizes, you need to take an assessment (test). Physical presence is needed so that they can assess how you used the equipment, and if your skills are qualified enough.”)
\nThe term \u201cdisruption\u201d has been used countless times since the start of the pandemic to describe how Covid-19 has turned the world upside down. Workers whose jobs have been suspended can take heart and bide their time by taking free courses to improve their career prospects.
\n", "content_text": "The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is encouraging Filipinos to register and enroll in the online courses available on their platform e-TESDA or the TESDA Online Program.\nThe authority says taking advantage of this free opportunity allows workers to remain productive despite the mobility restrictions issued by the government to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.\n\u201cWe are enjoined to stay at home, as this is among the ways to prevent the spread of the virus,”TESDA chief Secretary Isidro Lape\u00f1a said. “We encourage those with available time to make good use of this period, while Metro Manila is under community quarantine. I invite the students and workers to try enrolling in our online classes.\u00a0 This is offered for free.”\nThere are a total of 68 online courses on e-TESDA, which is also accessible through the TESDA app in Google Play and Apple Store. Among the offerings available are courses in Agriculture, Automotive, Electronics, Entrepreneurship, and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration. There are also resources on Human Health/Health Care, Information and Communication Technology, Lifelong Learning Skills, Maritime, Social, Community Development and other services, Tourism, and Technical Vocational Education and Training.\nThere are no requirements to enroll apart from computer literacy and an Internet connection. Enrollees are required to pass the quizzes that accompany each course. A certificate of completion will be given to successful enrollees, but assessment tests that require one\u2019s physical presence at the technical schools are required for those who also wish to receive a national certification.\n\u201cOnce na mag-normalize ang sitwasyon, kailangan mo magtake ng assessment kasi kailangan ng physical presence para ma-assess nila yung paggamit mo ng equipment at kung ang skills ay kwalipikado na,\u201d explained Lape\u00f1a.\n(“Once the situation normalizes, you need to take an assessment (test). Physical presence is needed so that they can assess how you used the equipment, and if your skills are qualified enough.”)\nThe term \u201cdisruption\u201d has been used countless times since the start of the pandemic to describe how Covid-19 has turned the world upside down. Workers whose jobs have been suspended can take heart and bide their time by taking free courses to improve their career prospects.", "date_published": "2020-04-28T12:20:36+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-04-28T12:20:36+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "COVID-19", "e-TESDA", "online courses", "TESDA", "TESDA app", "Community" ], "summary": "Stuck at home? That doesn\u2019t mean your skills have to be stuck as well. Reskill and upskill with TESDA\u2019s free online courses." }, { "id": "/?p=291613", "url": "/community/2020/04/28/291613/sparkup-community-facebook-compiles-platform-specific-tools-to-fight-the-covid-19-infodemic/", "title": "Facebook compiles platform-specific tools to fight the COVID-19 infodemic", "content_html": "As information on COVID-19 continues to saturate the social media channels we rely on for news around the current crisis, a secondary danger of misinformation and fake news are fueling an infodemic that could potentially be as damaging as COVID-19 itself.
\nIn response, Facebook, the company managing many of these platforms, has compiled a list of tools to ensure the news and knowledge we share are reliable.
\nBelow are several ways to quickly access accurate and timely updates on the COVID-19 situation in the Philippines and globally across Facebook\u2019s family of apps.
\nOn the Facebook app, you can find the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center featured at the top of your News Feed. It leads to the latest statistics and updates from the Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF), with links to their verified Facebook pages.![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/FB-1.png\")
The COVID-19 Information Center on Facebook also shares tips to handle staying at home, social distancing, how you can prevent spreading the virus, and what to do when you\u2019re not feeling well. It even has a Community Help section to make it easier for people to post a request for help or offer help in their area.
\nPeople can opt in to follow the information center to get notifications and see real-time updates directly in their News Feed or find it bookmarked on the left side of their feed or when they tap on their mobile app.
