Friday, July 26, 2024

Building a Reputation of Quality and Trust in Your Market



Consumers today are more discerning when it comes to vetting brands and products to ensure that they are the best fit for their needs before committing. They shop around, compare reviews and results, and take their time before making a decision. However, even the most meticulously crafted brand can suffer customer loss. The reasons could range from a decrease in product or service satisfaction to simply finding a product or service that better meets their specific needs.

 

So, how can we ensure that our customers are as loyal as possible? One word: trust. Trust is what distinguishes a passing fad from a household name synonymous with dependability, and eventually, loyalty.

 


Here’s how you can build and cultivate consumer confidence and trust in your brand:

Know your market reputation

The general opinion and assessment of a company based on its goods, services, and behavior in relation to its target market, rivals, and the larger market is known as its market reputation. This allows a business to assess its sustainability and success rate.


Businesses must have a solid reputation in the market, founded on the principles of reliability and quality, in order to prosper. In order to draw in new business, cultivate a devoted clientele, and strengthen a company's competitive edge, this entails guaranteeing top-notch goods and services along with honest, ethical business practices.



Understand your market
 
Understanding your market allows you to tailor your services, messaging, and reputation-building strategies to better align with the needs of your target demographic. Working with a trusted public relations agency can help streamline this process. However, you should still know the basics. To achieve optimal results, apply these practices:

 

        Identify your target audience. This helps you understand their needs, preferences, and expectations, which can be achieved by conducting market research.
 
       Analyze competitors' reputation strategies. This helps you learn from their successes, vulnerable gaps, and missteps to refine your approach and differentiate your brand within the market.
 
      Recognize market needs and expectations. This helps you stay attuned to market shifts and evolving needs for utmost relevance and credibility in the eyes of your customers.
 
 
Build Quality in Your Products/Services

 

High-caliber products and services pave the way to reaching customer satisfaction and, consequently, repeat business and brand authority within the industry. To achieve this, you must focus on these key aspects:

 

        Ensure high standards in product/service development - Utilize feedback mechanisms throughout the product/service development to guarantee your products and services meet or exceed customer expectations.
 
     Implement quality control processes - Regularly review and refine quality control processes to maintain consistent, high-quality standards.
 
       Continuous improvement and innovation - Encourage your team to explore new ideas and approaches to stay ahead of the competition and meet changing market needs.


 
Check case studies of successful quality improvement

 

Delve into successful case studies or examples of similar businesses that have improved the quality of their product or service. Through this, you'll be able to discover valuable strategies employed, and reputation management challenges faced that could be useful to apply and learn from. These case studies can be anything from your favorite homegrown brand listening to feedback you once gave them, or a multinational completely rebranding and making a killing out of it!

 
 
Leverage Digital Platforms for Reputation Building


When you utilize the power of social media, you reap the benefits of enhanced customer engagement, visibility, and reach. How to do it:

 

●  Create valuable and relevant targeted content that educates and inspires your consumers.
    Define the values you want to communicate and how social media can support your message and image.
    Implement targeted keywords, backlinks, and other SEO tactics.

 

 
Build a Customer-Centric Culture
 
Building a customer-centric culture means making customers feel valued and that all their needs have solutions that are answerable by your brand. Therefore, you need to create experiences that make them feel involved and valued. This can be done through:

 

-    Investing in staff development programs to reinforce a seamless transaction process.
-    Encouraging customer feedback to promptly resolve concerns.
-  Implementing loyalty programs and other initiatives to reward and bolster their return.
 

Monitor and Manage Your Reputation


Regularly track key metrics like engagement and utilize monitoring tools (like SproutSocial or Semrush) to identify areas for improvement in your market reputation. This ongoing process, paired with routine audits, ensures your management strategies remain effective in delivering the results you need to achieve your business goals.
 
 
Better Establishing Trust with Your Audience


Here are more things you can do to foster connection and trust with your audience.

 
●    Be transparent with business practices - Share information about your business operations (processes, values, and decision-making) to demonstrate your commitment to ethical practices.
●    Stay authentic in branding and communications - Ensure your branding and communications are authentically consistent across channels to establish a strong, trustworthy brand identity that will resonate.
●   Leverage customer testimonials and reviews - Showcase real-world success stories to reflect the quality of your product and attract potential customers seeking similar solutions.

