Santa Rosa City, Laguna – The Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna Provincial Office (DTI-Laguna) Negosyo Center in the City Government of Santa Rosa continues to facilitate the growth of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
To further promote the services of the center, an SME Roving Academy (SMERA) on Retail Management was conducted via a video conferencing platform last 29 June 2021. The goal of this activity was to provide the MSMEs knowledge to ensure that their retail organization functions is at its highest capacity. The participants were given insights on how to take a closer look at how strategic approach to retail management can benefit both the owner and the customers.
Dr. Caesar Apolinar “Doc Jay-R” Ramirez Jr. served as the resource speaker for the webinar. Ramirez is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Banking and Finance, Master in Business Administration and Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management. With his experience, he earned a certification/accreditation as a Level 2 Mentor of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship from Go Negosyo in April 2017. He is, currently, a freelance business professor, trainer, mentor and consultant of college students, young professionals, and entrepreneurs.
The City Government of Santa Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas delivered a short inspirational message for the MSMEs attending the activity and it was officially opened by Negosyo Center City of Santa Rosa Manager Paulo Velasco.
Ramirez started his lecture by discussing the significance of retail management in business organization. He mentioned that retail management refers to the various processes which help the customers to procure the desired merchandise from the retail stores for their end use. He also discussed all the steps required to bring the customers into the store and fulfill their buying needs, the different styles of retail management, direct marketing and direct selling, and the growth of online retail industry due to the pandemic.
The pandemic has pushed most retail businesses to shift from physical to online stores. Ramirez then discussed the current trend on the retail industry and how the trend will shift in the latter part of 2021. Retail businesses will much more likely adapt newer concepts that will help their business get through this pandemic. The increase of retail businesses moving to online stores and taking advantage of social media as their strategic approach is only getting higher.
Ramirez concluded the webinar session by providing several trends and tips to support our MSMEs on their retail business.
The SMERA webinar properly ended with an open forum for the participants to clarify some concepts, share their experience and what they have learned from the webinar. Moreover, DTI-Laguna Provincial Director Clarke Nebrao gave a short message to the participants at the end of the webinar about the continuous partnership of the City Government of Santa Rosa and DTI-Laguna to support the MSMEs.
The event was participated in by a total of 33 potential and existing MSMEs, and was facilitated by DTI-Laguna Negosyo Center Business Counselor Nico A. Toriano and LGU-designated Negosyo Center Staff, Aileen Abanes, Kate Katigbak and Janmartin Almodovar.♦
Date of Release: 7 July 2021