\nIn the coming weeks, Facebook will also start showing messages to people who have liked, reacted, or commented on harmful misinformation about COVID-19 that have since been removed from the platform. These messages will connect people to COVID-19 myths debunked by the WHO including those that Facebook removed for leading to imminent physical harm.![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/FB.jpg\")
On Messenger, you can message KIRA the KontraCOVID Chatbot, brought to you by the Department of Health (DOH). When you chat with KIRA, you can get immediate responses to the most common questions about the virus, information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones against COVID-19, and even do a self-check of your symptoms to gauge your risk for COVID-19. You can search for the Department of Health on the Messenger app or go to the official DOH Page on Facebook and click the Messenger button to get started.\u00a0![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/FB-3.png\")
While scrolling through Instagram, you\u2019ll find a notice at the top of your feed that directs you to credible resources from expert health organizations like the WHO and DOH. When searching for information and viewing hashtags related to COVID-19 on Instagram, resources from these health organizations are also put at the top to highlight them, making accurate information more accessible.![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IG.png\")
If WhatsApp is your messaging app of choice, you can sign up to receive the WHO Health Alerts which provides daily reports, tips on how to prevent the spread of the disease, and answers to COVID-19 FAQs that you can easily share with your friends and family. Just send \u201cHi\u201d to +41 79 893 18 92 on WhatsApp or follow this link. The same WHO Health Alerts are also available on Messenger.
\n![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/WHO.png\")
With COVID-19 information available to you 24/7, it\u2019s important to remember that accurate information can save lives. So it\u2019s crucial for everyone to take that responsibility very seriously and ensure that we only share legit and verified info. Factual sharing is caring.
You can learn more about how Facebook is keeping people safe and informed about Coronavirus here.
\n", "content_text": "As information on COVID-19 continues to saturate the social media channels we rely on for news around the current crisis, a secondary danger of misinformation and fake news are fueling an infodemic that could potentially be as damaging as COVID-19 itself.\nIn response, Facebook, the company managing many of these platforms, has compiled a list of tools to ensure the news and knowledge we share are reliable.\nBelow are several ways to quickly access accurate and timely updates on the COVID-19 situation in the Philippines and globally across Facebook\u2019s family of apps.\nFacebook\nOn the Facebook app, you can find the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center featured at the top of your News Feed. It leads to the latest statistics and updates from the Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF), with links to their verified Facebook pages.\nThe COVID-19 Information Center on Facebook also shares tips to handle staying at home, social distancing, how you can prevent spreading the virus, and what to do when you\u2019re not feeling well. It even has a Community Help section to make it easier for people to post a request for help or offer help in their area.\nPeople can opt in to follow the information center to get notifications and see real-time updates directly in their News Feed or find it bookmarked on the left side of their feed or when they tap on their mobile app.\nIn the coming weeks, Facebook will also start showing messages to people who have liked, reacted, or commented on harmful misinformation about COVID-19 that have since been removed from the platform. These messages will connect people to COVID-19 myths debunked by the WHO including those that Facebook removed for leading to imminent physical harm.\nOn Messenger, you can message KIRA the KontraCOVID Chatbot, brought to you by the Department of Health (DOH). When you chat with KIRA, you can get immediate responses to the most common questions about the virus, information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones against COVID-19, and even do a self-check of your symptoms to gauge your risk for COVID-19. You can search for the Department of Health on the Messenger app or go to the official DOH Page on Facebook and click the Messenger button to get started.\u00a0\nInstagram\nWhile scrolling through Instagram, you\u2019ll find a notice at the top of your feed that directs you to credible resources from expert health organizations like the WHO and DOH. When searching for information and viewing hashtags related to COVID-19 on Instagram, resources from these health organizations are also put at the top to highlight them, making accurate information more accessible.\nWhatsApp\nIf WhatsApp is your messaging app of choice, you can sign up to receive the WHO Health Alerts which provides daily reports, tips on how to prevent the spread of the disease, and answers to COVID-19 FAQs that you can easily share with your friends and family. Just send \u201cHi\u201d to +41 79 893 18 92 on WhatsApp or follow this link. The same WHO Health Alerts are also available on Messenger.\nWith COVID-19 information available to you 24/7, it\u2019s important to remember that accurate information can save lives. So it\u2019s crucial for everyone to take that responsibility very seriously and ensure that we only share legit and verified info. Factual sharing is caring.\nYou can learn more about how Facebook is keeping people safe and informed about Coronavirus here.", "date_published": "2020-04-28T10:26:48+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-04-28T10:26:48+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "COVID-19 Information Center", "Covid-19 pandemic", "Department of Health", "Facebook", "fake-news", "instagram", "KIRA", "Messenger", "misinformation", "United Nations Children\u2019s Fund", "whatsapp", "WHO Health Alerts", "WORLD Health Organization", "Community" ], "summary": "Stay connected with the latest updates about COVID-19 straight from relevant health organizations while on Facebook\u2019s family of apps." }, { "id": "/?p=291362", "url": "/community/2020/04/27/291362/sparkup-community-private-sector-led-project-ark-spearheads-rapid-testing-for-covid-19/", "title": "Private sector-led Project ARK spearheads rapid testing for COVID-19", "content_html": "In strategizing around COVID-19, business often arrive at a question of life vs. livelihood, health vs. the economy. When we open the economy, what are the repercussions on health? What role then does the private sector play in ensuring our nation’s well-being through the current crisis?