 


Although they are important, positive internet reviews cannot be the only tactic used to achieve long-term success. Instead, refocus your efforts on building a strong foundation through an unwavering dedication to quality and transparency that produces pertinent, high-quality goods and services that create a long-lasting brand-customer ecosystem. This will help your brand stand out in a crowded market by establishing it as a recognized authority in the field, assuring long-term success and growth.


Thursday, July 25, 2024

Enhanced mall activities drive SM's foot traffic growth

Over 500 cosplayers from Metro Manila excitedly gather at SM City Fairview to check out the Cosplay City.


According to SM Supermalls, foot traffic increased from 3.3 million in the same period last year to an average of over 4 million daily visitors in the first quarter of 2024. This consistent expansion demonstrates SM's dedication to enhancing the mall experience with a variety of interesting events that meet changing customer demands.

"The increase in foot traffic reflects our steadfast commitment to meeting the daily needs and wants of our customers. Our malls serve as dynamic hubs that blend modern retail services with vibrant entrepreneurial environments. SM continues to innovate and elevate customer experiences. Our goal is to create lasting memories through dynamic destinations that complement traditional shopping." ~Steven T. Tan, SM Supermalls President

A crowd gathers to watch their favorite characters at the Grand Mascot Parade in SM Mall of Asia


SM has turned its shopping centers into destinations that provide immersive experiences catered to each and every member of the Filipino family through its integrated property developments. 

Filipino consumers are increasingly using malls for dining and leisure activities as they make a shift toward discretionary spending. Ten years ago, just 10% of mall spaces were leased by food tenants; today, 50% are occupied by non-food tenants, such as entertainment. The varied offerings are enhanced by additional tenants who provide services.


The Space & Time Cube+ at S Maison is the first-ever immersive art museum in the Philippines.

 
A prime example of SM's dedication to fusing art and entertainment is the Space & Time Cube+ at S Maison, an immersive art museum with 20 themed attractions like holographic displays and LED tunnels.  

SM Supermalls offers a venue that fosters fandoms, regardless of whether you're a die-hard fan of your preferred K-pop group, anime, or musicians. SM is thrilled to help these communities and serve as the preferred location for fan events involving people of all ages and backgrounds. 

A venue for self-expression is the recently opened Cosplay City at SM City Fairview. It serves as a community center where people can express themselves creatively and get lost in this multi-district area with zones dedicated to anime and toy exhibits, all wrapped up in a Tokyo City vibe that makes for some Instagram-worthy shots. 


A family creates lasting memories at the Pyromusical Competition in SM by the Bay, SM Mall of Asia Complex.


A 1,947 square meter indoor entertainment complex featuring features like a basketball court, bowling alley, e-darts, and an indoor archery range is also available at the flagship Game Park of SM Mall of Asia, which opened in November 2023 and caters to a variety of interests.












About SM Investments Corporation
SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com 


Friday, July 19, 2024

PH Curling Team Dares to Dream for a 2026 Winter Olympics Bid



Is it possible for a tropical nation's team to succeed in an ice sport like curling?

Four Fil-Swiss curlers make up the Philippine National Curling Team, and they hope to demonstrate this as they prepare to compete for a spot in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy.

In the B-Division of the Pan Continental Curling Championships in Kelowna, Canada in 2023, the Philippine men's team won a silver medal, according to Alan Frei, a Filipino-Swiss entrepreneur, economist, curler, and team spokesman. In order to advance to the A-Division in the 2025 championships, the team hopes to duplicate its success in Alberta this October. The top two teams in that division will receive guaranteed spots in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

In March 2023, Frei—a relative curling novice—joined the Filipino team, one year after he sold his Swiss e-commerce company and made the decision “to become an Olympian.” Coworkers Christian Haller, a two-time medallist at the world junior championship, and brothers Marc and Enrico Pfister, who represented Switzerland in curling world championships in the past, share his dream. 

All Swiss-born like Frei, Haller, and the Pfister brothers are eligible to play for the country because of their Filipino mothers.




