I’m not here to discredit anybody, either male or female and I know also the fact that there are more successful men in business than women. It’s only in the past few years that women are beginning to be visible on the top ladder.

But what about online business, is there really a gender discrimination here?

In a private Facebook group, I noticed a lot of people were looking for a tech person to work with. So, I introduced myself. Upon returning to check on the status, I saw a post at the very top of the wall from a guy who also introduced himself as a coder.

This made me to think, where’s my post? Has it been buried by some guys who are more techie than me?

Now, I’m not that naive to think I am the only geek in a group. There are probably many people better at tech than me in any group. What gave me pause was, why this guy’s introduction got so many responses when mine hardly went noticed.

A horrifying thought flashed through my mind. It couldn’t be true. Did he get more attention because he’s a man? Maybe you have experienced something similar. Something that made you stop to wonder if you didn’t win the bid, secure that client or get that exposure because you are a woman. Then, you look around and it looks like all the top dogs are men.

Of course it depends on the industry you are in but I’m here to tell you, even in seemingly male-centric arenas, there are plenty of women quietly making serious coin. Sometimes, we aren’t seeing the ladies because women simply aren’t vocal about their successes. And, when we toot our own horn, we often express it in an entirely different manner.

For us, being able to support our families and being there when the kids get off the bus mean a whole lot more than ‘crushing it’ or making a million dollars in 24 hours. I’m not saying women don’t strive for that. I’d love to make that kind of money any day. It’s just, our goals are often more immediate and realistic.

That is why it’s always refreshing to hear stories about real women and how they broke through the barriers. If you need a little inspiration from authentic women just like you, head on over to SoloMasterminds. They are bragging on three ladies who turned their wildest dreams into reality while juggling homework, laundry, whiny children, soccer practices and meal plans.

As for that little incident I told you about earlier, after giving it more thought, I decided it had nothing to do with gender nor discrimination of any kind. There were plenty of logical and probably more accurate explanations like the timing of our posts and how quickly my post got buried under a flurry of activity.

What I learned that week – focus on being awesome instead of speculating about something that may not be true because when working for yourself, there is no glass ceiling. Especially with an Internet business. Don’t take my word for it. Check out the three case studies and let those women tell you their story.

— BIO —

Lynette Chandler helps small businesses leverage technology in their marketing. She is also the resident tech expert at SoloMasterminds and credits it for helping to turn her business around. Lynette would love to connect with you in this special community and invites you to come check it out.

If you are planning to try your luck on food business by next year, see the list of menu prepared by Entrepreneur.com.ph. Find out which will make it big next year in the food industry.

Here’s a sneak peek of what 2012 has in store for us:

1. Jack-potluck
Formal dinner parties will take a backseat this year to make way for casual Barefoot Contessa-like entertaining at home.

2. Super-size me to mini-me.
Why have one big meal when you can have 12 small ones? Inspired by French cuisine’s degustation and the now-defunct El Bulli restaurant.

3. All fired up.
Expanding the horizons of pugon and wood-fired pizza, restaurants in New York are now turning to the smoky route of roasting and charcoal.

4. Unusual desserts
We’ll find more food infused with alcohol and other weird stuff. Already available in Manila are The Munchy Market’sJack Daniel’s-infused Blackinese Brownies and Café Ysabel’s Chocolate Bourbon cake.

5. Home bakers, unite!
Thanks to Parvati, a pastry shop that consigns from different home bakers, baking entrepreneurs are now at the forefront of Metro Manila’s dessert scene.

see the complete list at http://www.entrepreneur.com.ph/ideas-and-opportunities/article/a-forecast-of-food-trends-that-will-rock-2012.

Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs are known as our “lipon ng mga bagong bayani.” With the continuing pressures of earning a living for Filipino families, “The 1st OFW and Family Summit 2011” will be launched on November 24 by the Villar Foundation, the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), Inc. and Go Negosyo. Its theme is, “Kabuhayan Para sa Kinabukasan,” which aims to entice business minds into the OFWs. Where is the venue? This event is happening at the World Trade Center.

Aside from the exhibits and stalls, other goals of the summit would be to endear training and education to the OFWs on what it takes to start their own forms of businesses, whether small or big.

Topics on that day can be: the basics on business, shaping business minds and skills allied for them and their families needs. These OFWs can either start on distributing products or directly selling products then advance in progress in being a franchisee on the type of business of their choice. Everything of these will be tackled in the summit by guest speakers and presenters, who are experts in the business world.

