The objective is to provide SMEs to explore more options in the digital world. PLDT SME Nation successfully hosted Tech Island 2.0 in Ocean Adventure, Subic.
Version 2 of the successful gathering of IT leaders, professionals and business owners was held from April 15 to 16 for a two day of discussions, workshops, and nowledge sharing on how to communicate in the digital sphere.
Day 1 is for Transformational Leadership in the Digital Era
Tech Island 2.0 opened its first day to key business owners in a high-level forum that established the changing digital landscape in the Philippines. With the theme “Transformational Leadership in the Digital Era”, PLDT Executive Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International and Carrier Business Eric Alberto shared his insights on what it means to ride the waves of the increasingly digital world for SMEs to remain competitive in the market. Key speakers included Rappler’s Chief Executive Maria Ressa on her experience in taking Rappler to uncharted digital territories, and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ Cardinal Luis Tagle on the responsibility that users and businesses need to take in maximizing the potential of the digital world. Alberto, Tagle, and Golden ABC’s President and CEO Bernie Liu also engaged on a panel discussion about what it means to be a transformational leader in the digital era.
Day 2 is for IT leaders & Entrepreneurs
Last year, Tech Island gathered about 800 eager participants, version 2 became bigger with more than 1,000 members of IT professionals, business owners, and developers took place on the second day for a plenary and workshops with some of the country’s top technology brands. Kicking off with the theme “Mastering the Digital Wave”, the talks aimed to bring businesses from the traditional to the digital scene with the use of the latest products and services that can empower SMEs.
The plenary began with few of the local successful entrepreneurs sharing their secrets and tips in running their own businesses. International Data Corporation’s Software and Services Director for ASEAN Roger Ling gave his analysis on where the technology industry is heading. Foodpanda Philippines CEO MauroCocchieri shared tips on how to take advantage of the digital revolution by integrating operations and deliveries into the cyberspace. Amihan Global Strategies Managing Director Winston Damarillo, who shared his story of making it big in Silicon Valley and starting his enterprise in delivering digital transformation strategies. IdeaSpace Foundation President and Co-Founder Earl Valencia, discussed the need for science and innovation to solve the region’s market issues, as well as shared his list of tools in the market today that will help SMEs grow their business.
To fine tune each subject matter, after lunch participants were grouped for the break out sessions. In “Catching the Wave,” PLDT SME Nation Data Solutions Category Head Christian Lim highlighted the collaboration between PLDT SME Nation, Samsung Business, Smart M2M Pay, Office 365, PLDT Cloud, Tackthis, Lazada, and JuanaChat to discuss a full-solution approach in providing SMEs with the necessary platforms as they continue to grow their businesses in the digital hemisphere. Unveiling the key to competitive efficiency was PLDT SME Nation Product Specialist Miguel Alegre in “Riding the Wave”, centering on the benefits of automating and streamlining operations with ICT solutions powered by Enterprise Resource Planning, PLDT Cloud Asset Tracking, ABM Global Solutions, Salesforce, Smart M2M PowerForm, and Smart M2M Pharma. For businesses that already have cloud solutions, IPC, Vitro Data Center, and PLDT Cloud held “Sink or Swim”, a talk by PLDT SME Nation Category Head for Voice and Cloud Enzo Tanedo on sustaining digital enterprises. On “Surfing Lessons,” Valencia returned to give IdeaSpace’s and Foodpanda’s business hacks for starting a digital outlet.
