The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) last year remitted $26.92 Billion. This year, an increase for the first four months, OFW has remitted $8.6 Billion, 5.1% higher compared last year, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Although some economic observers have noted that the country is becoming less dependent to the OFW remittances due to an improving economy.

Still, OFW remittances are a big boost to the economy and can further be maximized if portions of the remittances are allocated to investments and starting a business.

More OFWs are returning home because of the improving economy. In addition, more job opportunities are opening up in the country as a transition for the returning OFWs.

However, for OFWs that would like to create a better opportunity and life, entrepreneurship is the better alternative.  The Philippines Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) comprised 96% of the country’s economy and the addition of OFWs turned Entrepreneurs could further grow the economic standing of the Philippines.

In addition, according to GEM Philippines, 6.2% of the adult population are established business owners and 18.4% are engaged in early-stage entrepreneurship (TEA). The country’s TEA rate is far higher than the average for Asia and Oceania (13%).

An event to encourage entrepreneurship among OFWs is the upcoming OFW and SME Christmas Expo set December 15-16, 2015 at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall.

The OFW and SME Christmas Expo will showcase the different companies that are looking for OFW and SME business partners. In addition, investments and financial products are present for OFWs and SMEs to see and include as part of the many choices they can have in continuing their economic growth in the country.

On the other hand, participating companies will have the chance to meet OFWs and SMEs invited to be buyers and guests of the event.

December is the time where OFWs celebrate Christmas with their families. In going back to the country, they bring with them their savings. OFW and SME Christmas Expo is a business event that combines a family atmosphere that expresses appreciation for their efforts and sacrifices.

One of the supporting organizations of the event is the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS).

Business World and Business Insight support the event.

The event is produced and organized by Exlinkevents – Business Events Organizer.

Social Selling is the use of Social Media in your selling activities. It is not about the technology, but using the technology to enable you to create meaningful relationships with clients who are now online savvy and stay online 85% of their time.

In the Philippines, some sales professionals are using social selling but without formal training or orientation. Having said this, the potential for trained and educated sales professionals on the techniques and strategies of Social Selling can be enormous and very advantageous to the organizations.

Most organizations wanting to be on the top of their industry are looking for an edge. Social Selling is the edge that these companies can harness. Consider the three findings:

According to Wikipedia, “ Social Selling isn't just a buzzword -- it's become a crucial way for successful sales teams to communicate with their prospects.

Social selling is when salespeople use social media to interact directly with their prospects. Salespeople will provide value by answering prospect questions and offering thoughtful content until the prospect is ready to buy.

Thus, the use of social media in sales allows salespeople to delight their prospects rather than interrupt their daily lives with cold calls and hard sells, eventually converting them into loyal customers.

Social Selling is the new way of selling that sales and marketing professionals must master. Social Selling is born out of the social media explosion.

Some of the positive results of Social Selling are:

The sales and marketing professionals in the Philippines need not wait further to learn and understand Social Selling. Tom Abbott, international speaker and author, will conduct the first Social Selling Seminar in the Philippines set this coming October 16, 2015 at Crowne Plaza Hotel.

II. POSITIONING

III. PRESENTING

Available slots for attendees are very limited, as of now very few seats remain. If you wanted to have one of the seats you may call at tel. no. 643-3887 or text 0920-9814376.

The event is produced and organized by Exlinkevents – Business Events Organizer in the Philippines.

Being invited to be a resource speaker in a regional MICE event is a privilege. So when the opportunity came I did not let it pass. For one, my last visit in Singapore was four years ago.

MICE Asia 2015 runs from September 10-11,2015 at Suntec Convention Center. As a speaker and attendee here are my top 3 Lessons in being part of this event.

1.    Apps Takeover

The event partnered with a lot of apps suppliers in order to enhance the delegates and visitors experience. For me, the usage of apps, enhanced this event. In addition, I was able to see a bird’s eye view of what other visitors are doing and sharing in the event.

Among the apps that made good impressions to me are Double Dutch and Jublia.

2.    Learning Happens Anywhere and Everywhere

I enjoyed listening to different speakers and different nationalities. Their perspectives on different MICE elements are very interesting and contributed to my better understanding of this industry. I am already 15 years in this industry and I am still amazed on the learnings that you can generate from other people.

All I can say is that the industry is dynamic, like the tech industry, the change is constant, and sometimes disruptive.

What are these disruptions is another discussion separate from what I am sharing here.

3.    Face-to-face Meeting Will Never Get Obsolete

When I was presenting my videos, the delegates are glued to the screen. I can feel their fascination and agreement with the message of the three last videos that I presented.

When I finished my presentation, many delegates approached me and gave me feedback that they appreciated the videos. In particular, the video about technology is destroying our human connection resonates among all of those that approached me.

In fact, two of the delegates approached me again and engaged me in a one-on-one discussion about my presentation – for me moments like this are precious.

So as I contemplate on what transpired, it taught me that technology would make us do great things faster, but in the events industry, even if we are aiming for quick ROIs, human connection will always play a vital role in clinching business deals and creating future partnerships.