According to Mrs. Villar, encouraging smart investments should be the key to protecting as well as multiplying these OFWs hard earned money. To which, Mr. Concepcion of Go Negosyo agreed by saying that the summit should support the OFWs plans on securing their children’s education and basic needs.
A house and lot by Camella will be raffled to a lucky OFW, who can present a valid proof of profession. Help our OFWs today in enriching their lifestyles and share their success.

Building an eco-friendly house on a tight budget is no longer impossible dream. If you have a plan to build a new home for your family that is eco-friendly, meaning a green and sustainable design, then you should definitely attend the Manila Construction Show 2011 (MANILACON 2011).

If you are a supplier, architects, project managers or contractors, be there as an sponsor or view the product showcase.  You can also attend The Green Forum, a 2-day in depth discussions on green and sustainable building design practices within and beyond shores.

The 3rd Green Architecture Students Symposium will be held on the said events.

Other highlights include:

• Seminars & Workshops for Dealers & Distributors
• Technology Update for Trade Professionals (seminars, workshops & product  presentations by industry supplier-exhibitors)
• Meet & Update Cocktails for Industry Players
• Product Watch Pavilion

Date : September 01, 2011 – September 04, 2011
Time : 10am – 8pm
Venue : Halls 1-2 SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

For information about this event, please visit www.manilacon.com.

Aug. 29 is observed as National Heroes’ Day, while Aug. 30 is Eid’l Fitr – the end of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan. The latter date was declared under Proclamation No. 234, s. 2011

Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Baldoz urged all private sector employers to pay proper wages to workers.

Secretary Baldoz said the following pay rules will apply on Monday and Tuesday next week, both regular holidays:

source: http://www.dole.gov.ph/secondpage.php?id=2229

The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) will celebrate the two decades of Philippine retailing starting tomorrow August 11 until August 12, 2011 as it hold the 20th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Dubbed as the biggest and most important retail industry of the year, the conference will present the biggest names and most respected brand experts and strategist not only in the country but around Asia Pacific too.

According to NRCE website, topping this year’s elite guest list are Ma. Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz, Asian brand guru Joseph Baladi; Ayala Land, Inc President and Management Man of the Year 2009 Antonino Aquino and Mang Inasal Founder Edgar Sia II. Aquino-Cruz sets the stage by inspiring the retailers to strive for excellence with integrity in the conduct of their business.

Asia Brand Guru and renowned author of “The Brutal Truth about Branding”, Joseph Baladi is this year’s Main Speaker as he tackles the paradox of the Asian brand.

This year’s NRCE theme, “The New Frontier: Taking Retail to the Next Level” sets the stage for retail competitiveness in the next decade.

One of the major events during the 20th NRCE is the Stores Asia Expo that will feature over 100 top retail suppliers to be led by  PLDT Alpha Enterprise, HP, RedPrairie, Genie Technologies,  Antex  and Target Display at NRCE’s Stores Asia Expo. To be showcased on the two-day exhibit are the most innovative and updated “tools for global retailing”.

The  conference and expo is supported by the country’s leading companies including PLDT Alpha Enterprise, SM, Hewlett-Packard, Festival Supermall, Robinsons Malls; Banco de Oro, TCC,RedPrairie, Vinculum Communications, Inc.; Ayala Malls, Eastwood Mall, Araneta Center and Chronos; L Timestudio; So! F.A.B., Forme, Wilcon Depot, Bench and Coca-Cola.

For more information about the 20th NRCE, visit www.nrceph.com, call PRA at 687-4180/4181 or email ebbs@philretailers.com.ph

We’ve been bombarded by similar messages in our mailbox (virtual or otherwise), day-in and day-out, too many to count and so much so that we become allergic even at the mere sight of those words. However . . .

Here is exactly how to get rich quick: COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.

Alright, I hear somebody say “But I have no blessings. What is there to count?” If you happen to have similar thoughts, Think Again! Everyone can find some blessings if they but look more closely . . .

LOVE. The love of your family, friends and your natural inclination to love in return. Isn’t that a blessing? Today, my son will be making a presentation in school about “That Strange Thing Called Love,” and it made me ponder. This feeling that many call ‘love’ is the fountain from which all other blessings flow, even if just simply wishing the very best of those closest to you, and an abiding positive wish for all the best of life for them.

LIVELIHOOD. Anything that allows you to live a life – your job, business, vocation or profession. There may be some days you dread the sound of the alarm clock, and you drag yourself out of bed to face another day of problems to solve – facing the same people and bearing with them because you have “no choice,” everything that puts your patience to the test – it is, after all, a blessing.