\nThese are the questions that Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion tackled in an April 23 video conference, where he and his group publicly introduced Project ARK, a private sector-led initiative that aims to make massive testing possible through the use of Antibody Rapid test Kits.
\nProject ARK\u00a0 is anchored on the combined efforts of the government and businesses to make massive testing possible at the community level.
\n\u201cThis isn\u2019t a binary, zero-sum game. This is about how long we can manage the virus until a vaccine is available,\u201d said George Royeca, Chief Transport Advocate of Angkas. “We\u2019re doing a two-pronged approach at Project ARK. Companies that have partnered with us will commit to spend out-of-pocket for the regular testing of their own employees. They will also be encouraged to adopt a barangay and support the testing efforts of the said barangay. It\u2019s important to include residential areas in our efforts because it\u2019s where workers live.\u201d
\nThe project will also launch a data-driven initiative and testing protocol that will help identify persons with antibodies against the virus and possible convalescent plasma donors. Pilot tests have been done in various barangays in Metro Manila as partner companies have donated test kits to different hospitals following the Department of Health protocol.
\nData gathered from all the testing activities will be used to map Covid-19 exposure levels in the capital too. This will then enable authorities to determine which barangays need to undergo a targeted quarantine, and which barangays can already be allowed to gradually resume economic operations.
\nMass testing is one of many response systems being discussed by public health experts\u2014with some officials skeptical of its practical effectivity. Among them, Dr. Edsel Salvana, director of the National Institutes of Health, who said mass testing would be a waste of money.
\nMr. Concepcion begs to differ, framing it as simply part of the costs of doing business in today’s environment.
\n\u201cWe disagree that massive rapid testing of our employees is a waste of resources,” he said. “It is, in fact, a way of protecting our businesses and the lives of our people. If the business owner does not know who among his employees are infected, that is a far greater risk. This might even result in more damages and might place our factories and plants under future lockdown. The private sector would rather spend more money to ensure the safety and security of our people, rather than risk the health and future of the company.”
\nMr. Concepcion explained that mass testing is a form of prevention, one that most mitigation models that were presented to the business sector proved to be key to restarting the economy.
\n“We just can\u2019t allow things to fall apart,” he said. “This is not a time for finger-pointing; we must take immediate action and seek the cooperation of all parties concerned.\u201d
\nCompanies interested to participate in Project ARK may email opae.gov@gmail.com for further information.
