AN INTERVIEW WITH A

FOREIGN BUSINESS OWNER

IN THE PHILIPPINES
BY ENTRE-JUAN OF A-3R:
MENDOZA, IAN PAULO
MONTOYA, ANNE KRISTINE
OCAMPO, MARIA CHRISTINA
SATUITO, BERMONICA
UGAY, BRENDELLE JOYCE

ENTR 1: UNLEASHING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

FEBRUARY 2017
INTRODUCTION

Starting a business in the Philippines is indeed a good idea if one is

interested to unleash his entrepreneurial spirit. Most of the places in the
Philippines are perfect for something new; Filipinos love to try and buy
different goods, and are usually adventurous. They tend to try various
stores to look for the best products that suits their needs and
preferences.
In urban areas, specifically in local markets, one could easily spot
stores that are owned by foreign entrepreneurs. Interesting it is,
Filipinos patronize products from abroad just how much they patronize
locally made product. In this report, the interviewee is a Chinese
entrepreneur who decided to put up an office hub for retailing and
selling school and office supplies in Camarines Norte, Bicol City.
 METHODOLOGY
Anne Kristine Montoya, a member of
the Entre-Juan group of section A-3R was
assigned to be the representative to
interview the said foreign business owner
because the business is located in her
hometown, Bicol City. It was by her
suggestion that her family knows about this
business near their home and that it is
available for an interview.
Due to difficulties in travel and
conflicts in schedule, we were given
assistance by her parents for them to
conduct the interview.

Image source: https://www.google.com.ph/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=bicol+map

DISCUSSIONS
Report on the General Environment of the
Entrepreneur
Technological Environment
What is the current state of knowledge/technology regarding the products or service?

Since all barangays in Daet has at least school located on it, the retailing of schools
and office supplies had become popular. The more business like this popping up, the
more creative the entrepreneurs gets. They thought of gimmicks like selling school
supplies in bundles that is more affordable compared on buying the supplies
separately.

What are the new technologies that create new products and provide better ways of
managing business?
Computer applications that records sales can be of help to track down the
retails on day to day basis. It can also be used to view the performance of the
business.
Economic Environment
What is the average income of the consumers?
Banks as well as LGUs have a monthly budget to restock their school supplies.
Other customers average income is estimated to be 100,000 Php annually.
What are the sources of financing? What are the current interest rates?
Sources of financing are usually from bank loans depending on the credibility of
the entrepreneur. Chinese families usually call for the help of their relatives that are
engaged in businesses or from their own. Interest rates depends on the conditions that
have been agreed upon by two parties.
What is the current unemployment rate?
Bicol region has an unemployment rate of 62.0% as of 2014 (PSA, 2015)
Legal/Political Environment
What are the existing rules and regulations imposed by government that
positively or negatively affect business organizations?
Business registration processes, environmental, occupational safety and
consumer protection policies.

Socio-Cultural Environment
What are the attitudes, values, norms, beliefs associated with demographic
trends?
The businesses usually follow the social trend but makes sure that they are
giving good service with their consumers. They see people as partners and are
very hospitable that is why foreign businesses are more likely to be seen near a
community with large population.
How big is the population? What are the age ranges? Population density
and geographical distribution?
Median age is at 19 years, Population density in the country is
about104,799 with 2,300 inhabitants per square kilometer (PSA, 2015)
Global Environment

Development outside the home country that have potential impact

on the operation of the business
-Availability of generous banks and GDP growth in the past
years

Membership in the regional economic blocs

-None
The Entrepreneur
Background
Profile
Name: DAY-BEE TIU
Age: 49
Sex/Gender: FEMALE
Civil Status: SINGLE
Business profile
Name: OFFICE HUB
Location: DAET, CAMARINES
NORTE, BICOL
Years in Operation: 5 YEARS
Number of Employees: 8
Nationality of Employees:
FILIPINO
Nature of the Business: RETAIL
What motivated/motivates you to engage in
such business and why in this location?