Recently, I had a talk with somebody whose company is affected by the global crisis, and this is how our discussion went . . .

John: My friend, we’re doing straight-time work, which means we have no more overtime. It drastically affected my take-home pay.

Me: My friend, count it as a blessing. There are many who don’t even have an hour of work.

John: But my friend, management is taking out a lot of our benefits. We have no more “family day” unlike before.

Me: My friend, count it as a blessing. There are many whose families left them because they have no jobs. You still have yours.

John: But my friend, I’m afraid . . .

Me: My friend, you’re asking for too much. When God gives what you ask, you are fully blessed. When you don’t receive what you ask, you are blessed two times over, because God will give it to you in His own time.

LIFE. Yes, life itself. Don’t you think?

Last Sunday, the matriarch of my clan died at 96 (a few days short of her 97th birthday). She was a great lady and lived life to the fullest, counting the blessings her whole life. I know, because I’ve seen her give so much even when there’s almost no more to give. How I wish to be like her . . .

As I’m writing this, somebody knocked – the bill collector. One day in the past, somebody allowed me to use some cash to answer an urgent need. I just realized, what a blessing.

The next time you are feeling low and ready to throw yourself a pity-party, or perhaps you’re overwhelmed with your bills, just remember: Get Rich Quick. Count Your Blessings!

This is a guest post of ReyM of The Leaders’ Ladder

If your company is doing a lot of printing jobs, instead of purchasing your own printer, ink/toner and maintaining the printer hoping that it won’t break down, why don’t you take advantage of this new and unique services by Express Print Shop.

The FREE Use of Brand New Printers – Print All You Can service includes:

• Unlimited Prints
• Unlimited Ink/ Toner Supply
• Free Repair And Maintenance
• Immediate Replacement Of Defective Printers
• Free delivery of all printer unit/s!!

Check below the available printers together with the rate of the service.

For Inkjet Printers:

• Epson T13, Canon IP 2770, Canon Pixma 1980 – colored prints;  (with continuous ink system tanks for as low as PhP2,500 per month
• Canon MP 258 (all in one)  print, copy, scan with continuous inksystem tanks for as low as PhP 2,700 per month

For LaserJet Printers:

• HP 1020/ canon laserjet lbp 2900 for as low as php 2,500 per month

To avail of this great service and further inquiries, get in touch with:

Maria Catherine F. Cortes
General Manager
Express Print Shop
1601 Megaplaza Bldg. ADB Ave. corner Garnet Rd.
Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Mobile : +63917 8292218
Telephone: +632 586 70 13
Email: expressprintshop@mail.com

The SME Development Week is being celebrated every second week of July every year.

This year’s theme  is “Pinoy SME: Business Tayo! “, as the rallying call for the SME Development Plan from 2011 to 2016

The SME Summit , scheduled for Thursday, 7 July 2011, at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Manila is the main highlight of the nationwide celebration. It will  showcase lessons from successful entrepreneurs who will be invited as resource speakers and panelists for the plenary sessions.

The formal launching of the SME  STAR Presidential Award is also included in the programme. The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding
entrepreneur.

Another highlight of the summit is the symbolic opening  of Tindahang Pinoy, a showcase of locally made goods, highlighting 1,000 OTOP  (One Town, One Product)  goods from all over the country.

SME SUMMIT 2011  Programme (tentative)
07 July 2011   | Philippine Trade Training Center

Free training programs for budding  entrepreneur will also be offered during the SMED Week Celebration. Free SME Briefing Sessions are scheduled on Friday, 8 July 2011, while free Demo-Skills and Business Management Seminars are scheduled on Saturday, 09 July  2011, at the Philippine Trade Training Center, Roxas Blvd, Manila.

For more information, please call DTI-BMSMED at telephone nos. 751 5059 or 751 5061.

• Do you know what it takes to be an  Entrepreneur?
• Do you have plans to expand your business by Exporting?
• Are you an OFW or a full-time employee who want to go into Business?

The Department of Trade and Industry through its Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BMSMED) is conducting a series of free SME briefing sessions.

Location: BMSMED Training Room, 5/F DTI Building, 361 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Schedule: Every Tuesday from 1:30-4:00 p.m. from June 7 to August 30, 2011

The 1-hour per topic briefing sessions are geared towards  imparting more knowledge and information necessary in starting and running a business.

Briefing session topics for the month of July and August are the following:

For inquiries, contact DTI-BMSMED c/o Ms. Cynthia Paloma or Mhel Gabriel at telephone nos. 897.1693 and 751.5076.