\n", "content_text": "In strategizing around COVID-19, business often arrive at a question of life vs. livelihood, health vs. the economy. When we open the economy, what are the repercussions on health? What role then does the private sector play in ensuring our nation’s well-being through the current crisis?\nThese are the questions that Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion tackled in an April 23 video conference, where he and his group publicly introduced Project ARK, a private sector-led initiative that aims to make massive testing possible through the use of Antibody Rapid test Kits.\nA two-pronged approach\nProject ARK\u00a0 is anchored on the combined efforts of the government and businesses to make massive testing possible at the community level. \n\u201cThis isn\u2019t a binary, zero-sum game. This is about how long we can manage the virus until a vaccine is available,\u201d said George Royeca, Chief Transport Advocate of Angkas. “We\u2019re doing a two-pronged approach at Project ARK. Companies that have partnered with us will commit to spend out-of-pocket for the regular testing of their own employees. They will also be encouraged to adopt a barangay and support the testing efforts of the said barangay. It\u2019s important to include residential areas in our efforts because it\u2019s where workers live.\u201d\nThe project will also launch a data-driven initiative and testing protocol that will help identify persons with antibodies against the virus and possible convalescent plasma donors. Pilot tests have been done in various barangays in Metro Manila as partner companies have donated test kits to different hospitals following the Department of Health protocol.\nData gathered from all the testing activities will be used to map Covid-19 exposure levels in the capital too. This will then enable authorities to determine which barangays need to undergo a targeted quarantine, and which barangays can already be allowed to gradually resume economic operations.\nMass testing as a form of prevention\nMass testing is one of many response systems being discussed by public health experts\u2014with some officials skeptical of its practical effectivity. Among them, Dr. Edsel Salvana, director of the National Institutes of Health, who said mass testing would be a waste of money.\nMr. Concepcion begs to differ, framing it as simply part of the costs of doing business in today’s environment.\n\u201cWe disagree that massive rapid testing of our employees is a waste of resources,” he said. “It is, in fact, a way of protecting our businesses and the lives of our people. If the business owner does not know who among his employees are infected, that is a far greater risk. This might even result in more damages and might place our factories and plants under future lockdown. The private sector would rather spend more money to ensure the safety and security of our people, rather than risk the health and future of the company.”\nMr. Concepcion explained that mass testing is a form of prevention, one that most mitigation models that were presented to the business sector proved to be key to restarting the economy.\n“We just can\u2019t allow things to fall apart,” he said. “This is not a time for finger-pointing; we must take immediate action and seek the cooperation of all parties concerned.\u201d\nCompanies interested to participate in Project ARK may email opae.gov@gmail.com for further information.", "date_published": "2020-04-27T13:03:45+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-04-27T13:03:45+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Angkas", "Antibody Rapid test Kits", "COVID-19", "George Royeca", "Go Negosyo", "Joey Concepcion", "Mass testing", "Project ARK", "Community" ], "summary": "Project ARK is a private sector-led initiative that aims to make massive testing possible through the use of Antibody Rapid test Kits. Its two-pronged approach includes the widespread screening of company workforces, as well as the testing of nearby barangay residents where these companies operate." }, { "id": "/?p=291357", "url": "/community/2020/04/27/291357/sparkup-community-isip-holds-second-social-impact-accelerator-demo-day/", "title": "ISIP holds second Social Impact Accelerator Demo Day", "content_html": "Innovation for Social Impact Partnership, or ISIP, held its second Demo Day through a web-based conferencing app last April 17.
\nISIP is a project co-implemented by PhilDev Foundation (PhilDev) and United Nations Development Programme in the Philippines (UNDP) and supported by the Australian Embassy.
\nISIP’s recent event culminates six months of support and training under the ISIP Social Impact Accelerator for four social enterprises:
\nAfter pitching their solutions to businesses and investors such as the Manila Angel Investors Network, ADB Ventures, the Department of Trade and Industry – Export Marketing Bureau, and Plug and Play Tech Center, the enterprises were also given the opportunity to match with them through separate breakout sessions in the afternoon.
\nDuring the event, various stakeholders also addressed the challenge posed by recent events. According to Titon Mitra, resident representative of UNDP, four out of the 15 social enterprises that have been supported by ISIP had to close shop due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
\nDespite this, there remains a common belief that businesses will pull through these times. \u201cThe health crisis has forced us to rethink how we can run our businesses under a new set of conditions,” said Dr. Paco Sandejas, chairman of PhilDev. “Today\u2019s Social Enterprise Showcase demonstrates that through innovation and entrepreneurship, we can develop unique solutions that can address problems and multiply opportunities.”