"Office and School Supplies are used by

everybody. It is a necessity for every student
and office staff to have a pen and paper. At the
same time, our vision is to provide the lowest
cost or affordable quality products that our
clients enjoy."
Why did you put up your own business?

"First of all is to have a source of income.

We all know what owning a business is hard
but if you take good care of it, your income
will compensate your effort. Secondly is to
provide employment in the community by
giving job opportunity because I think it is a
way of helping the government"
Entrepreneurial
Environment
CUSTOMERS
Who are your customers?
"Our usual customers are schools, LGUs, and banks"
How is your relationship with their customers?
"We treat them as partners for we want to build a
relationship with them"
Do you have loyal customers? How do you get loyal
customers?
"Yes and we get loyal customers by not short-changing
them. We are making sure that for every merchandise or items
that our customers will receive, it is in best quality and good
condition. We want to make them feel the every cent it costs"
SUPPLIERS
Who are your suppliers?
"Our suppliers are the distributors, importer,
and manufacturers of office supplies"
How is your relationship with the suppliers?
"We have a good relationship with them.
What we do is to pay on time. A good credit-
standing will make sure that the supplier will
take care of you."
COMPETITORS
Who are your competitors?
"Our competitors are other school and office supplies'
seller here in Camarines Norte"
How do they compete with them?
"We have a healthy relationship. We rather help each
other in some ways"
What strategies do they employ to reduce
competition?
"To reduce and eliminate competition, we are making
sure that we are following the SRP and help one
another. In case of some shortage of supplies, we give our
products at minimal mark-up"
CULTURAL VALUES
What are the cultural values in your native country?
"Strong sense of family and blood ties, religious and bayanihan
What is the impact of these values on how you operate your business?
"We operate in a family owned business. The success of the business is
that we have each other to improve our sales and increase the number of
our clients. At the same time, we do not forget to praise God and thank Him
for every day blessings and guidance.
If the business is based in the Philippines, what Filipino cultural
values/traits facilitate or impede business operations?
"Bayanihan facilitates the operation. Through the help of our clients
and partners, our clients became stable then returns to purchase the
products"
Key Success Factors
What makes your business successful? If the business
is still in the start- up phase, what is your plan to
achieve business success?
" In order to achieve success, you have to be honest
with your clients or customers. Also, be consistent on
improving the business

What problems did he/she encounter in putting up and

operating the business? How did he overcome them?
"The major problem that has been encountered is
during the beginning stage or starting this business.
During those times, we have only few customers. Later,
we overcame it through giving them good customer
service."
What advice can you give to those who are
aspiring to be an entrepreneur?

"Be consistent. There are shortcuts

but do not take them. For every
failure, take it as a learning. You
must take a risks. For every risks
you make; the higher the chance to
see and feel success"
REFLECTION

It is true that beginnings are difficult. What we have

learned on the interview is that a willing soul will take risks,
or calculated risks in order to achieve a goal. For
entrepreneurs, it is good to take risks and see what will
happen to the business they are trying to make successful.
Continuously trying is a positive attitude towards a fruitful
business. Everyone should be reminded that a failure of one
does not necessarily mean that the next idea will be a failure
too. Moreover, we realized that being an entrepreneur in the
Philippines is fun yet really challenging. In a country like
this, competitors are so many and it is hard to make loyal
customers. However, following the rules, making good
customer service and giving quality products and services
will make the customers to keep seeing things in a whole
new perspective.
References
Google Maps. 2017. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com.ph/webhp?sourceid=chrome-
instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=bicol+map
Philippine Statistics Authority. 2015. Employment Situation in July
2014. Retrieved from http://psa.gov.ph/content/employment-
situation-july- 2014%C3%83%C6%92%C3%A2%E2%82%AC
%C5%A1 %C3%83%E2%80%9A%C3%82%C2%B9-final-results