Nearly 50 emerging entrepreneurs in the Southern Philippines underwent a Training on Developing the Business Leader within you, a whole day training program focusing on the business leadership competencies enterprising businessmen with diverse business backgrounds.
Hosted by the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (ZCCI) the intensive training focused more on three core topics: 1. The 10 best practices of a successful business leader 2. Developing Customers' Loyalty and 3. The Five B.R.A.V.E. Laws of ASEAN entrepreneur.
ZCCFI President Edwin To said that this initiative was developed as a part of the Chamber's advocacy to promote continuing business education for both the Chamber's members and non-members.
The training, held at the Royce Convention Center in Zamboanga City, was facilitated by Notacor Consulting in partnership with the business chamber. Apart from entrepreneurs, business and management academicians also participated in the whole day program.
Earlier, the William David Institute University of Michigan through the USAID-STRIDE program conducted a case study in Zamboanga City. Based on their case study findings acquired from the Department of Trade and Industry, it said that most of the micro and small businesses would normally close shop on the fifth year and most of the closing can be attributed to the lack of quality continuing business education among micro and small business owners.
Entrepreneurs who underwent the business leadership training are agri-business entrepreneurs, restaurant owners, organic product distributor, pawnshop owners, review centers and event party organizers.
At present, Zamboanga is being groomed by the national government as the gateway to the ASEAN market because of her geographical proximity to Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. Thus, there is a need for Zamboanga entrepreneurs to take advantage of the growing ASEAN market.
The Philippines just hosted the ASEAN Summit and one of the priorities is to decentralize economic opportunities to undeveloped regions of ASEAN member countries.
One of ASEAN's noted accomplishment this year was the opening of shipping route from Davao in the Southern Philippines to Northern Sulawesi in Indonesia. The opening of shipping route will cut huge shipping cost and will increase trade opportunities between Davao and North Sulawesi.