“The sport of curling is like playing chess on ice. It’s a combination of strategy and physical skill. We have a huge advantage in the strategy part because we have the experience of the three guys who have played on the world stage. The curling team aspires to pave the way for future curling athletes from the country in their bid for the Olympics. We are trying to foster [Filipino talent] more and more just by being a role model and having this super ambitious goal. We don't have a plan B. We have only one plan and that is to go to the Olympics. ~Alan Frei, a Filipino-Swiss Entrepreneur, Economist, Curler, and Team Spokesman

The National Men's Curling Team will compete in an off-season competition this August called the Baden Master's in Switzerland, where they will play their first match against Italy, the top-ranked team in the world, in order to put their skills to the test. According to Frei, the team is eager to play Italy so they can determine their exact standing in the men's rankings of the World Curling Member Association, where they are currently ranked 51st.






The Swiss-Filipino team hopes that more Filipinos can become aware of their goals and what they’ve been doing so they can be inspired even more.

Frei said the curling team shoulders all their expenses at present, citing their need to first achieve “success” before asking for financial support from the POC and other possible sponsors.

The Swiss-Filipino athletes are also eyeing a podium finish against top Asian countries like China and Korea in the 2025 Asian Winter Gamesin Harbin to gain national recognition.

Single-minded in their dream to bring honor to the country, Frei revealed they want to achieve what the Jamaican Bobsled Team did in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary. Received as underdogs in a cold weather sport, the Jamaicans competed against all odds and came out the favorites.

Get PC-Like Productivity Minus the Heavy Weight with the New HUAWEI MatePad11.5”S, Yours Starting at PHP 24,999



For the HUAWEI MatePad 1.5"S, which is currently available in the Philippines, Huawei is offering special prices. Huawei's new MatePad tablet, with its amazing features that redefine user experience, is ideal for any home.

With Huawei's improved PaperMatte Display, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5"S offers sharp, clear images while shielding users' eyes. Another current release is the HUAWEI MatePad SE 11, a robust gadget with a stylish unibody design. Customers who make purchases between June 28 and July 31, 2024, will receive special freebies.




An All-Around Device for the Family

Also available for purchase in the Philippines is the HUAWEI MatePad SE 11”, a durable, elegant, and user-friendly tablet designed for immersive home entertainment. Available in Nebula Grey, its lightweight, unibody design makes it easy for all family members to handle. Rigorous testing confirms its superior durability. The 11-inch FHD+screen, coupled with TĂśV Rheinland certifications for Low Blue Light and Flicker Free features, offers an immersive yet eye-friendly viewing experience. The device boasts a long battery life of up to 21 days and supports fast charging.

Perfect for any users, the HUAWEI MatePad SE 11” carries a comprehensive app ecosystem including productivity tools like Multi-Screen Collaboration, Service Widgets, App Multiplier, and Multi-Window. It supports the HUAWEI M-Pen Lite, providing a more satisfying and realistic note-taking and sketching experience.




The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S, now available in the Philippines, is priced starting at PHP 24,999. The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S 8GB + 256GB is available in two elegant colors: Violet and Space Gray. It comes with an exclusive first sale bundle, including the HUAWEI M-Pencil, worth PHP 5,999; and the HUAWEI Bluetooth Mouse, worth PHP 1,899. This exclusive offer is available on ShopeeLazada, TikTok, HUAWEI Online Store, and HUAWEI Experience Stores nationwide.




Meanwhile, the HUAWEI MatePad SE 11”, available in Nebula Grey, comes with special freebies for purchases made until July 31, 2024. The HUAWEI MatePad SE 11” 8GB + 128GB variant is priced at PHP 11,999 and comes with the HUAWEI M-Pencil Lite, worth PHP 2,999; a flip cover, worth PHP 999; and a coffee mug, worth PHP 999.

The HUAWEI MatePad SE 11” 6GB + 128GB variant, priced at PHP 8,999, includes a flip cover, worth PHP 999; and a coffee mug, worth PHP 999. These special offers are now available on the HUAWEI Online StoreShopee, and Lazada, and HUAWEi Experience Stores nationwide.