\n", "content_text": "Innovation for Social Impact Partnership, or ISIP, held its second Demo Day through a web-based conferencing app last April 17.\nISIP is a project co-implemented by PhilDev Foundation (PhilDev) and United Nations Development Programme in the Philippines (UNDP) and supported by the Australian Embassy.\nISIP’s recent event culminates six months of support and training under the ISIP Social Impact Accelerator for four social enterprises:\n\nFilipina Homebased Moms (FHMoms) – a digital platform that equips Filipino mothers with skills that are useful for online jobs\nMAD Travel – a sustainable experiential travel platform that educates guests on sustainable development issues and practices\nMagwayen Organics – a sustainable personal care company advocating for marine conversation with products such as MAGWAI, a coral reef-safe sunscreen\nPeoplePods – a property management platform that provides dignified housing solutions to female migrant workers in Batangas and Laguna\n\nAfter pitching their solutions to businesses and investors such as the Manila Angel Investors Network, ADB Ventures, the Department of Trade and Industry – Export Marketing Bureau, and Plug and Play Tech Center, the enterprises were also given the opportunity to match with them through separate breakout sessions in the afternoon.\nDuring the event, various stakeholders also addressed the challenge posed by recent events. According to Titon Mitra, resident representative of UNDP, four out of the 15 social enterprises that have been supported by ISIP had to close shop due to the COVID-19 pandemic.\nDespite this, there remains a common belief that businesses will pull through these times. \u201cThe health crisis has forced us to rethink how we can run our businesses under a new set of conditions,” said Dr. Paco Sandejas, chairman of PhilDev. “Today\u2019s Social Enterprise Showcase demonstrates that through innovation and entrepreneurship, we can develop unique solutions that can address problems and multiply opportunities.”", "date_published": "2020-04-27T10:49:18+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-04-27T10:49:18+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "FHMoms", "ISIP", "MAD Travel", "Magwayen Organics", "PeoplePods", "PhilDev", "Social Impact Accelerator Demo Day", "undp", "Community" ], "summary": "Four social enterprises culminate six months of training with pitching and business-matching opportunities." }, { "id": "/?p=291093", "url": "/community/2020/04/24/291093/sparkup-community-media-prod-agency-near-creative-to-hold-webinars-on-covid-19-marketing-practices/", "title": "Media prod agency Near Creative to hold webinars on COVID-19 marketing practices", "content_html": "Near Creative, a media production agency, will be holding a free webinar series entitled \u201cMarketing in the time of COVID-19\u201d, which will revolve around best marketing practices during this current pandemic. According to Roxi Biribicchi, the company’s co-founder, the goal is to provide a localized perspective for Filipino marketers navigating the shifting needs of the current crisis.
\n\u201cI\u2019ve been looking online for resources to help during this time, but none of them were truly relevant and contextual to the situation in the Philippines,” she said. “So we\u2019ve invited experts from different backgrounds to share their thoughts on the situation in hopes that they provide some guidance in a time that is challenging for us all.”
\nDetails on its three sessions are as follows:
\nThose interested in participating in any of these webinars can find out more on the Near Creative website.
\n", "content_text": "Near Creative, a media production agency, will be holding a free webinar series entitled \u201cMarketing in the time of COVID-19\u201d, which will revolve around best marketing practices during this current pandemic. According to Roxi Biribicchi, the company’s co-founder, the goal is to provide a localized perspective for Filipino marketers navigating the shifting needs of the current crisis.\n\u201cI\u2019ve been looking online for resources to help during this time, but none of them were truly relevant and contextual to the situation in the Philippines,” she said. “So we\u2019ve invited experts from different backgrounds to share their thoughts on the situation in hopes that they provide some guidance in a time that is challenging for us all.”\nDetails on its three sessions are as follows:\nHow to Adapt: The Coronavirus Forces Brands to Innovate\n\nSchedule: May 6, 4:30-5:30 PM\nDescription: How businesses and brands can innovate digitally to survive and stay relevant\nSpeakers: Walter Wong, Head of Marketing & Co-founder, Angkas; Shahab Shabibi, CEO, MyKuya; Dann De Guzman, CEO, CloudSwyft\n\nRecovery Plan: How to Prepare For a Post COVID-19 World\n\nSchedule: May 7, 4:30-5:30 PM\nDescription: What businesses and brands should expect post COVID-19 and how they can prepare\nSpeakers: Carlo Asuncion, Chief Economist, Unionbank; Paul Rivera, CEO, Kalibrr; Paula Quea\u00f1o, Managing Director, Haptic PR\n\nStaying Sensitive: How to Communicate During COVID-19\n\nSchedule: May 8, 4:30-5:30 PM\nDescription: Communication strategies\nSpeakers: Sam Jeanblanc, Market Lead, Google Philippines; Aika Lim, Managing Director, Bridges PR; Camille Co, Content Creator & Entrepreneur\n\nThose interested in participating in any of these webinars can find out more on the Near Creative website.", "date_published": "2020-04-24T13:01:53+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-04-24T13:01:53+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "COVID-19", "Near Creative", "Roxi Biribicchi", "webinars", "Community" ], "summary": "The series will provide a localized perspective on marketing to-do's during the pandemic." } ] }