Purchase the new HUAWEI MatePad tablets through credit cards or Home Credit, and enjoy special installment promos. The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S is available for 0% installment up to 18 months through Home Credit, and up to 24 months with credit cards. The HUAWEI MatePad SE 11” is available for 0% installment for up to 9 months on Home Credit, and up to 24 months with credit cards.


To learn more about the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S and the the HUAWEI MatePad SE 11”, visit Huawei’s official website or social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram).







About HUAWEI Consumer BG
HUAWEI's products and services are available in more than 170 countries and are used by a third of the world's population. Fifteen R&D centers have been set up in the United States, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India and China. HUAWEI Consumer BG is one of HUAWEI's three business units and covers smartphones, PC and tablets, wearables and cloud services, etc. HUAWEI's global network is built on over 30 years of expertise in the telecom industry and is dedicated to delivering the latest technological advances to consumers around the world.

For more information please visit: this page.

Red Bull Dance Your Style Showcases Cebu’s Dance Scene in Provincial Qualifiers



On July 13, at APEX Super Club, Cebu came alive with rhythm and energy for the Red Bull Dancing Your Style Qualifiers. The best dancers in Cebu competed head-to-head for a spot in the next National Finals, showcasing their amazing talents and skills.

Red Bull Dance Your Style is a worldwide one-on-one street dance competition that celebrates and fosters the uniqueness and inventiveness of dancers from all over the world. Dancers are forced to perform freestyle routines to unexpected music and display their incredible improvisational abilities. The distinctive battle format of the global competition, in which the audience selects the competitors who advance to the next round, makes it stand out. 

There was intense competition, with sixteen dancers displaying an amazing variety of dance forms. The audience was left in complete amazement by the incredible performances given by the Cebu qualifier finalists. The Top 4 were JPY (Jeffrey Casas Toledo), Khlai (Khlai Vargaso Batula), Nemesis (Sam Rivera), and Baby Titan (Shihan Maui Ricablanca). Nemesis emerged victorious following a tense set of combat rounds. She won first place and a trip to the National Finals thanks to her faultless performances throughout the competition.

“(It) feels great. Last year, I only won second place so this serves as my redemption. Underground. This year, there are a lot of dancers from outside Cebu; some are my friends and some I just met during the competition. I think one of the highlights for this year is meeting new friends and competitors. Since the competition for the National Finals is already filtered from Baguio, Davao, and Manila, I need to level up my training. Nemesis had really unpredictable moves and undeniable skills. ~Nemesis (Sam Rivera)

Nemesis shared that what she found to be one of the highlights for this year’s competition was getting to compete with fellow members of her dance crew.




First runner up Khlai, who also secured her spot in the National Finals, expressed her joy for placing in the competition. 

“It feels so surreal, I don’t even know where to begin. Today is the birthday of my grandfather who passed away. The performance that I did was dedicated to my grandfather and grandparents. I don’t really prepare that long or have a specific training, but I’ll try to do cardio for my stamina so that I can keep up with the dancers. ~Khlai, First runner up

Khlai shared that her motivation to join the competition, despite her long-term knee injury, was her late grandfather. 

In preparation for the National Finals, Khlai said she wanted to work on her stamina stating, 

Philippine All-Stars legends and dance consultants Lema Diaz and Vince Mendoza were seen at the event. 

“All I can say is that (the competition) was full of inspiration and new faces. Compared to last year, we multiplied by a lot. A lot of dancers supported Red Bull Dance Your Style and the skills really leveled up from last year. It’s going to be more crazy. We’re excited for the Manila qualifiers. There’s a lot of dancers and new faces. I’m excited that I can witness that moment. “We always tell them to always have fun no matter what. Win or lose, it’s all about the transformation. If you win, there’s transformation. If you lose, there’s transformation. It’s all about giving love to the community, to the next generation, to the OGs, to our past, present, and future.” ~Vince Mendoza, Philippine All-Stars legends and dance consultant



All eyes are now focused on the exciting next round of competition following the conclusion of the Cebu qualifiers. The Manila qualifiers for Red Bull Dance Your Style will take place at Octopus Makati on July 27, 2024. There will be more devout dancers competing nationwide in hopes of shining at the World Finals. 

Take a piece of the action! Watch the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines team as they head to the World Finals in India on November 9, 2024, and keep an eye out for the final round of qualifiers. In September, watch the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finals. You shouldn't miss this!

For more information and updates regarding this year’s season of Red Bull Dance Your Style, visit the official Red Bull website and the following social media pages (Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok )










About Red Bull
Red Bull gives wings to people and ideas. As a functional beverage, we give wings to people by vitalizing the body and mind – supporting their dreams and aspirations through their passion for dance.

Monday, July 15, 2024

Enchanted Kingdom celebrates love, inclusivity and diversity with the Magic of EKquality



With even more amazing deals and surprises in store for everyone, Enchanted Kingdom—the first and only top-notch theme park in the Philippines—closed out June with a vibrant Pride Month celebration called the Magic of EKquality.




Magic of EKquality Talent Competition

The talent competition, which included a variety of LGBTQIA+ solo and group performances, was the high point of this year's Magic of EKquality.

On Sunday, June 30, at EK's Spaceport Grounds, ten contestants from across the nation took the stage to display their most remarkable talents.

With his captivating voice, 23-year-old Dasmariñas, Cavite singer Alquin Gutierrez emerged as the grand winner, captivating both the judges and the audience. In addition to regular day passes and the opportunity to play in one of EK's future events, Gutierrez also took home Php 15,000.

Along with the runners-up titles, dance group Jazz Exchange and singer Wilson Buerano also received cash prizes and tickets.

Stand-up comedian Jewel Jhonson performed groovy and nostalgic musical numbers on the show. Acapella versions of local hits by Voice Generations Season 1 Grand Winner VOCALMYX also added spice to the evening.


#MAGICALLYME installation




Park visitors can capture their magical moments at the Pride-inspired #MAGICALLYME photowall, which is situated close to the Twin Spin ride, from June 22 to July 28.

Two return tickets to EK will be given away to six lucky guests who upload pictures they took at this vibrant installation to EK's official Facebook page.


Magic of EKquality Bundle Promo

June may be over but Enchanted Kingdom is not yet done bringing the magic of this special promo for all until July 14.

For only Php 1,200, walk-in guests will enjoy unlimited access to more than 30 rides and attractions including the first and only flying theater in the Philippines, Agila the EKsperience.  They can also get one refreshing drink from Tropical Coolers located at the Jungle Outpost.

Avail through the EK Online Store for a magical bonus: a Php 100 discount voucher for EK merchandise items.


For more information and updates regarding this event and EK’s other upcoming events and offers, visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph and EK’s official social media accounts on Facebook and Tiktok, and on Twitter and Instagram.

McDonald’s Now Serves McSavers Sulit Busog Meals All Day



Enjoy McSavers Sulit-Busog Meals, which are available at all McDonald's locations nationwide for a sulit price of PHP 99, all day long, from breakfast to dinner.

“Since the launch of McSavers Sulit Busog Meals last April, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Building on that, customers can now enjoy the sulit price of Php99 during breakfast hours as we add two new breakfast offers in the line-up: our Cheesy Eggdesal with Hash Browns and Drink meal and Longganisa with Egg and Drink meal.” ~Yves Nacpil, McDonald’s Philippines Marketing Manager

Crispy Chicken Fillet Ala King with extra rice, one piece, is joined by the two new breakfast McSavers Sulit-Busog Meals. One piece, a cheeseburger and fries, and chicken McDo. Meals of Mushroom Pepper Steak and fries! 

It's a good idea to indulge in McSavers Sulit Busog Meals throughout the day because they offer hearty meals of McDonald's best sellers for PHP 99 in all stores across the country! 











About McDonald’s Philippines
McDonald’s Philippines master franchise holder Dr. George T. Yang -who oversees and sits as chairman for 40 years- founded and brought the first McDonald’s store to the country in 1981. Since then, McDonald’s in the Philippines has been a formidable player in the country’s quick-service restaurant industry, having grown a store network of over 700 nationwide. McDonald’s Philippines continues to aspire to make a difference in communities where it operates through its charity of Choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines.






Building a Reputation of Quality and Trust in Your Market

Consumers today are more discerning when it comes to vetting brands and products to ensure that they are the best fit for their needs before...